Study on poverty, gender and ethnicity in key sectors of the Fijian economy

MDF stimulates investment, business innovation and regulatory reform to create additional jobs and increase the income of poor women and men in rural and urban areas around the world. MDF follows a systems approach to market development and supports businesses with innovative ideas, investment and regulatory reform that will increase business performance, stimulate economic growth and ultimately provide benefits for the poor – as workers, producers, and consumers. Currently, the focus of the Facility’s work in Fiji is in two key sectors: Horticulture and Agro-export; and Tourism and Related Support Services and Industries. It is considering expansion of its work to a third urban-based sector, possibly later this year. MDF selects its sectors based on their contribution to the national economy; long-term growth prospects, and relevance for poverty reduction. For each sector, MDF has prepared a sector assessment and developed a sector growth strategy identifying the key constraints and growth areas within those sectors, on which MDF is focusing its interventions for stimulating broad-based pro-poor growth in the sector. This study goes deeper into understanding poverty, gender and ethnicity in Fiji within the two key sectors where MDF works, and more generally on urban poverty to complement future work in a third urban-based sector. While the sectors were chosen because of their relevance to poverty reduction, the purpose of this study was to further assess within each sector: who is poor and why within the sectors; the mechanisms, choices and strategies they use to move out of poverty; and what prevents this from happening. In addition, the study is meant to analyse gender equality in the sector, gender roles and controls, and ethnic differences so that its strategy and impacts can better reach both men and women of all ethnicities. With this understanding, MDF can better identify opportunities for equitable growth which are relevant for all poor producers, workers and consumers. This report therefore complements the Market Development Facility (MDF) existing horticulture and tourism sector assessment reports, and summarises findings of the study on poverty, gender and ethnicity as they relate to these sectors. In addition, it provides information on employment challenges and opportunities for the urban poor, offering information relevant to a possible third sector for MDF implementation. The information presented and conclusions drawn from this report have been appropriately analysed, and have been integrated into MDF’s own internal sector strategies and day-to-day work to help improve pro-poor and gender outcomes. This report therefore provides a summary of study findings, but does not explicitly state MDF’s reaction to these findings. MDF continuously conducts research, collects and analyses information relevant to the sectors in which it works, which will continue to complement the findings in this report in the future. Primary qualitative research in poverty and gender (with ethnicity as a cross-cutting theme) was conducted in the horticulture and tourism sectors on Viti Levu and Vanua Levu in two time periods between March and May 2013. A range of semi-structured tools was used to produce qualitative findings: focus group discussions, key informant interviews, in-depth worker interviews, household questionnaires (surveys) and observation. This primary research was further supported by extensive secondary source research both before and after the fieldwork. A team of ten was headed by the consultant (study lead), and this report therefore represents the work and insights of a group of people with different areas of expertise and experience relating to the content and context. Following the initial poverty and gender study, the team further conducted targeted research in selected informal urban settlements in July to gain a deeper understanding of urban poverty, incorporating issues of both gender and ethnicity. Although this was not tied to one particular sector, the intent was to meet with households in order to investigate their experiences with regard to employment, and economic challenges and opportunities. The findings from the second study are incorporated into this report, with implications noted regarding a potential third urban sector currently under investigation by MDF (industrial manufacturing with an export focus – and a possible concentration on apparel / textile). Overall findings are extremely positive for MDF’s potential contribution to horticulture and tourism in Fiji, and the integration and / or advancement of low-income women and men of iTaukei and Indo–Fijian backgrounds into the sectors. Horticulture and tourism are cornerstones of the Fijian economy, and offer employment and business opportunities as pathways out of poverty to large numbers of households and / or individuals within those households. The pathways out of poverty that result from participation within the sectors go beyond the sectors, as surplus income is utilised to educate members of the household (siblings and offspring) and to advance their economic well-being. There is potential for systemic changes that can result in impact beyond the life of the project. Despite this positive outlook, there are significant challenges for low-income households, and these vary depending on the sector and the context (geographic, socio-cultural). The situation for urban poverty is more complex due to the multiple systemic factors that perpetuate poverty including the lack of employment opportunities for those living in informal urban settlements. Development of an urban sector by MDF will provide economic opportunities for individuals and households living in informal settlements, but the systemic issues are many and deep, and beyond the scope of MDF’s mandate. Solutions for each sector relating to poverty and gender are provided in their respective sections and MDF sector assessment reports should be referenced for further information about the sector

