Appreciative inquiry for community engagement in Indonesia rural communities

This article highlights three main issues that challenge the ideal concept of engagement, which are the domination of instrumental perspectives; the lack of global inclusiveness due to ethnocentricity and western orientation of engagement studies; and the domination of post-positivistic paradigm and quantitative research approach. The development of micro-hydro power in Kulon Progo Regency, Indonesia, is chosen as the case study. This study applies an exploratory case study design, involving three hamlets with different level of micro-hydro power development. Through an analysis of the implementation of appreciative inquiry technique for community engagement, this article offers social constructionism and qualitative approach towards studies of engagement. This article also offers public-centric and non-western experiences as a response to the criticism towards organic-centric and western approach of engagement studies.