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102. Ambitious SDG Goal Confronts Challenging Realities: Access to Justice is still Elusive for Many Africans
- Author:
- Carolyn Logan
- Publication Date:
- 03-2017
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Afrobarometer
- Abstract:
- Access to justice for all citizens has long been recognized as a cornerstone of democracy, good governance, and effective and equitable development. Its centrality has recently been highlighted in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG16), which calls for all societies to “promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels” (United Nations, 2016). The United Nations Development Programme (2004) has even described access to justice as a basic human right. Access to justice is described broadly as the ability of citizens to “seek and obtain remedies” (American Bar Association, 2012, i) and to “prevent the abuse of their rights and obtain remedies when such rights are abused” (United States Agency for International Development, 2010, 12). Providing access to justice requires meeting several conditions. It requires a legal framework that protects citizens’ rights and that is known and comprehensible to ordinary people. It requires that court costs are reasonable and that legal counsel is both available and affordable. And it requires that citizens are confident that laws will be fairly and effectively applied. In short, it requires the existence of a remedy, citizens with the legal empowerment and capacity to seek a remedy, and a court system with the capacity and will to provide an effective remedy (International Commission of Jurists, 2009). These conditions are often evaluated through expert assessments. However, the perspectives of ordinary citizens – including both the public at large and actual users of the legal system – can shed critical light on the extent to which people enjoy access to justice. Do ordinary citizens use the legal system to resolve disputes, or do they avoid it? Do they have confidence in court decisions, and in their own ability to secure just outcomes? Can they obtain the legal advice they need, and afford to pursue a case? And when they do go to court, what are their experiences? Are women, the poor, or marginalized groups treated differently than men or wealthy elites?
- Topic:
- Development, Inequality, Sustainable Development Goals, Justice, and Sustainability
- Political Geography:
- Africa
103. Ukraine: Four Pathways to Sustainable Ethno-Cultural Governance
- Author:
- Tove H. Malloy
- Publication Date:
- 10-2017
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI)
- Abstract:
- Reform is a word that is used frequently with respect to the democratic transformation of Ukraine following the change of regime after the manifestations and demonstrations in the Maidan square around the change of the year 2013/14. Unfortunately, very few analysts consider ethno-cultural governance and national minority protection important aspects of the reform efforts. Establishing permanent and functioning inter-ethnic structures receives little attention, except in the small circle of human rights defenders. Although a breakout of inter-ethnic tensions is on everybody’s mind, establishing lasting legal and political institutions for stable and peaceful inter-ethnic relations remains absent from most of the international debate on the future of Ukraine. Indeed, it has been argued that reforms with high relevance for the country’s future, such as territorial and administrative reforms have been largely ‘ethnically neutral.’ This Issue Brief discusses four pathways towards sustainable ethno-cultural governance and stable inter-ethnic relations in Ukraine and proposes institutionalized and open dialogue as well as awareness campaigns as a cross-cutting tool to avert tension.
- Topic:
- Civil Society, Governance, Minorities, Ethnicity, and Sustainability
- Political Geography:
- Europe and Ukraine
104. A Window on Policy Priorities: Evidence From the Citizens of 34 African Countries
- Author:
- Marvis Zupork Dome
- Publication Date:
- 03-2015
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Afrobarometer
- Abstract:
- The post-2015 sustainable development discourse has emphasized the need for a more inclusive and participatory policy framework projecting the voices of the people in policy-making and implementation processes. Some commentators have argued that while the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have achieved some poverty reduction, the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) should be better designed to enhance the living standards of the people. Yet not much has been done to create the necessary space for citizens’ voices to be heard. This paper argues for a more rigorous insistence on listening to citizens’ voices as part of the development policy process. It begins this listening through an analysis of the most urgent policy priorities of Africans, as expressed in Afrobarometer survey data from 34 African countries. Analyses of differences by region, income level, and human development level provide useful insights for the development discourse going forward.
- Topic:
- Civil Society, Development, Public Opinion, and Sustainability
- Political Geography:
- Africa
105. The Economic Transition in Myanmar: Towards Inclusive, People Centered and Sustainable Economic Growth
- Author:
- Anita Prakash
- Publication Date:
- 08-2013
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
- Abstract:
- Myanmar has embarked on an ambitious program of sweeping reforms to end its isolation and integrate its economy with the global system. In this reform period, Myanmar faces the challenge to remain on the course ofreforms and openness while pursuing its economic growth. The Challenges of this transition can be met with a development model which is inclusive, people centered and sustainable.
