Waging Peace Through Development |
As our volunteers and local people work together, they learn from and about each other. This is a true people-to-people strategy, and the foundation of mutual respect. We've learned a great deal about useful volunteer service since 1984. We know without question that in order for any development project to be successful, local people must be in charge. This may seem self-evident, even simplistic, but it's a complex, multidimensional issue.
- First, local people must initiate and conduct their own development efforts. Outsiders, whether they are in government agencies, religious organizations, or well-meaning non-profits, cannot impose or even suggest solutions or take credit for local accomplishments.
- Second, outsiders can only work under the direction of local leaders... even when outsiders think they know how to do it better, safer, or cheaper.
- Third, local people must engage the outsides with them, hand-in-hand, and shoulder-to-shoulder. The outsider works WITH local people, not FOR them.
>>>>>>Read on: Hope and Friendship Through Peace>>>>>>
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