QUOTES
"We
look at development in fundamental humanistic terms as a process of overall development
of people and their potential. Bringing out the creativity and the potential of
the people is the means as well as the end of development."
Grass
root initiatives are still a very controversial animal in many third world countries.
Often they have been looked upon with suspicion and sometimes they have been interpreted
as 'subversive' moves of some kind. They often run the risk of either co-optation
or repression. Hence grass root initiatives needs legitimacy and recognition if
they are to move away from the marginal place which they currently occupy to the
main stream of social life. They have to be recognised as effective methods of
reaching the poor and of fostering participation which is a basic human right.
A government committed to another development and to participation as a basic
human right, could go a long way in creating the necessary political climate for
grass root initiatives to expand into wider social movements.
The
enlightened sections of the international community can play on important role
by acting as a lobby/pressure group to facilitate more space, legitimacy and protection
to grass root initiatives...
