These volumes constitute a unique, inspiring and practically useful compilation of the rich variety of innovative good practice being pioneered at governmental, NGO and community levels in so many Third World countries. They provide a wealth of information on a large number of particular policies, projects and organizations in Asia, Latin America and Africa.
The project is the result of an initiative by UNDP's Special Unit for Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries. The process of selection and description has been carried out by Third World Network in Penang headed by Martin Khor, drawing on the detailed knowledge of, amongst others, Claude Alvares of the Other India Press, Roberto Bissio of the Instituto del Tercer Mundo in Uruguay and Berhane Egziabher of the Institute for Sustainable Development in Ethiopia.
The practical importance of this three-volume collection is to contribute to the process of replication across the South of the best ideas, practice and ways of organizing. These are based on a number of common principles, including respect for local cultures and knowledge systems; genuine harmony with the natural world; quality outcomes of real benefit to local communities and countries; and equity and democratic involvement. In political terms, this richly variegated and inspiring collection shows us all what some remarkable communities, organizations and governments in the Third World are achieving.
Martin Khor is the Director of Third World Network. TWN is one of a number of non-governmental organizations in different parts of the developing world which are concerned with understanding and influencing global policy. In this capacity, he has acted as a strong advocate on behalf of citizens' groups in the Third World on a range of international issues, including sustainable development, biosafety and other environmental questions, and the impact of globalization on the development prospects of the South. He received his original training in economics at the University of Cambridge.
He is a board member of the Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP), the South Centre in Geneva, and the International Forum on Globalization. He is also a former Vice Chairman of the UN Commission on Human Rights Expert Group on the Right to Development. He travels widely on speaking and other engagements and is the author of several books and numerous papers, occasional publications and newspaper articles on trade, development and environmental matters.
