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Participation & Development
Egypt is an agricultural country and is currently witnessing the implementation of different developmental programs, but rural communities in Egypt didn't take part in making or implementing these programs, which has negatively effected these communities politically, socially and economically. Some of these programs exclude rural communities from their services. Civil society organizations must reinforce the full rural participation in such programs in order to achieve true development.
Developmental programs must aim to the following:
Support rural organizations, farmers and farmer leaders, solve their problems and improve the conditions of human rights in the countryside.
Raise people's awareness about suitable mechanisms to overcome the economic, social, cultural and political obstacles that stand against achieving participation and development in rural communities.
Raise the awareness of farmers and civil society organizations about the different problems that stand against guaranteeing the right to participation and development and train them on mechanisms that enable them of improving their economic, social and civil conditions.
Improve the conditions of rural women and stop all forms of discrimination practiced against them.
Stop ill-treatment and abuse against children and guarantee them health and educational care.
Develop means of cooperation and coordination among rural groups through collective work and organizing campaigns that reinforce the values of human rights.
Farmers and civil society organizations need awareness and training on the following:
local and international legal mechanisms that protect human rights and development.
Economic, social and political hindrances and means to develop rural communities
Reinforce the rights of rural youths and women to political participation.
Build the capacities and human and financial resources of rural civil society organizations.
Recommendations of international conferences and agreements concerned with the issues of democracy, development and participation.
The role of international organizations and social movements in achieving and supporting the right to participation and development.