2009 ISSUES
Volume 52 of Development takes 'culture and identity' as its theme. The four issues will explore from different angles how culture and identity underpin political and economic decisions in development. Despite being too often assumed rather than understood and debated, culture and identity are essential tools through which people negotiate the globalized world.
Adapting to changing times and environments, they evolve and shape the way development is perceived, experienced and sometimes resisted.
In the words of Escobar 'In the beginning there was culture. Not markets, nor economic growth, nor profits; not experts, nor civil societies, nor global environmental problems; not development nor globalization. In the beginning there was culture, and in the end - hopefully - culture remains.'
Each of the four issues in 2009 examines an aspect of culture and identity in relation to development:
- Vol 52.1. Sexuality and development |
- Vol 52.2. Power, movements, change |
- Vol 52.3. Beyond markets |
- Vol 52.4. Xenophobias, culture and identity |
52.1 Sexuality and development
Makes visible the many different forms of sexual identity and cultural practices around sexuality, presenting sex as a source of positive expression of self and community rather than as a dangerous and taboo topic for development.
52.2 Power, movements, change
Highlights the dynamic cultures and identities in peoples’ movements produced as a report from the Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID) conference on the power of movements.
52.3 Beyond markets
Presents a critical look at our globalized culture of consumption driven by the markets that have fuelled the current financial, climate and food crises.
52.4 Xenophobias, culture and identity
Explores the racism and neo colonialism that lurks beneath the surface of many social and economic conflicts, and that cannot be ignored by development policy.
