Frequently Asked Questions

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

          What is sustainable development?

Development can only be sustainable if both the social and the economic dimensions are considered at all levels and stages. Health is a central goal, and one of the most important outcomes of development. Therefore, sustainable development should always be measured in terms of social indicators (mainly health), reduction of absolute poverty and improvement in quality of life.

How can sustainability be achieved?

The following factors are essential for sustainability of local development:

                         demand and ownership from the community

                         feasible, needs-based planning

                         decentralization and transfer of responsibilities and resources

                         capacity building at local level and promotion of technical skills

                         political commitment and administrative support

                         conducive environmental and socio-cultural factors

                         use of appropriate technologies suitable for the local level

                         efficient and transparent financial management

                         effective monitoring and periodic evaluation.

                         political stability

 

How does health relate to development and poverty reduction?

The reasons for and mechanisms leading to persistent inequalities in health are mainly poverty, limited resources, underdevelopment, illiteracy, overpopulation, poor sanitation and lack of awareness regarding health and basic needs. Health contributes to and results from social and economic development. The problem of poverty is deeply intertwined with national growth perspectives and quality of life, including the health status of the population. The links between health and poverty run in both directions: good health allows poor people the opportunity to participate in gainful and productive activities, while ill-health adds to their miseries and further reduces socioeconomic opportunities. Those living in absolute poverty have much higher morbidity and mortality rates compared to the well-off.

Why is WHO advocating broader approaches to health development?

Health and development are intrinsically linked and mutually reinforcing. Development in all spheres of life, including the political, cultural, social, economic and environmental spheres, affects the health of the people. Health is a sensitive and vulnerable component of life that is influenced by any challenge to the human environment. Therefore, it can only be achieved by addressing its multi-dimensional determinants through advocating and supporting collective measures for sustained and holistic development.

What is quality of life?

Quality of life must be considered in the context of local development and human needs. It is a subjective evaluation of the situation of a person or group of people and is affected by a range of factors such as those determining health and happiness (including comfort in the physical environment and a satisfactory occupation); education; social and intellectual fulfilment; freedom of action; justice; and freedom from oppression. This concept is the composite measure of physical, mental and social well-being as perceived by each individual or group of individuals.

How can improvements in quality of life be achieved?

Improvement in quality of life can be achieved as the result of a set of multisectoral actions considered essential for human rights and needs. The following are key examples:

                         providing equitable primary health care services with accessibility to each component;

                         ensuring accessibility to safe water, a healthy environment and better housing;

                        raising the standards of life through multisectoral interventions benefiting each person;

                         reframing social goals and policies.

 

What are community-based initiatives?

Since the 1980s, the Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean of the World Health Organization (WHO) has been advocating poverty reduction as the most potent strategy to facilitate equitable development for achieving health related goals. This strategy is consistent with the millennium development goals set by the United Nations and the priorities identified by many international forums and organizations. In support of this strategy, the Regional Office is actively promoting community-based initiatives (CBI) among countries of the Region. These include basic development needs (BDN), healthy cities programmes (HCP), healthy villages programmes (HVP) and the promotion of women in health and development (WHD). These initiatives are managed by the organized, empowered and actively participating communities, supported through coordinated intersectoral action.

What are the objectives of community-based initiatives?

Facilitating the integration of health policies and programmes in the national strategic development agendas; Improving health and environmental conditions; Reducing poverty; Promoting equity, gender mainstreaming and enhancing the role of women in health and sustainable development;  Achieving a better quality of life.

What are the strategies of community-based initiatives?

The implementation of community-based health and development initiatives varies according to the prevailing situation. Each country will have to adapt these approaches to suit the local conditions and introduce the most modest interventions according to the ground realities and the priority needs of the communities. The Regional Office provides technical and conceptual support. The following is a set of key strategies which will ensure uniformity and effective implementation of CBI:
generating and disseminating information on links between health and development;  supporting the countries of the Region to develop a shared vision in formulating national strategies or focusing on the health of the poor through dynamic intersectoral collaboration; helping in empowering communities with particular emphasis on the role of women;  creating partnerships advocating the centrality of health in development policies and programmes; assisting countries to incorporate community development approaches in their national poverty reduction policies. 

Are there any community-based initiatives guidelines and tools?

To facilitate the process of planning and implementation of CBI, uniform, user-friendly guidelines have been developed along with a set of technical/administrative tools¹ (although only BDN is mentioned in the guidelines, these can be utilized for other CBIs as well). This is an attempt to address some of the most important comments concerning CBI which have been put forward by various sectors and agencies. They are by no means exhaustive or rigid, and require adaptation by each country. The government, WHO and other contributing agencies should refer to these guidelines when evaluating their plans. When assessing the inputs, processes and outcomes of national CBI programmes, these guidelines should be used as the reference material. The guidelines and tools are generic in nature and can be adapted to all CBIs to tie in with national or local situations and requirements.

Thanks alot to Ms. Sirous,

نتایج و پیامدهای توانمندسازی اجتماع محور

 

توانمند سازی اجتماع محور صرفنظر از روشهای مختلف اجرای آن، در صورت تحقق یافتن می تواند در راستای حرکت به سمت توسعه پایدار و عدالت اجتماعی به نتایج زیر منجر شود:

-       ايجاد اميد و انگيزه در مردم

-       پاسخگويی به دولت به درخواست مردم(تحقق شعار دولت پاسخگو)

-       مشارکت دادن مردم در امور مربوط به خودشان(تحقق شعار مردم سالاری)

-       بهره گيری از توان مالی، جسمی، دانش، مهارت و تجربيات مردم

-       ايجاد اشتغال

-       تثبيت اسکان و پيشگيری از مهاجرت های بی مورد

-       کاهش بار مالی دولت از طريق مشارکت مردمی در امر توسعه اقتصادی، اجتماعی کشور

-       کاهش شکاف ميان نقاط عقب مانده نسبت به نقاط برخوردار

با نگاهی به موارد فوق به روشنی می توان دریافت که توسعه همه جانبه و دستیابی به عدالت اجتماعی تنها در سایه مشارکت مردم و اجتماعات محلی حاصل شده و چنانچه رویکرد اجتماع محوری در برنامه های توسعه ای کشور نهادینه و به عنوان یک اصل اساسی تلقی شود، آنگاه می توان به توسعه روزافزون ایران و تحقق عدالت اجتماعی برای همه ایرانیان امیدوار بود.