Asian Affairs, Vol. 29, No.

4 : 5-28, October-December, 2007 CDRB LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

publication

The governance crisis in Bangladesh is now acute. After the

expiry of autocratic government, people were naturally expecting
all round governance reforms in the country. However, the fact is
LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABLE that despite repeated lip service by the powerful, precious little
DEVELOPMENT IN BANGLADESH: THE NEED has been done by the way of governance reforms during the last
one decade. As a result, Bangladesh has entered the new
FOR ACCELERATED VOLUNTARISM AND millennium in a rather sorry state (Siddiqui, 2000).
PEOPLE’S PARTICIPATION
Many development scholars attributed the dismal economic
MD. AL-AMIN performance of many countries to the problems of governance.
MD. NAZRUL ISLAM And thus, sustainable development can not be achieved without
TOFAYEL AHMED good governance. So in this backdrop, sound local governance is a
crying need and a prerequisite for sustainable social and human
Abstract: This paper examines the local governance and development. Achieving sustainability through local governance
sustainable development linkages over viewing the key concepts
is a common issue in many developing countries like Bangladesh.
to be discussed, which also highlights the necessity of extensive
The importance of decentralized governance is increasing in every
voluntary actions and underlying importance of mainstreaming
popular participation in all levels of decision-making process for democratic country and so is in Bangladesh for its multifarious
the growing sustainable development in Bangladesh. Moreover, benefits and utilities. Taking all these facts into consideration,
poverty alleviation and people’s participation in decision-making this paper makes a point of local governance, which shows greater
process have come under especial attention with the emphasis of potentials in achieving sustainable development through an
empowering people through local institutions and widening of improved system of governance at local level. The article also
voluntary programmes for meeting up the felt-needs of the local recounts the factors responsible for the growth of voluntarism in
people to reach the goal of sustainable development in the new Bangladesh and reviews potential advantages of local voluntary
millennium. organizations in sustainable development. The paper also gives
Introduction emphasis on popular participation in all phases of planning and
Although a new country, Bangladesh has a long recorded decision-making process for the purpose of sustainable
history (Siddiqui, 1994). After a long colonial rule and twenty- development as a whole.
five years of domination by Pakistani rulers, this delta-shape
country has been at liberty since 1971 through an armed Local Governance: A Leading Issue
struggle. With the change over time, some changes and The term ‘governance’ has been very popular in developing
developments have also hitherto been occurred in all sectors of countries considering it as the pre-condition for sustainable
the state. But the issue of governance, pertinent to sustainable development. The economic and human development of a country
development, faces questions from donor agencies, members of largely depend on the degree of good governance what according
civil society and funding agencies, has been gaining importance to many scholars, development specialists and social thinkers
among various stakeholders involved in development say. Local governance is a local people’s administrative authority
programmes. That is why governance in general and good to manage a nation’s affairs at local level. Local governance
governance in particular has been gaining momentum in comprises of a set of institutions, mechanism and process through
Bangladesh. which citizens and their groups can articulate their interests
Copyright©CDRB, ISSN 0254-4199 6
 LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ASIAN AFFAIRS

