A feature of the People-Centered Development Forum
By David C. Korten
Opening Plenary Presentation to The Environmental Grantmakers Association Fall Retreat, October 13-15, 1994, Mount Washington Hotel & Resort, Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
We are here this morning to reflect on a major question of our time. What is the relationship between our hopes for a sustainable future […]
PCDForum Column #76, Release Date March 6, 1995
by Robert D. Putnam
Similar to the notions of physical and human capital, the term social capital
refers to features of social organization such as networks, norms, and trust
that increase a society’s productive potential. Though largely neglected in
discussions of public policy, social capital substantially enhances returns to
investments in physical […]
PCDForum Column #77, Release Date July 10, 1995
by Smitu Kothari
As far back as the mid-19th century of people in India’s tribal areas organized
protests and rebellions against British colonial laws such as the Forest Act of
1876, which prevented their use of the forest lands on which their way of life
depended. Though India gained its independence […]
PCDForum Article #10r, Revised for release July 10, 1995
by David C. Korten
Around the world, societies are being transformed by a reformist political
movement that promises good jobs, cheap consumer goods, strong families, local
control, and greater individual freedom through increased reliance on the
workings of a free market. The movement’s policy agenda centers on privatizing
government functions, protecting and […]
PCDForum Article #8, Release Date May 20, 1994
by Walden Bello
1994 is the year the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
mark their "golden" 50th anniversary. But it is an event most of the
world’s people have little cause to celebrate especially the countries and the
peoples whose economies are in a state of collapse, largely as […]
A feature of the People-Centered Development Forum, Revised July 18, 1995
By David C. Korten
An important starting point in any discussion of sustainable development is to
clarify the basic assumptions we each bring to the table. While the views on
sustainable development cover a broad spectrum, the following contrast of the
conventional wisdom and the emergent alternative wisdom on […]
May 17, 1994
Reflections on SID’s 21st World Conference
By David C. Korten
For me, the defining moment of SID’s 21st World Conference came during the discussion period
of the Closing Plenary on “Building Partnerships and Collaboration Towards Global
Transformation,” late Friday afternoon, April 8, 1994. A representative of the indigenous peoples
of the […]
PCDForum Column #73, Release Date April 20, 1994
by Robert J. Berg
While I respect the fundamental criticisms of the World Bank by those who
call into question its very existence, I am among those who continue to work for
its reform in the hope that it will yet fulfill its promise on the world scene.
This said, I […]
A feature of the People-Centered Development Forum, Release Date May 10, 1994
by David C. Korten
In March 1995, the World Summit for Social Development will bring together
heads of state and government in Copenhagen to "agree on a joint action for
alleviating and reducing poverty, expanding productive employment and enhancing
social integration." These are fundamental needs that stem from […]
PCDForum Column Article #7, Release Date May 20, 1994
by James Robertson
We are presently in a transition towards a new post-modern and post-European
civilization, much as Europeans were in transition 500 years ago from the
medieval to the modern era. People-centered development is about facilitating
this transition to a new civilization a sharp contrast to more familiar forms […]