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
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