Enter Jim and Star – a Canadian couple who believed they could turn this town into something great. Their dream was very ambitious – to build a resort for retired Canadians, which would include a golf course, a five-star hotel and a virtual-medicine hospital (the first in Central America). For these purposes, they bought a lot of land on a cliff overlooking Pedregosa, a virgin beach where monkeys, oblivious to the very little human presence, still come down from the trees to play on the white sands. Pedregosa is the nearest beach to Matapalo, but is virtually inaccessible unless by 4×4.

As the project started to get developed, Jim and Star decided to invest in Matapalo and its people. They built a community center, donated musical instruments to the elementary school and opened the first free public-access computer lab in the country. This is where I came in, back in 1999.

I was brought in as Project Manager for the Matapalo computer lab. There was much to be done. First, we were able to find the perfect place – an abandoned annex in the local police station, right next to the town’s school. Then, we got a Canadian engineering company to send us their old computer equipment. We got a lot of useless junk, but in the end we were able to put together 10 working computers. All of these computers were different – some were 486′s and some 386′s, some had color monitors, some didn’t… the more advanced models had 32 MB of RAM and a hard drive of 100 MB… and there were only a couple of those. Due to space and memory constrains, we only managed to run Windows 3.1, and very early pre-office versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint. We also had PrintShop Deluxe, a wonderful little program called Banner and some games, like the very first version of Prince of Persia.

After the lab was set-up, we trained a few local people on how to use the computers and these programs. Most of them had never even touched a computer before, so we needed several sessions to get them to a decent level because these guys were going to run the lab. Luckily, Luke and Louise, another Canadian couple who were friends of Jim and Star, relocated to Matapalo and they took over the lab.

After a few months, we were invited back to Matapalo for the first big computer lab graduation… what an amazing sight that was… under Luke and Louise, the whole town had become computer literate one way or another… and that day they were all receiving certificates for different things… Imagine a 65 year old woman receiving an “Advanced Achievement on Prince of Persia” certificate… simply amazing. I set up a satellite conference so that several people in Canada, who had different degrees of involvement, could also attend the ceremony through the internet – the first Webcast ever in Guanacaste! Our guest of honor was the Costa Rican Minister for Science and Technology and one of the major Costa Rican TV channels even reported the whole thing on one of their prime news shows. What an amazing day that was!

Today, I go back to Matapalo for the first time in 8 years to attend Jim’s funeral. The town remains pretty much the same, except that now they have a couple of supermarkets and a few other things. The Pedregosa project has been in a stand still for a couple of years due to legal and financial trouble. Luke and Louise are still there running the computer lab in the same old place. Now, they have better workstations and internet access, and there is a plaque with my name on it acknowledging me as one of the founders of the lab. Still, Matapalo strives on… and today the whole town is in this little chapel to honor the life of someone who has really made a difference here… there will be a parade later on, the band will play, the kids will march… according to Jim’s wishes, there is going to be a big party with traditional dances, food and fun for everyone… then, we will all help plant a tree next to the community center and spread Jim’s ashes on the soccer ground… this is a loving tribute to a great man from a thankful town.

Not many people knew who Jim Sparrow was, and many people may not still have ever heard of the little town of Matapalo in Guanacaste, Costa Rica… but to those of us who were lucky enough to ever know him, this guy really made a difference in our lives… because of him, we are all better people today… I know I am.

A few years ago when I used to think what it would be like to live in the year 2008 and onwards I assumed a world much similar to that of the one depicted in the sci-fi movies and fantasy fiction. Technology would have taken over the problems that are too distracting in human growth in general, places like Gaza, Chad, Darfur, and Afghanistan etc. will be relatively better off in terms of making themselves a better bargain for futures ahead.

Upon my waking up and that to the reality where all has changed with time and for the worse, the crises on the earth (political as well as socio-economic) have not only gotten mature but have consistently perpetuated themselves. Ironically 2008 is no different than the dark alley of a tunnel whose length and width are not known owing to human indifference to studying nature at times.

Speaking of 2008 being the year of Olympics, what seemed to many a source of bliss and pride as Pakistanis or Asians so to speak, we were the atypical host of the Olympic torch and Islamabad was not a surprise picking in this regard. Since than much has been said and written about the pride we should take as a nation in being the neighbors of People’s Republic of China and of course as Pakistanis and in particular to the position that we some how suddenly have acquired to be given the status of an Olympics torch host alongside countries like US, UK, France, and India.

All this sounds music to the ears when I gaze at this pleasant state of the affairs and indeed take pride in the spirit of the Olympics- united and equal, we are but one world.

But a prompt Shift in the frame of reference shatters all this vanity and takes away all the pride that I endure in being who I am and where I am. What good all this do? Or the recently acquired (or rather fought out) democracy, more so when in these contemporary age being amongst the only few nations capable of making their own unmanned spy planes. On the contrary some things beyond truly dreadful happens under the same sun in our very own premises, where a mother of two ( a five year old son and four year old daughter) taking along her two kids decides to be rundown by a passing train owing to excruciating circumstances i.e. ; poverty , and a young man in his 20s shots himself in a street in Rawalpindi crowded by many also due to the same reasons ( he was unable to find a job despite having a degree) , as if all this hadn’t been enough where a Rickshaw driver is seen with an advert on the back of his rickshaw saying ‘ kidney for sale’ all this due to him being unable to repay his loans and bear the expenses of livelihood. All this being just a glimpse of how things have gone wrong economically and socially.

