Vulnerable Groups

The statutory minimum wage (SMW) law was enforced in Hong Kong on 1 May 2011. To examine its impact, this longitudinal study measured the quality of life, job and pay satisfaction , monthly income, hourly rate and working hours of vulnerable groups (n = 253) before and after the legislation. The findings confirmed that the enforcement of the SMW induced a positive impact as intended. The introduction of the SMW induced a positive wage and employment effect on the vulnerable groups in Hong Kong without harming their employment rate. Job and pay satisfaction, as well as most domains of the quality of life (i.e., physical and psychological health, and environment), increased significantly. In general, the positive impact of the SMW was more prominent for employees who previously worked less than 18 hours a week and who had hourly rates less than 28 HKD. The implications of the findings are discussed in the social context of Hong Kong. Key Practitioner Message: • Enforcing minimum wage induced a positive impact on quality of life, job and pay satisfaction, and a monthly income of vulnerable groups. • The social relations (quality of life) decreased after implementing minimum wage for workers working longer than 18 hours a week. • Longer working hours is a key factor for the increase of a monthly income among the vulnerable groups.

The epidemiological profile of Latin America (LA) is marked by diseases of poverty and underdevelopment. Climate change is also reinforcing the intensity and frequency of climate variability, with more intense events, associated with either pole of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The chapter reviews increases in diseases and disease vectors due to climate stress and poverty, as well as some health protection measures that are beginning to be organized in Latin American countries. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is committed to supporting countries in the development of adaptation plans that promote health protection strategies

This paper presents a case study conducted as part of a PhD Thesis on testing Life Coaching as a learning method for fostering emancipation in vulnerable groups (adult patients), using a participatory-action-research approach.
The lessons learnt provides empirical insights on the implications for the implementation of non-medical methods that could allow a shift from a situation of passivity (patient
care) to a new one of participation to the definition of new objectives or projects of life (active citizenship).
This paper was conceived to fulfil an identified need to study and test innovative and non-medical methods for fostering adult patients’ self-determination.

The COVID-19 outbreak imposed shocks so serious that the gap between the rich and the poor has widen – worsening the predicaments of marginalized and vulnerable people. Unless the voices of the voiceless are raised and the plights of the vulnerable are effectively addressed, poverty, inequality and exclusions will continue to widen.

This report, which adopts a rapid assessment methodology, presents a framework to lift the bottom quintile of South Africa’s population from falling deeper into poverty, squalor, and exclusion.

To achieve this, the report provides a rapid assessment of the needs created by COVID-19, not only directly, but indirectly through the impact of lockdowns and other measures taken to combat the spread of the disease. Emphasis was laid on two aspects of the assessment.

First, vulnerable groups were at the forefront in all the work that went into the report, and their cross-cutting needs are highlighted. Second, the measures proposed to meet these needs were costed, supporting the practical implementation of the report’s recommendations. This is therefore not a theoretical document, but a practical one – intended to connect evidence and expertise with actions on the ground to tame the extreme exclusions imposed by COVID-19.

Society and economy are only two of the dimensions of vulnerability. This paper aims to elucidate the state of the art of data sources, spatial variables, indicators, methods , indexes and tools for the spatial assessment of socioeconomic vulnerability (SEV) related to geohazards. This review was first conducted in December 2018 and rerun in March 2020 for the period between 2010 and 2020. The gross number of articles reviewed was 27, from which we identified 18 relevant references using a revised search query and six relevant references identified using the initial query, giving a total sample of 24 references. The most common source of data remains population censuses. The most recurrent spatial variable used for the assessment of SEV is households without basic services, while critical facilities are the most frequent spatial category. Traditional methods have been combined with more innovative and complex methods to select and weight spatial indicators and develop indices. The Social Vulnerability Index (SoVI ®) remains the benchmark for the assessment of SEV and a reference for its spatial assessment. Geographic information systems (GIS) is the most common tool for conducting a spatial assessment of SEV regarding geohazards. For future spatial assessments of SEV regarding geohazards, we recommend considering 3-D spatial indexes at the microscale at the urban level and involving the community in the assessments.

