Urban poverty, social exclusion and social housing finance. The case of PRODEL in Nicaragua

The purpose of the thesis is to further understand key conceptual and operational challenges that international aid donors, and public and private institutions, face while designing and implementing alternative forms of social housing finance which aim to be inclusive for the urban poor. Based on an in-depth study of the work of the Foundation for the Promotion of Local Development (PRODEL) in three cities in Nicaragua during a period of 15 years, the thesis tries to answer three research questions: What are the constraints the urban poor face in financing the incremental way they build their individual housing and collective assets? Why does housing microfinance not always enhance inclusion of the urban poor? How does the tension between the goal of achieving financial sustainability and increasing financial inclusion affect the policy of international donors and governments, and the practice of local financial institutions? To answer these questions, the thesis adopts a realist approach as well as a critical case study method as used in disciplines such as political science and history to explain the trends and complexities of the phenomena investigated, and formulates an argument in the form of a proposition: if financial exclusion occurs in PRODEL it might also occur elsewhere. Qualitative and quantitative research techniques helped to assess the perceptions of stakeholders that participated in PRODEL’s small and repetitive housing improvement loans and in the co-financing mechanism for basic infrastructure components. The thesis shows significant improvements in the living conditions of the urban poor as result of PRODEL’s investments. Although income levels and external political and macroeconomic constraints are significant factors, understanding the different assets that the urban poor possess, has a critical effect on the ways individual households are included in micro-lending schemes. Interviewees considered that their poverty situation related more to the conditions prevailing in their neighbourhood and city than to their household income levels. Family breakdown; lack of education; insecurity; the lack of opportunities in the city; or a permanent sense of helplessness given the recurrent political and economic crises were more important than their monetary consumption levels. Increased self-esteem from being included in financial schemes that improved their homes and neighbourhood was equally important. Interviewees expressed that it was not the lack of income that pre-empted their participation in housing loan schemes, but the lack of reliable information; their fear of the unknown; and the lack of knowledge on how microfinance institutions operated. Additionally, the thesis shows that financial inclusion increases when accountable and transparent participatory methods of negotiation and co-financing mechanisms between urban poor communities and local governments to improve the provision of infrastructure and basic services are in place. Finally, the thesis offers new insights on how the concept of financial sustainability narrowed the approach and policy of international aid donors and governments, and the practice of financial institutions, when seeking financial inclusion. These findings shed light on the theoretical and practical limits of up-scaling housing improvement schemes as part of wider urban poverty reduction strategies in low-income countries such as Nicaragua

Implementing urban participatory climate change adaptation appraisals: A methodological guideline

This paper provides conceptual and methodological guidelines for researchers seeking to undertake an urban participatory climate change adaptation appraisal (PCCAA), illustrated with examples from appraisals in Mombasa (Kenya) and Estelí (Nicaragua). It highlights the importance of hearing local people’s voices regarding incrementally worsening and often unrecorded severe weather. The conceptual framework distinguishes between the analysis of asset vulnerability and the identification of asset-based operational strategies, and sets out a number of methodological principles and practices for undertaking a PCCAA. This PCCAA addressed five main themes: community characteristics; severe weather; vulnerability to severe weather; asset adaptation; and institutions supporting local adaptation. For each of these, it identified potential tools for eliciting information, illustrated by examples from Mombasa and Estelí. </jats:p

Capacidades político-relacionais governamentais e perfil da política industrial : experiência brasileira no início do Século XXI

Formulating industrial policies is a complex process marked by advances and setbacks, reflecting the political and institutional aspects. In the present article, we aim to better understand the role of government relational capacities in delineating the industrial policy profile. Based on a qualitative research on Brazilian industrial policies between 2003 and 2014, this study highlights how the interlocution and coordination between public and private actors are crucial in shaping the industrial policy profile. Our analysis shows that between 2003 and 2007, relational capacities were built, reflected in a focused industrial policy, predominantly applying regulatory instruments oriented to promote innovation. From 2007 to 2014, there was a progressive loss in relational capacities, the industrial policy lost strategic focus, and increased the use of tax relief instruments in its management.A formulação de políticas industriais é um processo complexo, marcado por avanços e retrocessos, refletindo fatores políticos e institucionais subjacentes. No presente artigo, pretendemos contribuir para a compreensão do papel das capacidades relacionais governamentais no delineamento do perfil da política industrial. A partir de uma pesquisa qualitativa sobre as políticas industriais brasileiras entre 2003 e 2014, este estudo aponta como a interlocução e coordenação entre atores públicos e privados são cruciais para o perfil da política industrial. Nossa análise mostra que, entre 2003 e 2007, houve uma construção de capacidades relacionais, refletidas em uma política industrial focada, aplicando predominantemente instrumentos regulatórios orientados à promoção da inovação. De 2007 a 2014, houve uma perda progressiva das capacidades relacionais, a política industrial perdeu o foco estratégico e houve uma crescente utilização de instrumentos de desoneração em sua gestão

