Vulnerability, Coping and Policy (Editorial Introduction)

Through the new from their fieldwork and analysis, the to this IDS Bulletin show how ignorant, sometimes how wrong, we in the development have been. Through local study and cases, they also show how varied is that of vulnerability and poverty for which we simple explanations and single solutions. Most read these articles will feel unease at the with which in the past we have ignorance with error. They may speculate on how wrong we continue to be. lesson for the future is to enquire and question, what we think we know, and learning and with those who are vulnerable and poor, as to this IDS Bulletin have done; and to do, not once, not in one locality, and not for one only, but again and again, in each place, and each sort of person. For that is the surest path to understanding, and to action that will better and serve the diversity of conditions and people and their changing priorities and needs.