The Caribbean countries, and many other Third World countries in Latin America, Asia and Africa, have been under the yoke of structural adjustment measures for more than a decade. Numerous studies have addressed the inequality of North-South relations, the lack of transparency in negotiations that have led to the signature of agreements, the absence of a clear definition of responsibilities of the parties engaged, the inadequacy and inadaptation of policies with regard to the socio-cultural context, and especially the refusal to take into account the social demands of the most deprived. The criticisms formulated in this book can only find a beginning of solutions by the setting up of a solid administrative organization in which the public officials are made accountable and who, once aware of the national and international stakes, can confront the constraints involved in State/international negotiation relations. The book is a very rich presentation of the concept and the problems of structural adjustment and institutional development in the developing countries. Beside the impressive introduction and the convincing conclusion, the articles on these prerequisites for institutional sustainability present the most important empirical research results. The contents is a clear description of problems, failures and results in institutional reforms.

This document contains the conference papers which aimed to design appropriate incentives or disincentives to encourage sustainable development for three key areas: policy-enabling measures, price change policies, and policies directed at the needs of the resource user in Caribbean countries. Papers also cover ideas which would enable these countries to cope with, and respond to, international pressures which are limiting their capacity to design, implement, and regulate sustainable development. These pressures affect policies which concern international agencies and institutions regarding such issues as terms of trade, debt financing, and policing the unsustainable practices of multinational corporations, and other countries.

Sustainable Urbanisation in the Caribbean critically examines the socio-geographic context of island states, prioritising the nuanced experiences of Caribbean island states and territories that are largely considered small island developing states (SIDS), against the backdrop of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Increases in urban density place enormous pressure on existing infrastructures and natural resources, exacerbating social inequalities and environmental risks. While the UN SDGs aim to mitigate these risks, the reality of implementing these goals in the context of SIDS is complex. Whereas Sustainable Urbanisation in the Caribbean does not claim to be a comprehensive assessment of policy responses to the SDGs, this edited volume seeks to generate problem-focused, policy-relevant, demand-driven research, thereby permitting the geographical contexts of island states to contribute to the development of proper causal theory about sustainable urbanisation. This book will be of interest to students of public policy, urban sustainability and climate change, as well as government policy analysts, development practitioners, urban planners and UN agencies working in SIDS.

Foreword .-- Introduction .-- Part 1. Social policy institutions. -- Chapter I. Institutional framework for social development / Rodrigo Martínez, Carlos Maldonado Valera .-- Chapter II. Social development and social protection institutions in Latin America and the Caribbean: overview and challenges / Rodrigo Martínez, Carlos Maldonado Valera .-- Part 2. Components and institutional framewoek of social protection. -- Chapter III. Labour market regulation and social protection: institutional challenges / Mario D. Velásquez Pinto .-- Chapter IV. Institutional aspects of Latin America's pension systems / Andras Uthoff .-- Chapter V. Care as a pillar of social protection: rights, policies and institutions in Latin America / María Nieves Rico, Claudia Robles .-- Part 3. Policies for specific populations and their institutional framework .-- Chapter VI. Life cycle and social policies: youth institutions in the region / Daniela Trucco .-- Chapter VII. Disability and public policy: institutional progress and challenges in Latin America / Heidi Ullmann .-- Chapter VIII. Latin American Afrodescendants: institutional framework and public policies / Marta Rangel.

The book explores the historical development and status of political and economic institutions in The Caribbean. The Caribbean institutional reality is studied vis-à-vis best international practices. The main objective is identifying positive aspects and institutional areas in need of improvement that could facilitate a sustainable development path in The Caribbean.

The last decade has seen a growing body of research about globalization and climate change in the Caribbean. This collection is a significant addition to the literature on a topic that is of critical importance to the region. It explores research from a number of Caribbean islands dealing with a range of issues related to agriculture and food in the context of globalization and climate change. Using a broad livelihoods perspective, the impacts on rural livelihoods are explored as well as issues related to community level resilience, adaptability and adaptations. The volume is strengthened by gendered analyses of issues and discussions informed by a diverse range of research methods and methodologies. Scholars of Caribbean studies and studies pertaining to social, cultural, economic and environmental issues facing Small Island Developing States (SIDS) will greatly benefit from this book.

Climate change is the defining development challenge of our time. More than a global environmental issue, climate change and variability threaten to reverse recent progress in poverty reduction and economic growth. Both now and over the long run, climate change and variability threatens human and social development by restricting the fulfillment of human potential and by disempowering people and communities in reducing their livelihoods options. Communities across Latin America and the Caribbean are already experiencing adverse consequences from climate change and variability. Precipitation has increased in the southeastern part of South America, and now often comes in the form of sudden deluges, leading to flooding and soil erosion that endanger people s lives and livelihoods. Southwestern parts of South America and western Central America are seeing a decrease in precipitation and an increase in droughts. Increasing heat and drought in Northeast Brazil threaten the livelihoods of already-marginal smallholders, and may turn parts of the eastern Amazon rainforest into savannah. The Andean inter-tropical glaciers are shrinking and expected to disappear altogether within the next 20-40 years, with significant consequences for water availability. These environmental changes will impact local livelihoods in unprecedented ways. Poverty, inequality, water access, health, and migration are and will be measurably affected by climate change. Using an innovative research methodology, this study finds quantitative evidence of large variations in impacts across regions. Many already poor regions are becoming poorer; traditional livelihoods are being challenged in unprecedented ways; water scarcity is increasing, particularly in poor arid areas; human health is deteriorating; and climate-induced migration is already taking place and may increase. Successfully reducing social vulnerability to climate change and variability requires action and commitment at multiple levels. This volume offers key operational recommendations at the government, community, and household levels with particular emphasis placed on enhancing good governance and technical capacity in the public sector, building social capital in local communities, and protecting the asset base of poor households.

Argues that another form of development — by the poor and for the poor — is not only possible but necessary.