People-centred Development Research Articles

Ideologies Underlying Chinese-English News Translation Strategies: A Critical Discourse Analysis of An Example from China Daily

With the aim of revealing the interplay between ideologies and translation strategies in the English translation process of Chinese political discourses, this research delves into the critical discourse analysis (CDA) of the English translation of the 2024 New Year Message by Chinese President Xi in China Daily. By examining the translation strategies like domestication, foreignization, addition, literal translation, and free translation, the study uncovers that these translation strategies are adopted in order to portray China as a nation developing with promising prospects. The primary research findings reveal how these strategies align with key ideologies including modernization and progress, stability and long-term planning, China’s global role and commitment to cooperation, cultural heritage and national pride, and people-centered development. Through the critical analysis of how these strategies reflect and reinforce these ideological narratives in shaping the international perceptions of the status quo and future direction of China’s growth, this research provides insights into the complex relations between translation choices and ideologies.

Communist Ideals to Capitalist Realities: Uncovering Kerala Model’s Struggle with Foreign Aid(ed) Dependency and Disempowerment of the Marginalized

This article analyses Kerala’s development model through dependency theory, highlighting its reliance on foreign aid and consequent policy constraints. It examines how tied loans eroded Kerala’s policy autonomy and social model, disproportionately affecting marginalized groups. The state’s financial crisis and strained central relations led to accepting loans with neoliberal conditionalities, undermining welfare policies. Using the World Bank-funded Jalanidhi project as a case study, it contextualizes Kerala’s aid dependence within global capitalism, where aid often acts as “euphemized domination.” It reveals the model’s vulnerabilities, interlinked with exploitative global relations, and advocates for economic restructuring fostering self-reliance and people-centered development.

Slum housing upgrading strategies: a case study of Kampaeng Ngam informal settlement along Mae Kha Canal in Chiang Mai historic city

ABSTRACT In 2011, UNESCO issued recommendations urging cities, especially those rich in historical significance, to strike a balance between preservation and growth. The goal was to better cater to the needs of present-day residents and improve their quality of life through a focus on people-centered development. This study examines informal settlements along the Mae Kha Canal in Chiang Mai, a locality adjacent to the city’s historical elements. The present study aims to formulate strategies for upgrading housing, examining the case of Kampaeng Ngam as a pilot community. The investigation is aligned with the city’s current agenda, aiming to gather insights from inhabitants for future improvement. A field study began with structured observation, followed by an investigation of sample housing and in-depth interviews with the householders. The results are presented in three facets: (1) current physical existence, (2) resident background, and (3) dwelling characteristics of the community. The influence of resident-related aspects on housing attributes is then discussed. The findings reveal that previous plans by local authorities to relocate households into one-size-fits-all family housing failed to meet the diverse living conditions of the residents. Consequently, this article concludes with alternative suggestions for the upcoming Kampaeng Ngam Housing Upgrade project.

The Protection of Human Rights in South Africa: Unpacking the Duty of the State to Realise the Right to Development

The 1986 United Nations Declaration on the Right to Development (DRTD) presents a multifaceted framework that blends political aspirations with principles from international human rights treaties. Advocating "people-centered development" places individuals at the forefront, empowering them as principal beneficiaries of development efforts. According to Article 2 of the DRTD, both state and non-state actors are responsible for formulating inclusive national development policies to continually enhance the well-being of the entire populace. This involves ensuring active, accessible, and meaningful participation in development processes and fair distribution of the resulting benefits. South Africa's duty to realise the right to development comes under scrutiny in this context. Despite its obligations under international instruments like the African Charter, challenges persist in effectively implementing developmental advancements. This includes fields critical for sustainable progress, such as renewable energy, biotechnology and information technology. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing obstacles, straining resources and threatening to reverse recent developmental gains. Budget constraints, particularly in the research and development sectors, hinder progress towards meeting development objectives. Therefore, while the DRTD and other international instruments emphasise the importance of the right to development, critical debates regarding its scope and implementation persist. Addressing these issues requires a nuanced understanding of development dynamics, balancing global aspirations with practical considerations. It necessitates collaborative efforts to refine and operationalise the right to development, ensuring equitable progress and sustainable development for all.

