 |
| NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM on SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL AREAS PROJECT OUTLINE The immense potentiality of India in terms of territory, natural resources and human resources is well known, but still a very large percentage of the national territory is undeveloped or developing through the destruction of natural environment and resources. At a global level, India is now called to become a protagonist of the environmental, cultural, social and economical revolution expressed by the concept of Sustainable Development, a very new idea which has its origins in an extremely ancient wisdom. For many hundreds of years, man has carelessly exploited Earth, causing disasters which are presently becoming more and more evident and serious, but it is still possible to reverse the situation at a local and global level by an appropriate action. Awareness and information are the main keys to this transformation, and the purpose is the thoughtful utilisation and renewal of all resources so that a positive growth can be sustained well into the XXI century and beyond. Within the scope of awareness and information, practical assistance for the development of suitable activities is also included. The main wealth for human beings is the land, therefore rural areas constitute a veritable treasure which must be valorized, by conservation of biodiversity and reforestation, by research and utilisation of folk knowledge also from other areas, by application of modern sustainable technologies for improving the quality of life and work, and by taking special care of the education of the human population through literacy programmes, nutritional information and assistance, health and sanitary information, vocational training, and the development of a progressive and cooperative outlook in the local population. Our Association is dedicated to the pursuance of these activities in all sectors of society, and recognizes the importance and strength of the rural populations and a natural lifestyle based on healthy principles, which are gradually being recognized at a global level as the fundamental guidelines for the future human society at large. The dissemination of suitable information and techniques to different crucial agents in rural society, regarding the basic necessities of life, together with the practical encouragement and support for education, development of kitchen gardens (fruits, fresh vegetables, spinach, pulses, etc.) and permanent agro-forestry cultivations (supplying a wide range of products for local use and trade), processing plants based on natural and soft technologies and trading agents within self sufficient rural settlements will go a long way in encouraging the self-reliance in enterprising and supplying valuable nutrients to the local residents. Objectives of the Seminar: Assessing the problems in cultural perspective Formulating and demonstrating feasible solutions Examining short/medium/long term plans Exchanging informations, knowhow and ideas Establishing deadlines and operational schemes Creating working groups and committees Publishing and distributing the proceedings of the seminar and other literature Establishing an ongoing information and coordination programme Establing cooperation with Governmental Offices, Public & Private Schools, Panchayats, Sarpanchs, leading social workers, etc. Creating a suitable awareness especially in educators and local representatives, NGOs, journalists, etc Topics of the Seminar: - Difficulties in reaching rural people and building the proper awareness - Empowering the disadvantaged classes and sections of society - Developing the potential for social work - Access to development structures and schemes, Panchayati rajya - Development of a spirit of cooperation, self-sufficiency and enterprise - Local production of food and self-sufficiency goods and resources - Fighting starvation and malnutrition - Local production of medicinal plants and other products like honey and dairy - Handicrafts and Vocational Training - Permaculture and sustainable development - Fighting environment destruction and pollution - Health education, sanitation - Nutritional awareness and disease prevention - Renewable energy sources in accessible and practical forms - Education and literacy, adult literacy programmes, ongoing and informal education, - Girl child education, women empowerment, social programmes - Teachers' training, technical training - Public and private sectors and involving capitals and cooperation PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE SEMINAR (TWO DAYS) Sl.No. Description Amount (Rs.) 1. Hiring charges for the Venue including mikes, chairs etc. 15,000 2. Travelling allowance for 100 Participants at the rate of 200 Rs. per person 20,000 3. Accommodation for 100 Participants, including refreshments and lunches at the rate of 200 Rs. per person 40,000 4. Expenditures for 10 Resource Persons travel, lodging and boarding etc. at the rate of 1000 Rs. per person per day 20,000 6. Study materials and literature 100 copies at the rate of 350 Rs. per set 35,000 7. Contigency 20,000 8. Honorarium for 10 Resource persons at the rate of Rs.1000 per person 10,000 9. Publicity and propaganda 40,000 10. Coordination and organization 15,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total cost 2,15,000 Less 10% contribution of the Organization (Rs. 2,15,000 - Rs. 21,500) 1,93,000 |
|
 |
|