export
promotion. Indeed, an examination of the development objectives of the
GAP clearly reveals this point: Overall development
objectives These include the following: Raising the level
of income in the GAP region by improving the economic structure of the
region and thus reducing regional development disparities; enhancing
productivity and employment opportunities in rural areas, enhancing the
population absorption capacities of big centers in the region and to
contribute to economic growth, social stability and export promotion as
national objectives by efficient utilization of the resources of the
region. Agricultural development objectives
Raising levels of income in rural areas by increasing agricultural
productivity and diversifying farming activities; providing sufficient
inputs to agroindustries; minimize rural migration tendencies in the
region by enhancing employment opportunities and contributing to the
production of exportable goods. Industrial development
objectives Promoting the image of the region
and the motivation and welfare of its people by being the driving force
in regional economic development on the one hand and creating demand
for education/training and technological change; contributing to the
elimination of regional development disparities by enhancing wellpaid
employment opportunities and contributing to such national objectives
as export promotion, foreign exchange earnings and savings. GAP
PLANNING APPROACH The GAP has two main approaches, which may be
coined respectively as "integrated planning approach" and "sustainable
development philosophy." These are complementary approaches. The
integrated approach entails addressing different sectors (i.e.
agriculture, industry, education, health, etc.) together and in a
coordinated manner. Sustainable human development, on the other hand,
is addressed as an inherent part and outcome of the approach adopted
and human being is located at the focus of all efforts for development.
As such, the GAP goes much beyond economic growth objectives and
assumes the character of project for social transformation. Rising
income levels of individuals parallel to agricultural development and
changes in production and consumption relations will find reflection on
social relations and modes of living and will also affect social
development and change. Thus, it was found necessary to take the social
aspect of the GAP differently and develop social policy targets along
that axis. Projects in the social field have two main
objectives. One is to gather information and data on the social and
cultural structure of the region as well as on economic expectations
and demographic tendencies of people. The other is to ensure community
participation, integrate different sections of population (women,
nomadic groups, landless peasants, the urban poor, etc.) to the process
of development, find ways of reducing income disparities among these
sections, develop concrete action plans and to present these plans to
the opinion of implementing organizations and agencies. The GAP Social
Action Plan developed under the light of the findings of mutiple social
surveys draws the general frame for social development in regard to
social development policies, strategies and programs and projects to be
implemented. The specific areas of development within this frame are
addressed under seven headings as organization and participation,
population movements and settlement, education, health, agricultural
extension, employment and proprietorship and land use. CONCLUSION
GAP related social policies target sustainable
human development in the region. These policies basically rest upon the
three pillars of sustainable development. These are participation,
equity and fairness in development and development of human resources.
Participation makes it possible for people to take part in
decisionmaking in policies concerning their own interests and ensures
the active participation and contribution of communities, local
governments and voluntary organizations to the process of development.
Participation opens the gates of selfgovernment, active involvement in
development efforts and an organizeddemocratic society. Participation
will also contribute to more efficient and higher quality service
delivery. Social policies relating to the GAP, therefore, include
projects aiming to attain participation.
Fairness in development requires targets in social policies such as the
participation of the poor to the process of development, improved
access to social services including health and education, employment
generation and expansion of the coverage of social
protection. Improvements in the quality of
services and life and maintaining a balanced distribution so as to
ensure at least modern living standards for all sections of population
constitute the basic function of social policies. Efforts are being
made to give effectiveness to social policies through projects that
seek the simultaneous achievement of targets in these three fields.
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