AY Honors/Rural Development/Answer Key

Rural Development

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This honor was developed in cooperation with Adventist Community Services.

1. Explain to your instructor why some countries in our world are called “developing” countries and why others are called “developed” countries.

Those countries called developed or industrialized nations are those with common use of western medicine, wide systems of paved roads, structured education for children through adulthood, stable economies and governments, provide large portion international aid for developing nations, provide portions of international military assistance, commonly provide scientific advancement and fund scientific research, and the majority of whom's population lives out of poverty.

Developing nations are formerly known as third world countries. These nations are not stable in economy and government, often needing financial and military intervention for any form of stability. Some have no regular government in place that is fully recognized by the people of the country - for example Somalia and The Sudan. There is often ongoing civil war, little or no education opportunity, even in the most basic systems of living. There is limited access to medical assistance in these nations and they rely primarily on foreign aid in this aspect as they do all others. From the government to the people, they are often countries that have become total welfare states and are in fact not developing, but rather waiting for their next handout. They rely on Non-governmental Organizations (NGO's) and foreign nations for their survival. Those that are developing such as Kenya, suffer set backs in which they seek assistance such as a current (2006) widespread drought there but have a largely stable economy and government.

A developing country, also called a less-developed country, is a nation with a lower living standard, underdeveloped industrial base, and low Human Development Index (HDI) relative to other countries. There is no universal, agreed-upon criterion for what makes a country developing versus developed and which countries fit these two categories, although there are general reference points such as a nation's GDP per capita compared to other nations. Also, the general term less-developed country should not be confused with the specific term least developed country.

There is criticism of the use of the term developing country. The term implies inferiority of a developing country or undeveloped country compared to a developed country, which many countries dislike.

All developed countries graduated from developing to developed at some point (recently Poland for example) or newly indutrialized, which is a country still not considered developed but no longer primarily agricultural and poor.

2. Name ten developing countries and list two things that ADRA is doing in these countries that would fall under the description of “relief” and two things that would fall under the description of “development”.

Rather than provide a list of countries and projects (which changes over time), we direct you to do research on adra.org where you can explore projects by region and country.

Development projects are generally designed to make a long term impact in the developing area. Examples include infrastructure construction (roads, wells and water pipes, sewers, schools, hospitals etc), health programs, education (farming practices, healthy lifestyle, midwife training, basic eductaion and literacy), and microfinance (small loans to help people start businesses).

Relief work is a much smaller part of ADRAs focus but also very important. Relief efforts usually follow some natural or man-made disaster such as flooding, hurricanes or war. Relief could mean providing emergency equipment (tents, water purification), clothing and food, or medical assistance for victims. Other relief may include helping victims contact families or even migrate away from a refugee camp.

Now go explore adra.org and make a list or current or recent projects in developing countries.

Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Outreach/Rural Development/R3 Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Outreach/Rural Development/R3a

4. View an ADRA video report (www.adra.org) on development activities in other countries than your own, and participate in a discussion about what you see following the video.

Topics of discussion may include:

1. Why is ADRA helping these people?
2. What is ADRA doing to ensure a better life after ADRA leaves?
3. What disadvantages do these people live under?
4. Is there cultural issues, political issues, weather problems, or other issues you can identify?
5. How is ADRAs policy of not discriminating based on religion working here?
6. ADRA often focuses on women - if this project is women focused, why is that?

These are just example discussion points. Have fun and learn about helping others. Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Outreach/Rural Development/R5

6. Listen to or watch a presentation about a person who grew up in a rural, underdeveloped area. Discuss with a Pathfinder staff, club, unit or class how the following differed from your life:

c. What home, church or school was like

There is little guidance we can give for this requirement. A good activity to do during the lock-in or an evening of your mission trip.

References

Good map of the developing world: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Developing_country

Discontinued honor of the same name: http://www.investitureachievement.org/wiki/index.php/Adventist_Youth_Honors_Answer_Book/ADRA/Rural_Development