NIRDPR marks world rural development day with global webinar on integrated development models
The event brought together global experts, practitioners, and policymakers to share innovative models and insights for inclusive and sustainable rural growth.
The session opened with a keynote address by Dr P Chandra Shekara, Director General of the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP), Dhaka.
He presented a rich array of international case studies—from Indonesia, Bangladesh, and the Philippines to Vietnam, Iran, and Thailand—showcasing how digital tools and community-centric models are transforming rural economies. Highlights included the FarmNot climate-smart app in the Philippines, UNESCO's digital education initiatives in Myanmar, and the Echo platform collaboration with New Mexico University in the USA.
Dr Partha Pratim Sahu, Head of the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development and Financial Inclusion at NIRDPR, stressed the strategic potential of rural India as an engine of national growth. He emphasiSed the importance of entrepreneurship, digital empowerment, and decentralized governance in reshaping the rural economy.
Speaking on inclusion, Dr Ruchira Bhattacharya from NIRDPR (Delhi Branch) called for equity-focused policies to ensure that marginalized communities are central to rural development planning.
In a special address, Dr G Narendra Kumar, Director General of NIRDPR, celebrated leading international innovations and underscored the importance of learning from global best practices.
He highlighted transformative models like China's Township and Village Enterprises, the Rural Meta Cooperatives in the USA, UK, and Italy, Japan and Thailand's One Village One Product initiative, Repair Cafes in Europe, and the Smart Villages Project of Finland. He also lauded carbon farming and green credits initiatives from Australia and Kenya as models India can learn from.
Dr Kumar affirmed NIRDPR's commitment to adopting and adapting global rural development strategies for India, recognising that integrated planning, digital inclusion, climate resilience, and skill development are key to building stronger rural communities.
The webinar witnessed enthusiastic participation from rural development professionals, academicians, and policymakers from India and abroad, reinforcing NIRDPR's position as a hub for knowledge sharing and innovation in rural transformation.
UNI VV ARN
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