The inclusion of persons with disabilities (PwD), in the field of labor still has flaws that should be corrected,
considering that this group has been the exclusion of some form, the business sector of the labor market,
a key actor in the realization of a true inclusion, either by legal compliance or by making corporate social
responsibility, the labor inclusion should be a fundamental part of each company. The aim of this work is
to identify the reality of companies in the labor market inclusion of persons with disabilities, to the effect
applies a methodology of qualitative-quantitative research on the basis of a revised theoretical framework
to then identify ratings to gather evidence and make a judgment of value to the investigation, applies the
type of simple random probability sample through which each element of the population has an equal
chance of being chosen, the research is performed through a set of four dimensions: Planning, inclusion,
equity and development. Of the 80 companies surveyed the 11.70% correspond to those that perform
the best business practices, it also highlights the Commercial Sector in the areas of: inclusion, equity and
development. The axis of development is the one that has a lower percentage should be considered to
improve the processes that include it.

La presente tesis se enmarca en la interpretación jurídica de los derechos humanos de grupos en situación de vulnerabilidad, en específico, en la forma de identificar cómo es posible implementar una protección cautelar efectiva en México. La vulnerabilidad es un concepto multifacético utilizado por diversas disciplinas sociales desde la segunda mitad del siglo XX. Tal condición, vista desde una noción general, es toda aquélla en la que una persona o colectivo es incapaz de reducir, inhibir o superar un riesgo susceptible de causar un daño. Cada vulnerabilidad es distinta en relación con el sujeto, los factores, el tiempo, la severidad, entre otros aspectos; y el hecho que existan determinados grupos considerados en situación de vulnerabilidad no da pauta para que la atención sea uniforme, por el contrario, se debe atender como una cuestión particular con riesgos y capacidades específicas de cada sujeto. Una de las finalidades del presente trabajo es señalar la necesidad de generar un marco conceptual jurídico para atender las condiciones de vulnerabilidad, partiendo de analizar el perfil de las personas. La aplicabilidad del marco conceptual se enfoca en la figura jurídica de “Medidas Cautelares”. Más allá de su visión procesal, las medidas cautelares se han transformado en una figura primordial que posee dos variantes de protección de derechos: cautelar y tutelar, que reconoce la gravedad, urgencia y posibilidad de daño irreparable de presuntos hechos violatorios, por lo que se aborda como una herramienta adecuada y efectiva para situaciones de riesgo. El objetivo de la presente tesis consiste en armonizar, primero, el modelo de gestión de riesgo con la protección jurídica de personas y grupos en situación de vulnerabilidad y, segunda, de ésta última con las medidas cautelares. La tesis se integra de cuatro capítulos. En el primero se aborda el concepto de vulnerabilidad y las características en que se presenta. El segundo analiza modelos de protección transdisciplinarios y jurídicos para atender tal condición, así como el estudio del reconocimiento de la vulnerabilidad en el Sistema Jurídico Mexicano. El siguiente capítulo expone la figura jurídica de medidas cautelares y sus características. Por último, el capítulo cuarto presenta la compatibilidad de un modelo jurídico para abordar la vulnerabilidad en las medidas cautelares de protección.

This paper concerns a case study that attempts to highlight the important role of art and ICT in unearthing critical thinking in the field of social vulnerable groups (ex-addicts). More specifically, underlines the ways that music and ICT (computers & Internet) can give access in order these people to understand poetry. Thus, they will not only promote their mental abilities, but also develop their initiatives and critical thinking. This way they will definitely regain control of their own lives and will be able to participate in the society under normal conditions. For this purpose, the researcher selected the qualitative approach (participant observation), which was held in the Alternative Adult School “EXODUS” in Larissa.

