Initiative Femmes et communautés cacaoyères (IFCC) -Ivory Coast

• In Event: Bridging the Gap: The link between theoretical frameworks and their practical implementation in education programming

Proposal

A compelling case study of this process of reconstruction of theoretical frameworks can be found in Ivory Coast through the project "Initiative femmes et communautés cacaoyères" (IFCC) funded by Global Affairs Canada and led by SOCODEVI and in partnership with the Fondation Paul Gérin-Lajoie. The presentation will focus on showcasing how local communities in Ivory Coast have reinterpreted the concept of empowerment (autonomisation/agentivité) to reshape education according to their specific context.
It is important to note that the concept of empowerment in the French language is often divided into subcategories such as "autonomisation" and "agentivité." The term "agentivité" is derived from the English words "agency" and "empowerment." While there may not be a consensus on its exact translation, several expressions such as "pouvoir d'agir" (power to act), "faculté d'agir" (capacity to act), or "capacité d'action effective" (capacity for effective action) are commonly used.
These expressions capture the dual nature of empowerment, encompassing both the ability to define goals and act deliberately and coherently to achieve them, as well as the capacity to intervene and exert influence on others and one's environment. The IFCC project has adopted this definition of empowerment, recognizing its multifaceted nature and the interconnectedness of personal agency and the ability to shape and impact one's surroundings.
The presentation will emphasize how the concept of empowerment underwent a first layer of reconstruction through the French dual concepts of "autonomisation" and "agentivité". Secondly, this presentation will highlight the ways in which these communities have redefined the concept of empowerment to align it with their cultural values and specific educational context.
By reinterpreting empowerment, the communities have crafted unique approaches that empower individuals to actively engage in their own education and shape their learning environments. It emphasizes the importance of individuals and communities having the power and capacity to define their own goals, make informed decisions, and take deliberate actions to effect positive change and goes beyond economic empowerment. For instance, empowerment has been found to not be solely a personal transformative experience, but requires the buy-in from key community members and also the capacity to shape and transform social and structural dynamics.
During the panel discussions, we will explore the challenges faced by these communities, the successful practice and tailored strategies and practices they have implemented, and the impact of their reinterpretations of the concept of empowerment on educational outcomes and social dynamics. Through this panel, we aim to highlight the agency and resilience of local communities as they reclaim and redefine the concept of empowerment within the educational context.

Author

• Tamara Jacod, Fondation Paul Gérin-Lajoie