and needs, mediate their differences and exercise their rights members of the global village. If we add the adjective ‘good’ before
and obligations at the local level (UNDP, 2004). It requires governance it means more than governance barring good. Good
partnership between local governmental institutions, civil society governance refers to the process of mechanism where citizen’s
organizations and private sector for participatory, transparent, rights are exercised, accountability and transparency are
accountable and equitable service delivery and local development. maintained properly and people’s participation is ensured for the
Local governance necessitates empowering local governments equitable pursuit of economic well being of the society.
with authority and resources and building their capacity to
function as participatory institutions that are responsive and Good governance is a good rule that essentially signifies the
accountable to the concerns and needs of all citizens. And at welfare and betterment of a state and its populace. Accountability
the same time, it is concerned with strengthening of grassroots reduces corruption and assures citizens that their government’s
democracy and empowering citizens, communities and their actions are guided by the needs of the society. Accountability
organizations. Governance is a terminology that is acquiring larger and transparency make organizations and institutions more
usage and significance in recent times, but it is, by no means, a responsive to the needs of the poor. They enable the poor to
new phenomenon. Governance has been defined as the manner exercise their voices to influence service provisions. Without
in which power is exercised in the management of a country’s accountability and transparency organizations and institutions
economic and social resources for development (World Bank, are likely to be corrupt and authoritarian (Siddiqui, 2000). It is
1994). The concept ‘governance’ can be defined in various ways, found in many studies that state-sponsored development of
which simply means a process of decision-making and modern kind has often led to regional disparities, social
implementation process. Governance in a broad sense disparities, backwardness among some sections of the society
encompasses virtually every institution in society, from the family and palpable rural-urban conflicts. Decentralized governance has
to the state, in the context of development cooperation. got momentum and it is a need of the common people, which at
Governance is a process whereby citizens’ needs and interests least can ensure the felt needs of the local people enabling them
are articulated for the positive social and economic development to participate more directly and effectively in governance process.
of the entire society and in the light of a perceived common If people can participate more effectively in the decision-making
good. Governance means more than government: it refers to a process they would be able to put forward their opinions for their
political process that encompasses the whole society and community development. And people participate more effectively
contributes to the making of citizens, active contributors to the if institutions are located close to where they live (UNDP, 2004).
social contact that binds them together (UNESCO, 1997). But in The more the local people will be closer to the decision-making
the world today decentralized governance soon began to be seen process, the better sustainable development of Bangladesh is
as an alternative system of governance where a ‘people-centred’ surely to be achieved.
approach to resolving local problems is followed to ensure
economic and social justice (Kothari, 1996). When central Sustainable Development: An Overview
governance fails to ensure equal rights to citizens and faces Sustainability refers to the maintenance or enhancement of
problems to maintain social and economic harmony with equal resource’s productivity on a long term basis (Chambers, 1988
social justice, local governance is presumed to ‘perform the same quoted in Hasan, 1999). The concept of sustainable development
to satisfy the needs of the local people. And thus local governance causes considerable confusion, albeit it is very widely used.
should be seen as an important correlate of development policies Although it is important to impose a single definition, the
to equip local groups and bodies to become qualified and fittest researchers believe that clarity of understanding is important
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 LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ASIAN AFFAIRS

in order to make the concept useable. A clear definition would resources, consumerism and materialism created out of capitalism
help to secure sufficient consensus to promote collective action is considered to be inimical to sustainable development. The
between individuals and agencies operating within a range of lavish use of energy and much consumption of resources by the
policy areas and at different levels of governance. affluent sections of the society have caused environmental
damages. For a developing and poor country like Bangladesh,
There are various definitions of sustainable development the important principles that must be addressed for the success
which are used to mean the concept. One of these definitions, a of sustainable development are thus: eradication of human
widely used one given by Brantland Commission, which defines poverty, empowerment through traditional institutions, and the
sustainable development as, “development that meets the needs introduction of locally-based planning with the participation of
of the present without compromising the ability of future its beneficiaries. (Quoted in Hasan, 1999). Alongside government
generations to meet their own needs (WCED, 1987).” Sustainable programmes and activities for sustainable development,
development is in some cases is thought of as involving increases community-based an organization that emanates from and is
in the quality of life which are equitable. operated by the community itself has a better chance of mobilizing
people is adopting a culture of sustainable development. Since
But the problems of sustainability in the developing countries poverty is a major issue in many developing countries, and so is
can be held responsible for poverty and issues related to it. Poverty in Bangladesh, much more attention should be paid to eradicate
is a social disease, which hinders ‘long term’ productive life, and this chronic and socially embedded problem. At the same time,
so needs to be eradicated. The path of sustainable development people’s participation and empowerment of local people through
will be easier through the alleviation of poverty. Frank (1996) traditional practices demand an underlying importance for
also underlines the importance of community participation and sustainable development. If decision comes from the people in a
beneficiary involvement in sustainable development programmes. bottom-up process and people’s participation is ensured and
Empowering communities with formal skill development training encouraged, the goal of sustainable development can certainly
is also important for sustainable development. The be achieved over a period of time.In this context voluntary
aforementioned aspects of sustainable development can be organizations can play a very pivotal role to encourage and
achieved by decentralizing the management of resources upon mobilize local people and resources with an aim at supporting
which local communities depend, and giving these communities local groups for sustainable development.
an effective say over the use of these resources (WCEP, 1987).
Sustainable development calls for human beings to be placed at Voluntary Organizations: The Fourth Sector
the centre of the stage; and appropriately constituted local Voluntary or community-based organizations are called the
governments are the best institutional mechanism to achieve fourth sector of development enterprise. UNV Chief (2003) said
this imperative towards promoting sustainable development in the World Summit on Sustainable Development-”Voluntary
(Ahmad and Ahmed, 2002). action is fourth cornerstone of sustainable development”. Like
other cornerstones, sustainable development must be
Many local communities in developing countries and in encouraged, understood and facilitated because in this era of
Bangladesh are in the trap of poverty created during the colonial globalization turning into global village, the need for voluntary
and neo-colonial period due to multifarious reasons. As a result, actions calls for much attention of policy-makers, stakeholders
the most of the people in the developing countries still continue and community members for sustainable development of the
to live in abject and endemic poverty. Unequal distribution of country. Now a pertinent question comes here to raise is: what
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 LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ASIAN AFFAIRS

