VIPP_Unicef

The
Philosophy
of VIPP
12
Development
and empowerment
Accepting that development involves cultural and social processes, it
is obvious that it cannot be initiated and attained through the
application of a linear model. Local communities must have the chance
to develop within their own logic and rationale, reinforcing their own
cultural identity. VIPP is designed to establish a process of
democratization which empowers communities and groups at different
levels, facilitating dialogue and interaction and leading to local
decisions on development actions.
Of course this process is not neutral. The VIPP facilitator clearly takes
the position in favour of the right of local decision making. Processes
in local groups are not always very democratic as certain persons or
subgroups may benefit more from decisions. VIPP introduces a set of
techniques which allows more democratic understanding and decision
making at any level. Therefore, traditional, hierarchical bureaucracies
may, at first, reject the VIPP approach as it takes power away from
particular individuals and democratizes analysis and decisions on
actions. Enlightened bureaucrats and managers will realize that by
empowering and motivating people to achieve a common vision,
development is much more possible.
VIPP stresses the importance of empowerment of local alliances,
communities and groups. The facilitator must not only be conscious
about this concept, she also has to have a democratic attitude towards
the group she is dealing with.
Horizontal communication
and dialogue
The use of VIPP in conferences, seminars, meetings, planning and
training sessions differs from the traditional teacher-pupil approach
of conventional group processes because it is based on a model of
horizontal communication. This model implies the existence of equal
partners in group processes. Participants exchange perceptions, not
necessarily accepting them but at least understanding them. This
equality does not exclude the expression of individual knowledge and
specific skills but avoids the overwhelming tendency of one or two
"gurus" to dominate the proceedings. Understanding one another is
the precondition for the development of dialogue between people. While
instruction is a top-down process, based on monologue, in VIPP the
learning and discussion process becomes dialogic so that sharing
different perceptions and new ideas can evolve and lead to joint action.
THE ROOTS AND PHILOSOPHY OF VIPP