Conferences / Workshops on Development Themes

True to the country context, development interventions / strategies are quite diverse-each one unique and challenging. Of the multifaceted themes, rain-fed farming, coastal area conservation and development call for greater attention. Fisheries development in the southern peninsula coastal area is another key driver for development and the various issues related to fisheries development will be shared and discussed.

What is more important for development with equity is the effective panchayatraj system and strong local governance. Applications of information and communication technology tools in addressing various social and development issues, professionalizing the NGO sector, development management education and research will be discussed. These areas would get more prominence in the deliberations and also the implications for NGOs' work would be debated.

Representatives from NGOs involved in development, research, advocacy, science and development, researchers and educationalists involved in rural development and women development and corporate business leaders would participate and contribute to the development debate.

Tank Based Watershed Development in South India: Possibilities for Partnership to Advancement- September 24, 2007

India’s growth is mainly to stabilize the productivity of the agrarian community in various parts of the country. In Southern India, the existence of minor irrigation tanks in large numbers and their survival over many centuries amidst all odds, make them relevant to become an important component of watershed development. As watersheds supports both the agriculture and horticulture and also function as the attachment areas for tanks and reservoirs, their productive performance becomes critical and gains importance to provide water and food security to its growing population. By this event an opportunity to involve, interrogate and get convinced to take the mandate of watershed development in Southern India as a sustainable mechanism to address poverty and enhance the soil and water resources from the plight of degradation to the desired status of soil and water conservation and sustained growth with people’s participation and local management.

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Showcasing Rainfed Agricultural Technologies of Southern Tamil Nadu - September 24, 2007

The biennial Madurai Symposium has been designed by DHAN Foundation to celebrate recent developments related initiatives and innovations since 2003. The celebration acts as a platform to share, comprehend, network, learn and plan for future development interventions. All stakeholders of development - community institutions, civil societies, government organizations, NGOs, financial institutions, academicians and researchers are invited to the celebrations. This year's symposium, the third is scheduled from 24 - 29 September 2007. Like the two earlier symposiums conferences will be organized as either people conventions or development conferences. "Showcasing rainfed agricultural technologies of Southern Tamil Nadu" is one of the events planned during this Symposium.

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Showcasing JSYS: Role and Relevance of Integrated Tank Development in Reducing Poverty; September 24, 2007

Realizing the importance of harvesting each drop of water in an era f escalating water demand, many state governments have decided to take up rehabilitation of the existing minor irrigation tanks on a large scale with huge investments. Government of Karnataka formed a society namely “Jala Samvardhane Yojna Sangha (JSYS) to facilitate the rehabilitation of 2000 minor irrigation tanks among the existing 37000 tanks, with the support of World Bank by involving NGOs to organize tank users and empower them to implement integrated tank development in a scientific manner in nine backward as well as tank intensive districts in Karnataka. DHAN entered into a MoU with JSYS to organize the community and empower them to take renovation in four districts. This even provides a unique platform for both these development partners JSYS and DHANVayalagam (Tank) Foundation to mutually share the experiences and outcomes that would emerge from the alliance building, in order to serve the under privileged.

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Provision of Safe Drinking Water Through the Use of Affordable Water Treatment Technologies at Household Level; September 24, 2007

Water is quiet central in alleviating poverty. It plays a major role in achieving better socio economic status of the individuals and the community. We must take efforts towards making this resource available to all in required quantity and quality. Women are taking efforts to fetch water, cleaning and purifying water (by the traditional practices) is also a main function of women. Improved access to sanitation, safe drinking water sources and improved hygiene is given great importance in the Millennium Development Goals because water is a key factor in improving the livelihood of the poor. This workshop sensitizes the development organizations, funding agencies and academic institutions about the importance of safe drinking water at household level at affordable cost. This seminar will be a platform to share the experience of the experience of the organizations implementing household water treatment programmes. This seminar will also focus on identifying the intricacies (issues, challenges and approaches to reach out the scale) of the HWTS dissemination process and influence the policy makers for large scale implementation.

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Consultation Workshops and convention on Advancing Development Through Information and Communication Technologies; September 24 – 29, 2007.