is voluntarism? Voluntarism comes from the Latin Word then society. This practice has continued, and the Islam, the
“Voluntas”- meaning “will”, it may assume various forms of religion of majority people of Bangladesh gives much more
impulses, instincts, passions, desires, etc. ‘voluntarism’ refers emphasis on charity. Zakat (annual compulsory charity for the
to the offering of goods and services through ones own free will purification of wealth), one of the five pillars of Islam has an
(Millerand et al, 1986). Voluntarism can also be defined as a will important bearing on society, apart from this the other forms of
of free service leaving out the question of paid or unpaid, where charity such as helping the neighbors, donating a small amount
the service is given to promote social welfare and also to help of agricultural produce to charity is a culture followed by the
the people of the locality to undertake activities in a self-reliance Muslims in this country.
manner, partially or wholly, to satisfy their feltneeds.
The organized form of voluntary organizations was first
Voluntary organizations are the major vehicles for social established in Bangladesh (Bengal) following the Bengal famine
development. The people involved in the voluntary organizations of 1943, which claimed the lives of three million people. Following
provide financial support and required services thorough their the typhoon in 1970 that registered a death toll of 500,000 people
free will. Voluntary organization, in this paper stands for, non- in Bangladesh, the number of VOs increased (Ibid).
profit groups formed by the people of any community to accomplish
some developmental goals. These local voluntary or community- After this massive destruction of human lives, cattle, crops
based organizations may also be called development agencies, and other properties, the survivors organized themselves to solve
or self-help organizations, which are run, financed, established their own problems. Due to the principles of self-help and
and organized by the people of respective community whereas reciprocal cooperation, many voluntary organizations followed the
an NGO is established, organized and financed by people outside earlier initiatives and started to operate at local levels.
the community where it functions. Voluntary works through
The self-help movement in Bangladesh has intensified rapidly
voluntary or community-based organizations can bring a change
since her independence in 1971. Almost 50 percent of the
among local people where they can play a vital role for sustainable
voluntary organizations active in Bangladesh were created
development. Voluntary organizations can be good development
between 1975 and 1990 (Hasan 1991 quoted in Hasan 1999),
partners of the government to lead the country for sustainable
when the country was under military rule or quasi-military rule
development.
following the military coups in 1975. The existence of military
Voluntarism in Bangladesh: The Historical Roots and authoritarian governments prompted local people in many
Voluntarism is not a new phenomenon in this country because parts of the world to organize themselves. When the independent
as it seems to be a part of cultural heritage of the people of this government failed to meet the need of the people in Bangladesh
region. Voluntary and charitable organizations in this region they became inspired to themselves to find-out an alternative
received recognition, even in the British-period, as early as in way for the fulfillment of their needs.
1860s through the Societies Registration Act (GOB 1985). In
Bangladesh the people were converted to Islam, before the Muslim Voluntary Organizations and Programmes in Bangladesh:
became the ruler of the area and so new converts had to struggle Initiatives for Development
against different social disadvantages (Hasan, 1999). Voluntary organizations in Bangladesh can mobilize and are
mobilizing people for development. All the locally organized and
At that time, thus, financial and emotional help to each other funded organizations in Bangladesh (except one percent) are
became very popular social necessity among the people of the organized and run by volunteers (Ibid.).
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 LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ASIAN AFFAIRS

