Decreased food security is a major issue which influences numerous individuals in developing countries such as South Africa. Literature suggests that although detailed information is not available about the exact amount of food insecure households in South Africa, food insecurity does exist. Multiple factors influence decreased food security and households in informal settlements often portray high risks to decreased food security due to a lack of adequate resources to ensure sustainable food security. However, to the authors‟ knowledge limited information is available regarding the specific state of household food security in informal settlements in South Africa. Information regarding the influences various factors have on food security in an informal settlement is also limited. Therefore this study aimed to explore household food security in an informal settlement including the factors that could possibly contribute to food insecurity. According to literature, the pillars of food security consist of food availability, accessibility and utilisation and can contribute to a decrease in household food security or the enhancement thereof. In addition, socio-demographical factors such as income, household size and level of education can influence household food security. Based on this information, the pillars of food security and socio-demographical aspects of a household were used as possible factors that influence food security and were included as part of the theoretical framework. Utilisation as part of the food security pillars was closely explored to determine if the knowledge and suggested implementation thereof was effective and contributing to household food security. The influence of knowledge of basic food related aspects on food security were therefore determined in this, combined with the relationships between various socio-demographics and food security. Furthermore, through these findings recommendations were made on how food security can be enhanced in the households of the identified informal settlement. A quantitative research approach was used in this study. As part of non-probability sampling interviewer administered questionnaires were presented to 103 respondents at Nutrifeeds production and distribution facility in the Viljoenskroon area. Existing questionnaires and surveys relevant to this study subject were consulted to develop the questionnaire which explored demographics, food production and knowledge of food handling, utilisation, storage practices, and food security. All questionnaires were completed and the data was analysed by Statistical Consultation Services at the North-West University, Potchefstroom, using the Statistical Program for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results indicated that the majority of respondents possessed knowledge regarding food handling practices. Knowledge of food related aspects were indicated to be implemented accordingly, by most respondents with regard to food utilisation (preparation, hygiene and storage). It was determined that the more than two thirds of the respondents and their households were at risk of food insecurity or food insecure suggesting that a need exists for food insecurity to be addressed in this informal settlement. According to the results that were obtained in this study, food insecurity in the Viljoenskroon area, Rammulotsi informal settlement can be acknowledged. Additionally, the findings enabled the researcher to make recommendations to local businesses, clinics and local authorities regarding the enhancement of household food security in the area. The recommendations include the enhancement of knowledge regarding food related aspects, food production opportunities, food access and utilisation in the community as a means to improve the status of household food security in this informal settlement. / M Consumer Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The 1999 earthquakes revealed serious gaps in the Turkish disaster management system. The lack of coordination and cooperation between governmental and non-governmental organizations, limits in the legal framework and the lack of policies and plans about disaster preparedness and mitigation are basic. It is highly relevant therefore to expose these deficiencies and find which changes are necessary for capacity building in civil initiatives and which policies can be put into practice to form a strong and a sustainable organizational structure between governmental organizations and civil initiatives. This required reconsidering the events of 1999 Marmara earthquakes and civil initiatives&rsquo / activities. The analyses have been made among civil initiatives to expose their objectives, their response to earthquakes and future plans. Futher, this required discussion of the current state of disaster management system and legal structure. Findings are that a number of creative activities of civil initiatives can be observed after the Marmara earthquakes. However, the existing level of collaboration with governmental organizations is inadequate, considering the magnitude of disasters taking place in Turkey and the degree of the people&rsquo / s vulnerability. Efforts such as new draft of law of Turgey Emergency Management General Directorate (TEMGD) seem to provide means to meet the requirements. This draft law could provide the tools to accommodate civil initiatives The law could be revised so as to maintain a legal basis for civil initiatives&rsquo / activities as part of disaster management system indicating that governmental organizations should work together in coordination with civil initiatives. Secondly, to encourage voluntary activities, a number of provisions should be available such as life insurance against accidents for the accredited volunteers. Thirdly, TEGMD should also act to find partners for supporting civil initiatives in their financial, personnel training and management needs. With increasing conviction in the need for participatory approaches and people-oriented developments, civil initiatives are committed to face challenges in mitigating and preparing for the variety of disasters facing Turkey.

