Solidarity and Community Engagement in Global Health Research

Abstract

Community engagement (CE) is gaining prominence in global health research. A number of ethical goals–spanning the instrumental, intrinsic, and transformative–have been ascribed to CE in global health research. This paper draws attention to an additional transformative value that CE is not typically linked to but that seems very relevant: solidarity. Both are concerned with building relationships and connecting parties that are distant from one another. This paper first argues that furthering solidarity should be recognized as another ethical goal for CE in global health research. It contends that, over time, CE can build the bases of solidaristic relationships—moral imagination, recognition, understanding, empathy—between researchers and community members. Applying concepts from existing accounts of solidarity, the paper develops preliminary ideas about who should be engaged and how to advance solidarity. The proposed approach is compared to current CE practice in global health research. Finally, the paper briefly considers how solidaristic CE could affect how global health research is performed.     

The Decent Care Movement: Subsidiarity,Pragmatic Solidarity,and Cross-Cultural Resonance

Decent Care is the World Health Organization and The Ford Foundation’s joint effort to articulate a healthcare paradigm that makes a patient’s voice equal to the voice of the healthcare provider. In this article, the six tenants of Decent Care are outlined with particular emphasis on subsidiarity. Liberation theology’s preferential option for the poor maxim is presented and compared with other major world religions to demonstrate the cross-cultural focus of “decency.” The power of this paradigm is in its emphasis and proclamation of human flourishing in a healthcare setting, generally speaking, and more specifically, human flourishing in the presence of affliction from chronic disease or dying cross-culturally.     

Global Zimbabweans: Diaspora Engagement and Disengagement

Since 2000, migration from crisis-ridden Zimbabwe has led to almost one million people leaving the country. The majority migrate to neighbouring South Africa and Botswana, and most of the research on the Zimbabwean diaspora to date has focused on South Africa and the UK. However, the Zimbabwean diaspora is now truly global in its distribution. This paper argues that more attention should therefore be paid to Zimbabweans in other jurisdictions in the Global South and North. Zimbabweans began migrating to Canada in increasing numbers after 2000, most as refugees but also as immigrants and students. Based on a survey of the Zimbabwean diaspora in Canada, this paper focuses on their migration history, demographic characteristics and backward linkages with Zimbabwe. Given the interest in diaspora engagement in the global migration and development literature, it is important to understand the nature of these linkages in order to assess the potential for diaspora involvement in Zimbabwean development. The paper argues that under current economic and political conditions in Zimbabwe, this potential remains weak.     

Meaningful Engagement in Research: Community Residents as Co-creators of Knowledge

Community psychologists have contributed significantly to the body of literature on community-based participatory research (CBPR) and its application in understanding and addressing health and community participation disparities. At the core of CBPR are mutually beneficial partnerships with communities, whereby community members’ voices are heard and they become co-researchers, helping guide the research process. In this article, I argue that for community psychologists to change the landscape of community participation, health, and well-being disparities experienced by many vulnerable populations who often face multiple forms of oppression, CBPR needs to be transformative and emancipatory. Stakeholders must be meaningfully involved as co-creators of knowledge and promoters of social justice embracing a human rights agenda. Drawing from work conducted with Latinx immigrant families with youth who have disabilities, I propose the following strategies moving forward: promoting meaningful participation of community members as co-creators of knowledge; promoting meaningful conversations that matter to communities; promoting civic engagement, activism, and advocacy; promoting an assets- and strengths-based approach to research; and promoting culturally relevant interventions. Community psychologists have the opportunity to make significant contributions to addressing disparities when community residents’ knowledge is valued and recognized.     

Ukuphepha: A Multi-level Community Engagement Model for the Promotion of Safety,Peace and Health

This article aims to describe a theoretically-informed community engagement model which delivers a suite of child safety, peace and health interventions.We provide an overview of critical concepts that inform the community engagement approach that underpins the implementation of the Ukuphepha Child Safety, Peace and Health Programme (UCSPHP), in low-income neighbourhoods just outside Johannesburg, and on the periphery of Cape Town, South Africa. Our analysis is framed within a participatory approach and suggests the importance of six interconnected community engagement pathways: relationship-building; community-centred learning; social justice and contextual congruence; the facilitation of democratic traditions; strengthening the case for community services; and the affirmation of local social economies.     

全球基本健康研究

在过去的10年间,世界各国的卫生研究意识都在增强,每个国家都很重视基本的国家研究在医疗卫生及医疗卫生系统中的作用。基因组计划将改变我们理解健康和疾病的方式,导致人们对“预防性治疗”的需要,但其带来的负面影响不可忽视。     

The Challenges of Community Engagement

Lyons and Whelan provide a useful list of recommendations as to how community engagement on nanotechnology could be improved, which very few people working in community engagement could disagree with. However, as the conclusions of any study are dependent on the data obtained, if more data had been obtained and analysed then different conclusions might have been reached. Addressing the key issues in the paper and providing more data, also allows an opportunity to expand on current issues relating to community engagement on nanotechnology and the challenges it provides for practitioners.