Values Deliberation and Collective Action

"This book is an essential read for those interested to understand the processes and power of transformative human rights education. The Tostan model illustrates how HRE can be culturally compatible and result in community empowerment that tangibly improves equality and freedom from discrimination." (Felisa Tibbitts, Founder of Human Rights Education Associates and Lecturer at Teachers College of Columbia University, USA) "The authors bring us into the heart of Tostan's remarkable community empowerment model, sharing first-hand accounts from West African stakeholders affected by deeply rooted social norms they ultimately decide to change. A riveting and rigorous account of transformative social progress, this book should be required reading for anyone who aspires to bring about a more just and sustainable world." (Sally Osberg, President and CEO, Skoll Foundation) "Values Deliberation takes you on an intimate journey through Tostan's village education program, documenting in women's and men's own words the inspiring transformation of mindsets and behaviors that ensued from learning about and applying the ideals of democracy and human rights in their daily lives. Students of community development and social change have much to learn from Tostan's approach and the theories that inform it." (Patti Petesch, Co-Author, "On Norms and Agency: Conversations about Gender Equality with Women and Men in 20 Countries" (World Bank))

This book describes how a program of values deliberations–-sustained group reflections on local values, aspirations, beliefs and experiences, blending with discussions of how to understand and to realize human rights--led to individual and collective empowerment in communities in rural Senegal.This book describes how a program of values deliberations–-sustained group reflections on local values, aspirations, beliefs and experiences, blending with discussions of how to understand and to realize human rights--led to individual and collective empowerment in communities in rural Senegal. The study explains what happens during the deliberations and shows how they bring about a larger process that results in improved capabilities in areas such as education, health, child protection, and gender equality. It shows how participants, particularly women, enhance their agency, including their individual and collective capacities to play public roles and kindle community action. It thus provides important insights on how values deliberations help to revise adverse gender norms.