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- No.2 / (5) Localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Title_ Localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Civil Society Organizations’ (CSOs) Strategies and Challenges in Malaysia Author_ Ying Hooi Khoo and Lii Inn Tan Pages 149-158 Abstract_ The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the accompanying 169 targets and 230 indicators cover a wide range of complex political, social and economic challenges. Address- ing these goals will require transformations in how societies and economies operate and how we interact with our planet. Human rights are not explicitly mentioned in the SDGs, but its mantra of “leave no one behind” mirrors key human rights principles. The SDGs are significant in two ways. First, they acknowledge rights in a way that the predecessor, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) had neglected. Second, the SDGs mark a turning point in approach, from a focus on a right to development to a human rights-based approach (HRBA). Recognising the instrumental role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the implementation of the SDGs, this article analyses strategies and challenges of Malaysian CSOs in making the SDGs work through a localization approach. Following an overview of the current SDG and human rights discourses in Malaysia, this article describes the SDG-related activities of CSOs. The attributes of CSOs that increase their potential effectiveness are also discussed. Keywords_ Humanrights, CSOs, Localization, Rights-based approach, SDGs, Malaysia
- IPAID 2020.11.25
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9
- No.2 / (4) Localizing SDG2 Zero Hunger through “Fair Food” in Australia
- Title_ Localizing SDG2 Zero Hunger through “Fair Food” in Australia Author_ Kiah Smith Pages 135-148 Abstract_ In Australia, and elsewhere, community food networks such as urban gardens, community supported agriculture, farmers’ markets, organic cooperatives, food charities and “fair food” organizations are important civil society stakeholders who actively confront food system inequalities such as food insecurity and food waste. These organizations emphasize equitable access to food that is ecologically sustainable, healthy and fairly produced, exchanged and consumed (i.e. food justice). This differentiates them from mainstream food security approaches and provides a potentially progressive framework for thinking about alternative food futures. This paper presents a sociological analysis of community “fair food” initiatives in Brisbane, Australia as a means of expanding SDG2 Zero Hunger to encompass local priorities. Following the presentation of a broad typology of initiatives, the paper will analyze selected case studies in terms of their: (a) personal and collective visions for future food systems, and (b) activities and outcomes related to food justice and food access. How do these place-based narratives connect to global sustainability goals? Findings indicate that more equitable food access is pursued in missions and activities that seek to build and connect (a) values of food justice, sovereignty, citizenship, farmer-consumer solidarity, empowerment and community control of food systems, with (b) solving practical problems associated with local ecological food production, reduction or redistribution of food waste, providing low- cost food to vulnerable groups, and restructuring finance. Scaling up to influence policy and financing remains a key challenge. These initiatives demonstrate significant synergies between ecological, social and economic values that are central to localising the SDGs. Keywords_ School of Social Science, The University of Queensland
- IPAID 2020.11.25
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8
- No.2 / (3) Export Product Diversification, Trade Openness and Foreign Direct Investment Inflows
- Title_ Export Product Diversification, Trade Openness and Foreign Direct Investment Inflows: An Empirical Analysis Author_ Sena Kimm Gnangnon Pages 114-134 Abstract_ This article aims to contribute to the literature on the relationship between international trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows by investigating whether export product diversification in host-countries influences FDI inflows to these countries, including when the latter further open-up to international trade. The analysis has been conducted on an unbalanced panel dataset comprising 143 countries over the period 1970-2010. Results, based on the two-step system Generalized Methods of Moments (GMM) approach, suggest that export product diversification exerts a positive and significant effect on FDI inflows, with this positive effect increasing as countries enjoy a higher real per capita income. This positive effect is particularly enhanced when the economic growth rate is positive in the host- country, as well as when the latter experiences greater trade openness. Keywords_ Export product diversification, Foreign direct investment, Trade openness
- IPAID 2020.11.25
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7
