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SECTION I
ENGAGING WITH
EXTERNAL ACTORS
One of the main reasons for developing a biocultural community protocol is to use it as a platform to
engage in dialogue with external actors such as government officials, companies, researchers, and NGOs.
As much as possible, the community should strive to engage constructively and according to their own
terms, values, and priorities.
A.
PUTTING EXTERNAL ACTORS ON NOTICE
KEY TOOLS
Framework for research and action
Identifying key actors
Understanding relationships between key
actors
Multi-stakeholder role play
Participatory video
Photo stories
Audio interviews
Identifying relevant social media tools
Activity monitoring table
Engaging with external actors can begin with ‘putting them on notice’. This means informing them
proactively that your community has developed a protocol. Clearly indicate if the protocol has specific
recommendations or requests to which they need to respond, or procedures to which they need to
adhere. There are a number of different ways to put key actors on notice. Two suggestions are listed
below that could be adapted to your local context and strategy.
Send a letter by post, email, or fax to inform them about the community’s protocol
The letter should be clear and concise to attract the attention of the reader and written in an introductory
and open manner to encourage a positive response. It could include information such as a brief
introduction to your community and where you are from; key issues that you are facing that are of direct
relevance to the agency, organization, or individual; how you would like them to respond; and contact
details of the relevant community authority or liaison. You may wish to append a copy of the protocol and
ask to arrange a meeting to discuss further in person or over the telephone.
Arrange a meeting to deliver the community protocol and discuss it in person
Depending on the situation, it may be more effective for a small rather than large number of people to
meet directly with the relevant agency, organization, or individual to discuss the protocol. If a crowd
arrives to deliver the protocol, particularly if there is a negative or potentially hostile atmosphere, it is
more likely that the people with whom you are trying to meet will feel defensive and unwilling to discuss
the issues openly. It is important to begin the process of using the protocol in a positive and constructive