| An
introduction to 14 initiatives that illustrate the growth of a global movement
for social equity, environmental justice, and sustainable development. This
publication outlines how the Ford Foundation’s Asset Building and Community
Development Programme supports efforts to reduce poverty and injustice by helping
to build the financial, natural, social, and human assets of low-income individuals
and communities. The
14 case studies demonstrate that a long-term approach to restoring and protecting
natural assets can lead to new livelihood opportunities and renewed social vitality.
The reports make clear that a pivotal step in building a positive future is the
full participation of all people in the fundamental decisions that affect their
daily lives. Key
findings of the study include:
• Control over assets gives people
the independence necessary to resist oppression, pursue productive livelihoods,
and confront injustice. As well as tangible goods or financial resources, people
possess intrinsic resources such as knowledge, creativity, diligence, and inner
strength. In addition, groups of people share common resources such as community-based
organisations, cultural values, and practices. These strengths and attributes
are also called assets by the proponents of people-centred and community-based
development approaches.
• Asset building requires changes in the
“big picture” - the context in which communities and nations build
their paths to sustainable development. Fresh thinking is needed about institutional
arrangements, policy frameworks, and new coalitions for change. The
communities in the 14 stories pursue many different ways to secure tenure rights
and then to take advantage of them. They use different strategies for obtaining
technical information, accessing markets and capital, and building social support.
This diversity yields lessons about how to achieve progress and has implications
for the future of sustainable development.
THis
publication is available to download and to order from the Ford Foundation website
at:
http://www.fordfound.org/publications/recent_articles/sustainable_solutions.cfm
Contact person
for queries: James Fahn
Community & Resources Development
Ford Foundation
320 E. 43rd Street
New York, NY 10017
Tel: (212)-573-4649
Fax: (212)-351-3659
E-mail: j.fahn@fordfound.org | 
