CISCO Summit Day 2 - Rashid Bajwa
December 10, 2007 by Chris | permalink
Dr Rashid Bajwa on the National Rural Support Programme: The Pakistan Case.
The 160 million population. Sound 7% growth. Poverty reduced from 34 to 25%...indicators are good, but the gap continues to increase. The trickle down effect does not work. In order to move ahead, there must be a clear understanding of the context of poverty. One of the key assumptions is that the most impoverished have the inherent ability and the willingness to improve the quality of their life. The model is essentially social mobiliztion; or better said to organize communities around their needs and strengths. People might be poor, but they are not stupid.
The NRSP model is a Non-Profit, like a 501C3, rather than a NGO, that then receives a seed capital ‘grant’ that is put into an endowment. Thus, the work of the entity is not influenced by the government. Thus an organization is created that has the flexibility of the Not for profit, with the systems of a corporate body and the credibility of the Government [*]
There is then a program which organizes the villagers into their own development plan. The key is to understand that is the HOUSEHOLD is the unit that needs to be addressed. And, the best way to develop the plan is to figure out a way to generate income at a household level. IF the work is focused at the village level, it will never be sustainable. The basic message is that the need is the organization of the poor rather than for the poor. AND there must be financial sustainability.
Lessons learned:
1. three kinds of people [visionary, implementer with commitment, political champion]
2. macro economic growth helps
3. programme rather than a project mode and financial sustainability is the key to long-term success
4. household is the engine of development
5. best success if it is driven by home governments
6. donors should follow rather than initiate
7. important to reduce the jobless rate.
8. Education does not need that individuals are employable; thus focus on technical capabilities is also really important
this was really interesting!
