Sustainability - 10 Key Principles
People, Not Things - Infrastructure, technology, money, and commodities all may be essential in solving human problems. But donating things brings only temporary answers and may even cause dependence. Lasting solutions begin and end with the capacity, confidence, aspirations and organization of people most affected by those solutions.
Self-sustaining, Not Dependent - Through business enterprise, participant fees, volunteer resources, local fundraising and special project grants, partner groups develop a base of practices that enable long-term financial self-sufficiency. Participants can develop a core of social, emotional and economic capacity, confidence and resilience to solve their own problems and sustain well-being.
Holistic, Not Fragmented – An exclusive focus on one narrow aspect of a problem may allow for efficiency and predictability, but participants ultimately need to define their reality in context of their whole life experience and aspirations. Schools with sick kids, health information without income, income without human rights, or human rights without a safe environment are examples of piecemeal, incomplete approaches that preclude full motivation and ownership. By empowering people to create solutions from the whole fabric of their lives, realistic and lasting answers are possible.
Learning, Not Prescription – As participants internalize information, skills and insights, they achieve a more critical understanding of problems confronted and alternatives possible. It’s easy for outsiders to lecture and criticize people about what they need and what they should do, but until people gain the knowledge and practical capacity for themselves, their responses will be short-term and incomplete. Real change is impossible without learning.
Agency, Not Dominion – The processes that guide communication, need assessment, planning, decision-making and implementation need to be rooted in the agency and will of the participants. Development isn’t something we do to people. It can’t be forced or imposed on others. Through dialogue, mutual learning, and genuine respect for the perspectives of those most affected, participants can become empowered to find their own solutions.
Participatory, Not Passive - By asking thoughtful questions and listening instead of dictating, leaders can help participants discover insightful alternatives. Shared reflection and improved decision-making can emerge from a process of dialogue.
Partnerships, Not Paternalism – With a respectful attitude of equality as opposed to superiority, plans and spending are directed by relationships not outside rulings.
Grassroots Structures, Culture and Aspirations – Local neighborhood and village-level organizations - community-councils that reflect participant aspirations and culture – can sustain change.
Local Ownership – As those most affected by issues of poverty define their problem and create their own action response, they become fully invested in the solution. They donate their time, energy, learning and labor to their program and don’t depend primarily on others for the answer. This local engagement leads to more global awareness and allows locals to become equal partners with outside agencies and movements. Conversely, outside ownership and control of the program discourages lasting continuation of the program after the outsiders are gone.
Environment – Efforts should renew - not deplete or pollute - precious natural resources such as clean water, vegetation and soil. Grassroots efforts can reduce carbon emissions and improve natural surroundings.the participants.
