Sustainable Livelihoods Framework
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Introduction to Livelihoods and Assets
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Today, we will discuss the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework. Can anyone tell me what 'livelihood' really means?
Isn't it about how people make a living?
Exactly! It's about the means through which people secure their basic needs. Now, what do we mean by 'assets' in this context?
Are those the resources that help with livelihoods?
Right! Assets can include physical, financial, social, and human resources. Let's remember the acronym 'PFSH' for Physical, Financial, Social, and Human assets. How might these assets influence livelihoods?
They would determine how people can respond to changes, like disasters.
Great point! These assets not only provide immediate support but affect resilience long-term. To summarize, livelihoods are the ways people secure their needs, and assets are the resources that enable this.
Cultural Influence on Livelihoods
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Now that we understand assets, let's discuss the role of culture. How do you think culture impacts livelihood choices?
Culture could affect what people value or how they prioritize their needs.
Exactly! Cultural factors can influence everything from resource management to recovery techniques post-disaster. We can refer to Bourdieu’s theory of cultural capital to understand this better. Can anyone summarize those three forms of capital?
Inherited, objectified, and institutional.
Great! When we consider culture in livelihoods, we must also recognize that economic activities are embedded within cultural systems. How can we apply this understanding to disaster recovery?
By ensuring recovery efforts respect cultural practices and integrate them.
Exactly! Cultural alignment in recovery can enhance resilience and adaptiveness. Let's summarize that: Culture shapes livelihood choices, and integrating it into recovery leads to more effective outcomes.
Vulnerability Context
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Next, let's talk about vulnerability. How would you define it in the context of livelihoods?
It's the susceptibility to harm or loss due to various factors?
Correct! Vulnerability can stem from environmental, economic, and social factors. It also interacts significantly with our assets. How do you think understanding vulnerability helps in planning for disaster recovery?
It helps identify which communities need more support and in what areas they are lacking.
Spot on! Recognizing the vulnerability context allows us to tailor interventions to address the specific needs of communities. Let’s remember this: Vulnerability awareness enhances recovery strategies.
Case Studies and Cultural Contexts
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Let's look at some case studies that illustrate these concepts. Why do you think case studies are valuable in understanding the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework?
They provide real-world examples of how these theories apply.
Exactly! By studying various communities, we can see the influences of different cultural and geographical contexts. For instance, how might a fishing village's recovery differ from an inland farming village?
They would rely on different assets and cultural practices.
Right! The ecological and cultural contexts significantly shape resilience strategies. Summary: Case studies are essential tools for understanding how the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework applies across different scenarios.
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
Standard
This section discusses the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework developed in 1997, addressing how individuals and groups access and utilize assets to create sustainable livelihoods. It highlights the complexities of vulnerability, infrastructure, cultural influences, and the importance of addressing these in disaster recovery contexts.
Detailed
Sustainable Livelihoods Framework
The Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) was developed in 1997 to analyze how individuals and groups access and organize resources—termed 'assets'—to develop their livelihoods. According to the framework, these assets are critical for enabling individuals to engage, adapt, and enact change in their environments. Key contributors like Tony Lloyd Jones and Carole Rakodi emphasize that infrastructure and development significantly impact access to these assets, while also considering the broader context of vulnerability and opportunities available for livelihoods.
The framework suggests that decisions regarding livelihoods often transcend mere economic needs, integrating cultural factors that influence management and choices. Extensive literature exists connecting cultural dimensions, built environments, vulnerability, and development, as explored by various scholars, including Bourdieu, Dovey, and others.
Bourdieu's cultural capital theory differentiates among inherited, objectified, and institutional forms of capital, illustrating how these influence identity and access to resources. The discussion extends to the notion of cultural environments, shaped by religion, ecology, economy, and social structures.
The research proposes that existing interventions in disaster recovery often overlook critical cultural nuances, leading to inadequate outcomes for affected communities. The author advocates for a better understanding of how culture interacts with built environments and recovery processes, emphasizing the integration of cultural considerations in humanitarian efforts.
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Introduction to Sustainable Livelihoods Framework
Chapter 1 of 5
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Chapter Content
There is also sustainable livelihoods framework which talks about the asset framework where it is a different model in 1997, which they have developed how the individuals or a groups access the resources which are basically an assets to organize their livelihoods and how the capacities make them able to act engage and change the world.
Detailed Explanation
The Sustainable Livelihoods Framework is a model developed in 1997, which emphasizes how individuals and groups access resources (assets) necessary for their livelihoods. It includes various types of assets, such as natural, human, physical, social, and financial capital, that people need to enhance their livelihoods. By effectively utilizing these assets, individuals and groups can engage with their communities, make choices, and enact changes in their lives and surroundings.
Examples & Analogies
Think of a farmer who wants to improve their livelihood. They have access to land (natural capital), knowledge of farming techniques (human capital), tools and equipment (physical capital), a supportive community (social capital), and savings (financial capital). By using these various assets, the farmer can efficiently cultivate crops, support their family, and contribute positively to their community.
