Magíster en Gestión y Políticas Públicas / Este estudio de caso analiza los procesos de participación ciudadana que se han implementado en el Distrito VI del Municipio de Managua, por considerarse uno de los distritos más grandes de la capital, con mayor importancia demográfica, económica y por su rol de representación y proximidad con la ciudadanía, tratando de destacar los aspectos relevantes, extraer las experiencias valiosas y recoger las recomendaciones planteadas por los ciudadanos, líderes y funcionarios entrevistados para fortalecer la participación ciudadana en la formulación de políticas públicas y la gestión municipal. Específicamente se examina, cómo funciona y se operativiza el marco del nuevo modelo de participación ciudadana (Gabinetes de la Familia la Comunidad y la Vida) implementado por decreto presidencial 112 -2007, y la manera en que éstos contribuyen desde el distrito a los diseños de políticas públicas locales. Desde esta perspectiva, esta investigación se propuso de manera general, analizar el proceso de participación ciudadana en la formulación de las políticas públicas locales y las interrelaciones de la ciudadanía con el Distrito VI del municipio de Managua, en el periodo 2007-13. Esta investigación corresponde a un caso único y fue desarrollada a partir de un enfoque cualitativo de tipo descriptivo en tanto se propuso conocer, analizar y extraer aprendizajes del proceso de la participación ciudadana desarrollados en el Distrito VI, del municipio de Managua con énfasis en la formulación de las políticas públicas. A la luz de los resultados obtenidos se vislumbra un proceso de participación que se construye desde las bases territoriales, con una organización relativamente joven y en evolución, que funcionan más como un mecanismos de articulación y gestión institucional para adecuar la oferta pública a las necesidades de las comunidades, cuyos alcances están orientados a apoyar la auto gestión de las comunidades, en la búsqueda de un ciudadano cada vez más propositivo y no demandante y de un gabinete que coordina y articule con la comuna los temas que atribuyen al desarrollo de su comunidad. En este sentido se reconoce el aporte de la participación ciudadana y la idea de un gobierno relacional, que implica a la ciudadanía en las decisiones ya que ellos dentro de la comunidad son los que mejor saben lo que acontece en su territorio y por lo mismo pueden formar parte de las propuestas de la solución a sus problemas. No obstante las evidencias encontradas mediante las entrevistas, muestran que pese al involucramiento de la ciudadanía en los temas sociales, está aún se ubica en el nivel de información y consulta, puesto que los gabinetes comunitarios funcionan como facilitadores de información y los insumos para que la alcaldía tome su mejor decisión. La limitación más importante de estos procesos participativos es que están fuertemente concentrados en la fase de información de la política pública, lo cual indica una tendencia a utilizar estos mecanismos en las fases previas de información y planificación.

This thesis examines the fabrication and provenance of 2,871 obsidian artifacts collected from twelve prehispanic archaeological sites in four physiographic zones throughout the Department of Chinandega, the northwesternmost department of Nicaragua. This research represents the first systematic study of obsidian artifacts in the region and focuses on two aspects of the obsidian artifacts. First, I present a macroscopic technical analysis of artifacts collected from twelve sites in the Department. The second part of the thesis presents a collaborative geochemical provenance study of obsidian procurement across these sites. Results indicate that most prehispanic sites participated in multiple sets of long-distance trade networks centered on obsidian as early as the Late Preclassic, up until the Late Postclassic, exploiting trade from four obsidian sources to the north. Analyses show that populations in the Department primarily, though not exclusively, utilized a core-flake industry that was worked on-site with material from the Güinope source in Honduras. A limited number of prismatic blades and a few other formal tools sourced from two additional further sources (La Esperanza in Honduras and Ixtepeque in Guatemala) appear almost exclusively as imported finished products more recently in the archaeological sequence. Additionally, the archaeological sites situated in the eastern coastal plains of the Department contained the largest variety of source material, followed by the sites of the northern foothills, a single site in the Nicaraguan depression, and lastly a single site in the Maribios volcanic front. Although ceramic analyses from the collection are partially complete and developing, this region is best understood as a cultural mosaic connected to the Mesoamerican populations in the north. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2018. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 1982. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ROTCH. / Bibliography: leaves 73-75. / by Oscar Fernández Taranco. / M.C.P.

