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Translational Research in Human Development
by
Maiet D. Biliran (Word
Document)
Translational Research in Human Development
Translational research is a relatively new discipline pioneered by
medical and health care scientists. It has been broadly defined as a
process that provides a scientific link between laboratory research and
human trials. (1) It is a process of translating research innovations
into new health products by the medical, pharmaceutical and
biotechnology industries, their investors and technology transfer
professionals in academic institutions (2). The National Institute of
Health (NIH) defines translational research as: “the process of applying
ideas, insights, and discoveries generated through basic scientific
inquiry to the treatment or prevention of human disease.” Increasingly,
there has been an emphasis on “translating” this knowledge of disease
and health problems into actual solutions. (3)
Social scientists and human service delivery professionals value the
principles of translational research in development work. Human
communities or villages are seen as social laboratories where
knowledge–based development programs give birth to fresh world views and
innovative social processes. New energies in peoples and communities
translate into fullness of life.
An operational model of translational research in social laboratories is
the project initiated by the United Nations – Food Authority
Organization (UN-FAO) entitled “Budget Work to Advance the Human Right
to Food and Nutrition”. The UN-FAO research project is a scientific
social intervention that will empower non-state actors (ordinary
citizens) to use budget analysis techniques in monitoring the
progressive realization of the human right to food and proper nutrition.
The project deliverable is a Budget Analysis Manual for the Advancement
of the Right to Food and Nutrition. It can serve as a guide for local
and international NGOs, state entities (like human rights commissions)
and government officials in implementing, monitoring, and evaluating
programs related to food security.
Three international research groups were organized by the UN-FAO to
study issues on budget allocation, execution, and expenditure for food
security in their respective countries.
Guatemala: An assessment of two programs: a school
feeding program (vaso de leche) and improved access to land (Fondo de
Tierras). The budget work angles are allocation, execution, and
expenditure tracking.
Uganda: A study on the adequacy of budget allocations
for the delivery of national agricultural advisory services to boost
agricultural production. Considered a serious issue is the non-delivery
of services or inadequacy of services for the targeted beneficiaries -
the most vulnerable and food insecure population groups.
Philippines: The case of the women fisher folks of a
Barangay (District). The study focuses on the budget allocation for
programs that promote the women’s human right to food. Assigned by the
UN-FAO to implement the project in the Philippines is the ESCR-Asia,
Inc., a non-governmental organization that has for its basic mandate,
the promotion of economic, social, cultural rights of peoples in Asia.
The ESCR-Asia, Inc. tapped the expertise of the President of Asia
Pacific Centre for Research (ACRE), ANICETO B.
FONTANILLA, PhD, who together with the Chairperson of the Board of
ESCR-Asia conducted the field research in a coastal village of the
Visayan region, Philippines. The study carried the thoughts of Filipino
women to the mainstream of the international discourse on the human
right to food for all.
The budget analysis questions (4) that were considered critical in this
study were:
1. To what extent does the budget comply with the guiding principles in
the Food and Nutrition policy?
2. Does the budget guarantee food availability, physical and economic
access to food by all citizens?
3. Does the budget framework paper recognize food and nutrition as a
human right?
4. Does the budget treat food as national strategic resources?
5. Does the budget provide for nutritional programs at all levels?
6. Does the budget address food for all vulnerable groups?
The country studies of Guatemala, Uganda, and the Philippines will serve
as the primary knowledge-base of a budget analysis model for the
promotion and fulfillment of the right to food and nutrition in the
world.
The FAO-sponsored international discourse on budget work to advance the
human right to food was held on June 9 – 12, 2008. Hosting the event was
the Institute of International Education (IIE) in Washington, D.C. as
part of its International Human Rights Internship Program this year. The
event at the IIE showcased translational research at work in social
laboratories. The process modeled how translational research can mediate
the empowerment of vulnerable social groups and cultures worldwide.
Meanwhile, Dr. Fontanilla expanded the discourse on human development as
he met Prof. Betty Sitka, the Associate Director of the Center for
Global Peace, School of International Service, American University (AU)
of Washington D.C. The meeting transpired after the proposed round table
discussion on local governance was deferred indefinitely. The forum was
to feature how cities serve as the engine for economic growth in a third
world country like the Philippines. The scholarly conversation among AU
professors and students with Dr. Fontanilla would have defined a
democratic space for more cultures to meet in dialogue, where the output
of research power up personal shared visions of just and peaceful global
communities into life-giving realities.
References:
1. Cincinatti Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Translational Research
Initiative,
http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/research/administration/translational/default.htm
2. NUCATS,
http://www.nucats.northwestern.edu/community/translational_research.html
3. NIH Roadmap for Medical Research,
http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/clinicalresearch/overview-translational.asp
4. Frank Mischler, Review of the Workshop on Budget Work to Advance the
Right to Food, October 2007.
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