Socio-Cultural Aspects of Biogas Projects - Revision history

Ranisha at 11:50, 9 April 2015

2015-04-09T11:50:12Z

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Ranisha at 13:55, 7 October 2014

2014-10-07T13:55:38Z

Ranisha: /* Societal Support for Biogas */

2014-09-22T14:14:07Z

‎Societal Support for Biogas

Ranisha: /* German Promotion of Biogas Technology in the South */

2014-09-22T14:13:32Z

‎German Promotion of Biogas Technology in the South

Frank Helbig at 17:12, 26 January 2014

2014-01-26T17:12:40Z

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Frank Helbig: /* Participation */

2014-01-26T17:06:25Z

‎Participation

Katharina Wiedemann at 13:09, 5 June 2013

2013-06-05T13:09:50Z

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Michel andre at 15:24, 21 February 2011

2011-02-21T15:24:45Z

Michel andre at 11:06, 16 February 2010

2010-02-16T11:06:37Z

JanS at 15:13, 26 April 2009

2009-04-26T15:13:29Z

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 = Culture<br/> =
@@ Line 78: / Line 77: @@
 Industrialized countries neither had sufficient experience nor appropriate technologies to build on in developing countries. Rather, this experience was identified in India and China and transmitted by a South-North-South transfer. The term 'appropriate technology' seemed justified by the fact that this technology was adapted to the respective local conditions during a 'learning-with-developing-countries' process.
-A number of biogas dissemination programs involving German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) were launched in [[Biogas Technology in Bolivia (Region Cochabamba)|Bolivia]], [[Biogas Technology in Columbia|Columbia]], Nicaragua, the Caribbean (see [[Biogas Technology in Belize|Belize]] and [[Biogas Technology in Jamaica|Jamaica]]), [[Biogas Technology in Tanzania|Tanzania]], [[Biogas Technology in Kenya|Kenya]], [[Biogas Technology in Burundi| Burundi]], [[Rwanda Energy Situation|Rwanda]], [[Biogas Technology in Morocco (Region of Souss-Massa)| Morocco]] and [[Biogas Technology in Thailand|Thailand]]. Initially, biogas and anaerobic technology focused on small scale farmers. At a later stage, larger farms as well as waste treatment issues increasingly became the focus of biogas technology.
+A number of biogas dissemination programs involving German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) were launched in [[Biogas Technology in Bolivia (Region Cochabamba)|Bolivia]], [[Biogas Technology in Colombia|Colombia]], Nicaragua, the Caribbean (see [[Biogas Technology in Belize|Belize]] and [[Biogas Technology in Jamaica|Jamaica]]), [[Biogas Technology in Tanzania|Tanzania]], [[Biogas Technology in Kenya|Kenya]], [[Biogas Technology in Burundi| Burundi]], [[Rwanda Energy Situation|Rwanda]], [[Biogas Technology in Morocco (Region of Souss-Massa)| Morocco]] and [[Biogas Technology in Thailand|Thailand]]. Initially, biogas and anaerobic technology focused on small scale farmers. At a later stage, larger farms as well as waste treatment issues increasingly became the focus of biogas technology.
 These activities have resulted in a number of positive spin-off effects in the partner countries, in Germany, Europe and international development cooperation. Like in other fields of appropriate technology (AT) promotion, environmental protection, energy provision and the support to private enterprise development are increasingly seen as inseparable elements of sustainable (technology) development.

@@ Line 87: / Line 87: @@
 = Societal =
-== <span style="line-height: 23.799999237060547px;">Societal Support for Biogas</span> ==
+== Societal Support for Biogas ==
-<span style="line-height: 23.799999237060547px;"></span><span style="line-height: 1.5em; font-size: 0.85em;">The basic principle of any planning should be to involve those concerned in the planning process as early as possible. This principle applies even more if the pre-feasibility studies have revealed a considerable amount of problems. In any case it is better to discuss these quite openly with those concerned and seek mutual solutions rather than to rely on the method "it will all work out in the end".</span>
+The basic principle of any planning should be to involve those concerned in the planning process as early as possible. This principle applies even more if the pre-feasibility studies have revealed a considerable amount of problems. In any case it is better to discuss these quite openly with those concerned and seek mutual solutions rather than to rely on the method "it will all work out in the end".
 <br/>
@@ Line 96: / Line 96: @@
 That does not mean that each of the proposals by the community should be accepted blindly. The fact that biogas technology requires a specific technical and economical organization should be stressed. A breakdown of planning would be preferable to unfeasible compromises. In view of this it is often advisable to invite the local technician to take part in these negotiations. His technically based arguments tend to be well accepted in situations of disagreement.
 == Political Will and Public Opinion ==