<p>Equality is a central aspect within development work. All development work is expected to be influenced by a gender equalty thinking, and these directions are distributed by the Department of Foreign Affairs, through Sida to Forum Syd and down to the very grasroot level, through Forum Syds local cooperation organisations.</p><p> The essays question of research is a reflection over empowerment, with other words how international organisations influence other societies understanding of the society dynamics. This aspect triggered my interest for the subject, aswell as the link between aid, equality and men, and how these factors are in need of eachother.</p><p> My study is mainly build on theoretical starting points, and not on earlier studies. The theories are split into five blocks, that are aligned along a makro/mikro scale, in order to, in the best way posssible, capture the connections between the globality of aid and its local consequences. Though the main purpose of my study is to find out how Forum Syds local cooperation organisations work towards gender equality with men, the problem is far from local.</p><p> The obvious message in my study is that globality influences locality, and because of that it is important to be aware of the complexity that stands behind development work. Development trends can never be understood without taking the global capitalist market and the western hegemony under consideration. The historical and the cultural influences, that effects and shapes our world and way of thinking, must aswell be included in the translations. </p><p> Despite all difficulties I do believe that the work of the organisations is a winning concept, because they adapt the development work to local needs, and have an understanding for cultural, historical and religious factors. Their approach eliminates the risk for their work becoming abstract and unsuccessful.</p>

Equality is a central aspect within development work. All development work is expected to be influenced by a gender equalty thinking, and these directions are distributed by the Department of Foreign Affairs, through Sida to Forum Syd and down to the very grasroot level, through Forum Syds local cooperation organisations. The essays question of research is a reflection over empowerment, with other words how international organisations influence other societies understanding of the society dynamics. This aspect triggered my interest for the subject, aswell as the link between aid, equality and men, and how these factors are in need of eachother. My study is mainly build on theoretical starting points, and not on earlier studies. The theories are split into five blocks, that are aligned along a makro/mikro scale, in order to, in the best way posssible, capture the connections between the globality of aid and its local consequences. Though the main purpose of my study is to find out how Forum Syds local cooperation organisations work towards gender equality with men, the problem is far from local. The obvious message in my study is that globality influences locality, and because of that it is important to be aware of the complexity that stands behind development work. Development trends can never be understood without taking the global capitalist market and the western hegemony under consideration. The historical and the cultural influences, that effects and shapes our world and way of thinking, must aswell be included in the translations. Despite all difficulties I do believe that the work of the organisations is a winning concept, because they adapt the development work to local needs, and have an understanding for cultural, historical and religious factors. Their approach eliminates the risk for their work becoming abstract and unsuccessful.

Peacebuilding has become increasing important as a means of preventing continuing hostilities among previously warring factions. Traditional peacebuilding strategies to date have included activities that strive to address challenges related to security, governance, relief, development, and reconciliation with the goal of curbing potential volatile situations from once again becoming full-fledged conflicts. However, peacebuilding strategies or designs have not fully recognized the particular needs of women and have not acknowledged the significance of womens contributions to peacebuilding in war torn communities. In Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala women responded to this marginalization by initiating unique peacebuilding mechanisms and making space for themselves during the process of rebuilding.<p> This analysis therefore begins with an analysis of traditional peacebuilding, introducing four areas that have been identified as important during peacebuilding, and outlining some of the concerns, problems and limitations that plague the peacebuilding process in the post-war setting. It then turns to an examination of womens role in peacebuilding in three case studies, namely Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala.<p> This study is significant because it demonstrates that women have played an integral role in the peacebuilding process in Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala. While marginalized from traditional peacebuilding processes, womens experiences and knowledge building peace post-conflict have the potential to contribute to an improve and more inclusive peacebuilding design that may result in increased effectiveness for future operations.

Economic globalization is characterized by increased liberalization, privatization and deregulation of national economies, principally imposed via the International Monetary Funds and World Banks structural adjustment programs and poverty reduction strategies. The rationale for these strategies includes reducing the inflation rate, generating income to service debt payments, and increasing growth to combat poverty. Nicaragua, the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, has been under structural adjustment and poverty reduction strategies since 1991. Forty-eight percent of the country is under the nationally defined poverty line. Under- and unemployment are a combined 60%. Migration is an oft-used survival strategy, with 7 out of 10 Nicaraguan migrants choosing to go to Costa Rica. The Nicaraguan Migration Network estimates a minimum 350,000 Nicaraguans in Costa Rica at any one time. Women bear a disproportional burden of the health inequalities that globalization- induced, employment-seeking migration causes. While there is already evidence showing that their health is negatively affected, there is no documentation in their own words of how they experience and understand these impacts. A qualitative study using interpretive description conducted 12 interviews and 2 participatory group activity sessions to explore how women understand their migration experiences and its health impacts. Results show structural and personal level causes and both beneficial and harmful effects. Explanations of causes include structural and cultural reasons. Migration affects women in particular ways due to gendered social and cultural roles within a polarized economic environment. It was difficult for participants to identify if the costs of migration were worth the benefits. A document analysis of structural adjustment agreements and poverty reduction strategy papers was also undertaken. Results show consistent limitations on the Nicaraguan governments social spending budget, increased privatization and liberalization requirements, and specific amounts for debt service payments. The countrys currency is regularly devalued and there are limits on tariff barriers. In conclusion, it is clear that women are absorbing the cost of SAPs and PRSs at the household level and that migration is negatively affecting their health.

