|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Thursday, 17 June 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Features | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Guide to innovative development thinking and action 'Pro-Poor Growth and Governance in South-Asia - Decentralization and Participatory Development' Edited by Ponna Wignaraja and Susil Sirivardana (both at South Asian Perspectives Network Association, Sri Lanka). Publisher: SAGE Publications India Pvt. Ltd. Book launch will be on June 20th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at BMICH, Committee Room "A", Colombo with Secretary to the Treasury, Dr. P.B. Jayasundara as chief guest. This 400 page publication incorporates three years of action research, six country case studies by the South Asian Perspectives Network Association, Sri Lanka, partners and learning from the poor in South Asia. It responds to the major challenge to South Asian governments, the academic community and civil society activists and the donor community to the need for innovative development thinking and action, following the sharpening contradictions and conflict in South Asian societies and the realities reflected in the two recent elections in India and Sri Lanka, not to mention the unmanageable polities in countries like Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. The World Bank itself has recently constructively engaged in re-thinking development in the direction of an innovative policy mix and institutional mechanisms in the light of its experience. This book takes the discourse forward, by identifying six fundamentals which can inform a transitional strategy and practical macro-micro policy options which are based not on a priori theorising but on lessons from the ground. The lessons and options relate to: Macro Level * A Paradigm Shift to reaparticipatory development and democracy. * Integrating Pro-Poor Growth with decentralisation reforms and devolution. * Building New Partnerships among development actors leading to new social contract among stakeholders. Micro Level * Building sustainable organisations of the poor and linking these with new social movements on the ground. * Generating a pro-poor growth and an additional rigorous complementary accumulation process at the local level. * Transforming the base of the economy from dependence to greater self-reliance, as a pre-condition for global competitiveness. The conclusion is inescapable that there is a compelling transitional strategic response, a doable growth oriented policy mix and a material basis available to meet, both the immediate challenge of governance and the need for eradication of the worst forms of poverty and rural youth unemployment in all South Asian countries. Secretary to the Lankan Treasury, Dr. P.B. Jayasundara, SAPNA Partners Prof. Rehman Sobhan (Bangladesh), Dr. Akmal Hussain (Pakistan), Peter Harold (World Bank) and Mohan Tikku (India) are being invited to comment on the book at the launch and initiate a discussion on an innovative policy mix and institutional strengthening. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
