Wake up to development in action! - From the editor

Sustainable development is such a useful term because it encompasses so many of the challenges that we face as a global society; social, political, economic or environmental. The ways in which we try to meet these challenges are often laborious and controversial, while crucially, we cannot begin meet any of them in isolation. As a result, a term such as ‘development’ becomes prone to be used rather too freely, often in contexts in which its meaning is complicated and imprecise.

‘Development in Action’ aims to promote global citizenship; a challenging aim, and a difficult concept to grasp. A big part of meeting this challenge is simply to communicate what it actually means. In this issue we show how development education, and ultimately sustainable development, is really all about the people who have the power to make it happen. Yes, that’s right, you and me! We’re condensing the nebulous notion of development, and bringing it down to earth, where it really happens.

Firstly Kathryn Hill explains how we need to realise that everyone is involved, whether they like it or not. The consequences of this simple fact depend purely on whether you choose to be involved actively or passively.

Our other authors this issue ground this realisation in hard reality.

Firstly, we must ask some more questions. Who are these people, these global citizens? How are they affected by this grand concept of development? What role do they play in understanding, adapting to and constructing a just and peaceful global community? Ask yourself these questions as you read Sarah Pole’s photo diary, which allows us a glimpse into some of these mysterious people’s lives.

We also share with you some of the work that our Indian partners are doing. Every year DiA volunteers are involved in exciting new projects in India that are vital pieces in this tricky development jigsaw puzzle.

Kimberly Gilmour’s fascinating account of how the of the lugubrious Indian buffalo has aided development of small scale farming, shows us once again the importance of acting locally to bring about sustainable development on a much larger scale. This ‘DiAry product’ is one you mustn’t miss!

On a more solemn note, Sam Watson describes how the global problem of AIDS is beginning to hit home in Pune. The struggle to engage people locally in such an issue repeats itself all over the world. But massive progress is being made, and the ‘Wake up Pune’ campaign gives hope that, here too, the crucial concept of development is being grasped on a local level.

We welcome your comments and questions. email: newsletter@developmentinaction.org

Tom Wilmot