PREFACE

Based on the recommendations of the Expert Group Meeting on “Identification of Major Issues in Eradicating Poverty and Fostering Rapid and Equitable Development” in NAM member countries, convened by NAM CSSTC in April 2001, the Centre decided to follow-up with providing a forum for media experts and Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) representatives to discuss and make recommendations regarding their roles in generating popular participation in the development process in NAM member countries. It has been recognized that in order to attain rapid, sustained and equitable development, NAM member countries have to emphasize the direct involvement of all people in the development process, especially the poor. Popular participation is not only in the formulation of policy, implementation of policy, but also in monitoring and evaluation of policies, programmes and projects.  In this case,  the media and NGOs are the two groups of people which are best able to assist or to make it possible for the people to participate fully in the development process. The role of media and NGO in harnessing the popular participation in the development process of the developing countries is therefore considered extremely important or perhaps indispensable.

NAM CSSTC therefore invited media experts and representatives of NGOs from different NAM member countries to a meeting held in Jakarta, Indonesia during 29-30 April 2002 to deliberate on the relevant aspects of the role of media and NGOs and also to make recommendations to enhance their role in poverty eradication and economic and social development. NAM CSSTC presents this report for the consideration of NAM governments, media, NGOs, and others to start discussions and thinking on this issue.

In the next few years, NAM CSSTC intends to follow-up on the recommendations presented by the experts with the objective of assisting interested NAM member countries in translating ideas into concrete programmes and actions on the ground.