Can the BRI Deliver High-Quality Development? A Multi-Actor Analysis of China’s Overseas Economic Zones

ABSTRACT The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has evolved from its ambitious beginning into a framework focused on high-quality development (HQD), emphasizing environmental sustainability and people-centered development. This study examines to what extent these new directives are implemented in the context of China’s overseas economic zones (OEZs), employing a multi-actor-influence model to analyze the complex interactions and challenges inherent in these projects. Focusing on the Vientiane Saysettha Development Zone (VSDZ) in Laos, our analysis identifies three primary institutional challenges: fragmentation between the central and local governments in China, structural constraints imposed on Chinese businesses, and inadequate cooperation between Chinese and host country actors. These challenges underscore the complexities of translating Beijing’s top-down policy into effective action on the ground. The paper concludes with a discussion of the broader implications of these findings for the BRI’s future development.

Enhancing administrative service delivery practices of local government: Experiences from Nepal

This study aims to examine the administrative service delivery practices within the local government of Nepal and explore the intricate perceptions of the interplay between governance, service delivery, and citizens. The objectives include understanding the contextual elements that shape states, addressing concerns of developing nations, emphasizing service delivery, prioritizing citizen viewpoints, and tackling governance issues. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach grounded on post-positivism, the study employs purposeful sampling to select rural municipalities in Nepal. Data collection involves a quantitative institutional survey to assess the current state of public administrative services, with survey respondents comprising service providers and citizens. The respondents reported higher levels of satisfaction with the efficiency, timeliness, and resource availability of administrative services. However, the study also revealed gaps and disparities in the knowledge and perceptions of administrative practices and governance among different respondent groups and ecological regions. Emphasizing the significant advantages of collaboration, decentralization, people-centric development, and meaningful engagement, the study highlights the need for further research and policy interventions to enhance public service delivery and governance of local government in Nepal.

Community Behavior and Outreach Communication in Covid-19 Pandemic

Objectives: This study aims to examine the approach and development of extension communication in accelerating community behavior in breaking the chain of Covid-19. The main focus in this research is the lack of implementation of counseling communication in people's behavior amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Extension communication as an approach is an effort to increase motivation, awareness, and empowerment of the quality of human resources (people centered development). Methods: This study used a qualitative research approach to analyze in depth the content of sources of information regarding counseling activities and community behavior in the transmission of Covid-19. The primary data collected was obtained through observation and in-depth interviews (depht interviews) with 106 informants in 90 villages in 18 districts/cities of South Sulawesi. Meanwhile, secondary data was obtained by searching documents at the Covid-19 service post in South Sulawesi Province. Results: This research study shows that people's behavior in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic can be known from their knowledge about Covid-19. Some are still unfamiliar with the dangers and threats of Covid-19 and are very worried about this situation. Many have experienced termination of employment (PHK) and find it difficult to make a living economically as well as the many horrendous news about the disease so that they are afraid to go anywhere and their work automatically stops Conclusions: Community behavior is disciplined in maintaining cleanliness and health during the Covid-19 pandemic, but they are still worried and anxious and lack interaction during the Covid-19 pandemic. Government education and motivation through counseling communications to the community to change behavior is well respected by the community.

Participatory micro-regeneration: governing urban redevelopment in Qinghe, Beijing

ABSTRACT This article explores how far the Foucauldian concept of “governmentality” may offer valuable insights into new trends of participatory regeneration in urban China. Drawing on participatory micro-regeneration projects in Qinghe, Beijing, this research follows a governmentality approach. It explores how the Chinese state exercises new governmental technologies of community participation and self-governance to construct governable spaces and governable subjects. During the regeneration process, we identify multiple participatory practices where citizen power is exercised in decision-making and project implementation but guided by experts within the fields structured by the state. We argue that participation has been instrumentalized by the state to achieve extra-economic objectives of social governance and people-centred development. We also observe tensions and resistance during participatory micro-regeneration, leading to the failure to develop a self-governed community.

