Africa is a continent characterised by deepening environmental degradation and increasing loss of natural resources. This has had an adverse effect on human health and well-being in the region. Environmental degradation has also made it impossible for average Africans to enjoy the human right to environment guaranteed under the continent-wide African Charter, and the constitutions and laws of most African nations. Several factors are responsible for perpetuating this state of affairs, namely poverty, lack of political will to enforce or adopt environmental regulations, and weak institutional capacity. An opportunity to reverse this trend has been offered by the adoption of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by all United Nations member States in 2000. The MDGs are eight developmental goals with time-bound targets. However, the MDGs are not legally binding despite their global adoption. Despite this inherent legal weakness, the MDGs still have important normative value as they provided a framework for holding governments accountable to their millennium anti-poverty commitments vis-à-vis instituting sound socio-economic reform and strengthening good governance. This thesis proposes that the role of the MDGs in guiding or stimulating national and international policy reform towards the realisation of the right to environment in Africa is, as a framework of accountability, they can be used to promote good governance and socio-economic reform, two ingredients that are essential to creating the enabling environment for implementing the right to environment in Africa. This thesis is therefore an in-depth analysis of this role. The purpose of this analysis is sixfold. First, to provide an overview of the concepts as well as the research methodology used in this study; second, to determine whether there is an established human right to environment in Africa; third, to analyse the extent to which the right has been realised as well as the factors responsible for the non-realisation; fourth, to discuss the relationship between the achievement of the MDGs and realisation of the right in Africa; fifth, to analyse how the MDGs can guide or stimulate policy reform towards the realisation of the right; and sixth, to analyse the major policies adopted for the achievement of the MDGs in Africa to ascertain how they would contribute to the realisation of the right to environment in the region.

Magister Administrationis - MAdmin / This study explores the relationship between companies and society with regards to companies’ social responsibilities. A number of concepts such as Corporate Citizenship (CC), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Corporate Social Investment (CSI), articulate the role of companies in society. While these concepts are often used interchangeably, the main argument advanced in this study is that the concept of CC has more political currency than other concepts as CC confers duties and rights to companies in communities where they operate. In developing countries, CC is concerned with the role played by companies in administering the socio-economic rights of people living in communities where they operate. The study seeks to provide an overview of corporations’ obligations towards the socio-economic rights of people through CC, proposing the use of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as a way to find a normative framework for CC.

Magister Bibliothecologiae - MBibl / The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is a tool through which the present government in South Africa wants to implement transformation in regard with raising the standard of living of the people in all spheres of life. Libraries are often seen as important agencies for information dissemination and other services. Public libraries have a vital role to play in the achievement of the MDGs. Stakeholders all over the spectrum need to collaborate with libraries to achieve these goals by 2015. The study investigated the role of the public library in realising some of the MDGs by means of a case study of Groenheuwel Public Library. The aim of this case study was to determine how this public library contributes to the development of Groenheuwel. Empirical research techniques were used to determine whether public libraries contribute to the well-being of the community of Groenheuwel and to the achievement of certain targets for the Millennium Development Goals. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) provide a framework for libraries and information services to develop and align their strategies and access their contribution towards their countries (Kaniki, 2008:16). The methodology applied was a quantitative questionnaire which included open-ended questions, which explored the role of the public library in the respondents' lives. The study made use of random sampling; the population of the study was adult library users. Every third library user was asked to complete a questionnaire over a period of two weeks. The data collected, informed the researcher what the purpose of the adult users' visit to the library was and whether the library addresses MDGs directly or indirectly. The findings should provide empirical evidence of the impact of public libraries, with reference to Groenheuwel public library, in addressing some of the Millennium Development Goals. The researcher hopes that this study will convince local government and decision makers to expand the library to a bigger library, to render an effective and efficient library service with added staff members and that the community find the library valuable and vital for their information needs.

The World Health Organization (WHO) found that 6.6 million children under five died in 2012 (WHO 2013). Almost half of all of these child deaths take place in the first month of life, and 75% of all under five deaths occur within the child's first year of life (WHO 2013). The aim of this study is to compare the most influential factors that decrease infant and neonatal mortality in order to find where policy makers, governments, and international organizations need to focus their efforts in order to get all countries on track for Millennium Development Goal 4 to reduce child mortality. Mosley and Chen (1984) suggest that infant mortality should be studied more as a process with multifactorial origins opposed to an acute, single phenomenon. To study the multifaceted nature of infant mortality they suggest grouping select variables into broad categories. This paper uses this model to test the contribution of the following four types of factors: 1) healthcare system 2) social determinants 3) reproductive behavior and 4) national context in order to understand which category impacts infant mortality most significantly. This study utilizes the Demographic and Health Surveys and was estimated using a discrete time hazard model. Results suggest that social determinants reduce infant mortality most significantly over the other three factors and that maternal education is the key to reaching Millennium Development Goal 4. This research suggests that healthcare interventions, although important, are not a substitute for mother's education. The combination of prenatal care and maternal education will ensure the safest first year for a child.