The Thagavalagam (Advancing Development through ICT) Theme of DHAN Foundation is hosting a series of 8 different programmes in Consultative Workshops and Convention on Advancing Development through Information & Communication Technologies. The workshop aims at bringing together Scientists, Researchers, Policy Makers, Administrators, NGOs, Community (Farmers, Fishermen, Women, Youth, Students, etc.) Field associates and all other Stake holders on a common platform to share and discuss the technological advancements, experiences and other issues related to ICT as a tool for Poverty Reduction and Advancing Development. Also a one day Tutorial on Advancing Development through Information & Communication Technologies is organized on 29.09.2007 for the benefit of the rural ICT project implementing agencies and researchers. This tutorial would focus on basic concepts of rural ICT, field experiences and learning, case studies, Participatory Information Need Assessment (PINA), Developing Rural ICT services, Community Organizing and Community managed Village Information Centres, Management Information System, etc.

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Alliance Building With Neerkattis For Water Management; September 25, 2007

Water managers who work in almost all the tanks in South India make their livelihood by providing their services like regulating tank water flow to lands, protecting the tanks and its components, mobilizing the local communities / volunteers at time of difficulties and for general community works. The alliances of Neerkattis in Tank Associations in managing water effectively is a welcome solution at all times whether in water plenty situation or in water shortage situation. DHAN Vayalagam (Tank) Foundation, a water theme institution of DHAN Foundation collective proposes to organize a one day conference by inviting development stake holders and representatives of Neerkattis from South India to deliberate on their status in the water community, their roles in tank water distribution and in the maintenance of the small water resources namely tanks.

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Sensitising Safe Drinking Water Concept Through Youth Programme; September 25, 2007

Volunteers from selected colleges / schools and Kalanjiam SHG Federations will be given orientation urban federations on the purpose of the youth programme, and major water issues in the Madurai city. These volunteers will be grouped into sub groups based on their area of interest related to water. Each group will be guided by one coordinator. The group members under the guidance of their coordinator will identify the issues in selected area of Madurai city and come out with a project plan. Major areas of the project could be forward creating awareness / projects on safe water, sanitation and hygiene, or waste water recycling. Each group is expected to come out with the detailed work plan for their members, so that they can spend their leisure time to work with the community.

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Enhancing Rainfed Farming Livelihoods: Need of Policy Changes - September 26, 2007

The biennial Madurai Symposium has been designed by DHAN Foundation to celebrate recent development related initiatives and innovations since 2003. The celebration acts as a platform to share, comprehend, network, learn and plan for future development interventions. All stakeholders of development community institutions, civil societies, government organizations, NGOs, financial institutions, academicians and researchers are participating in the th th celebrations. This year's symposium, the third is scheduled from 24 - 29 September 2007. Like the two earlier symposiums seminars, conferences and different kinds of people conventions are organised. Seminar on “Enhancing Rainfed Farming Livelihoods Need of Policy Changes” is one of the events planned in this Madurai Symposium.

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Flood Mitigation: Scope of Community Initiatives and Practices in Tank Cascades; September 26, 2007

Risk management is a necessary component of the development process, essential for achieving sustainable development. Flood risks are related to hydrological uncertainties. Our knowledge of the present is incomplete and generally we have only a partial understanding of the nature of the casual processes in operation. DHAN Vayalagam (Tank) Foundation feels the need of organizing a conference on “Flood Mitigation”, scope of community initiatives and practices in the cascades and to share the experiences derived with the various stakeholders and evolve norms and strategies to collectively address the issues of the flood. Various stake holders would present their experiences and then the key issues would be discussed.

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Workshop on Visioning of Mutual Insurance to cover the risks in its entirety - September 26, 2007

Mutual insurance programme is initiated by a location as a risk management solution to solve their problems. A judicious mix of micro savings, micro credit and micro insurance would meet the requirements of risk addressal. People access to commercial insurance or community risk management programmes or a bundle of these two. Community risk management / mutual insurance programmes enhances the insurability due to the fundamental characteristics of evolution and design of the solution in tune with the needs thus paving way for covering the risks in its entirety.

