factors affecting rural facilitators’ role: iran

this study aimed to examine key factors affecting rural female facilitators’ role in participatory rural development in tehran province. since the researchers intended to have a better insight into the facilitators’ role and employ inquiry as a learning forum for bringing about changes for all participants, they preferred to use a case study based upon an appreciative inquiry method. the study divided the factors affecting the facilitators’ role into two main categories: driving factors and preventing factors. the former are: two-way communication, election of rural eligible facilitators, participation, sense of responsibility, and the latter are: cultural and tribal fanaticism, lack of permanent female extension workers and frequent management changes. appreciative inquiry as a positive mode of action research could facilitate the process of education and communication for all stakeholders. we suggested that there should be a shift from the extension as a knowledge transfer to facilitation as people’s own knowledge creation. this study showed that appreciative inquiry could facilitate the process of change and gender-awareness. this research method could also facilitate mutual communication between the rural facilitators and extension workers.