Enabling Equitable Collective Action and Policy Change for Poverty Reduction and Improved Natural Resource Management in the Eastern African Highlands
No hay miniatura disponible
Fecha
Título de la revista
ISSN de la revista
Título del volumen
Editor
Resumen
Descripción
The role of local and external institutions in natural resource management (NRM) is
gaining attention in the literature, fostering greater understanding of the
relationship between collective action and poverty, collective action and equity, and
the conditions under which collective action institutions take root. It has also led to
increased understanding of how uncritical practices by external development
institutions can propagate social inequities in NRM. Yet little research has been
conducted to understand how to foster local collective action institutions where they
are absent, or to improve institutional practice. This research integrates empirical
and action research in an effort to generate working solutions to problems facing
rural communities in their efforts to manage their natural resources in the
highlands of Ethiopia and Uganda. Following a brief introduction to the literature
and the research, findings are presented according to two distinct phases of
research. Data are first presented on existing forms of collective action, the
influence of local and external institutions on economic development, and NRM
problems that persist despite their negative livelihood consequences. Action
research themes selected from a list of identified problems are then presented in
greater detail, with lessons learnt thus far in attempting to overcome institutional
barriers to improved NRM. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications
of findings for research, institutional practice, and policy.