Influence of Infrastructure and Development
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Tony Lloyd Jones and Carole Rakodi also propose that there is also the futures like how the infrastructure and development has an impact in those access to these assets and the vulnerability context. As well as the livelihood opportunities and also the policies and the institutions, how these actually make the individual or the groups to act upon.
Detailed Explanation
Tony Lloyd Jones and Carole Rakodi highlighted that infrastructure and developmental aspects significantly affect how individuals and groups access resources. Their framework considers the vulnerability context, which refers to external factors that may limit access to assets and opportunities, such as policies, institutions, and societal conditions. Understanding the way these factors interplay is crucial for individuals to successfully navigate and improve their livelihoods.
Examples & Analogies
Consider a community trying to establish a small fish farming operation. If there are good roads and transport facilities, the community can easily sell their fish in a nearby market. However, if local policies restrict their fishing practices or if there is poor infrastructure, they may struggle to access the market and thus face challenges in building a sustainable livelihood.
Cultural Factors in Livelihood Decisions
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Chapter Content
But here, the thing is it is not just for the economic necessity where households or groups act upon. But it is with the cultural factors which people manage the results and make their livelihood choices to act upon.
Detailed Explanation
The framework discusses that decisions about livelihoods are not driven solely by economic needs. Cultural factors also play a crucial role. These include traditions, social norms, and community values that influence how people manage their resources and make choices regarding their livelihoods. Understanding these cultural contexts is vital for addressing the unique needs of different communities.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine a community that grows crops not just for sustenance, but to honor their cultural traditions during festivals. Their decision to cultivate a certain type of grain is influenced by cultural significance, rather than just market demand. This shows that cultural values can impact economic activities.
Cultural Capital and Livelihoods
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Chapter Content
So, I am looking from my ontological perspective, the built environment perspective and especially, in a disaster context, so that is where I started reviewing a variety of literature starting from Bourdieu’s cultural capital.
Detailed Explanation
The concept of cultural capital, developed by Pierre Bourdieu, is examined to understand how cultural knowledge, skills, and education can influence individuals' capacity to access resources and improve their livelihoods. In the context of the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, cultural capital is crucial because it shapes how individuals interact with their environments, particularly in times of disaster. An awareness of local cultural values and practices can significantly impact recovery efforts.
Examples & Analogies
Consider two communities hit by the same disaster. One community leverages its strong cultural ties and knowledge to rebuild quickly, relying on traditional building techniques and shared resources. The other community, lacking similar cultural cohesion, might struggle more with recovery. This emphasizes the role of cultural capital in resilience and recovery.
Framework for Analyzing Culture in Livelihoods
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Chapter Content
So, I have adopted Lim’s model of cultural environment. Which she calls it is a kind of matrix of religion, ecological environment, economy, family structure, kinship, gender roles, politics, cultural interaction.
Detailed Explanation
In analyzing the role of culture in livelihood strategies, Lim's model provides a comprehensive framework that includes various elements like religion, ecology, economy, family dynamics, gender roles, and political structures. This matrix emphasizes the complexity and interconnectedness of these factors in shaping how communities approach livelihoods within different contexts.
Examples & Analogies
Think of a school where students come from diverse backgrounds. One student may feel more comfortable participating in group activities due to a supportive family structure, while another may struggle due to strict cultural norms at home. Understanding these dynamics helps educators tailor their approaches according to each student's cultural context, just like how communities need to consider multiple aspects of their culture to effectively develop their livelihoods.
Key Concepts
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Sustainable Livelihoods: Framework to analyze how people secure their needs.
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Assets: Resources required for individuals to create and maintain livelihoods.
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Cultural Context: How cultural factors influence decisions in livelihoods.
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Vulnerability: The factors that make communities susceptible to harm, impacting their recovery.
Examples & Applications
In a coastal fishing community, decision-making in recovery may rely heavily on social networks and cultural practices.
In agricultural areas, recovery strategies might prioritize resources like land and water management rather than simply financial capital.
Memory Aids
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Rhymes
Culture, assets, vulnerability, so crucial in the recovery spree!
Stories
Imagine a fishing village where culture shapes every decision. The fishermen consult ancient traditions before casting their nets, ensuring their livelihood is sustainable and resilient against storms.
Memory Tools
Use 'PFSH' to remember the types of assets: Physical, Financial, Social, Human.
Acronyms
SLF
Sustainable Livelihoods Framework.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Sustainable Livelihoods Framework
A model that explains how individuals and groups access and utilize resources to sustain their livelihoods, emphasizing the importance of various assets and cultural dimensions.
- Assets
Resources that enable individuals to engage in livelihood strategies, including physical, financial, social, and human resources.
- Cultural Capital
The non-economic resources that enable social mobility, encompassing inherited, objectified, and institutional forms, as defined by Pierre Bourdieu.
- Vulnerability
The susceptibility to harm or loss, often influenced by external factors affecting livelihoods.
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