Master thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (MSc)
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Brazil was one of the first in the world to start with bioethanol production and is one of the biggest bioethanol producers nowadays. Brazil’s bioethanol production is viewed as successful for the...Show moreBrazil was one of the first in the world to start with bioethanol production and is one of the biggest bioethanol producers nowadays. Brazil’s bioethanol production is viewed as successful for the domestic market and export. This research focuses on the first generation biofuel production in Brazil because of the direct use of food crops for production and consequently generating the ‘food versus fuel-competition’. It will be interesting to look at the position of Brazil’s biofuel production with regard to different theories on the effects and impacts of biofuels.Show less
Bachelor thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (BSc)
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This thesis discusses the role of Roman Catholic values in the treatment of boat refugees in southern Europe. It is assumed that documents issued by the Vatican reflect the values of the Church,...Show moreThis thesis discusses the role of Roman Catholic values in the treatment of boat refugees in southern Europe. It is assumed that documents issued by the Vatican reflect the values of the Church, which, it is argued, are the foundation of the practical involvement of Church-affiliated organisations and individuals with refugees. A qualitative case study is conducted in which the values of the global Church are translated into the Church’s hands-on work with boat refugees in southern Europe from 2006 until now. It becomes evident that the Church adopts a much broader definition of ‘refugee’ than international law does, which affects the extent and nature of aid activities of Church-affiliated NGOs and individuals to refugees arriving on Malta and Lampedusa. It is argued that the concept of brotherhood, stemming from the Biblical ideal of being one’s ‘brother’s keeper’, is the underlying logic to the Church’s views on and work with refugees, and that brotherhood is built on trust. The findings of this research are of particular interest to anthropologists studying the interaction between religious NGOs and refugees. As anthropologists are called to be cultural brokers, they must familiarise themselves with the values of beneficiaries as well as donors.Show less
Master thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (MSc)
closed access
To what extent are there democratic developments in Myanmar? My paper highlights the democratic transition in Myanmar by portraying an overview of the process and actions in its struggle for...Show moreTo what extent are there democratic developments in Myanmar? My paper highlights the democratic transition in Myanmar by portraying an overview of the process and actions in its struggle for democracy. The transitional process is triggered by the change in the regime's/government's perception concerning the adoption of general election. However, the fact that the military still practices suppression against the citizens continues to limit the democratization process, especially on the question of human rights. The paper also shows that the military suppression is challenged by resistance groups, both unorganized (such as villagers resisting their recruitment into forced labour), and organized, such as the freedom movement of Aung San Suu Kyi. The paper thus questions the kind of "democracy" which exists in tandem with undemocratic practices. Democracy should not only about implementing elections, but more substantially, it should include effective respect towards democratic freedoms in everyday practice. Although Myanmar currently adopted an electoral democratic system, stimulates tourism, modernization and economic growth, yet the failure to respect political, social and economic rights has placed Myanmar in a category of semi-democracy. The question is whether the reforms are only used to create an image of good governance in order to attract international support and investments, or to work towards a substantial democracy after all.Show less
Bachelor thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (BSc)
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My main interest is to investigate the adjustment of the young returning migrants to the Caribbean. Attention will be paid to their status in terms of cultural adjustment and settlement. The...Show moreMy main interest is to investigate the adjustment of the young returning migrants to the Caribbean. Attention will be paid to their status in terms of cultural adjustment and settlement. The gendered nature of their experience of return migration will be specifically considered. How race intersects and impacts the processes of return migration will be also examined. Special attention will be given to the socio-economic aspect of the young returnee’s lives; here the position of the young returnee in the employment market is going to be analyzed. By concentrating on this relatively small group I take distance from populations such as returning retirees which has been widely studied in the Caribbean migration studies.Show less
