Documentary film and ethical foodscapes : three takes on Caribbean sugar

This article demonstrates how certain stories, voices and values around agro-food networks can be made powerful by documentary film. Our central argument is that documentaries mobilize ethics by presenting a partial and affective account of their subject matter, which makes their audience feel differently about the social relations that underpin the production of food and acts as a focal point for media scrutiny and political interventions. We focus attention on three documentaries about Caribbean sugar to explore multiple and disparate ethical claims made about the farmers, workers and communities that embody Caribbean sugar industries. Through a comparison of the three documentaries, we chart how the production and distribution of these films have entailed quite different ethical narratives, encounters and interventions. A key finding is that the context in which films are received is just as important as the content they deliver. The paper concludes with a guarded endorsement for using documentary film to transform the unequal life conditions experienced in the global food system, stressing the need for empirically-grounded critique of the context of documentaries and suggesting the important role that geographers might play as interlocutors in their reception

Changes in Indonesian Food Consumption Patterns and their Nutritional Implications

This study examines changes in Indonesian food consumption during 1996-2002 which included the period of the Asian financial crisis in late 1997/98. This paper analyses the nutritional implications of the changes in terms of the level and composition of calorie intake and the prevalence of undernourishment. The analysis reveals a divergence, during this period, between the magnitude and the movement of the undernourishment and food expenditure poverty rates. The results reveal a sharp divide between rural and urban households, and between calorie-deprived and calorie-satisfied households. While this period witnessed significant improvement in calorie intake, the dietary changes do not appear to have been large enough to address the issue of protein deficiency in the Indonesian diet. The results point to the need for policy interventions and information campaigns to ensure an increase in both the quantity and quality of the calorie intake.Undernourishment, Calorie Shares, Processed Food, Kernel Density Plot.

An environmental accounting approach to valuing the services of natural forests and woodlands in Swaziland

Economists and statisticians constructing the national income accounts usually overlook the many benefits derived by communities from natural forests and woodlands. This study attempted to impute a value for the ecosystem services of these resources in Swaziland employing an environmental accounting framework. The current measure of national income was found to underestimate GDP by 2% and under value national savings by 10% by not accounting for the flow and asset values of natural forests and woodlands. The study also revealed a very high dependence of the rural communities in Swaziland on natural forests and woodlands for their livelihoods as they derive more than 50% of the value of total household consumption expenditure from these resources. These results clearly indicate the significant contribution to and crucial role these resources play in the lives and wellbeing of the Swazi people and hence the importance of prudent management and utilisation of this resource sector.Environmental Economics and Policy,

Cut loose in the Caribbean : neoliberalism and the demise of the Commonwealth sugar trade

This article focuses on the way the Anglophone Caribbean succumbed to the overhaul of the European Union sugar trade and how these countries have attempted to restructure their economies in its wake. We show how the protagonists of reform gave a sense of inevitability to the demise of the Commonwealth trade system and conveyed (unrealistic) strategies for how this should be managed for the benefit of the Caribbean. In this way we detail the hegemony of neoliberalism in contemporary trade politics and the need for alternative strategies for rural development in the Caribbean region

Working Paper 95 - Agricultural Trade Policy Reform in South Africa

This paper empirically investigates the impact of agricultural trade reform in South Africa. Using UNCTAD’s Agricultural Trade Policy Simulation Model (ATPSM), the study performs two specific scenarios that capture the magnitude of (i) the economic impact of global agricultural trade reform in South Africa and (ii) the economic impact if the reform in South Africa is coupled with agricultural reforms in the European Union (EU). Trade reform focuses on substantial tariffs reduction, although in the case of the EU scenarios also include reduction in domestic support and export subsidies. The results show that unilateral tariff reduction in the selected number of agricultural products amounts to welfare gains of US$21 million. These gains are three times higher when accompanied by extensive reforms in the EU.

The Son of Man Film as a Cry for Justice: A Cross-Cultural Convergence of Film and the African Theological Struggle for Liberation

This thesis studies the 2006 South African film Son of Man as a cry for justice in the African context. Existing at the confluence of art, film, and theological reflection, this thesis develops new insights into concrete problems which Africans face like anthropological poverty. My central argument is that the film Son of Man is a cry for justice in a context of gross corruption, indiscriminate apportionment of resources, and a failure to address the real plight of the poor people living in slum areas. Following the art and theology of Engelbert Mveng, I open the Christological discussion with the idea that Jesus in the film, has an African face. Grounded in Mveng’s artistic language and the inculturation of African masks, this thesis unmasks anthropological poverty. It proposes that a Christology grounded in the image of Jesus as liberator best suits the African context. This discussion culminates in the role of Mary in the film and how her story inspires the fight for justice and liberation. From a Marian Art perspective, it looks at how Mary’s portrayal in the movie gives a voice to the African experience, where mothers of faith help communities transform through protest. Using a dialogical approach between Mary in the film and paintings by social justice activists, the thesis shows how women’s work can have transformative and life-changing impacts on communities. In this thesis, I use A. E. Orobator’s Generative Contextualized method to discuss the problem of injustice and poverty in slum areas in the light of Son of Man. Under the moment of encounter, I discuss the film, the Director, and the fictional context of the film. I also argue that this film is part of Third Cinema. Under the interpretive moment, I use Mveng’s Hekima Christus as a lens through which to discuss the life and death struggle of poverty. Under the synthesizing moment, I bring in the implications of this film for theology. Under the generative moment, I look at how films can offer viewers and theologians inspiration to build on their faith, beliefs, and actions in the face of the reality of oppression, injustices, and poverty

