Kehitysmaat teoriassa ja käytännössä

Kirjallisuusarvostelu

Kehitysmaat ja ravinto : N. W. Pirien haastattelu

Nimekkeen selitys: Englantilaisen biologin ja kasvitieteilijän N. W. Pirien haastattelu mm. hänen tutkimuksistaan käyttää kasvien lehtien valkuaista ravintona kehitysmaissa.

Contribution of livestock to food production in developing countries

Selostus: Kotieläintuotannon osuus kehitysmaiden ruoantuotannosta

Nasoma, Njakusoma, Ndisoma : ugandalaisten luku- ja kirjoitustaidon edistäminen

Artikkelissa esitellään aikuisten lukemaan opettamisen lähestymistapa REFLECT, jota sovelletaan lähinnä kehitysmaissa.

Mining in Developing Countries: A Case Study of Sustainability Challenges

Mining has severe impacts on its surrounding. Particularly in the developing countries it has degraded the environment and signigicantly altered the socio-economical dynamics of the hosts. Especially relocation disrupts people from their homes, livelihoods, cultures and social activities. Mining industry has failed to develop the local host and streghten its governance structures; instead it has further degraded the development of mineral rich third world countries, which are among the world poorest ones. Cash flows derived from mining companies have not benefitted the crass-root level that however, bears most of the detrimental impacts. Especially if the governance structure of the host is weak, the sudden wealth is likely to accelerate disparities, corruption and even fuel wars. Environmental degradation, miscommunication, mistrust and disputes over land use have created conflicts between the communities and a mining company in Obuasi, Ghana; a case study of this thesis. The disputes are deeply rooted and further fuelled by unrealistic expectations and broken promises. The relations with artisanal and illegal miners have been especially troublesome. Illegal activities, mainly encroachment of the land and assets of the mine, such as vandalising tailings pipes have resulted in profits losses, environmental degradation and security hazards. All challenges mentioned above have to be addressed locally with site-specific solutions. It is vital to increase two-way communication, initiate collaboration and build capacity of the stakeholders such as local communities, NGOs and governance authorities. The locals must be engaged to create livelihood opportunities that are designed with and for them. Capacity can also be strengthened through education and skills training, such as women’s literacy programs. In order to diminish the overdependence of locals to the mine, the activities have to be self -sufficient and able to survive without external financial and managerial inputs. Additionally adequate and fair compensation practises and dispute resolution methods that are understood and accepted by all parties have to be agreed on as early as possible.