August
Email Update
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Contents
Hot
Topics
Food
Security and Social Protection
Community
Led Total Sanitation
Agriculture
Organisational
Links
Tools
Events
and Training
Post-Its
Vacancies
Announcement
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Issue
No 94, August 2008
Our monthly update is to keep you informed
of developments in the area of sustainable livelihoods.
Livelihoods
Seminar Series
The
Livelihoods
Network is organising an ESRC-funded
seminar series bringing together academics, policy-makers, postgraduate
researchers and practitioners to explore the lessons learnt
from a decade of theoretical development and practical application
of Sustainable Livelihoods Approaches (SLAs).
This
1st seminar aims to initiate a critical re-evaluation
of the development and evolution of SLAs from academic, policy-maker
and practitioner perspectives. It will be held at IDS
on the 13th of October 2008.
A
small number of £50 travel bursaries are
available to postgraduate students and other young researchers
to attend the seminars and present their research in poster format.
To
contribute to online discussions, including the
construction of an SLA development timeline, and keep up-to-date
with the outputs from the series, join the Livelihoods
Seminar Group
Participation
in this seminar series is open and we are keen to engage a range
of academics, development practitioners and policy-makers. However,
places are limited, so please email livelihoods-connect@ids.ac.uk
by 12th September to reserve a place.
Key
Documents
Livelihood
Diversification in Borana Pastoral Communities of Ethiopia: Prospects
and Challenges
Kejela Gemtessa; Emana Bezabih; Waktole Tiki (2007)
The
study is based on survey data from participatory research in three
communities. It emphasises the importance of livestock mobility
in providing access to food and pasture supply; and stresses the
importance of infrastructure in promoting communication in pastoral
communities.
From
the Ground Up: Education and Livelihoods in South Sudan
Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children (2007)
The report
finds education and training in Southern Sudan to be grossly inadequate.
It recommends livelihoods interventions that are appropriate for
local circumstances so that they build on, rather than undermine,
existing livelihood strategies, especially in agriculture and
microcredit services.
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| Hot
Topic |
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| Food
Security and Social Protection |
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From
Food Crisis to Fair Trade: Livelihoods Analysis, Protection and
Support in Emergencies
The paper discusses the DFID SLA framework
and how it applies to food related emergencies. It argues that emergency
interventions should be based on a multidimensional livelihoods
risk analysis. Several case studies from different regions and sectors
of the economy are used to support this point.
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A
Preliminary Assessment of Energy and Ecosystem Resilience in Ten
African Countries
The study identifies points of vulnerability
in climate change. It includes a table identifying vulnerabilities
and recommendations for each of the ten countries. The priorities
identified include: harnessing indigenous knowledge and mobilising
and institutionalising social capital to achieve resilience. |
Access
to Assets: Implications of Climate Change for Land and Water Policies
and Management
The
paper maintains that vulnerabilities arising from climate change
will be exacerbated under certain agricultural growth strategies
as powerful agro-industries and tourism operators make new claims
over scarce land and water. Given this low level of security, the
paper recommends a rights based regime for DFID policy. |
| The
Impact of Rising Food Prices on Disparate Livelihoods Groups in
Kenya
The document focuses on the shortfall in
the supply of maize in Kenya. It identifies the factors responsible,
including weather conditions, post-election violence and fuel
prices. It recommends lifting export bans, a review of the taxation
regime and improving emergency response capacity as livelihoods
strategies. |
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| Hot
Topic |
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| Agriculture |
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Rural
Livelihoods, Poverty, and the Millennium Development Goals: Evidence
from Ethiopian Survey Data
The study looks at the issues facing Ethiopian households. It maintains
that whilst there is progress, household incomes are low and varied.