This report was developed by IRC-MSCA CAROLINE
research fellow Dr Tommaso Natoli (University
College Cork—School of Law) in the course of his
secondment to the International Federation of Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Disaster
Law Programme. The report represents one of
the outputs of the research project “Leave No One
Behind—Developing Climate-Smart/Disaster Risk
Management Laws that Protect People in Vulnerable
Situations for a Comprehensive Implementation of
the UN Agenda 2030”.

The project builds on the need for more coherence
between climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster
risk reduction (DRR), which is today considered as
part of the holistic approach to global governance
to be accomplished within the framework of the UN
Agenda 2030 and its centrepiece the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs). The basic connections
between CCA and DRR lie in their partly overlapping
goals, namely the reduction of losses due to
weather and climate-related hazards (including both
slow-onset and sudden events) and the improvement
of community resilience (i.e. their capacity to regain
equilibrium after critical system disruptions).1

The urgency of a greater CCA-DRR alignment has been
increasingly reflected in many relevant resolutions and reports adopted at the international level in the
last few years.2 The Checklist on Law and DRR developed
in 2015 by the IFRC and the UNDP stresses the
need “to foster a more integrated approach to DRR
by taking into account climate change and sustainable
development considerations within the review
of legislation”.3 Along these lines, a recent comparative
assessment of previous literature on the topic
(including scientific and technical analysis, research
projects and institutional reports)4 highlights that the
objective of achieving effective CCA-DRR integration
largely depends on the existence of a favourable
institutional and regulatory framework. However, the
lack of viable normative models and standards, and
empirical research on their impact at national and
sub-national levels, was one of the main findings of
the literature review.5

Given the above, the aim of the present study is
two-fold. On the theoretical level, it will contribute to
the advancement of thinking on achieving a sustainable
alignment of CCA and DRR, by exploring the role
of law and policy-making in Pacific Island Countries
(or PICs, see Box 1).6 In particular, the specific context
of PICs will be considered through the lens of
the intersecting commitments made in 2015 by the
international community, with specific regards to
the binding provisions of the Paris Agreement (in
particular article 7 on climate change adaptation) as
well as to the political endorsement of the Sendai
Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030
(with specific regards to its guiding principle 19 (e)
and para. 27). The overall linchpin of the analysis
will be the UN Agenda 2030, that acknowledges “the
essential role of national parliaments through their
enactment of legislation and adoption of budgets and
their role in ensuring accountability for the effective
implementation of our commitments”.7

On a more practical level, this report was developed
as a tool of reference for the institutional and operational
mandate of the International Federation of
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Disaster
Law Programme, i.e. to provide evidence-based
models for law and policy-makers and advocate for
new and more effective normative frameworks that
protect the most vulnerable against major hazards.8
This mandate was reiterated and expanded at the
33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and
Red Crescent Movement that took place in December
2019. As one of the Conference outcomes, participating
States and RCRC National Societies acknowledged
the need to “ensure an integrated approach to
disaster risk management and adaptation to climate
change” in domestic disaster laws, policies, strategies
and plans (see Box 2).

The complex, multi-faceted and evolving concept
of vulnerability against natural hazards in PICs represents
another recurrent theme of this study.9 The
special protection of vulnerable groups (see Box 4),
and their inclusion in the processes for drafting, adoption
and implementation of law and policy at both
national and sub-national levels, represents one of
the core elements of the following analysis, complementing
each of its sections. Hence, vulnerable
groups will not be considered merely as beneficiaries
of additional normative safeguards and protection,
and their effective inclusion as proactive stakeholders
and contributors to the development of new
law and policies dealing with climate resilience will
be assessed.

