World Bank reforms : New strategy, old ideology

Title: World Bank reforms : New strategy, old ideology

Author: Viorica Viadica

Year: 2005

Keywords: N/A

Theme: Post-development

Advisor(s): Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Advisor, Prudhisan Jumbala, advisor

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: Amid various efforts to reform its policies, the World Bank (WB) announced more than five years ago a new policy framework for developing countries known as Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP). Deriving form the Comprehensive Development Framework (CDF), publicized a year earlier, and in tune with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), launched by the UN system, the new approach placed the concept of poverty reduction at the core of development paradigm and embarked on the principle of participatory development planning. Although the intention was to attribute aid-recipient government the lead role in defining policies funded by the WB, and expand the development and poverty understanding with views from the civil society and the poor, the initiative exhibited various weaknesses in implementation. This paper analyzes the weaknesses but also the progress in implementation of PRSP through the assessment of various development stakeholders' involvement in order to answer whether the PRSP approach represents a change in the practices and philosophy of the WB towards developing countries. While many civil society groups maintain that regardless of its policy shifts, the WB is resistant to change its ideological pattern, the paper argues that the PRSP initiative is a sign that the Bank is changing. It insists that, with the adoption of PRSP, governments seized their legitimate authority to shape the development policy framework for their own country and determine conditions for policy support, while non-state development stakeholders acquired an outstanding opportunity to influence development outcomes. With Vietnam and its Comprehensive Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy (CPRGS) as a case study, the paper identifies the necessary conditions and prerequisites for a successful PRSP implementation, and points out what it takes for a country to be in the driver's seat over the development course. Amidst various efforts to reform its policies, the World Bank (WB) has announced a new policy framework for national development over the past five years, known as the "Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers" (PRSP). This framework adapts the "Comprehensive Development Framework" (CDF), published the previous year, to the "Millennium Development Goals" (MGDs), initiated by the United Nations (UN). This has resulted in a new approach that replaces the core concept of poverty reduction in the development paradigm and establishes a new approach based on the principles of participatory development planning. While the initial intention was to empower recipient governments to take a leading role in formulating policies funded by the WB and to foster a broader understanding of development and poverty alleviation, incorporating input from civil society groups and the poor, initial implementation has revealed numerous weaknesses. This study analyzes these weaknesses and further examines... This report analyzes the progress of the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRSP) by assessing the involvement of various development stakeholders to determine whether the PRSP approach signals a practical and philosophical shift by the World Bank in its approach to developing countries. While civil society groups remain indifferent to this policy change, and the World Bank itself resists ideological shifts, the report argues that the initiation of the PRSP signals a shift in the World Bank's approach. It asserts that the implementation of the PRSP has allowed governments to leverage their legitimate authority to revise their national development policy frameworks and set conditions to support these policies. Meanwhile, non-state stakeholders have also seized this opportunity to shape development outcomes. The study uses Vietnam's Comprehensive Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy (CPRGS) as a case study. This outlines the necessary conditions and prerequisites for the successful implementation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Plan (PRSP), and highlights what Vietnam should do to ensure its successful progress through the development process.

Transversal resistance and power : an interpretation of the World Social Forum

Title: Transversal resistance and power : an interpretation of the World Social Forum

Author: Rochelle Elena Jones

Year: 2005

Keywords: RESISTANCE/BIOPOWER/WORLD SOCIAL FORUM

Theme: Social Welfare

Advisor(s): Soravis Jayanama

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: The global development agenda, encompassing neo-liberal policy convergence and global capitalism, has gained momentum since the end of the Cold War and has been perpetuated and upheld by the multilateral institutions of the World Bank, World Trade Organization and International Monetary Fund. The global development agenda is not revealed through an analysis of how the global development agenda is regulated and maintained by historically constituted institutions, norms, categories and identities that are perpetuated by countries in the North, particularly the United States. In response to the global development agenda, new social movements are resisting the homogenisin thrust of global capitalism and neo-liberal policy, and developing and articulating new logics of meaning that are challenging the terms and categories of the boundaries and questions the very logic through which these boundaries frame international politics. The research question of this paper is: how does transversal resistance challenge the global development agenda? Using qualitative methodology and post-structuralist interpretations of power and dissent, this paper explores the transformative capacity of transversal resistance in regards to dominant narratives. Using the World Social Forum (WSF) as a site of transversal resistance, the paper focuses on three sites of potential transformation: The realm of 'dailiness'; spaces; and identity. The research reveals that values and norms play an important role in perpetuating dominant power, and that the WSF is a unique form of politics that challenges the terms and categories of the global development agenda and demonstrates the capacity to destabilise these dominant terms and categories. It does this via the creation of new logics of meaning and practice, by provided a platform for new forms of communication and collaboration, and by contributing to a process of reconstituting and transforming identities.

