Development Studies

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/10564

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    Involving young men in preventing violence against women : a case study of Instituto Promundo's Program H : a research report presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of International Development at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand
    (The Author, 2016) Rose, Courtney-Jane
    Intimate partner violence among youth is recognised as a public health concern, an obstacle to economic development, and a gross violation of human rights. This research found that intimate partner violence against women is closely linked to inequitable gender attitudes. In order to combat violence related to these gender attitudes, prevention interventions have particularly targeted young men in recent years. However, in aiming to solve this issue, violence prevention has often heavily focused on reducing the risk of negative behaviour, rather than positively empowering youth participation and growth. Approaches that instead view youth as resources to be developed, rather than simply as risks to society, are recommended. This research is focusing specifically on Instituto Promundo as an example of an organisation that seeks to fulfil youth rights in practice and improve youth behaviour and attitudes relating to gender within the Brazilian context. Promundo’s ‘Program H’ works to empower young men to rewrite harmful traditional masculinities and ultimately prevent violence through engagement in both individual and community activities. This report utilised a Positive Youth Development framework to investigate Program H, and found that the initiative has the potential to simultaneously prevent the risk of violence while also promoting positive youth behaviour. Program H significantly contributes to changing inequitable gender norms amongst young men, with potential positive and empowering flow-on effects to the young people of Brazil and the wider Latin American region.
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    Indigenous rights and development : inequality constraints in Brazilian cities : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of International Development at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (The Author, 2013) Souza Zaiden, Soraya
    This thesis aims at identifying how indigenous rights, as part of a human rights approach to development, have been addressed by urban welfare policies in Brazil. As a starting point, this desk based study is primarily focused on an analysis of the impacts of urbanisation on indigenous livelihoods. Despite not being a new trend, urbanisation of indigenous people has exposed their situation of deprivation and disadvantage, and the increasing pressures of assimilation policies. Social indicators of urban indigenous communities’ wellbeing have pointed to a growing gap between indigenous and non-indigenous population. The access to distinct basic welfare provision is not only determinant in reducing disparities but would also represent the compliance of a state with the indigenous rights framework. This thesis investigates if and how the Brazilian social agenda is in compliance with and indigenous rights framework. The Brazilian government acknowledged Brazil as multi-ethnic, which is reflected in the domestic legal framework, and also in the ratification of international covenants and declarations related to indigenous rights. However, the need of the urban indigenous population for differentiated service provisions has represented a challenging matter in policy making. The existence of an implementation gap between the indigenous rights framework and their effective application is a relevant theme for analysis and evaluation, in order to identify the factors that are hindering state compliance with the standards that have already been legislated. To this regard, the experience of urban indigenous communities in Brazil is explored in two case studies, related to the Pankararu, in Sao Paulo, and the Terena, in Campo Grande. The outcomes of the mainstream welfare policies are also investigated through the lens of urban indigenous communities. Ultimately this thesis unveils the potential of the Brazilian state, as the duty-bearer of indigenous rights, as capable and responsible to unleash the realisation of indigenous expectations to overcome powerlessness, economic underdevelopment and cultural disruptions.
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    Free trade or fair trade? How changes in the current international trade system could act as a development tool for third world countries : the Brazilian case : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2002) Couto, Rossana Gabriely de Oliveira
    This study analyses and discusses the impacts of fair trade on cooperatives in Brazil. It also addresses the debate on free trade, showing its weaknesses and strengths; and it acknowledges the importance of governments' macropolicies in promoting development though trade. This study supports the view that international trade, as practised today, is detrimental to the economies of Third World countries, and it suggests actions to overcome negative impacts of international trade. One of these suggestions is alternative trade. However, this study argues that alternative trade, although an efficient tool in promoting the interests of small farmers, poor communities, and unskilled workers, should not be substituted for mainstream trade. Instead, alternative trade should act as a complement and promote the interests of those who have been losing with trade liberalisation policies. In examining one of the alternatives to free trade (the fair trade movement) research was conducted in Brazil in 2001. The evidence from research shows that although fair trade is found in its initial stages in Brazil, the impact has been beneficial to those cooperatives involved with it. The research also found differences between rural and urban participants. Groups in a rural context shared same experiences and types of products (agriculture), while groups in an urban context shared different experiences and were involved in other types of products (manufactures). Although all groups shared some similar difficulties, rural groups were more disadvantaged in terms of the distance, lack of infrastructure, communication problems, and lack of access to services. This study concludes that although the fair trade movement is still in its initial stages in Brazil and has had minor macroeconomic impacts on the Brazilian economy, it should be encouraged since it creates opportunities for marginalised groups to sell their production and reach a minimum standard of living. The study also argues that both alternative and mainstream trading system have their strengths and weaknesses, and that the ideas behind alternative trade should be incorporated into the mainstream trading system in order to make it fairer to all participants.