Taking up the challenge of PRSP-2
Thursday, 29 November 2007
The incumbent government in spite of its limited mandate has set off to prepare the second Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP-2) for the 2008-2011 period. With this end in view, the government has also formed a committee which has been tasked to prepare a thematic report which will focus on the challenges, specific goals, the priority sectors, etc., in the way of implementing PRSP-2.
In an ideal situation, however, it is the elected government that should have undertaken such an enormous as well as long-term mission of eradicating poverty within a particular time-frame. But considering that the issue is so urgent and it cannot wait indefinitely, the step taken by the government deserves appreciation.
It is also worthwhile to note that the immediate past political government had approved the PRSP in October 2003. But despite the fanfare with which it was undertaken, it has failed to produce the desired result so far. As it has been the case in all other areas of failure, the most important factor that played its part in the lack of any earlier success in PRSP implementation may in the final analysis be attributed to the lack of political will to do the same.
Bangladesh being one of the least developed countries (LDCs) of the world has been a strong candidate for joining the global drive to eradicate the curse of poverty by phases according to a set deadline given in the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Before taking up the huge challenge of ridding the world of poverty, the first step should be to have an overview of the country's existing policies and strategies to fight poverty and draw a road map to prepare the complete strategy paper based on it. The immediate past government, too, designed such an interim strategy paper I-PRSP which would provide a timeline for poverty diagnostics, recognising the policy areas that need evaluation and reform and the appropriate participatory process to be adopted for the purpose.
The poverty reduction strategy focused on a result-oriented approach with a broad-based participation of the civil society and private sectors at every step of its implementation. It has at the same to be recognised that poverty is a multidimensional issue which necessitates coordinated approach of all the stakeholders involved including the development partners. And, of course, the larger perspective of the entire strategy to phase out poverty would be a long-term one.
In line with the aforementioned principles, the immediate past government in March 2003, produced the National Strategy for Economic Growth, Poverty Reduction and Social Development. It was in fact the interim strategy paper I-PRSP. The document provided the outline of the poverty alleviation strategy within the larger context of the Millennium Goals (MDGs). The interim strategy paper so adopted was also shared with the development partners who formed the basis for discussions between Government and donors at the Bangladesh Development Forum in May 2003. In due course the draft PRSP was prepared and was also finally approved by the then government in October 2005. What happened to that first PRSP in question? It has been learnt that during the last three years, there has been no further progress in the implementation of PRSP so designed by the last political government.
Against this backdrop, it is heartening that the incumbent government has taken up the huge challenge in its hand. It is hoped that, given its will, the government will be able involve all the stakeholders in the process in a participatory manner to avoid any failure as in the past.
In an ideal situation, however, it is the elected government that should have undertaken such an enormous as well as long-term mission of eradicating poverty within a particular time-frame. But considering that the issue is so urgent and it cannot wait indefinitely, the step taken by the government deserves appreciation.
It is also worthwhile to note that the immediate past political government had approved the PRSP in October 2003. But despite the fanfare with which it was undertaken, it has failed to produce the desired result so far. As it has been the case in all other areas of failure, the most important factor that played its part in the lack of any earlier success in PRSP implementation may in the final analysis be attributed to the lack of political will to do the same.
Bangladesh being one of the least developed countries (LDCs) of the world has been a strong candidate for joining the global drive to eradicate the curse of poverty by phases according to a set deadline given in the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Before taking up the huge challenge of ridding the world of poverty, the first step should be to have an overview of the country's existing policies and strategies to fight poverty and draw a road map to prepare the complete strategy paper based on it. The immediate past government, too, designed such an interim strategy paper I-PRSP which would provide a timeline for poverty diagnostics, recognising the policy areas that need evaluation and reform and the appropriate participatory process to be adopted for the purpose.
The poverty reduction strategy focused on a result-oriented approach with a broad-based participation of the civil society and private sectors at every step of its implementation. It has at the same to be recognised that poverty is a multidimensional issue which necessitates coordinated approach of all the stakeholders involved including the development partners. And, of course, the larger perspective of the entire strategy to phase out poverty would be a long-term one.
In line with the aforementioned principles, the immediate past government in March 2003, produced the National Strategy for Economic Growth, Poverty Reduction and Social Development. It was in fact the interim strategy paper I-PRSP. The document provided the outline of the poverty alleviation strategy within the larger context of the Millennium Goals (MDGs). The interim strategy paper so adopted was also shared with the development partners who formed the basis for discussions between Government and donors at the Bangladesh Development Forum in May 2003. In due course the draft PRSP was prepared and was also finally approved by the then government in October 2005. What happened to that first PRSP in question? It has been learnt that during the last three years, there has been no further progress in the implementation of PRSP so designed by the last political government.
Against this backdrop, it is heartening that the incumbent government has taken up the huge challenge in its hand. It is hoped that, given its will, the government will be able involve all the stakeholders in the process in a participatory manner to avoid any failure as in the past.