"This book is a manifesto for building on diverse cultural strengths in international development. Gently but firmly, it demonstrates how and why cultural studies and anthropology have fallen short in application-and, arguably, in terms of social science. Nonetheless, anthropology and cultural studies have much to offer, as the book shows through lively examples ranging from West Africa to South Sudan, from Haïti to Hawai'i, from Nepal to Native America. Anthropology can provide distinctive information and compelling descriptions, case studies of successful adaptation and resistance, the deconstruction of cultural texts, useful checklists, and processes for combining outside expertise and local knowledge. Beyond the important task of identifying how cultural features interact with particular projects, The Culture and Development Manifesto displays new ways to think about goals (and risks), new kinds of alternatives, new and perhaps métisse ways to implement, and, as a result, new kinds of politics"--

This major new textbook by Jaan Valsiner focuses on the interface between cultural psychology and developmental psychology. Intended for students from undergraduate level upwards, the book provides a wide-ranging overview of the cultural perspective on human development, with illustrations from pre-natal development to adulthood. A key feature is the broad coverage of theoretical and methodological issues which have relevance to this truly interdisciplinary field of enquiry encompassing developmental psychology, cultural anthropology and comparative sociology. The text is organized into five coherent parts: Part 1: Developmental theory and methodology; Part 2: Analysis of environments for human development Part 3:

Culture is not simply an explanation of last resort, but is itself a rich, multifaceted and contested concept and set of practices that needs to be expanded, appreciated and applied in fresh ways if it is to be both valued in itself and to be of use in practical development. This innovative book places culture, specifically in the form of the arts, back at the centre of debates in development studies by introducing new ways of conceptualizing art in relation to development. The book shows how the arts and development are related in very practical ways – as means to achieve development goals through visual, dramatic, filmic and craft-inspired ways. It advocates not so much culture and development, but rather for the development of culture. Without a cultural content to economic and social transformation the problems found in much development – up-rooting of cultures, loss of art forms, languages and modes of expression and performance – may only accelerate. Paying attention to the development of the arts as the content of development helps to amend this culturally destructive process. Finally, the book argues for the value of the arts in attaining sustainable cultures, promoting poverty alleviation, encouraging self-empowerment, stimulating creativity and the social imagination, which in turn flow back into wider processes of social transformation. Discussion questions at the end of each chapter make this book ideal to help foster further thinking and debate. This book is an inspiring read for postgraduate students and researchers in the fields of development studies, cultural studies and sociology of development.

Culture in development thinking : geographies, actors and paradigms / Sarah A. Radcliffe -- Culture, development and global neo-liberalism / Michael Watts -- Culture and conservation in post-conflict Africa : changing attitudes and approaches / Elizabeth Watson -- Indigenous groups, culturally appropriate development and the socio-spatial fix of Andean development / Sarah A. Radcliffe and Nina Laurie -- Laboring in the transnational culture mines : the work of Bolivian music in Japan / Michelle Bigenho -- Social capital and migration beyond ethnic economies / Jan Nederveen Pieterse -- Social capital as culture : promoting co-operative action in Ghana / Gina Porter and Fergus Lyon -- On the spatial limits of culture in high tech regional economic development / Al James -- Mobilizing culture for social justice and development : South Africa's Amazwi Abesifazane memory cloths program / Cheryl McEwan -- Conclusions: The future of culture & development / Sarah A. Radcliffe.

The importance of cultural heritage - in both its tangible and intangible forms - to sustainable development and its economic, social and environmental components is increasingly evident in the recent practice of intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations at the universal and regional level. Due consideration for the integration of the cultural dimension in the implementation of Agenda 2030 has begun to grow in various international fora, including initiatives to emphasize the role and contribution of tangible and intangible heritage as drivers and enablers of sustainable development. It has also been recognized that the inherent links between cultural heritage and sustainable development cannot be correctly addressed without taking into account their various implications for the effective enjoyment of all human rights, including cultural rights. This book offers a thorough academic investigation on the importance of cultural heritage to sustainable development and cultural rights from an international law perspective. Providing an in-depth review of the possible intersections between cultural heritage, sustainable development and cultural rights and the limits of the current legal and institutional framework, it will be of interest to researchers and scholars of international law, cultural heritage law, environmental law and human rights law.

This edited collection outlines the accomplishments, shortcomings, and future policy prospects of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, arguing that the Convention is not broad enough to confront the challenges concerning human rights, sustainability, and cultural diversity as a whole.

Religion, Culture and Sustainable Development is a component of Encyclopedia of Social Sciences And Humanities in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty one Encyclopedias. The Theme on Religion, Culture and Sustainable Development with contributions from distinguished experts in the field discusses matters of great relevance to our world such as: Religion, values, Culture and Sustainable Development. These three volumes are aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College students Educators, Professional practitioners, Research personnel and Policy analysts, managers, and decision makers and NGOs.