Economic globalization is characterized by increased liberalization, privatization and deregulation of national economies, principally imposed via the International Monetary Funds and World Banks structural adjustment programs and poverty reduction strategies. The rationale for these strategies includes reducing the inflation rate, generating income to service debt payments, and increasing growth to combat poverty. Nicaragua, the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, has been under structural adjustment and poverty reduction strategies since 1991. Forty-eight percent of the country is under the nationally defined poverty line. Under- and unemployment are a combined 60%. Migration is an oft-used survival strategy, with 7 out of 10 Nicaraguan migrants choosing to go to Costa Rica. The Nicaraguan Migration Network estimates a minimum 350,000 Nicaraguans in Costa Rica at any one time. Women bear a disproportional burden of the health inequalities that globalization- induced, employment-seeking migration causes. While there is already evidence showing that their health is negatively affected, there is no documentation in their own words of how they experience and understand these impacts. A qualitative study using interpretive description conducted 12 interviews and 2 participatory group activity sessions to explore how women understand their migration experiences and its health impacts. Results show structural and personal level causes and both beneficial and harmful effects. Explanations of causes include structural and cultural reasons. Migration affects women in particular ways due to gendered social and cultural roles within a polarized economic environment. It was difficult for participants to identify if the costs of migration were worth the benefits. A document analysis of structural adjustment agreements and poverty reduction strategy papers was also undertaken. Results show consistent limitations on the Nicaraguan governments social spending budget, increased privatization and liberalization requirements, and specific amounts for debt service payments. The countrys currency is regularly devalued and there are limits on tariff barriers. In conclusion, it is clear that women are absorbing the cost of SAPs and PRSs at the household level and that migration is negatively affecting their health.

Peacebuilding has become increasing important as a means of preventing continuing hostilities among previously warring factions. Traditional peacebuilding strategies to date have included activities that strive to address challenges related to security, governance, relief, development, and reconciliation with the goal of curbing potential volatile situations from once again becoming full-fledged conflicts. However, peacebuilding strategies or designs have not fully recognized the particular needs of women and have not acknowledged the significance of womens contributions to peacebuilding in war torn communities. In Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala women responded to this marginalization by initiating unique peacebuilding mechanisms and making space for themselves during the process of rebuilding.<p> This analysis therefore begins with an analysis of traditional peacebuilding, introducing four areas that have been identified as important during peacebuilding, and outlining some of the concerns, problems and limitations that plague the peacebuilding process in the post-war setting. It then turns to an examination of womens role in peacebuilding in three case studies, namely Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala.<p> This study is significant because it demonstrates that women have played an integral role in the peacebuilding process in Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala. While marginalized from traditional peacebuilding processes, womens experiences and knowledge building peace post-conflict have the potential to contribute to an improve and more inclusive peacebuilding design that may result in increased effectiveness for future operations.

This research examines ecotourism outcomes in the context of large-scale tourism development in Nicaragua and focuses on Morgan's Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge. Since ecotourism involves the imposition of Western constructs of nature, biodiversity, communities and conservation, our attempts to evaluate or certify ecotourism are likewise derived from these constructs. Failing to recognize the context where ecotourism occurs may lead to evaluations that place excessive emphasis on poor performance while overlooking relative successes. Initial evaluations of this ecotourism project revealed deception, exploitation, and minimal dedication to ecotourism principles; however, continuing participant observation and ethnographic interviewing among employees and residents forced re-evaluation. In relation to unchecked tourism development in the region, and given the desperate Nicaraguan socio-economic reality for most rural residents, the project must be considered a moderate success. This dissertation later invokes the dominant literature on local reactions to tourism development coming out of the field of tourism studies that uses stage-based models to show that increasing experience with tourism leads to increasingly negative reactions to tourism. This is contrasted with ecotourism research that has shown how increasing participation in ecotourism leads to more favorable attitudes towards ecotourism projects. This dissertation examines these two seemingly disparate perspectives in the context of an ecotourism project. Three groups representing different levels of involvement with ecotourism are compared. The results support traditional tourism theory, suggesting fruitful opportunities for integration of research on conventional forms of tourism with research specific to ecotourism. Finally, a political ecology approach is adopted to reveal mutually reinforcing cycles of capital accumulation and impoverishment leading to environmental degradation in the region resulting from tourism development in the region, as originally described in the influential book Social Causes of Environmental Destruction in Latin America. While that work focuses primarily on agricultural activities, here recent ethnographic research on ecotourism in southwestern Nicaragua is contextualized within rapid tourism development in the region and examined through a political ecological lens to reveal how tourism is responsible for the same destructive cycles revealed above. Despite achieving certain on-site success, even ecotourism contributes to, if not enables, larger processes of environmental exploitation in the Nicaraguan context.