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Christina Malmberg Calvo

Bio: Christina Malmberg Calvo is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Culture of poverty & Vulnerability. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 6 publications receiving 2679 citations.

Papers
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01 Jan 2001
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focus on the dimensions of poverty and how to create a better world, free of poverty, and explore the nature, and evolution of poverty to present a framework for action.
Abstract: This report focuses on the dimensions of poverty, and how to create a better world, free of poverty. The analysis explores the nature, and evolution of poverty, and its causes, to present a framework for action. The opportunity for expanding poor people's assets is addressed, arguing that major reductions in human deprivation are indeed possible, that economic growth, inequality, and poverty reduction, can be harnessed through economic integration, and technological change, dependent not only on the evolvement of markets, but on the choices for public action at the global, national, and local levels. Actions to facilitate empowerment include state institutional responsiveness in building social institutions which will improve well-being, and health, to allow increased income-earning potential, access to education, and eventual removal of social barriers. Security aspects are enhanced, by assessing risk management towards reducing vulnerability to economic crises, and natural disasters. The report expands on the dimensions of human deprivation, to include powerlessness and voicelessness, vulnerability and fear. International dimensions are explored, through global actions to fight poverty, analyzing global trade, capital flows, and how to reform development assistance to forge change in the livelihoods of the poor.

2,643 citations

01 Jan 2001
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focus on the dimensions of poverty and how to create a better world, free of poverty, and explore the nature, and evolution of poverty to present a framework for action.
Abstract: This report focuses on the dimensions of poverty, and how to create a better world, free of poverty. The analysis explores the nature, and evolution of poverty, and its causes, to present a framework for action. The opportunity for expanding poor people's assets is addressed, arguing that major reductions in human deprivation are indeed possible, that economic growth, inequality, and poverty reduction, can be harnessed through economic integration, and technological change, dependent not only on the evolvement of markets, but on the choices for public action at the global, national, and local levels. Actions to facilitate empowerment include state institutional responsiveness in building social institutions which will improve well-being, and health, to allow increased income-earning potential, access to education, and eventual removal of social barriers. Security aspects are enhanced, by assessing risk management towards reducing vulnerability to economic crises, and natural disasters. The report expands on the dimensions of human deprivation, to include powerlessness and voicelessness, vulnerability and fear. International dimensions are explored, through global actions to fight poverty, analyzing global trade, capital flows, and how to reform development assistance to forge change in the livelihoods of the poor.

25 citations

30 Sep 2000
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore the nature and causes of poverty and what can be done to reduce poverty and enhance security by reducing the risk of such events as wars, disease, economic crises, and natural disasters.
Abstract: Poor people live without fundamental freedoms of action and choice that the better-off take for granted. They often lack adequate food and shelter, education, and health. They also face extreme vulnerability to ill health, economic dislocation, and natural disasters. And they are often exposed to ill treatment by institutions of the state and society (specifically, to social norms, values, and customary practices that within the family, the community, or the market lead to exclusion of women, ethnic and racial groups, or the socially disadvantaged) and are powerless to influence key decisions affecting their lives. These are all dimensions of poverty. And that is why facilitating the empowerment of poor people--by making state and social institutions more responsive to them--is key to reducing poverty. Moreover, vulnerability to external and largely uncontrollable events reinforces poor people's sense of ill-being, exacerbates their material poverty, and weakens their bargaining position. That is why enhancing security by reducing the risk of such events as wars, disease, economic crises, and natural disasters is also key to reducing poverty. So is reducing poor people's vulnerability to risks and putting in place mechanisms to help them cope with adverse shocks. The overview to this year's World Development Report foreshadows the main report's central themes, namely the exploration of the nature and causes of poverty and of what can be done.

18 citations

01 Jan 2001
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focus on the dimensions of poverty and how to create a better world, free of poverty, and explore the nature, and evolution of poverty to present a framework for action.
Abstract: This report focuses on the dimensions of poverty, and how to create a better world, free of poverty. The analysis explores the nature, and evolution of poverty, and its causes, to present a framework for action. The opportunity for expanding poor people's assets is addressed, arguing that major reductions in human deprivation are indeed possible, that economic growth, inequality, and poverty reduction, can be harnessed through economic integration, and technological change, dependent not only on the evolvement of markets, but on the choices for public action at the global, national, and local levels. Actions to facilitate empowerment include state institutional responsiveness in building social institutions which will improve well-being, and health, to allow increased income-earning potential, access to education, and eventual removal of social barriers. Security aspects are enhanced, by assessing risk management towards reducing vulnerability to economic crises, and natural disasters. The report expands on the dimensions of human deprivation, to include powerlessness and voicelessness, vulnerability and fear. International dimensions are explored, through global actions to fight poverty, analyzing global trade, capital flows, and how to reform development assistance to forge change in the livelihoods of the poor.

18 citations

01 Sep 2000
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the nature and causes of poverty and what can be done to reduce poverty and enhance security by reducing the risk of such events as wars, disease, economic crises, and natural disasters.
Abstract: Poor people live without fundamental freedoms of action and choice that the better-off take for granted. They often lack adequate food and shelter, education, and health. They also face extreme vulnerability to ill health, economic dislocation, and natural disasters. And they are often exposed to ill treatment by institutions of the state and society (specifically, to social norms, values, and customary practices that within the family, the community, or the market lead to exclusion of women, ethnic and racial groups, or the socially disadvantaged) and are powerless to influence key decisions affecting their lives. These are all dimensions of poverty. And that is why facilitating the empowerment of poor people--by making state and social institutions more responsive to them--is key to reducing poverty. Moreover, vulnerability to external and largely uncontrollable events reinforces poor people's sense of ill-being, exacerbates their material poverty, and weakens their bargaining position. That is why enhancing security by reducing the risk of such events as wars, disease, economic crises, and natural disasters is also key to reducing poverty. So is reducing poor people's vulnerability to risks and putting in place mechanisms to help them cope with adverse shocks. The overview to this year's World Development Report foreshadows the main report's central themes, namely the exploration of the nature and causes of poverty and of what can be done.

