IntroductionText Summary
.Participatory Local Social Development (PLSD):
Towards Self-Reliant and Sustainable Development
PLSD
Now, let us think about a good project.
For example, we have formulated a very good project to
address peoples needs with sufficient consideration of
the aspects of gender, ecological environment, people
participation, etc. It looked as if it would work out nicely in
every community. However, once the project was
implemented, the achievements and outcomes varied
considerably from one community to another. Have you
come across similar cases in yourgood projects?
PLSD-1
PLSD
PLSD as an Alternative Framework of Development
Based on such recognition and understanding, we now introduce PLSD as an alternative
framework of development.
PLSD aims
to facilitate the process of social capability building and institutional mechanism
strengthening of a local society as a whole toward self-reliant, sustainable development,
by way of analyzing the particular structure-functional characteristics of a target local
societal system, of generating tactful policy measures based on the uniqueness
identified, as well as of deploying participatory approach of experience-based learning
for capability building and institutional linkage building in accordance with the prevailing
condition and situation.
PLSD-2
PLSD
In short, PLSD consists of the theoretical framework and practical methods to lead the
process of social capability building and institutional mechanism strengthening of a local
societal system as a whole.
Because of their comprehensive coverage of not just a local community, but an overall
local societal system, the framework and methods can widely be utilized and deployed
by diverse actors such as community people, local governments, NGOs, academic
professionals, and private sectors in accordance with their respective purposes or
necessities.
The ultimate goal of PLSD is to consolidate the social basis for self-reliant and
sustainable development both for the local society and for local people.
To attain this goal, the specific strategies are as follows:
First, to analyze the particular structure-functional characteristics of a target local
societal system to determine the focal points of strategic activities;
Second, to tactfully apply the PA using experience-based learning for capability building
and institutional linkage building among different stakeholders, by way of prioritized
focus on the prevailing realities.
Thus, PLSD focuses not only on the specific needs and problems of a local people, but
also the particularities of a local societal system as the causation and background of the
peoples needs and problems in the context of rational interface.
With consideration of local peoples capabilities, experiences, and mechanisms for
development activities, PLSD can formulate and implement a much more reasonable,
realistic, and effective project, not only to bring about tangible solutions or changes,
but also to contribute to enhancement of self-reliance and sustainability.
This can be realized, particularly through the integration of local system analysis and
use of the PA in PLSD. This is because the PA promotes the experience-based learning
processes of awareness building, organization formation, capability building, and
networking of a local societal system as a whole, through participation and collaboration
among various stakeholders, in the actual undertakings of research, planning,
implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
PLSD-3