Pakistan is a multi-cultural, multi-linguistic and multi-ethnic country where ethnicity plays vital role in regional and national politics. Ethnic-based political gains and losses severely matter when they lead the country towards social unrest, economic disorder and security risk. Sometimes it generates militancy in neglected areas. Evaluating socio-economic, political, anthropological and emotional viewpoints, this paper deals with the everyday causes, ever-effecting consequences and recommended remedies with respect to ethnic militancy in Pakistan. Apart from religious militancy, economic fissures and social disorder: ethnic militancy is a severe menace to security of Pakistan’s contemporary society. The Pakistan has witnessed its vivisection in 1971; Baloch rebellion (1973 to date); Pashtun separatist movement (Greater Afghania) 1970s; Sindhudesh movement (1980s) and Muhajir militancy in Karachi (1980s). Currently Saraiki and Hazara movements have troubled the Pakistan’s social order. State will have to prioritize the democratic and political solutions of ethnic issues. This paper suggests the implementation of constitution according to its spirit.

This document is an overview of the situation for indigenous peoples in Bangladesh. It was prepared for the World Bank's South Asia region. As stated in the Preface, the aim was to provide "World Bank staff with relevant information and practical guidelines ... to support operational work and policy implementation. This includes necessary guidance in working with ethnic minorities and understanding them better in the context of preparing and implementing projects in Bangladesh. The Profile thus aims at being practical, concrete and operationally relevant". 
Notes: (1) The Profile employs the broader term "vulnerable ethnic minority" instead of "indigenous people", (2) It was decided to limit the circulation of the Profile to World Bank staff, and (3) any consideration of issues that at the time could be construed as being politically sensitive do not any longer apply.

International Humanitarian Law and peace processes are at the center of the origin of Law itself. Armed conflicts, as well as peacekeeping attempts, are not recent. With the establishment of United Nations, however, national jus ad bellum was replaced by a collective right to international peace and security and the 20th century became witness of the creation of several mechanisms and international organisms aimed at such objective. In this context, International Humanitarian Law, set in 1864 with the I Genebra Convention, acquires new concepts and expands its ratione materiae jurisdiction. Thus, it seeks to include not only traditional conflicts, but non symmetrical and internal conflicts as well, in an attempt to regulate the conduct of different actors and international agents in an increasingly complex and, at times, paradoxical scenario. Since the 1990s, with UN’s operation in several humanitarian interventions – Somalia, Rwanda and Ex-Yugoslavia – and the promotion of new instruments – Peacekeepers, Peacemakers and Peacebuilding – and agencies – the Human Rights Council, the International Organization for Migration, for example – brought up new political and legal outlines for old themes. Peacekeeping was inserted in the international community agenda, in the Millennium Development Goals (now the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development) and as Responsibility to Protect (R2P). After the 2001 attacks in New York City, everything has changed. The War on Terror defragmented International Law and brough back alliances and non-intervention discourses, representing a setback on human rights. This is the framework in which this research project is inserted: are 20th century Humanitarian Law norms enough to adequately answer to challenges presented to vulnerable groups in 21st century armed conflicts? The methodology undertaken in this research is centered in analyzing international organs and courts decisions, as well as case studies. It aims to pinpoint the definition of vulnerable groups under a new light provided by International Armed Conflicts Law.

Over decades, Uganda has been characterized by several refugee influxes, especially from the neighboring countries, but also from the horn of Africa. While most of refugees live in settlements, a big percentage of those migrate to Kampala and other urban centers, seeking better education and employment opportunities and/or fleeing problems in the camps.
Despite their reasons for relocating to urban areas, those individuals often live in terrible conditions, crowding slum areas, and often adopting negative strategies. Assistance and protection are provided only to encamped refugees, and to the limited number of refugees on the UNHCR urban caseload. Therefore, the majority refugees and asylum seekers living in urban areas are exposed to several risks and vulnerable to shocks.
This analysis identifies the vulnerabilities of refugees and asylum seekers living in Kampala, starting from the main interrogative: “What are the forms and the causes of vulnerability of refugees and asylum seekers living in Kampala?”. Using the UNHCR approach to vulnerable groups, the paper analyzes the forms of assistance and protection provided to urban refugees and asylum seekers, their limits, and the risks that this population is exposed to.

