Networks of Well-being in the Global South: A Critical Review of Current Scholarship

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alude Mahali ◽  
Ingrid Lynch ◽  
Angelina Wilson Fadiji ◽  
Tsidiso Tolla ◽  
Sinakekelwe Khumalo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Review ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Global South ◽  
Overwhelming Majority ◽  
Development Studies ◽  
Poverty And Inequality ◽  
Global North ◽  
The Subject

The subject of human well-being continues to gain traction in disciplines as diverse as psychology, sociology, development studies, and economics. Current scholarship, however, is still largely framed by normative assumptions about what being well means, and the overwhelming majority of conceptual approaches to well-being being have been conceived and applied by researchers in the industrialized, wealthy contexts of the global North. We critique the current conceptualizations of well-being and assess their applicability to research in the global south, particularly in contexts marked by poverty and inequality.

scholarly journals Turning ‘evidence for development’ on its head: A view from Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Global South ◽  
African Philosophy ◽  
Informed Decision Making ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
The North ◽  
Poverty And Inequality ◽  
Resource Poor ◽  
Global North

The ‘evidence for development’ community aims to produce research that is useful and used to address issues of poverty and inequality, largely in low- and middle-income countries (often referred to as the ‘global South’). The unspoken norm, however, is that much of the engagement, funding and attention is focused on organizations and individuals in the global North, with the assumption that they are effective in supporting the needs of the global South. In this research paper, I explore the initiatives and the individuals and organizations that are working within the ‘evidence for development’ community in Africa, using the lens of the African philosophy of ubuntu. I present findings from a programme of work undertaken across Africa to identify and better understand the innovation in evidence-informed decision-making taking place across the continent. I demonstrate that, while resource-poor and not well publicized, the evidence community in Africa is world leading in a number of respects. These include the interconnections within its continent-wide network, and the engagement of some governments within its ecosystem. Reflecting on these findings, I discuss and critique the underlying foundations of patriarchy, development and coloniality that shape the field of ‘evidence for development’. I highlight how, in an era of decoloniality, post-‘development’ and antipatriarchy, the ‘evidence for development’ community risks becoming outdated and being ineffective if it does not engage with the challenges inherent within these concepts. I argue that using the alternative lens of ubuntu enables us to celebrate the successes of Southern evidence communities, and to work together on a level footing with the North to tackle the challenges of poverty and inequality through better use of evidence.

scholarly journals Sense of Balance in Indian Conceptualisation of Psychological Well-being

2010 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Jeyaraj Swaminathan ◽  
Giuseppe Crea ◽  
Zbigniew Formella
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Global South ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Social Commitment ◽  
Spiritual Awareness ◽  
Ecological Balance ◽  
Universal Principles ◽  
Western Concept ◽  
Global North

The concept of psychological well-being (PWB) engages the attention of those who live in the Global North, as well as those in the Global South. Similar to the Western concept of PWB, its Indian conceptualisation too, has a long history dating back to at least 3,000 years. This article accentuates that, in India, a ‘sense of balance’ (sama in Sanskrit) is an overarching principle that guides ecological, social, and personal well-being. This sense of balance is discussed in the exposition of concepts, such as hedonia and eudaimonia, which are found in both the Western and Indian concept of PWB. Major differences include the collectivist nature of Indians, their emphasis of spirituality and their belief that suffering and happiness are two dimensions of a single reality. Through a comparative narrative method, it is evidenced that Indian constructs, namely, Sama, Dharma, Sattva, Rajas and Tamas resonate meaningfully with universal principles, such as ethical living, social commitment, and spiritual awareness. In short, Indian conceptualisation of PWB holds that it is holistic, integrated, and balanced. An extended prospect of this sense of balance is its appropriateness in enabling people to achieve ecological balance, irrespective of their cultural affiliations.

Expropriation Procedures in Germany and the Netherlands: Ready for the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure?

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Björn Hoops
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Property Rights ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
German Law ◽  
Global South ◽  
Form Part ◽  
Global North ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Responsible Governance ◽  
Voluntary Guidelines

AbstractThroughout the world, particularly in the Global South, state authorities expropriate property rights without following a fair, transparent, and participatory procedure. The Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure provide good governance standards for expropriation procedures that are the results of in-depth world-wide consultations with all stakeholders. Not only countries in the Global South, however, but also countries in Global North are meant to observe the Guidelines. Whether or not expropriation procedures in Germany and the Netherlands are ready for the Guidelines is the topic of this contribution. The Guidelines contain several recommendations for fair, transparent, and participatory expropriation procedures. The state should empower affected persons to participate. Information about the procedure and the subject-matter should be widely disseminated. Participation should take the form of deliberations at a point in time when affected persons can still influence the decision to expropriate property. Obligations to balance all involved interests and to furnish reasons should also form part of a good expropriation procedure. German and Dutch law mostly comply with these Guidelines. However, these systems do not seem to empower participants sufficiently, and do not show a sufficient commitment to deliberations among participants and between participants and the authority. Also, German law does not inform holders of contractual use rights as well as it informs holders of registered property rights.

