Jo Beall Boeken

Inspired by the author's personal experiences as a political prisoner in 1980s apartheid South Africa, the narrative delves into the complexities of human desires and the indignities faced under oppression. It examines the themes of radicalization and its profound consequences, offering a poignant reflection on the resilience of the human spirit amidst adversity. The book provides an intimate portrayal of the emotional and psychological struggles encountered during a tumultuous period in history.

Focusing on the impact of local funding initiatives, the book highlights their role in fostering development and enhancing local democracy. By examining case studies from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, it illustrates how these funds can effectively promote a rights-based approach and support democratic decentralization in various communities.

Urban growth in Africa is higher than anywhere but, unlike earlier urbanisation trends in the industrialised world, it is not being accompanied by economic growth. The result is a continent that boasts high levels of poverty and inequality and the highest proportion of urban slum dwellers anywhere. Yet Africa has the least developed institutional architecture and infrastructure at the urban scale to effectively respond and to put in place the appropriate policy, regulatory and fiscal environment to address the social challenges of rapid urbanisation.