新刊案内・Publications：Beyond Selection: Empowering the Masses through the PRRIE Approach to Community Development (English Edition)
A new book titled “Beyond Selection: Empowering the Masses through the PRRIE Approach to Community Development” has been released as an Amazon Kindle e-book.
This is an editied and translated version of “機会均等の研修実施によるコミュニティ開発 PRRIEアプローチの基礎と実践” by Naoto NODA, published in 2017.
For years, the standard practice in international development has been the “selective approach”—identifying a few model farmers or community leaders with the hope that knowledge will naturally trickle down to the rest of the population. However, experience shows that this diffusion rarely happens, often leaving the majority of the community excluded and unmotivated. Beyond Selection challenges this status quo by introducing the PRRIE approach (Participatory Rural Resilience and Inclusive Extension), a methodology that prioritizes the empowerment of the masses over the cultivation of a select few.
A central premise of this book is that in community development, the “how” of dissemination is far more important than the “what.” While many projects focus obsessively on the technical specifications of a new crop or tool, PRRIE focuses on the delivery mechanism. It recognizes that even the best technology will fail if the social infrastructure for learning is not inclusive. By shifting focus toward the process of communication and relationship-building, the PRRIE approach creates a foundation of trust that allows any technical intervention to succeed more effectively.
The PRRIE journey begins with a commitment to absolute equal opportunity, governed by five simple principles designed to eliminate social friction. Unlike conventional training that requires literacy or prior status, PRRIE training is open to everyone—men, women, youth, and the elderly. By following these five principles—which emphasize using local trainers, accessible materials, and community-based venues—the project ensures that “learning” becomes a festive, inclusive event rather than an exclusive privilege. This inclusive start is what transforms a simple training session into a powerful tool for social empowerment.
This methodology is not merely a theoretical framework; its effectiveness has been rigorously proven through multiple Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) projects across Africa. From afforestation efforts in Senegal to soil conservation initiatives in Malawi and Madagascar, the PRRIE approach has consistently delivered high-impact results. In these diverse contexts, the approach successfully mobilized thousands of residents to adopt new techniques, earning high evaluations for its ability to generate tangible, large-scale community participation where traditional methods had struggled.
Ultimately, Beyond Selection serves as a practical guide for development practitioners, NGO workers, and policy makers who seek a more democratic and sustainable way to facilitate growth. By treating technical training as an essential piece of “social infrastructure” that belongs to everyone, Naoto Noda provides a roadmap for building resilient communities from the ground up. This book is an invitation to move past the limitations of the selective approach and embrace a future where development truly belongs to the many, not the few.
本書は2017年に出版された野田直人著「機会均等の研修実施によるコミュニティ開発 PRRIEアプローチの基礎と実践」を英語の読者向けに編集し、翻訳したものです。内容的にはほぼ同じです。日本語版は書籍とe-bookとがありますが、英語版は現在e-bookのみとなっています。
【問い合わせ連絡先】
本書の内容に興味のある方は、著者までメールでご連絡ください。
noda-n[at]n-fukushi.ac.jp（* [at] の部分を@に修正してご使用ください）
