“rural”Search All-EnPress Publisher LLC.

Aug 14, 2024

Can the digital economy transform financial inclusion in rural communities? A gendered lens

Rural communities in Africa face various challenges related to infrastructure, limited economic activities and poverty. The COVID-19 pandemic, which aggravated some of the rural areas’ socioeconomic conditions, has illuminated the vast divide in accessing digital platforms for social services and financial access. Rural communities’ socioeconomic burdens can be alleviated through participation in the digital economy; however, this is yet to be a reality for these communities. While financial digital technologies have helped with financial access elsewhere, the same cannot be said for Africa’s rural areas. This exclusion is because location plays a significant role in the availability of digital solutions; hence areas with limited infrastructure will not have access to products such as digital financing, which is supposed to reach those that are far from financial institutions. The study employed a systematic literature view to understand the extent of financial inclusion in Africa. Content and thematic analysis were used to analyse the data. The findings highlighted a myriad of challenges that affect the participation of the rural population in the digital economy, stemming from access to and stable supply of electricity, the poor or limited infrastructure required for accessing digital products and gender-related issues where women’s gendered roles limit them from harnessing digital products. The study revealed that there is a shortage of digital products to reach all that needs access to finance. This is due to infrastructural challenges that are making access difficult for digital products such as mobile money to reach rural communities. Therefore, policymakers must focus on digital transformation for rural areas and support the usage of financial digital technologies to build the rural digital economy. In this way they will be promoting digital inclusion and reducing digital inequalities.

Abstract

Download PDF(508.92KB)

XML

0

6

Aug 13, 2024

Research on the importance of improving the level of rural governance under the rural revitalization strategy -- taking X community as an example

In the report of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) , the strategy of rural revitalization was clearly put forward, and it was clearly stated that the problem of agricultural and rural peasants was the fundamental problem of the national economy and People’s livelihood, we must always take solving the“Three rural issues”as the top priority of the whole party’s work. Therefore, the implementation of rural revitalization strategy is the inevitable trend of historical development, but also the inevitable solution to the new era of our social contradictions. [1] in order to promote the high-quality development of agricultural and rural areas, it is necessary to carry out the rural revitalization strategy. This paper takes the X community , Henan province as an example, focus on the rural revitalization strategy under the promotion of rural governance level, the impact of high-quality rural development.

Abstract

Download PDF(223.32KB)

XML

0

7

Aug 13, 2024

Experience and Pathways of Ganzi Prefecture’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Participation in Rural Cultural Revitalization

Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (hereinafter referred to as “Ganzi Prefecture”) is located in western Sichuan Province, China. It is a multi-ethnic region with unique geographical environment, profound cultural traditions, and effective cultural protection and inheritance mechanisms, resulting in a rich and diverse array of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) resources. In recent years, with the implementation of China’s rural revitalization strategy, Ganzi Prefecture has actively explored the pathways and experiences of ICH participation in rural cultural revitalization. This paper introduces the overview of ICH resources in Ganzi Prefecture, analyzes the successful experiences of its participation in rural cultural revitalization in the context of rural revitalization policies and pathways. The aim is to provide a reference for similar work in other regions.

Abstract

Download PDF(222.14KB)

XML

0

6

Aug 13, 2024

Access of rural youth to higher education: An international perspective

This is a review of empirical studies with the objective of analyzing the theoretical-practical discussions that have been raised internationally to deepen the understanding of the access of rural youth to higher education as an object of study. For this purpose, a narrative review was designed, considering scientific articles published in three different languages and concerning studies conducted in 21 different countries in all regions of the world. The results reveal three discussions: a) the strong interest that higher education has regained in the life expectations of rural young people and their families, especially as a means of social advancement; b) the inequalities that most affect the access of rural youth to higher education are the lack of academic offerings in rural areas and the discontinuities that occur around rural socio-cultural capital; c) since the inequalities experienced by rural youth are diverse, actions to promote greater democratization cannot be limited to implementing systems of grants and scholarships. It is concluded that the major project consists of creating a differentiated higher education model that, in terms of location, academic offerings, recognition of knowledge, and articulation with the environment, allows rural youth to experience their professional training not as an inevitable process of acculturation, but as a continuation of their socio-cultural capital and their territorial yearnings.

Abstract

Download PDF(356.05KB)

XML

0

6

Aug 5, 2024

A participatory approach for sustainable local food development: Evidence and digital perspectives from a rural area in Italy

The main objective of the study is to discuss the application of a participatory approach that involves the community of a small rural area in Italy to develop and maintain a sustainable local food system based on a very ancient and high-quality typical local bean. The efficacy of the approach in terms of the active involvement of local actors (farming communities, local administration, social associations, and civil society) and knowledge transfer for preserving the local food culture has been demonstrated. Possible improvements to the approach through digital technologies for stimulating the effective engagement of teenagers have also been discussed.

Abstract

Download PDF(601.12KB)

XML

0

11

Aug 1, 2024

What has caused regional (relative) poverty in China? A multi-dimensional and multi-factor analysis of 295 Chinese cities

Despite ongoing economic development around the world, poverty is becoming an increasingly important problem. Although absolute poverty still appears in some countries, relative poverty (the gap between the rich and the poor) has become the focus of attention. To learn what factors affect regional economic development, and therefore affect relative poverty, we selected 295 Chinese cities and analyzed their economic development problems using spatial econometric models (ordinary least-squares, spatial lag, and spatial error models), and city classification criteria (region and size). We found that optimization of the trade structure, improvement of medical resources, and development of fiscal decentralization and a market economy promoted regional economic development, but that the gap in disposable income between urban and rural areas combined with environmental pollution to limit regional economic development. Therefore, regional governments must continuously optimize their region’s economic structure, use tax revenues rationally to solve their region’s most serious problems, continuously promote trade, and narrow the gap in disposable income between urban and rural areas to solve the problem of relative poverty. Our results provide suggestions for China’s regional economic development, but also provide a reference for other developing countries to mitigate poverty and achieve more sustainable regional economic development.

Abstract

Download PDF(531.70KB)

XML

0

8