Introduction

Introduction

An idea and thought, for review, discussion, analysis, planning, mutual consensus, and implementation, in order to improve the quality of life and upliftment of the degenerating status of social life and well being of developing nations in the world.

The concept is based on a “positive colonialism” theme where by developed and developing nations mutually agree to work as a single entity for a prescribed period of time, based on pre-defined conditions and rules of engagement.

While a similar concept, to bring Cities together on a similar basis has already been espoused and is being discussed by some economists at Stanford University, the need to raise the bar to the national level is seen vital on account of the viability and successful outcome that may be achieved by doing so. Decision making and bottlenecks at the City level could easily become a stumbling block for progress while, if such agreements are made at the national level where control is firmly established by one entity over the other, then the chances of a fruitful outcome seems far more achievable over time.

The idea was, initially, thrown into the air in January 1991 when I was virtually stuck, alone, in a hole in Bahrain, while on a business visit, on account of the Gulf War that started off that year. I was not able to leave the island until the end of March 1991 after the ports were reopened.

Although the initial white paper was submitted to the Resident Representative of the UNDP in Bahrain at that time, several Sri Lankan Ambassadors in Riyadh, and many other bankers and economists, no one seemed to think it was of any value, whatsoever. It was much later in 2007 that the paper was revised with more details on the modality of the proposal and discussed by some interested parties for further action which has not been forthcoming to date. A recent study done by some researchers at Stanford University in the USA have also come up with a similar lower level concept, titled “Charter Cities”, based on bringing cities together rather than whole nations, as this paper proposes.
See http://www.chartercities.org/

It is hoped that this paper will initiate some action amongst those in high places who have the ability to do so.

The views expressed in this paper are those of the author and the interactions I have had with a few people who have shown interest on this topic over the years.