The local voluntary organizations also have been able in the whole. Voluntary actions should be highly encouraged and
past to mobilize financial resources. The amount of money patronized by the government to ensure sustainable development.
mobilized by the voluntary organizations from the internal sources Initiatives taken by any socially committed person can pave the
is not negligible in comparison with the funds available to the way for sustainable development, be it sporadically organized, or
lowest tier of local government (Union council) in Bangladesh. individually initiated. Nevertheless, even with present
More than 65 per cent of VOs functioning at the local level have arrangements the local voluntary sector has gained some success
an annual budget more than average annual budget of the Union in the aspects of development. If activities of voluntary
council which amounts at TK. 56,000 or 2,220 dollars in 1980s. organizations are widened, under the aegis of local governance,
(Hasan 1999). the path of sustainable development will be easier.

Moreover, many philanthropists committed to help the poorer Voluntary Organizations and Sustainable Development:
sections of the society have also been instrumental in developing Exploring the Linkages
voluntary development programmes in Bangladesh. The most In the foregone section we have discussed the local voluntary
significant contribution was made by Akter Hamid Khan, a organizations and programmes in Bangladesh, where we have
member of the (British) Indian Civil Service (1938-44), who left shown that there have been altruistic individuals and voluntary
the lucrative job and became an apprentice Locksmith (1944-46) enterprises and activities supporting and promoting development
to experience himself the hardship of poor people (Raper in Bangladesh. The local voluntary section has gained some
1970).Khan was the pioneer of programme popularly known as, success in the eradication of poverty and in the empowerment of
Comilla Model – a village based co-operative programme for local communities through traditional practices and institutions.
comprehensive rural development. He also established the East This section analyses the involvement and performance of the
Pakistan Academy of Village Development presently known as voluntary organizations in these two essential aspects of
Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development, BARD, situated in sustainable development.
Comilla. The BARD is now the major organization in Bangladesh
imparting rural development training to elected officials and to Poverty Alleviation: Step Towards Development
the members of public service. Except BARD, other development Poverty is a state of vulnerability. Poverty, an indicative of
programmes organized by public servants are Palli Mongal inferior social position, can be defined as an insufficiency of
Samities (Village Welfare Societies). by T.I.M.N, Chowdhury in economic resources to meet the predetermined dietary needs of
the 1930s, promotion of development in Comilla (N.M. Khan) and an individual or a household (Rahman, 1994). Poverty is the lack
in Pabna (H.S.M.Ishaque) both in 1930s (Haq 1978 in Hasan 1999) or misuse of resources to obtain the types of diets, participate in
Rangunia Model cooperatives in the 1960s and the Swanirvar the activities and has the living conditions and amenities that
(Self-reliance) programme in the 1970s were organized by are customary in the societies to which a person belongs
Mahbubul Chashi (a district administrator) Ulashi-Jadunathpur (Townsend, 1979). To eradicate poverty, one needs to start with
(a major canal digging project for irrigation) in the 1970s was primarily financial support and other resources to provide
organized by Mahiuddin Khan Alamgir, who was then a district customary diets, health care facilities, and education for the
administrator (Stevens et al. 1976). Some altruistic individuals beneficiaries. Governments of all developing countries, donor
committed to society and to help the others at the grassroots agencies and policy-making bodies have strong needs to remove
level took the initiatives to organize voluntary organizations with poverty. To do this, the poor have to be empowered with income
a view to bringing a change in rural areas and the society as a yielding assets and increasing access to natural resource. (Aziz,
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 LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ASIAN AFFAIRS