Group vulnerability is a standard issue in bioethics. Research ethics guidelines highlight the need for the protection of vulnerable participants, and clinical trials are ruled by ethical and legal principles that concern possible health inequities experienced by vulnerable populations. In both the literature and the regulation, two conceptions of vulnerability are at work. On the one hand, the inherent vulnerability that is part of the human condition; on the other hand, the situational vulnerability that is associated with specific contextual factors, and that point out either a reduced autonomy or a greater risk of harms for individuals belonging to some groups. Both these two conception of vulnerability are exacerbated during a pandemic; on the one hand, specific populations are at heightened risk for medical complications from the virus (elderly, or immunosuppressed); on the other hand, specific groups experience an increased vulnerability due to the social determinants of health, which influence individual resilience and exacerbate the impact of the virus. Among the many (income distribution, education and literacy, working condition, house and living conditions, disability, access to health services, etc.) the dramatic reduction of the space for free and informed consent, because of the mental and physical adverse effects coming from social isolation, age, culture, literacy, is relevant for both clinical research and practice. In this paper, I will discuss challenges for informed consent in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, with specific consideration of the condition of vulnerable groups.

The new Pact on Migration and Asylum presented in September 2020 by the Commission proposes the reform of the Common European Asylum System. At the centre of the legislative changes is the effective protection of vulnerable applicants, indicatively minors, persons with disabilities or health issues and survivors of human trafficking and other serious forms of violence. This Insight provides readers with an overview of the provisions of the new Pact affecting vulnerable applicants of international protection. It focuses on the measures introduced by three proposed Regulations of the Pact, namely the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation, the Screening Regulation and the Asylum Procedure Regulation. Importantly, it defines which applicants are considered vulnerable and reviews current and envisioned provisions on the EU state responsible to examine asylum claims, relocations, vulnerability assessments during pre-entry screening and the application of fast-track asylum procedures.

Agenda Pembangunan Berkelanjutan 2030 menempatkan pendekatan HAM sebagai komitmen baru promosi dan perlindungan hak asasi manusia yang secara eksplisit merujuk pada deklarasi universal HAM dan kesepakatan HAM internasional serta berupaya untuk tidak meninggalkan seorang pun dan menempatkan pentingnya kesetaraan dan non diskriminasi.  Pendekatan tersebut kiranya memberikan peluang bagi terwujudnya inklusi sosial terutama bagi kelompok rentan seperti korban pelanggaran HAM masa lalu, masyarakat adat, dan kelompok minoritas agama.

Meski begitu, prinsip tersebut perlu lebih jauh dioperasionalkan, guna dapat memastikan setiap warga rentan tidak tertinggal antara lain dengan melakukan pendataan bersama, kerja bersama merancang Rencana Aksi Daerah dan Rencana Aksi Nasional (RAD dan RAN) yang inklusif, serta mengikutsertakan partisipasi mereka ke dalam Peta Jalan Pelaksanaan Tujuan Pembangunan Berkelanjutan secara nasional.

Urban planning and design can impact mental health, but it is unclear how ever-growing and changing cities can sustain the psychological wellbeing of vulnerable groups, who are among the most mentally sensitive to spatial inequalities. This systematic review synthesised quantitative and qualitative studies on urban design interventions and their impact on wellbeing in vulnerable groups. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we searched five online databases from inception to May 2020. A total of 10 papers were included. We found mixed evidence of benefits for wellbeing linked to urban regeneration projects or focused interventions (green spaces, transport, security). Interventions that were centred around participation, sustainable living, and quality of design (e.g., perceived sense of safety) were as-sociated with increased residential satisfaction and wellbeing, particularly among low-income communities and women. Risk of bias was low to medium, but there was high methodological heterogeneity; studies were mainly from Western countries, and none of the included studies investigated the experiences of people with disabilities, migrants, or racial minorities. This review highlights the importance of inclusive and sustainable design interventions to create happy places for all strata of society, although further investigation is warranted.

