Meaningful participation
Module 8
Training notes
The next three modules are very closely linked. They address what we call ‘The Three P’s - participation, partnership and privilege. Meaningful participation and partnership are widely used phrases with very opaque definitions, especially in the context of working with refugee communities as partners. In each of these modules we seek to unpack the ambiguities and make them more applicable in diverse situations.
Aims
This module aims to assist stakeholders in undertaking a thorough situational analysis which will help determine which model of participation is most likely to succeed in any given site and identify steps to address barriers to this.
Suggested timing for the module
This module involves bringing together information and evidence from previous modules. Three different tools are provided. If using all tools allow at least 3 hours.
Meaningful participation – A useful definition
When refugees — regardless of location, legal recognition, gender, identity and demographics - are prepared for and participating in fora and processes where strategies are being developed and/or decisions are being made (including at local, national, regional, and global levels, and especially when they facilitate interactions with host states, donors, or other influential bodies), in a manner that is ethical, sustained, safe, and supported financially.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Global Refugee-led Network: (page 7)
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Tools and exercises
A checklist of local politics
Meaningful participation assessment checklist
This checklist is designed to assist in determining what level of meaningful participation is happening or could be viable for individual refugees.You may have already used it when examining gender equality. It can be adapted for mixed groups, men only or any diverse groups with whom you are working by changing the wording in the top left hand corner.
- Meaningful participation assessment checklist: Word version
- Meaningful participation assessment checklist: PDF version
Participation exercise when working with refugee communities
The jigsaw of participation exercise was developed with eight different WRLOs in KL. It can be used with community members and the staff of local/international NGOs and UN agencies working with refugee women to gain their insights. It is an extended version of the checklist designed to get a fuller picture of the barriers to participation in a particular refugee site, specifically from the women themselves, and suggestions for addressing these.