No description available.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Child malnutrition contributes to more than 33% of child deaths and is directly related to the productivity and success of the adult population. To combat these stark figures, the United Nations Millennium Development Goals set out to halve levels of malnutrition by 2015. While recent U.N. reports indicate that many countries are on track to reach the MDGs, there may be sub-populations within these countries that do not fair as well. The purpose of this study is to provide a comparative analysis of the nutritional status of children younger than five years of age in the Dominican Republic and the Dominican Batey sub-population. This comparison will be based on stunting levels, reportedly the best indicator of child malnutrition, as it indicates sustained levels of nutritional deficiency. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from the 2007 Dominican Republic Standard and Special Demographic Health Surveys involving 11,149 Dominican children and 919 children from Dominican Bateyes, respectively, were used. Version 20 of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to conduct descriptive statistics, analysis of variance tests, and independent samples T-test using selected socio-demographic variables. RESULTS: A significant difference in height-for-age (stunting) was identified between Bateyes (M= -83.52, SD =134.783) and the general population (M = -51.88, SD = 134.576; t (10,032) = -6.301, p = .00, two-tailed). Study findings indicate that overall, children under five years of age who reside in Dominican Bateyes are more malnourished than their Dominican counterparts (15.9% in Bateyes as opposed to 10.8% in the general population). Furthermore, Batey children are .34 times more moderately stunted, and one time more severely stunted, than children who reside in other areas of the Dominican Republic. CONCLUSION: While the Dominican Republic is on track to meet MDG Goal 1, a significant portion of the population does not fair as well. The substantial underlying differences that exist between the Dominican the Batey sub-population have led to higher rates of stunting and require further analysis. The findings of this study should guide the design of appropriate interventions aimed at reduction of malnutrition within Batey communities. KEY WORDS: stunting, malnutrition, children, Dominican Republic, Batey, Millennium Development Goals

Inspired by the precedence of eradicating worldwide poverty and the unresolved discussion how to solve this problem, this paper attempts to illustrate how microfinance by the Grameen Bank can alleviate poverty beyond the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). These goals are arguably limited by the use of poverty lines and may not reflect the true level of poverty beyond quantifications. Microfinance has become a top choice for bottom-up poverty alleviation despite mixed effects over past decades. In this regard, this study seeks to explore how microfinance as a bottom-up approach to development can widen and enhance social opportunities beyond quantifications and the MDG for poor people. Guided by an explorative case study design qualitative interviews with Grameen Bank staff and borrowers were conducted in rural villages in the divisions of Tangail and Manikganj in the surrounding areas of Dhaka. Three primary stakeholders were identified for further empirical enquiry: (1) poor people and households, (2) children and students, and (3) extremely poor people or beggars. The research revealed that microfinance can alleviate poverty and enhance economic as well as social opportunities for poor people to a certain extent. In terms of economic opportunity enhancement microfinance can lead to stimulation of business sectors and village economy, increased purchasing power and general access to financial services otherwise inaccessible for poor people. With regards to social opportunities, microfinance may lead to increased choice to pursue what one desires, women empowerment, instrumental value, change in living conditions, decreased availability of household workers, increased opportunities for beggars and access to healthcare. However, the level of effectiveness of poverty intervention and opportunity enhancement varies among the groups of people explored: (1) poor people and households and (2) children and students can enhance their opportunities relatively more effectively compared to (3) extremely poor people or beggars.

