participatory vs. assessments --- First, consultations/"assessments" is one thing - engagement and meaningful relationship building to understand the realities and build on what communities share is another, and the latter would serve advocacy much better and be endorsed/supported by the communities. Second - 'don't talk about me without me' - why not create strategies with the communities themselves. it's also an opportunity to share information and enable communities to better understand how to navigate should they choose to mobilize. Third, we should share what we collect back to them.

Source author: Crys Al Chamaa Crys.chamaa@gmail.com