Download CCAFS (ccafs.cgiar.org/) seeks to seeks to overcome the threats to

Twelve Propositions
for Discussion
Julian F. Gonsalves PhD.
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1. The new reformed CGIAR set up,
especially the CRP arrangements, is
fostering inter-center collaboration,
cooperation and consequently
transdisciplinary research.
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2. Challenges posed by the current AR4D focus
on poverty, food security, environment and
particularly climate change are complex,
multi-scale, involving a diversity of
stakeholders (with different perspectives
and sometimes competing interests) have
resulted in a new demand for support in
social learning-related areas.
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3. Methodological innovations and new
work modalities are needed to address
the disciplinary boundaries and biases
which still characterize some of the
work of some CG centers.
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4. New modalities must recognize the value of
bringing stakeholders across the RD
spectrum with special emphasis on
strategic and purposive integration of the
Regional and National research sectors.
Otherwise, it could be “business as usual”.
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5. Resulting from the CRP orientation, emerging
partnerships, new work arrangements, ICT
tools and related increased networking
provide new opportunities for demonstrating
the value and eventually institutionalizing
social learning approaches, provided this is
done in an organized, coordinated, reflective
and consultative manner.
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6. There is an “all time high” awareness of the
limited uptake of research products and
processes – the gap between R & D,
resulting in the wider promotion of
partnership-based platforms directed
primarily at demonstrating the relevance of
an innovations perspective and aimed at
enhancing research uptake/use.
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7. The social and institutional issues
associated with climate change research
in the AR4D sector have many
similarities with past CG efforts
in natural resources
management research.
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8. There is wider acceptance and bigger
emphasis of the scientific community
on the importance and legitimacy of
doing research on issues related to
upscaling and outscaling. Learning and
participatory communication come
“into play” in a bigger way.
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9. CCAFs has well demonstrated models to build on in its
adaptive management work.
9.1 Models for effective community engagement -of
relevance to any adaptation work- of relevance to
any subsequent upscaling efforts are best
developed through effective researcher
engagement at the local level. The value of FFS,
CIALs and ACM/Co-Management as relevant
approaches for researchers to engage local
communities has been proven.
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9.2 Efforts to address institutional issues associated
with climate change can draw heavily from a rich
and long tradition of research on collective
action (www.capri.cgiar.org).
9.3 Models for outscaling at the higher level have
also been demonstrated through such
approaches as Learning Alliances and other
multistakeholder platforms.
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10. A community of practice on areas related
to social learning can be considered. The
compilation for wider sharing and
promotion of the diverse range of field
tested tools and approaches – currently
widely dispersed and remaining unknown
to the wider community – would be a
logical early step.
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11. Social learning in AR4D out of necessity
implies frequent, equal exposure and
substantive interaction to lower
level stakeholders (e.g. communities,
farmer groups). Otherwise it will be
business as usual.
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12. Social learning efforts are knowledge and
time intensive – involving cycles of
learning and reflection – and cannot be
rushed. Social learning efforts are likely to
generate “real” results at the local level
only if adequate investment of time and
effort in community level engagement is
undertaken before upscaling is
attempted.
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