There is a growing trend in Ghana of appointing traditional authorities with an international migrant background. This study shows that Ghanaian chiefs who have lived abroad are expected to draw on transnational networks and experiences to bring development and innovation to their areas. Some collaborate with international development agencies, NGOs, and migrants, and tour ...» more
Library
This e-library contains more than 4500 external publications on governance, social development, conflict and humanitarian issues. It includes academic and grey literature selected for its basis in good quality research and coverage of a range of perspectives. Policy-oriented summaries of each document are provided, plus links to the full text.
Innovations in Democratic Governance: How Does Citizen Participation Contribute to a Better Democracy?
This study examines citizen participation in various Western countries. It shows that citizen involvement produces a number of benefits, which vary according to the type of democratic innovation. However, since these positive effects are perceptible only to those taking part, and the number of participants is often small, the benefits to individual democratic citizenship are ...» more
Africa and the Arab Spring: A New Era of Democratic Expectations
This paper suggests that the Arab Spring is a trigger for further democratic reforms in Africa, rather than a driver. There are few linear relationships linking events in North Africa to specific shifts in democratisation on the continent. However, the frustration propelling the protests in North Africa resonates with many Africans. The Arab Spring is instigating changes in the ...» more
Why Electoral Systems Matter: An Analysis of their Incentives and Effects on Key Areas of Governance
Electoral systems matter because – in interaction with other structural and institutional factors – they influence incentives regarding government effectiveness, violence and conflict, accountability, public policy, and electoral malpractice. There are trade-offs involved in all electoral systems. For example, proportional representation systems may be more likely than majority ...» more
Assessing the Impact of a Right to Sanitation on Improving Levels of Access and Quality of Services: Executive Summary
Does formal recognition of a right to sanitation (RTS) increase levels of availability and access to quality, affordable and adaptable sanitation services? This study finds that progress towards these goals seems to be faster in countries that have recognised an RTS. It is highly probable that sanitation services in countries seeking to fulfil an RTS will be more equitable and ...» more
Shifting Power? Assessing the Impact of Transparency and Accountability
What does impact mean in relation to accountability programmes and projects? This paper argues that current approaches to impact assessment in this field are inadequate: methodological wars are overshadowing key issues of power relations and politics. A learning approach to impact assessment is needed that gives power and politics a central place in monitoring and evaluation ...» more
Demography, Environment and Conflict in West Africa
What are the links between demographic factors, economic and environmental pressures, and conflict in West Africa? This paper examines West African conflicts, focusing on the 1990s, and argues that demographic, economic and environmental factors need to be given greater consideration in attempts to promote peace. Many West African countries have had to grapple with the mutually ...» more
Too Close for Comfort? Immigrant Exclusion in Africa
Why do some minority groups involved in South-South migration integrate into their host societies, whereas others face exclusion and hostility? Why, for example, are Nigerian Hausas integrated into Ghanaian society in Accra but rejected in Niamey (Niger)? This study draws on surveys of Nigerian Hausa and Yoruba immigrants and host populations in urban Ghana, Benin and Niger. ...» more
Ecosystem-based Adaptation to Climate Change: What Scope for Environmental Services?
This article analyses the opportunities and constraints of payments for environmental services (PES) as an instrument for ecosystem-based adaptation (EBA). It finds that PES is not suitable for all environmental services and country contexts, but can be a promising adaptation policy instrument where certain preconditions are met and synergies prevail. PES involves external ...» more
Creating Space for Action: Options for Small Island States to Cope with Global Environmental Change
This paper reviews the options available for small island states to adapt to global environmental change, particularly climate change. Climate change may create new pressures for small island states (such as severe ocean acidification) and intensify others (such as sea-level changes) in a comparatively short, yet unpredictable, amount of time. Internal relocation and migration ...» more
Migration and Global Environmental Change: Future Challenges and Opportunities
How might human population movements across the world be affected by global environmental changes up to 2060? This report examines both global and within-country migration trends. It finds that: millions will be 'trapped' in vulnerable areas and unable to move; people are as likely to move towards areas of environmental risk as to move away; but also that migration can ...» more
Making Adaptation Count: Concepts and Options for Monitoring and Evaluation of Climate Change Adaptation
This publication offers guidance for designing M&E systems for climate change adaptation. It argues that M&E systems need to enable results-based management, promote flexibility, and support iterative learning. Achieving these goals requires development practitioners to carefully articulate their adaptation objectives, clarify the basis for their project design, and make their ...» more
Rescuing Exclusion from the Poverty Debate: Group Disparities and Social Transformation in India
This paper examines how India's Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes categories are applied in poverty analysis and social policy, including in India's targeted poverty programmes and BPL (Below Poverty Line) Census. It finds that, while Indian poverty debates highlight the severe inequalities between social groups, they pay insufficient attention to the nature of exclusion. ...» more
Globalization’s Impact on Gender Equality: What’s happened and what’s needed
What impact has globalisation had on gender equality? This study examines the impacts of economic integration, technical change and access to information on gender inequality. It argues that not everyone is benefiting from globalisation. Women, for whom existing constraints are most binding, are often left behind. While the forces unleashed by globalisation have lifted some of ...» more
Education and Health: Where Do Gender Differences Really Matter?
This study notes that investments in health and education – human capital endowments – shape the ability of men and women to reach their full potential. It examines gender gaps in education and health, and progress in addressing them. It finds that great progress had been made in cases where removing a single barrier – in markets, households or institutions – is required. ...» more
Conflict, Security and Development: Practical Country Directions and Options
How have different countries recovered from episodes of violence? What practical tools exist for confidence-building? This chapter provides basic principles and a toolkit of options emerging from country lessons, showing how these can be adapted to different contexts. Key principles for sustained violence prevention and recovery are: inclusion (although coalitions need not be ...» more
Civil Society in Conflict Transformation: Strengths and Limitations
What problems and dilemmas are faced in the development of civil society in war-torn societies? What types of activities do NGOs undertake and what are their strengths and limitations? This chapter focuses on the potential contribution that civil society actors can make to peacebuilding, drawing on lessons from Bosnia-Herzegovina. It argues that support for civil society should ...» more
The Roots of Resilience: Exploring Popular Support for African Traditional Authorities
This examination of 2008-9 Afrobarometer survey data finds intense support for traditional authority across 19 African countries and all socio-demographic groups: large majorities believe that the institution should still play a significant role in local governance. Africans place considerable value on chiefs' role in managing and resolving conflict, their leadership qualities ...» more
World Report on Disability: Summary
This report finds that more than a billion people, about 15 per cent of the world's population, are estimated to live with some form of disability. It synthesises the evidence on how to address the barriers they face in health, rehabilitation, support and assistance, environments, education and employment. It argues that many of the barriers are avoidable, and that the ...» more
Thinking and Working Politically: What Does It Mean, Why Is It Important and How Do You Do It?
This paper suggests that working politically in a developmental context means directing attention and support to the agents of reform and development (leaders and organisations). This allows investment in the local processes that will resolve problems – such as problems of collective action – through the work of alliances and coalitions. Hence, it will drive the formation and ...» more
