OneWorld.net (U.S.)

I cherished every moment of our Fourth Annual Regional Meeting (ARM 2005) where over 500 individuals representing 400 odd organisations assembled to discuss issues underpinning the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and how the new and traditional information and communication technologies could add value in this process. As a forum that brought together people from the academia, the private sector, the government, the media and the civil society; the ARM 2005 was just the first step towards a rejuvenated OneWorld South Asia's contributions to the actors who strive to work towards pro-poor development.

We also witnessed at the ARM 2005 some unease about three specific issues: a) the role of multi-stakeholders in development; b) the role of ICTs in development; c) the relevance of MDGs. While I share the concerns myself, I wish to take this opportunity to propose my thoughts.

The role of multi-stakeholders in development: As the process of development becomes complex and the world constantly witnesses failures and shortfalls in the area, it is imminent to consider innovative approaches that can bring together multiple interests and convene varying capacity and agenda. Clearly, the civil society alone cannot bring this along. It is high-time that we took note of failing governance as the biggest hindrance to development. Governments increasingly do not uphold the rule of law; do not protect the marginalised, suppress the media, make inappropriate public investments, and do not include the civil society in national decision-making. For ages, we have fought this anomaly with little or no success. I strongly believe that there is a need for innovative approaches which combine the private sectors' strategy of productivity, growth and employment generation with the government's role of a regulator and the civil society's leadership to foster development.

The role of ICT in development: Although a number of reports I read these days suggest that China and India have achieved a global-scale triumph in fighting poverty over the past few years, it is a clear mistake to declare victory over the challenge. In both the countries combined, closer to four hundred million people live in abject poverty. East and South Asia combined are still home to the greatest number of absolute poor people in the world. The decade-old 'hype' about the role of ICTs in development and poverty reduction has brought in more skeptics than believers. The misgivings of the March 13, 2005, issue of the Economist about ICT projects citing the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation's (MSSRF) work in Pondicherry and the completely flawed report in the same edition about the Digital Solidarity Fund are clear examples of how people with limited understanding of ICT issues can argue and limit the role of ICTs to only a telecom exercise. It is time for those who preached about ICTs to actually demonstrate how new and traditional ICTs, including the radio, could play a key role in accelerating growth and development.

The relevance of MDGs: When it comes to focusing solely on the quantitative indicators of the MDGs, a majority of thinkers would argue that the targets are irrelevant, framed with no clue of the exponential problems South Asia will face in 2015. However, it is important to recognise that the MDGs have brought in a much needed urgency in all of us to be more focused about these problems. It is relevant in this context to mention that the region that supposedly witnessed tremendous economic growth over the last few years remains off track for meeting many of the Goals. I quote from Jeff Sach's report to Kofi Annan, “Primary enrollment and gender equality indicators are lagging. Child health is improving but not quickly enough to meet the targets, while maternal mortality rates remain high, and, without urgent action, HIV is poised to spread. Severe undernourishment afflicts large parts of the population. More than 250 million people live in slum-like conditions, with insecure tenure, inadequate housing, and poor access to essential services. Most of South Asia lacks access to modern technologies and services, with approximately five telephone subscribers per 100 inhabitants. Parts of the region suffer from serious problems of water quality and scarcity, and access to sanitation is low throughout the region.”

If we agree that we should address the above, then for me, the MDGs are relevant.

As we move into the new financial year, I am glad to report that OneWorld South Asia will be further developing/ strengthening a number of communities of practice in accelerating the progress towards the MDGs, taking a special view of the day-to-day struggles faced by the poor.