Report to the closing session on ’Innovative learning processes’ at the 2010 IAALD World Congress - 26-29 April 2010, Montpellier, France

1. IAALD XIIIth World Congress Montpellier, France Tuesday, April 27, 2010 Theme 1 – Session 1 & 2 Innovative Learning Processes

2. Successful Approaches for Improving Rural Community Livelihoods Many lessons learned from experiences throughout Africa (Senegal, Cameroon, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Ghana) Innovations in communication and information technologies are more successful when they include social and cultural contexts Decision-making improves when participatory approaches incorporate traditional processes

3. Successful approaches, cont. Participatory approaches are especially important in the empowerment of women and helping them gain new income Similarly, ICTs need to be tied to local contexts to develop trust in their use Participatory approaches that include role playing, forms of entertainment, and knowledge sharing achieve good results

4. Innovative Approaches from India Tele-centers provide rural communities with a variety of important learning opportunities Some of the more effective ones are multi-media in format Also, there has been success in using farmers as “trainers” of other farmers (train the trainer approach)

5. Learning & Knowledge Sharing Toolkits The Virtual Environment & Sustainable Development University in France offers freely available flexible, interactive digital learning resources in environment and sustainability (can be used in many venues) CGIAR also has a suite of knowledge sharing techniques, such as “Speed Geeking” that can be used to quickly engage groups in tackling problems and solutions

6. From France and a Final Learning Back to participatory approaches, we had papers demonstrating participatory and conversational learning processes can be analyzed from a psychological theoretical perspective AND, we learned from the Women-In-Ag program in Nigeria that there are wonderful ways to prepare sweet potato snacks that lead to improved nutrition, Vitamin A intake, and new sources of income.