Local economic development and urban poverty alleviation: the experience of post-apartheid South Africa

Urban poverty is a policy issue of growing significance in post-apartheid South Africa. In terms of the new Constitution the developmental role of local governments is given considerable attention. Against a background analysis of the best practice of local anti-poverty strategies in the developing world, this paper reviews the experience of eight case studies of local economic development (LED) initiatives. The case studies review a cluster of research findings from South African metropolitan areas (Midrand, Port Elizabeth, inner-city Durban, Khayelitsha and Winterveld) followed by issues from secondary cities (Nelspruit, Harrismith) and small towns (Stutterheim). A key conclusion from the experience of post-apartheid South Africa is that LED practitioners are currently struggling to find means to integrate their LED initiatives with the task of poverty alleviation.     

Trickle-down or Rising Tide? Lessons on Mainstreaming Gender Policy from Colombia and South Africa

As a result of the United Nations Decade for Women (1976–1985) many member states of the United Nations in the South put in place some form of national machinery for the advancement of women. This paper considers that process, identifying three main phases. The first was heavily overlaid by the agendas of international development agencies and coincided with efforts to advance a "women in development" or WID agenda within international development cooperation. The second, explored here in relation to Colombia, saw a shift towards attempts to institutionalize gender awareness in development policy, the so-called "gender and development" or GAD approach. Against this background, the later South African experience is evaluated. It is argued that this potentially represents a third and distinguishable phase in the establishment of national machineries. Here structures were set up in the context of less aid dependence than many other countries and as a result of a process that was largely internally driven. Nevertheless, South Africa enjoyed tremendous support from international women's networks and lessons were learnt from past experience elsewhere, both positive and negative. The South African approach to advancing gender equality is arguably the most progressive to be found anywhere. What remains to be seen is whether it will be possible to implement, given the persistence of poverty and inequality nationally and South Africa's increasing identification with international neo-liberal agendas.     

The post-1994 transformation of social work in South Africa

This article examines the transformation of social work in South Africa in response to the transition to a developmental welfare approach. Always moulding and shaping itself in response to its social context, social work in South Africa, as elsewhere, is a reflection of the broader political landscape. In South Africa the social work profession has struggled to assert its independence and become self-regulating. It is unique in the Western world in that since 1978 it has been regulated by a legislatively constituted statutory council. While the profession has tried to transform itself in the new democracy, outside pressures have found it wanting and deeply divided. Thus, despite progress in other areas social workers have not yet been successful in forming a strong, united professional association and this severely limits its ability to lobby politicians and advocate on behalf of clients. It seems, however, that the tide is turning and social workers are gaining recognition but, once again, the challenge remains deciding on the extent to which the profession cooperates with the government's agenda for change. Social work educators took the lead in setting education standards in response to higher education policy and are also playing a part in devising practice standards through their involvement in the social work board which falls under the umbrella of the Council for Social Service Professions. However, education and practice are somewhat out of step and professional unity remains a pressing issue on social work's transformation agenda.     

当代南部非洲国家公民社会现状及存在问题探析

当代南部非洲国家的公民社会组织大体上分为工会、教会、人权组织、妇女组织、青年组织、环保组织等多个类别.由于历史背景和所处国家环境的不同,该地区国家的公民社会的发展状况存在较大差异.但总的来看,公民社会组织为该地区国家的社会经济发展做出了自己的应有贡献.尤其是,它们在促进南部非洲国家由威权统治向民主转型以及保障民众权益方面发挥了举足轻重的作用.它们采取呼吁、情愿、抗议直至非暴力抵抗运动等各种形式向不义和暴政宣战,有力地推动了南部非洲地区国家的政治现代化进程.由于历史原因,目前这些公民社会组织的发展也面临亟待解决的问题和困境.     

Responses to poverty in post-apartheid South Africa: some reflections

I discuss in this article the challenge of addressing people's psychosocial needs when the causes of problems are environmental or structural. I argue that poverty can be addressed only by tackling its structural causes and removing social inequalities. In so doing, I argue that a range of antipoverty measures introduced by the government have proved ineffective, including neoliberal measures to foster economic growth, such as GEAR and ASGISA, public works programmes, social security, and poverty alleviation projects (PAPS) which, while mildly effective, were poorly administered. My strategy of choice is an 'all hands to the pumps' approach involving participatory community development, social action, policy change and joint partnership between civil society, the state and the private sector. I do not suggest particular approaches or solutions but highlight the role of social workers and community development workers in poverty alleviation.     

论西南联大诗人群的学院文化背景

西南联大诗人群诞生于西南联大这个特殊的大学校园。在战争的残酷环境中，西南联大保持了一个相对自足的学院空间。这学院空间所蕴含的丰厚的精神、文化资源孕育、滋养了西南联大诗人群的成长与成熟。其诗歌创作也显示出超越时代抗战文学潮流的学院色彩，具有鲜明的学院文化背景。这种学院文化精神要素在诸多方面构成了西南联大诗人群的独特存在，使其成为1940年代的一个特殊的诗人群体。     

西南大学养殖类学生社会实践保障模式研究

西南大学在长期的办学实践与探索中,充分认识到,传统的学生社会实践模式已经明显落后于社会的发展与办学的新要求。在进一步的探索创新中,西南大学形成了富有特色的,围绕学生专业技能和创新能力全面成长的养殖类学生社会实践保障模式——"4321"保障模式,实现了学生社会实践的良性发展,对办学质量稳步提升产生了重要影响。     

The Foundations of Democracy: U.S. Foundation Support for Civil Society in South Africa, 1988–96

VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations - This paper analyzes the grantmaking to South African civil society of six major U.S. foundations between 1988 and 1996. It...     

从语音角度看东安话的归属

东安县位于湘桂交界处。对东安方言的归属，目前仍有值得讨论的地方。文章在全面比较东安话与西南官话、湘语的代表点的基础上，就东安话的语音特点和西南官话的划分标准作了一些讨论，说明了东安方言应是湘语的一支。