Exploration of Urban Development Models and Sustainable Development of Urban Economy in the Digital Process

With the advent of digitization, China’s urban development has entered a new era marked by growth of excellent quality. Properly addressing the public’s hopes for a better quality of life is crucial when proposing urban development ideas that adhere to a people-centered development strategy. An urban development theory grounded on the fundamental principles of digitization is developed by studying the ever-changing trajectory of technological progress. The concept of urban development influenced by the ever-changing interactions and feedback processes between digitalization and sustainable economic growth is explained by this framework. More specifically, it delves into the possibility of attaining high-quality development objectives by means of structural shifts and actionable understandings of sustainable urban economic growth. Consistently improving urban economic quality and boosting resident happiness, the goal of digital progress is to create a living environment that meets the expectations of urban inhabitants.

Chinese Procuratorial Public Interest Litigation on Personal Information Protection (Part 1)

The Personal Information Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as Personal Information Law) has been officially implemented on November 1, 2021. The birth of this law embodies the idea of people-centered development and provides Chinese experience and solutions for the personal information protection problems faced by international society. This article focuses on the development of Chinese personal information law and explains the legislative purpose of Personal Information Law to further show seven highlights and two characteristics of it. Also, it puts emphasis on introducing Chinese procuratorial public interest litigation on personal information protection and points out the shortcomings of this existing system with a view to perfecting and developing the system value maximally.

Progressively Develop People-centered Urban Transformation: Regenerate Livable, Attractive, Satisfying Urban Villages

This paper explores how to better develop a people-centered urban renewal project in the context of Shenzhens urban villages. In the beginning, this paper explains the background of the emergence of urban villages in Shenzhen and other major cities. Under this context, the participatory observation method is used to analyze the common problems in the renovation of urban villages in Shenzhen, and the housing affordability problem of the original residents for the newly constructed apartments is raised. Presenting the Nantou Ancient City in Shenzhen as positive empirical evidence, this paper explores two recommendations, starting with an emphasis on protective renovation to avoid a short-term boost in housing prices. Following discussion of urban renewal construction projects should not be limited to architectural space. Instead, inclusive community building is still the key to maintaining the former residents and attracting more young people. The condensed conclusion highlights the unity of these two viewpoints and reemphasizes the importance of people-centered development in urban villages.

Impacts of the Belt and Roads Initiative on Sustainability: Local Approaches to Spatial Restructuring in the Aras Special Economic Zones

Spatial restructuring and regional economic development are closely associated with sustainability. Despite the considerable literature on urbanization’s impact on sustainable economic development and urban expansion, few studies have explored how FDI-led spatial restructuring affects the sustainability from a local people perspective. To fill this gap, in-depth interviews were conducted with 516 residents of Aras special economic zones in Iran to assess the impacts and responses to economic shifts and spatial restructuring resulting from the Belt and Road Initiative since 2013. Using the DPSIR framework and sustainability index as an evaluation tool, we assessed the degree of sustainability and viable uplift at the regional level. The Genetic Algorithm (GA) was also utilized to determine optimal values based on local approaches. Results indicate that regional heterogeneity, excessive state pressure, and development imbalances impact the study area. The findings enrich the theory of sustainability and can guide the formulation of spatial restructuring, decision-making, and policies at different stages of regional development. In addition to financial progress, people-centered development planning using local approaches should be a component of the development of special economic zones.

Adhering to the People-centered Approach Is the Value Pursuit of Marxism

Adhering to the people-centered development thought is an important part and one of the important strategies of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Adhering to the people-centered approach reflects the distinct political stance of Marxism, the values of the CPC putting the people first, the concept of governing for the people, and the concept of free and all-round development.

Implementation Of People Centered Development Model in Village Development (Theoretical Study Of Agil Talcot Parsons)

Village development, which is entirely taken from the local community, is now seen as a key component of village development. Each village is given autonomy to carry out development in accordance with its potential. Objectives this research how the village sees the potential can contribute support to its development, where this potential lies in empowered humans/communities, thus making human-centered development. The theory of this research is people centered development, AGIL Talcot Parsons. This research method is descriptive qualitative with a theoretical study analysis method approach. The implementation of village development through human-centered development, in adaptation is the concept of community survival with various types of changes, in terms of achieving the goal is to carry out mutual cooperation, kinship, and solidarity for the purpose of achieving peace and social justice, in integration. The conclusion of this study is that the four functions of AGIL are interrelated with one another.

