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Social capital and poverty

COLLIER, Paul
November 1998

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This paper attempts to "map" the idea of social capital, which relates different types of evidence and theories originating from different disciplines. After an introduction, it attempts to define social capital from basic economic theory, answering the questions 'what is social about it?' and 'what makes it capital?'. Section 3 extends the theoretical analysis by answering the question 'how does it work?'. It thus disaggregates social capital according to the types of social interaction which form it, the way they form it, and how it raises incomes. Section 4 discusses "endoginising" social capital, and Section 5 distinguishes social capital generated by civil society and that supplied by government. It then turns to the measurement and empirical application of the analytic concepts, at the micro-level of household and firm studies (Section 6), and at the aggregate level of regressions on internationally comparable data (Section 7). The final three sections turn to policy. Section 8 discusses examples of when social capital can be damaging. Section 9 considers how policy should respond to the more usual case of when civil social capital is useful but under-provided. Section 10 focuses on the implications for poverty

Interview with Denise Gray-Felder, Director of the Communications Division at The Rockefeller Foundation in New York, USA

COMMUNICATIONS INITIATIVE
August 1998

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At the time of the interview, Denise Gray-Felder was responsible for the Rockefeller Foundation’s internal and external communications, public information, public policy communications, reputation management and stakeholder relations world wide. She discusses the changing role of communications in the sector, and the emergent social change communications stream

Human rights and HIV/AIDS

LAZZARINI, Zita
June 1998

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HIV/AIDS prevention and care programmes engage the full range of human rights. International human rights instruments recognise that only non-derogable rights are absolute; other rights may be limited under certain circumstances. However the power to restrict such rights is narrwoly proscribed. To prevent the further spread of HIV/AIDS, while simultaneously protecting the rights of those infected with HIV and those who are not, HIV/AIDS policymakers must review the legality of HIV/AIDS policies, evaluate their public health goals, assess whether the policies can achieve those goals, and weigh whether the benefits outweigh the financial and human rights burden

Helping health workers learn : a book of methods, aids, and ideas for instructors at the village level

WERNER, David
BOWER, Bill
1998

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This book on community health education provides a people-centered approach to health care and presents strategies for effective community involvement through participatory approaches. It discusses methods and experiences from at least 35 countries are discussed, focusing on the educational rather than medical. Activities suggested for the most effective and enjoyable community education include theatre, drawing, flannel boards, and other low-cost, popular teaching aids. It contains many illustrations, and is written in an accessible style

Puppets with a purpose : using puppetry for social change

MCINTYRE, Peter
1998

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Puppets have been a sophisticated means of artistic expression, communication and instruction for 2,000 years. This book tells the story of some of the puppets and the puppeteers who bring them to life. Fully illustrated with photographs, it outlines the basic steps for making and performing with puppets (live and on television) to build a better world for children. Includes chapters on writing scripts and on evaluation. Also features a number of inset boxes with case studies, lessons and tips

Health communication on the Internet : an effective channel for health behavior change?

CASSELL, M M
JACKSON, C
1998

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This article presents a theoretical rationale for using the Internet to conduct persuasive public health interventions. Through an examination of the conceptual bases of persuasion, it is posited that the World Wide Web and other Internet-based resources have many of the characteristics necessary for persuasive communication and may, in fact, constitute a hybrid channel that combines the positive attributes of interpersonal and mass communication. The notion that the Internet features many of the persuasive qualities of interpersonal communication makes it a prime candidate for the application of key behavioural science theories and principles to promote healthier behaviours. The broad reach that the Internet shares with many mass communication channels indicates an economy to Internet-based efforts to communicate with large audiences. It is concluded that if the Internet can be used for persuasive health communication and its reach continues to expand, it is time for public health professionals to explore the design and evaluation of Internet-based interventions directed at health behaviour change

Glossary of culture-bound syndromes

HALL, Timothy McCajor
1998

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This is a list of culture-bound mental health syndromes and culture-specific idioms of disease, with a particular focus on Asia. Periodic updates of this glossary can be found on the website

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