|
 Although
the Asia and Pacific region has made impressive progress in
the last three decades in economic growth and poverty
reduction, the
number and needs of the poor in the developing countries of
the region are increasing. More than two thirds of
the world’s poor are in the region, and poverty is
disproportionately concentrated in the rural areas. Globalization
trends, environmental degradation and over-exploitation of
natural resources frequently prejudice and further
marginalize the poorest populations, the landless and
resource-poor households and indigenous cultivators.
Currently, IIRR’s field programs
in Asia focus on three geographical areas within the region:
n
The
Philippines,
n
The
Mekong River region,
and
n
Yunnan province of China.
IIRR’s
program initiatives in the Bicol region of the Philippines
involves direct grassroots involvement of IIRR staff working
with rural communities as the ‘primary’ partners.
While program efforts in the Mekong River region and
in Yunnan province focus on community-based initiatives but
working with and through key development
‘intermediaries’ in each of those locations, such as
government agencies, NGOs, research and educational
institutions.
However,
the training and publications programs of IIRR spread across
the entire Asia-Pacific region.
|
