Reflections on mentoring experiences for evidence-informed decision-making in South Africa and Malawi

This article is based on the consensus that the availability and utilisation of research enhances policy discussions. The article reflects on the experiences within one approach: capacity building through mentoring. The UJ-BCURE programme aimed to increase the capacity of decision-makers to use evidence in decision-making via mentoring models. Mentoring is described as an interactive, facilitated process that promotes learning. The features of the models that have contributed to the programme’s success are orientation workshops with mentees combined with participatory, needs-led, and flexible approaches. UJ-BCURE experiences are relevant to the field of evidence-informed decision-making in an African government context.     

Feminism,nationalism, and labour in post-civil war Northern Province of Sri Lanka

This viewpoint highlights the paradox of low labour force participation and high unemployment among women at a time of growing educational levels of women in the former conflict-affected Northern Province of Sri Lanka. It highlights the rise of ethno-feminism and sub-nationalism that undermine what few opportunities open up for women in terms of employment and livelihood opportunities, thereby weakening the peacebuilding efforts of various stakeholders.     

Indicators for economic vulnerability to drought in South Africa

This article identifies and estimates economic drought vulnerability indicators among communal farmers in South Africa, using an economic vulnerability index based on a household survey of 121 communal farmers. The results show that lack of resources, unemployment, price sensitivity, market access, the level of farm debt, output, on- and off-farm diversification, management, and financial safety nets were the main economic vulnerability variables. Farm debt and financial safety provide the bulk of the vulnerability index. The study’s findings suggest that government should reconsider priorities in the implementation of appropriate policy measures in response to drought.     

Developing urban space: the changing role of NGOs in Bangladesh

Rapid urbanisation has been an emerging issue in recent decades, particularly for developing countries such as Bangladesh. As one of world’s largest international NGOs, BRAC, based in Bangladesh, is transiting towards a more integrated approach for alleviating urban poverty. This article presents BRAC’s current journey for eradicating urban poverty and outlines the characteristics of urban poverty, key issues faced by the urban poor, and learning that BRAC has accumulated through its urban interventions. Introducing the concept of “coproduction”, the article identifies BRAC’s priorities to eradicate urban poverty within the context of an overall urban strategy.     

两岸经济合作的政治效应问题探讨

推进两岸经济合作与一体化发展,形成日益紧密的经济共同体,可以巩固和深化两岸关系和平发展的经济基础,有助于推进两岸和平统一,但并非两岸和平统一的充分条件。而且,发挥两岸经济关系对两岸和平统一的促进作用需要相应的主客观条件,至少需要两岸双方的共同政治意愿与积极行动,以便在共同利益不断增进的基础上建构国家认同。民调显示,近年来的两岸经济合作,在“反独”中起到一定的积极作用,但因施行时间较短且尚未充分展开等因素而不足以证实或证伪其在“促统”方面的作用,并面临制约因素。而国家认同的形成,乃是两岸和平统一的关键。因此,必须确立正确的合作理念,坚持特定的推进原则,选择适宜的推进方式,以提升两岸经济合作的政治效应。     

中国-东盟关系四十年发展的历程及其启示:共同利益的视角

中国-东盟关系的发展历程表明,双方关系是随着彼此间共同利益的日益增加而不断发展的,因此,双方关系发展的过程就是不断建构共同利益的过程.建构共同利益是中国-东盟关系发展的基本经验.未来双方要进一步发展关系,应继续致力于共同利益的建构.     

近十年来国内东南亚殖民主义史研究述评

自上个世纪90年代以来,我国的东南亚殖民主义史研究取得了新进展,推出了几部很有影响的著作,获得了对复杂历史问题的深层认识,标志着我国东南亚殖民主义史研究进入了全面总结与成熟阶段.认真研究殖民主义兴衰,有助于把握东南亚历史发展进程,也有助于对当前东南亚问题的思考.     

中国-中亚新丝绸之路经济发展带构想

新丝绸之路交通走廊的初步建成,对进一步推进中国与中亚区域经济合作、实现新丝绸之路从“交通走廊”向“经济发展带”的转型提出了新要求、创造了新空间。新丝绸之路是实现经济快速增长和关联带动作用为目的的中国—中亚跨国带状经济合作体。目前,中国—中亚各国已进入经济快速增长期,新丝绸之路的交通走廊初步建成,经济发展带的资源、产业和城市等支撑条件现已初具规模。合作建设新丝绸之路经济发展带,将为中国和中亚国家更好地参与经济全球化,最大程度地化解全球化风险,实现民族经济健康发展提供机遇。     

科学发展观与哲学社会科学的使命

推动科学发展观的贯彻落实,需要哲学社会科学加强研究其理论体系和系统性,探索科学的思想方法及观念,积极参加与之相适应的新制度、新机制、新政策的设计。哲学社会科学要坚持科研为民,把研究民生问题放在突出位置;要按照全面协调可持续发展要求,把握和处理好应用对策研究与基础理论研究、整合社科研究“五路大军”资源与发挥各自特长、研究成果的质量与数量等重要关系。     

论包容性增长与科学发展观的关系

包容性增长不是单纯的经济增长,而是科学的可持续的增长,并与政治、文化、社会、生态等各个方面发展相和谐的增长。包容性增长是对科学发展观＂人本精神＂的进一步阐释,其目的是让更多的老百姓能够享受到这种发展的成果,让人民生活得更幸福、更有尊严。包容性增长与科学发展观是一脉相承的,是进一步贯彻落实＂科学发展观＂一个重要理念,二者统一于中国未来发展战略之中。