The Role of Stakeholder Engagement in Development

Economic growth and development is one the the major functions of governments. Delivering on this has not been an easy task for governments of many nations particularly the developing world where majority of the populace still live in abject poverty. A review of activities in these countries will show huge sums of money spent over decades without any noticeable impact on the livelihood of the people. One of the major causes of this set back is lack of adequate involvement of the masses of the people (who are stakeholders in any nation-building project) in the process of policy formulation and project and programme planning and execution.

Those for whom services are meant are in the best position to say what services will contribute the most to their well being, what is public value is best defined by those for whom the value is to be created. This way projects with the most potential for greatest economic impact will be executed.

Meaningful growth that will result in sustained poverty reduction requires inclusive growth that allows people to contribute and benefit from economic growth. Comments welcome please.