Pathways to Resilience IV: Global South Perspectives

Resilience in the Geo-Political Context

Abstract #131
Title: Innovations in Peacebuilding: Understanding tensions of international and local norms, and their effects on peacebuilding in South Africa
Presenter: Masana Ndinga-Kanga (CSVR, South Africa)
Co-Author: Hugo van der Merwe, Nonhlanhla Sibanda
Introduction: Past experiences in peacebuilding for countries emerging out of conflict have been typically characterized by reform-oriented external donors and progressive forces internally pursuing human rights-based empowerment approaches to redress marginalization and disadvantage in efforts to address causes of conflict and lay the foundation for a more stable peace.
Methods: This paper evaluates the complex interactions between global human rights frameworks and the patterns and effects of social mobilization at multiple levels in South Africa. It aims to investigate how international norms are adapted by local actors to promote resilience and sustainable peace at the local level, and the nuances present in the nexus between international norms, national dynamics, and local-level conditions. Using empirical research from five case studies from across South Africa, the study examines dynamics in local governance, socioeconomic rights, transitional justice and gender to address structural inequalities, and their relationship to conflict and violence.
Findings: It finds that while international norms are integral to providing a language for mobilizing local groups for the realization of their rights, but their transformative success is through the capacity of sub-national actors to adapt (or radically revise) these to address the needs and challenges of local contexts.

Abstract #75
Title: When the people speak: A deliberative poll on key policies for resilience building-A case for Uganda
Presenter: Julius Ssentongo (Makerere University School of Public Health-ResilientAfrica Network (RAN), Uganda)
Co-Author: Roy William Mayega
Introduction: Uganda is increasingly at risk for adverse climate events. Disasters have occurred and some have recurred rendering the same damage to livelihoods and infrastructure. Some communities have been resettled to safer zones but have returned and it is important to understand why such policies have been unsuccessful and warnings unheeded.
Methods: We used a Deliberative Polling® approach to assess whether people’s attitude towards government policies would change if they were adequately consulted. A baseline opinion survey on how communities perceive a set of policy options on land use, resettlement management and population pressure was conducted. Participants were then invited for a 2-day dialogue during which they received information regarding the merits and demerits of the policy options. An exit survey was conducted using the same questionnaire to assess if participant attitudes had changed. Data was analysed using STATA 13 and the statistical differences in means was tested using the paired t-test.
Findings: There was significant support for 15 of the 36 policy options following the deliberations. Communities highlighted some of the limitations to policy implementation including lack of clarity on land ownership and inadequate compensation for lost land among others. Thus, community participation in policy development is key for successful policy implementation.

Abstract #258
Title: Flourishing beyond borders: The character strengths, resilience and well-being of the South African accompanying expatriate partner in Africa
Presenter: Truida Botha (North-West University, Potchefstroom campus, Tanzania)
Co-Author: Johan Potgeiter
Introduction: Challenges faced by expatriate partners and failed expatriate assignments have received explicit research attention, but a limited amount of studies have explored the factors contributing to positive outcomes of accompanying expatriate partners to international relocation. The relationship between the expatriate partners' character strengths, resilience and self-perceived well-being will be explored.
Methods: Data is collected by means of three standardised self-report questionnaires, which includes the Mental Health Continuum Short Form (MHC-SF), the Virtues in Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS), and the True Resilience Scale (RS). The MHC-SF measures psychological, social and emotional well-being. The VIA-IS explores the character strengths of participants and the RS measures their levels of resilience. All three measurements are web-based and therefore completed online. A structural equation model will be used to analyse the data after which it will be interpreted and described.
Findings: The findings will be proposed in a model,  where after it will be qualitatively validated in an effort to explain the associations between participants” character strengths, resilience and self-perceived well-being. The final product of this study will be an intervention framework for the facilitation of well-being within accompanying expatriate partners.