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.

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Ecosystems and human well-being: a framework for assessment

Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank Keera Allendorf for providing research support on this paper. We would also like to thank

Measuring Women's Empowerment as a Variable in International Development

A review of English-language journals published since 1990 and three global mental health reports identified 11 community studies on the association between poverty and common mental disorders in six low- and middle-income countries. Most studies showed an association between indicators of poverty and the risk of mental disorders, the most consistent association being with low levels of education. A review of articles exploring the mechanism of the relationship suggested weak evidence to support a specific association with income levels. Factors such as the experience of insecurity and hopelessness, rapid social change and the risks of violence and physical ill-health may explain the greater vulnerability of the poor to common mental disorders. The direct and indirect costs of mental ill-health worsen the economic condition, setting up a vicious cycle of poverty and mental disorder. Common mental disorders need to be placed alongside other diseases associated with poverty by policy-makers and donors. Programmes such as investment in education and provision of microcredit may have unanticipated benefits in reducing the risk of mental disorders. Secondary prevention must focus on strengthening the ability of primary care services to provide effective treatment.

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Poverty and common mental disorders in developing countries

Entrepreneurship in and around institutional voids: A case study from Bangladesh ☆

1. INTRODUCTION: CAPABILITY AND VALUATION 2. POVERTY AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT 3. RANGE INFORMATION AND PROCESS 4. PARTICIPATION AND CULTURE 5. BASIC NEEDS AND BASIC CAPABILITIES 6. ASSESSING CAPABILITY CHANGE 7. THREE CASE STUDIES

Valuing Freedoms: Sen's Capability Approach and Poverty Reduction

As the second book in a three-part series entitled Voices of the Poor, "Crying out for Change" accounts for the voices from comparative fieldwork among twenty three countries. Through participatory, and qualitative research methods, the book presents very directly, poor people's own voices, and the realities of their lives. It outlines the multidimensional aspects of well-being, and how poor people see it, highlighting that in material terms, "enough" is not a lot for a good life, and, analyzes social well-being, security, and freedom of choice and action, in contrast to the "ill-being" aspects of material absence, reflecting on the experiences of humiliation, shame, anguish. and grief. The struggle for livelihoods is described through the scarcity of rural production, the diversified cities' bondage, and, the limited opportunities of life, and individual breakthroughs challenging their livelihoods. Further analysis reflect on the inadequacy, isolation, and lack of access to infrastructure; on the health aspects of mind and body; on gender relations in troubled subjugation; on social exclusion; and, on the uncertainties for survival. It finally challenges the meaning of development, and of power, calling for change, from material poverty to adequate assets and livelihoods, from exclusion to inclusion, organization, and empowerment.

Voices of the Poor: Crying Out for Change

Crying Out for Change: Voices of the Poor

The report, Consultations with the Poor was designed to respond to the challenge of how could voices of the poor, their experiences, priorities, reflections and recommendations be incorporated in the World Development Report, 2000/1 on the theme of Poverty and Development The authors have had to learn from the poor as they expressed their realities and priorities, what for them is the bad life and the good life, and what would make a significant difference in their lives The pattern of findings is striking What has been glimpsed before, but has here been repeatedly described in distressing detail by poor people, is the psychological experience and impact of poverty There are some sobering trends The large majority of poor people included in Consultations across the 23 countries said they are worse off now, have fewer economic opportunities, and live with greater insecurity than in the past This overview is organized into two parts Part I describes how poor people in the Consultations viewed well-being and ill-being, that is, the good life and the bad life It then sketches five interconnected dimensions of well-being: material well-being, physical well-being, freedom of action and choice, security, and social well-being Finally it discusses overall trends Part I1 focuses on five cross-cutting problems that were shown to keep poor people trapped in poverty and the bad life: corruption, violence, powerlessness, incapacity, and bare subsistence living To describe and tackle these problems, as well as the findings of the Consultations and their implications for policy, the authors have presented them as five major directions for change: a From Corruption to Honesty and Justice; b From Violence to Peace and Equity; c From Powerlessness to Grassroots Democracy; d From Weakness to Capacity for Action; e From Bare Subsistence to Assets and Security

Meera K. Shah

Papers

Voices of the Poor: Crying Out for Change

Crying Out for Change: Voices of the Poor

Global synthesis : consultations with the poor - summary

La voz de los pobres : clamando por el cambio