Other States - Rajasthan   

Focus on civic-driven change for development work

JAIPUR: “Civic-driven change” as a significant factor set to re-frame the development discourse in the country was highlighted at a day-long dialogue here over the weekend with the emphasis on strengthening efforts for growth and augmenting the impact of aid received from the donor agencies.

The dialogue, attended by public-spirited citizens and development professionals, was organised jointly by the Centre for Community Economics and Development Consultants’ Society (CECOEDECON) – a Jaipur-based non-government organisation – and Context International Cooperation, the Netherlands.

Context International Director Fons van der Velden affirmed that the civic-driven action that does not accord pre-eminence to the State or the market as drivers of change in the society had the capacity to bring about a meaningful and long-term transformation, benefiting the poor and marginalised people.

“Expanding the terrain of knowledge, analysis and ideas in this way offers an exciting potential to break out of conventional development paradigms which have mostly failed to make the aid work and help out the targeted sections,” said Mr. Fons.

The Dutch expert suggested that CECOEDECON establish a centre for development practice to evolve the theoretical discourse of the concept as well as to undertake research, develop a network and disseminate information.

Social activist Pratibha Jain said the civic-driven changes could relate to the “inspiration and excitement” often involved in the explorative research.

CECOEDECON secretary Sharad Joshi said the concept, if implemented in its true spirit, could open up new horizons of development and benefit both the citizens at large and the democratic institutions such as panchayats, zila parishads and urban local bodies.

Among others, former Rajasthan High Court judges Justice V. S. Dave and Justice Panachand Jain, Pratham Rajasthan Executive Trustee K. B. Kothari, Swadeshi Jagaran Manch leader Bhagirath Chaudhary and Veddan Sudhir from Vidya Bhavan, Udaipur, participated in the dialogue.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Focus on civic-driven change for development work
Water Institute in Jaipur becomes operational

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu