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HOLISTIC APPROACH TO DEVELOPMENT BY APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY IN SOUTHERN COUNTRIES By Dr. Costantino Faillace |
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HOLISTIC APPROACH TO DEVELOPMENT BY APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY IN SOUTHERN COUNTRIES By Dr. Costantino Faillace |
| The Role of Non-Governmental
Organizations (NGOs) Voluntary agencies, also known as Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), are universally considered to be the catalyst in promoting a relatively fast socio-economic development of the poor. Individuals, as well as NGOs, concerned in promoting the uplifting of economical conditions of poor sectors of developing countries, have long since realised that only by adopting technologies appropriate to peoples' needs would it be possible to promote the expected development. During the past 20 years, NGOs have developed skills and knowledge, and have been deeply involved in promoting AT. NGOs are more successful than government organisations in the development of rural programs as they have a better relation with the people. Furthermore, they have greater freedom to adjust the programs to the changing needs and adopt methods according to the emerging conditions. NGOs can promote participatory development by creating Self Help Groups (SHGs) so that bureaucratic delays are reduced, expenses are oriented towards local needs, accountability to peoples' upliftment is emphasised, and the utilisation of human resources is set in a more integrated approach. Furthermore, they apply concepts and programs in accordance with the socio-economic and cultural aspects of the people; due to this, NGOs are getting more and more involved in development aspects both at the national the international levels. In many cases, the governments channel information to the people through the services of NGOs and feedback on their program implementation. In recent years, at the international level, there has been a growing interest from bilateral, multilateral and international organisations to promote development programs with NGOs as implementing agencies. The common scope of most NGOs is to involve people in decision-making and in implementing programs evolved by them. The final goal is to empower the people to productively manage their own affairs. NGOs are becoming more and more active in most of the productive sectors as well as in education, health, water supply and other services; their role changes according to the programs and activities. Some specific roles common to most of the NGOs are the following, to:
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