Population programmes succeed better when supported by individuals and communities; reliance on the government sector as the sole agent of demographic and social change has therefore to be reduced. Experience shows that NGOs, community organizations, socio-cultural and religious groups, women's groups and influential individuals can and do play an important role in influencing the attitudes and behaviour of people, so a national plan should be aware of the basic make-up and outlook of such groups and organizations and involve them along with the intended beneficiaries when designing and implementing the national programme.