The importance of human communities Our reflection on development policy in recent years has led us to a greater understanding of the centrality of the human person but also of the importance of human communities , as subjects of development. Our strategies must aim to enhance such communities, beginning with the family, to ensure that development is fully rooted in local cultures and becomes well spread across a nation. The much desired participation of local communities and civil society in the elaboration and monitoring of poverty reduction strategies must become a reality. The necessary rapidity with which the interim poverty reduction strategies, linked with the enhanced HIPC initiative, had to be elaborated has meant that civil society participation was, in many cases, achieved only marginally. More innovative and daring models must be rapidly found by the collaborative effort of all concerned.
Vibrant communities are a prerequisite for an effective market.
Community building is, likewise, an essential dimension of pursuing good governance. Good governance cannot be attained simply by issuing decrees or promulgating rights. It must be accompanied by an investment in the building up of human and community capacity, within the different cultural contexts of the world. Development requires that the fundamental rights of persons be respected and fostered, especially their right to be active participants in all decision making processes which affect their lives. But structures and norms will be fully successful only when they are taken up by communities and peoples who posses the ability, the enthusiasm and the courage to make them work.