Geolocalización en la mejora del proceso de control y monitoreo en la Municipalidad de Los Olivos, Lima - 2020

La presente tesis detalla el desarrollo de la geolocalización para el proceso de control y monitoreo de las unidades de seguridad MDLO. El objetivo de esta investigación es determinar en qué medida la geolocalización mejora el proceso de control y monitoreo MDLO, Lima - 2020. El tipo de investigación es aplicada, el diseño de la investigación es cuasi experimental. La población del índice de control del personal se determinó en 70 unidades de seguridad, estratificado en 70 observaciones. La población del índice de cumplimiento de desempeño se determinó en 70 unidades de seguridad, estratificado en 70 observaciones. La población del índice de medición de la delincuencia se determinó en 70 unidades de seguridad, estratificado en 70 observaciones. El tamaño de la muestra estuvo conformado por 70 unidades de seguridad. Los resultados permitieron llegar a la conclusión que la geolocalización mejora el proceso de control y monitoreo en la MDLO. La implementación de la geolocalización permitió mejorar el índice de control del personal del 50.26% al 77.40% del proceso de control y monitoreo del mismo modo el índice de cumplimiento de desempeño del 38.92% a 80.58%, así como el índice de medición de la delincuencia del 79.60% al 19.42

Práctica Pedagógica e Identidad Institucional en la Escuela de Infantería del Ejército - 2022

El objetivo de este trabajo de investigación fue determinar si existe una correlación entre la práctica pedagógica y la identidad institucional en la Escuela de Infantería del Ejército – 2022, aportaron en su desarrollo 28 docentes, quienes respondieron a un cuestionario de 24 preguntas. Los expertos juzgaron y dieron su aprobación al instrumento presentando, y se sometió a la prueba (Alfa de Cronbach) para su fiabilidad. Se obtuvo un valor de 0,933, que indica un nivel de confiabilidad muy alto. La investigación tuvo un enfoque cuantitativo, de diseño no experimental y de nivel descriptivo – correlacional. Finalmente, se concluyó que la práctica pedagógica se correlaciona con la identidad institucional en la Escuela de Infantería del Ejército – 2022.The objective of this research work was to determine if there is a correlation between the practice pedagogy and institutional identity in the Army Infantry School - 2022, 28 teachers contributed to its development, who responded to a questionnaire of 24 questions. The experts judged and gave their approval to the instrument presented, and tested (Cronbach's Alpha) for its reliability. A value of 0.933 was obtained, indicating a very high level of reliability. The research focused quantitative, non-experimental design and descriptive-correlational level. Finally, It was concluded that the pedagogical practice is correlated with the institutional identity in the Army Infantry School – 2022.ChosicaEscuela de PosGrad

New mosquito records (Diptera: Culicidae) from northwestern Argentina

The geographic distributions of Aedes casali, Ae. meprai, Culex acharistus, Cx. bidens, Cx. coronator, Cx. dolosus, Cx. saltanensis, Cx. imitator, Haemagogus janthinomys and Psorophora cyanescens are extended. This contribution updates the mosquito fauna listed for Argentina, increasing the number of species for the provinces of Jujuy, La Rioja and Santiago del Estero from 55 to 62, 22 to 25 and 25 to 26, respectively. Data on collection localities, habitat of immature stages, and health importance are also presented.Fil: Linares, Mario Alfredo. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Instituto de Biología de la Altura. Departamento de Entomologia; ArgentinaFil: Laurito, Magdalena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones Entomológicas de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Visintin, Andrés Mario. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones Entomológicas de Córdoba; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Rioja; ArgentinaFil: Rossi, Gustavo Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores; ArgentinaFil: Stein, Marina. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional. Área de Entomología; ArgentinaFil: Almiron, Walter Ricardo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones Entomológicas de Córdoba; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas; Argentin

Políticas públicas e direitos de pessoas com deficiência no Brasil (1988-2016)

O presente texto trata de questões relacionadas à integração social das pessoas com deficiência, um grupo ainda excluído nas principais democracias ocidentais; também possui direitos básicos, desconsiderados em diversos países; de modo semelhante está praticamente inexistente nas campanhas e programas eleitorais. A partir do caso brasileiro, o artigo analisa o desenvolvimento de políticas públicas voltadas às pessoas com deficiência no país, destacando alguns avanços importantes.Este texto trata temas relacionados con la integración social de las personas con discapacidades, un grupo de personas que aún está excluido en las principales democracias occidentales; también tiene derechos básicos desatendidos en varios países; del mismo modo, es prácticamente inexistente en las campañas y programas electorales. Basado en el caso brasileño, el artículo analiza el desarrollo de políticas públicas dirigidas a personas con discapacidad en el país, destacando algunos avances importantes