and Arnold 1996) Dr. M Yunus, a professor of economics, identified more than double their income after they joined the voluntary
poverty as the problem of people’s access to credit in Bangladesh. organizations (Hasan 1991 quoted in Hasan 1999). With these
According to him a person having access to credit with no initiatives taken by the aforementioned voluntary organizations
collaterals can stay out of poverty in a self-reliance manner. at least absolute poverty can be eliminated. Due to their
Professor Yunus, the creator of Grammen Bank, a micro-credit initiatives for poverty eradication and imparting training to those
organization, which aims to cater to the needs of poverty-stricken people for self-development raises their levels of consciousness
people with no collaterals. The main thrust of this organization and faith on themselves in their ability in changing their fates
is directed towards integrating the poor into the development with only a little outside help. And these voluntary organizations
process and to reduce their levels of poverty through employment have been successful in developing skills, raising consciousness
and income generating activities. The Grameen Bank success is and eradicating poverty of the people concerned. Poverty can be
derived from the fact that it has operated completely unlike other eradicated through the mobilization of resources in Bangladesh,
banks and that it derives its values, methodologies, and where local people can help themselves to this end. Chanda
legitimacy from the same wellspring as the voluntary organizations (voluntary contribution) is one of the major forms of resources
(Smillie 1995 quoted in Hasan 1999). The Grameen Bank recruit mobilization. In rural areas of Bangladesh, the amount of money
the field officer from the respective community and provide them is collected through Chanda in Muslim religion congregations.
with loans in cash to promote self-employment and make them The Chanda could be a great and potential source of poverty
income earners and organize themselves for self-development. alleviation tool and rural sustainable development strategy. The
Ganosastho Kendro (GK, People’s Health Centre) is another total monetary contribution collected in all the religious
voluntary organization established with an objective to provide congregations held within a union council area, could be at least
health care to people. Later the GK, moved to a holistic approach the size of the annual union council budget of the area (Hasan
of community development with the initiative of local people when 1993). The money collected as Chanda during congregations can
it could have been able to identify health problem as the outcome be used to undertake some emergency projects within the area,
of the vicious circle of poverty, the Ganosastho Kendro has been such as, repair work on roads, school, madrasha, building, or
successful in providing complete health care to people living in bridge, culvert, mosques etc. In doing so, a good number of workers
the areas contiguous to the centre. The objectives of Ganosastho are needed, creating employments for the people in the area.
Kendro are to evolve a system by which the health care of the Thus, employment opportunities for the local poor help in the
entire population of a particular area can be provided efficiently eradication of poverty through the improvement in the access to
and effectively with minimum expenditure and minimum benefits, education and market.
and with the employment of the minimum number of medical
staff (Zaman 1984). Thus, the initiative taken by the Ganosastho Empowering Local Communities: The role of Local Institutions
is a holistic approach for health care of the people and it is an The major resource of a country is people. And there is a
efficient strategy for the eradication of poverty. These mentioned correlation between population and development. So the primary
VOs have achieved success in alleviating poverty situation in objective of development is to improve the living conditions of the
Bangladesh. A survey on performance of voluntary organizations people. People are our major resource. The success of the
in rural areas in Bangladesh suggests that almost 83 percent of development process very much depends on their empowerment
the people involved in voluntary organization programmes saw a through traditional practices where local institutions can play a
substantial improvement in their income in a very short period very substantial role. In this section of discussion attempt albeit
of time In fact, 26 percent of these people have been able to briefly, to provide a reflection on the empowerment of local
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 LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ASIAN AFFAIRS

