Project Description

MK9 set out to improve dialogue about how communities are dealing with changes to the Mekong’s water resources. The project was built around two key methodologies: (a) Thaibaan research, which is a form of participatory rural appraisal, in which local communities define the kind of research they would like to conduct, and then implement it; and (b) participatory video, through which communities collect the data to answer their research questions using video. The project entrusts villagers to become local researchers who produce educational outputs for their communities. The project aims to provide insights on impacted livelihoods (pre- and post-dams) and human resilience in the face of change. The project’s theory of change sees community experiences as largely neglected in wider discussions about water in the Mekong. By empowering communities through the research they implement, supported and facilitated by a wider technical and analytical network, community representation in dialogues and decision-making processes will improve.

Partners

MK9 was led by the Participatory Development Training Centre (Laos); the Center for Water Resources Conservation and Development (Vietnam); and the Culture and Environment Preservation Association (Cambodia)

Outputs

This Project’s Major Outputs revolve around Films: 16 from Lao PDR, 4 from Vietnam, and 4 from Cambodia. Equipped with video cameras, local villagers filmed the changes that they experienced on the rivers where they live. The project team helped them edit the films into individual, stand-alone, short documentaries, which can be used as a vehicle for tabling community perspectives at wider fora.
Watch the Films
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A total of 27 groups (247 people-134 women) in 11 villages in Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia carry out researches in 29 topics including fish species, fishing gears, deep pool, rice, sweet corn, traditional songs, dancing, festivals, bamboo, mushroom, etc.

Local knowledge in 29 topics were captured in a form of videos, leaflets, posters and reports. The knowledge was shared at local, national and regional levels.

Led by the villagers themselves, the topics were discussed on problems, causes, solutions and action plans. The research findings are integrated to village development plan and local curriculum in schools.

Villagers have more understanding about changes in their livelihood activities, and have a better knowledge and skills to present their concerns.

Relevant organizations at local and national levels understand more about issues affecting livelihoods of the people and have more recognitions about the value of Thaibaan research as an effective approach for community learning and development.

Outputs from Lao PDR

MK9 – Lao Fish, Ban Beuungze – Poster Lao/English (540.0 KiB)
MK9 – Lao Fish, Ban Manilard – Poster Lao/English (436.4 KiB)
MK9 – Lao Fish, Ban Paksebangfai – Poster Lao/English (470.6 KiB)
MK9 – Lao Fish, Ban Puckfeau – Poster Lao/English (505.1 KiB)
MK9 – Lao Fishing Gear, Bcuungze – Poster Lao/English(291.6 KiB)
MK9 – Lao Fishing Gear, Manilart – Poster Lao/English (364.1 KiB)
MK9 – Lao fishing Gear, Pakse – Poster Lao/English (283.0 KiB)
Mk9 – Lao Fishing Gear, Puckfeua – Poster Lao/English(304.4 KiB)

Funding

A CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food initiative supported by funding from Australian Aid.

Duration

October 2012 to December 2013

Contact the team:

Project leader & Lao contact: Mr. Phoutthasinh Phimmachanh – phoutthasinh@yahoo.com
In Cambodia: Mr. Tep Bunnarith – tep@cepa-cambodia.org
In Vietnam: Ms. Duong Thu Hang – hang@warecod.org.vn