A structured approach to documenting,
managing, discussing and learning from
the knowledge that is included in the
map, and from experiences relating to the
mapping process, will be necessary in order
to effectively communicate the maps and
outcomes/results of a participatory mapping
initiative.
Throughout the communication process,
project officers, in collaboration with
community members, should identify the
most appropriate and desirable tools for
documenting the information that they
would like to include in the map. They
should take into consideration any cultural,
political or geographic conditions that may
affect the suitability of a given approach.
Depending upon the techniques that are
employed, documentation of local spatial
knowledge provides a valuable opportunity
for community members to develop a variety of skills. Additionally, community
members may want to consider what skills
they would like to develop, and how they
might benefit from incorporating this
capacity-building component into the
initiative.
The way that information is documented
is important for a number of reasons.
Documentation will generate the material
that will be used to inform and support a
community’s map. Material that is originally
collected and recorded for inclusion on
the map could also be useful for long-term
archiving of local knowledge, and may
therefore have uses beyond its original
mapping purpose.