What are the key principles of COPAR?

The principles of COPAR, or Community Organizing Participatory Action Research, emphasize the importance of inclusive practices and fostering empowerment within communities. By prioritizing inclusivity, COPAR aims to involve diverse community members in the research process, ensuring that various voices and perspectives are considered. Empowerment is a central tenet that focuses on equipping individuals and groups with the skills, confidence, and authority to take action regarding their issues.

Sustainability is crucial as it highlights the need for ongoing efforts that can be maintained over time, ensuring that the benefits of research and community initiatives continue to be valuable. Additionally, co-learning emphasizes the collaborative nature of COPAR, where researchers and community members learn from each other, fostering mutual growth and understanding.

These principles differentiate COPAR from the other options, which center on competition, profitability, control, and exclusivity, leading to a more hierarchical approach that does not support community engagement and shared growth.