Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Notre Dame, 2004. / Thesis directed by Felicia B. LeClere for the Department of Sociology. "April 2004." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 151-177).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 106-114).

Thesis (M.A.)--Marshall University, 2003. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains ii, 46 p. Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 43).

Parallel to the widening gap between high and low income status in Canada has been the increasing number of individuals and families accessing community food banks. In the 1990's, food security reached the national agenda for action, yet no study had described the nutrition and sociodemographic characteristics of a random sample of food bank provision recipients, specifically their nutrient intake throughout the month or at the end of the month when food and money are thought to be most limited. Preliminary studies, at two sites identified the contents of food bank provisions and the clientele to be surveyed. Thereafter, 490 food bank users were randomly selected from a stratified random sample of 57 Montreal area food banks. A dietitian-administered sociodemographic questionnaire and 24-hour dietary recall were completed upon client enrolment at the food banks; following this, three further in-person 24-h recall interviews were conducted, week-by-week over the month. Sixty-two people did not complete all interviews. The 428 people completing four interviews were primarily healthy, well-educated adults (overall mean age 41.5 +/- 12.6 years; men 41.4 +/- 12.2 and women 41.4 +/- 13.0 years) who perceived the food banks as a necessary community service. The frail elderly and single parents with large families did not use food banks. Mean energy intake was similar to the general Quebec population (10.2 and 7.9 MJ for men and women, respectively) and macronutrient intake was stable throughout the month. With the exception of calcium, mean nutrient intakes met recommended levels and were not influenced by income-week nor by energy intake variability. Intakes of several nutrients were related to frequency of food bank use, household size, smoking, education and country of birth. When intakes expressed as food group servings were compared to the number of servings recommended in Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating, no age or sex group met the Milk Products group minimu

Tourism has emerged as one of the most dynamic sectors in many countries; as one outcome, it has generated widespread hope that this particular industry can bring prosperity to numerous developing nations. Conversely, there is substantial suspicion of its capacity to bring equitable benefits to the poor. A recent proposition is to strengthen the tourism-poverty nexus by placing tourism at the heart of poverty reduction strategies. This thesis explores the application of this new and relatively untested approach. It does so by conducting a case study of the impact of heritage tourism, a community-based and poverty-focused tourism initiative, implemented in Anse La Raye, the most impoverished rural community in the Caribbean island of St. Lucia. Obviously a single case study cannot justify sweeping generalizations, but it can perhaps serve at least to raise a number of useful policy questions that might also have some broader application.The findings reveal that poverty-focused tourism development initiatives can positively impact the lives of the rural poor, under certain circumstances. Some observable effects included the creation of useful community infrastructure, linkages of direct and indirect employment benefits and consequent income generation. Notwithstanding these successes, this limited research piece suggests that, despite their nearly exclusive and commendable focus on the livelihood of the poor, pro-poor approaches to tourism also have limitations [for example, seasonal and part-time employment, and leakages] and certainly cannot be regarded as a panacea for reducing poverty in any poverty stricken region. Nonetheless, it is believed that St. Lucia, at least, can learn from the experiences of Anse La Raye as it further refines its tourism development policies in quest of further development targets.

This thesis considers the rapidly growing problems of poverty and urbanisation, especially in the contemporary South African context. It suggests that Christian churches, especially those in the Wesleyan tradition, have a special contribution to make concerning poverty and urbanisation. John Wesley was at the centre of the Evangelical Revival in England in the eighteenth century as well as the emerging Methodist movement. Besides his roles of preaching and organising, he made significant advances in caring for the poor as well as changing attitudes towards the poor. There is an examination of Wesley's social ethics and how this resulted in empowering the poor. Case studies of three very different churches within the Wesleyan tradition are examined. One is in the inner city of Pietermaritzburg, one in an informal settlement near Johannesburg and one in a middle class suburb in Cape Town. The particular focus is on methods used by each to provide low cost housing in their communities. Theoretical models of urban mission for the church in the city are examined. The contemporary context and assumptions of poverty are analysed together with Wesley's social ethics, and his critique ofthe dangers of wealth and riches. The basic thesis ofthis study is that the Christian social ethics of Wesley are relevant and applicable in congregations with the will to empower the poor. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

In recent times, the church has been involved in various development programmes. Church based non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have emerged in response to development needs especially in the developing countries. Among the issues engaging the attention of the church, the problems of HIV/AIDS and poverty seem to be most prominent. In South Africa, the activities of Christian organizations in response to these problems are evident. This study evaluated the role of the church in poverty reduction with special reference to the Help Our People Everywhere (HOPE) Empowennent Scheme of the Durban Christian Centre Church, in KwaZulu-Natal. It examined the poverty reduction programme of the church and explored how Christian theology has shaped the church's response to the problem of poverty and associated problems. The study was based on primary infonnation obtained from interviews with the managers and beneficiaries of the projects of the Empowennent Scheme. Qualitative analysis was used to gauge the extent to which the projects ofthe scheme have improved the well-being ofthe beneficiaries. Significant improvement in the well-being of the respondents was found. First, there was a restoration of self-esteem, confidence to achieve success despite odds, and hope for a prosperous future. Second, and more measurable, there was an improvement in the incomes of the beneficiaries. Although the scheme showed promises of a sustainable progress in poverty reduction, there were a number of challenges and shortcomings particularly with funding of the projects and the reach or coverage of the scheme's activities. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2006.

Abstract available in pdf file.

Bangladesh is known for two things: poverty and floods. It is a delta country burdened with draining large amounts of water from surrounding countries and a heavy monsoon season that have caused numerous severe floods with large scale destruction throughout the country. Rapid urbanization and migration have put an immense pressure on the urban centres. Dhaka, the capital city and the largest urban centre of the country, is struggling to provide adequate housing and basic services for the urban poor who are forced to find accommodation in the flood-prone slums and squatter settlements of the city. The alarming rate of population growth further aggravates the problem of environmental degradation which in turn causes more severe floods. As one of the most vulnerable countries for climate change, Bangladesh must work towards providing flood-resilient, safe and affordable housing for all its citizens. My response was the LIFT (Low Income Flood-proof Technology) House: an affordable, flood-resilient housing solution for the low income families of Dhaka. The LIFT house consists of two amphibious structures that are capable of adapting to rising water levels. The amphibious structures float up on buoyant foundations during floods, and return to ground level when water recedes. It is a sustainable, environmentally friendly house that provides all basic services to its residents without connection to the city service systems, through the use of indigenous materials and local skills. This thesis documents the research, design, and construction of the LIFT house with funding provided by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). The LIFT house was completed on January 2010 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and has become a symbol for the city’s desire to provide sustainable, low-cost accommodations that are protected from floods.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, 1989. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 253-268).