Assets could potentially help smooth consumption, but the current
property rights structure, where land is in government ownership,
limits household options. |
Climate
Change and Pastoralists: Investing in People to Respond to Adversity
This opinion piece focuses on how rising temperatures, decreasing
rainfall and longer droughts have increased the pressure on pastoral
resources and led to a rise in destitution in Africa. To combat
these threats, it recommends greater herd mobility; better access
to natural resources; and strengthening conflict resolution. |
Links
Between the Local Trade in Natural Products, Livelihoods and Poverty
Alleviation in a Semi-arid Region of South Africa
This paper looks at whether the commercialisation of natural indigenous
products can help reduce poverty and vulnerability. It looks at
four such products: traditional brooms, reed mats, woodcraft, and
“marula” beer. Overall, income from these products often
surpasses local wage rates, and, more importantly, offers the opportunity
to work from home. |
| Tools |
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UNHCR
Tool for Participatory Assessment in Operations
This tool outlines a series of steps to follow for conducting
a participatory assessment with refugees or other persons of concern.
It helps ensure that people of a diverse range of ages and backgrounds
are given the opportunity to identify and voice their own protection
risks, priorities and solutions.
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| Events
and Training |
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International
Workshop on HIV/AIDS in Conflict, Post-Conflict and Emergency Contexts
The course looks at how conflicts and emergency situations interrupt
lives and increase vulnerability to HIV infection, and lead to a
broader livelihoods deterioration. Location:
Nairobi, Kenya. Date: 13 – 16 October 2008. |
Microfinance
India Summit
The summit attracts policy makers, practitioners, donors and researchers
to discuss the key issues faced by the sector in India. The summit
is themed around pro-poor development, with a particular emphasis
on up- scaling and sustainability. Location:
New Delhi, India. Date: 11 – 12 November 2008. |
7th
Global Conference on Human Development
The conference will address a broad range of development challenges.
It brings together over 1000 stakeholders from government, academia
and the private sector. It includes a session on Agriculture and
Sustainable Livelihoods. There is a pre-conference discussion
forum on each topic area. Location:
Takayama, Japan. Date: 17 – 21 November 2008.
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| Post-Its |
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Call
for Papers: Triennial Conference Indiana University
The conference is themed around health, healing, and rural life.
The Rural Women's Association invites proposals for individual papers,
panel sessions, workshops, or presentations on this theme. Deadline:
30 September 2008. |
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| Vacancies |
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Livelihoods
Consultants
UNHCR is developing a roster of livelihoods experts who will be
deployed to their field operations for periods between 4-12 weeks.
The projects aim to strengthen and diversify the livelihoods of
displaced populations and host communities. Location:
UNHCR Field Operations. Deadline: 08 September 2008. |
Livelihood
and Peacebuilding Manager
The Livelihoods Program Manager will lead the development and implementation
of Mercy Corps’ livelihoods and peace-building activities
in Darfur. These activities include a range of interventions aimed
at improving conditions for displaced communities. Location:
Darfur, Sudan. Deadline: 14 September 2008. |
Food
Security and Livelihoods Program Manager
The Manager will assist the Catholic Relief Services program in
West Darfur provide a focus on building local capacities, re-establishing
livelihoods, rehabilitating local markets and promoting Integral
Human Development.
Location: Darfur, Sudan. Deadline:
05 October 2008. |
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| Announcement |
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After
5 years with Livelihoods Connect, I will be leaving the team to
take up work around climate change adaptation with the Climate
Change Development Group at IDS. Thanks to all of you who have
shared your resources, and contributed to the project –
my favourite part of the position was connecting with you all.
Sincerely,
Maggie Ibrahim |
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| About
Livelihoods Connect |
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The
Livelihoods Network is a global list of practitioners, researchers
and policy makers interested specifically in sustainable livelihoods.
It invites members to share thoughts and experiences and develop
their ideas around Livelihoods Approaches by networking through
our email discussion list and participating at an annual face to
face workshop. |
The
purpose of Livelihoods Connect is to facilitate the practical
implementation of sustainable livelihoods approaches. Visit Livelihoods
Connect on the web at: http://www.livelihoods.org/index.html
Comments
on Livelihoods Connect are welcomed by Jagdeep Shokar at:
Email:
livelihoods-connect@ids.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)1273 878 351
Fax: +44(0)1273 621 202
This
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(c)
IDS August 2008
Livelihoods
Connect
Institute of Development Studies
at the University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RE, UK
IDS, a charitable company limited by guarantee: Registered Charity
No. 306371; Registered |
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