This thesis presents a program of research exploring the multilevel organisational structure of fleet safety management. The aim of this research was to investigate three current fleet safety initiatives, and individual and contextual factors influencing safe driving behaviour in a work vehicle. Three studies were conducted to achieve this aim. This research utilised a sample of employees from a range of Queensland Government agencies.----- Study one evaluated three current fleet safety initiatives within the Queensland Government. From a sample of fleet co-ordinators (N=24) and drivers (N=88), this study established the extent to which specific psychological processes underlying the fleet safety initiatives were adopted, and the attitude change associated with their use. This study found mixed support for the Hypotheses, with the influence of the fleet safety initiatives on fleet co-ordinators' and drivers' attitude change being consistent with processes associated with the persuasive communication framework, and behaviour management. However, the study found no support for the behavioural management processes hypothesised to underlie the incentive scheme (CPP). The findings of the study suggested that while fleet safety initiatives can have an influence on fleet co-ordinator and driver attitude change, their impact depends on the extent to which safety issues are viewed as relevant, and the extent to which there is reinforcement within the organisational environment to support these safety initiatives. Therefore, the findings from this study, combined with existing research into the impact of safety climate, suggest the workplace context needs to be taken into account. For this reason, study two investigated the role of perceptions of the safety climate, in addition to individual attributes, as predictors of self-reported crash involvement.----- Study two applied a framework incorporating driver attributes, including attitudes towards traffic safety and self-efficacy, and drivers' perceptions of the safety climate, as predictors of self-reported crashes in a work vehicle. Within this framework, drivers' perception of the safety climate, and their individual attributes were conceptualised as antecedents of driving performance, and driver safety motivation and knowledge mediated the relationship between these factors and self-reported crashes. A total of 385 drivers participated in this study, which found motivation to drive safely mediated the relationship between driver attributes and self-reported crashes. The initial analysis did not find a significant relationship between safety climate and safety motivation. However, posthoc analyses exploring this non-significant relationship found managerial safety values could be distinguished from other facets of the safety climate construct. Subsequently, the results indicated managerial safety values predicted safety motivation, when drivers perceived a strong safety climate. This study provided a more thorough understanding of the variables predicting driver behaviour at an individual level of analysis. However, a shortcoming is the study did not consider the various influences impacting on drivers' safety perceptions, and individual attributes within the context of the work environment.----- Study three extended on the framework established in study two, and investigated the contribution of leader attributes to the prediction of drivers' safety perceptions, and individual attributes. The leader attribute measures, specifically, perceptions of the safety climate, motivation, knowledge, and work overload were collected from a sample of fleet co-ordinators (N=52) and supervisors (N=88). Through multi-level analyses, both supervisors and fleet co-ordinators were shown to influence the safety perceptions and individual attributes of individuals who drive work vehicles. Support was found for positive relationships between supervisor safety knowledge, and the individual attributes. However, there was a large amount of variation due to group membership unaccounted for by supervisor safety knowledge and the safety performance factors investigated within the supervisor groups. These findings suggested supervisors may not be interacting with drivers in relation to fleet safety matters, but that other factors associated with work group membership are having an impact on drivers' safety perceptions. In comparison, there was a small amount of variation accounted for by fleet co-ordinator group membership. However, the results suggested the fleet co-ordinator leader attributes accounted for a high percentage of this variation in group membership. Support was found for a positive relationship between fleet co-ordinator safety perceptions, and driver safety perceptions. Other results found fleet co-ordinators were engaging in higher workloads to enhance the safety perceptions, and attitudes towards traffic safety of drivers within their groups.----- Overall, these studies establish a multilevel organisational process of effect, whereby individual and leader attributes, and organisational initiatives all play a role in influencing the safety performance of work-related drivers. The results also indicated an unclear structure in the management of fleet safety, as perceived by drivers, and through the roles and responsibilities of supervisors and fleet co-ordinators. The implications of these results for the management of fleet safety are discussed.

