Perpetuating Crises at the Source?: (Inter)Regionalism and Normative Incoherence for Sustainable Migration in Africa

Self Cite

Summary Motivation The United Nations 2030 Agenda recognizes regions as important actors in implementing the sustainable development agenda. At the same time, regions are often criticized for lacking effective implementation, especially in relation to gender equality. Purpose This study examines whether the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) implements its global commitment to gender equality at a regional level. Methods and approach We apply qualitative analysis of key ASEAN documents in order to determine how gender equality is implemented regionally. We particularly focus on frameworks related to female migrant workers in ASEAN. Findings The analysis shows that ASEAN is formally committed to improving gender equality at a regional level, however, female migrants often end up in unfavourable conditions and precarious work relationships without any institutionalized protection because ASEAN's gender equality initiatives are largely concentrated in the Cultural Community and absent from the Economic Community, indicating an absence of normative coherence for development with regard to gender equality. Policy implications This limited impact of emerging regional commitments to gender equality arises from incoherences in ASEAN's normative governance framework which undermine normative coherence for development at the regional level.

Section: Normative Coherence For Development: a Conceptual Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

Normative coherence for development and regionalism: Gender equality in ASEAN's migration policies

Häbel¹,

Koff

Adam

2022

Self Cite

“…Recent PCD literature highlights different kinds of PCD: from coherence as a policy tool, to normative statements prioritizing development co‐operation (Häbel, 2020), to recent engagements of normative PCD on sustainable development. This literature is extensive but it fails to focus on power relationships concerning the adoption of norms outside their original context (Koff, 2020). This article builds on previous arguments related to development co‐operation and water (and sustainable development in general), which focus squarely on technical aspects of service delivery to the detriment of normative positions (Koff & Maganda, 2016).…”

Section: Literature Review Of Policy Coherence For Development Power ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

The adoption of global water norms in Central America: What separates normative coherence from normative hegemony?

Kauffer

Maganda

2022

Summary Motivation Water management is currently sustained by international norms negotiated in global meetings which are replicated worldwide. Integrated Water Resources management (IWRM) and the Human Right to Water and Sanitation (HRWS) are two of the main global norms presented as important ideals for good water governance, and as such are seen as contributing to achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This article engages with this logic. Purpose The article analyses two global water norms in Central America: the IWRM and HRWS, from their regional and national definitions and implementation in order to respond to the following research question: does the adoption of IWRM and the HRWS in Central American water management represent normative coherence for development or normative hegemony manifested by vertically imposed global water governance norms? Methods and approach The research examines the definition and implementation of IWRM and the HRWS in the Central American Integration System (SICA) and six member states. It examines regional legal frameworks and national water laws and policies. Data collection included reviews of policy documents, academic studies, and grey literature from regional organizations and fieldwork conducted from 2012 to 2019. Findings IWRM and HRWS are global water norms that have been institutionalized in Central America through development co‐operation partnerships, especially with European donors. This research shows that SICA member states have not implemented these norms due to the opposition of diverse coalitions of water stakeholders, including agribusiness, economic elites, and indigenous communities. The findings indicate that stakeholder participation and normative legitimacy are the defining characteristics that separate normative coherence for sustainable development from normative hegemony. Policy implications Despite Central America's legal alignment with the SDGs, significant grassroots opposition to the implementation of global water norms across the region suggests that normative coherence for sustainable development depends on normative alignment and incorporation by states in national legal frameworks but is also conditioned by stakeholder participation. These findings indicate that normative coherence for sustainable development should become more participative in nature in order to promote transformative development as defined by the SDGs. Otherwise, stakeholders may perceive it as normative hegemony.

“…Koff’s (2017) research on migration showed how its securitization in Europe and the Americas normatively undermines sustainable migration management because human rights tribunals have limited roles in migration governance. Koff’s (2020) study of African regional economic communities similarly illustrates how unsustainable development strategies promoting growth and free trade undermine sustainable migration management throughout the continent.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Normative coherence through social entrepreneurship: Fostering women’s empowerment in Myanmar

Perekrestova

2022

Summary Motivation Women’s empowerment has been an integral part of the discussion on normative coherence for development, but its implementation is not very effective in Myanmar. Gender must be kept at the forefront of policy analysis in order to avoid unintended consequences for women. Purpose The article argues that the Government of Myanmar lacks initiatives on women’s economic empowerment, but that social enterprises could prove to be a more appropriate way to implement international norms in gender equality. Methods and approach This case study uses descriptive research to verify how social entrepreneurship can contribute to women's empowerment by increasing women’s participation in the labour market. The empirical part of this study is based on field research undertaken in February 2019. Findings In Myanmar, there is still a gap between normative policies and social practices. Women’s legal and actual equality cannot be realized by law and philosophy alone, but also depends on a shift in political, economic, and social actions to ensure that women can participate in the public sphere on an equal basis as men, and enjoy equal economic opportunities. The article explores the role that social enterprises are already playing as an example of how international development norms are implemented at the local level. Policy implications The article highlights the appropriateness of social enterprises as catalysts of gender equality and as agents of normative gender coherence for development. Social enterprises take an inclusive and sustainable approach to addressing issues, making women’s livelihoods central.