Paper short abstract:

In 2011 a group of young Karimojong men and women researched the lives of youth in areas of Karamoja sub-region, Uganda. Restless Development worked with the Pastoralist Communication Initiative and the UK Institute of Development Studies (IDS) on this research. This paper reflects on this work.

Paper long abstract:

"Our research catches people's own voices. We want it to be useful to our people. We researchers come from the community and we ask our own questions and find our own answers. We will take the book back to the community so people can use it. We will call our brothers and sisters, to strengthen our friendship and encourage them that there is something to be done." In late 2011 a group of young Karimojong men and women researched the lives of young people living in Moroto and Napak Districts of Karamoja sub-region, Uganda. The team then shared their findings in an illustrated book "Strength, Creativity and Livelihoods of Karimojong Youth". Ninety young people volunteered and 13 were selected and spent time learning about the principles of action research before designing their own research process. After conducting 378 interviews with over 500 people and taking hundreds of photographs, the research team analysed their findings and developed their book.

The book uncovers the harshness of the work many young people are doing in Karamoja and highlights the great strength of the young Karimojong.

For Restless Development, it offers knowledge that can strengthen our programming and advocacy work in Karamoja and beyond. This paper reflects on this further.

Restless Development worked with the Pastoralist Communication Initiative (PCI) and the UK Institute of Development Studies (IDS) on this research. PCI trained the research team and facilitated the process with advisory support from IDS. UNFPA and DFID funded the research.