Nigeria, like many nations of the world, is confronted with a high level of poverty. Over the years the country has taken several initiatives to reduce the incidence of poverty. Nigeria was one of the earliest countries to adopt the Millennium Development Goals [MDGs] as a strategy in reducing poverty and promoting development across the vast nation. The federating states have also rolled out a number of poverty reduction programmes tailored along the millennium development goals. This study, therefore, evaluates the achievement of the millennium development poverty reduction target in Ogun State, South west Nigeria. The study seeks to ascertain whether the state was able to significantly reduce poverty with the introduction of the MDGs. The study also attempts to establish difference or similarity (if any) between past poverty reduction policies in the state and the MDGs poverty reduction strategies. In carrying out this study, related literature on poverty, development and poverty reduction efforts (strategies and programmes) implemented in the state were extensively reviewed and relevant information retrieved for the study. This study employed the mixed method research, comprising both the quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data through the administration of a questionnaire was obtained from 232 respondents. While in-depth interview with seven participants provided the qualitative data. Quantitative data was analyzed using Descriptive statistics, and chi-square statistical technique was used to analyze the quantitative data while qualitative data analysis was carried out using transcription and thematic clusters. The findings of the study, in general, revealed that the MDG poverty reduction strategy did not make any significant contribution in reducing poverty in the state. The MDG strategy was not any different from past poverty reduction strategies implemented in the state. The findings of the research also strongly indicated that there was low awareness regarding the MDGs poverty reduction strategies set up amongst the citizens of the state. The low awareness emerged as a major hindrance to the success of the MDG programme. Based on the findings of this study, a sustainable development poverty reduction model was developed. The model gives room for programme awareness; people’s consultation and participation. It emphasizes the need to consider the community setting or environment factors in the planning and execution of poverty reduction programme. This model contend that aligning strategies to the peculiar need of each environment is a critical component for the sustenance of any poverty reduction programme.

Masters in Public Administration - MPA / In South Africa, since 1994 when democratic government come into power, the issue of development was raised as one of the priorities of government. Government promised to transform the citizen’s livelihoods through quality, effective and efficient services. Rural development was identified as one of the priorities of government to ensure better life for all the citizens. Local government have been mandated to ensure quality service delivery to the citizens especially to the rural areas. The issue of rural development was still a challenge in South Africa especially in Eastern Cape Province. There was a need to improve service delivery to the rural communities at Intsika Yethu Municipal area as the pace of rural development has been slowly. An infrastructure service is still a challenge to the rural areas at this municipal area as the sanitation is yet to improve. Service delivery has been far less compared to the urban areas. There were signs of improvement but the process has been very slow. The study has determine and analysed the issues that contribute to the slow pace in rural development and reveal some recommendations that might assist to improve the pace of rolling out services at Intsika Yethu municipal rural communities. The findings of the study show that unemployment and poverty to the people residing in rural communities has been one of the major challenges that need serious consideration. The infrastructural situation of the rural communities pushed people of Intsika Yethu to the level of poor socio-economic development which might be contributed by the pace rural development has been approached. The research found that the slow pace in development of rural communities has an impact on the situation they found themselves and therefore intervention strategies to improve the pace of service delivery in rural communities with the intentions of enforcing the local municipality to be accountable and responsible.

The contemporary global system is characterised by the presence of a multitude of International Organisations (IOs) whose relevance is sustained by the roles they play. Among these IOs, the United Nations (UN) is of paramount importance as a result of its universal membership and extensive mandate. Its international role is influenced by its evolving structures, practices and goals. Among its most recent objectives are the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which address the challenge of holistic human development at the global level. This study aims to assess the UN’s role in pursuing the MDGs as they relate to the development of children in West Africa. The first two of the eight goals have been selected for the purpose of focusing the research, namely the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, and the elimination of illiteracy by achieving universal primary education. Children, who bear the brunt of global underdevelopment and whose development is a key element in breaking cycles of poverty, are the focus of the study. The general and historical role played by the UN in advancing child development is therefore assessed with regards to the issue-fields indicated by the two selected MDGs. Specific application is then done in the case of West Africa, chosen as case study because the region is the poorest in the world and arguably indicative of most urgent MDG focus. Clive Archer’s analytical outline, which depicts IOs variously as instruments, arenas and actors, is used as a conceptual framework. Archer contends that IOs can be utilised as instruments by other global actors, serve as arenas for dialogue and cooperation among such actors and also assume proactive, independent identities as actors in pursuit of specific objectives. The study concludes that Archer’s framework is relevant, but that the existence of all three roles in the same functional space has notable and often contradictory implications. While the UN generally plays its roles as actor and arena in achieving its first two MDGs among West African children with relative ease, its role as instrument is dependent on the agendas and political will of other actors in the global system. Notwithstanding the weakness of its role as instrument, however, the UN’s triad of roles towards the development of children, and specifically children in West Africa, is a key element of the organisation’s global relevance. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Political Sciences / unrestricted