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Workshop on Contextual Risk and Vulnerability Mapping - September 26, 2007

People are exposed to life, health and assets risks. The risks are more pronounced with poor as they are vulnerable. Vulnerability and poverty are inextricably linked. Vulnerability is exposure and proneness to risk and low ability to absorb shocks. Their poor financial status characterized by the low level of savings and assets, greatly expose poor to risks making them more prone to risks. The vulnerabilities increase risk incidence. The problem of vulnerability gains paramount importance to that of managing the risks. They vary with contexts and livelihoods that too differ under different contexts. This workshop is organized to map the risks and vulnerabilities under different contexts in pursuit of managing them to address poverty.

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Appreciation Programme on Accessing insurance to poor - September 26, 2007

Globally, microfinance has gained prominence as an important instrument to address the poverty. Over the past decade, microfinance programmes have been efficiently extending credit and savings services. Unlike credit and savings, little progress has been made in providing the insurance services to the poor. This is attributable to the perception that insuring poor is not a business proposition. Whereas world over, building social security systems for the poor is being increasingly recognized as an important part of the poverty reduction strategy.

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National Seminar on Sustainability of SHG Federations; September 27, 2007

The growth of microfinance sector in India has been significant over one decade. Despite the remarkable growth and feats of the SHG movement in the country, sustainability of the SHGs continues to be a major concern. It has now been well established that access to a range of microfinance services through SHGs can bring about significant changes in the lives of poor. In view of addressing the issu of sustainability there is an increasing consensus among the stakeholders that the formation of federation would be an ideal alternative. The seminar will not only assimilate learning from the existing experiences, but also identify issues and areas of future actions for growth of microfinance in India.

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National Seminar on Microfinance and Health intermediation – Behavioral Change Communication for Reproductive and Child Health; September 27, 2007

In the recent years the thought gaining momentum is popularly known as “microfinance plus” approach. This approach envisages integration of microfinance with other development themes such as livelihoods, health, education, housing etc. Health continues to be a major development issue in India. Poor nutrition, lack of sanitation, low vaccination coverage, low awareness on health and hygiene and poor access to quality health services contribute to the continued poor health status of India’s population. Women and children are the most vulnerable as far as the health risks are concerned. Next to HIV/ AIDS menace, Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) is being given larger thrust by the Indian Government. Behavioural aspects of the people are considered to be the most critical impediment affecting effectiveness of the existing interventions. At this juncture ‘Behavioural Change Communication’ (BCC) has emerged and proved to be effective in achieving positive outcomes on behavioural aspects. The seminal will assimilate learnings from the existing experiences, and also identify issues and areas of future action for integration of microfinance with health intermediation.

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Knowledge Building Workshop on Mutual Insurance; September 27, 2007

In general all people are exposed to various kinds of risks but they are more pronounced with poor as they are vulnerable. Vulnerability and poverty are inextricably linked. The vulnerability increases risk incidence and it is low in absorbance of shocks. The poor financial status characterized by the low level of savings and assets, greatly expose poor to risks making them more prone to risks. The vulnerable poor cope with risks through informal community based arrangements. Poor are kept outside the ambit of the insurance industry. The existing insurance products are not responsive to their needs. Capacity building efforts for the demand stream would result in the internalization of the need for ensuring insurance services to poor and create vibrancy in the demand stream leading to poverty reduction. Sharing of the knowledge and experiences among the micro insurance practitioners could pave way for complementary and supplementary support among them.

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Dialogue on Pro-poor Policies for Poverty Reduction; September 28, 2007

Poverty in India is not simply a matter of inadequate income but also involves many components of poverty. India is the home for one-fourth of the world’s poor. India ranks 126 among 177 countries. The trends in poverty from 1950 to 2000 are in a declining line but it is not smooth. Since independence Poverty Reduction has been one of the major goals of development placing. Poverty reduction and employment generation objectives were pursued vigorously through a variety of approaches and policies. Government of India designed many poverty reduction schemes like NREGA, SGSY etc., which failed to achieve significant penetration because of social, cultural and political interventions. Hence, there is a need to re-look at policies, approaches and operational issues at field level. Growth in GDP is 9% in 2005 – 2006. the 11th five year plan has given monitorable socio-economic targets to accelerate growth rate of GDP to 10%. To achieve this targets critical issue needs to be identified in terms of pro-poor policies in implementation and role of different actors in development. Hence, DHAN Foundation’s Centre for Policy and Planning (CPP) has planned to have a dialogue on pro-poor policies in implementation by inviting different actors in development. It is planned to have one day dialogue on September 28, 2007.

