Global reform policies meet local communities: A critical inquiry on the children's act in South Africa

Beth Blue Swadener, Bekisizwe S. Ndimande

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

This chapter chronicles the initial development process of working collaboratively with community members in the growth of a university Experiential Learning Project (ELP) called Praxis Malawi, while trying to shake of old habits associated with research outside of the academy. It focuses on the perceptions of building towards reciprocity with a Canadian university, through Participatory Action Research (PAR); it analyzes collaboratively efforts with community members. For the mainstream Canadian undergraduate student who is attracted to an overseas ELP, his or her motivation to participate in such an experience has overwhelmingly been based on humanitarian reasons. The chapter explains the working with community members in the region of Kasungu, Malawi, to develop a transfer of a knowledge-based educational project that is both sustainable and reciprocal. It attempts to clarify that expertise had to be mutually identified, understood, and respected. The culture of pacifity, reinforced by years of colonialism, needed to be identified.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationQualitative Inquiry Outside the Academy
PublisherTaylor and Francis
Pages128-145
Number of pages18
ISBN (Electronic)9781315421322
ISBN (Print)9781611328967
StatePublished - Jan 1 2016

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Psychology

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