This thesis explores claims that organic agriculture may be an empowering development strategy by investigating the impacts of conversion to organic farming systems on the lives of small-scale farmers in Cambodia. The thesis interrogates the diverse uses and abuses of the term =empowerment‘ in development rhetoric and argues for an empowerment model that is derived from farmers‘ self-defined concepts of development. This model was used to conduct a qualitative case study involving semistructured interviews and focus groups with members of organics initiatives in seven diverse Cambodian communities. Results indicate that many farmers in all communities felt that their most important objective was not only to achieve food security, but to be able to grow sufficient rice to feed their family. Farmers joined the organics initiatives primarily to improve their health and reduce the cost of farming inputs. As a result of joining the initiatives, all farmers (including both certified and non-certified organic farmers) felt they had improved their health and food security. Most farmers also increased incomes, created stronger family and community ties and felt they had more control over their livelihoods. These benefits were not, however, distributed equally amongst individuals or communities. Very poor and isolated farmers could not generally access benefits. The three main factors that determined the impact of the organics initiatives on farmer empowerment were identified as: the individual‘s level of resources, the strength of the farmer group, and the policies and values of the supporting organisation. The implications for future initiatives are, firstly, the tremendous potential for farmers and wider rural communities to benefit from organic agriculture as a development strategy. However, this study also shows that if organics is to be viable for low-resource people, it may be necessary to promote both resources and techniques in organics initiatives. Also, a focus on building strong relationships both within the farmers group and linkages with local and wider stakeholders may enhance long-term sustainability of organics initiatives.

This thesis explores claims that organic agriculture may be an empowering development strategy by investigating the impacts of conversion to organic farming systems on the lives of small-scale farmers in Cambodia. The thesis interrogates the diverse uses and abuses of the term =empowerment‘ in development rhetoric and argues for an empowerment model that is derived from farmers‘ self-defined concepts of development. This model was used to conduct a qualitative case study involving semistructured interviews and focus groups with members of organics initiatives in seven diverse Cambodian communities. Results indicate that many farmers in all communities felt that their most important objective was not only to achieve food security, but to be able to grow sufficient rice to feed their family. Farmers joined the organics initiatives primarily to improve their health and reduce the cost of farming inputs. As a result of joining the initiatives, all farmers (including both certified and non-certified organic farmers) felt they had improved their health and food security. Most farmers also increased incomes, created stronger family and community ties and felt they had more control over their livelihoods. These benefits were not, however, distributed equally amongst individuals or communities. Very poor and isolated farmers could not generally access benefits. The three main factors that determined the impact of the organics initiatives on farmer empowerment were identified as: the individual‘s level of resources, the strength of the farmer group, and the policies and values of the supporting organisation. The implications for future initiatives are, firstly, the tremendous potential for farmers and wider rural communities to benefit from organic agriculture as a development strategy. However, this study also shows that if organics is to be viable for low-resource people, it may be necessary to promote both resources and techniques in organics initiatives. Also, a focus on building strong relationships both within the farmers group and linkages with local and wider stakeholders may enhance long-term sustainability of organics initiatives.

