CLC-Conference-Proceeding-2018

Boisier specifies that “endogenous
development is produced by a strong
coordination process of local actors and several
different types of intangible capital, in the
preferred framework of a collective political
project for the development of the territory in
question” (Boisier, 1999: 15).
The close relationship that exists between
endogenous and local development is
undeniable, considering that local development
will always be endogenous.
Popular Councils are closely linked to the
local development of Cuban territories at a
municipal, provincial and national level. They
are located more specifically in cities, towns,
neighborhoods, settlements and rural areas. They
are established by the delegates elected in the
districts. These Popular Councils work on
creating production and service activities to
cover the economic, cultural, education and
social needs of the people. They foster
participation of local actors in solving their
problems and coordinate actions among the
entities within their territory (Cuban
Constitution. Article 104. 2003). Popular
Councils become a valuable instrument in how
local development is carried out throughout the
country’s territories.
Among the greatest challenges facing the local
development – cooperatives relationship today
are the following:
Continue strengthening local governments
through training in the topics necessary to
obtain material and financial resources to
develop the territory, through different
channels;
Improve people’s quality of life;
Stimulate innovation and the search for
solutions to the territory’s problems;
Fostering the entire endogenous
developmental process in each territory;
Continue with the decentralization process in
decision-making by those involved in local
development of each territory, in order to
facilitate greater autonomy for local
governments.
The author believes that people need to
internalize the fact that local development is a
way to take advantage of local sources, to
empower endogenous development and make
proper use of outside resources.
Above all, the challenges faced today by
cooperative – local development relationships
must be overcome if we wish to attain a synergy
among all players of any town involved in the
development process. This would allow us to
reach sustainable development and incentivize
endogenous development in every territory.
There is no doubt that local development is a
strategy that stimulates economic recovery,
favors participation of people in the decisionmaking
process and drives the satisfactory use of
endogenous resources. ■
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REFERENCES
Alianza Cooperativa Internacional (1995) ‘Declaración de la
Alianza Cooperativa Internacional sobre la Identidad
Cooperativa’. [International Cooperative Alliance (1995)
“Statement of the International Cooperative Alliance on the
Cooperative Identity”] ICA, XXXI Congreso, Manchester, at
http://www.cooperativaobrera.com.ar/institucionales/declaraci
on.jsp
Barrios, M. (1982). La ANAP dos años de trabajo. La Habana
[The ANAP two years of work. Havana: Propaganda del
PCC. [PCC Propaganda]
Boisier S. (1999) Desarrollo local: [“Local Development] ¿De
qué estamos hablando?. [What are we talking about?”]
Document commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce in
Manizales, Colombia at:
http://www.fts.uner.edu.ar/catedras03/adm_publica/lecturas/2
7_Desarrollo_local.De_que_estamos_habla ndo_BOISIER.pdf
Cuban Constitution (2003). Article 104.
Di Pietro L. (1999) El desarrollo local. [Local Development.]
The status of this issue. [El desarrollo local. Estado de la
cuestión]. Buenos Aires: FLACSO