Many Development Economists can indeed dispute here with me on this one and will counter this change of heart to the notion that economic disparities are a global phenomenon, joblessness is a problem even in developed nations, and inflation is an issue even in developed countries like Japan. But than the leaders and the so-called decision makers in all these nations do something, just a bit to counter the inevitable that haunts all the pessimist of the world. We on the other hand sadly are only entangled in issues like who should be the chief justice and which party should have more been given ministries in the interest of a certain province. All this may not be trivial but what about the people and their problems, after all this is done in the name of the very people in torment.

All this takes me back to my dream, a dream that ceases to fade away more so due to the hope tangled with it, as some one rightly said dreams may fade but hope shall never. So I continue to hope because hopes don’t cost anything they only make u live longer.

For one, I would say – nothing of the universal kind exists. The relevant distinction between good and bad is based upon the social context of application, the forces at play, the realities undefined and the mentality at bay. The view point is well narrated through the concept of Second Best Institution (Dani Rodrik).

If anything, it is not a distinction between good and bad but in between ‘low risk’ and ‘high risk’ policies, given a specific environment. For Instance, Investment in Infrastructure and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), although a politically viable and easier policy to implement, can be categorized as a high risk policy that is given the local labour and firm market are not susceptible or flexible to such inherent changes given their current standing and structural stance (most of the developing regions of the world). Therefore, a fore front priority of projects based on solely Infrastructure and FDI in such regions, will not only drive the local firms out of business and lead to massive brain drain, but will ultimately exacerbate the employment problems and realities(structural) of the region (Rodriguez Pose).

Therefore, as a policy specialist when advising a local government or enforcing the pursuit of a goal, my policy recommendation to the authority would be based on implementing a low risk policy, defined in terms of making the best of what exist, fine tuning and diversification within the existing base. However, while doing so I would propose gradual but necessary investment in enhancing the flexibility and mobility of the local labour and firm market, reducing their susceptibility to external shocks and changes in the environment (Balanced policy). However, an important assumption to note is my hindsight conclusion that policy intervention will help juice up the economy in question.

This is especially important and relevant for external specialist, who are alien or mere acquaintances to the surroundings and workings of the environment in which they are intervening and providing advice, if not action. The above narration falls in line with the new paradigm in development policy, based on the social context and learning by doing policy practice, as outlined by a few in the field.

The narration is supplemented by several case studies, under which similar policies applied to different regions under a similar framework have provided diverging if not opposite results. Therefore socio-economic and political characteristics and realities are very important considerations.

For year’s policy makers have been cornered for their short falls, for the mismatch between promise and result, for their adhocism in policy driven by inconsistency and on-off approach. In practice, the real question within the academic and policy world has been what works and what doesn’t. What role does policy have in the local let alone global economy? What is its impact and target market? Its nature, form and characteristics and above all what does it want to achieve. As many policy specialist, as either students or practicing experts are confronted with the conundrum to lay out a distinction between what works and what doesn’t, their minds are subverted towards drawing conclusions.

However, very few would say, we cannot precisely pinpoint what works and what doesn’t on a broader scale, we are unclear what is better and what is worse given a complex environment, which is the real world we live in, and we certainly cannot claim its absolute success, as it is a combination of several forces working outside the scope and domain of the policy table. If anything, we can give a drift but rarely a precise conclusion. However, such is the test of their expertise and role in the global race. For starters, maybe, acceptance is the way forward.

Today, as the political situation of the country takes another sharp turn in history; many questions arise regarding its future. It surely is a never ending debate and it can never be reduced it to one plot. Its role as the only Islamic Nuclear Power in the world, supporting the US in the war on terror, the Kashmir issue, resolving the energy crisis and tackling the increasing domestic instability without democracy are all those big questions it has to answer in the coming years and for that Pakistan hardly looks prepared.

Emerging from the history of political uncertainty, Pakistan has always struggled with democracy. Dictators as well as criminal politicians have played their role in the country’s falling in the iron-clad hands of marshal laws several times resulting in the military enjoying huge foreign aids, none of which seemed to have been spent of social development. In the recent years, Pakistan has experienced the most destructive violence and political unrest, all because of army and its fake policies which they call a step towards democracy. With the current Musharaf regime misusing the powers to full extent, Pakistan never saw its own judiciary being sacked and even the media being banned from straight coverage.

The recent fall of the iconic political figure and opposition leader Benazir Bhutto just few days before the elections is another big reason of the domestic unrest Pakistan is facing today and its all happening in a country which calls itself the biggest ‘peace’ supporter of the US. Its not about the terrorism groups, its not about social evils, its all about the unstable future of the country. Those who control the ruling class of the country, who implement their policies on it, take the advantage and the people pay the price. The fall of democracy in Pakistan can result in the rise of the American think-tank which may provide the basis for the implementation of the American Map of Islam in the near future.

Apart from politics, Pakistan struggles economically. Pakistan can be compared to South Korea, both countries were underdeveloped thirty years ago but today the economically stable S. Korea has joined the ranks of the developed countries and has a great contribution in reviving the pacific. On the other hand, Pakistan remains a third world country where development and technology are still a part of  the “future”. It´s a country where poverty rate is increasing, where electricity is still a “facility” for the people, where people don´t unite for the country, they unite to fight with eachother. Pakistan is a country where everything just doesn’t happen for a reason.

The people of a country always look for their future in their leaders; they hope for a better and secure lifestyle from them. Sadly, our leaders misuse their powers every time they take the seat and the people are forced to get on the streets and fight for their rights. It´s a 21st century country where the power to rule is the power to play with the rights of the people. On the darker note, we still have people who possess those stone age mentalities and wired up socially to the traditions of their forefathers which they think are a part of their religion. But every country has this particular group of people but once your leadership is strong and loyal to its people, nothing can compare to it. Pakistan needs a powerful leadership and then who knows, it may prove to be one of the most developed nations of the world.

Read a response to this article, written by Ali Sohail.