Cette recherche propose une analyse approfondie des initiatives de discipline financière mises en œuvre au Royaume-Uni entre 1976 et 2010, soit du prêt d’urgence du Fonds monétaire international (FMI) aux lendemains amers de la Grande Récession. Le parcours historique présenté ici vise à mieux comprendre l'influence des idées, des valeurs et des normes (soit les cadres cognitifs et normatifs) qui ont prévalu dans l'élaboration, la mise en œuvre et l’évolution des initiatives vouées à inculquer une meilleure gestion financière au sein de l'administration publique britannique. En matière de discipline financière, le Royaume-Uni occupe l’avant-scène, comme en font foi les nombreuses réformes lancées à cet effet par les décideurs publics au cours des dernières décennies. Ces initiatives sont d’ailleurs régulièrement citées en exemple, positivement ou négativement. Ainsi, malgré leur influence non négligeable sur la conduite de l’État britannique, ces initiatives n’ont jamais été étudiées sous le prisme particulier adopté pour cette thèse, c’est-à-dire aborder le thème de la discipline financière en joignant deux grandes approches théoriques, soit le néo-institutionnalisme historique et les cadres cognitifs et normatifs. Ce rapprochement est nécessaire afin d’interpréter l’apport des idées, valeurs et normes prônées par les décideurs et gestionnaires publics, sans négliger les contraintes historiques qui pèsent sur ces derniers. La méthodologie de recherche repose sur la stratégie de l’étude de cas multiple et s’appuie sur une analyse exhaustive de sources primaires. L’accès à ces données historiques fut possible grâce à la vaste collection de textes originaux disponibles aux Archives nationales du Royaume-Uni et aux nombreux documents officiels publiés sur les différents sites Web du gouvernement britannique. La recherche se concentre sur une sélection de dix (10) initiatives les plus notables à l’aune de leur portée et de leurs impacts sur l’administration publique britannique, mais surtout sur l’évolution du concept de discipline financière. Ces initiatives furent mises en acte par cinq (5) administrations différentes (Thatcher, Major, Blair, Brown et Cameron) provenant de partis politiques concurrents (conservateur, travailliste et de coalition), et ce, autant dans des contextes de réduction que de croissance des dépenses publiques. Cette thèse souhaite donc répondre aux questions suivantes : de quelle manière les cadres cognitifs et normatifs des acteurs institutionnels ont-ils influencé les initiatives de discipline financière et leur évolution au cours des quatre dernières décennies au Royaume-Uni? En d’autres termes, quelle est la place des idées, valeurs et normes dans l’évolution de la notion de discipline financière et, par extension, de la gestion des dépenses publiques britanniques? Répondre à ces interrogations requiert de se pencher sur trois dynamiques distinctes, mais complémentaires : la conception, la mise en œuvre et l’évolution de ces initiatives. Cette recherche part de la prémisse que les logiques cognitives et normatives ont joué un rôle de premier plan dans la conception des initiatives de discipline financière qui se sont succédé au fil du temps. En effet, chaque nouveau gouvernement souhaite élaborer des mesures en conformité avec ses propres idées, valeurs et normes, et non pas celles des administrations précédentes. Ces mesures représentent ainsi des construits façonnés par les structures de sens et d’action des acteurs institutionnels. Par ailleurs, la période à l’étude est marquée par de nombreux points de rupture engendrés par des crises politiques, économiques et financières ainsi que par des changements de gouvernement aux idées antinomiques. Ces moments charnières constituent de véritables fenêtres d’opportunité pour introduire des changements paradigmatiques comme techniques. Ce postulat pourrait ainsi laisser présager des modifications rapides et sensibles dans la mise en acte des différentes initiatives de discipline financière. Pourtant, l’examen de l’évolution de ces initiatives semble démontrer le contraire. En effet, la plupart des mesures adoptées ont obtenu en général un succès mitigé à court et à moyen terme, à cause entre autres du phénomène de l’inertie institutionnelle. Les effets structurants sur l’évolution du concept de discipline financière, notamment son institutionnalisation, se sont plutôt manifestés à long terme, grâce à un lent processus de recadrage cognitif et normatif. La mise en œuvre souvent laborieuse des premières mesures a toutefois permis de démarrer le processus, en favorisant une acceptation graduelle des initiatives qui sont aujourd’hui devenues de véritables « institutions managériales » au Royaume-Uni, mais également dans de nombreux autres pays industrialisés.

Smart Cities are, while hot-and-happening, in the field of urban planning, also a source of confusionand debate. While many argue against the technology-driven and top-down nature of the Smart Citymodel, the bottom-up component is often appointed as the deciding factor in the determinationwhether a Smart City can be successful and contributing to its set goals, or rather resulting in an effortharming the city and its citizens in the long run. This thesis set out to explore the bottom-upcomponent in one of the most revered and most bottom-up Smart Cities of the world, Amsterdam.Remarkably, the research has proven that Amsterdam Smart City, even though it is often seen as oneof the good examples, suffers from the same issues. Its initiatives are an amalgamation of subjectsthat hardly seem to fit under the smart narrative as propagated by Amsterdam Smart City and hardlyany initiatives can be considered truly bottom-up. If one of the prime examples fails to adhere to itsown standards, what does this mean for the concept of smart cities?

