Family planning and rural development in Thailand. Operations of the Population and Community Development Association in Thailand and their potential for application elsewhere
Donner, E.
Schriftenreihe der GTZ, Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit, German Federal Re ic 184: 255
1986
Document Number: 398790
The approach of the Population and Community Development Association (PDA) to developments in Thailand is described. The characteristics and techniques of programme implementation are analysed and those factors which helped or hampered the achievement of its objectives are discussed in more detail. To assess the potential of the experiences of PDA as a prototype, the constraints to PDA operations are also determined. Experience gained by some other organizations is also added to shed light on implementation problems from different perspectives. It is concluded that, since its foundation in 1974, PDA has contributed greatly to solving the population, health care and rural development problems in Thailand. PDA has provided support for the national programme by complementing the service delivery of the government family planning and health care system, by providing village level services in various other fertility-related sectors of rural development, and by mobilizing resources from the private sector which otherwise would have remained untapped. The PDA's experience suggests several roles which can best be played by voluntary organizations to complement government activities: (1) helping to introduce the bottom-up approach to programme implementation; (2) pioneering new and innovative methods of service delivery; (3) mobilizing those resources and manpower which are difficult for government organizations to reach; (4) conducting feasibility studies; (5) using their special training facilities to assist in training government staff for rural work; (6) assisting the government in its endeavours to raise funds from foreign donor agencies.