Let's Talk Human Rights

During the summer of 2019, five Malawi Practicum student researchers spent nine weeks in Chilumba, Malawi with the NGO Determined to Develop (D2D), conducting research related to the theme of Food Security and Nutrition. Upon their return to campus in the fall, the students continued developing their final research projects on specific topics, which they presented at the Social Practice of Human Rights (SPHR) 2019 conference. Seeking to share their findings beyond UD, the Practicum cohort attended the Human Development Conference at the University of Notre Dame in March 2020. 

The conference theme, ‘Development on the Move: Global Strategies Informed by Local Contexts’ calls for global cooperation on issues, like food insecurity, that transcend national borders. The right to food is guaranteed in article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights and article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, food insecurity remains an existent issue in communities around the world. Food insecurity is not a matter of scarcity, but rather one of distribution. In Malawi, 80 percent of the population practices smallholder farming. The dependence on the climate for food production makes recurring droughts a threat to the agricultural sector and the livelihood of farmers. Micronutrient deficiencies have led to high rates of anemia and stunting, particularly in pregnant women and children, with 47 percent of children being stunted. During times like the current COVID-19 pandemic, the inequality gap in access to life-sustaining resources like food becomes more profound, making the call for global solidarity with a focus on community development especially pertinent. 

The conference allowed for personal reflection on the students’ yearlong research development process as well as the chance to learn amongst student researchers from across the United States. We share here the research findings and conference takeaways from two Practicum participants: 

Matt Schubert, Communication and Political Science, ‘20

Analyzing community garden initiatives and techniques in the Chilumba area: How communities take a village approach to food security and nutrition.

The focus of this research was to investigate factors that contribute to the success or failure of community gardens. Together, the UD student researcher along with his Malawian research counterpart conducted focus groups and individual interviews with members of community gardens. Findings show that one of the most important factors of a successful garden was access to capital, water, and a market for sales. Also helpful was external support from NGOs, which can assist in providing resources and knowledge. A final contributing factor to success was group cohesion among the community gardeners. Recommendations include the creation of a forum for knowledge-sharing among community gardeners, cooperation among gardeners to yield greater profits, and less reliance on NGOs for resources in order to increase self-sufficiency. 

Conference Reflections

“At the conference, I was impressed by the number of other students doing development research all over the globe. The panel I presented on addressed food security, where I learned, through the other presentations, about economic models, gender issues, and problems facing refugees and minorities in the U.S. During Q&A, a question was raised on how our identities affected our work and how we ensured we didn’t act as “white saviors.” I thought about my identity frequently during my time as a researcher and since leaving Malawi, so I am thankful for opportunities for continued reflection on these important questions. After attending the conference, I feel more confident about the future of development,” said Schubert.

Marigrace Moses, Environmental Biology, ‘20

Sustainable fish farming as an income-generating activity and women’s role in adoption. 

Fish farming has been developed as a method of reducing overfishing in Lake Malawi. While the fishing industry in Malawi is male-dominated and there are many barriers to women’s entry, pond fishing serves as an entry point for women’s participation. This study aimed to better understand how fish farming is impacting development in Malawi and women’s role within this dominant means of generating livelihoods. The UD researcher and her Malawian research partner interviewed 19 fish farmers within the Northern region of Malawi. Findings show that, while women face heightened barriers, such as access to information and resources, physical barriers, and thievery, fish farming is a viable industry in which women can succeed. 

Conference Reflections

“Presenting at this conference allowed me to continue my reflection on my time in Malawi and opened my eyes to possibilities post-graduation. Each time I share my experience or present my research, I understand my time in Malawi a bit more. I presented on the panel: “Beating the Binary: Challenging Gendered Norms in Development Practices.” My research examined women’s empowerment in sustainable fish farming as I shared stories of some incredible women I learned from this summer. Being on a diverse panel allowed me to hear similar stories from other student researchers. A member of the audience asked us during the panel to discuss our identity’s impact on the research. I think this is a critical question for development researchers to actively reflect on. This past summer, I would have had a very different experience if I chose to not reflect upon my identity and positionality. After the conference, I feel more confident discussing my research and role in Malawi,” Moses reflected.

The Malawi Research Practicum prompts students to engage with questions of identity and privilege, encouraging a more critical approach to international development. These are questions that students continue to reflect upon beyond their participation in the Practicum. Many former Practicum members have continued on into the international development field, including 2013 participant Alyssa Bovell, who has sparked conversations on power and privilege in development work.