(Portuguese translation of Frontiers of Sanitation on Rapid Action Learning is now available. Please share with Portuguese speaking partners)

Caros amigos e colegas,

Nos últimos anos, temos trabalhado com o WSSCC , Praxix , WaterAid India e o Governo da Índia para desenvolver e seguir as abordagens de Aprendizagem Rápida para a Acção (ARA).

A nossa recente edição do número de Fronteiras do Saneamento sobre ” Aprendizagem Rápida para a Acção para Programas de Saneamento e Higiene” apresenta algumas destas abordagens. Mas queremos também apresentar a ARA não como um menu, mas sim como uma nova maneira de pensar, questionando se a nossa investigação e aprendizagem é oportuna, relevante e accionável.

Para comemorar a publicação, reunimo-nos com parceiros e colegas para reflectir sobre desafios e êxitos do nosso trabalho sobre Aprendizagem Rápida para a Acção até ao momento. Pode ver breves vídeos das nossas conversas no nosso canal de YouTube . (Actualmente, os vídeos só estão disponíveis em inglês, com legendas em inglês.)

Os melhores cumprimentos,
Elaine Mercer
Sanitation Learning Hub

(French translation of Frontiers of Sanitation on Rapid Action Learning is now available. Please share with French speaking partners)

Chères/Chers ami·e·s et collègues,

Au cours des deux dernières années, nous avons travaillé avec le WSSCC , Praxis , WaterAid Inde et le gouvernement de l’Inde pour élaborer et tester des approches en matière d’Apprentissage rapide par l’action (ARA).

Notre récente édition du bulletin Aux Frontières de l’assainissement, « L’apprentissage rapide par l’action pour la programmation de l’assainissement et l’hygiène » vous présente certaines de ces approches. Mais nous voulons aussi vous
présenter l’ARA, non pas comme un menu, mais comme un virage dans les
mentalités, où l’on vient à se demander si nos recherches et notre
apprentissage sont expédients, pertinents et pragmatiques.

En l’honneur de la publication, nous nous sommes réunis avec des
partenaires et collègues pour réfléchir aux difficultés et aux succès de
nos travaux sur l’Apprentissage rapide par l’action jusqu’ici ; vous
pouvez visionner de courtes vidéos qui capturent nos échanges sur notre chaîne YouTube .  (Les vidéos ne sont actuellement disponibles qu’en anglais, avec sous-titrage en anglais).

Télécharger « L’apprentissage rapide par l’action pour la programmation de l’assainissement et l’hygiène »

Très cordialement,
Elaine Mercer
Sanitation Learning Hub

Thanks Alice for posting this very useful publication.
I am reproducing the definition of RAL below

By RAL we mean learning and research activities that produce findings that are timely, relevant and actionable. It is following in the tradition of other action-orientated methodologies such as Rapid Rural Appraisal, Participatory Learning and Action, Rapid Epidemiological Assessments, and Participatory Action Research.

In a rapidly evolving field like FSM or programmes implemented in mission mode like the Swachh Bharat Mission, timely, relevant, and actionable research is far more useful than traditional academic research that would probably come only after the money has been spent.  And therefore this tool would be a very useful for people in action research, practice, and involved in making small changes and tinkering with the system to make it more efficient and effective.  Probably, many organisations working with the governments and the government agencies themselves use such an approach and a publication of this kind legitimises their work and approach. 

As the publication rightly points out, such work may not be rigorous in the traditional sense of the term but practical and useful nonetheless. And therefore a new definition of rigour is needed.

I am just wondering if the criticisms of 'pragmatism' of the process being power blind, and reproducing the power asymmetry and prevalent inequities also applies to such an approach.

Regards
paresh  

Hi all, 

In case you're interested, here is Robert Chambers' latest blog:  sanitationlearninghub.org/2020/10/06/rap...arning-for-covid-19/  
(title: Rapid Action Learning and COVID-19)

Robert suggests that the principles of timely, relevant and actionable learning would be very useful for COVID-19. 

Do get in touch if you have any comments or questions. 

Thanks, 

Alice

Hi everyone, 

(My name is Alice Webb and I've been working with the team at the Sanitation Learning Hub for about a year now. But this is my first post here!)

We're delighted to have published a new edition of our Frontiers of Sanitation series, focusing on Rapid Action Learning! These approaches have been developed and trialled over the last couple of years in India with WSSCC, Praxis, WaterAid India and the Government of India. 

You can access the publication here: sanitationlearninghub.org/resource/timel...hygiene-programming/ 

We also recorded a series of Zoom conversations with partners and colleagues to reflect on the challenges and successes of using these approaches. You can watch these short videos on our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLogOc8N6N...EaMp7xNC7bwaq29U6KkM

If you have any feedback or comments, please do get in touch to let us know, either on here or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thanks,

Alice