communities through local institutions laying importance on the forward with their programmes with a view to achieving their
traditional practices of the same. The traditional Panchayet goals for community development. These local voluntary
system, that still exists in Bangladesh as samaj, which is a very organizations encourage the local people’s’ views, their traditional
old institution. This is a body of a large number of families in a values and inspire them to take part in voluntary actions. The
particular area. Not a single family lives outside the Samaj, (Alam; successful story of voluntary organizations is that of women’s
1979), and is active in performing several important community participation in their programmes. Women are the neglected and
functions, such as village defence, management and maintenance backward section in Bangladesh and are most often left out from
of religious institutions, organizations of festivals, cultural and the government plan, decision-making and development
recreational activities, and management of cemeteries (Hasan programmes. In Bangladesh, most of the beneficiaries of voluntary
1993). The Samaj is involved in the establishment, management, organizations are women having all accesses open to them.
and maintenance of madrasha (educational institutions
emphasizing religious teachings) and moqtabs (primary religious These voluntary organizations have their commitment and
teaching institutions providing some general education as well. as earnest eagerness to mobilize local people for development.
The Samaj enjoys enough powers and authority (Barman, 1983, Motivation and positive attitude of these organizations are their
quoted in Naznin 2002) and is related to activities-administrative, main will force and impetus by which they can encourage and
educational, cultural and economic (Nazimuddin 1980). mobilize local people in self-help principles. For the reasons
Occasionally, Samaj also conduct and maintain rural roads, voluntary organizations have been successful in undertaking
bridges, culverts, and dams by its own voluntary labor and financial people-centered development programmes. The direct and
support. A Samaj can generate human and financial resources spontaneous participation of the local people in development
every year for preparing unpaved roads, extending paved roads, efforts have paved the way for the organizers to identify the local
making and maintaining playgrounds for the community people people needs and ways to meet the needs with no or only a little
and sinking tub wells for supplying pure drinking water for the outside help. The real purpose of local people’s participation is to
local people. Many community level groups, and individual develop human capabilities for decision-making and action.
initiated development programmes for the community at large Voluntary organizations in their initiatives have been successful
other than Samaj sponsored programmes. In many parts of to promote local people and encourage them to get together for
Bangladesh especially in rural areas community people are making on their own development programmes. Only a little
involved in voluntary activities for their own local development support from government for these organizations can make a big
such as-running and maintaining educational institutions, success in achieving the goal of sustainable development.
making dams or embankments for flood control, imparting training
to women or young non-literate for poultry farming or fisheries People’s Participation: Prerequisite for Development
and skill development training. In many remote areas in People’s participation in the affairs of the development
Bangladesh, many community groups are also involved in cattle activities is an important part of governance. Participation means
and poultry farming, agricultural cooperation, and adult education people’s involvement in decision-making, planning and
programmes. A major strength of these local voluntary implementing of development objectives. And participatory
organizations is their participatory approach for development, approach to sustainable development has become popular
and participation of the beneficiaries has created scope for other worldwide which is often termed bottom up approaches for
development activities. The local voluntary organizations present management and policy-making. Public participation in this regard
their ideas and invite the local people to form groups and come is a cornerstone to both community development and community
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 LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ASIAN AFFAIRS