Reframing social justice through indigenous know-how: Implications for social development, policy and practice

Crafting a viable social justice–based policy is touted as critical for revamping social development in emerging economies. There is little understanding of social justice and forging sustainable relationships for social development through utilization of indigenous know-how. With evidence from local communities in Cameroon, this article explores conceptions of social justice through indigenous know-how and considers their implications for social development, policy and practice. Drawing on empirical data and in-depth, semi-structured interviews with key informants, this case study lays the foundations of what drives social justice and social development, often ‘behind the scenes’. This study ‘unpeels’ the invisible enablers and barriers to social development; a proposed social justice wheel and instruments deployed demonstrates how indigenous knowledge systems and institutions address multifaceted problems. Uppermost on the social justice agenda are issues related to counsel, affective community ties and social cohesion, oral traditions and mores, arbitration of community affairs, and projects of pressing need such as clean water, land disputes, mobilizing local resources in tackling key concerns related to poverty, agricultural practices, food security and climate change. Although due process and traditional diligence are harder to maintain due to underhand arrangements and often corrupt leadership, communities are reframing social justice to build capability on an incremental scale. The study illuminates the centrality and policy conundrum of fostering people-centred development. Harnessing indigenous agency, in synergy with modern governance institutions such as social services, to bolster social development is a prerequisite for enhancing a heightened sense of human rights and lessening inequality.

An Ethnographic Case Study of Secondary School’s Moral Education in a Mainland City of the Greater Bay Area

Chinese moral education is a much broader concept and is heavily criticized for being overly politicized and indoctrinated. The Greater Bay Area (GBA) initiative upholds the people-centered development philosophy in education. This study aims to investigate the school-level implementation in Shenzhen, one of the GBA cities, and teachers' perspectives to determine the facilitating and inhibiting factors across different layers in the student-centered ecological systems of students’ moral development. A two-year-long ethnographic case study was conducted in the case school based on Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory. The study participants consisted of 18 teachers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to examine the participants' perceptions. The study findings revealed that the facilitating factors include clear guidelines on the national level, cooperative teachers, and ambitious principals with a consciousness of visions and responsibilities for moral education. Meanwhile, Shenzhen has the potential to be the pioneer of moral education reformation. However, the rigid content in the textbooks and the stuffy school culture hinder the success of moral education at the school level. The lack of communication and mutual understanding contributes to the splintered and emotionally exhaustive experience of moral education teachers. More efficient and measurable strategies should be used to uphold a tight alliance across different layers. Future research should examine alternative moral education models, decision-making processes, Chinese school management style, and the specific appliance of the ecological systems theory in the unique Chinese educational context.

Voices and Noises from the Grassroots: Discourses of People-Centered Development and (in) the Kidapawan Massacre Coverage of the Philippine News Media

This study explores the discourses of social development (i.e., people-centered) in the Kidapawan Massacre coverage of the Philippine news media. Specifically, this examines how media texts and talks represented the farmer-victims within the context of development. This researcher employs van Dijk’s (1998) Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) of selected tabloid news articles, broadsheet opinion columns, online alternative opinion columns, television documentaries, and television-radio news coverage of the stories of conflict between the oppressed and marginalised farmers and the powerful and controlling government. This critical research leads to the way of thinking that because of the latter’s inaction and the media’s neoliberal-capitalistic ideology, the former’s plight were overlooked and silenced. In this elite-dominated Philippine society, as well as in the Asia-Pacific, discourses of profit-centered development are more hegemonic compared to its counterpart that were relatively scant and torpid. Hence, the conceptualization of an alternative model, that is Communication and Social Development (CSD).

