scholarly journals Anthropology of development and the challenge of South-South cooperation

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 507-537 ◽  
Author(s):  
Letícia Maria Costa da Nóbrega Cesarino

This article explores some of the challenges and potentials that the emerging phenomenon of South-South cooperation (SSC) might pose to major approaches in the international literature on the anthropology of development. Irrespective of particular politico-conceptual preferences, the latter's analytics have been largely crafted based on ethnographic work about development aid provided by Northern agencies or North-led multilateral organizations. Based on my own fieldwork experience with Brazil's contemporary provision of official technical cooperation in tropical agriculture to various countries in the African continent, I propose a discussion about four sets of themes: Foucauldian approaches to development based on notions of governmentality and discourse; the associated question of politics/depoliticization; the institutional aspect of development cooperation as a national and global industry and bureaucracy; and the question of ethnographic authority and the transit between what David Mosse has referred to as field (relations entertained with informants during fieldwork) and desk (relations entertained with academic peers during ethnographic writing).

Author(s):  
Caitlin M. Bentley

This chapter explores how the Web 2.0 principle of the Web as a platform was applied in the context of a development aid-funded project aimed to enhance online collaboration capacities of 17 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in five West African Nations. The main issues confronted in the project related to the linear project design and a misconceptualisation of technology as an input, thus separating the design and implementation processes from the ultimate collaboration aims that are desired outcomes. It is therefore argued that technology-mediated collaboration initiatives within development cooperation contexts can draw from underlying Web 2.0 principles, but that these principles could more usefully be linked to development concepts in order to further enable critical reflection by primary stakeholders, so as to include them in all aspects of technology design. By focusing less on technology provision and more on the capacity of users to assess their own emergent needs has potentially more important long-term collaboration impacts.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 158-173
Author(s):  
Insebayeva Nafissa

This article joins the discussion on foreign aid triggered by the rise of multiplicity of emerging donors in international development. Informed by the constructivist framework of analysis, this article evaluates the philosophy and core features of Kazakhstan’s chosen development aid model and explains the factors that account for the construction of distinct aid patterns of Kazakh donorship. This article asserts that Kazakhstan embraces a hybrid identity as a foreign aid provider through combining features and characteristics pertaining to both—emerging and traditional donors. On one hand, it discursively constructed its identity as a “development cooperation partner,” adopting the relevant discourse of mutual benefit, respect for sovereignty, and non-interference, which places it among those providers that actively associate themselves with the community of “emerging donors.” On the other hand, it selectively complies with policies and practices advocated by traditional donors. This study suggests that a combination of domestic and international factors played an important role in shaping Kazakhstan’s understanding of the aid-giving practices, and subsequently determined its constructed aid modality.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 2027
Author(s):  
Juan Gómez-Quintero ◽  
Pilar Gargallo Valero ◽  
Jesús Miguel Álvarez

The official development aid provided by donor countries does not solely depend on government decisions; it is also affected by trends in public opinion. This means that it is important to find out more about the opinions, views and attitudes of the citizens of donor countries. In spite of this, very few research studies have specifically analysed the opinions of people from rural areas. The aim of this research is to analyse the attitudes of the inhabitants of rural areas in northeast Spain to assess the degree of support for policies of international cooperation and development. To this end we carried out a survey of 403 people resident in small towns, selected using a stratified sampling process. We then conducted multivariate statistical techniques of the information we had gathered, in which we found that there were three types of individuals according to their level of interest, concern and action: aware but not actively involved, not interested and passive, and proactive with strong convictions. This research has shown that educational level, size of the town and age all influence the person’s interest in the problems affecting the rest of the world and their support for international cooperation.


2018 ◽  
pp. 73-85
Author(s):  
Martin Dahl

Due to its historical experience and geopolitical location, the Federal Republic of Germany is a state which uses so-called soft instruments in its foreign policy. Development aid, which has more and more often assumed the form of development cooperation over the years, is one of the most effective foreign policy instruments used by Germany.The purpose of this article is to answer the question of to what extent and in what areas is development policy an effective instrument of German foreign policy? The considerations refer particularly to liberal theory in international relations and, to some extent, to the assumptions of realism. The research methodology adopted is based on analysis of facts and selected documents. The main conclusions from the study confirm the assumption adopted in the introduction that development aid is one of the most important instruments used by Germany to influence the international environment.


