Rural Life Improvement in Asia  | Subtitle :
Abstract :
Rural life improvement programs in several APO member countries in the past have had numerous features in common with the sustainable livelihood approach, which has been in the limelight as an innovative method for rural community development in recent years. Generally, rural life programs focus on not only improving the production aspect but also the living conditions of rural people. The Rural Life Improvement Program in Japan and the Saemaul Undong in Korea, for example, have succeeded in mobilizing a large number of local people and broad-based local resources for rural livelihood improvement and productivity activities. 4-H Clubs in the Republic of China and the Philippines have also contributed greatly to the betterment of rural living standards.
The distinctive features of successful rural life improvement programs may be summarized as follows. Community people, mainly rural women, mobilize their local resources for the betterment of daily life based on the spirit of self-help. The construction of simple water supply systems, communal cooking and childcare during the peak agricultural season, and improvement of cooking stoves and toilets are typical examples. Rural life improvement officers and/or extension workers play a significant role as motivators to encourage villagers to initiate changes, as organizers to promote group activities, or as coordinators between the local government and community people. The central and local governments provide minor but effective assistance in the areas where local people alone cannot manage by themselves. It should be noted that these rural life improvement movements include almost all the key elements of development efforts which have recently been highlighted: people’s participation; community-driven development; human-centered development; social capital enhancement; gender and development; facilitating the role of outsiders in the development process; and decentralization. In the Asia-Pacific region, we can find ample examples of successful cases of rural life improvement programs now. In this regard, it is useful to learn lessons from both the past achievements and serious ongoing serious efforts.
Registration No : B1450
Author :
D. A. Cruz [editor]
Asian Productivity Organization
Edition :
Impresum : Tokyo: APO, 2003
Description :
Language : English
ISBN 92-833-2339-4
Classification:
1. 300 - SOSIO-CULTURAL COMMUNITY / 330.4 - SOCIAL WELFARE, WOMEN, LABOUR, MIGRANT WORKERS, POVERTY REDUCTION, & CIVIL SERVICES - Rural Development and Poverty Eradication
Keyword :
1 Rural Life
2 Asia
3 Life Improvement
4 Asian Productivity Organization
Availability :
Hard copies 1 of 1
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