LDCs make major efforts to establish democratic rule
20 May '06
3 min read
This figure, they say, is substantially ahead of the United States, at 14.8 per cent, and the United Kingdom, at 17.9 per cent
According to the report, building democratic governance means ensuring that the poor have “a real political voice,” alongside access to justice and basic services, including health and education.
“Throughout the study there are commendable examples which illustrate how some of the most efficient and creative solutions on overcoming development problems can be found in LDCs themselves,” High Representative Anwarul K. Chowdhury said following the release of the report.
“Indeed,” Mr. Chowdhury added, “the findings of this report are testament to the determination of the world's poorest nations to break through the barrier of underdevelopment.”
Some of the innovations featured in the report refer to the use of “mobile judges” in many Pacific LDCs, including Ventura, Kiribati, and the Solomon Islands. The report also focuses on Rwanda's “gacaca court” system, which emphasizes public involvement in rendering justice to the accused.
Others point to affordable communication systems in Solomon Islands, the Rural Advancement Committee in Bangladesh, which allows schools to run part-time classes for children who otherwise might be unable to afford full-time education.
However, researchers acknowledge that despite such initiative, many LDCs continue to face difficulties.
“Much more now needsto be done to build on these successes,” said UNDP Administrative Kemal Dervis. “Democratic governance is not only a good in itself, it is critical to further human development.”
Both Mr. Maloch Brown and Mr. Chowdhury urged the international community to further support the LDCs' efforts to build democratic institutions, which they believe would bring peace, economic growth and human development to their citizens.
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