Social Development and Public Governance > Social Development
Social Development - November, 1999
From the Division Chief:
The work of the Bank that seeks to foster social development is varied and wide-ranging. The topics of this newsletter are only a partial example of the areas the Bank and its borrowers tackle. A way to group this work is into program- and process-oriented strategies. Program strategies, according to their time frame, can be divided into those that seek to promote social and economic well-being (or individual capabilities and opportunities); those that seek to prevent or stem the occurrence of social ills before they arise; and remedial programs that seek to correct or alleviate social and economic disadvantages.
The first two are long-term investments, with delayed returns, the third is more short-term. While the traditional work in social development, and still the bulk of the work at the IDB, is on the promotion of social development, programs that focus on remedial action and prevention are rising in importance, the first in response to short-term natural or man made shocks, the second in response to disturbing social trends and the need for cost-effective interventions - an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Process strategies are also increasing in importance and seek to change the style of development to include consultation in policy formulation (social dialogues), consultation and participation in project design, and decentralization and the promotion of local initiatives, among others
This newsletter includes examples of these different strategies. We wish to share them with you, and look forward to hearing from you.
Mayra Buvinic
Last updated: 05/25/07