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Knowledge Building Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction; September 28, 2007

The severity of recent disasters (both natural and man-made) impedes the process of development and increases poverty world wide. When we observe the current global scenario, we could find a paradigm shift in disaster response from relief and rehabilitation to disaster risk reduction through prevention, preparedness, and mitigation approaches. Restoring the situation alone will not be sufficient and hence warrants addressing continuing vulnerabilities. Mainstreaming disaster risk reduction in poverty reduction is a long term process. Amongst the multiple stakeholders working in disaster risk reduction, there is a wealth of experience and knowledge available. Making use of this resource, however, requires strong collaborative action between all stakeholders. Through such collaborations, new creative ideas can emerge as effective tools for disaster risk reduction. The TATA-Dhan Academy has organized a Knowledge Building Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction where practitioners from NGOs, government organizations, and academic and research institutions will share the best practices and learning.

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Seminar on Social Science Research in India: Challenges and Way Forward; September 28, 2007

The purpose of social science research is to identify significant problems in the society, determine the causes for these problems, and suggest appropriate solutions for addressing those problems to improve people’s quality of life. Though many issues are concentrated many times few issues like a number of emerging issues such as social capital, social audit, natural resources depletion, climate change, biodiversity, disaster risk and vulnerability, and governance have not been adequately researched. It has been increasingly perceived that because of the gaps between researchers, policy makers and development professionals social science research has not able to meet. Well - designed and well-conducted social science research has the power to shape public opinion and influence public policies, which would facilitate the creation of a just and humane society. In India, where a high rate of economic growth coexists with starvation, distress sale of agricultural products, frequent man-made and natural disasters, and many other socioeconomic problems, the role of such comprehensive research increasingly gains importance.

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Knowledge Building Workshop on Tourism Development through Community Participation; September 28, 2007

Tourism is one of the leading Global industries (11% of Global GDP) of the world. There is an increased trend in growth of rural Tourism focusing India’s vast and varied heritage depicting kaleidoscope of impressive features. Tourism is one of the major vehicles for generating sustainable livelihood in India. Towards this end, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, UNDP India and leading NGOs are jointly developing alternative model for rural tourism across the country with a view to position such models as engines of economic growth. India has several forms of art and handcrafts. The potential of rural tourism was not much concentrated but visible development issues such as poverty reduction, developing vibrant local economy, revival and regeneration of arts and crafts, preservation of culture and most important the gender equity have brought Rural tourism to limelight. Tourism also encourages preservation of monuments and heritage properties and helps the survival of art forms, crafts and culture.

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Workshop on Skill Building for Livelihoods

We live in an era of rapid change. Societies are moving towards greater democracy, decentralization and market economies. At the same time, poverty is pervasive, especially in rural areas. Appropriate knowledge and skill are essential for people to successfully respond to the opportunities and challenges of social, economic and technological changes. The number of youths unemployed and under employed in the rural areas is increasing. When the potential of these youths are not tapped, they dissipate their energy through unwanted social activities. On the other hand the industries are in need of trained man power to meet their growing demand. They could not find out skilled labourers. Imparting required skills to enhance the employability of the youths and build their capacities to meet the needs of the current job market are very much needed. With sound collaboration between grassroots organisations involved in skill building and industries that are in need of manpower we can channelise the human resource for better future. In this context DHAN Institute of Vocational Education, initiated by DHAN Foundation's People th Academy organizes a Workshop on “Skill Building for Livelihoods” on 28 September 2007 as part of Madurai Symposium. Participants for this workshop would be from NGOs, people's organisations, Government, academic institutions and industries.

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