World Development Perspectives最新文献

The key to social equity and sustainable economic prosperity rests on the inclusion of diverse socio-cultural and ethnic groups in socio-economic activities. Ecotourism promotes the fair and equitable sharing of available opportunities among local people to ensure social equity, sustainable economic prosperity, and tourism sustainability. This study presents an analysis of how ecotourism has contributed to social equity and sustainable economic prosperity within multicultural communities in three villages: Ghandruk, Landruk, and Dhampus along the Annapurna Sanctuary Trail (AST) in Nepal, through the lens of the local community with 120 face-to-face questionnaire surveys, five key informant interviews, six focus group discussions, and field observations. Ecotourism is found to be an effective mechanism for fostering social equity and economic prosperity through socio-economic empowerment, particularly among marginalized groups such as women, Dalits, and Janajatis through the reduction of gender-based income disparities, increased access to micro-financial services, enhanced social cohesion, and increased participation in decision-making processes. Furthermore, the study reveals that households from diverse castes and ethnic backgrounds have benefitted from ecotourism through various income-generating activities, including the sale of local handicrafts and agricultural products, leasing land and property, and infrastructure development. However, it also identifies challenges such as rising living costs, land prices, abandoned agricultural lands, and income inequality. For the sustainability of ecotourism in the region, the need for regulatory measures to control local prices, and integrate agricultural activities into tourism experiences is proposed. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of engaging marginalized groups, particularly Janajatis and Dalits, in ecotourism development initiatives.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development aims to forge a more equitable and sustainable world by integrating peace and development efforts. Despite this ambition, challenges persist as these initiatives often operate in isolation, limiting their collective impact. Moreover, the most affected populations by conflicts find themselves trapped without resources or capabilities. The lack of development often exacerbates underlying conditions, leading to recurring conflicts. The question arises then: How can vulnerable groups overcome these barriers collectively?

The Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) emerges as a transformative approach to achieving peace-centred sustainable development. SSE is a people-centred and nature-responsible economic model characterised by voluntary cooperation, collective goods, local action, and democratic governance. Additionally, SSE initiatives contribute significantly to achieving various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), fostering resilience, promoting well-being, and reducing inequalities. Although SSE is revolutionary in its principles, it has yet to be studied in an interdisciplinary manner within peace and conflict studies. This review article explores the potential of integrating SSE into peacebuilding and development agendas. Our study provides policy recommendations to enhance the impact of SSE on achieving the SDGs and promoting peace. We also identify barriers and limitations, advocating for an integrated approach to ensure collective and solidarity-driven development.

Tanzania has implemented a number of policies and initiatives to promote the growth of the agricultural sector. Among these are efforts geared toward fostering large-scale farm investments, which is partly premised on the notion that smallholder farmers will also benefit through improved access to factor markets and output markets, better prices, and knowledge transfers. Nevertheless, evidence on such spillover effects is far from clear. To fill this gap, we draw on the 2019/20 National Sample Census of Agriculture to estimate the spillover effects from large and medium-scale farms to smallholder farmers in Tanzania. Using logistic and linear regression models, we find evidence consistent with positive effects from medium-scale farms to smallholder farmers around adoption of improved technologies—particularly the use of improved seeds, organic fertilizer, irrigation, and mechanization—and crop yield. These relationships are more evident for maize farms. We also find evidence consistent with spillover effects from large-scale farms, specifically around the adoption of improved crop technologies and livestock vaccinations. These results add an argument in favor of policies that foster the coexistence of large-, medium-, and small-scale farms.

This study examines the factors enhancing the effectiveness of Water User Organizations (WUOs) in Thailand, spotlighting the integration of geo-informatics and community involvement in water management. Employing a community-based participatory research approach, we assessed the impact of advanced technological tools and increased community engagement on WUOs' operations and sustainability. Our methodology included surveys, interviews, and an analysis of water management practices before and after geo-informatics implementation. Findings reveal a significant increase in community participation and an improvement in water management knowledge. The use of geo-informatics led to notable advancements in water allocation efficiency and conflict resolution, directly contributing to the financial sustainability of WUOs. Specifically, the application of geo-informatics facilitated more accurate and timely water resource allocation, evidenced by enhanced community engagement metrics and the resolution of longstanding conflicts. These results underscore the value of combining geo-informatics with community-driven approaches to water management, offering valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners. The study advocates for policies that support the adoption of technological innovations and promote community-centric governance, providing a scalable model for sustainable water resource management. This approach not only improves the functionality and sustainability of WUOs but also sets a precedent for holistic water governance practices globally.