The central theme is focused on the association of cattle producers in the community of Rincão do 28 in Alegrete, RS. The objective was to analyze the association of the local development perspectives and the market accesses related to beef cattle ranching, with livestock farming being an important activity in Rio Grande do Sul, occupying the state sixth place in production in Brazil. For the study, a documentary with the topics of geographical indications and initiatives of local groups as local development tools was carried out. Thus, we also analyzed some breed associations within the state, such as Angus; Hereford and Braford, which together with the refrigeration industry are engaged in the marketing of processed meat. Other marketing options were also considered, such as the Geographical Indication: Meat of the Pampa Gaúcho of the Southern Campaign and the seal of the Alianza del pastizal association, all of which are a source of income in which producers obtain a remuneration in the sale of the animals. Once these issues have been addressed, I have had a sense of local development, geographical indications and how distinctive seals contribute as an asset to the marketing of products, in this case, livestock. The information was compiled through a case study methodology in its single case modality, carried out in two moments: the first part was the bibliographic research (documentary) with the aforementioned themes, and the field research with the Interviews with ten of the association's producers. The results obtained in the field research showed how the association intervened in the increase of production; How it accelerated the arrival of public policies in the installation of electric light and the improvement of the highway; As well as in social issues such as the incorporation of women in decision making in the production part, thus observing prospects for local development through the association and showing that there are capacities and the willingness to improve production and market niches , As well as considering new options as a geographical indication, but in this case for another type of production such as sheep. / O tema central está focado na associação de produtores do gado de corte na comunidade do Rincão do 28 em Alegrete, RS. O objetivo foi analisar, em relação à associação, as perspectivas de desenvolvimento local e os acessos ao mercado relacionados à pecuária de corte, sendo a pecuária uma atividade importante no Rio Grande do Sul, ocupando o estado o sexto lugar na produção de Brasil. Para o estudo se realizou uma parte documental com os temas de indicações geográficas e iniciativas próprias de grupos locais como ferramentas do desenvolvimento local. Assim, também analisaram-se algumas associações de raça dentro do estado, como Angus e Brangus; Hereford e Braford, que em conjunto com a indústria frigorífica se dedicam a comercialização de carne processada. Foram consideradas outras opções de comercialização como a Indicação Geográfica: Carne do Pampa Gaúcho da Campanha Meridional e o selo da associação Alianza del Pastizal, sendo todas estas uma fonte de renda na que produtores obtêm uma remuneração melhor na venda dos animais. Uma vez tratados estes temas, descreve-se uma noção sobre o desenvolvimento local, as indicações geográficas e como os selos contribuem como uma vantagem para a comercialização de produtos, neste caso, da carne. As informações foram recopiladas através de uma metodologia de estudo de caso na sua modalidade de caso único, realizado em dois momentos: num primeiro momento, realizou-se a parte de pesquisa bibliográfica (documental) com os temas antes mencionados, e a pesquisa de campo com a realização de entrevistas a dez produtores da associação do Rincão do 28. Os resultados obtidos na pesquisa de campo apresentaram como a associação interveio no incremento da produção; como acelerou a chegada das políticas públicas na instalação da luz elétrica e a melhora da estrada. Em questões sociais, destaca a incorporação das mulheres na tomada de decisões na parte da produção, observando-se desta maneira perspectivas de desenvolvimento local por meio da associação e evidenciando que existem as capacidades e a disposição de melhorar a produção e os nichos de mercado, assim como considerar novas opções como uma indicação geográfica, mas, neste caso para outro tipo de produção como a ovina.