The use of low-cost, small-scale technologies in developing countries was promoted in the 1960s by Dr E. F. Schumacher, who published “Small is Beautiful: A Study of Economics as if People Mattered” in 1973. “Small is Beautiful” has been widely translated and has been described as one of the 100 most influential books of the last fifty years.

The publication of the “Small is Working: Technology for Poverty Reduction” video and associated booklet, thirty years after “Small Is Beautiful”, is intended to present, review, revitalize and promote the contribution of smaller-scale and intermediate technology to poverty reduction and sustainable development.

The video is produced in three versions
a 30 minutes TV broadcast version *** (above)
a ‘conference opener' version of 10 minutes and
a “video news release” version of 6 minutes

The booklet, of 60 pages, is designed to provide further information to support the video as a stand-alone document. UNESCO is fully committed to promoting the “knowledge society” at all levels, including the grass roots, and looks forward to further addressing the vitally important challenge of promoting the application of technology for poverty reduction.