Perspectives on the educational programs and policies underlying natural resources development in the canton of Coto Brus: a case study of a rural Costa Rican community
This case study is an inventory, description and collection of perceptions on the educational programs and policies underlying natural resources development in the Canton of Coto Brus, Costa Rica. The ethnographic appoach utilized in this study involved procuring data through general surveys, in-depth interviews and participant observation. Participants were asked to reflect upon development programs and policies experienced through local, national and international institutions, associations and development agencies within the community as related to changing environmental, social and economic factors. The objective was to reveal local perspectives on the forms, problems and possible solutions of natural resources development in Coto Brus and its relationship to the quality of life, degree of contentment and hopes for the future of the community. Data are intended for use by development planners and implementers to link social, agricultural and environmental activities within the development and implementation of integrated natural resources educational programs and policies. Participants revealed that educational programs and policies of natural resources development in the region of Coto Brus generally had little effect on their way of life. Development programs were unknown to many, especially the poor. If known, they are generally ignored because the people did not fully understand how to participate or were unable because of physical, neither economic and class barriers. Policies were perceived by the participants to be measures by the controlling powers to exploit for short term profits without consideration for long term economic or environmental consequences. The data revealed that participants in Coto Brus recognized the negative impact development education and policies were having on the environment and their lives, but they conveniently ignored it, or believed they had no power to change the situation. As evident in this case study, development programs and policies that continue to support the export mono-crop economy (coffee culture) that exists in Coto Brus will not address the natural resources development issues plaguing the community. Unless development programs and policies are redesigned for the goal of sustainable development instead of uncontrolled exploitation, economic nor environmental restoration is possible and degradation of the area and migration from the area will continue.
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| Format: | biblioteca |
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Pennsylvania, PA (EUA)
1991
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| Subjects: | RECURSOS NATURALES, EDUCACION, EDUCACION AMBIENTAL, PROGRAMAS, COMUNIDADES RURALES, DESARROLLO DE LA COMUNIDAD, CALIDAD DE VIDA, HISTORIA, UTILIZACION DE LA TIERRA, TENENCIA, ENTORNO SOCIOECONOMICO, DESARROLLO INDUSTRIAL, COLONIZACION, COTO BRUS, COSTA RICA, |
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