IDS Bulletin ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Gu ◽  
Xiaoyun Li ◽  
Chuanhong Zhang

This article aims to investigate the recent evolution of China’s development policy and practice. More precisely, how do China’s policymakers and practitioners understand and debate China’s role in international development, specifically in the context of the global Covid-19 pandemic? China’s growing development activities overseas, particularly in the African continent, have spurred intense debate over its role as a rising power in international development. China is viewed in the West both as a threat and as a valuable potential partner in development cooperation. However, differences between Western and Chinese conceptions of development have complicated cooperation and understanding of China’s development policy. Further understanding of these differences is needed, in order to evaluate their implications for low-income countries, and for potential trilateral cooperation.


2014 ◽  
pp. 431-451
Author(s):  
Caitlin M. Bentley

This chapter explores how the Web 2.0 principle of the Web as a platform was applied in the context of a development aid-funded project aimed to enhance online collaboration capacities of 17 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in five West African Nations. The main issues confronted in the project related to the linear project design and a misconceptualisation of technology as an input, thus separating the design and implementation processes from the ultimate collaboration aims that are desired outcomes. It is therefore argued that technology-mediated collaboration initiatives within development cooperation contexts can draw from underlying Web 2.0 principles, but that these principles could more usefully be linked to development concepts in order to further enable critical reflection by primary stakeholders, so as to include them in all aspects of technology design. By focusing less on technology provision and more on the capacity of users to assess their own emergent needs has potentially more important long-term collaboration impacts.


Author(s):  
Altea Pericoli

The purpose of this paper is to describe the role of Islamic finance in the charitable sector by analysing how Islamic banks and States manage funds for humanitarian and development aid. The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) represents one of the main Islamic actors involved in the development cooperation and humanitarian relief and, in partnership with other donors, it  implements programs in its member countries. This research examines the existing literature and data regarding projects financed by the IsDB with the aim to understand the impact of Islamic financial tools on aid. The Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF) is an example of a program for poverty alleviation but also a mechanism of blended finance for supporting health, agriculture, and infrastructure projects. Financed by the IsDB, bilateral institutions, and foundations,it uses an innovative financing model aiming to produce sustainable growth in the most vulnerable member countries. It could represent a positive model for financing and implementing aid in a joint effort of Muslim and non-Muslim donors.


Author(s):  
Elisa Maria Garrido-Ardila ◽  
Berta Caro-Puertolas ◽  
Maria Jiménez-Palomares ◽  
Jesús Montanero-Fernández ◽  
Trinidad Rodríguez-Domínguez ◽  
...  

Background: In international cooperation projects that are carried out in less developed and developing countries, a large number of children with disabilities present cerebral palsy (CP). Orthopaedic disorders are frequent complications associated with this disorder. Their prevention and early intervention are essential to achieve an appropriate therapeutic approach for children with PC and to improve their quality of life. Objective: To describe the treatment approach that is currently used in international cooperation projects for the rehabilitation management of the orthopaedic disorders in children with cerebral palsy. Methods: This is an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study, carried out by means of an online questionnaire to professionals in the field of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation working in international cooperation projects. The inclusion criteria were professionals working in the rehabilitation field in development aid, humanitarian action or emergency projects that provided rehabilitation services, working with children with cerebral palsy from 0 to 18 years old. Results: Ninety-eight questionnaires were analysed. The average age of the participants was 33.2 years, they were mainly working in development cooperation projects (83.33%) that were implemented in rehabilitation centres and through community-based rehabilitation services (60%). The projects were located in countries all over the world but mainly on the Asian continent (71.4%). Physiotherapists and orthopaedic technicians (72.22%) were the main professionals working in these projects, followed by occupational therapists and social workers (55.56%). The results indicated that the orthopaedic disorders were very frequent in the sample (66.67%), with hip subluxation (50%), scoliosis (77.78%), kyphosis (61.1%), clubfoot (88.7%) and varus foot (61.11%) standing out. The most commonly used treatment approaches were positioning (88.89%) and the Bobath concept (83.33%). The technical aids that were used by the professionals were ankle foot orthosis (AFO) (94.44%), bracing (66.67%), standing frames (83.33%), moulded seats (100%), corner seats (93.75%) and adapted seats (92.85%). Conclusions: In international cooperation projects, the rehabilitation treatment of children with cerebral palsy is based on a holistic approach. This is reflected in the interventions that are carried out to treat their orthopaedic disorders and in locally produced devices, awareness raising and community education. However, the professionals surveyed considered that the aids or orthoses used are insufficient in the treatment and prevention of orthopaedic disorders in cerebral palsy.


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