The Akassa 'living university':

Central to the programme of the Institute for Sustainable Development, and the achievement of the Niger Delta Coastal Initiative are the 'living universities'. These 'village classrooms' demonstrate the successful participatory development and effective self governance being fostered in the Akassa Kingdom, Obobo-Nkoro and Eastern Obolo. The ‘living university’ uses the village as a classroom and the villagers as trainers of people who want to learn how to help themselves or facilitate the process. However the training is not only targeting other communities, training will cover the vast field of sustainable participatory development theories, practices and methodologies for:

• Individuals, including Chiefs, Leaders of Thought, local ‘elites’, women and youth.

• Professional people in retirement and able to contribute to community development.

• Community Based Organisations, NGOs, other associations and churches.

• The oil industry and other private sector industries.

• Local and International Donor agencies.

• Local, State and Federal Government legislators and extension staff.

• University students, graduates and researchers.

The key features of the 'living university' of Akassa is experiential learning. Community members having effectively led their own development process through the Akassa Development Foundation, knowledge and skills are available to:

• Demonstrate the benefits and practise of participatory community development.

• Conduct community based learning about development.

• Draw on other community members as resource persons for further learning.