The earth provides for all of mankind's need, not his greed. The challenge of achieving a sustainable society requires changes in the way we live, consume resources and reduce the growing disparities between the rich and the poor. And when the objective is not just economic empowerment but human development, the challenge is even greater since strategies must be devised for capacity building, providing good quality environment and health, educational facilities and improvement in skill levels. This calls for a three-pronged action - improving income, skills and raising education levels.
The need of the times is that both markets and market-support infrastructure for renewable energy products must be promoted if renewable energy is to reach every house. But there is still limited access to renewable energy products, and the linkage between market requirement and R&D is weak.
Under CIREP, an attempt is being made to provide opportunities for technology and skill upgradation and bring about a change in people's attitudes by taking renewable energy to the heart of rural households. Although this effort might lead us to carve a niche for ourselves, its development will benefit many more, exactly like a tree, which grows from a single seed but benefits a large number.
IRENet, through its network members, is actively involved in this mission.
MEENU MISHRA
IRENET NEWS
Resolutions for the next financial year
IRENet organized a two-day National Council Meeting on February 4-5, 2002, in Delhi to chalk out the action plan for financial year 2002-03 under CIREP. Discussions on IRENet's future plans also formed part of the agenda. The strategies that have been resolved for year 2002-03 are to:
TThe first cycle of the Course on Rural Energy Entrepreneurship for IRENet members has begun. The course consists of three modules for various NGO functionaries and will continue over the coming months as per the schedule in Table 1. Detailed contents of each training will be communicated to the participants before the commencement of each course in their regions. The activities comprising each training module will also include substantial fieldwork, interactive classroom sessions, thought-provoking quizzes and entertaining cultural activities. A set of awards have been set aside for best performing persons/organizations in various activities. These awards will be presented on a regional basis for the following:
1. Best performance in Quiz : award sponsored by IRENet
2. Best Proposal : award sponsored by PARTNERS
3. Best Cultural Show : award sponsored by PARTNERS
It is also proposed to select the best of the above three categories on a national basis. Awards for these shall be presented at the 2002 AGM. The best performers in the cultural show will get an opportunity to perform at the same occasion. Feedback on the training experience obtained from the participants will guide us in planning future trainings.
We contend that such trainings offer an unprecedented opportunity to IRENet members to build their skills and knowledge base. Proper learning and application of these acquired skills will give IRENet members a definite edge over other NGOs in project conceptualization, planning and implementation. IRENet members are requested to cooperate wholeheartedly in making these trainings a gigantic success.
The second training cycle will be held in May and June 2002. The exact dates for the same will be announced soon. The venues for the second cycle will be on the premises of the pilot project holder of that region. If the dates for the second cycle do not arrive by the first week of April, the IRENet Secretariat should be immediately contacted.
One of the major topics to be covered during the first training cycle will be the much talked about Appraisal Tools developed for IRENet under CIREP. There was a short article in the previous issue of Energy Lines on Enpower Appraisal Tools being developed by DFID. The Appraisal Tools developed for IRENet are however different in the sense that they can be used even by field level staff, who may not be highly qualified or experienced. The tools are a good way of making reasonably accurate estimates of the energy situation in a village.
Besides, the usage and application of the tools do not require any special skills and can be easily handled by most field staff. During the training, exhaustive knowledge on the use of these tools backed by field work will be imparted to the NGO members. All IRENet members must therefore take keen interest in learning these tools and benefitting from them.
By Parimal M. Sadaphal,
India Project Coordinator, CIREP