El grave problema de vivienda asequible y digna en España ha sido
estudiado desde diversas perspectivas: su dimensión constitucional,
las fórmulas de atención a la emergencia habitacional o los problemas
específicos de ciertos colectivos. La crisis económica ha impulsado
nuevas políticas públicas y normas, fundamentalmente autonómicas,
de materialización del derecho a la vivienda y la literatura académica
ha realizado un esfuerzo de análisis de estos cambios. Sin embargo, ha quedado relativamente esquinado el estudio de los obstáculos procedimentales y normativos que existen para el acceso a los programas
de vivienda habilitados. La clara insuficiencia de los recursos habitacionales existentes ha ocultado las también profundas deficiencias
de los procedimientos y mecanismos para el acceso a las ayudas y
programas de vivienda.
Este artículo busca profundizar en esa cuestión. Queremos conocer
si la pregonada simplificación administrativa, buena administración y
mejora normativa han influido perfeccionando los procedimientos y
requisitos exigibles para acceder a los programas de vivienda (ayudas,
vivienda social, alojamiento de emergencia…). Se pretende examinar
si el cambio en los Estatutos de Autonomía reconociendo este derecho
y las nuevas leyes de vivienda han introducido preceptos dirigidos
a corregir lo que vamos a denominar vulnerabilidad administrativa
que acompaña a la vulnerabilidad social. También en qué medida los
procedimientos administrativos y la generalización de la tramitación
electrónica, están adaptados a personas (ancianos, personas sintecho,
inmigrantes, familias en situación de riesgo…) con profundas carencias
no sólo de vivienda, sino también de estructura familiar y social
de apoyo, formativas y comunicativas acentuados en los entornos urbanos
por la soledad y la falta de redes de cuidado.

En el marco del proceso de democratización de la comunicación en el que está inmerso
América Latina, desde distintas esferas están surgiendo algunas propuestas
que tratan de hacerlo efectivo. En el caso de Ecuador, la Ley Orgánica de Comunicación
se aprobó finalmente en junio de 2013 y, con ella, la idea de incorporar al ciudadano
en el proceso de comunicación se fue instalando en algunos órganos. En este
artículo se analiza una de las propuestas realizadas desde la academia ecuatoriana
para incorporar al individuo al proceso de comunicación y contribuir al empoderamiento
social frente a los excesos mediáticos. En concreto, se analiza el proceso
de generación de un índice de medición de vulneración de derechos ciudadanos,
una propuesta metodológica en la que se completa el trabajo de revisión legislativa
y teórica con el trabajo empírico basado en la realización de grupos focales con representantes
de la ciudadanía en general y, en particular, de los grupos de atención
prioritaria y colectivos en situación de especial vulnerabilidad.

Predmet priručnika su tri teme vezane za pravilno sprovođenje prvostepenog azilnog postupka u Srbiji u kojima je uočena najurgentnija potreba za unapređenjem: proces i tehnike intervjuisanja tražilaca azila, ophođenje prema ranjivim grupama tražilaca azila i istraživanje informacija o zemljama porekla.
Cilj priručnika je da pomogne unapređenju kapaciteta svih aktera uključenih u azilni sistem Srbije za pravilno donošenje odluka, sa posebnim akcentom na sprovođenje radnje intervjuisanja, ophođenje prema ranjivim kategorijama tražilaca azila i istraživanje informacija
o zemljama porekla tražilaca azila. Na taj način, priručnik nastoji da doprinese funkcionisanju azilnog sistema, sprovođenju pravičnijeg azilnog postupka, a samim tim zaštiti prava tražilaca azila.

