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Rethinking Institutional Knowledge for Community Participation in Co-Management

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  • Ayonghe Akonwi Nebasifu

    (Anthropology Research Group, Arctic Centre—Rovaniemi, Communities and Changing Work Thematic Program—Graduate School, University of Lapland, P.O. Box 122, FI-96101 Rovaniemi, Finland)

  • Ngoindong Majory Atong

    (Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Buea, P.O. Box 63, Buea 00000, South West, Cameroon)

Abstract

Critics of participation often examine the undesirable consequences of state-led systems without much analysis of institutional knowledge at the local level. In this paper, we investigate whether smaller institutions could offer useful knowledge for meeting the development needs of local people. Using participation theory and related literature on development and power, we investigate a co-management system in communities around Mount Cameroon National Park (MCNP), in sub-Saharan West Africa. Our study adopts a multimethod approach to survey officials in 16 agencies and locals in 17 village groups. The findings indicate factors that hinder the effectiveness of local participation and avenues by which institutional knowledge can be customized to meet local development priorities. This system of participation, we conclude, could work better through open dialogue that is explicitly accountable and transparent.

Suggested Citation

  • Ayonghe Akonwi Nebasifu & Ngoindong Majory Atong, 2019. "Rethinking Institutional Knowledge for Community Participation in Co-Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-19, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:20:p:5788-:d:277973
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jerome Ballet & Kouamekan J-M. Koffi & K. Boniface Komena, 2009. "Co-Management of Natural Resources in Developing Countries: the Importance of Context," Economie Internationale, CEPII research center, issue 120, pages 53-76.
    2. Victoria Wibeck & Björn-Ola Linnér & Melisa Alves & Therese Asplund & Anna Bohman & Maxwell T. Boykoff & Pamela M. Feetham & Yi Huang & Januario Nascimento & Jessica Rich & Charles Yvon Rocha & Franco, 2019. "Stories of Transformation: A Cross-Country Focus Group Study on Sustainable Development and Societal Change," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-19, April.
    3. Nantongo, Mary & Vatn, Arild & Vedeld, Paul, 2019. "All that glitters is not gold; Power and participation in processes and structures of implementing REDD+ in Kondoa, Tanzania," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 44-54.
    4. E. A. Brett, 2003. "Participation and accountability in development management," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(2), pages 1-29.
    5. Dan Brockington, 2008. "Corruption, Taxation and Natural Resource Management in Tanzania," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(1), pages 103-126.
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