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Dear Friends,<br>
<br>
My name is Ranjith de Silva. I am the Senior Specialist - Transport, of
the Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDG) and coordinate the
transport work across the Group and with international
organisation.<br>
<br>
I am sorry for the late joining due to other commitments.<br>
<br>
ITDG's field level experience on "participation" could be
useful for this discussion. ITDG has interesting experiences across the
countries, particularly in Sri Lanka. <br>
<br>
As Paul and Charles point out, transport can not be taken in isolation in
development. It links with almost everything. The sustainability of
transport technologies or interventions is dependant on the links
attached to many other things. The women who saved time on collecting
water and firewood, in Kajiado district in Kenya now wants to grow cash
crops using drip irrigation systems using the extra water available. As a
result of introducing "Rain-fed farming" to poor farmers in
West Sudan new transport needs have come up and transport needs were not
considered in the planning stages of this food production project.<br>
<br>
<u>Participation<br>
<br>
</u>ITDG defines participation as participation of all stakeholders.
Community participation in roads projects should not be limited to
providing of labour. Participation is very high during construction work
as people get paid. This is not real participation. They should have the
authority, ownership and participating in decision making processes. To
do this the capacities of communities, community based organisations and
local authorities has to be strengthened. <br>
<br>
Participation of stakeholders depend on their needs. The community need
may be to have an access road. The need of the local authorities could be
find a way to construct and maintain the rural roads under their purview
with the limited financial resources they have. The need of the local or
provincial level policy makers will be trying to find a method to solve
the rural road construction and maintenance crisis. The capacities of
local level NGOs working in rural areas has to be built to handle such
situations and community mobilising.<br>
<br>
The national level policy maker-participation is one of the most
important in trying to promote appropriate approaches for rural
development. Active NFG members who work with ITDG, are often exposed to
field projects to get a "feeling" and are regularly updated o
the progress. <br>
<br>
Regards.<br>
<br>
Ranjith</html>