This book describes and analyzes the conceptual ambiguity of vulnerability, in an effort to understand its particular applications for legal and political protection when relating to groups. Group vulnerability has become a common concept within legal and political scholarship but remains largely undertheorized as a phenomenon itself. At the same time, in academia and within legal circles, vulnerability is primarily understood as a phenomenon affecting individuals, and the attempts to identify vulnerable groups are discredited as essentialist and stereotypical. In contrast, this book demonstrates that a conception of group vulnerability is not only theoretically possible, but also politically and legally necessary. Two conceptions of group vulnerability are discussed: one focuses on systemic violence or oppression directed toward several individuals, while another requires a common positioning of individuals within a given context that conditions their agency, ability to cope with risks and uncertainties, and manage their consequences. By comparing these two definitions of group vulnerability and their implications, Macioce seeks a more precise delineation of the theoretical boundaries of the concept of group vulnerability.

This study uses both quantitative (survey) and qualitative (case study and focus group) methods to measure and assess the  impacts of introducing SMW on labour market conditions and  on the quality of life of vulnerable groups in Hong Kong. Although the implementation of a minimum wage could improve the aggregate employment and increase the average  wage level indirectly, the more direct and fundamental goal is  to improve the quality of life of the vulnerable groups.  The theoretical significance of this research is to shift the focus from the economic to the social impacts of establishing  a minimum wage. The proposed research also makes  methodological advances by using an experimental design to  compare the effects on an experimental group and a control  group so as to isolate the effects of the introduction of a  minimum wage from that of other socio-economic factors.  The year 2011 was a decisive time during which a longitudinal experimental design could be used to measure the impacts  of SMW in Hong Kong. The research can provide both  representative data and in-depth evidence for evaluating  whether the minimum wage is too low and has no real impact  on the quality of life of the vulnerable groups, or whether it is too high and leads to negative effects such as displacement  and unemployment among vulnerable groups.

Η θεματική που καλούμαι να αναπτύξω είναι η νομική προστασία των ευάλωτων ομάδων. Θα ξεκινήσω με το πως ορίζουμε την ευαλωτότητα, δηλαδή ποια πρόσωπα θεωρούνται ευάλωτα από το διεθνές δίκαιο και στη συνέχεια θα εστιάσω στο πεδίο της διεθνούς προστασίας.

En el marco del proceso de democratización de la comunicación en el que está inmerso América Latina, desde distintas esferas están surgiendo algunas propuestas que tratan de hacerlo efectivo. En el caso de Ecuador, la Ley Orgánica de Comunicación se aprobó finalmente en junio de 2013 y, con ella, la idea de incorporar al ciudadano en el proceso de comunicación se fue instalando en algunos órganos. En este artículo se analiza una de las propuestas realizadas desde la academia ecuatoriana para incorporar al individuo al proceso de comunicación y contribuir al empoderamiento social frente a los excesos mediáticos. En concreto, se analiza el proceso de generación de un índice de medición de vulneración de derechos ciudadanos, una propuesta metodológica en la que se completa el trabajo de revisión legislativa y teórica con el trabajo empírico basado en la realización de grupos focales con representantes de la ciudadanía en general y, en particular, de los grupos de atención prioritaria y...

This article presents the results of a study conducted in Mehedinţi County on the social economy, focusing on employment and on the solutions, identified and implemented, to control unemployment. The closedown of the unprofitable enterprises and mining exploitations from this area of the country increased the numbers of the unemployed, with major social and economic consequences. The results of the survey have shown a high level of institutional passiveness regarding the accessing of the pre-accession funds and then of the structural and cohesion funds for the inclusion of the disfavoured groups on the labour market, as well as some kind of ignorance of the civil society regarding this problem. It also reflects the need for a coherent legislative framework, for fiscal facilities and for campaigns of information and formation of the decision-making factors at the county level.

