This study provides a critical analysis to the issue of malnutrition in Guatemala by looking at the constraints of national food security policy. Even though there are a number of programs and...Show moreThis study provides a critical analysis to the issue of malnutrition in Guatemala by looking at the constraints of national food security policy. Even though there are a number of programs and strategies designed to tackle malnutrition, it is found that they are often not implemented nor executed. This thesis suggests that this can be attributed to weak institutionalism, such as a lack of capacity, coherence and strength, present throughout multiple levels of the national food security and nutrition system (SINASAN). This research first analyses this problem from a historical perspective by examining the high levels of poverty and inequality which are deeply rooted into Guatemalan history and society. A state of food insecurity, a state in which malnutrition is more likely to emerge, is worsened when there is a lack of accessibility and availability to food resulting from income poverty and inequality. This directly implies that levels of malnutrition can only be reduced if poverty and inequality are also tackled. This complexity to the issue of malnutrition is, and will stay, an enormous obstacle for political institutions in creating sustainable and efficient food security programs and policies. Noticeably, weak institutionalism in Guatemala increases this barrier. Namely, a lack of continuity in government administrations leads to temporary and inconsistent food security strategies and excessive bureaucracy, a lack of coordination and structure withhold the proper implementation of food security projects from national level to local level. In other words, this study exposes that Guatemala finds itself in a vicious cycle which delays the reduction of malnutrition.Show less
This work aims to analyze the effects of the Bolsa Família Programme in the reduction of poverty in Brazil, with a particular focus on the poorest Brazilian region: the Northeast. The selected...Show moreThis work aims to analyze the effects of the Bolsa Família Programme in the reduction of poverty in Brazil, with a particular focus on the poorest Brazilian region: the Northeast. The selected theme has been chosen after having observed a noticeable reduction in poverty and extreme poverty rates since the beginning of the Programme in 2003. This reduction has been even more remarkable in the Northeast where most of Bolsa Família beneficiaries are concentrated. Besides, the importance of the Programme is underlined as an instrument of social inclusion and its contribution to human development, given its particular focus on children and teenagers. Finally, attention has been given to the implementation of the Programme at a local level, emphasizing the challenges it faces through a case study analysis of two different realities in the State of Pernambuco, the rural one represented by Caetés Municipality (Agreste, Interior of Pernambuco), and the urban one represented by the Recife Municipality. The methodology, as well as a review of the economic and social literature related to the topic, includes quantitative research supported by a qualitative approach. Thanks to the information collected during fieldwork in Brazil, it has been possible to discuss limitations, achievements and finally the future challenges that the Bolsa Família is facing. This recently became an important debate due to the unexpected changes in Brazilian internal politics that, it is worth noting, could affect the existence of this Programme itself, given its governmental nature.Show less