- Topic:
- Civil Society, Development, Economics, Reform, Economic Growth, and Sustainability
- Political Geography:
- Asia, Burma, and Myanmar
106. Organic Agriculture as an Opportunity for Sustainable Agricultural Development
- Author:
- Verena Seufert
- Publication Date:
- 01-2012
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Institute for the Study of International Development, McGill University (ISID)
- Abstract:
- We need drastic changes in the global food system in order to achieve a more sustainable agriculture that feeds people adequately, contributes to rural development and provides livelihoods to farmers without destroying the natural resource basis. Organic agriculture has been proposed as an important means for achieving these goals. Organic agriculture currently covers only a small area in developing countries but its extent is continuously growing as demand for organic products is increasing. Should organic agriculture thus become a priority in development policy and be put on the agenda of international assistance as a means of achieving sustainable agricultural development? Can organic agriculture contribute to sustainable food security in developing countries? In order to answer these questions this policy brief tries to assess the economic, social and environmental sustainability of organic agriculture and to identify its problems and benefits in developing countries. Organic agriculture shows several benefits, as it reduces many of the environmental impacts of conventional agriculture, it can increase productivity in small farmers’ fields, it reduces reliance on costly external inputs, and guarantees price premiums for organic products. Organic farmers also benefit from organizing in farmer cooperatives and the building of social networks, which provide them with better access to training, credit and health services. Organic agriculture generally reduces the vulnerability of farmers as the higher organic prices act as buffer against the low prices and price volatility of conventional markets, as organic systems are often more resilient against extreme weather events, and as the often diverse organic crop-livestock systems provide a diverse set of outputs. On the other hand, organic farmers in developing countries need to access international markets, they require often costly certification and have increased demand for labour. Overall, organic agriculture thus provides promises for sustainable agricultural development, but its shortcomings need to also be considered. This policy brief therefore concludes with a set of specific recommendations on what policy options could best address the current problems of organic agriculture and ensure the success of an organic agriculture development strategy.
- Topic:
- Agriculture, Development, Food, and Sustainability
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
107. Botswana's Debt Sustainability: A Brief Narrative
- Author:
- Haile Taye
- Publication Date:
- 03-2011
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
- Abstract:
- In terms of basic macroeconomic indicators, Botswana is, on the whole, in an enviable position relative to many African countries. The recent economic crisis notwithstanding, its growth rate has been more than average and its Balance of Payments position (as reflected in its foreign exchange reserves) has been impressive. Further, its exchange rate has been relatively stable compared to many middle and low income countries. Some of the weak points of the economy in recent years have been: (a) high inflation, even though it declined to a single digit in the last year (from 15% to about 7%); (b) relatively high unemployment for a fast growing economy (about 20%, according to the 2007 Informal Sector Survey); (c) stable financial sector, but with a wide spread between deposit and lending interest rates; and (d) lack of diversification, a heavy reliance on a few mineral products.
- Topic:
- Debt, Macroeconomics, Sustainability, and Economic Crisis
- Political Geography:
- Africa and Botswana
108. Where Have all the Flowers Gone? Assessing the Sustainability of Current Reductions in Opium Poppy Cultivation
- Author:
- David Mansfield
- Publication Date:
- 05-2010
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU)
- Abstract:
- Levels of opium poppy cultivation have fallen in Afghanistan for two consecutive years and it now appears that cultivation will be maintained at this relatively low level for another year. This briefing paper examines the reasons behind the reductions and assesses their sustainability, with special emphasis on the key provinces of Nangarhar and Helmand. It identifies instability and drops in livelihood standards caused by coercive reductions in opium poppy cultivation, and finds that increasing levels of wheat production do not reflect a sustainable shift from opium production, but instead are a sign of market failure, growing concerns over food security, and coercion.
- Topic:
- Security, Agriculture, Food, Rural, Drugs, and Sustainability
- Political Geography:
- Afghanistan and Middle East
109. Global Financial Crisis and Policy Responses in Southeast Asia : Towards Prudent Macroeconomic Policies
- Author:
- Friska Parulian
- Publication Date:
- 07-2009
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
- Abstract:
- The global financial crisis hit the Southeast Asian economies through financial and real sectors by the combination of lower global demand and tighter credit demand effect. The challenge for policymakers in this region is not just to prevent the escalation of the crisis and to mitigate the downturn, but also to ensure a good starting position once the rebound sets in. Policymakers should avoid taking on an excessive level of debt or creating the conditions for an inflationary bubble by the current reaction to the global slowdown. A prudent counter-cyclical policy is necessary, and we should not ignore the medium and long-term sustainability.
- Topic:
- Economics, Global Financial Crisis, Macroeconomics, and Sustainability
- Political Geography:
- Asia and Southeast Asia
110. Is Promoting Foreign Direct Investment Worthwhile? Learning from the East Asian Experience
- Author:
- Dionisius Narjoko
- Publication Date:
- 11-2009
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
- Abstract:
- East Asia presents a new model of industrialization that aggressively utilizes the dynamics of multinational corporations (MNCs). The model puts networks of production into practice, and such networks improve domestic capability and contribution to national output. Promoting foreign direct investment (FDI) is therefore warranted to ensure the sustainability of the production-network model. For this reason, FDI should always be promoted even when demand is less supportive, such as at this moment during the current global economic crisis.
- Topic:
- Foreign Direct Investment, Economy, Manufacturing, Industrialization, and Sustainability
- Political Geography:
- East Asia and Asia