1) To provide a forum for senior policy makers, NGOs and donor
agencies from South Asian countries to share national experiences, take stock of
decentralization measures being implemented in the region and to suggest further
action.
2) To strengthen strategic partnerships among all stakeholders
for capacity-building on decentralized planning in support of national
initiatives on decentralization for poverty and hunger reduction.
3) To formulate recommendations for CIRDAP members and FAO for
a regional assessment of decentralization and to strengthen linkages and
activities related to decentralization and poverty alleviation.
Issues for discussion
- How to synergize the decentralization process with the overall objectives
of sustainable agricultural and rural development (SARD) in the region.
- How to strengthen partnership-building efforts for better implementation
of decentralization as a tool for poverty and hunger reduction in South Asia.
- How FAO and CIRDAP can support the decentralization process with capacity-building
for natural resource management and improved access to social and production
support services for enterprise development by the rural poor.
- What is the role and experience of local governments in financial resource
mobilization, promotion of livelihoods and income from farm and non-farm activities?