@@ Line 78: / Line 78: @@
 Industrialized countries neither had sufficient experience nor appropriate technologies to build on in developing countries. Rather, this experience was identified in India and China and transmitted by a South-North-South transfer. The term 'appropriate technology' seemed justified by the fact that this technology was adapted to the respective local conditions during a 'learning-with-developing-countries' process.
-A number of biogas dissemination programs involving German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) were launched in [https://energypedia.info/Biogas Technology in Bolivia (Region Cochabamba) Bolivia], [https://energypedia.info/Biogas Technology in Columbia Columbia], Nicaragua, the Caribbean (see [https://energypedia.info/Biogas Technology in Belize Belize] and [https://energypedia.info/Biogas Technology in Jamaica Jamaica]), [https://energypedia.info/Biogas Technology in Tanzania Tanzania], [https://energypedia.info/Biogas Technology in Kenya Kenya], [https://energypedia.info/Biogas Technology in Burundi Burundi], [https://energypedia.info/Rwanda Country Situation Rwanda], [https://energypedia.info/Biogas technology in Morocco (region of Souss-Massa) Morocco] and [https://energypedia.info/Biogas Technology in Thailand Thailand]. Initially, biogas and anaerobic technology focused on small scale farmers. At a later stage, larger farms as well as waste treatment issues increasingly became the focus of biogas technology.
+A number of biogas dissemination programs involving German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) were launched in [[Biogas Technology in Bolivia (Region Cochabamba)|Bolivia]], [[Biogas Technology in Columbia|Columbia]], Nicaragua, the Caribbean (see [[Biogas Technology in Belize|Belize]] and [[Biogas Technology in Jamaica|Jamaica]]), [[Biogas Technology in Tanzania|Tanzania]], [[Biogas Technology in Kenya|Kenya]], [[Biogas Technology in Burundi| Burundi]], [[Rwanda Energy Situation|Rwanda]], [[Biogas Technology in Morocco (Region of Souss-Massa)| Morocco]] and [[Biogas Technology in Thailand|Thailand]]. Initially, biogas and anaerobic technology focused on small scale farmers. At a later stage, larger farms as well as waste treatment issues increasingly became the focus of biogas technology.
 These activities have resulted in a number of positive spin-off effects in the partner countries, in Germany, Europe and international development cooperation. Like in other fields of appropriate technology (AT) promotion, environmental protection, energy provision and the support to private enterprise development are increasingly seen as inseparable elements of sustainable (technology) development.
 <br/>
 = Societal =

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:06, 26 January 2014
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		+

	== Participation ==		== Participation ==
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	That does not mean that each of the proposals by the community should be accepted blindly. The fact that biogas technology requires a specific technical and economical organization should be stressed. A breakdown of planning would be preferable to unfeasible compromises. In view of this it is often advisable to invite the local technician to take part in these negotiations. His technically based arguments tend to be well accepted in situations of disagreement.		That does not mean that each of the proposals by the community should be accepted blindly. The fact that biogas technology requires a specific technical and economical organization should be stressed. A breakdown of planning would be preferable to unfeasible compromises. In view of this it is often advisable to invite the local technician to take part in these negotiations. His technically based arguments tend to be well accepted in situations of disagreement.

		+	== Political Will and Public Opinion ==
		+
		+	The development of biogas technology depends on the political will of donor and recipient governments. It is the task of the governmental and administrative authorities to provide access to the technology and to secure and organize the requisite material, financial and legal basis. According to their political will to promote biogas, governments can play a more or less supportive role in biogas research, information dissemination and regulations for funding, subsidies or tax waving. The formation of a political will does not evolve in a vacuum. Political will and public opinion develop in interrelation. Successful practical examples, encouraging research findings, the use of media to spread information, all these are tools to influence both political will and public opinion.
		+
		+	{\| cellpadding="10" border="0" align="right" class="IMGright" style="font-size: 14px; width: 402px;"
		+	\|-
		+	\| [[File:Modelvillghana.jpg\|402px\|RTENOTITLE]] <small class="IMGLEGEND">'''Sign of the National Biogas Department/National Energy Board in Ghana'''</small><br/><small class="IMGSOURCE">''Photo: Kellner (TBW)''</small><br/>
		+	\|}
		+
		+	Biogas programs should attempt to lobby for biogas at various entry points of the government system simultaneously. Creating a favorable climate for biogas dissemination depends almost always on a whole range of decision makers.<u>For example:</u>
		+	*''The Ministry of Finance'' will decide on subsidies and tax wavers for biogas users.
		+	*''The Ministry of Energy'' can propose laws regarding the feeding of biogas-produced electricity into the grid. It can also propose financial and other assistance.
		+	*''The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock'' can include biogas in the training curriculum of extension officers and agricultural colleges.
		+	*''The Ministry of Education ''can include biogas in the curricula of high schools and promote the construction of bio-latrines for schools.
		+	*''The Ministry of Health'' can include biogas in the curricula of public health workers and encourage the building of bio-latrines for hospitals.
		+
		+	<br/>
		+
		+	<u>Simultaneously to political lobbying, PR work is important to influence public opinion:</u>
		+	*''Radio Programs'' are an effective means in rural areas to familiarize the population with basics of biogas technology.
		+	*''Articles in Print Media'' usually reach members of the middle class, among whom are the most promising potential users: middle to large farmers.
		+	*''Pilot Biogas Systems'' must be located strategically to be easily accessible. The more these pilot plants have a 'real life character', i.e. be an operational part of a farm, the more convincing they will be for other farmers.
		+	*''Visits in Agricultural Schools and Colleges'' does not reach the decision makers of today, but lays the ground for biogas acceptance in the future.