Problems in implementing rights-based approaches to youth development in Myanmar: a case study of HIV/AIDS prevention Imprint 2005

Title: Problems in implementing rights-based approaches to youth development in Myanmar: a case study of HIV/AIDS prevention Imprint 2005

Author: Wendy Myint Myint Hla

Year: 2005

Keywords: N/A

Theme: Social Welfare

Advisor(s): Prudhisan Jumbala, advisor

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: The study aims to assess how effective life-skills training programmes using rights-based approach for out-of-school youths in Myanmar are in terms of imparting knowledge, nurturing attitudes and inducing safer behaviour, appropriate to self-prevention from HIV/AIDS infection. The hypothesis of this thesis is that implementing rights-based approaches to youth development is not effective in enabling youths in Myanmar to empower themselves for self-prevention from HIV/AIDS infection because: 1)Under the present social and economic conditions it is not be feasible to implement rights-based approach; 2)Communities are not supportive of youths in exercising their rights in terms HIV/AIDS prevention; 3) Parents and youths do not have sufficient and appropriate information in order to realize youths’ rights to health, education, protection and participation, due to limited awareness promotion and ineffective training methods. Apart from documentary research on conceptual and background data, field research was undertaken in Kyimyindine Township of Mon State, Myanmar. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were responded to by trained and untrained youths in both localities. The results were compared as to their vulnerability to HIV/AIDS, their knowledge of HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention, as well as their attitudes and behaviour appertaining to it. The study found that the training programme was effective to the extent that trained youths had acquired sufficient knowledge of HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention and were aware of their right to that knowledge. It further found that the training programme had increased their self-control, self-esteem and self-confidence that add up to a degree of empowerment short of demanding the authorities to improve their vulnerable economic and social environment. The formation of SHAPE Plus circles among the community elders had enabled some youths to acquire the knowledge on HIV/AIDS prevention. However, they were unable to create a safe and enabling environment. This was because some parents refused to allow their children to attend the training, sine they needed their children’s labour to alleviate their poverty. Comparisons between the two sites showed that both economic disparities and differences in social norms accounted for differences in youths’ ability to gain and make use of the training knowledge. A number of recommendations are given with regard to access to services and to ways of increasing parental support.

Local perceptions on the impact of tourism development on Bai culture in Dali old town of Dali Bai autonomous prefecture, Yunnan, China

Title: Local perceptions on the impact of tourism development on Bai culture in Dali old town of Dali Bai autonomous prefecture, Yunnan, China

