Community Visioning Initiative

Community visioning is a collaborative process that involves communities articulating a vision statement for future changes based on shared values; they then prepare and implement a plan to meet their needs. The process draws on participatory methods, and the use of various forms of communication, to provide communities - particularly those that are affected by natural disasters or experiencing changes due to globalisation - with the opportunity to reflect on and decide upon a shared vision for the future. In short, the approach involves developing a procedure to help local people figure out what is it they want for their communities, and to give them a say in future rebuilding and development.

The Palau initiative was inspired by the success of the approach on the Hawaiian island of Moleka'i (see Key Points, below). To begin the process, a workshop was held in Palau with more than 100 participants, during which the Moleka'i experience was presented and discussed and a core group formed. Partnerships were established, such as that between the Community Visioning State Representatives and the Palau Conservation Society. To help prepare these personnel to take an active role in the initiative, a training workshop was held in August 2004. Nineteen state representatives from 12 of Palau's 16 states learned how to engage a community and to bring stakeholders together. They were schooled in the methods of creating a visioning statement, undertaking a community assessment, and carrying out strategic planning.

Although local and national levels of government are fully involved in the process, it is viewed as community-led and community-oriented. Strategies for inspiring local participation have included the production of brochures in Palauan and English, as well as a poster. A logo/slogan ('Communities at their best') was designed, and the visioning activity was discussed in newspapers and aired on radio and television.

One of the methods being used in Palau to foster the development of the visioning statement is to create photo murals that are used to graphically illustrate the values and challenges of each community. Interpersonal interaction is a prerequisite for raising community awareness and inspiring involvement; for example, in Ngaremlengui and Ngerchelong, community visits were held to discuss the project and community representatives from the Palau Conservation Society went from home to home in these two states to ensure that the concept of the project was understood. Disposable cameras are distributed to approximately 70% of the households in each community; participants take pictures of those things that they value and those things that need to be changed. The photos from each household are then put together, and common themes are included on a photo mural, which community representatives assemble on a large standing wooden board (billboard size - 8 ft. by 4 ft.); one side shows things people love and the other side shows things people want to see changed. The murals are then discussed by the community and used to identify common likes and dislikes; these then form the basis of the community's vision statement.

Once a vision statement and strategic plan have been developed, the plan is implemented; it might include specific tasks/goals like developing roads, restoring subsistence agriculture, liaising with private developers, and the like. The final stage in community visioning is monitoring and evaluation. Palau will undertake these subsequent stages of the process by bringing community members together to collaborate with various officials and stakeholders.

Natural Resource Management.

Palau, a small Pacific island nation of 20,000 people, is steeped in tradition. Communities play an integral role in the use of land and resources, and both elected and traditional leaders (chiefs) have powers. However, there are often conflicts between leaders at different levels and community desires. Faced with impending changes brought about by the construction of a new 53-mile long road, which encircles the largest island of Babeldaob and creates a potential for modern development such as hotels, golf courses and new homes, Palau opted to engage in community visioning.

Community visioning was developed as a programme of the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development Office of Community Development. It has reportedly worked well in several rural areas, such as on the island of Moloka'i in Hawaii. Over a 4-month period, the Moloka'i Enterprise Community prepared a strategic plan which aims to achieve economic growth and community development through environmental protection, the promotion of a diversified agriculture, encouragement of tourism, and the addition of new community facilities. Successes to date include:

• the establishment of a dialysis centre so that people can receive treatment while living at home with their families
• the restoration of fish ponds
• the return of Taro patches
• the prevention of cruise ships from coming and docking on the island (instead, the passengers are brought via tenders from neighbouring Oahu).