Participatory Action Research in development cooperation: 5 differences to top-down approaches

SevenSenses strongly believes that Participatory Action Research (PAR) increases the quality of development cooperation worldwide. PAR adapts to any local situation, empowering communities to tackle their most pressing issues ‘community up’. Let us show you the five most significant differences between traditional forms of top-down development cooperation and Participatory Action Research in development cooperation. Dependence […]

The Female Rights Challenge was just the beginning

By Phyllis Livaha Phyllis Livaha is Coordinator of the Female Rights Challenge in Kenya. She conducts PAR for her PhD at the Erasmus University College. For SevenSenses she writes blogs about the progress of the project.   It’s only been a month since we wrapped up our 90 days in rural Kenya, but seems so […]

How action research brings SevenSenses to the sharks

SevenSenses and sharks. Who would have ever seen the link? Ron van der Veer from the Dutch Council of State saw it a few months ago. He is involved in the Save Our Sharks project in the Caribbean, sponsored by the Dutch Postcodeloterij. It’s aim is to bring back a healthy shark population around the […]

The basic principles of Participatory Action Research

I often get the question what Participatory Action Research (PAR) actually entails. “Research, so you are going to collect data and deliver a report to get dusty on a shelf?” “Action, so you are going on the streets for a strike to protest with flags and banners?” I know, I know. The name may be […]

Female circumcision in Kisii, Kenya: secret practice, openly spoken about

By Phyllis Livaha Phyllis Livaha is Coordinator of the Female Rights Challenge in Kenya. She conducts PAR for her PhD at the Erasmus University College. She writes blogs about the progress of the project. Where Does the Time Go? Wow! It feels like I just came to Kisii the other day, and I’m in the […]

Never say never

By Phyllis Livaha Phyllis Livaha is Coordinator of the Female Rights Challenge in Kenya. She conducts PAR for her PhD at the Erasmus University College. She writes blogs about the progress of the project. ‘Never say never’ is her very first blog. Read more about the Female Rights Challenge. Growing up, there were two jobs […]

Let THEM create impact: insights from the Healthy Cooking Challenge and tips

Recently I received an email from Vera van Rijn, one of the researchers of the Healthy Cooking Challenge: “Improved cooking shelters! With a system to catch rainwater and purify water, how brilliant!” She had just received an email from a local partner: new ideas have developed ánd executed, on top of the intervention that was […]

Job opportunities @SevenSenses Academy

I know how hard it can be to find a job in the development sector. During and after my study International Public Health I wrote apply letter after apply letter, no success… There were too little jobs and way too many people applying for the same job, competition was tremendous! “You know what? I’ll start […]

Working @ Seats2Meet.com

It’s hard sometimes, you know. Each day at 17.00 o’clock, they are forced to sweep me out with the rest of the rubbish. I can’t blame them. I’m part of the furniture nowadays. This morning at the reception they even said they could hear me coming in by the way I walk… Working at Seats2Meet. There’s a parasite […]

Brainstorm: Action Research Academy also ideal for companies!

Tuesday, August 11th 2015. A group of brilliant minds discovers how to make the SevenSenses Action Research Academy a great succes, for the first edition ánd for the future! Ruud Koornstra (sustainable entrepreneur and founder of Tendris), Sabijn Timmers (Board of Directors, Triodos Bank), André Bolland (founder of The Discovery Company) and Paul Iske (Professor of […]