Our Branches Are Broken: Using the Tree Of Life Healing Methodology with Victims of Gukurahundi in Matebeleland, Zimbabwe

Between 1983 and 1987, an estimated 20,000 people from Matabeleland and parts of Midlands Province in Zimbabwe were killed by government forces in an operation code-named Gukurahundi. Since that time, no official apology, justice, reparations or any form of healing process has been offered by the government which was responsible for these atrocities. Many people still suffer trauma from the events of this time. The overall question that this research project sought to answer was whether a small group of survivors of Gukurahundi could heal via participation over time in a group action research project directed at their healing. This article assesses the effectiveness of the Tree of Life healing approach, which was one of the methodologies tried during the course of the research with a small group of survivors of the 1980s atrocities. We found that while the approach was very helpful to the participants, it was difficult to talk about “total healing” due to the fact that the perpetrators are still in power. In addition, no effort had been made to even acknowledge the harm done, and the participants still felt marginalized politically and economically, while the perpetrators appeared to be care-free and enjoying life. Participants agreed that, given the circumstance, this approach offered them a measure of relief and that it was still necessary to address healing holistically. It was however acknowledged that some form of relief was better than a lifetime of painful memories even if systemic change remains to be seen

The Pursuit of Urban Justice: Managing processes of decline and regeneration in Salt River, Cape Town

Since the 1990s, Salt River has undergone significant changes to its socio-economic, cultural and physical structures due to the withdrawal of both public and private investments from the area. These changes are interpreted by the City of Cape Town (CoCT) as an indication that Salt River is in decline and, consequently, in need of regeneration. In response to this perception, the CoCT has developed a number of spatial frameworks and plans to guide regeneration in the area. This dissertation assesses the manner in which 'neighbourhood change' is taking place in Salt River, and how the CoCT is facilitating and managing this change. I develop a theoretical framework using Fanstein's (2010) concept of the 'just city' and consequently I establish criteria for urban justice. These are used in this research to assess the manner in which neighbourhood change is occurring in Salt River and how the CoCT is facilitating and managing this change. The main research question thus asks: How should municipal planners and policymakers engage more effectively with processes of decline and regeneration that are leading to changes in the spatial and socio-economic fabric of Salt River? The research uses the case study, oral history and discourse analysis methods to address this question. Data is collected through non-participant observation, oral history and individual semi-structured interview techniques. The focus is on capturing the views and opinions of users of Salt River; more specifically, the area's long-term residents. The research findings indicate that only the residential parts of Lower Salt River are in decline. The commercial portions of Salt River are regenerating. In adopting a minimal intervention stance in relation to the regeneration of Salt River, the CoCT has left the market to direct regeneration in the case area. Municipal planners need to take the lead in the regeneration of Salt River to ensure that social development is prioritised and that working class households do not continue bearing the costs of regeneration. I recommend that municipal planners and policy makers create a social development framework for the area in conjunction with all residents. Moreover, municipal planners and policy makers should mandate that affordable housing be kept as affordable housing in perpetuity and that one-to-one replacement policies for affordable housing be established. This will ensure that affordable housing in the area is not lost and consequently, that working class households are not displaced as property and land values in the area increase

Causes and effects of physical injuries to Prison Officers employed in a high risk and high need offender management environment in Western Australia

Prison Officers (POs) involved in high need offender management frequently face risks that could affect their health, safety and wellbeing. Several studies have shown that direct client centred violence, inadequate management systems and the general nature of prison environments are major factors impacting on the well being of POs (Fisher & Gunnison, 2001; Kiekbusch, Price, & Theis, 2003; Mitchell, Mackenzie, Styve, & Gover, 2000).There is limited literature on causes and effects of physical injuries on this group of law enforcements officers. This is the first study conducted in Western Australia (WA) that investigated the causes and effects of physical injuries to POs and the impacts thereof on these individuals and the Department of Corrective Services (DCS) as an organisation. The study aimed to provide a recent credible data source which may influence policy decisions and procedures in WA corrective institutions. The study cohort of 146 POs completed a questionnaire that included variables, such as health and fitness, job demands, support and constraints to ascertain the causes and effects of physical injuries among this high risk cohort of workers. The age range of POs included in the study cohort (N = 146) was 21 - 71 years. In addition, all Department of Correctional Services (DCS) physical injuries databases from 2008 to 2010 were analysed and managers and employee welfare services staff completed a questionnaire. The results indicated that there is a positive relationship between current employment status and work related physical injuries as measured over the last two years. The major causes of physical injuries were from slips trips and falls and hitting objects with part of the body or against objects during the process of managing non compliant prisoners. Variables such as physical fitness, job demands, lack of recognition by society, and fear of blood borne infections were significant predictors of physical injuries amongst POs. However, a number of other risk factors, including age and body mass index (BMI), were not related to the prevalence of physical injuries. There are a number of recommendations from the study that can be implemented. These include formation of accident/incident investigation work groups to conduct and analyse incidents and propose long term preventive and corrective measures. In order to improve ways of dealing with mentally ill prisoners and the training curriculum of POs should include management of mentally ill prisoners in a prison setting. In dealing with the aging population affecting the Australian workforce, DCS should develop plans to attract young POs for succession planning. Comprehensive safe physical training and maintenance programs in prisons may benefit the POs in dealing with prisoners. Areas for future research may include; the role of mental health services in reducing physical harm in prisons and minimising the causes and effects of physical injuries to the prison frontline workforce