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The policies of our country which are to be implemented at the hot and sweaty grassroots-level are framed in the cool and sanitised environs of air-conditioned luxuries, that is why they fail— this is an oft-repeated comment. There is a general opinion that this top-down and centralised approach is the bane of our governance. The failure of our family-planning initiatives that looked at the problem from an authoritarian viewpoint is a classic example to cite. It was only when the paradigm shifted to an individual-centric approach that it became acceptable to the community.
Won’t listening to all voices, bog us down? Drag us back? Won’t it be easier to allow the expert to take decisions and then thrust them on the public? Do the illiterate, naïve and uninformed lay persons contribute more than the experts, authorities or leaders? And even if we try to listen to all the voices can it be practically done? This book tells us that Facilitated Participatory Planning (or FPP) is the way through which all stakeholders can be involved in the planning process. It elaborates on why the opinion of the common man is indispensible, enriching and effective and the practical aspects of how all participants can have their say and own the ideas for any plan to work. Author Gavin Bennett is a strategic communication specialist, while Cole P. Dodge has been the Regional Director of UNICEF and has not only developed and evolved the FPP technique but has also successfully used it to bring effective and lasting changes in health and education institutions across continents in Bangladesh, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. The book is divided into 19 chapters contained within five sections, titled- Introduction, The principles, Techniques, In practice and Delving deeper. In a systematic manner, we come to know that the technique of FPP is nothing else but the tried-and-tested way of "talking it out" at a discussion forum where all stakeholders meet and brainstorm ideas. However, there are some marked differences in FPP from the loose chatty or argumentative ways employed in our meetings. FPP is a focused and disciplined process undergone by a task force drawn from diverse, multidisciplinary and different stakeholders. Also, the discussion of reaching a consensus of making a plan is facilitated by an outside specialist who provides methodological leadership for decision making. Most significantly, the members reach the goal by asking incremental questions, putting across ideas, seeking mutual agreement through understanding and teamwork. There is no seeking consensus by vote. FPP gives due acknowledgement to the collective genius of the human resource. The book gradually uncovers the entire process beginning with selection of the task force, games and exercises and tools to be used for facilitation and nitty-gritty of planning a FPP. The skills and attitudes needed for being an effective facilitator, a crucial factor for a successful FPP, are also discussed. About 35 references and selective bibliography at the end of the book provides interested readers with leads for further exploration. The book is written in a light, conversational style. The content is divided into precise, crisp paragraphs and is aided with interesting cartoons. However, several cartoons have been repeated throughout the book giving an impression that the illustrator was short of ideas or, perhaps, lazy. Also, I did not like the cover drawing of a girl’s portrait which is cluttered and fails to convey any connection with the strongly worded title of the book. Though, the authors provide compelling evidence of the success of FPP in turning around any institution however, one could not completely shrug off my doubt regarding whether involving grassroots stakeholders in policy making could be effectively done in India. If FPP could be successful in Bangladesh, we too should also give it a try.
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Similarly the Rs 28
poverty line determined by the Planning Commission has become a sort of
joke. It is quite clear that there is no other way but to learn our
lesson of giving due space, attention and recognition to all voices,
stake holders and participants impacted by our plans and policies if we
are really interested in the overall growth of our nation. The question
is how it can be actually done with our vast and diverse country, where
there are a million opinions competing to be heard.