@@ Line 109: / Line 109: @@
 The impact of a female committee should not be underestimated. Even if it has no direct influence on decisions it embodies a greater confidence of the women and so indirectly influences decisions. This sort of special committee can also be an initial step towards full participation in the future.
 It is necessary to take not only the women but also the men into consideration when discussing gender specific questions. A participation model which is not effective for these will also not help the women.
 [[Category:Biogas]]

@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 It should not be assumed that any recognized leader can disregard taboos or suspend them and remain unpunished. These people are also part of the system and have to observe the rules of the system. It is quite right to start lobbying for technical innovations with recognized leaders, but is also necessary, if they can be won, to leave them with the initiative and allow them to decide on the procedure of technology introduction.
 Just as the general extensive survey provides the basis for the problem analysis and the starting point of a project, it is essential to recognize that local application cannot be structured according to a general method but has to be integrated in the local context. To mention one example, priests are generally seen as religious leaders but this does not mean that their influence is equal in all localities. Cooperation with priests for local programs should depend on the quality of their local status.
 == Social classes and class barriers  ==
@@ Line 50: / Line 50: @@
 *the potential for the allocation of certain jobs
-=== Development of a general model ===
+=== Development of a general model  ===
 If such a quite rudimentary model is enriched by additional material from other measures in neighboring areas, a series of check questions can be derived and applied in the target area or group. This preliminary model serves as a reference instrument for the main survey and also as a control for results gained. The latter is very important since over-optimistic statements can be made by target groups which are interested in project measures. This applies to the whole project as well as to the allocation of special functions to individual groups. The model is in no case a substitute for a local survey. Local deviations, possibly on account of personality, can be so great that they do not principally change the model but can very much affect the degree of functioning in an initial implementation.
@@ Line 70: / Line 70: @@
 == Social regulations for the division of labor  ==
-=== Reasons for regulations on the division of labor ===
+=== Reasons for regulations on the division of labor  ===
 Social regulations for the division of labor can arise for the following reasons:
@@ Line 80: / Line 80: @@
 The regulations on the division of labor always prove to be an especially persistent phenomenon; 'leading' groupings frequently refuse to carry out socially or religiously 'banned' jobs (handling feces, heavy manual work etc.) as they are 'non-rank conform' and force socially or economically dependent groups to take over these tasks. This applies especially to the division of labor between sexes.
-=== Difficulties in researching social regulations ===
+=== Difficulties in researching social regulations  ===
 To investigate in social regulations is difficult as their existence is often not admitted to 'strangers', however strong their influence on the later course of the measures may be. It is not an exception when, for example, in an interview a man agrees to take over a certain task - but means in saying this that his wife or a person dependent on him will carry out the task. For the interviewee this is no 'lie'; for him it is a matter of course that he means, by agreeing, that he will allocate the task. In individual interviews this leads to wrong interpretations which could have a considerable influence on the implementation model. Leaders in many societies assume that their statement will be valued as correct. Who would think that they carry out such jobs themselves? On the other hand, the purpose of the interview is accurately guessed and the answer given accordingly. The implementer would like an as even distribution of work as possible; he could consider the regulations of labor division to be 'bad'. And so, the answer is given accordingly, so that noone has to be 'ashamed'. Unfortunately this changes nothing as far as the later reality is concerned. Especially in the case of traditionally underprivileged groups, often including women, it has to be expected that the 'leaders' as well as the 'laborers' find it very difficult to give correct statements on the division of tasks.
-=== Conclusions ===
+=== Conclusions  ===
 It can be concluded that:
@@ Line 95: / Line 95: @@
 Women are kept out of many decision-making processes as far as they exceed the family, are connected with the allocation of finances or are concerned with 'technical measures'. On the other hand, women may be the main interested parties concerning biogas for cooking. Once a plant is constructed, they are the most affected by the malfunctioning of a plant.
-=== Forms of participation ===
+=== Forms of participation  ===
 Which form of participation is appropriate for women cannot be decided from outside. It is of little use to the women if they are 'forced' into a decision-making body without being truly accepted by other members. Their impact could be even less than by influencing of the husband. When there are problems with the plant, it is the women who can be a stabilizing element. As they are more affected by malfunctioning of the plant, they are more interested than men in, for example, a well functioning repair service.
@@ Line 105: / Line 105: @@
 *specialized committees with a mixed central body
-=== Special female committees ===
+=== Special female committees  ===
 The impact of a female committee should not be underestimated. Even if it has no direct influence on decisions it embodies a greater confidence of the women and so indirectly influences decisions. This sort of special committee can also be an initial step towards full participation in the future.
@@ Line 111: / Line 111: @@
 It is necessary to take not only the women but also the men into consideration when discussing gender specific questions. A participation model which is not effective for these will also not help the women.
 [[Category:Biogas]]
 [[Category: Biogas]]

