Institute of Social Studies
D
E V E L O P M E N T
ISSues
Volume 2, number 2, September 2000
CONTENTS
Inside this issue:
Problems of Poverty and Marginalization 2
Page
Keith Griffin
Japan Hans Opschoor
From 28-30 June the yearly CERES Summer School took place at the Institute of Social Studies, organized by 3
Page
Income Inequality in Panama Niek de Jong and Rob Vos 4
Page
Buddhist Fundamentalism H.L. Seneviratne
Max Spoor, Charlotte Boer en Berhane Ghebretnsaie. The main theme of the school was Structural Transformation and Development. This broad theme offered an opportunity to reflect on the major and sometimes dramatic socioeconomic and political changes (adjustment and transition), that have taken place in particular during the past two decades in developing and transitional countries. The first day of the school was devoted to the theme ‘Transformation, rural livelihood, poverty, access to resources and environmental degradation’. The theme of the second day was ‘Transforming state and civil society, social exclusion and conflicts’. On the last day papers were presented on globalization and economic transformation. In total 22 papers were presented at the school, 17 of which were prepared by PhD students and five given by renowned scholars from
4
Page
The Internet and Environmental Resources Eric Ross 5
Page
Capacity Building in Vietnam Haroon Akram-Lodhi 7
Page
In Memoriam Arvind Das
abroad. These papers will be published as conference proceedings hopefully early next year. Below is a summary of the paper by Keith Griffin, entitled ‘Problems of Poverty and Marginalization’. Income poverty
provisioning. Finally, many countries
living in Sub-Saharan Africa. The inci-
regions have benefited equally and
Traditionally, economics has tended
designate the poverty line in different
dence of poverty in all other regions
the incidence of poverty remains high
to focus on poverty as an insufficien-
ways and at different levels, making
(Latin America, East and South East
because of inequality in income distri-
cy of money income. To measure
comparison difficult. In the majority of
Asia, the Arab region) is below the
bution.
poverty it is first necessary to define
cases, poverty is equated with an
world average, although the distribu-
A high average income (as in many
the unit of observation, income and
incapacity to provide an adequate
tion of income varies considerably
Arab countries) is not a sufficient con-
the poverty line. There are several dif-
diet – the poor are therefore reduced
across these regions.
dition for a low incidence of poverty,
ferent units of observation, of which
to those who are undernourished.
household income per capita is most
while countries with a low per capita Accurate figures on changes in the
income (such as those in South East
widely used for poor countries.
The World Bank uses a standard of
numbers of poor are difficult to obtain.
Asia) can go a long way towards eli-
Defining income can be problematic
US$1 a day to estimate the incidence
If one considers the low-income
minating poverty if they have a rela-
8
because it can fluctuate over time and
of income poverty. On this basis, the
countries as a whole, there has
tively equal distribution of income.
Human Rights and the Lomé Convention Karin Arts
may include non-money components,
majority (nearly half) of the world’s
undoubtedly been progress in redu-
such as payments in kind or self-
poor live in South Asia, with 39%
cing income poverty but not all
Page
Page
11
Capacity and Model Building in Kenya Rob Vos
continued on page 10
Religious Fundamentalism and Social Change Gerrie ter Haar In April and May of this year, the ISS hosted a seminar series on Religious Fundamentalism and Social Change. The series was organized under the auspices of the new External Chair on Religion, Human Rights and Social Change and
As an institute for advanced
sponsored by the National Committee for International Cooperation and Sustainable Development (NCDO), Cordaid,
international education and
the Interchurch Organization for Development Cooperation (ICCO), Stichting Katholieke Noden, the International
research, the ISS generates,
Institute for the Study of Islam in the Modern World (ISIM) and the Haëlla Foundation in The Hague.
accumulates and transfers
The series consisted of Private
years in many parts of the world and
concern to politicians and policy
Religious fundamentalism is often
Seminars, which were policy-oriented
can be expected to remain a signifi-
makers, human rights activists and
associated almost exclusively with
and attended by invitation only, and
cant social and political factor in the
development workers, as well as
certain trends in Islam; but, in fact,
human aspects of economic
Open Seminars, which were open to
years to come. It is therefore of crucial
others with a professional interest in
fundamentalist trends can be obser-
and social change, with a focus
the public. The aim of the series was
importance to increase our knowledge
the subject. During the seminars the
ved in most, if not all, major religions.
to stimulate a wider debate on the
and understanding of it, both inside
issue was explored in a global context
This was reflected in the presenta-
issue of religious fundamentalism,
and outside the academic community.
and within the various religious tradi-
tions by the invited speakers, who
informed by scholarly insights on the
Due to its socio-political implications
tions in which ‘fundamentalism’
addressed the way in which particular
subject.
and sometimes violent manifesta-
prominently appears today.
types of fundamentalism affect social change in various parts of the world,
knowledge and know-how on
on development and transition. The ISS is a leading centre in
tions, religious fundamentalism is
Special attention was given to issues
Religious fundamentalism has gained
often seen as a threat. Largely for
of social change and human rights.
considerably in influence in recent
this reason, it has become of serious
this field.
continued on page 6
1