geert lovink on Thu, 9 Aug 2001 10:55:54 +0200 (CEST) |
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<nettime> report of community research network conference (austin, july 2001) |
From: <Loka@Loka.org> INITIAL REPORT 2001 Annual Community Research Network Conference "Re-Shaping the Culture of Research: People, Participation, Partnerships and Practical Tools" By Jill Chopyak and Khan Rahi Launched in 1995 by the Loka Institute, the Community Research Network (CRN) is a comprehensive, international network of community- based research (CBR) practitioners from grassroots communities, funding agencies, universities, local government offices and national research institutions. The CRN aims to support and enhance collaborative, community-based research activities through education and training, networking opportunities, information on funding resources, media outreach, and advocacy efforts. Community-based research is based upon the principles of participation and partnership. It puts affected communities in the driver's seat for finding solutions to the problems they face. Recent movies such as A Civil Action and Erin Brocovich have shown how such citizen action can lead to positive change in a community. There are, however, hundreds of communities around the country that are involved in research to solve problems of environmental health, economic development, racial injustice, and agricultural sustainability that are not shown on the big screen. These are the people that make up the Community Research Network. The Fourth Annual Community Research Network Conference was held July 6-8, 2001 at the University of Texas, Austin. Sponsored by the Loka Institute, and hosted by the Urban Issues Program at the University of Texas and the Llano Grande Center for Research and Development of Edcouch, Texas, the conference brought together approximately 180 participants from 13 different countries. Financial support from the C.S. Mott Foundation and conference co-sponsors (see below) enabled Loka to provide full or partial scholarship to approximately 50 people - over 30% of conference participants. CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS As a conference location, Austin, TX took the Community Research Network out of the East, bringing in new participants from the Southwest and Western part of the U.S. Local hosts from Austin and south Texas gave us a taste of southwest culture and a sense of place through live music, art work, and storytelling by renowned author David Rice. Conference keynote, Enrique Trueba, provided a broad introduction to community-based research, both in theory and his personal practice. The conference used an adapted version of Open Space, making the conference a combination of self-defined circle discussions, plenary discussion, and tools-based workshops. Some of the key issues that emerged from conference discussions included: ** Involving young people in community-based research - it is important to continue to recognize the power of young people in conducting community-based research. They are the voice of the future, and often, have the ability to speak to policy-makers, funders and academics in a way others can't. Training young people as researchers also builds community leadership and capacity, and often will provide the energy to invigorate and involve a community. ** Regional networking - Saturday morning focused on the development of regional networks. Conference participants grouped themselves by the various regions around the U.S. Discussion focused on establishing regional networks in the northeast, west and southeast initially. All groups recommended having regional conferences before the next national conference in 2002. ** Language - It's important to use language that is understood by both community members and academics. Often, language is used to exclude individuals from participation. Community-based research is about shifting the power dynamics of traditional research, so language needs to be understandable to all involved. ** Need to recognize community knowledge as valid - Community-based research is about altering the idea that only formalized or institutionalized scientific knowledge is valid. We need to shift the research process and priorities to understand that community-based knowledge brought together with science creates well-balanced information can pave the way for positive change. ** Building partnerships takes time, and trust is essential - Issues of race, gender and class need to be discussed further. We need to recognize that removal of these barriers is essential to building meaningful and effective partnerships. The division between universities and communities needs to be bridged and harmonized. Having intermediary organizations that can bridge the gap is often useful. ** Increase funding for community-based research - The lack of resources for community-based research activities is always a barrier to long-term sustainable CBR projects and activities. Partnerships between funders, and between funders and grantees needs to be encouraged. Conference participants developed an advocacy plan aimed at increasing funding for community-based research. They asked the Loka Institute to coordinate and implement these efforts. ** International cooperation - Globalization requires action cross- nationally. We need