Interview with Kurt MacLeod, Cambodia Country Representative and Asia Regional Director

How did you get into development?

The first time I went overseas, I went to Israel to attend school. While there I volunteered at an orphanage on the West Bank. It was the first time I understood the complexity of political and economic issues and witnessed the gap between the rich and the poor. I saw myself as a possible catalyst or bridge between people at the grassroots level and resources, whether it be education, materials, or capacity building, that could improve the lives of the poor. I've never seen myself as an implementer of programs but as a facilitator. If you empower the people you are working with, given a small chance to take their own initiative, they will jump at the chance. My only role is to help facilitate the spark that makes it happen.

You have worked in several Asian countries. What do you see as Cambodia's prospects?

I think the chances for Cambodia to move from one of the least developed countries to a developing country lies in its human resources. I'm always conscious in whatever I do to remember that I won't always be here. We have to leave behind the capacity for the Cambodia people themselves to address the tough issues around social justice, economic well being, good governance, and the myriad social needs confronting the country. There is still a great need for people at the grassroots to see themselves as involved in the political process of their country and able to influence what is happening at the national and local level. Cambodia is beginning to put in place a legal environment based on international best practices. The implementation of those laws rests not only with government but also with the people. It is their engagement that will bring them to the next stage of development.

What is exciting about your work right now?

I think the most exciting thing is that we are challenging civil society to move to a higher level of involvement in influencing the direction of their country. Whereas most NGOs have been focused on relief and basic services, NGOs are now emerging who want to work on issues of long-term poverty alleviation and policy reform.

How is Pact supporting these nascent developments?

What's exciting is that we are working with key NGOs at the national and local level to acquire the skills to become an effective and legitimate voice in public policy making. Given a background of genocide and the decimation of the social structure in the country, there are very hopeful signs, even at the grassroots level, of citizens starting to take control of their lives and local resources. For example the clear-cutting of forests, in a country where people are totally dependent on natural resources, has become a significant issue. Local citizen groups are banding together to create the beginnings of a people movement in which government is being brought to the table to begin to develop sustainable forestry lands that integrate private sector needs with public sector needs.

What still needs to happen?

In Asia there's been a gradual progression toward more democratically elected government over the past twenty years. Part and parcel to this growth has been the growth of civil society. Democracy without civil society is an empty vessel. Civil society is the vehicle for voices at the local level to be heard. When heard the political process opens up and more pro-poor development is practiced. Relationships and support to nascent democracies by countries like America are essential to this greater openess and to improving the lives of the very poor.