Rural development plays a crucial role in the advancement of developing countries such as Türkiye, necessitating a comprehensive examination of the factors that shape this process. This research aims to provide a holistic view of interconnected factors affecting rural development. A qualitative and participatory research methodology was used, which included focus group meetings with various stakeholder groups. Data from the focus group meetings were analyzed through network analysis to gain insight into the relationships between topics discussed. The network analysis results were then utilized to structure a model for rural development using a systems approach, depicting the main inputs for, enablers of, and outputs of rural development. Our results suggest that government support through policymaking and support of critical non-governmental organizations (NGOs) through projects and programs are key inputs for rural development. Support should focus on providing education and training programs to the local community, improving technology and digitalization, empowering local stakeholders, and ensuring economic and social integration of community groups, specifically women and youth. The authors conclude that these enablers of rural development will ensure efficient and effective practices in value-creating economic activities, specifically agricultural activities, leading to improved wealth and well-being in local rural communities.

This paper explores the barriers to and opportunities for Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16) in fostering peace in Arab states. Examining the region’s recurring conflicts, the analysis emphasises the need for peace-centered sustainable development. The paper identifies the main challenges facing the implementation of SDG 16 and offers strategic opportunities for overcoming them.

This paper presents an exploratory study investigating the complex relationship between the United Nations (UN) system and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Yemen's humanitarian food assistance provision. Employing qualitative research methods, including document analysis and stakeholder interviews, we aim to understand key factors influencing collaboration and identify challenges hindering effective cooperation. Our findings emphasize the need for the UN to diversify its approaches to social interaction in food aid programs, prioritizing initiatives that resonate with local communities. Furthermore, active efforts to engage and satisfy local NGOs are essential for improving program effectiveness and achieving shared objectives. This study sheds light on critical areas for intervention, emphasizing the importance of fostering meaningful partnerships to address humanitarian challenges in Yemen.

Carbon pricing has become a major tool for addressing climate change and climate action (SDG13). Some 36 countries have implemented the carbon tax and 34 have incorporated Emissions Trading Systems (ETSs). Evidence shows an increase in inequality and employment, but it differs between countries and among sectors. As India is significantly large, the decision on carbon pricing will have its benefits, co-benefits, disadvantages and losses. India is in the process of leveraging technology with an eye on long-term sustainability. However, the transition trade-off may come with a development cost. Hence, the excessive fossil-fuel subsidies and increasing debt burdens should be eliminated, and green transformation of the industries should be prioritized. We address the urgency of carbon pricing introduction in India, and the pathways to implement carbon pricing for a sustainable future. The carbon taxes in India should be implemented according to the carbon-intensive nature of the industry and, it should also be paired with ETS and feebates for a just and equitable distribution of burden.

Ever since the late 1880s when cocoa began to be grown commercially in Ghana, land and labour has been mobilized to expand the area under cocoa trees and cultivate the crop. The first cocoa farmers ingeniously used and adapted existing social norms for land acquisition and recruitment of labour from both the extended family and from migrants. The resulting development of cocoa was a remarkable story of African innovation and enterprise that made the then Gold Coast one of the most prosperous parts of Africa by the mid-twentieth century. We look at how land and labour has been mobilized for cocoa in Sefwi, western Ghana, from the start of cocoa growing in the region in the 1940s through to 2019. We ask what current norms are, how they have evolved, and why changes to them have been made. Changes in land and labour relations in the area have not followed the linear evolutionary theory of land tenure change neither have they remained as unique immutable customary structures. We note a flexible, reversible and highly pragmatic logic in tandem with the ruling exigencies that account for patterns of change over time.

The success of Turkey's inclusive health policies has served as a strategic tool for building progressivity and improving social welfare. The objective of this study is to examine the inequality trend in out of pocket (OOP) health expenditures in Turkey. Data from the Turkish Statistical Institute's Household Budget Survey conducted in 2015 and 2019 were used to measure inequalities in OOP total health, pharmaceutical and hospital expenditure variables across socioeconomic status. Decomposition analysis was conducted to identify the factors contributing to inequalities. The study findings demonstrate that OOP health expenditure is higher among the poor in Turkey. Evidence suggests that in Turkey inequalities in OOP health expenditures continue to persist. The results show that OOP health, pharmaceutical, and hospital expenditures increased from 2015 to 2019. The inequality index and curve approaches reveal that the pro-rich distribution of OOP health expenditures is remarkable from 2015 to 2019. The burden of OOP pharmaceutical and hospital services expenditures stands on the shoulders of poor households. Progressive universalism is essential to achieve poverty alleviation strategies and reduce inequality for egalitarian development.