This paper explores three important but interrelated issues: The power of example; the fragment as evidence; and finally, the field experience and the possibility of generalisation. These issues are central in the current discourse of social science practice in which serious doubts are being raised...

A major challenge in achieving universal education lies in ensuring that girls who have missed the school bus or simply got off the bus too early, can realise their right to quality, basic education. This paper reviews several key initiatives in the last decade to reach out to out-of-school...

The story of Manantali Dam begins fifteen years before the dam itself became operational. The story to be told here is that of the social impacts of the Senegal River Development Organisation (OMVS) programme that led to the construction of Manantali (and its sister dam Diama), and of the...

A note on the long-awaited Draft National Pharmaceutical Policy 2006. The Policy appears to have taken into consideration consumer needs, paying respect to rational therapeutics. A closer examination of the details---which is what policy critique should do—shows a patchy effort that may...

In 2001, it is estimated that 270 million Indians belonged in the 12-24 years age group. While attention is being focused on these young people’s potential for social transformation, some of them – such as those with disabilities – remain alienated from mainstream debates on...

The ’social impacts’ of dams may be defined as 'impacts on the lives of individual people or groups or categories of people, or forms of social organisation'. Social impacts are distinct from environmental or economic impacts, though all of these are closely linked. This review...

The science base in the developing world cannot be strengthened without access to the global library of research information. Currently, this is nearly impossible due to the high costs of journal subscriptions, with the result that even the most prestigious institutes in poorer countries cannot...

Without trust-building, an East Asian community remains unrealized. The vision of an Asia-Pacific community offers a more attractive and viable option. A sound paradigm is community building and the way to ensure successful community building is to ensure non-exclusivity.

This report on the state of displaced persons in the North and East of Sri Lanka analyses the security condition and concerns of those who live in makeshifts and camps in conflict affected areas. It provides an overview of the current ground situation,and highlights the manner in which...

A vast body of theories of the media, known popularly as 'media theory', has evolved and developed into separate, distinguishable and often contesting paradigms with osmosis between the distinct schools of thought taking place at regular intervals. A number of schools have emerged questioning...