ASSEFA Experiences in Holistic Local Development through a network of Women Groups FIESS 2011 Workshop Montreal October 2011 Presented at

An Attempt to promote A New Social Order Last 3,000 years, under male dominant societies, we witnessed: 5,000 Wars Thousands of million people lost their lives due to war, terrorism and starvation. Damages to Mother Nature Here is a humble attempt by the Gandhians to carry forward actions towards new social order with emerging women power, who are different from men in all aspects.

Who Are We? Vinobha Bhave, the spiritual heir of Gandhi, started “Land gift movement” to bridge the gap between landlords and landless as Two out of three persons are dependent upon land for their livelihoods and Majority are landless and small/marginal farmers, living below poverty line He undertook a mission, treking 14 years across the country in 1951 which enabled him to collect 4.38 million acres of land, as gift from the land holding peasants. ASSEFA, with the blessings of Vinoba Bhave, continued the followup of the Movement since 1968 in rehabilitating the landless farmers. Gradually, ASSEFA broadened its mission to bring in vulnerable under its fold for holistic development. Vinoba Bhave

What is our Motto? “Establishing Village Republic i.e., self-sufficient, self-reliant and self-managed communities based on the principles of freedom, non - economical parity with social justice”.

Is it possible to Realise? YES “Small is Beautiful” “Managable to Govern” “Everybody Participates”

Who are the driving forces? WOMEN, who keep the culture of sharing and tradition of community living for many centuries

Why are they get themselves Organised? Forming small group with 15/20 members: Identify their root Trace the history of their community Feel proud of their heritage Mapping resources of: Knowledge drawn from their history, Strength of the culture, as a binding force for many centuries. Heritage – temple, mosque, church, festivals, which keep them together. Reasons for disparity Plan to redress their agony Form participatory governing strucutre.

How do Web their Net? For: Ensuring Livelihoods Building Assets Providing Social Security Improving Knowledge Base Promoting Well-Being Preserving Culture Looking Beyond All Barriers Team being built to address the above objects at group, federation and regional levels.

How do they realise? Livelihoods – Dairying (A to Z), Food security/sovernity Building Assets – Owning habitat, control/owning productive assets Social Security – Wage & Life loss compensations Knowledge Base – E ducation: formal & Life skill through regular schools and community college respectively Well-Being – Mother and child health, stress mgnt, preserving health and sanitation. Preserving Culture – Community celebrations - folklore, classical & traditional music & dances Looking Beyond All Barriers – Community marriages Separate Team being built at group, federation and regional levels to promote, manage and owning the programs.

How do they Manage? Members Activity Based Group Members Activity Based Group Activity Based Federations Apex Organisation

What is the Present Status? Nearly 1.0 million families inhabited across 10,000 villages are part of this mission. They get benefits with multi facet socio- economic welfare programs through 154 Community Based Organisations, promoted exclusively under this mission.

COVERAGE

Which Are the Challenges Govt policies Globalisation Urbanisation and Natural Calamities.

- At A Glance - Women in Actions

TOWARDS FOOD SECURITY / SOVERNITY

TOWARDS DAIRY BASED LIVELIHOODS

TOWARDS SERVICES BASED LIVELIHOOD

EDUCATION – FORMAL AND LIFESKILL

PROMOTING WELL - BEING

PRESERVING CULTURE

LOOKING BEYOND ALL BARRIERS

PROVIDING SOCIAL SECURITY

Will it be Sustainable? ?

THANKING YOU

For futher information, contact ASSEFA 279, Avvai Shanmugam Road Royapettah, Chennai – India