economic development. In order to make this cornerstone planning, implementation, monitoring and evolution. Participation
functional, a sense of consensus, or at least significant majority as an educative process contributes to human resource
support, is very necessary. As Milton Esman observes, “one of development. It is one of the parameters for promoting good
the tasks of nation-building and development is of bring members governance which envisages participation of the entire society
of the national community into a network of relationships and in governance through change in their subsidiary roles and their
institutions which enables then to participate actively in decisions direct involvement in areas hitherto kept exclusive in the public
affecting their individual and group welfare (Milton Esman quoted domain (DDA 1993, UNDP, 1995, World Bank, 1994). Participation
in Bava 1997). Participation refers to the involvement of the people is also discussed as a process whereby the poor people seek to
in decision-making and implementation of development enhance some influence and to gain access to the resources
programmes, in sharing their benefits and also in evaluating which would help them sustain and improve their standards
such programmes (Uphoff et al. 1977 cited in Zinnat Ara Naznin, (Oakley 1991, quoted in Nazneen). Participation of citizens in
2002). The rationale of people’s participation is derived from the the development process in the heartbeat and pulse rate of
democratic imperative that all those whose interests are affected development administration (Bava, 1997). It also refers to the
by decisions out to take part in the decision-making process. decentralization of governance which is an effective mechanism
The important and significant causes lie behind the fact is that for increasing sustainable development. Further, by facilitating
“when everybody takes part in the decision-making process, self- people’s participation, decentralization can act as a vehicle for
interest is supposed to guide them to arrive at decisions that mobilizing popular support for development programme and projects
are consistent with everybody’s good (Aziz and Arnold, 1966). because of the feeling of local ownership of the initiative. It
Participation is about building partnership and ownership from encourages, people to maximize their own commitment and
the bottom up. More recently it was discovered that participation contribution towards the successful implementation of
helps promise outside the project framework for planning and development projects and towards making development enduring
implementing large-scale government programmes (Thompson (UN, 1992). The participation of people in the governance process
1995), and for encouraging good and often local governance is considered to be very significant and crucial for sustainable
(Gaventa and Valderraina 1999, in Blackburn et al. 2000). In development. With the participation of the local people on a regular
the 1960s the governments of the Third World promised to put basis economic development can be achieved at the level of
an end to rural poverty through “Green Revolution.” Today it is expectation and political development as well. People’s
people’s participation (Banargee, 1979) which has been more participation in decision-making, planning and evaluating policies
important. After the mid 1970s the new strategy of participation plays a key and supportive role in local governance leading to
has emerged as a major new force in development thinking. It is sustainable development.
believed that people’s participation may lead to good governance
paving the way for sustainable development. Through participation Voluntarism and Popular Participation: The Need Analysis
the people of the community concerned become more Voluntarism is in today’s world considered to be one of the
enthusiastic and encourages than what there were ever before most effective and important vehicles for social change and
the process for people’s centred development initiative began. voluntary organizations can handle some important sectors of
When they feel concerned with the community development sustainable development because such organizations are much
programmes they become more assertive and hold positive closer to the people inflicted with poverty at local level. Local
attitude towards the initiatives. And people learn how to promote voluntary organizations can develop a close link with the local
their own development by actually participating in the process of people by building confidence among them with all social welfare
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 LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ASIAN AFFAIRS

assistance provisions. And thus collateral free assistance sustainable development. And it is also a system of decentralised
encourages people for self-reliance programmes for their own governance. (Kothari, 1996) looks upon the system of
local development. These local voluntary organizations can provide decentralized governance not only as a means of effective
an efficient and effective alternative to public sector in the delivery democratic functioning of the governing system but also as an
of programmes and projects for sustainable development (WCED, instrument of social and economic transformation of the rural
1987). Empowering people or ensuring empowerment to people, society. Mohabbat Khan (1996) argues that political and economic
is a process of sustainable development, which requires raising development at the local level requires participation of the local
consciousness among them. Due to the trust the local voluntary people on a regular basis. People are the principal factors in the
organizations can master in the community, these organizations recovery and development process. It is obvious; therefore, the
can undertake conscientisation (Friere, 1979 quoted in Hasan success of the recovery and development process very much
1999). The programmes for raising awareness among people aims depends on the effective participation of the people in that process.
at making them understand the importance of self-reliance, skill Bangladesh, like other developing countries, is currently
development, education, health care and birth control, etc. These undergoing a massive and long term process of democratization
programmes make people realize their importance in the society and liberalization, requires serious efforts to be made to establish
and zealous about their rights, which are often flouted by the and sustain democracy and human rights to promote and sustain
traditional authority and help develop confidence about them in the necessary economic growth and sustainable development.
initiating development programmes. The existence and functioning For doing this, people should be given access to put forward their
of conscientisation programmes offered by the voluntary opinions in decision-making, and project planning and
organizations are important for a country like Bangladesh where implementations so that people-centred development programme
due to lack of awareness the people are fallen victim of exploitation can have a successful implementation. The process of
in the society. For the sustainable development of the country, participation of the people in any decision-making process leads
it is important to encourage voluntarism to eradicate human to sustainable economic and social development as it ensures
poverty because these voluntary organizations can be used as good governance at local level. People are the building blocks of
integral parts of local government bodies. Irrigation, canal digging development of the nation and society, so they have to play a
and rural road construction, supported by voluntary labor and great role in the stupendous task of sustainable development
funds from the community where the projects were situated, and nation-building by taking part in decision making process,
were a large portion of government programmes. For example, in at local level.
one self-reliance project, the Ullashi-Jadunathpur (UJ) project
in Jessore, undertaken through voluntary labour, 5 million cubic Concluding Remarks and Recommendations
mitre canal digging work was done in 1977 to improve the Local governance is a key issue in developing policy for human
irrigation facilities in the area (Ahmed and Mahbub Hossain, settlements. In addition, in many countries especially those of
1979). Voluntary organizations can go to the grassroots where Latin America the transition from authoritarian regime toward
they are located with their development programmes as being democratic governance have increased people’s involvement in
non-profit organizations. By widening of voluntary works the path local decision-making. Under the aegis of local governance,
of sustainable development can be easier on which the community innovative participatory budgeting and planning practices have
people can build up their social and economic foundations. And emerged in a wide variety of contexts. The aim of these new
at the same time, participation is a democratic culture, which practices is to contribute to local sustainable development through
as a feature of good governance will lead the country to developing a joint vision and strategy for the future. For a long-
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 LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ASIAN AFFAIRS

