This report assesses the place of health in global economic development. Health is understood to be a central goal and an important outcome of development. It is also important to invest in health to promote economic development and poverty reduction. The report suggests a new strategy for investing in health for economic development in the world's poorests countries, based upon a new global partnership of developed and developing countries. Two important initiatives are required: a significant scaling up of resources spent in the health sector by poor countries and donors, and tackling non-financial obstacles, which limit capacity in poor countries to deliver health services
This paper discusses the lack of empirical evidence or analyses of local information and communication technology (ICT) applications, and their impact on people's social and economic lives. While there is a lot of information about the potential benefits of using ICT to alleviate poverty and promote equity, the lack of monitoring and evaluation in this area means that guidelines for the effective deployment of ICT, and its appropriation at the local level, have not evolved
Written from a child's perspective, this book describes how disabled children view their world. It is aimed at practitioners who would like to learn about the child's opinion
Provides a framework for pro-poor ICT based initiatives, in the context of globalisation and the rights to information and freedom of expression. Discusses 'old' versus new and emerging ICTs, concluding that the lure of technological and infrastructural solutions has tended to divert attention away from ICTs that poor people actually use - but that the convergence of old and new ICT presents opportunities. Suggests that donors should support the private sector and governments in developing pro-poor strategies. Advocates careful strategic planning and judicious use of appropriate media in every communications initiative
This paper provides an overview of Inclusion International’s priorities in the following areas: education, poverty reduction, children's rights, maternal and infant health care, ethical medical research and human rights. It provides a realistic snapshot of the current situation facing people with disabilities. Inclusion International’s millennium development goals (MDGs) mirror those of the UN to link efforts and achieve results for people with intellectual disabilities and their families. Inclusion International’s MDGs provide an agenda for inclusive policy and programming in education, maternal and child health, poverty reduction, human rights, gender equality, HIV/AIDS and global partnership which is substantiated by clear targets that they are committed to working towards by the year 2015
This report summarises the interconnections between disability and chronic poverty. After giving general information about different stakeholders, principles and structures, it presents two case studies (from India and Uganda) where action is being taken to mitigate or reduce chronic poverty among disabled people
This paper is based on a research project undertaken by ITDG and funded by DFID in to the knowledge and information systems of the urban poor. Using an action research approach, the research team found that the urban poor do require knowledge and information to improve their livelihoods, but there are gaps in what is offered; that social networks are the biggest information source, followed by key informants; that a wide range of 'infomediaries' supplies information, but again their are gaps; and that although there are a number of cases of strengthening the knowledge and information systems of the urban poor, ICTs are not yet playing a major role here
This study highlights the role information and communication technologies (ICT) can play in the fight against poverty of disabled people in developing countries. The study addresses the possibilities and barriers ICT can cause for disabled people. It shows the role ICT can play in the provision of services and information for disabled people in the context of middle and low income countries
This lengthy report examines the patterns of utilization, ownership and affordability of ICT in these two regions. It also discusses the application of ICT to the poor by the private sector, government and NGOs. The paper notes the significant gap between industrialized countries and these two regions and two internal gaps - between the richest and poorest and between the urban and rural areas. It also notes several principles for ICT use to alleviate poverty.
This collection of papers includes contributions from leading figures in development including policy makers and a Nobel Laureate. It covers a broad spectrum from methodological issues to policy concerns, whilst emphasising 'what works' in poverty reduction programmes. Contributors emphasise social funds and safety nets, social services, crisis prevention, informal social security and insurance systems, anti-corruption programmes, mobilisation of the poor and ultimately the creation of a workable civil society
"This paper sets out the central role that well-governed and managed cities and towns can play in reducing poverty. The key message is that achievement of the International Development Targets will depend in part on the development of strategies which recognise the important role played by cities and towns in strengthening poor people's capacity to improve their socio-economic and political conditions. It underlies the need to address the particular characteristics of urban poverty which can constrain these opportunities."
This report consists of briefing papers submitted to the Committee of Inquiry into Social Security Reform in South Africa that addressthe system of social security in South Africa and identifies plausible options for reform. It borrows recommendations from the system of reform occurring in the UK, and where appropriate, also provides other international examples. This work would be useful for anyone with an interest in poverty reduction and welfare reform
This position paper has two broad purposes. First, it seeks to make explicit key aspects of the strategic thinking which has informed the design and development of the UNESCO Drug Abuse Prevention Programme for Marginalized Youth in Asia (DAPPA), as well as articulating some specific issues with which the programme engages within the context of over-arching UNESCO mandates on education and poverty eradication. Second, drawing upon experience among programme partners, the paper describes some of the key components of the project and highlights their mutually complementary nature
"Part I of the paper asserts the links between disability and human rights by highlighting the relationship between disability, gender and development by examining the ways in which poverty, environmental factors and gender issues determine access to health services by physically impaired women, men and young people in South Asia...In Part II of the paper the case study of a community hospital in Bangladesh specialising in the provision of medical care and rehabilitation services for paralysed women, men and children is used as a basis to examine the extent to which a unique and specialised service was able to meet the gender needs of its patients...Overall, the paper recommends that strategies to mainstream disability within a good governance policy objective at the global and national levels is essential if the relationship between disability rights and human rights is to be honoured and respected"
