Participatory action research

While reading about food security issues I came across a new term: Participatory action research, also known as action research. It's a form of experimental research that iteratively evaluates and critiques actions taken to address a problem with the goal of improving the effectiveness of the actions. From my introductory reading it seems PAR aims to involve and listen to those who are directly affected by the issues, rather than act as outside experts with prescribing authority.



 "Essentially Participatory Action Research (PAR) is research which involves all relevant parties in actively examining together current action (which they experience as problematic) in order to change and improve it. They do this by critically reflecting on the historical, political, cultural, economic, geographic and other contexts which make sense of it. … Participatory action research is not just research which is hoped that will be followed by action. It is action which is researched, changed and re-researched, within the research process by participants. Nor is it simply an exotic variant of consultation. Instead, it aims to be active co-research, by and for those to be helped. Nor can it be used by one group of people to get another group of people to do what is thought best for them - whether that is to implement a central policy or an organisational or service change. Instead it tries to be a genuinely democratic or non-coercive process whereby those to be helped, determine the purposes and outcomes of their own inquiry." - Wadsworth, Y. (1998)

Spring Break-Up

The following is a message from the David Suzuki Foundation:

Great relationships are built on trust. That's why it is shocking to learn that many big brand name household cleaners aren't listing all their ingredients on the label -- especially those that may pose long-term health
and environmental risks to our families.

Help make sure they're no longer able to hide their dirty little secrets.

Visit http://www.springbreakup.ca/ to join the David Suzuki Foundation's Spring Breakup campaign and send a letter to Canada's Health Minister demanding that she mandate full disclosure of ingredients and safety risks on household cleaning product labels.

Isn't it time we all knew what was hiding inside those bottles?

Round-Up Ready

Sofia Gatica, a mother from Argentina who dared to ask questions and mobilize against the use of pesticides, is being awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize for grassroots environmentalists. Her tenacity in the face of threats and opposition lead the government to initiate a scientific study on the health effects of the pesticide commonly known as Round-Up, and eventually passed a law banning pesticide application within 2500m of residential areas in her city.

Take a look at this short video describing her story.

Endocrine Disruptors in Cosmetics

Remember the environmental petition sent by the David Suzuki Foundation and Réseau des femmes en environnemment I blogged about earlier? It asked Health Canada and Environment Canada to explain their policies and actions regarding endocrine* disrupting chemicals used in cosmetics.

The government's responses are now online, as well as a follow-up petition submitted in response to the responses.

The follow-up petition alleges "that Health Canada’s response to Petition 310 regarding the presence of endocrine disrupting substances in cosmetics did not take into account the full priority list of suspected endocrine disrupting substances developed by the European Union in a series of studies since 2000. The petitioners also inquire whether the Department actively monitors international developments in endocrine disruption science and policy."

Response to the second petition is pending and will be online in the near future.

*the endocrine system is composed of glands that release hormones into the bloodstream.

Democratic Detox

Do you know about Canada's Office of the Auditor General's (OAG) Petition process?
I learned about it at work and I'm amazed that I didn't know about this before!

Basically, anyone with an environmental concern that falls under federal responsibility can ask questions to the ministry responsible, and receive a response from them.

As explained on the Office of the Auditor General of Canada's website:

"The petitions process was established by Parliament to make sure Canadians can get answers from federal ministers on specific environmental and sustainable development issues that involve federal jurisdiction. In addition to providing information to petitioners, petitions have prompted such action by federal departments as new environmental projects, follow-up on alleged violations, and changes or clarifications in policies and practices. The Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development reports annually to Parliament on the petitions process."

It's pretty interesting to look through the catalogue of previous petitions and read them and the responses from the government.

Here is one I am keeping an eye on; the responses have not yet been posted.

Petition: 310
Issue(s): Human and environmental health, and toxic substances
Petitioner(s): Suzuki Foundation and Réseau des femmes en environnement
Summary: The petitioners allege that endocrine disrupting chemicals are used in cosmetic products in Canada. They are concerned about the consequences this may have on the health of humans and on the environment. The petitioners ask Health Canada how it interprets and enforces the Food and Drugs Act and the Cosmetics Regulations with respect to these substances. They also ask Environment Canada how it monitors the release of endocrine disrupting chemicals into the environment.

Federal Departments Responsible for Reply: Environment Canada, Health Canada

 If you would like more information on how to submit a petition, here's a short video describing the process. The form and more information can be found on the OAG website.