- No.2 / (2) Adapting the Participatory Approach for Poverty Reduction in Rural Cambodia
- Title_ Adapting the Participatory Approach for Poverty Reduction in Rural Cambodia: The Need for Creative Hybridization Author_ Phyllis Bo-yuen Ngai Pages 100-113 Abstract_ Cambodia remains one of the poorest countries in Asia. The Cambodian government has declared poverty reduction as its top development priority. Many NGOs have stepped in to help the rural population improve living conditions by means of increased participation in economic activity. Driven by international donors’ agendas, most Cambodian NGOs claim to embrace the participatory approach to development in combination with use of microfinance. Through investigating a Cambodian NGO’s approach to poverty reduction, this case study inspired critical reflection on the implications of adapting an exogenous vision to the rural-development context. The reported findings highlight localization of key elements of the participatory approach applied by the studied Cambodian NGO, including “community- based development” in the form of social enterprises, “self-reliance” in the form of self-help groups, and “participatory democracy” limited to the village level. The key theoretical principles of the participatory approach omitted by the local NGO featured in this study include: integrating indigenous knowledge, incorporating local voices throughout the development process, and addressing structural barriers that hinder full grassroots participation. A key lesson is that practitioners need to find the right mix of strategies and tactics called for in each unique development context. The author concludes with a list of thought-provoking questions intended to guide exploration of ways to adapt the participatory approach for poverty reduction in situ without compromising desired emancipatory goals. The need for creative hybridization merits particular consideration. Keywords_ Participatory approach, Rural development, Local NGO, Community-based organization, Microfinance, Cambodia
- IPAID 2020.11.20
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6
- No.2 / (1) Can Indonesia Reform its Tax System? Problems and Options
- Title_ Can Indonesia Reform its Tax System? Problems and Options Author_ James Alm Pages 71-99 Abstract_ The Indonesian tax system is plagued by a number of problems. Of most importance, the tax system generates an extraordinarily low level of revenues, due to several aspects of the tax system. There is evidence of significant amounts of tax evasion. The tax base has also been reduced by deliberate tax structure decisions, especially the choice of thresholds in the corporate income tax and in the value-added tax, along with the extensive system of fiscal incentives that are available in both taxes. These features of the tax system contribute to an overly complicated system, and they also illustrate the limitations of the tax administration. Indeed, the system has evolved over time in a piecemeal, ad hoc manner with little apparent thought given to the ways in which the pieces of the system need to fit together. This paper analyzes these problems , and it suggests possible options for tax reform. Keywords_ Tax reform, Tax effort, Tax evasion
- IPAID 2020.11.20
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5
- No.1 / (5) Changes in Women’s Operation of Agricultural Units in Peru
- Title_ Changes in Women’s Operation of Agricultural Units in Peru: Economic Advance or Impoverishment of Female Farmers? Author_ Eduardo Zegarra Pages 60-69 Abstract_ Figures from the last two agricultural censuses in Peru indicate significant changes in the presence of women conducting agricultural units. Altogether, women went from controlling 20% in 1994 to 31% of total agricultural units in 2012. In the conventional discourse, this is mostly assumed to be clear evidence for the “economic advance for women”, linked mainly to the increased access to agricultural land. This trend, however, can also be associated with a process of impoverishment, especially if women control increasingly smaller and low productivity agricultural units, and face unsurmountable barriers for better education, financing of high value crops and cattle, formal titling and other key services. In this paper we use a panel of districts from these two censuses to disentangle the occurrence of both processes in the asset and market access dimensions. We find evidence of very different processes occurring for women with and without male partners. We conclude that more control of agricultural units by women does not necessarily imply greater economic progress, especially if there are not specific policies in place to offset gender biases in the access to key agricultural assets, rural institutions and markets. Keywords_ Agricultural feminization, Gender analysis, Women economic advance, Rural Impoverishment, Peru
- IPAID 2020.11.20
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4
- No.1 / (4) The Impact of Migration and Migrant Remittances on Household Poverty in Bangladesh
