In my DP blog entries I discussed some issues, where “development” (in the past and in the present) has been criticized – also positively, but more negatively. Under development one can understand and imagine many things depending on his/her motivation and goals with it. I prefer Maggie Black’s formulation of reforming today’s development, “so that it actually serves those for whom it was always supposed to be intended. More legitimacy for poor people as equal partners in the process, rather than as objects of development, would be a good starting point.”(1)
The term “development” (together with “developing” and “developed”) itself is misused many times. Nevertheless, even if we do not like it, in lack of alternatives professionals and laics will continue to use it. All we can hope for is to associate more positive image with the meaning of this word. This can be achieved only through adding positive experiences and projects with big, measured impacts.
I also agree with Maggie Black that many smaller scaled, customized projects can achieve a bigger impact, than any “big-bang, mass popular campaign or set of global resolutions.” (1) As good examples could serve the Matau Primary School Project in Zimbabwe (2) (researched on in DP class) or the El Nahual Community Education Center in Guatemala (own experience).
One is for sure: people should go first. Considering, that poor people depend on nature, on ecosystem services more than rich people, sustainable development should be about both, people and ecosystem. The most anticipated event of 2012 is Rio+20: United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. Just recently came out the zero draft of it, which deals in big part with Green Economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication. Two points I find particularly interesting: “25. We are convinced that a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication should contribute to meeting key goals – in particular the priorities of poverty eradication, food security, sound water management, universal access to modern energy services, sustainable cities, management of oceans and improving resilience and disaster preparedness, as well as public health, human resource development and sustained, inclusive and equitable growth that generates employment, including for youth. 31. We note that the transformation to a green economy should be an opportunity to all countries and a threat to none. We therefore resolve that international efforts to help countries build a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication must not: create new trade barriers; impose new conditionalities on aid and finance; widen technology gaps or exacerbate technological dependence of developing countries on developed countries; restrict the policy space for countries to pursue their own paths to sustainable development.” (3) The plans are meaningful. Let’s hope they will be accepted and respected by everyone. We will see it shortly.
I support the idea of Sen, that development is above all the freedom to choose. I believe that proper education gives you more opportunities to choose from to live a life you wish. The education that I have received enables me a freedom to decide on my lifestyle and my future- where and what I want to do for living. Therefore, as I quoted in my first blog entry: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Keep this in mind, whenever you deal with any kind of development.
VIDEO: Rio+20: The Future We Want
Pinche aquí para ver el vídeo
References:
(1) Maggie Black: The no-nonsense guide to international development
(2) Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZPr6QTMB5o
(3) Rio+20 zero draft document published by UNCSD (2012) http://www.stakeholderforum.org/fileadmin/files/zerodraft110112.pdf
Rolf Rosenkranz (2011): Development cooperation in 2012 on http://www.devex.com/en/news/development-cooperation-in-2012/77079
6 comentarios /
13 Jan 2012
por
Ildiko Heim
IMSD /
In my DP blog entries I discussed some issues, where “development” (in the past and in the present) has been criticized – also positively, but more negatively. Under development one can understand and imagine many things depending on his/her motivation and goals with it. I prefer Maggie Black’s formulation of reforming today’s development, “so that it actually serves those for whom it was always supposed to be intended. More legitimacy for poor people as equal partners in the process, rather than as objects of development, would be a good starting point.”(1)
The term “development” (together with “developing” and “developed”) itself is misused many times. Nevertheless, even if we do not like it, in lack of alternatives professionals and laics will continue to use it. All we can hope for is to associate more positive image with the meaning of this word. This can be achieved only through adding positive experiences and projects with big, measured impacts.
I also agree with Maggie Black that many smaller scaled, customized projects can achieve a bigger impact, than any “big-bang, mass popular campaign or set of global resolutions.” (1) As good examples could serve the Matau Primary School Project in Zimbabwe (2) (researched on in DP class) or the El Nahual Community Education Center in Guatemala (own experience).
One is for sure: people should go first. Considering, that poor people depend on nature, on ecosystem services more than rich people, sustainable development should be about both, people and ecosystem. The most anticipated event of 2012 is Rio+20: United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. Just recently came out the zero draft of it, which deals in big part with Green Economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication. Two points I find particularly interesting: “25. We are convinced that a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication should contribute to meeting key goals – in particular the priorities of poverty eradication, food security, sound water management, universal access to modern energy services, sustainable cities, management of oceans and improving resilience and disaster preparedness, as well as public health, human resource development and sustained, inclusive and equitable growth that generates employment, including for youth. 31. We note that the transformation to a green economy should be an opportunity to all countries and a threat to none. We therefore resolve that international efforts to help countries build a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication must not: create new trade barriers; impose new conditionalities on aid and finance; widen technology gaps or exacerbate technological dependence of developing countries on developed countries; restrict the policy space for countries to pursue their own paths to sustainable development.” (3) The plans are meaningful. Let’s hope they will be accepted and respected by everyone. We will see it shortly.
I support the idea of Sen, that development is above all the freedom to choose. I believe that proper education gives you more opportunities to choose from to live a life you wish. The education that I have received enables me a freedom to decide on my lifestyle and my future- where and what I want to do for living. Therefore, as I quoted in my first blog entry: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Keep this in mind, whenever you deal with any kind of development.
VIDEO: Rio+20: The Future We Want
Pinche aquí para ver el vídeo
References:
(1) Maggie Black: The no-nonsense guide to international development
(2) Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZPr6QTMB5o
(3) Rio+20 zero draft document published by UNCSD (2012) http://www.stakeholderforum.org/fileadmin/files/zerodraft110112.pdf
Rolf Rosenkranz (2011): Development cooperation in 2012 on http://www.devex.com/en/news/development-cooperation-in-2012/77079
Comments Off on DP 5: The (desired) future of development in my personal point of view /
13 Jan 2012
por
Ildiko Heim
IMSD /
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