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:36:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JorgeAR.pdf: 589075 bytes, checksum: 352da594ffb94f91eeca4b1d976a2951 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-08-09 / This work aims at studying the policies of teaching training and their impact in the actors and in the education systems of the countries in which these policies were implemented into the context of neoliberal reforms. We particularly studied these policies in three Latin America countries: Argentina, Brazil and Chile. The policies studied here are the ones implemented from the 90 s. However, the horizon of this study is at the beginning of the 80 s, period that starts one of the four intervention initiatives of education here studied: The Main Project of Education For Latin America and Caribbean (PROMEDLAC), which in 2002 goes into a new stage and it is called Regional Project of Education for Latin America and Caribbean (PRELAC), worked out by UNESCO as a request of government representatives of countries of the region, based on the suggestions of Declaration of Mexico , signed by them in 1979. These suggestions will be in the base of the other three initiatives: The Education For All (EPT); Ibero-American Conferences of Education (CIE) and The Hemisphere Action Plan of Education (PAHE), whose documents are the base to the production of an abundant legislation and normatization on education that created the parameters on which the policies of education reforms were worked out and implemented and the dynamism of our education systems from the last two decades of the twentieth century on. All these initiatives intend to work with objectives, projects and programs that, in some cases, in isolation or in groups, are under influence of their actions in a way that frequently it is difficult to identify which of them is the main responsible for some advances. It is important to stand out that not all of the suggestions produced by these initiatives were implemented as policies, and many of them to be implemented were changed in such a way that they were distorted, even they were a result of a multilateral deal, each country gave to them its own interpretation. Moreover, in all these processes the teaching entities had and keep having a fundamental role. The evidences, result of the evaluations of each initiative, show that education policies implemented produced advances in several aspects. They are still not the ideal ones, in truth, but they do exist. In relation to the teaching questions, there were and are still being implemented multiples and varied actions that did not have the expected impact in the education systems of the countries, objects of this study, but, many of them that go on, are promising and start to have a positive impact into the education systems. Even so, the teaching subject matter, even playing a central role in the agenda of all countries of the region, still represents one of the big challenges to the advance and improvement of our education systems / O presente trabalho prop?e-se um estudo da(s) pol?tica(s) de forma??o docente e seu impacto nestes atores e nos sistemas educativos dos pa?ses em que foram implementadas no contexto das reformas neoliberais. Estudamos estas pol?ticas de modo particular em tr?s pa?ses da Am?rica Latina: Argentina, Brasil e Chile. As pol?ticas aqui estudadas s?o as implementadas a partir da d?cada de 1990, entretanto, situamos o horizonte deste estudo iniciando na d?cada de 1980, per?odo em que come?a uma das quatro iniciativas internacionais de educa??o aqui estudadas: o Projeto Principal de Educa??o para Am?rica Latina e o Caribe (PROMEDLAC), que em 2002 entra numa nova etapa e passa a ser chamado de Projeto Regional de Educa??o para Am?rica Latina e o Caribe (PRELAC), elaborado pela UNESCO a pedido dos representantes dos governos dos pa?ses da regi?o, tendo como base as sugest?es da Declara??o do Mexico por eles assinada em 1979, sugest?es estas que ir?o estar na base das outras tr?s iniciativas: a Educa??o para Todos EPT; as Confer?ncias Ibero-americanas de Educa??o CIE e o Plano de A??o Hemisf?rico de Educa??o PAHE, cujos documentos t?m servido de base ? produ??o de uma abundante legisla??o e normatiza??o sobre educa??o, que criou os par?metros sobre os quais foram elaboradas e implementadas as pol?ticas que tornaram poss?vel os processos de reforma educativa e a dinamiza??o dos nossos sistemas educacionais a partir das ?ltimas duas d?cadas do s?culo XX. Todas estas iniciativas prop?em-se trabalhar com objetivos, metas, projetos e programas que, em alguns casos, de forma isolada e em outros de forma conjunta, est?o a sofrer a influ?ncia de