- Title_ The Impact of Migration and Migrant Remittances on Household Poverty in Bangladesh Author_ Nahid Akhter and Md. Kamrul Islam Pages 43-59 Abstract_ Bangladesh is one of the major suppliers of migrant workers especially to the Middle East, and the flow of remittances has increased from $2.8 billion in 2002 to $13.52 billion in 2017, which is more than 5 per cent of the country’s GDP. This article investigates the impact of domestic and international migration and subsequent remittances on poverty. The empirical analysis reveals that there is a significant relationship between growth in remittances and different outcome variables in the economy with positive impact on poverty, household income and financial inclusion. The results indicate that both domestic and international remittances have positive impact on poverty alleviation; and these results are statistically significant. International migration and remittance supplies are important pathways out of poverty for the poor households. Considering the impact of remittances on poverty and economic outcomes, appropriate technical and vocational training are needed to utilize the full potential of the migrant workers and maximize the contributions of remittances to the domestic economy. Keywords_ Remittances, Savings, Migration, Income, Poverty, Bangladesh
- IPAID 2020.11.20
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3
- No.1 / (3) Are Saving and Bequest Constraints the Only Reasons for Child Labor? Evidence from Bangladesh
- Title_ Are Saving and Bequest Constraints the Only Reasons for Child Labor? Evidence from Bangladesh Author_ Md. Deen Islam Pages 30-42 Abstract_ This paper proposes a two-sector model of child labor to argue that income channels are necessary but not sufficient to explain the high incidence of child labor that we currently observe in less developed countries. In addition to income channels, the model in this paper uses two extra channels: parental optimism regarding the future and child’s scholastic ability, which affects the costs of education in terms of money and time. The model’s predictions are tested using data from the child labor survey of Bangladesh. Empirical results provide strong support in favor of the model's predictions that non-income channels have significant effects on the amount of time worked by child workers. Keywords_ Child Labor, Household Poverty, Parental Perception, Informal Sector, Returns to Education, Heterogeneous Ability
- IPAID 2020.11.20
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2
- No.1 / (2) Structural Change
- Title_ Structural Change: Is South Korea a Good Model for Developing Countries? Author_ Richard Grabowski Pages 19-29 Abstract_ South Korea’s structural change process seems to have been the result of an unbalanced growth strategy in which the agricultural sector was basically ignored for several decades while investment was focused on manufacturing. It has been argued by some scholars that for many of today’s developing countries this sort of development strategy is likely to be successful. However, it is argued in this paper that the early success of this unbalanced approach based on manufacturing rather than agriculture is not a good model for others to follow. Specifically, commodity aid (food and raw materials) was critical for South Korea’s unbalanced growth strategy. Without access to such significant amounts of aid most developing countries are unlikely to achieve successful structural transformation. As a result, agriculture must play a key role in the structural change process in many of today’s developing countries. Keywords_ Structural change, South Korea, Unbalanced growth, Agriculture
- IPAID 2020.11.20
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1
- No.1 /(1) Explaining Catch-Up in Human Development
- Title_ Explaining Catch-Up in Human Development: A Political Economy Comparison of the Philippines and Viet Nam Since 1986 Author_ Bob Baulch Pages 01-18 Abstract_ This paper examines the Philippines and Viet Nam’s contrasting human development and growth experiences since 1986 from a political economy perspective. By a sequenced combination of market liberalization, land reform, and public investments in health and education, plus large aid and foreign direct investment inflows, Viet Nam generated broad-based, sustained, and rapid economic growth. Viet Nam’s authoritarian but socially inclusive governments then used progressive taxation and inter-provincial transfers to translate this growth into human development outcomes. In contrast, in the Philippines, traditional elites were able to dominate the democratic process, capture rents and divert resources away from investment in human development and infrastructure, thereby stifling a short-lived growth acceleration. The Philippines was also caught in a low-revenue, low-expenditure trap due to its porous and regressive tax system and self-reinforcing internal revenue allotment mechanism. While not without difficulties in terms of rising vertical and horizontal inequalities, economic growth and human development in Viet Nam have therefore been more inclusive, as well as faster, than in the Philippines. Keywords_ Human development, Economic growth, Political economy, Philippines, Viet Nam
- IPAID 2020.11.20