Investeren in onderwijs is investeren in de toekomst

Dé uitdaging van onderwijsbeleid is het laveren tussen twee maatschappelijke dimensies: een economische en een cultuur-politieke, sociale dimensie. Enerzijds heeft onderwijs een beroepsvoorbereidende en kennis toepassende functie, anderzijds de vormende en ontplooiingsbevorderende functie. In laatstgenoemde komt tot uitdrukking dat onderwijs een belangrijke rol speelt in de sociale cohesie van onze samenleving. De ultieme uitdaging is de functies bevredigend te verenigen voor alle individuen

The importance of dry woodlands and forests in rural livelihoods and poverty alleviation in South Africa

Indigenous forests and savannas, along with plantation forests, offer numerous benefits to rural communities and society at large. Yet, the role of forests and forestry in contributing to sustainable livelihoods and poverty alleviation are widely debated. However, much of the debate pertains to lessons from the humid tropics, with little consideration of the widespread dry forests and savannas. This paper considers the role of dry forest types, including savannas, using South Africa as a case example. It concludes that a large proportion of the population makes use of forests and the resources from them. These are vital components of local livelihoods, which probably prevent people from slipping into deeper poverty. Moreover, for a measurable proportion, engagement in informal forest activities, as well as the formal forestry sector, has resulted in them being able to move out of poverty. Additionally, the generally dry nature of forests in South Africa, coupled with the high unemployment rate, limit the extent of alternative locally based livelihood options, thereby magnifying the contributions from forests and forest products. The depressing effects of widespread HIV/AIDS on labour availability, economic activities and livelihoods has exacerbated peoples' dependence on forest products

Exploring the options for fuelwood policies to support poverty alleviation policies: Evolving dimensions in South Africa

Access to secure and affordable energy supplies is widely acknowledged as a critical foundation for sustainable development; inadequate access exacerbates household poverty. In the developing world poor households are frequently reliant upon fuel wood for all or most of their energy needs. However, national poverty alleviation policies commonly do not consider fuelwood within their strategies, and similarly, energy policies rarely consider the poverty alleviation potential of a comprehensive fuelwood strategy. Consequently, synergies between poverty alleviation and energy policies—with fuelwood (and its derivates) as the bridge—are needed. This paper discusses this potential using South Africa as a case example. The current policy environment that either favours or hinders a linkage between the poverty and energy sectors and policy options and strategies available to develop such links, are discussed