Roundtable Discussion on Stakeholder Analysis for Effective Partnership Building

GFAR Secretariat is organizing a Roundtable Discussion on Stakeholder Analysis for Effective Partnership Building on the 22nd of October, the first day of the series of GFAR Statutory Meetings (22-25 October 2004), prior to the Annual General Meeting 2004 of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).

The roundtable will be facilitated by Dr. Chevalier from Carleton University. He developed the Social Analysis System in collaboration with the International Development Research Centre (Ottawa, Canada). Since early 2001, SAS techniques and tools have been designed and tested in Latin America, Asia, Africa, and North America. The techniques, written in clear language, are now available on the SAS website and CD-ROM. People can also attend SAS workshops to experience process-based learning involving dynamic teamwork and real problem-solving exercises.

About The Social Analysis System

The Social Analysis System (SAS) is a fresh collection of easy-to-use techniques and software tools that offer new ideas in the field of participatory research. The system provides users with solid methods for doing participatory social analysis. SAS uses step-by-step instructions to assess the problems, the parties, their profiles, their positions, and the paths or solutions that become part of project plans and activities. The resulting assessments are most relevant in situations where stakeholders need effective dialogue and wish to move beyond technical fixes by taking the social dimension of development seriously. The system also promotes strategic participation by targeting those parties that can or must be involved and those that should be empowered through ongoing research and development activities. SAS techniques and tools are especially useful in projects with multiple stakeholders. They can be used for self-directed or group learning. Development agencies, training centres, non-governmental organizations, field researchers, university teachers, or students doing applied research will benefit from SAS' unique approach.

The GFAR Secretariat will like to acknowledge the generous support and contribution of the Department for International Development (DFID) for this activity.