During The World Summit For Social Development, Held In Copenhagen In March 1995, Unesco Organised A Round Table, In Collaboration With Crop — The Comparative Research Programme On Poverty, Set Up By The International Social Science Council (Issc) — To Discuss The Problem Of Promoting Participation Of The Poor In Civil Society. This Book Carries The Proceedings Of That Round Table Edited By Dr. Yogesh Atal And Professor Else Oyen Who Jointly Convened That Round Table. The Holding Of The Round Table, And This Publication Of Its Proceedings, Constitute One Of The Several Contributions Made By Unesco To The World Summit Process. In View Of The Fact That The Decade Of 1997-2006 Has Been Declared By The United Nations As The International Decade For The Eradication Of Poverty The Publication Of The Proceedings Of This Round Table Is Timely And Important. What Was Deliberated At The Round Table Should Help Develop An Agenda Not Only For Research And Reflection, But Also For Affirmative Action.