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1980: Volume 11

UNCTAD: Lessons for the 1980s

Volume 11 Number 1 January 1980 Edited by: Susan Joekes and Chris Stevens

UNCTAD Conferences have aroused scepticism in previous editors of the IDS Bulletin. The issue devoted to UNCTAD III begins with the words 'Those who still entertained fond hopes that UNCTAD, in its present form, could help bring about a more equitable distribution of income among the world's nations should have few remaining illusions after the third Conference in Santiago' (ÏDS Bulletin 1973: 1).

Three years later, in the run-up to the fourth Conference, the editorial began with a spoof dictionary definition of UNCTAD as 'a gathering at which hostility is veiled by expression of highminded sentiment, and constructive action thwarted by passage of elusive resolutions' (IDS Bulletin 1976: 2).

How pleasant it would be to strike a more optimistic note in this, the third issue to concentrate on an UNCTAD assembly. And how encouraging. both for the ldcs and for those of us in the industrialised world whose work assumes the feasibility of negotiated change in the international economy.

1979: Volume 10

Development Studies at Birmingham

Volume 10 Number 4 October 1979 Edited by: John Oxenham

Development studies have become academically many-sided, a fact not unrelated to the possibility of earning a living from them. Hence in titling this guest issue of the IDS Bulletin "Development Studies at Birmingham" we make no claim of comprehensive coverage, even if Birmingham is understood to mean our own University. Interests in development could undoubtedly be located in numerous departments of that University. All we offer is a selection of current work in two institutions that may be said to have a primary concern with matters of interest to readers of this Bulletin a Centre which is charged specifically with the promotion of knowledge about one part of the developing world, and a Group within the Institute of Local Government Studies that is professionally engaged in training, research and consultancy work relating to development administration.

The Continuing Subordination of Women in the Development Process

Volume 10 Number 3 July 1979 Edited by: Kate Young

This issue of the Bulletin is entirely devoted to a report on IDS Conference 133: The Continuing Subordination of Women in the Development Process, and to some of the papers given at that Conference, which was held at the Institute of Development Studies from 17-22 September, 1978.

One of the objectives of the conference was to allow the theoretical concepts developed by the IDS Subordination of Women Workshop (SOW) to be critically evaluated by people working in the same field, as well as to provide a forum at which Third World women's own work could be discussed.

Since the subject of women and development covers such a wide range of issues, it was decided early on to limit our discussions to four main topics: the role of women in production and the changes in these roles; the role of women in reproduction (both biological and social) and the changes noted in these roles; the activities of women to further their own development; and the effects of socialist development policies on women's emancipation. Each participant was asked to prepare a paper on an aspect of one of these broad topics. In all some 67 papers were offered and discussed in three plenary and 18 workshop sessions.

Rural Development: Whose Knowledge Counts?

Volume 10 Number 2 May 1979 Edited by: Robert Chambers

Rural people in third world countries, and especially the poorer rural people, are losers in many ways. Whatever vocabulary is in fashion whether one talks of dependence, deprivation, domination, exclusion, exploitation, impoverishment, marginalisation, powerlessness or subordination part of the reality to be captured is weakness. This weakness is often seen in terms of lack of political organisation, poor access to resources, employment and services, and impotence in the face of class and urban interests and of the machinery of the state.

Special Issue by the Project Planning Centre, University of Bradford

Volume 10 Number 1 January 1979 Edited by: Andrew Coulson

This issue of the IDS Bulletin has been produced by the Project Planning Centre for Developing Countries of the University of Bradford, England, whose main work since 1970 has been to run courses in project appraisal for nationals from the Third World. The contents reflect the Centre's concern not only with the techniques of project appraisal but also with the social and political issues raised by using them.