Responses to COVID-19 in fenland communities: Reflections from the Social Issues in South Lincolnshire Network

Welcome to this report by the Social Issues in South Lincolnshire network about the impact of COVID-19 within our fenland communities

Meeting planners : the differing views of 'Corporate Social Responsibility' practices and motivations across two continents

Interpretation of, and commitment to, corporate social responsibility (CSR) differs from country to country, resulting in variances in implementation. It is theorized that these variances originate from organizational and cultural context. There is limited research dedicated to contextual variances of CSR in the meetings industry. As such, the objective of this article is twofold: first, to understand whether meeting planners in America and Western Europe differ in their current and future motives for engaging with CSR. Second, to establish whether the differences in motivation are influenced by their conceptual understanding of CSR or the wider socioeconomic and political environment. The authors analyzed over 1,000 self-reporting questionnaires from meeting planners across the two continents. Results were analyzed using unrelated t tests in order to establish if the two groups differ in their underlying motives to engage with CSR. An exploratory factor analysis was used to determine how meeting planners conceptualized CSR across the two continents. Results suggests similar strategic motives to engage in CSR. European meeting planners identify egoistic motives to engage in CSR. In contrast to America, CSR practice in Europe will change in the future as value-driven motives become prevalent. The article provides evidence of context as a defining factor in CSR, where ubiquitous constructs of CSR cannot be easily applied to meeting planners. The findings demonstrate the incongruent nature of CSR practice. The results advance the application of CSR to meeting planner's practice in both America and Western Europe, reigniting the definitional debate of CSR within the meetings industry

Mission vs. Market: Theorizing the Tensions within Community Sport Trusts

With the withdrawal of the state from local sport provision in the UK, Community Sport Trusts (CSTs) have grown significantly. The growth of CSTs is a direct outcome of neoliberal and austerity policy contexts in the UK. Research on the commodification of services delivered by hybrid social organizations suggests tensions between mission and market (internal purpose versus external control). Yet little research to date has been conducted on CSTs, with even less research that takes a critical approach. We seek to begin to consider this research gap by theorizing the problem, by looking at the tensions in hybridity, social mission, enterprise objectives, and financial sustainability of CSTs. We approach this by theory building from an examination of multidisciplinary literature; community sport, non-profit management, social enterprise, and social accounting literature to arrive at a conceptual model. This model contributes to knowledge by identifying and drawing out the tensions at play. We call for further theoretical and empirical research on CSTs that problematizes the “social” and draws attention to the inherent tensions in these hybrid business models, which are both academically under-explored and crucial to the success of a policy context where CSTs play a significant and expanding role in community sport delivery

How do older people with sight loss manage their general health? A qualitative study

Purpose: Older people with sight loss experience a number of barriers to managing their health. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how older people with sight loss manage their general health and explore the techniques used and strategies employed for health management. Methods: Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with 30 participants. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Health management challenges experienced included: managing multiple health conditions; accessing information; engaging in health behaviours and maintaining wellbeing. Positive strategies included: joining support groups, clubs and societies; using low vision aids; seeking support from family and friends and accessing support through health and social care services. Conclusion: Healthcare professionals need to be more aware of the challenges faced by older people with sight loss. Improved promotion of group support and charity services which are best placed to share information, provide fora to learn about coping techniques and strategies, and give older people social support to prevent isolation is needed. Rehabilitation and support services and equipment can only be beneficial if patients know what is available and how to access them. Over-reliance on self-advocacy in current healthcare systems is not conducive to patient-centred care. Implications for Rehabilitation Sight loss in older people can impact on many factors including health management. This study identifies challenges to health management and highlights strategies used by older people with sight loss to manage their health. Access to support often relies on patients seeking information for themselves. However, self-advocacy is challenging due to information accessibility barriers. Informal groups and charities play an important role in educating patients about their condition and advising on available support to facilitate health management

Development of a non-human primate BCG infection model for the evaluation of candidate tuberculosis vaccines.

