A National Participatory Rural Appraisal of NVA Fellows was held between 10 -12 July, 2005, at the National Academy of Agricultural Science, New Delhi. The event was organized by OneWorld South Asia and the M S Swaminathan Research foundation under the aegis of Mission 2007: Every Village a Knowledge Centre.
Over 200 participants, mainly knowledge workers and Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) workers, from 15 States in India and a few from Nepal and Sri Lanka, participated in the three day intensive discussions. The workshop aimed at highlighting the development needs as seen critical by the participants in their respective areas, as also the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in addressing those needs. In this respect, special emphasis was laid on the role of Village Knowledge Centres.
The participants’ highlighted issues related to livelihood security, health, education, environmental concerns and gender discrimination. The lack of availability of useful and relevant information was seen as a major concern in all sectors. The quality and reliability of services and infrastructure was also highlighted as an issue. Accessibility and exclusion in relation to services came up during the course of discussion as well.
The group recommended the use of ICTs such as Radios, Wireless technology, Computers, Internet and Cable TV in various development initiatives. They felt that such tools would mainly serve in building their knowledge on various issues such as health services, agricultural inputs related to production and marketing, education, counseling as also in the provision of e-governance services. However, they also suggested the use of print and traditional media such as newsletters, pamphlets and street plays, among others.
When it came to the idea of setting up a Knowledge Centre in their villages, the participants had plenty of ideas. In their view, the content to be provided to them was of prime importance and should be a blend between local and global content. They were very sure about the fact that the centres would need to be managed by the communities themselves, in an inclusive and equitable manner for it to be sustainable. However, they did see the Government or Private Organisations as the ones who should be setting up the initial infrastructure and ensuring connectivity. NGOs could play a support role mainly in the form of capacity building and mentoring of the centres.
The event was supported by the UK Department For International Development (DFID) and the Swiss Agency For Development and Cooperation (SDC).
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