This is the report of the “Yunnan DOA/NACA-STREAM/FAO Workshop on Livelihoods Approaches and Analysis” that was conducted in Mengzi, Yunnan from 6-10 September 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 Yunnan was the first STREAM event in China, with colleagues coming to participate from throughout the province. It was the fifth workshop in a series, the first of which was held in Iloilo City, Philippines, in November 2003, the second in Ranchi, India, in February 2004, third in Vientiane, Lao PDR, in March 2004 and the fourth in Yangon, Myanmar, in May 2004.

The objectives of the workshop were to:

• Understand issues of interest to people whose livelihoods include aquatic resources management, especially those with limited resources.
• Build “livelihoods teams” to do livelihoods analyses and training, and share their experiences with communities and other stakeholders.
• Share understandings of livelihoods approaches and analysis using participatory methods.
• Review translated NACA-STREAM livelihoods analysis documentation, adapt and supplement, towards the drafting of a Guide for Livelihoods Analysis.
• Experience the use of participatory tools for livelihoods analysis.
• Plan activities for carrying out livelihoods analyses.

The week was spent exploring the complex nature of communities and groups with whom we work and sharing understandings about how best to learn about their livelihoods. The now substantial Guide for Livelihoods Analysis was too large to translate into Chinese. Therefore key documents from the collection of STREAM materials from around the region were translated and used to help participants understand livelihoods analysis processes. These were the Cambodian livelihoods tools document, the livelihoods study from Saob Leu, Cambodia, and STREAM Journal 1(4), with articles from a STREAM livelihoods workshop in Long An, Vietnam, and also the workshop program.

A central element of the workshop was a visit to Jinfuzhuangxiaozhai Village in Shengcun Township in the high mountain area of Tian Yang County, where participants tried out some of the livelihoods analysis tools in discussions with members of the Ha Ni ethnic group. In addition to gaining information about the village community itself, participants also gained important insights into how best to conduct livelihoods analyses.

Follow-up actions from this workshop include the dissemination of information about livelihoods approaches and analysis in Yunnan and continued work on the development and use of livelihoods approaches and analysis in the Yunnan Department of Agriculture.