Poverty & Social Development: A Caribbean Perspective

The prevailing relationships between cultural practices, the environment and indigenous knowledge clearly justify attention when looking into patterns of changes, and the impacts of technological innovations, and economic expansion on the well-being of indigenous people.

The ever-increasing drive of globalization typologies have heightened the scope of transformational processes by weighing heavily upon some traditional and cultural modes on the division of labor, livelihoods and capabilities.

For indigenous people the realities behind these structural changes, and their impacts on their traditional livelihoods and the conservation of their biodiversity call for concerted efforts to mitigate the effects and disparities associated with massive economic adjustments.

The issues at bay provide some interesting perspectives, specifically when approaching the diverse facets linked with equity in cultural and economic opportunities. And to move further into this debate a dialogue set by the Development Gateway: dgCulture and Development Group examine one aspect liaised with the problematique of cultural diversity, and the context to drive social and economic development for indigenous communities.
These starting points, highlighting the necessity to converge toward rational assessments and expansion of public discussions about these issues, and the increasing needs to guarantee capabilities, and participation in decision-making.