Participation, Civil Society Organizations and Sustainable Development
著者
Takehiko UEMURA
(Takehiko uemura)
教養部
版
publisher
出版地
奈良
出版者
奈良大学
上位タイトル
奈良大学紀要
(Memoirs of the Nara University).
Vol.28号,
(2000.
03)
,p.43-
75
識別番号
ISSN
03892204
抄録
This paper discusses participatory approaches to sustainable development and the roles of civil society organizations (CSOs) in fostering these approaches. There are at least three streams of thought in sustainable development. They are: (1)Linking environmental degradation with poverty, aiming at alleviating poverty in the South while regenerating the natural environment or at least without egrading
it further; (2) Incorporating various dimensions of development, trying to integrate multiple facets of sustainability; and (3) Considering the earth's carrying capacity and promoting development within the limit. Sustainable development means that each of the three different concepts is integrated and achieved at all levels of the international community. Participation can be classified into four steps: Information sharing; Consultation; Shared control over decisions; Initiating action.
In promoting participation both widely and effectively, the importance of CSOs,
which includes both non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and people's
organizations (POs), is highlighted. Within this framework, there are five participatory approaches to sustainable development: PRA Technique Approach; Group-Formation Approach; Building on Existing People's Organizations Approach; Policy-Level Approach; and Development/Environmental Education Approach.
Experts and organizations, whether governments, NGOs, POs, or international organizations that foster any kind of participatory approach to sustainable development need to recognize the whole picture of both participation and sustainable development, understanding where their particular approach is located in this overall picture, in order to increase interactions, information exchange and collaboration among each approach. International organizations are in an ideal position to foster this coordination, in cooperation with active CSOs throughout the world.
