Small is Working video

Technology for Poverty Reduction

People around the world are using technologies as a pathway out of poverty to satisfy their basic needs, gain access to services, and realise their rights. The video Small is Working brings together research and case studies to demonstrate the potential transformative powers of technology.

The video is split into four sections for convenient downloading. The first part looks at the legacy of EF Schumacher's ideas, while the other three examine particular applications of small-scale technology by Practical Action to reduce poverty around the world.

	Small is Working For Schumacher, intermediate technology which put people and the environment first provided an alternative to the relentless pursuit of profit. But is his message still relevant? 3 min 22 sec modem 849k | broadband 2.5Mb | Flash
	Women's Development Associations in Sudan A project which began with simple food processing techniques is unlocking women's potential and transforming their economic and social status. 2 min 32 sec modem 640k | broadband 1.9Mb | Flash
	Improved Maasai housing in Kenya Combining local knowledge with new techniques has been key when adapting Maasai homes to more permanent structures. 2 min 24 sec modem 605k | broadband 1.8Mb
	Renewable energy in Sri Lanka "Some people feel like they belong to the society ... they say that they are not alone any more because they have light." 2 min 15 sec modem 565k | broadband 1.6Mb | Flash

Each video is available to download as a Window Media file, in formats suitable for modem and broadband/ISDN connections. The video should start to stream soon after you begin downloading, so that you don't have to load the whole file before watching the video.

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Further information

An extended version of the Small is Working video will soon be available on VHS (in PAL and NTSC formats), together with a 60-page book containing further examples which demonstrate that human-scale technologies can be an important part of the process of people meeting their needs and realising their rights in a way that is environmentally and socially sustainable. www.developmentbookshop.com

Both the book and video are co-published by Practical Action with UNESCO and the Television Trust for the Environment (TVE), who produce the multimedia Hands On Earth Report series. The video and book have been produced in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the publication of Schumacher's influential book, Small is Beautiful.

• Read a transcript of the videos
• Food processing and Women's Development Associations in Sudan
• Improved Maasai housing
• Renewable energy
• Hands On
• Is Small Beautiful? Speeches from a conference held to mark the 30th anniversary of Small is Beautiful

More Practical Action videos can be found on our video channel