Chapter 7 (3): Examples of Revolutionising Citizen Centered Initiatives for Growth Around the World Part 2

Sankalp Forum: A Model for Development as Protest Against Bad Governance

The Sankalp Forum is a global platform that has emerged as a unique and constructive response to bad governance and systemic inefficiencies. Founded in 2009 by Intellecap, the forum is dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation to address critical development challenges. While it is not a traditional form of protest, Sankalp Forum embodies a model of “development as protest,” using entrepreneurship, innovation, and collaboration to counteract the negative impacts of poor governance. By empowering entrepreneurs and creating sustainable ecosystems for innovation, the forum challenges the status quo and drives development from the ground up.

Development as Protest: A Constructive Approach

Instead of relying on traditional methods of protest such as marches, strikes, or civil disobedience, Sankalp Forum promotes economic empowerment as a form of resistance against bad governance. It focuses on creating opportunities for entrepreneurs, particularly those working on social impact solutions in areas such as healthcare, education, energy, and agriculture. By doing so, the forum indirectly challenges governments that fail to address these critical areas.

Bad governance often results in a lack of basic services and opportunities for economic participation. In countries like India and across many developing nations, government inefficiency and corruption hinder progress in key sectors, leaving citizens without adequate access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities. Sankalp Forum seeks to fill this gap by fostering innovations that directly improve the lives of citizens, bypassing ineffective governance structures.

Empowering Entrepreneurs for Social Change

One of the key ways Sankalp Forum promotes development as a form of protest is by empowering social entrepreneurs. These are individuals who develop innovative solutions to address social, cultural, and environmental challenges. By supporting entrepreneurs through funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities, Sankalp Forum helps create sustainable businesses that can thrive even in environments plagued by poor governance.

For instance, Sankalp Forum has facilitated the growth of businesses in sectors where government action has been lacking. In India, where government inefficiencies have often left rural areas without access to clean energy, the forum has supported numerous clean energy startups. These businesses provide renewable energy solutions to underserved communities, thereby improving the quality of life and reducing dependence on government-run services that are often unreliable or non-existent.

Building Ecosystems for Innovation

Sankalp Forum also plays a crucial role in building ecosystems that promote innovation and collaboration across sectors. By bringing together stakeholders from diverse fields—investors, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and development professionals—the forum creates an environment where new ideas can flourish, and where solutions to systemic problems can be developed.

In countries like Nigeria, where bad governance has led to widespread poverty and inequality, Sankalp Forum’s approach can serve as a model for development-driven protest. By fostering local entrepreneurship and creating platforms for innovation, it provides citizens with the tools they need to solve their own problems, rather than waiting for ineffective government intervention.

For example, Nigeria’s renewable energy sector has been stunted by government mismanagement and corruption, leading to frequent power shortages. Entrepreneurs, supported by platforms like Sankalp Forum, have stepped in to develop off-grid solar energy solutions, helping to provide consistent power to rural and underserved communities. These entrepreneurial ventures challenge the status quo and provide practical solutions where the government has failed.

Global Reach and Impact

Sankalp Forum’s impact goes beyond India and Africa. It has expanded its operations globally, with chapters in regions such as East Africa and Southeast Asia. In East Africa, for instance, the forum has supported entrepreneurs working in agriculture, a sector often neglected by governments. By fostering innovation in agricultural practices, Sankalp Forum helps address food insecurity—a critical issue caused by bad governance and inadequate public investment in agriculture.

In Kenya, where corruption and political instability have contributed to widespread poverty, Sankalp-supported businesses have introduced new farming technologies that boost crop yields and improve food security. These solutions not only benefit local farmers but also challenge government inaction by demonstrating that development can occur independently of corrupt governance structures.

Development as Resistance

The Sankalp Forum is a powerful example of how development can serve as a form of protest against bad governance. By fostering entrepreneurship and innovation, the forum empowers individuals to take control of their own destinies, providing practical solutions to challenges that governments have failed to address. This form of resistance is not about violent demonstrations or civil disobedience; rather, it is about building sustainable systems that bypass corrupt or inefficient governance structures, offering a better future for citizens.

As Sankalp Forum continues to expand globally, it demonstrates that development itself can be a powerful tool for change. By supporting innovation and empowering entrepreneurs, the forum creates the conditions necessary for long-term, sustainable progress—even in the face of bad governance.


Saemaul Undong: A Form of Protest Against Bad Governance and Catalyst for Development

The Saemaul Undong (New Village Movement) of South Korea stands as a powerful example of how grassroots mobilisation and community-driven initiatives can act as a form of protest against bad governance and lead to substantial development. Launched in the 1970s, Saemaul Undong was a response to widespread poverty, rural underdevelopment, and poor governance, which had plagued South Korea for years. The movement sought to uplift rural communities through self-help, diligence, and cooperation, and it has since been lauded for its role in transforming South Korea from an impoverished agrarian society into a modern, industrialised nation.

