Religion and relief: the role of religion in mobilizing civil society against global poverty

Abstract

Although global poverty is one of the world's most pressing contemporary problems, there is a lack of political will to address it, and much of the work is left to non-governmental organizations (NGOs)-many of which have religious connections. However, religion's role in this area is surprisingly understudied. In attempting to fill the gap, this study explores what makes religion effective in mobilizing civil society actors to engage in transnational poverty relief and development. The paper examines the salience of religious actors in the field, before developing a theoretical framework to explain this prevalence, employing sociologically based theories of religious social capital, content, and cultural power. Finally, these issues are investigated practically through case studies of two religious NGOs, World Vision New Zealand (WVNZ) and TEAR Fund New Zealand. The findings corroborate the theoretical framework, demonstrating the considerable potential of religion to mobilize civil society in the fight against global poverty.     

精准扶贫中的“援助诱惑”：问题、成因及治理

精准扶贫中的“援助诱惑”现象是指各类扶贫资源的大量投入对资源的各个利益攸关方形成诱惑,从而导致各方为得到资源而相互博弈的现象。它给精准扶贫带来的问题有：精英捕获问题、“扶贫依赖症”、腐败风险以及可能引发的社会风险。究其原因主要有：中国扶贫制度中的人性困惑、乡村治理的“内卷化”以及能力弱化、贫困者机会以及权利的贫困、扶贫政策欠合理及基层干部的问题等。最后提出解决“援助诱惑”问题的几个针对性对策建议。     

东西部居民最低生活保障实证分析与社会救助立法的完善

我国区域经济发展不平衡、城乡经济社会二元体例,导致居民最低生活保障区域差异、城乡差异特征鲜明,且在最低生活保障标准设计、救助能力等方面存在一定问题,进而影响社会救助立法整体定位与结构功能发挥。社会救助立法应着重结构功能定位,与慈善救助法分野互补,明确政府与社会组织的职责划分,科学且分层界定最低生活保障标准,将专项救助与临时救助整合为临时困难救助,规范居民收入、财产确认措施和救助程序,确保生存型社会救助立法与适用完善,使其充分发挥"最后一道社会安全保障网"的作用。     

教师工伤保险权利研究

教师工伤保险权利伴随我国教育体制以及学校人事管理制度改革逐步明晰并最终被纳入《工伤保险条例》适用范围内。教师工伤保险权利不同于教师公伤待遇,在法律关系基础、法律依据、适用范围、待遇以及纠纷解决方式上均存在较大差异。教师工伤保险权利的确立以教师与学校之间的劳动关系性质为前提。当务之急是加强对教师工伤保险权利的司法救济研究,从而及时解决教师工伤保险实践中的难题。     

The Politics of Recognition: Jewish Refugees in Relief Policies and Human Rights Debates, 1945–1950

This essay analyses the place of Jewish survivors in the refugee system established by the West in the aftermath of the Second World War. Departing from the literature of trauma and mourning, this article addresses Holocaust survivors as migrant refugees subjected to international categorisations, relief policies and human rights debates. Between 1945 and 1950, Jewish refugees were recognised as an ideal-type community of victims by western humanitarianism. Recognition entailed symbolic and material entitlements, and eventually rewarded Holocaust survivors with historical, political and territorial vindication. As opposed to other refugee groups who entered the market of international compassion in the 1940s, Jewish refugees were granted full status of political victims.     

With the Best of Intentions

Abstract

Charities and humanitarian organisations in Singapore that were involved in post-Tsunami relief and reconstruction work are repeatedly queried by volunteers, donors, and journalists. The world has pledged and donated billions to Tsunami relief and reconstruction, and I have personally given money to Singapore charities. Why do I still read about needy people in temporary shelters? Where has the money gone? Another question reflects similar sentiments of puzzlement, even frustration: I am moved by the devastation and would like to help by volunteering my time and expertise. I have signed up to volunteer with several humanitarian organisations. I am highly qualified and could help people. Why am I still not sent overseas?

These are good questions that deserve solid answers. This article discusses the latest thinking in relief circles as to which volunteers are best sent overseas and how donations can most responsibly be used for effective and sustainable reconstruction. The authors draw on Singapore's experience with providing relief in the aftermath of the Tsunami along with Dr. Tay Keong Tan's observations of relief and rehabilitation efforts in the Tsunami-affected areas of Sri Lanka and Indonesia. The article finds that volunteering requires much more than just a giving heart. Also, donations may be used most effectively by thinking long-term rather than just short-term. Further, donations are best administered in a way coordinated with local relief plans and in consultation with local people. The article closes by considering lessons for volunteers, donors, and humanitarian relief agencies from the Tsunami's aftermath.     

土地征收审批行为的性质认定及其意义 ———基于多阶段行政行为理论的分析

土地征收审批行为是具体行政行为还是行政内部行为,理论界和实务界对此并无一致观点,这不仅导致了对土地征收审批行为管理的混乱,还致使被征收人寻求司法救济的困顿.土地征收行为属于多阶段行政行为,按照显名主义原则,行政主体应为公告机关,土地征收审批行为只是审批机关的参与行为,是行政内部行为.但是,借鉴台湾地区尤其是德国的理论学说与司法实践,土地征收审批行为应属于显名主义原则的例外情形,在性质上应被认定为具体行政行为.科学合理地认定土地征收审批行为的性质,对于构建土地征收行为的正当程序及明晰被征收人权利救济机制具有十分重要的意义.     

浅议反垄断法民事救济制度之完善

反垄断民事救济制度具有保护垄断行为受害者、防范政府失灵与推动反垄断法实施的功能,但我国《反垄断法》对民事救济制度的规定相当模糊,仅在第五十条中简略规定,我国反垄断法民事救济制度仍存在大量的空白和缺陷。本文从民事救济的概念、功能及缺陷着手,针对我国当前反垄断民事救济制度的缺陷,在损害赔偿制度的完善、禁令救济的增加、原告资格的界定以及举证责任的明确等方面提出相应的完善措施。     

论股份有限公司股东的查阅权制度

股份有限公司作为一种开放性强的公司较其他类型公司体现出股东多且分散的特点.若股东获取公司信息的限制过多、成本太高时,他们便没有兴趣去查阅了.基于上述认识,文章通过对查阅权制度价值的分析.在比较各国查阅权制度差异性的基础上,试图寻找保护股东查阅权和维护公司利益的平衡点,从而进一步完善我国的股份有限公司股东的查阅权制度,增强该制度的实际探作性.     

食品安全的监管与救济

食品安全问题的发生并不完全是因为法律的不健全,其主要原因是监管不力,主要表现为监管部门不作为,执法人员不负责。所以,解决食品安全问题应把重点放在食品安全的监管上,加强监管力度,减少监管过程中的腐败,建立惩罚性赔偿制度和集团诉讼制度等事后救济制度。