UNDP praises Indonesia<\/p>\n
Indonesia has predictably scored much better in the 1997
\nUnited Nations Development Program's (UNDP) Human Development
\nIndex (HDI) than it did in 1996, rising from 102nd place last
\nyear to 99th of the 175 developed and developing countries
\nsurveyed this year. The country also performs well in the UNDP
\nHuman Poverty Index (HPI), the first time such a human poverty
\nscale has been included in the UN Human Development Report that
\nwas issued in Jakarta last week, being ranked 23rd out of the 78
\ndeveloping countries studied.<\/p>\n
The expanded concept and measurement of human development, as
\nassessed in the two indices, reflects the increasing importance
\nof a holistic development paradigm. This has been prompted by the
\nexperiences of many countries which show that there is no
\nautomatic link between the level of income and human poverty and
\nincome poverty. Likewise, high per capita income does not
\nnecessarily raise the quality of life across the population. Or
\nput another way, high economic growth does not automatically
\ntranslate into higher human development levels.<\/p>\n
The HDI is based more on the direct, quantifiable results of
\neconomic growth, measuring the quality of life by such standards
\nas income, life expectancy, infant mortality and education. But
\nthe HPI broadens the concept, taking into account deprivation in
\nthe areas of lifespan, basic education and access to public and
\nprivate resources (health services, safe water and food) which
\nconstitute a decent standard of living. The HPI thus sees poverty
\nmore in terms of choices and opportunities fundamental to human
\ndevelopment.<\/p>\n
A holistic approach is not a completely new concept in
\nIndonesia's development paradigm. The final goal of the country's
\nnational development is based on the broadest perspective of
\nhuman development: a just and prosperous, both materially and
\nspiritually, society.<\/p>\n
The government, known more for its impressive economic
\ndevelopment record, has since the launching of the first Five
\nYear Development Plan in April, 1969, applied that concept into
\ndevelopment programs. Though it was recognized initially more as
\na basic-needs approach (covering food, clothing and housing),
\nsubsequent development has encompassed the other elements of what
\nis inputted into the HDI and HPI.<\/p>\n
No wonder that President Soeharto, in his annual National Day
\nAddress on the eve of Independence Day every Aug. 16, likes to
\ncite not only the indicators of the country's impressive economic
\ndevelopment but also the progress made in the other aspects of
\nhuman development: life expectancy, school enrollment, literacy,
\nhealth, rural electrification, women's participation in the labor
\nforce etc.<\/p>\n
Obviously, poverty is the main cause of people's deprivation
\nof most basic services and human needs, and poverty alleviation
\nis therefore central in the efforts to develop human resources in
\ntheir broadest perspective.<\/p>\n
The government also realizes, as shown by the trinity of its
\ndevelopment concept -- growth, equity and stability -- that
\neconomic growth contributes most to poverty reduction through the
\ncreation of jobs. But it is also highly aware that economic
\ngrowth is not a panacea for poverty alleviation. Hence, we notice
\nfor example, how the development program has, from the outset,
\nbeen supplemented by projects mandated by presidential
\ninstructions covering the building of schools, rural health
\ncenters, rural market places, rural roads and electrification.
\nThe President further accelerated the poverty alleviation program
\nin 1993 by launching special projects for clearly identified
\ntarget families.<\/p>\n
The government does deserve plaudits for its remarkable
\nachievements, as can be noted, among other things, by the
\nreduction of the number of people living below the poverty line
\nfrom 60 percent of the total population in 1970 to only 11
\npercent last year. Even though in Indonesia's case the 11 percent
\nstill means more than 22 million people in absolute poverty, this
\nis no mean feat in a vast archipelago of more than 200 million
\npeople. So when the UNDP rewards President Soeharto for his
\ndistinguished services to attacking poverty on Sept. 8, it will
\nonly serve as another symbol of international recognition in
\naddition to the commendations already made by other international
\ndevelopment agencies such as the World Bank.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/undp-praises-indonesia-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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