While women have made many advances, their inferior status to men continues to be a global phenomenon. At a time of unprecedented economic growth, India is experiencing a dramatic intensification of violence against women and the majority of girls are still not getting equal educational opportunity. In one of the most important steps for the…

The paper reports on a field experiment conducted among poor women organized in self-help groups in the north-east of India. The experiment tests in a simple game whether overly optimistic expectations with respect to the benefits of exercising agency reduces one's appreciation of remaining with agency in the future. If so, unrealistic…

Nongovernmental projects intended to assist Mozambican refugees in Malawi are limited by unresponsiveness to local conditions, inadequate resources, constraints on production and marketing, lack of sustainability, limited participation, and gender inequities. Such projects are likely to increase refugee dependency. (SK)

Describes cooperatives as a new socioeconomic strategy for rural economic development. Cooperatives involve local control, local ownership, and empowerment through organization. Categorizes and gives examples of cooperatives in agriculture, retail grocery, credit, crafts, and health. Suggests some reasons why cooperatives tend to be ignored in…

Discussions with women in rural areas of India analyzed government-initiated development programs regarding availability of information, suitability to women's needs, and perception of problems. Most programs were top down with little input form women; self-help approaches problematized the "self" and did not consider the realities of…

Asserts that Blacks must do more to solve their own problems through the creation of employment bases, through an emphasis on factors that have contributed to successes within the Black community, and through a greater effort to channel more of society's resources to the problems of low-income people. (MW)

This discussion of labor education needs in the 1980s covers (1) subject matter and needs of special groups; (2) the role of trade unions and organizational framework; and (3) financing of workers' education. (SK)

The accomplishments of programs developed and managed by American Indian groups are presented in this document. The philosophy of Federal agencies is discussed in relation to placing with Indian communities the responsibility for administering their own affairs, planning their own programs, and managing their own funds. Special programs offering…

Some of the ways community action agencies (CAA) can best implement the Community Action Program Mission in rural America are suggested in this paper. Generation of new employment and other income-producing opportunities for the poor within the rural community is recommended as an area for primary focus. The strategy for economic development is…

The paper documents and analyzes the nature of community self-help efforts in rural areas of Anambra State, Nigeria. It notes that community perceptions of development are based on a social and economic yardstick and differ from the prevailing public policy on agricultural development. (Author/SB)

Describes the role of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the political arena, as well as in development and public welfare roles. Traces the recent history of grassroots efforts to solve social problems in Latin America. NGOs can strengthen institution building and influence national policymaking. (KS)

The development of Arctic Canada's resources has historically been guided by two contrasting administrative approaches: one favoring the free play of profit motives in a laissez-faire market economy and the other the coordination of development through formalized government planning. In both approaches, Eurocanadians are the dominant figures,…

A combined report of the four Regional Rural Development Centers (RRDCs) and their partners focuses on selected outreach and research activities, projects, and accomplishments in fiscal year 1997. The report is organized around five topics identified as key issues for the mid 1990s: (1) improving economic competitiveness, diversity, and…

This special section highlighting the work of the Zimbabwe Foundation for Education with Production (ZIMFEP) includes "Introduction"; "A School that Works: ZIMFEP's Mupfure Self-Help College" (MacLaughlin); "ZIMFEP School Leavers: A Tracer Study"; and "ZIMFEP's Cooperatives: Uhuru Nakazi, Chegutu Production…