time in recent past, Bangladesh remained under authoritarian take the following measures to encourage the participation of
rule owing to colonialism and military dictatorship. During this voluntary organizations and strengthen people’s participation in
time, concessions at the local level were often used to legitimize decision-making at local level for sustainable development. And
authoritarianism at the national level (Siddiqui, 1994). Even when these measures are to:
democracy was ushered in, problems remained the same due to
patron-client relationship, gender discrimination and other - Take policy and institutional frameworks needed for the
drawbacks. Participation is primarily seen in terms of people to make their choices count in governance.
empowerment of the disadvantaged, since powerlessness is
considered the main reasons for their exclusion from development - Establish good governance, which refers to the
benefits. In the context of Bangladesh, it would demand that the transparency, accountability, and the rule of law to prevent
poor and the women, who constitute the majority have been crime and corruption and ensure distributive justice for
generally left out of the decision-making and implementation progress towards sustainable development.
process, actually become an active part of the same through
- Take initiatives for effective governance at all levels of
mobilization. Moreover, Bangladesh is still in the list of some aid
society with an aim at establishing decentralized
depended countries, where development related policy-making
governance for identifying local problems and ascertaining
is considerably influenced by donor conditionality. And thus, good
the felt-needs and aspirations of the people.
governance has been a buzzword in the donor-prescribed
development initiatives. Most donors now include good governance - Make the best possible framework for promoting local
as a condition of their aid performances. So in this case criticism people’s participation in governance and development
can be made on the failure of ensuring good governance at local process as well as for articulation of local needs and
level on the governmental initiatives. Good governance is a sine mobilization of local resources (Ahmad and Ahmed, 2002).
qua non for sustainable development and freedom of choice is a
key to good governance. If people’s effective participation is - Organize, assist and encourage the spirit of people for
established, it can help establish good governance, characterized voluntarism highlighting their roles and importance in
by efficiency, transparency and accountability (Ahmad and different aspects of sustainable development of the
Ahmed, 2002). country.

Furthermore, Voluntarism is a part of our cultural heritage. - Make easier way for voluntary organizations to work with
The people of Bangladesh have a tradition of involvement in the people without any bar so that they can take part in
different forms of voluntary activities. The major growth in the development process.
voluntary organizations in Bangladesh, however, primarily
followed the failure of the government in meeting the needs of - Bridge the gap between male and female for establishing
the people (Hassan 1999). Voluntary organizations as partners a viable society and equal social justice to reach the goal
of the government can take major initiatives to eradicate poverty, of the new millennium.
develop skill of the people through training programmes, and - Take initiatives to mobilize local people and resources,
provide health care to the people in the adjoining areas, whereas especially voluntary labor for sustainable development, and
government organizations have failed to achieve these above thus facilitate monitoring the implementation process.
objectives for the people. So in this regard, the government should
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 LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ASIAN AFFAIRS

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