Network as an instrument for strengthening adult education movement

Abstract

Dr. Rajesh Tandon examines the concept of ‘network’ in this text as a form of free-flow of information, ideas, and resources to strengthen social transformation movements and analyse its effectiveness in addressing the problems of our times. The report talks about two distinct responses to pressing socio-economic and political problems that have emerged in the last decade: a resource-packed response from governments and inter-governmental institutions, and second, more humble and innovative response from the non-governmental sector, which has been more effective due to its faith in ordinary people, and ‘network’ being part of this response. The report discusses the relevance of networks across six key points. These are providing alternative spaces for identifying issues that dominant institutional frameworks fail to do, elaborating newer ideas and concepts, functioning as a political strategy for dealing with retaliation against grassroots efforts, resisting attempts to narrow democratic spaces, identifying and supporting individuals working for the cause of social transformation, and enabling a rapid, exchange of information, experiences, and visions across cultures. Major characteristics of a network are also discussed in the report along with two possible pitfalls, which are creating networks across donor agencies instead of the issues, and abusing the spontaneity as a license for anarchy. The report ends by presenting a three-phase appraisal of the Participatory Research Network's history starting with the inception phase (1977-1980), the consolidation phase (1980-1985) and finally the diffusion phase (1985 onwards).