4 citations


Cited by
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Book
24 Nov 2003
TL;DR: The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) as discussed by the authors is a conceptual framework for analysis and decision-making of ecosystems and human well-being that was developed through interactions among the experts involved in the MA as well as stakeholders who will use its findings.
Abstract: This first report of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment describes the conceptual framework that is being used in the MA. It is not a formal assessment of the literature, but rather a scientifically informed presentation of the choices made by the assessment team in structuring the analysis and framing the issues. The conceptual framework elaborated in this report describes the approach and assumptions that will underlie the analysis conducted in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. The framework was developed through interactions among the experts involved in the MA as well as stakeholders who will use its findings. It represents one means of examining the linkages between ecosystems and human well-being that is both scientifically credible and relevant to decision-makers. This framework for analysis and decision-making should be of use to a wide array of individuals and institutions in government, the private sector, and civil society that seek to incorporate considerations of ecosystem services in their assessments, plans, and actions.

2,427 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a classification and mapping of different trends of thought on sustainable development, their political and policy frameworks and their attitudes towards change and means of change is presented, focusing on sustainable livelihoods and well-being rather than well-having.
Abstract: Sustainable development, although a widely used phrase and idea, has many different meanings and therefore provokes many different responses. In broad terms, the concept of sustainable development is an attempt to combine growing concerns about a range of environmental issues with socio-economic issues. To aid understanding of these different policies this paper presents a classification and mapping of different trends of thought on sustainable development, their political and policy frameworks and their attitudes towards change and means of change. Sustainable development has the potential to address fundamental challenges for humanity, now and into the future. However, to do this, it needs more clarity of meaning, concentrating on sustainable livelihoods and well-being rather than well-having, and long term environmental sustainability, which requires a strong basis in principles that link the social and environmental to human equity. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

1,906 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, an exploratory analysis, involving interviews with MNC managers, original case studies, and archival material, indicates that the transnational model of national responsiveness, global efficiency and worldwide learning may not be sufficient.
Abstract: With established markets becoming saturated, multinational corporations (MNCs) have turned increasingly to emerging markets (EMs) in the developing world. Such EM strategies have been targeted almost exclusively at the wealthy elite at the top of the economic pyramid. Recently, however, a number of MNCs have launched new initiatives that explore the untapped market potential at the base of the economic pyramid, the largest and fastest-growing segment of the world's population. Reaching the four billion people in these markets poses both tremendous opportunities and unique challenges to MNCs, as conventional wisdom about MNC global capabilities and subsidiary strategy in EMs may not be appropriate. How MNCs can successfully enter these low-income markets has not been effectively addressed in the literatures on global and EM strategies. An exploratory analysis, involving interviews with MNC managers, original case studies, and archival material, indicates that the transnational model of national responsiveness, global efficiency and worldwide learning may not be sufficient. Results suggest that the success of initiatives targeting low-income markets is enhanced by recognizing that Western-style patterns of economic development may not occur in these business environments. Business strategies that rely on leveraging the strengths of the existing market environment outperform those that focus on overcoming weaknesses. These strategies include developing relationships with non-traditional partners, co-inventing custom solutions, and building local capacity. Together, these successful strategies suggest the importance of MNCs developing a global capability in social embeddedness.

1,426 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the conceptual and empirical foundations of community-based and driven development (CBD) initiatives are reviewed, and the authors find that projects that rely on community participation have not been particularly effective at targeting the poor.
Abstract: Community-based (and driven) development (CBD) projects have become an important form of development assistance, with the World Bank's portfolio alone approximating 7 billion dollars. This paper reviews the conceptual and empirical foundations of CBD/CDD initiatives. Given the importance of the topic, there are, unfortunately, a dearth of well-designed evaluations of such projects. There is, however, enough quantitative and qualitative evidence, from studies that have either been published in peer-reviewed publications or have been conducted by independent researchers, to gain some instructive lessons. We find that projects that rely on community participation have not been particularly effective at targeting the poor. There is some evidence that CBD/CDD projects create effective community infrastructure, but not a single study establishes a causal relationship between any outcome and participatory elements of a CBD project. Most CBD projects are dominated by elites and, in general, the targeting of poor communities as well as project quality tend to be markedly worse in more unequal communities. However, a number of studies find a U shaped relationship between inequality and project outcomes. We also find that a distinction between potentially 'benevolent' forms of elite domination and more pernicious types of 'capture' is likely to be important for understanding project dynamics and outcomes. Several qualitative studies indicate that the sustainability of CBD initiatives depends crucially on an enabling institutional environment, which requires upward commitment. Equally, the literature indicates that community leaders need to be downwardly accountable to avoid a variant of 'supply driven demand driven development'. Qualitative evidence also suggests that external agents strongly influence project success. However, facilitators are often poorly trained and inexperienced, particularly when programs are rapidly scaled up. Overall, a naive application of complex contextual concepts like 'participation', 'social capital' and 'empowerment' - is endemic among project implementers and contributes to poor design and implementation. In sum, the evidence suggests that CBD/CDD is best done in a context-specific manner, with a long time-horizon, and with careful and well designed monitoring and evaluation systems.

1,306 citations