Origins of Saemaul Undong

South Korea in the 1960s and early 1970s faced significant socio-economic challenges. The country was recovering from the devastation of the Korean War, with rural areas particularly impoverished. There was a stark disparity between urban and rural communities, with rural areas suffering from poor infrastructure, low agricultural productivity, and widespread poverty. Dissatisfaction with government policies and the lack of development opportunities was growing.

In 1970, President Park Chung-hee launched the Saemaul Undong as part of his government’s broader development strategy. Although initiated by the government, the movement was designed to be a bottom-up approach, empowering local communities to take charge of their own development. It was a subtle form of protest against preceding bad governance, as it aimed to bypass the inefficiencies and corruption of centralised government programmes by putting the power of development in the hands of the people.

Core Principles of Saemaul Undong

The movement was built around three core principles:

1. Self-help – encouraging individuals and communities to take responsibility for their own progress, without waiting for external assistance.

2. Diligence – promoting hard work and a sense of duty in developing the local economy and improving living conditions.

3. Cooperation – fostering collective action to achieve common goals, as communities worked together to improve infrastructure, increase agricultural productivity, and build sustainable livelihoods.

The government provided initial materials such as cement and steel to villages, but it was up to the local communities to decide how to utilise these resources effectively. Villages that succeeded in their projects received further support, while those that did not were left to their own devices. This merit-based system fostered healthy competition and encouraged innovation.

Saemaul Undong as a Form of Protest

In many ways, Saemaul Undong was a form of protest against the ineffective governance that had previously hindered rural development before Park Chung Hee. Instead of waiting for top-down policies to address their needs, rural communities took matters into their own hands. By organising themselves, mobilising resources, and collaborating on development projects, these communities demonstrated that progress was possible even in the absence of effective government intervention.

The movement also indirectly pressured the government to be more accountable and responsive to the needs of rural populations. As communities succeeded in improving their own conditions, it became clear that bad governance was not an insurmountable obstacle to development. This realisation helped to shift the public’s perception of government and motivated leaders to adopt more participatory, transparent approaches to governance in the years that followed.

Successes of Saemaul Undong

The impact of Saemaul Undong was profound and far-reaching. By the 1980s, rural incomes had risen significantly, and the infrastructure gap between rural and urban areas had narrowed. Villages across the country saw improvements in housing, sanitation, roads, and agricultural practices. The movement also fostered a sense of pride and ownership among rural residents, who felt empowered to shape their own futures.

One of the key successes of Saemaul Undong was its ability to transform rural mindsets. Before the movement, many rural communities were resigned to their poverty, believing that change was beyond their control. Saemaul Undong instilled a sense of agency and possibility, demonstrating that through collective effort, significant change was achievable. This shift in mindset was crucial in sustaining the movement and ensuring its long-term success.

Global Relevance: Lessons for Nigeria

Saemaul Undong offers valuable lessons for countries like Nigeria, where bad governance, corruption, and rural underdevelopment remain significant challenges. Nigeria has long struggled with centralised governance that is often inefficient, corrupt, and disconnected from the needs of local communities. This has resulted in widespread poverty, especially in rural areas, and has led to public disillusionment with government institutions.

Much like South Korea before the Saemaul Undong, Nigeria’s rural communities face a lack of infrastructure, low agricultural productivity, and poor living conditions. The central government has often been criticised for failing to address these issues effectively. A grassroots movement similar to Saemaul Undong could provide a solution by empowering local communities to take charge of their own development.

For example, in northern Nigeria, where farming is a primary source of livelihood, communities could be organised to improve agricultural practices, build local infrastructure, and enhance food security. By focusing on self-help, diligence, and cooperation, these communities could reduce their reliance on government assistance and create sustainable, locally-driven development.

Examples of Grassroots Movements in Nigeria

While Nigeria has not yet experienced a movement on the scale of Saemaul Undong, there have been instances where local communities have taken charge of their own development. In the Niger Delta, for example, local communities have organised themselves to protest against the environmental degradation caused by oil companies and the lack of government investment in the region. These protests, although often confrontational, have led to greater awareness of the region’s issues and some improvements in infrastructure and social services.

Similarly, in Lagos, community-based organisations have been at the forefront of initiatives to improve waste management and sanitation in informal settlements. These initiatives, although small in scale, demonstrate the potential for grassroots movements to address local development challenges in the absence of effective government intervention.

Wrapping It Up

Saemaul Undong serves as a powerful example of how grassroots movements can act as a form of protest against bad governance while fostering sustainable development. By empowering local communities to take control of their own progress, the movement bypassed the inefficiencies and corruption of centralised governance and demonstrated that development is possible even in the face of government neglect.

For countries like Nigeria, where bad governance continues to impede progress, the lessons of Saemaul Undong are clear: development must come from the ground up, driven by local communities who are empowered to take charge of their own futures. By fostering a culture of self-help, diligence, and cooperation, Nigeria can chart a path towards sustainable development, even in the face of government shortcomings.