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32ConclusionsTHE ASIA THINK TANK DIALOGUE REPORTRebuilding Confidence, Restoring Livelihoods24.25.26.27.28.29.30.31.32.33.34.35.36.37.38.39.development programme funding and mistargettingof programmesSocial auditing was necessary to prevent leakagesand misdirecting of schemes to benefit the wrongcommunitiesClean water was an important priority as it couldimpact on public health.The need for a healthy investment climate in therural areas was stressedPopulation control was significant, especially forcountries with large populations such as India andChinaClimate change issues had gained consequencein AsiaDialogue was required, but had to be followedthrough with coordination and commitmentSocial Enterprises and Social Entrepreneurshiphad gained credence under the CSR movementand could potentially become a third pillar of theeconomyPublic sector reform was urgently required toimprove public service delivery, along with judicial/legal reform to reduce corruption and enhancetransparencyThe mindset of the rural poor had to be changedthrough education and awareness programmesThere should be a reduction in the debt burdens ofthe poorest countriesVery few countries have honoured their aidcommitmentsGender equality and gender issues had to beaddressed as 70 per cent of the world’s poor werewomenEducation was a key challenge in the rural sector,to ensure there was knowledge and to facilitateaccess to growth schemesData management would help greatly in thesuccess of poverty-eradicationSmall projects at the grassroots level brought successas in the case of Thailand and IndiaInvolvement of local communities in the democraticprocess would lead to greater public involvement40. Improved security in the rural areas in some countrieswas also a priorityMacro aspects of rural issues: What governmentcan doDr. Omkar opened the discussion by stating that microsettingbecomes successful when the macro setting is inorder and therefore there was a need to look at macroissues and identify what could be done at both regionaland international levels to complement the specificaction plans taken by respective governments. Henoted the many specific projects which had receivedmention throughout the discussions and acknowledgedthe truth of the remark by Dr. Thaksin that helping thepoor was not philanthropy but justice. Export-led growthhad helped the region to prosper but however, therewere risks associated with over reliance on an exportledeconomy. Rural development was seen as a wayto complement the export-led economy. The stimuluspackages being launched by government could bechannelled to the rural sector from the national level.This could provide a boost to the rural economy.On regional growth, he noted that once domesticdemand was expanded, demand could thenbe brought to the regional level through greaterregional cooperation. Unfortunately, thus far, regionalcooperation had not taken off as expected, such asthe Chiang Mai Initiative; therefore he called for these
THE ASIA THINK TANK DIALOGUE REPORTRebuilding Confidence, Restoring Livelihoods Conclusions 33initiatives to be revived. He pointed out that regionalgrowth was not a substitute for the international marketbut only a supplementary mechanism. Apart from theneed for regional partnerships, there were a numberof things that called for attention at the macro level.For instance, the glaring deficit in infrastructure in Asiashould be fixed. This could be done easily as it wasnot due to the lack of resources, considering Asia hadhuge surpluses. It was acknowledged that Asia needsalso to boost its intellectual capital to complementits rich resources. This can be done through regulardialogue among Asian counterparts. An inclusive,country-specific, sustainable-growth model approachcould be considered instead of a one-size-fits-allmodel. Champions were required to advocatefor transparency at home and abroad. Promotinginvestment transparency was clearly a priority to ensuregood governance and credibility. In the bankingand financing sector, regulation and monitoringwere necessary, to prevent issues such as the world wasnow facing.Co-moderator Dr. Durga identified the positive pointsarising from the discussions which included how Asiahad sustained high economic growth and continuedto register a high surplus of reserves. However, thenegatives outweighed the positives, he felt, especially inthese challenging times: Growing inequality, a wideningdigital divide, depletion of natural resources, lack ofintellectual institutions to foster knowledge and thinking,and the increase of conflict and lack of security in ruralareas. The underlying causes included the malfunctionof state and public institutions and the lack of politicalcommitment and will at the highest levels. He calledfor a strengthening of institutions, the advancementof knowledge and political leadership. At the politicallevel and state level, addressing inequality calledfor a clear roadmap in terms of the mission andobjectives to ensure that it would not be a futile attempt.Foundations of moral discipline and commitment weregreatly required, along with long-term commitmentto institutionalise thinking.Micro aspects of rural issues : The PrioritiesSocial enterpriseConsensus was reached as to the divide between theeconomically-empowered elite and the social sector –caused mainly by mental models from the old economy;epitomized by such platforms as the World EconomicForum and the World Social Forum, two forums whichare in conflict and are now set to exacerbate the globaleconomic problem. As the divide between the socialmovement and economic agendas was widening anddeepening, there was a need to converge these twoforums. There was also the need to recognize that thesocial side of the economy was just as important. It wasfelt that Dr. Thaksin’s foundation could initiate ways tosupport social enterprises and pave the way for theirrecognition as a legitimate sector rather than an informalsector. SEs were not set to replace the current sector,as the old economy focussed on profit which remaineda central goal in business ventures. However, the newmodels would allow the social sector to be operatedby marginalised communities and empower them tobecome a major stakeholder of the economy. Therewere evidences showing that this sector was a viablealternative and a means forward for the marginalisedcommunities. The new economy was set to develop fairtrade and deliver fair profits without impinging on theenvironment or impact on society in other ways. Suchinitiatives would further encourage socially responsibleinvestors who are investing on grounds of ethical andresponsible investments.HealthcareThe issues that affect ruralhealthcare were of interest inSwitzerland, where the leadinghealthcare companies arebased. The view put forwardwas that in healthcare,socioeconomic status oughtnot to be an important factoras availability of drugs and
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