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 == Religious and social taboos  ==
-[https://intranet.gtz.de/umwelt/cd-rom44-2003/documents/af4454/Gate/biogas/framecond/socprob.html Taboos], as a rule, are always of an overall social character. Violation of taboos is sanctioned (penalized), the extent and form of penalty being determined socially. Sanctions can vary from a direct 'punishment' to social disrespect. In many cases an immediate punishment (corporal punishment, exile from the village etc.) is no longer possible nowadays as state legislation claims a monopoly for punishment. This does not simplify the problem but makes it even more difficult. Instead of an official, foreseeable punishment, social exclusion occurs now in many cases and can be just as serious for those concerned but becomes practically inaccessible for a project or for authorities. As 'social punishment' is forbidden the 'sanctions' are not spoken about, especially when they target a program desired and aided by the state. An exclusion of participants by the community with all its negative consequences is not declared as such by the community and therefore rarely directly accessible.
+[[Social Problems Affecting the Propagation of Biogas Technology|Taboos]], as a rule, are always of an overall social character. Violation of taboos is sanctioned (penalized), the extent and form of penalty being determined socially. Sanctions can vary from a direct 'punishment' to social disrespect. In many cases an immediate punishment (corporal punishment, exile from the village etc.) is no longer possible nowadays as state legislation claims a monopoly for punishment. This does not simplify the problem but makes it even more difficult. Instead of an official, foreseeable punishment, social exclusion occurs now in many cases and can be just as serious for those concerned but becomes practically inaccessible for a project or for authorities. As 'social punishment' is forbidden the 'sanctions' are not spoken about, especially when they target a program desired and aided by the state. An exclusion of participants by the community with all its negative consequences is not declared as such by the community and therefore rarely directly accessible.
 On the other hand, from these 'sanctions' arises the opportunity to overcome resentments. In general, sanctions are governed by a 'ruling instance' or 'authority' who watches over these taboos and proclaims the punishment when they are violated. But this authority also determines possible exceptions. A general misconception is that taboos basically 'cannot be broken'. No society is inflexible to the extent that regulations do not allow for changes and modifications. In any case, exceptions have to be agreed upon by a recognized instance.
@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 *'''''or general''''': especially recognized members (key persons), either in the sense of traditional structures of leadership or people of certain professions like teachers or local bank managers.
-=== Disregard of taboos ===
+=== Disregard of taboos  ===
 For the acceptance of exceptions a person or group of persons has a greater effect the more the taboo and the system behind it is generally recognized. If the system and its leaders have been accepted they become the only instance to be consulted concerning exceptions. Any opposition to this group will result in resistance even if individuals within the group are prepared to disregard the regulations.
@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 It should not be assumed that any recognized leader can disregard taboos or suspend them and remain unpunished. These people are also part of the system and have to observe the rules of the system. It is quite right to start lobbying for technical innovations with recognized leaders, but is also necessary, if they can be won, to leave them with the initiative and allow them to decide on the procedure of technology introduction.
 Just as the general extensive survey provides the basis for the problem analysis and the starting point of a project, it is essential to recognize that local application cannot be structured according to a general method but has to be integrated in the local context. To mention one example, priests are generally seen as religious leaders but this does not mean that their influence is equal in all localities. Cooperation with priests for local programs should depend on the quality of their local status.
 == Social classes and class barriers  ==