Natural Resource Governance and Conflicts in Nigeria

This study investigates the governance of natural resources to promote socio-economic and people-centred development in Nigeria. The paper relied on secondary sources of data, focusing on the three main variables: conflict, politics and power. Nigeria is endowed with abundant natural resources, which accounts for about 65% of total tax revenue, driven mostly by an increase in export earnings from the oil and gas sector. Most resource-related conflicts are implicated by the inequitable distribution of benefits accruing to resources. The State and elite, in alliance with foreign corporations, enjoy the benefits of the exploited resource. Host-communities face the debilitating negative environmental impacts and the discrepancy between indigenous traditional laws and state laws that define ownership of natural resources in a federal but unitary state has led to controversial relations among states in Nigeria. The paper took an extensive look at the politics of natural resource extraction and governance in Nigeria and explored the themes through which the causative relationship between natural resources and conflicts can be differentiated. It noticed the political economy of natural resources as embedded within the broader global power relations. The paper concludes that regulation must be anchored to elements of good governance, especially democracy, rule of law, transparency and accountability, as well as efficient and equitable management of resource revenues.

Natural Resource Governance and Conflict in Nigeria

<i>Background</i>:<i> </i>Nigeria is blessed with abundant natural resources, which accounts for over 65% of her total tax revenue, motivated mostly by an upsurge in export earnings from the oil and gas sector. Most of the resource- based conflicts are caught up by the unfair and inequitable distribution of benefits accruing to resources. The government and some acclaimed elite, in alliance with foreign corporations, enjoy the gains and benefits of the exploited resource. Meanwhile, the host-communities face the devastating and undesirable environmental impacts with discrepancy between indigenous traditional laws and state laws that define ownership of natural resources in a federal structure has led to controversial relations among states in Nigeria. <i>Objectives:</i> The paper took an extensive look at the politics of natural resource governance in Nigeria and explored broadly the themes through which the causative link between natural resources and conflicts can be distinguished. The study further explores the role of good governance of natural resources in promoting socio-economic and people-centred development in Nigeria. <i>Methods: </i>The paper relied solely on secondary sources of data, focusing on the three main variables: conflict, politics and power. <i>Results:</i> The study revealed among others that the political economy of natural resources as embedded within the broader global power relations has not been properly explored by the Nigerian government. <i>Conclusion:</i> The paper therefore concludes that regulation must be attached to reflect on the principles of good governance, especially democracy, rule of law, transparency and accountability, as well as efficient and equitable management and distribution of resource revenues.

Study on the Features of Balanced Economic and Social Development in Ethnic Regions of Southwest China under the Perspective of Common Prosperity

With economic and social progress, the focus of regional unbalanced development has evolved. In the new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, people’s aspirations for a better life are no longer limited to material and cultural necessities; the notion of a better life has become increasingly diversified, transcending individual or family micro-level welfare to embrace a comprehensive perspective of societal development. Focusing on the ethnic regions of Southwest China, this paper examines the fundamental characteristics of their coordinated economic and social development and offers relevant policy recommendations that provide a theoretical framework for scholars studying balanced regional economic growth. This study describes the characteristics of balanced economic and social development in Southwest China’s ethnic regions in four dimensions: sustainable economic growth, social stability, ecological civilization construction, and people-centered development ideology. Through comparative analysis, it presents a synthesis of domestic and international research, and summarizes the theoretical foundations and practical experiences essential for the future development of Southwest China’s ethnic regions. This paper examines four key elements for the development of ethnic regions in Southwest China. First, it emphasizes high-quality economic growth, which increases total factor productivity through supply-side structural reform and promotes the establishment of a modern industrial system. Second, social stability, a crucial component in realizing a better life, requires strengthening social justice and strengthening the social security system while maintaining national unity. Third, the paper stresses the importance of building an ecological civilization and advocates green technology, green industry and green consumption to achieve sustainable development. Finally, a people-centered development ideology safeguards livelihoods and focuses on education, income distribution, employment, and other areas. This paper explores the basic characteristics of coordinated economic and social progress in Southwest China’s ethnic regions, and provides a theoretical framework for scholars to explore balanced regional economic development.