In Southern Africa, landlessness due to the asset alienation that occurred during colonial occupation has been acknowledged as one of several ultimate causes of chronic poverty. Land redistribution is often seen as a powerful tool in the fight against poverty in areas where a majority of people are rural-based and make a living mostly, if not entirely, off the land.
In the late 1960s the Malawi government established irrigated settlement schemes throughout the country with the goal of promoting the production of rice for export to raise farmers' incomes. A supplementary objective was to promote the development of a sense of nationhood among people of different ethnic backgrounds settled on the schemes. The permanent settlement of people and their investment of surplus incomes in the local economy was envisaged to spur the growth of rural towns.
Through an analysis of the right to adequate food and the right to land, this civil society report, argued that achieving food sovereignty requires agrarian reform.
This is the draft report of a scoping study for the Forestry Commission on forests and climate change. The report discusses the role that sustainable forest management can play in mitigating climate change.
The Entrepreneurial sector in South Africa is seen as a critical component in addressing the fundamental issues of unemployment and poverty, as well as contributing to meaningful Black Economic Empowerment. This is very evident with the Home Based Entrepreneurs though low rates of entrepreneurship are still occurring. This research seeks to provide a deeper understanding of housing as a productive asset and its role in promoting economic activity and improved affordable housing supply, through supporting the activities of Home Based Entrepreneurs and Small Scale Landlords.
Since the formation of the Government of National Unity in 1994, there have been significant strides towards the transformation of the lives of ordinary South Africans. Set within a macroeconomic policy, which is focused on stimulating economic growth, there has been significant delivery in respect of the provision of housing, engineering services such as water and electricity and social services such as education, health and social safety nets for the most vulnerable.
This document is a collection of essays which survey the controversial aspects of the management of water resources in urban areas in view of the increasing urbanisation and privatisation of water services. It addresses and characterises the conflicts that arise within large human settlements due to economic and social implications of access to and use of basic water services. It also presents in-depth case studies from Europe, Asia and Latin America.Exploring the geneses of the urban water conflicts the essays in the document list the following important causal factors:
This paper presents the proceedings of a United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) held in December 2005. The report presents the workshop programme, objectives and methodology. Four papers were presented at the workshop, ensuing discussions by the participants are also included.
This report looks at the changes needed to ensure that gold mining will benefit development in resource rich countries, for example by generating revenue and creating jobs.With reference to case studies from Honduras and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the report outlines further changes needed in the gold mining industry.
This paper analyses transparency issues in Cameroon's oil sector. It shows that, while substantial efforts have already been undertaken, continued action is necessary to strengthen transparency.
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