Sarvodaya's integrated approach to water and sanitation

Sarvodaya's integrated approach to water and sanitatio

Punching above their weight: A network to understand broader determinants of increasing life expectancy

Background: Life expectancy initially improves rapidly with economic development but then tails off. Yet, at any level of economic development, some countries do better, and some worse, than expected - they either punch above or below their weight. Why this is the case has been previously researched but no full explanation of the complexity of this phenomenon is available. New research network: In order to advance understanding, the newly formed Punching Above Their Weight Research Network has developed a model to frame future research. It provides for consideration of the following influences within a country: political and institutional context and history; economic and social policies; scope for democratic participation; extent of health promoting policies affecting socio-economic inequities; gender roles and power dynamics; the extent of civil society activity and disease burdens. Conclusion: Further research using this framework has considerable potential to advance effective policies to advance health and equity.Flinders University provided a capacity building grant to support the research reported in this paper

Punching above their weight: a network to understand broader determinants of increasing life expectancy

BACKGROUND: Life expectancy initially improves rapidly with economic development but then tails off. Yet, at any level of economic development, some countries do better, and some worse, than expected – they either punch above or below their weight. Why this is the case has been previously researched but no full explanation of the complexity of this phenomenon is available. NEW RESEARCH NETWORK: In order to advance understanding, the newly formed Punching Above Their Weight Research Network has developed a model to frame future research. It provides for consideration of the following INFLUENCES WITHIN A COUNTRY: political and institutional context and history; economic and social policies; scope for democratic participation; extent of health promoting policies affecting socio-economic inequities; gender roles and power dynamics; the extent of civil society activity and disease burdens. CONCLUSION: Further research using this framework has considerable potential to advance effective policies to advance health and equity

Sri Lanka virtual villages: a socio-anthropological and technological study on the “Last Mile”

This project served two pilot “virtual villages” in Sri Lanka, studying key socio-anthropological and technological issues, while ensuring a ‘last mile’ ICT delivery and information sharing at the rural community level. Through telecentres, Sarvodaya has pioneered ICT4D engagements with rural communities in Sri Lanka since 1996. Since 2003, state sponsored (World Bank funded) eSriLanka program started scaling up telecentres around the country. Leadership and caste differences became a deciding factor in villagers accessing the Telehut. Innovative connectivity options were used to overcome barriers in setting up WiFi hotspots (technology which was not available in the country at the inception of the project)

Punching above their weight: a network to understand broader determinants of increasing life expectancy.

BackgroundLife expectancy initially improves rapidly with economic development but then tails off. Yet, at any level of economic development, some countries do better, and some worse, than expected - they either punch above or below their weight. Why this is the case has been previously researched but no full explanation of the complexity of this phenomenon is available.New research networkIn order to advance understanding, the newly formed Punching Above Their Weight Research Network has developed a model to frame future research. It provides for consideration of the following influences within a country: political and institutional context and history; economic and social policies; scope for democratic participation; extent of health promoting policies affecting socio-economic inequities; gender roles and power dynamics; the extent of civil society activity and disease burdens.ConclusionFurther research using this framework has considerable potential to advance effective policies to advance health and equity