to fill in the gap and bring forward more examples from Southern countries. We need to address issues of poverty and marginalization that are a result of globalization. There is also a need and opportunity for community-based research projects cross-nationally that will make the connection between a local situation and a global process. ** Media - We need to increase contacts with the media and use the media as a fundraising and social change tool. ALANA Caucus The ALANA (African, Latin, Asian and Native American) Caucus of the CRN met to discuss its mission and future activities. Below is a summary of that discussion prepared by Hasan Crockett, Ph.D., Director, Brisbane Institute, Morehouse College. Mission Statement: Points for Consideration · ALANA supports the recovery and reconstruction of the history of communities of color committed to the notion of knowledge in the service of community. · ALANA supports knowledge and educational institutions as functions of community and opposed these institutions separate from communities "reaching in" to solve problems. The localization/indigenization of knowledge production and transmission must be central to ALANA's development (place based education and research). · We must support and develop popular forms of education and research that are community generated and transmitted as opposed to paternalistic approaches descending from the academy or other "external organizations". The assumption here is that regardless of ones occupation, one is a community member first and foremost. We must become and seek to inspire the development of "organic intellectuals". Suggested Concrete Goals of ALANA Caucus · Unite communities and individuals of color within a network that supports the development of functional community based research praxis and institutions. · In the process, share experiences (both successes and failures), which will advance community-based research within communities and institutions controlled by people of color. · Contribute to the ongoing debate and process associated with making knowledge production and education more relevant, culturally sound and humane within the context of communities of color. · Encourage the development of a national network driven by functional local institutions. · Develop a biannual publication that supports the goals stated above. · Meet annually to develop a level of autonomy in theory and practice for ALANA. · Develop a financial base to support the development of ALANA. CONFERENCE RECOMMENDATIONS Conference participants also offered several suggestions for future conferences as well as the future work of Loka as the coordinator of the Community Research Network. These included: · Incorporate a field trip into the conference. · Have a training opportunity for those new to the topic to learn about CBR before the conference. · Increase access to funders, and provide information on how to secure funds for CBR activities. · Increase electronic forum discussions in between conferences to enhance the activity of the CRN. · Facilitate the development of regional working groups/networks. · Need additional discussion/case studies on how community-based research is a legitimate and useful methodology for science, not just for community development. · Create an online "tool-kit" with resource guide. As coordinator of the CRN, the Loka Institute welcomes other suggestions for next year's conference and other CRN activities. We have begun to implement some many of the suggestions above and those suggested by conference participants. If you were not able to attend the conference, we hope to hear from you too! Please email Loka@Loka.org, or call us at 413-559-5860 with your thoughts and ideas. The Loka Institute would like to thank the C.S. Mott Foundation for their support of the Community Research Network, and the Albert A. List Foundation, the Menemsha Fund, the European Commission, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the National Science Foundation and the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities for other Loka project and general operating support. We would also like to thank the following organizations and individuals for co-sponsoring the conference and for participating in the conference planning committee: Conference Co-Sponsors The Annie E. Casey Foundation Council for Undergraduate Research The Institute for Community Research New Directions Community-Based Research Institute The Policy Research and Action Group Conference Planning Committee Miguel Guajardo, Univ. of Texas Urban Issues Program, Llano Grande Center for Research & Development Peter Levesque, Social Science & Humanities Research Council, Canada Juan Valadez, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church Oliver Loveday, Appalachian Focus Andrew Collver, New Directions Community-Based Research Institute Heather Fenyk, Rutgers University Torri Estrada, Urban Habitat Program Loka Institute Staff: Jill Chopyak, Khan Rahi, Rose Ryan, Geert Dhondt, Vionne Revering # distributed via <nettime>: no commercial use without permission # <nettime> is a moderated mailing list for net criticism, # collaborative text filtering and cultural politics of the nets # more info: majordomo@bbs.thing.net and "info nettime-l" in the msg body # archive: http://www.nettime.org contact: nettime@bbs.thing.net