Oceans and Landless Farms: Linking Southern and Northern Shadow Places of Industrial Livestock (1954–1975)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Floor Haalboom
Keyword(s):  
Animal Feed ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Global South ◽  
Humboldt Current ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Boom And Bust ◽  
History Of ◽  
Global North

This article argues for more extensive attention by environmental historians to the role of agriculture and animals in twentieth-century industrialisation and globalisation. To contribute to this aim, this article focuses on the animal feed that enabled the rise of ‘factory farming’ and its ‘shadow places’, by analysing the history of fishmeal. The article links the story of feeding fish to pigs and chickens in one country in the global north (the Netherlands), to that of fishmeal producing countries in the global south (Peru, Chile and Angola in particular) from 1954 to 1975. Analysis of new source material about fishmeal consumption from this period shows that it saw a shift to fishmeal production in the global south rather than the global north, and a boom and bust in the global supply of fishmeal in general and its use in Dutch pigs and poultry farms in particular. Moreover, in different ways, the ocean, and production and consumption places of fishmeal functioned as shadow places of this commodity. The public health, ecological and social impacts of fishmeal – which were a consequence of its cheapness as a feed ingredient – were largely invisible on the other side of the world, until changes in the marine ecosystem of the Pacific Humboldt Current and the large fishmeal crisis of 1972–1973 suddenly changed this.

scholarly journals Parenting among Settled Migrants from Southern Africa: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruvimbo Machaka ◽  
Ruth Barley ◽  
Laura Serrant ◽  
Penny Furness ◽  
Margaret Dunham
Keyword(s):  
Extended Family ◽  
Evidence Synthesis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Children's Health ◽  
Children’S Health ◽  
Qualitative Evidence Synthesis ◽  
Raising Children ◽  
Global North ◽  
Need For Support ◽  
Health And Well Being

AbstractThe Global North has over the years been a popular destination for migrants from the Global South. Most of the migrants are in their reproductive ages who go on to bear and raise children. The differences and subjectivity in the context of their experiences may have an impact on how they ensure that their children have the best possible health and well-being. This paper synthesises 14 qualitative research papers, conducted in 6 Global North countries. We gathered evidence on settled Southern African migrants experiences of bearing and raising children in Global North destination countries and how they conceptualise sustaining children’s health and well-being. Results of the review indicated a concerning need for support in sustaining children’s health and well-being. Cultural and religious beliefs underpin how the parents in these studies raise their children. More research is needed which engages with fathers and extended family.

scholarly journals Integrative and Complementary Health Practices Building a New Health Paradigm

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Gemeli ◽  
H Silva ◽  
M Kato
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Professional Service ◽  
Health It ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Subject ◽  
New Perspective

Abstract This work arose from the need to broaden the therapeutic approach and offer a differentiated health intervention proposal based on the understanding that the illness process has repercussions on all integrated systems of Being. Since 2019, the Health Center for the Elderly in Blumenau (SC-Brasil), specialized multi-professional service, offering support for biopsychoenergetic transformation with the practice of Yoga and Meditation, through a holistic and comprehensive view of health. It begins with the Multidimensional Assessment of the Elderly, with a guideline in welcoming and qualified listening, which considers the subject and all subjectivity. From there, the expanded diagnosis and the Singular Therapeutic Project are built and the consultations with the team and the 'Re-Conhecer group' begin. The activity is weekly, aimed at the elderly and their family, takes place in an appropriate place and lasts two hours. Welcoming, pranayama, mantras, kriyas and meditation are made, as well as reflections on free themes. The professionals who conduct the practice are the dentist, trained in yoga, and the social worker, the welcoming process continues individually after the activity. Due to subjectivity, results are routinely collected in a qualitative way from the participants' report. There is a perception on the part of the participants, therapists and members of the multidisciplinary team that this work provides improvement in cognitive abilities, self-care, well-being, self-confidence, creativity, improved sleep, autonomy, balance, strengthening bonds, joy, vitality. Key messages This initiative builds new models of health care, transcending the traditional biomedical model, according to the operational guideline for comprehensiveness, universal access and equity. Provokes reflections and builds a new perspective of life with quality and participation of the elderly as subjects of their health.

Job Referrals in the Global South

Contexts ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-41
Author(s):  
Lindsey Ibañez
Keyword(s):  
Job Search ◽  
Global South ◽  
Labor Market Institutions ◽  
Industrialized Countries ◽  
Employment Relation ◽  
Global North ◽  
Social Safety Nets ◽  
Sociological Studies ◽  
And Control ◽  
Lower Income Countries

Most sociological studies of job searching are from higher-income, industrialized countries, often referred to as the Global North. Much less is understood about job search behavior in the lower-income countries of the Global South, where there are fewer labor market institutions, weaker social safety nets, higher underemployment, more informality, and more precarity. In this environment of deprivation and insecurity, low-wage workers in the Global South turn to their personal networks for the resources that markets and states cannot provide. While job referrals allow workers to earn a living, however, they also extend employer surveillance and control beyond the bounds of the employment relation.

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