지속가능발전 개념에서 본 국내 INGO 푸른아시아의 기후변화·사막화 방지 활동의 성과와 과제

Abstract

This paper examines the activities of an INGO which aimed to combat Northeast Asia's major environmental problems of desertification and climate change in Mongolia. The object of this case study is the activity over 14 years of the 'Green Asia Network' (an INGO based in South Korea). This study employs a participant observation methodology. It examined the working process of the project of the Green Asia Network and analyzed the activities of the Green Asia Network in the light of the three axes of 'sustainable development': environmental, social and economic sustainability. As s result, this study found the fact that the Green Asia Network has improved its project toward sustainability through trial and error process and its project has achieved diverse outcomes in terms of sustainability which can be summarized as follows: First, in the area of environmental sustainability, the case successfully contributed to land restoration through afforestation, reduction of environmental pollution,minimization of the use of fossil fuels and provision of a new approach for achieving a reduction to the yellow dust phenomenon. Second, in the area of social sustainability, the activities undertaken contributed to the formation of a local community and the vitilization of civil society movements through the direct participation of Korean citizens as well as the enhancement of international exchange. Finally, in the area of economic sustainability, the case contributed to reduction of absolute poverty in the local area, and supported the uptake of a community-driven sustainable economic model. The research may be useful as a basis of a new model for INGOs in combatting desertification and climate change in Northeast Asia.