suas a??es a ponto de, com freq??ncia, ser dif?cil identificar qual das iniciativas ? a principal respons?vel por determinados avan?os. ? importante ressaltar que nem todas as sugest?es produzidas por estas iniciativas foram implementadas como pol?ticas ou, ainda, muitas delas ao serem implementadas sofreram deforma??es que as descaracterizaram, j? que, embora resultassem de acordos multilaterais, cada pa?s deu-lhes a sua pr?pria interpreta??o. Al?m disso, em todos esses processos as entidades docentes tiveram e continuam a ter um papel fundamental. As evid?ncias, fruto de avalia??es a que tem sido submetida cada uma das iniciativas, mostram que as pol?ticas educacionais implementadas produziram avan?os em diversos aspectos. N?o s?o, ? verdade, os ideais nem os esperados, mas tem havido. Em rela??o ? quest?o docente, foram e est?o sendo implementadas m?ltiplas e variadas a??es que n?o tiveram o impacto esperado, particularmente nos sistemas educativos dos paises que serviram de espa?o emp?rico deste estudo. No entanto muitas das que est?o em andamento s?o bastante promissoras e come?am a impactar de forma positiva os sistemas educativos. Mesmo assim, a tem?tica docente, embora ocupe lugar central na agenda da totalidade de pa?ses da regi?o, ainda representa um dos grandes desafios ao avan?o e melhoria dos sistemas educacionais

Esta dissertação tem um propósito ambicioso: procura repensar o modelo de integração econômica na América do Sul. O método escolhido para tanto foi o de analisar e extrair lições de outras experiências de integração econômica para balizar uma reflexão sobre este processo na região. Neste sentido, dividiu-se a dissertação em três capítulos, além de um breve capítulo introdutório e das considerações finais. No capítulo 2, “Considerações Gerais e Teorias sobre Integração Econômica Regional”, realiza-se apenas algumas definições conceituais e uma breve revisão das teorias sobre integração econômica regional. O intuito deste capítulo inicial é tão somente de “limpar o terreno” para a análise dos capítulos posteriores. Feito isso, no capítulo 3, “Lições das Experiências Internacionais Recentes: União Monetária Europeia, NAFTA e Cooperação Financeira no Leste Asiático”, analisa-se as principais experiências internacionais de integração, apresentando basicamente a racionalidade, a lógica básica de funcionamento e os resultados alcançados por cada uma delas, de tal forma a depreender algumas lições para a América do Sul. No capítulo 4, “Lições das Iniciativas Pretéritas de Integração na América do Sul: Uma Breve Análise do Caminho Percorrido da ALALC à UNASUL”, apresenta-se um apanhado histórico das iniciativas de integração econômica na América do Sul, seguindo essencialmente a mesma estrutura do capítulo anterior. Por fim, nas considerações finais, à luz das lições extraídas nos capítulos anteriores, são tecidos alguns comentários sobre as iniciativas integracionistas vigentes na região. / The dissertation has an ambitious intention: it aims at rethinking the model of economic integration in South America. The method chosen for such task was to analyze and extract lessons of other experiences of economic integration to define a reflection regarding this process in the region. In this direction, the dissertation was divided into three chapters, along with a brief introductory chapter and the final considerations. Chapter 2, “General Considerations and Theories on Regional Economic Integration”, presents some conceptual definitions and a brief revision of the theories on regional economic integration. The intention of this initial chapter is mainly to “clear the ground” for the analysis of the subsequent chapters. Once this is done, in chapter 3, “Lessons of the Recent International Experiences: European Monetary Union, NAFTA and Financial Cooperation in the East Asian”, the main international experiences of integration are analyzed, presenting basically the rationality, the basic logic of functioning and the results reached by each one of them, in such way to infer in the end some lessons for South America. Chapter 4, “Lessons of the Past Initiatives of Integration in South America: a Concise Analysis of the Way from ALALC to UNASUL”, presents a historical summary of the initiatives of economic integration in South America, following, essentially, the same structure of the previous chapter. Finally, in the final considerations, in light of the lessons extracted in the previous chapters, some comments are made on the effective integrationist initiatives in the region.