Author: Cai Li

Year: 2005

Keywords: N/A

Theme: Social Welfare

Advisor(s): Supang Chantavanich

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: This is a study to explore the perception of local individuals on the impact of tourism development on Bai culture in Dali Old Town that is situated in the Dali Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. The objectives of the research are to 1) analyze government tourism promotion and examine main tourism attractions in Dali, Yunnan, China, 2) discuss the major 'traditional' Bai culture in Dali Old Town, and analyze the impact from recent development of tourism, and 3) investigate attitudes/perceptions of local individuals in the Dali Old Town, towards the above-mentioned impact. The study was conducted by interviewing local people in Dali Old Town in June 2005. 40 persons were interviewed in Dali Old Town in June 2005, half of them of Bai ethnicity, and the other half of Han background (the majority Chinese), with different professions such as manager, government staff, nurse, lawyer, public prosecutor, self-employed, farmer, student, housewife, businessman, worker, teacher etc. Dali is the only Bai autonomous prefecture in China and has over one million Bai inhabitants. Following the national and provincial trend of promoting tourism for economic development, since 1982, tourism in Dali has been emphasized as a dominant economic 'generator' by the government. Apart from its natural and historical attractions, good location and pleasant weather, social heritages and a unique Bai culture, and their customs, knowledge, art, habits, and many other aspects of a life style have also been utilized to promote tourism development. Due to its relatively early development in Dali, tourism has had great positive influence such as a better known image of the Dali region, Bai people and the culture, and economic growth at the macro level. Bai cultural revival and promotion has been encouraged. At the same time negative impacts, such as uneven development and the reconstruction of Bai culture partly in unauthentic ways, also appear alongside the positive. Academic arguments on the influence and impact of tourism development are ambivalent, especially when such discussion is focused on a location with an ethnic minority population. According to much research, tourism usually has positive influence on local economic development but largely negative impacts on ethnic culture and their social identities. Interviews with local people, including some Bai ethnicity, indicate that these have quite positive attitudes regarding tourism development in Dali, and are specifically indifferent to the possible loss of indigenous culture. Such indifference, argued in the thesis, is largely attributed to the individual's inclination towards economic gains. This research suggests that academic research and government policy should adopt a more balanced approach to address gaps between academic and grass roots perceptions.

Impact of micro-credit programs upon economic and social conditions of women in rural and urban communities in Myanmar

Title: Impact of micro-credit programs upon economic and social conditions of women in rural and urban communities in Myanmar

Author: May Si Si Aung

Year: 2005

Keywords: N/A

Theme: Gender

Advisor(s): Preecha Kuwinpant

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: The poverty situation is visible in around the developing countries. The issue of poverty has become a matter of grave concern of the NGOs and the donor agencies as well. The NGOs have been implementing a wide range of development activities with a major goal of alleviating poverty around low-income communities. Among them micro-credit and micro enterprise has become one of the important strategies to intervene reduce poverty and empower women. The objectives of this thesis are to examine members' perception on the micro-credit programs and the programs impact upon economic and social changes on household and communities. The research was done at the two NGOs: YWCA and PACT/MYANMAR implementation in two areas-urban and rural in Myanmar. In this study, the qualitative method was used primarily and mainly, but also qualitative method was used to visible the member's perception on the programs. Primary data was corrected for this research through 12 casestudies from in-depth household survey, field observation, and several interviewing and group discussions to the members of the programs and also non-members. A variety of secondary data and information are also used. The research observed members' perception on micro-credit programs was moderately satisfied by the majority of the PACT (rural) project members and half of the YWDP (urban) members are high in satisfied on the program performance. For the economic impact, the study findings most of the respondents from both micro-credit projects have high in uplifting of family economic condition in the factors namely household income, self-employment, and economic security. Improvement of the social well being of the household members by almost all findings is evident. Majority of two projects members have more or less increased social status among families and communities in terms of participation in community development activities, decision making, mobility, and self-confidence and skills. The research concluded that provision of micro-credit program was effective as evidenced to help low-income families to raise their socioeconomic status and protect themselves from economic setbacks. The programs constructed positive consequences on member to become empowered and that improved individual family standard. Giving women access to micro-credit loans therefore generates many effects that benefit multiple generations and support individual families to lift themselves out of poverty.

Humanitarian assistance and the empowerment of Karen women in a refugee camp in Thailand

Title: Humanitarian assistance and the empowerment of Karen women in a refugee camp in Thailand

