This paper advocates strategies, processes and practices that enable: livelihoods approaches rather than resource-based approaches, ‘direct’ institutional and policy development, rather than ‘project demonstrations’, and support for regional, national and local communications. It was presented at the Symposium on Participatory approaches in reservoir fisheries management: Issues, challenges and policy, October 4-6th 2004 at the Culture Club Resort, Dambulla, Sri Lanka hosted by the National Aquaculture Development Authority in collaboration with FAO..

In this issue: What do we need to learn about to understand how people live? Taking steps to making livelihoods work. Reflections on the India-Nepal workshop. Reflections on the role of livelihoods approaches and analysis in Lao PDR. After the workshop on livelihood approaches and analysis. The relevance of livelihoods approaches in Yunnan, China. About the STREAM Journal. About STREAM. This edition is also available in Ilonggo, Khmer and Urdu.

The purpose of the workshop was to develop and document mechanisms for training in livelihoods approaches and analysis, and to build national capacity to conduct livelihoods studies. The workshop in Yangon was the fourth in a series, the first of which was held in Iloilo City, Philippines, in November 2003, the second in Ranchi, India, in February 2004, and the third in Vientiane, Lao PDR in March 2004. A subsequent workshop will take place in Yunnan, China.

In 2002, the Philippines Government signed a Partnership Agreement with the NACA-STREAM Initiative. The initial focal point for STREAM work is Western Visayas, including the Sapian Bay and Banate Bay areas where BFAR Region 6, the STREAM country host, has on-going engagements, and also areas within Regions 6 and 7 where marine ornamentals collection and trading occur. The key disadvantaged groups for whom aquatic resources are a source of livelihood are the primary stakeholders for the initiative.

Although Vietnam has long been listed among the poorest countries of the world, it has recently made large strides in reducing poverty and improving food security. However, the dramatic gains in poverty reduction in Vietnam still remain quite fragile. There is growing evidence to indicate that dependence on aquatic resources is correlated to poverty, and that aquatic resources constitute an important component of wider livelihoods strategies (largely from the Mekong Delta, Central Coast and the Northern Mountains).

This assessment is intended to address the concern that the ecological and livelihood functions and values of rice fields and adjoining wetlands are not fully appreciated in development planning. A participatory assessment was conducted in Attapeu Province, Lao PDR to determine the role of aquatic resources in the nutritional status of people engaged in rural livelihoods and to determine any opportunities, constraints or threats that may exist concerning the management of aquatic resources and future development in the province.

The purpose of the workshop was to develop and document mechanisms for training in livelihoods approaches and analysis, and to build national capacity to conduct livelihoods analysis. The workshop in Ranchi was a joint India-Nepal event. A central element of the workshop was a visit to the Jabarrah community, where participants learnt about the community’s livelihoods. In addition to gaining information about the Jabarrah community itself, participants also had important insights into how best to conduct livelihoods analyses.

This study aims to provide an overview of media currently used in Vietnam, with particular focus on use of media for extension purposes, to explore access to information, and information exchange between stakeholder groups and institutions within the aquatic resources and fisheries sectors, to investigate the information needs of rural communities involved in fisheries and aquatic resources management and to make recommendations for increasing the efficiency of communication with different stakeholders.

This is the report of the “DLF/NACA-STREAM/FAO National Workshop on Livelihoods Approaches and Analysis” that was conducted in Vientiane, Lao PDR from 8-12 March 2004. The purpose of the workshop was to develop and document mechanisms for training in livelihoods approaches and analysis, and to build national capacity to conduct livelihoods analysis. The workshop in Vientiane was the first STREAM event in Lao PDR.

In this issue: BFAR moves on in Region 6. Livelihood initiatives in Sapian Bay. Improving access to information through Barangay Learning Resource Centers. e Philippines Fisheries Information System. The contributions of planning activities in the participatory process. Inter-LGU alliance building: A key to sustaining the integrated fisheries and aquatic resource management council. About the STREAM Journal. About STREAM. This edition is also available in Ilonggo and Urdu.