The Hindu : New Delhi News : Plan to create sustainable means of livelihood

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 17, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Plan to create sustainable means of livelihood

By Sandeep Joshi

NEW DELHI, NOV. 16. A group of 10 developing and underdeveloped nations in the Asia Pacific region have formed a "network" to find ways of generating sustainable livelihoods for the vulnerable sections of society and launch a major capacity-building initiative for identification of needs, access to information and negotiation.

Underlining that the problems being faced by the poor and weaker sections of society in these countries were almost of the same nature where even government policies and methods adopted were identical, the members of non-government organisations and government bodies have also decided to work upon models and methods formulated by the Japan-based United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) and also learn from experiments and experiences of NGO Development Alternatives that was working in close coordination with the UNCRD.

The delegates from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Nepal and India first gathered for "Policy Workshop on Generating Sustainable Livelihoods for Human Security" at the Development Alternatives' unique Taragram at Orchha in Madhya Pradesh earlier this month that was followed by a day-long brainstorming session in the Capital.

According to the UNCRD Director, Kazunobu Onogawa, these nations need to establish clear linkages between sustainable livelihoods and human security to identify recommendations that would include a human security orientation in current policies and programmes for poverty reduction and social development. "We will now focus on key issues in three sub-regions -- South Asia, Indo-China and Mongolia, and Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Philippines -- in order to adjust existing policies and actions to create and protect livelihoods for the vulnerable."

The president of Development Alternatives, Ashok Khosla, said what was urgently required was to focus on the needs of the weakest and most vulnerable communities and addressed various complex issues that confront developing societies as they struggle towards the goal of total poverty eradication. The participating nations would also frequently exchange experience between them besides adopt thematic training on human security and create a network that was demand driven.

The meet also provided a platform for individuals and organisations to share knowledge, exchange learning, build upon experiences and develop strategies for action in their own areas of operation and direction to donor agencies that need to define strategies to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness and relevance of their interventions.

During the meet, participants exchanged ideas on best practices on creating sustainable livelihoods in the Asia Pacific region, review of existing policies and strategies on sustainable livelihoods and their impacts on human security and creating same projects on it. They also discussed the role of e-governance in generating sustainable livelihoods and strengthening communities for human security.

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