Author: Kimberly Brown

Year: 2005

Keywords: N/A

Theme: Migration

Advisor(s): Chantana Banpasirichote Wungaeo

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: The civil conflict in Burma, causing mass amounts of displacement, has been ongoing and relatively unnoticed by the international community for more than two decades. Increased levels of fighting combined with countless cases and forms of human rights abuses has led to the flight of many people across borders into neighboring countries. The first Karen refugees came to Thailand in 1984, ongoing SPDC offensives and human rights abuses have led to a refugee case load which is now over 150,000. Women's experiences in conflict as well as in refugee situations are often unique due to their gender. Women in conflict zones often face increased threats of sexual abuse and rape and many times become uprooted and forced to migrate with the added responsibility of care taking for children and the elderly. On top of the basic needs which all refugees share, refugee women may face specific vulnerabilities such as manipulation, sexual physical abuse, exploitation and unequal access to goods and services. There are 7 Karen camps along the Thai-Burma border and a wide variety of humanitarian organizations work along the border area and within the refugee camps. Some organizations focus specifically to help women deal with the conditions of the refugee camp and post-conflict situation. This research uses five in-depth case studius to answer the research question of how Karen women are empowered through humanitarian assistance programs. The empowerment of Karen refugee women is measured through four indicators: access, conscientization, mobilization and control. This research argues that certain conditions in the lives of refugee women living in Mae La camp create vulnerability and makes specific humanitarian assistance to them necessary. The research finds that women are empowered on some levels, mostly on an individual basis in education on gender, human rights, and democracy; income generation, and increasing representation in political and social capacities. However, Karen refugee women in Mae La camp meet numerous obstructions in their empowerment due to certain power structures, namely the lack of female representation at decision-making levels. The author proposes ongoing education with regard to gender roles and sexual and gender based violence in order to decrease refugee women's vulnerabilities and negative experiences within the refugee camp. Further to this, the author encourages an increase in women's representation at decision-making levels.

Education and work opportunities : A path to social and economic development of Thai-Karen communities in the border districts of Tak Province

Title: Education and work opportunities : A path to social and economic development of Thai-Karen communities in the border districts of Tak Province

Author: Phalehcher Komonjaroon

Year: 2005

Keywords: N/A

Theme: Education

Advisor(s): Preecha Kuwinpant

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: The objective of the research is that, firstly it is going to study the situation of the livelihoods of Thai-Karen communities living in the border districts of Tak province. Secondly it is going to examine their contemporary social and economic development. Thirdly and finally the research is going to explore the interrelationship between education, work opportunity and economic development of Thai-Karen communities in the area. The research hypotheses are that; (1) formal tertiary education of Karen students provides work opportunities in NGOs, and for the provision of tourism business and regional economic cooperation projects in the local districts; (2) their informal education, such as English language and local dialects proficiencies from apprenticeships and occupational trainings, enhances their work opportunities; and (3) social and economic development of Thai-Karen people can be appraised in terms of opportunities of Karen young adult students towards education and works. Qualitative research was employed as methodology of study. From July 2005 to January 2006 the anthropological field study, documentary research, focus group discussions with primary and secondary students, non-participatory observations in the Thai- Karen villagers, and in-depth interviews and formal and informal interviews with NGOs staffs, village administration staffs, foreign missionaries, farmers, Karen students and young adults were conducted as methods of information and data collection. The research findings are as follows. Firstly, if taken as a whole the livelihoods of Thai-Karen communities in the border districts of Tak province rely on different kinds of agricultural farming, and their economic status is at subsistence level. Secondly there are disparities among different groups. The poorest are farmers who own or not own a piece of farmland for household consumption. A big number of young people have approached to cities and urban areas for low-paid jobs in factories and shops. Farmers with a bigger piece of farmland can earn extra crops and improve their earnings. Very few better-off Thai-Karen families own home-shops or family business based on farming. Thirdly farmland scarcity, a lack of skills, low education and a lack of supports for tertiary education pursuits of Thai- Karen students, remote and scattered communities, and a lack of adequate public services are the main burdens to their development. Lastly but not least the research has found that the attainment of Thai-Karen young adult students for formal tertiary education at government education institutions such as Rajabhat University, Vocational Training College or any other University in Thailand, together with informal education, informal in the sense that students learn it from outside school, such as English language skills and local dialects from apprenticeships and occupational trainings provided by non-governmental organizations (NGOs), has enhanced their work opportunities in NGOs and for the provision of tourism business and regional economic cooperation projects in local area. These kinds of livelihoods have provided better earnings for Karen young adult students, which lead to social and economic development of their communities. Therefore it can be concluded that formal and informal education of Thai-Karen young adult students will be a tool for their work opportunities, and it will be a path to the communities.