Need for Intervention

Regarding the complexity of globalisation not only in terms of trade issues but also political decision-making, concerted efforts are necessary to give people a profound knowledge on globalisation and the way it affects their lives. While the government is making interventions, the needs and realities at the grassroots level and the political aspects of globalisation are not properly taken into consideration due to a lack of knowledge. The implications have often been negative, particularly for the poor sections of the society.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Millennium Declaration of 2000 enshrine peoples’ aspirations to be governed well and to get involved in decision-making processes that will affect their lives. However, the reality for people in poor countries is still a different one. Therefore, an increase in the effectiveness of governance is necessary so that poor people stop suffering from a lack of social security, public services and economic opportunities.

Good governance vitally depends on the ability of citizens to make their voices heard and hold their governments accountable. When citizens are unable to assess the decisions of their governments or make informed choices, chances of an environment in which corruption can flourish increase. In India, civil society is very active in both social and political spheres, whereas the economic sphere is characterized by a lack of participation.

Given this situation, CUTS CITEE has implemented the GRANITE project in eight Indian states from January 2005 onwards in order to involve people into economic governance and foster capacity building. The first phase concentrated on developing the capacity and comprehensiveness of state-based civil society organisations on issues related to globalisation and their effects on economic governance in India. The GRANITE Phase II project is being implemented in order to secure the sustainability of the efforts to involve people in economic governance issues, particularly at the grassroots level, in the context of globalisation and its effects on the poor. The project presents a concerted action to work for peoples’ sustainable involvement of the Indian civil society in economic policy decision-making.