Because the people who are directly impacted by climate change are ‘local’, as such, adaptation strategies to increase resilience of vulnerable populations must also be ‘local’. This should be carried out within the context of urban climate change frameworks and dynamics. The scope of this report is to review climate change adaptation research and policy pertaining to the urban sector, including the relationships between water resources and gender in the West African sub-region

Background: Health policies are important instruments for improving population health. However, experience suggests that policies designed for the whole population do not always benefit the most vulnerable. Participation of vulnerable groups in the policy-making process provides an opportunity for them to influence decisions related to their health, and also to exercise their rights. This paper presents the findings from a study that explored how vulnerable groups and principles of human rights are incorporated into national sexual and reproductive health (SRH) policies of 4 selected countries (Spain, Scotland, Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine). It also aimed at discussing the involvement of vulnerable groups in SRH policy development from the perspective of policy-makers. Methods: Literature review, health policy analysis and 5 semi-structured interviews with policy-makers were carried out in this study. Content analysis of SRH policies was performed using the EquiFrame analytical ...

My thesis focuses on the legal protection of vulnerable groups in the context of asylum law during crisis conditions.

To begin with, my main research questions were the following::
- What does “vulnerability” mean?
- Does international and EU asylum law approach vulnerability differently?
- Where does the recognition of vulnerability lead us?

Maternity should be a time of hope and joy. However, for women in pastoralist communities in Ethiopia, the reality of motherhood is often grim. This problem is creating striking disparities of skilled birth uptake among the agrarian and pastoral communities in Ethiopia. So far, the depth and effects of the problem are not well understood. This study is intended to fill this research gap by exploring mothers' lived experiences and perceptions during skilled birthing care in hardto-reach communities of Ethiopia. An Interpretive Phenomenological approach was employed to analyse the exploratory data. Four key informant interviews, six in-depth interviews, six focus group discussions, and twelve focused observations were held. WHO responsiveness domains formed the basis for coding and analysis: dignity, autonomy, choice of provider, prompt attention, communication, social support, confidentiality, and quality of basic amenities. The skilled birthing experience of nomadic mothers is permeated by a deep-rooted and hidden perceived neglect, which constitutes serious challenges to the health system. Mothers' experiences reflect not only the poor skilled delivery uptake, but also how health system practitioners are ignorant of Afar women's way of life, their living contexts, and their values and beliefs regarding giving birth. Three major themes emerged from data analysis: bad staff attitude, lack of culturally acceptable care, and absence of social support. Nomadic mothers require health systems that are responsive and adaptable to their needs, beliefs, and values. The abuse and disrespect they experience from providers deter nomadic women from seeking skilled birthing care. Women's right to dignified, respectful, skilled delivery care requires the promotion of woman-centred care in a culturally appropriate manner. Skilled birthing care providers should be cognizant of the WHO responsiveness domains to ensure the provision of culturally sensitive birthing care.

The cheerful indifference

This book overview presents Miriam Debieux Rosa’s work: The psychoanalytic clinic facing the sociopolitical dimension of suffering, published in november 2016, by Escuta/Fapesp. Her book is about author’s reflections, related with her clinical interventions experiences within harshly mistreated populations harassed or neglected by normative social discourse - at what she calls “clinical-political psychoanalytic interventions”. In acknowledging the importance of dialogue between psychoanalysis and public discourse, the psychoanalytic clinical listening device is placed on the agenda. In this sense, one must redefine the setting of psychoanalytic clinical listening as much as analyst ethical implication.

Esta resenha apresenta o livro A clínica psicanalítica em face da dimensão sociopolítica do sofrimento, de Miriam Debieux Rosa, publicado pela Escuta/Fapesp em novembro de 2016. Trata-se de reflexões da autora a partir de suas experiências de intervenções clínicas com populações hostilizadas pelo discurso social, o que ela chamou de “intervenções psicanalíticas clínico-políticas”. A partir da necessidade de reconhecimento do diálogo da psicanálise com o discurso público, o próprio dispositivo de escuta clínica psicanalítico é colocado em pauta, tanto em seu clássico setting quanto no que diz respeito à implicação e ao lugar de escuta do analista.