4.g) The lesson of the Comilla approach
In a report an Comilla, someone made a very wise comment
"The Comilla approach is not so much a formula for development,
as it is a formula for finding a formula for a development
programme to fit a particular area."
This formula is
- to listen to the villagers with respect, understand what
they say and what their problems are,
- to design the programme by making use of the cultural
factors whenever possible,
- to build institutions to tackle the different needs of
the people, to deal with their economic, political and training
problems in a realistic way:
- to engage people in the decision-making process and assign
them duties
- to see rural development as a comprehensive task which
has to be tackled from all angles,
- not to stick to a ready made project plan but to adjust
according to experience and response and not to hesitate
to make use of unorthodox approaches:
- to believe in the common man's ability and willingness
to improve his situation.
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