Alternative Approach to Rural

Development in Africa:

Saemaul Movement

Saemaul MovementSaemaul: “New Village”

Re-building Revitalization

Key Underlying Principles:

Self-help Local/community-based decision making Sense of ownership & independence

Alternative Development Framework

Distinctive Features of Saemaul

Policy needs are first identified by local population, and the process of implementation actively utilizes (and cultivates) local human resources

Lacks consumer-oriented approach in decision-making and policy implementation

Results in an enhanced degree of local autonomy/independence in terms of conceiving, negotiating, and implementing development agenda, thus allowing policy sustainability

Has the side effect of increasing dependency, instead of strengthening autonomous capacity building of local communities

Premised on the presence of strong central government leadership and a high degree of political willingness from the top

On ad-hoc basis, without central coordination

Actively incorporates local community members to take the initiative on the practical ground

Managed by envoys/local staffs

Focused primarily on transferring the management techniques/ educational training programs

Principally confined to financial assistance

Saemaul projectsExisting ODA programs

Historical Context: Korea Colonial past: 36 years of Japanese occupationKorean war: 1950~ 1953

Near-total devastation Division of the country Economic & social foundation in urgent need of revival

Process of economic rebuilding Poverty reduction the first priority

Commonalities found in African experience

Process of Economic Rebuilding: Challenges and ResponsePoverty-reduction plan

five-year economic development plan mainly focused on heavy industry

Underdeveloped Rural Area

Urban-Rural Disparity

PopulationEducationSanitationHousingOther basic

social services

3 Fundamental Features of Saemaul

Education & Change of

Mentality

Community-Based Rural Development

Government Leadership & Support

Motivating Impetus

Government Leadership and Support

Material KEY ELEMENT

Capital TechnicalAdministrative EducationalIncentive-related

Leadership and support which actively encourage local communities’ decision making processes

STRONG POLITICAL WILL

Transformation of Mentality

Self-help Sense of ownership

Community participation

Capitulation of the Saemaul Spirit:

Identification of Needs

Policy Design Policy Implementation

Focus : independent & sustainable development

Process of Implementation

Support from the Central Government

Community-Level Decision-Making & Implementation

[Projects related to basic social services]

Community-Level Diversification of Projects (based on incentives)[Income-increasing projects]

Saemaul ProjectsMajor Projects by Steps

Further development of water systemsReadjustment/ development of

transportation systemJoint venture with neighboring villages

Productivity-Enhancing

projects

Advancement of farming vehiclesEducation/ technology development in the

area of agricultural production

Income increasingProjects

Housing facilitiesSanitation facilitiesWater provisionOther community facilities

Basic services

1974 average rural household income > urban income•

98% of all rural villages became self-help villages•

Supportive Roles of Gov’t

Rural Community

Central Government

Regional/Local

Government

General Guidance

Incentives

Monitoring

Evaluation

Information Sharing

Managing

Performance

Expansion of the Movement

Success of Saemaul in Rural Areas

Efforts to eradicate corruption•Improvement of social services•Enhanced public order•Environmental reforms•Strengthening of community •

awareness

Improvement of working •environment

Enhanced community outreach•

URBAN AREA CORPORATE SOCIETY

Development into a Nation-Wide Movement

Factors of Success

Strong Political Will & LeadershipEffective System of Competition / IncentivesParticipatory Decision-Making ProcessesSense of Ownership and Independence

Breaking away from the cycle of foreign aid dependency

Long-term sustainable rural development

Features of historical commonalities (colonial past, civil war, need for effective poverty reduction)

Need of alternative development mechanismSuccess of pilot projects in Democratic Republic of Congo

Applicability Saemaul in Africa

Viable Alternative Approach to

Rural Development

Thank you !