Understanding the Problem Research

36 Training Manual on Advocacy, Lobbying and Negotiation Skills for Indigenous Peoples in Climate Change and REDD+ d. What are useful tools for gathering information? Ȉ Mapping: The graphic representation of all or part of geographical area. Ȉ Collection of data, specimens and physical samples i.e. ˆ‘”‡•–’”‘†—…–•ǡ†‹ơ‡”‡–ƪ‘”ƒƒ†ˆƒ—ƒǡ‡–…Ǣ—•‡ˆ—Ž–‘–ƒ‡ photographs also of environmental change or destruction. Ȉ Data-gatheringresearch on socio-cultural dimensions of the issue: interviews, focus group discussions, community workshops, etc. Ȉ Biological surveys: assessment of the number, variety and density ‘ˆ†‹ơ‡”‡–’Žƒ–•ƒ†ƒ‹ƒŽ•Ǥ Ȉ Social survey: gathering of public opinion through surveys. Once you have completed your basic research, it would be good to also try and see answers to the following key questions: Ȉ Are there other groups already working on these issues? Ȉ Are there policymakers in your community who are critical to this ‹••—‡™Š‘™‹ŽŽ„‡Š‡Ž’ˆ—Ž…Š‡‡”Ž‡ƒ†‡”•ˆ‘”›‘—”ƒ†˜‘…ƒ…›‡ơ‘”–•ǫ Ȉ ‹ŽŽƒŽ‡‰‹•Žƒ–‹˜‡Ƥšȋˆ‘”‡šƒ’Ž‡ǡ‘”†‹ƒ…‡ǡŽƒ™Ȍ„‡‘•– appropriate or is this something that can be addressed through regulatory changes? Ȉ Are there short- and long-term objectives that you can use to address the problem? Ȉ What potential solution will have the most impact? Ȉ Which government agency is responsible for addressing the problem at the local, provincialregionalstate and national levels? Ȉ Which organizations would make the best potential partners? Note to the FacilitatorTrainer: Many advocacy campaigns make the mistake of implementing activities without having a very good grasp or understanding of the problem that the indigenous community is confronting. That is why research is very important. We cannot hope to convince others, specially institutions such as government agencies or private corporations, if we are not …‘Ƥ†‡––Šƒ–™‡Šƒ˜‡•—ƥ…‹‡–‹ˆ‘”ƒ–‹‘–‘’”‘˜‡‘—”ƒ”‰—‡–•Ǥ Results of our research can be used in various activities of our campaign. We can use the information to make press releases, letters, petitions and statements; as guide to radio or TV interviews, etc. Information is power and research provides us with the information that we need.