THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY OF PARTICIPATION (TOP) FACILITATION PRACTICES IN CANADA: A BRIDGE FROM AFRICA -Henry Ofurune 

The Technology of Participation (ToP) is a powerful approach to facilitation and group decision-making that has been widely applied across the world to foster engagement, collective problem-solving, and sustainable solutions in diverse communities. ToP facilitation practices, which stem from the work of the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA), have proven to be particularly effective in diverse settings where participation, clarity, and cooperation are essential. My experience with ToP facilitation, gained primarily through my work in Africa, has not only shaped my understanding of community-driven development but has also allowed me to adapt and bring those learnings into the Canadian context, enriching how we work and contribute to communities across the country.

ToP Best Practices in Africa: Engaging Communities for Lasting Social Change

During my time in Africa and working with the Nigeria Integrated Rural Accelerated Development Organization (NIRADO) I had the privilege of working with over 700 communities across the continent, implementing ToP facilitation tools in a range of development projects. One of the best practices that caught my fancy is the use of the Focus Conversation Method (FCM) to foster meaningful dialogue. FCM enables participants to engage in structured conversations that move through a clear sequence, allowing them to move from facts to insights to actionable decisions. This method proved invaluable in ensuring that all voices were heard, particularly in areas where communities had traditionally been excluded from decision-making processes.

A significant project where I applied ToP principles was in a rural village disenfranchised by conflict in Northern Nigeria, where I helped facilitate a community-led development initiatives aimed at addressing water and food security. By utilizing the ToP methodology, we were able to bring together stakeholders from across the community, including farmers, local leaders, aggregators, and government representatives. The Consensus Workshop Method approach enabled participants to see their common purpose, align on shared goals, and develop a collective vision for the future. The outcome was not just a practical action plan but a deeper sense of empowerment among community members who had never previously been involved in such decision-making processes. By providing a framework that encouraged inclusive participation and long-term planning, ToP facilitation was instrumental in building trust and ensuring that the community felt ownership of their development agenda. This gave credence to the bottom-up approach to community development in this rural village.

Another impactful practice was the use of the Action Planning Process to ensure that the collective vision was translated into concrete, sustainable steps. By working through the planning process together, community members could see how their individual efforts are connected to the broader goals of the initiative. This increased commitment and helped ensure that projects had a long-lasting impact, even after the initial facilitation process had ended.