The lack of validated immunological correlates of protection makes tuberculosis vaccine development difficult and expensive. Using intradermal bacille Calmette-Guréin (BCG) as a surrogate for aerosol Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) in a controlled human infection model could facilitate vaccine development, but such a model requires preclinical validation. Non-human primates (NHPs) may provide the best model in which to do this. Cynomolgus and rhesus macaques were infected with BCG by intradermal injection. BCG was quantified from a skin biopsy of the infection site and from draining axillary lymph nodes, by culture on solid agar and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. BCG was detected up to 28 days post-infection, with higher amounts of BCG detected in lymph nodes after high dose compared to standard dose infection. Quantifying BCG from lymph nodes of cynomolgus macaques 14 days post-high dose infection showed a significant reduction in the amount of BCG detected in the BCG-vaccinated compared to BCG-naïve animals. Demonstrating a detectable vaccine effect in the lymph nodes of cynomolgus macaques, which is similar in magnitude to that seen in an aerosol M.tb infection model, provides support for proof-of-concept of an intradermal BCG infection model and evidence to support the further evaluation of a human BCG infection model

Documenting ---- in Bloomington-Normal: A Community Report on Intolerance, Segregation, Accessibility, Inclusion, and Progress, and Improvement

For the local chapter of Not In Our Town, we document intolerance, discrimination, segregation, disparities of access, and disparities in the criminal justice system in Bloomington-Normal, IL. Using archival material, secondary data, and primary data, we examine these issues from the mid-1990s to the present. We also assess the position of the organization in the community and provide strategies for future success. In sum, Bloomington-Normal was and is intolerant; discrimination did and does take place in this community; there are disparities of access and in the criminal justice system; we are segregated. The community is also less of these things than it used to be and is less of these things than other places. Fifteen undergraduate students in Sociology 300, twelve graduate students in Sociology 477, a teaching assistant, and an instructor conducted this study in spring 2017

Neuroendocrine carcinoma arising in soft tissue: three case reports and literature review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Neuroendocrine tumours (NET) are tumours arising from neuroendocrine cells of neural crest origin. They are characterised by the presence of neurosecretory granules which react positively to silver stains and to specific markers including neuron specific enolase, synaptophysin and chromogranin. Metastasis to the skin occurs infrequently but primary soft tissue NET is excessively rare.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report our experience with 3 such cases. In the first case, the NET originated in muscle and was treated with wide surgical excision and adjuvant radiotherapy. The second case presented as a subcutaneous mass in the foot and the tumour was positive on ¹²³I mIBG scan. She has had prolonged recurrence-free survival following primary hypo-fractionated radiotherapy. In the third case, a cutaneous nodule proved to be a NET and at surgery, lymph node disease was present. He has remained disease-free after surgical excision without the need for external beam radiotherapy.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These tumours appear to have a good prognosis. Complete excision offers potentially curative treatment. Adjuvant radiotherapy may be helpful when the tumour margin is narrow. For patients with unresectable disease or where surgery would not be appropriate, radiotherapy appears to be an effective therapeutic option.</p

Phosphorylation of Mouse Immunity-Related GTPase (IRG) Resistance Proteins Is an Evasion Strategy for Virulent Toxoplasma gondii

GTPases of the mouse IRG protein family, mediators of resistance against Toxoplasma gondii in the mouse, are inactivated by a polymorphic kinase of the parasite, resulting in enhanced parasite virulence

Report from the Annual Conference of the British Society of Echocardiography, November 2016, Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London.

Peer reviewedPublisher PD