Growth Into Citizenship: Framework for Conceptualizing Learning in NGO Interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

This article develops a theoretical framework for analyzing adult learning in projects aiming to strengthen citizenship implemented by nongovernmental organizations, especially in the contexts of sub-Saharan Africa. On the basis of a review of international development research, we suggest that a new framework should address the need for a conceptualization of learning as a gradual process and for capturing the gap between ideal models and everyday experiences of citizenship. We argue, building on John Dewey’s philosophy, for a framework of growth into citizenship, and introduce the notions of learning as reorganization of habits and the method of democracy as an avenue for learning as novel contributions to this field.

Postcolonial Civic Identity and Youth (dis)organizing Environment: A Growth into Citizenship Analysis

“…How can growth into citizenship define and shape the contour of the study? Inspired by a pragmatic philosopher, John Dewey and his work on theory of social nature of knowledge and action, growth into citizenship is primarily motivated by postcolonial contexts of citizenship and civic societies (Holma, Kontinen, and Blanken-Webb, 2018;Holma and Kontinen, 2019). The notion of citizenship draws upon civic affairs within contemporary development practices.…”

“…These responses to environment, which are often seen in the context of depicting (non)human world(s), are commonly associated with the notion of citizenship (Peterson, 2019;Pettit, 2016). We wish to draw upon this term, citizenship, by specifically borrowing Holma, Kontinen, and Blanken-Webb's (2018) framework of growth into citizenship, to recontextualize and widen its employment to incorporate the observation that nature and technology rarely exist in harmony and that they "can at best form an uneasy alliance" (Sankaran & Nkengasong, 2016, p. 45). For the most part, identities of these youths have provided a growing disjuncture and continuities between their lives and their environment.…”

Practices and habits of citizenship and learning

“…Our initial, broad aim was to provide a theoretical account of how one learns to be a citizen in various contexts in Tanzania and Uganda. We started the project by drawing theoretical notions from Dewey's work, suggesting the notion of growth into citizenship as a new theoretical approach to these contexts (Holma, Kontinen & Blanken-Webb 2018). We explicated that Dewey's concept of growth is founded in the dynamics between three central elements: "habit", "disruption" and "aesthetic response", demonstrating that, according to this theory, habits channel daily practices and thoughts, and allow human beings to think and act efficiently and productively.…”

“…One of our aims in the research process was to gain a new understanding of how citizenship is learned. In the beginning, we identified two challenges in contemporary conceptualizations of learning in regard to educational interventions geared to fostering "active citizenship" in international development (Holma, Kontinen & Blanken-Webb 2018). First, while a wealth of learning approaches focus on transformative learning (Skinner et al 2016), there is a need for a conceptualization of learning that is sensitive to gradual changes, incremental learning and obstacles to learning (Holma, Kontinen & Blanken-Webb 2018, 219-220).…”

Gendered citizenship in rural Uganda

“…Women's local practices can lead to the reformulation of habits, thus creating spaces for a novel kind of active citizenship that references change in lived experiences that bring them closer to the idea of legal status with equal rights. These changes might not represent radical transformations in gendered citizenship, but they do constitute a disruption and trigger incremental change in these habits (Holma et al 2018). Participation in groups and other community activities might gradually enable women to gain the confidence, capacity and opportunities to enjoy their legal status as citizens.…”