The Influence of Family Dynamics on Contraceptive Use in Madagascar and the Ensuing Impact on Family Well-Being

While studies have shown a relationship between family dynamics and contraceptive use and between contraceptive use and family well-being, no empirical study has been conducted to test whether a relationship exists between family influence on contraceptive use and family wellbeing. The objective of this study is to explore whether there is such a relationship between family influence on contraceptive use and family well-being

E-3 Informal Institution Moramora and Distribution of Entrepreneurship in Madagascar

This paper explains the role of informal institution called moramora or hurry slowly on the distribution of entrepreneurship in Madagascar. The moramora institution is very influential in Madagascar. It shapes Malagasy’s behavior, affects their way of doing things. It has a reward and punishment mechanism. Its origin comes from two factors: the Malagasy perception of time and the value of human relationship. These two factors are intertwined and construct the moramora institution. Using quantitative and qualitative data about entrepreneurship and bureaucratic effectiveness, this paper shows that moramora institution affects entrepreneurship through its influence on bureaucracy and interpersonal relations. It creates slow and burdensome bureaucracy, promotes absenteeism, emphasizes personal transactions and presents opportunity for corruption. Like all Malagasy people, entrepreneurs evolve around institutional context

A-2 The Role of Faith-Based Organizations in Development: ADRA’s Contribution

The purpose of this paper is to assess the role of faith-based organizations (FBOs) in the field of development and humanitarian action using faith-based typologies from the literature. Mixed methods research is used to conduct a case study of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), evaluating its mission, mandate, organizational structure, and activities conducted in more than 125 countries. We argue that ADRA’s contribution to the humanitarian field is heavily influenced by its core principles but also by its ability to secure internal and external funding. The paper concludes with recommendations for FBOs as we move toward the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals, while improving delivery for beneficiaries, and upholding human rights and their core values

F-3 Accidental Path Dependency in the Evolution of Gender Equality in Madagascar

This paper analyzes the interaction of endogenous and exogenous variables that contributed to the advancing of gender equality in Madagascar since its independence in 1960. We use path dependency approach to analyze different national policy events in relation to gender equality. We found that evolution of gender equality in Madagascar has been accidental. Even though the Malagasy government had intentions to promote gender equality their efforts did not have a significant positive outcome due to competing interest among policy actors and available resources

A-3 Factors Contributing to Women’s Leadership Roles in Politics: Madagascar

The purpose of this paper is to explore the reasons behind women’s participation in politics, focusing on the case of Madagascar. The particular focus is on leadership roles of women in politics – as heads of state, government and political parties. The research uses qualitative methods to collect data. Among others, three major reasons for women’s political participation have been found across the literature: gender quotas; kinship ties to leadership, and societal upheaval and revolution. However, upon examination of the special case of Madagascar, reasons were found that explained women’s participation and leadership in politics that were not generally found in the literature. The historical legacy of Madagascar, and women’s social and political activism were found to be the guiding forces to women’s participation in politics. The findings might have wider implications in explaining women’s access to political leadership roles

E-2 Cooperation between the U.S. and Diaspora Communities: Implications for Development and Foreign Policy

In a partnership between the Migration Policy Institute and the United States Department of State, the International diaspora Engagement Alliance (IdEA) was launched in May 2011. IdEA is a platform for public-private partnerships designed to engage diaspora communities, the private sector, and public institutions in a collaborative process based on five pillars: diaspreneuership (entrepreneurship), Diasplomacy (diplomacy), Diasporacorps (volunteerism), Diaspora 2.0 (networking), and Diasphilanthropy (philanthropy). In this paper we evaluate the effectiveness of these pillars for the development of diaspora communities’ countries of origin and the United States by examining their applicability to diaspora communities in the U.S. Finally, we discuss and explore the implications of our findings to the American foreign policies regarding the diasporas’ country of origin

A-1 The Seventh-day Adventist church’s response to disasters in the Indian Ocean

The purpose of this paper is to assess the organizational capacity of the Seventh-day Adventist church in the Indian Ocean to respond to natural emergencies and reach their local constituents, specifically in the islands of Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion, Comoros, and Seychelles. When it comes to emergencies, churches in rural areas are in a position poised to respond – where it may take up to 72 hours for emergency aid to arrive in these remote, rural areas. These local churches with their large buildings and service- oriented populations, are ideally positioned to respond to the immediate needs of persons during emergencies by properly planning and preparing for such emergencies. We use qualitative research methods to examine the church’s current practices in relation to the specific humanitarian principles of competence, co-ordination, effectiveness, and efficiency in response to natural emergencies. We argue that this organization’s response to emergencies lacks the necessary capacity, knowledge, and experience, thereby leaving an opportunity to improve its current method. Thus, this research proposes capacity building for church leaders so that they will be better able to respond to emergencies

Values of Seventh-day Adventist Philosophy of Education and Graduate Social Science Programs in Seventh-day Adventist Universities

This paper analyzes the relationship between the values found in religion and social science programs using the Seventh-day Adventist graduate programs as a case study. By using qualitative research, the study identifies the values of Seventh-day Adventist education philosophy, and analyzes the characteristics found from various graduate social science programs in the Seventh-day Adventist higher education system. We argue that the Seventh-day Adventist philosophy of education puts greater emphasis on relationship values, which have three interconnected dimensions (God, self, and others), and are unified by three virtues (love, hope, and service). Applying the dimensions of Seventh-day Adventist philosophy of education to the social science programs currently offered in the Seventh-day Adventist graduate institutions, we found that the values in Seventh-day Adventist beliefs are well-integrated in the social science programs in Adventist universities. The conclusion of this paper discusses the relationship between these values of Seventh-day Adventist philosophy of education and social science programs, and its implication to Adventist education and community development

The Perception of Government Legitimacy and Willingness to Seek Help

Factors that cause people to seek help from alternative institutions might vary from one country to another. This paper gives an overview of the government role and the factors that affect its quality of services, and its relationship with the citizens. It also discusses advocacy organizations as alternative service providers to the citizen. In the implication section the paper discusses measures, which have to be implemented by both the state and advocacy institutions in order to improve their services, thereby making the lives of the citizens better. The paper uses the context to discuss the effects of legitimacy perceptions on Madagascar’s public institutions and HAFARI, an advocacy organization in Madagascar

P-17 The Relationship between the Values of Social Science and the Values of Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Philosophy of Education

This paper analyzes the relationship between the values found in religion and social sciences using the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) graduate programs as a case study. By using mixed methods research, the study identifies and compares social science values and the values of SDA education philosophy, and analyzes various graduate social science programs in the SDA higher education system. We argue that the SDA philosophy of education puts greater emphasis on relationship values, which have three interconnected dimensions (God, self, and others) and is unified by three virtues (love, hope, and service). Applying the dimensions of SDA philosophy of education to the social science programs currently offered in the SDA graduate institutions, we found that the values in SDA beliefs espouse social science values. The conclusion of the paper discusses the relationships between social science disciplines and the dimensions of SDA philosophy of education, and the implications of those relationships in development