Alice Giussani T19, Arne Peters T19, Rijk van Mierlo T19, Lorena Mahle T17
Description
From Breda to Kathmandu and Pokhara, we explored tourism and hospitality together with four Nepali students from GATE college. We researched regenerative and innovative practices, co-created with local communities, and designed social transformation processes.
Goals
To learn and apply Appreciative Participatory Planning and Action (APPA) method. It is a people-centred approach that focuses on empowering communities by building on their existing stregnths, knowledge, and resources instead of their challenges. It encourages local involvement, motivation, and self-reliance to ensure sustainable development.
(Beneficial) outcomes
- Cultural immersion: developing cultural sensitivity through direct engagement with students and local communities
- Hands-on work: building practical skills in dialogue facilitation and stakeholder collaboration
- Qualitative impact: measuring success through community narratives and participation rather than quantitative metrics
- Community ownership: empowering people to actively shape and drive their own futures
