This paper discusses intersectional approaches to understanding pathways out of harmful drug use in Kachin state, Myanmar, through telling the life story of a well-known advocate for better treatment of drug users.
Seminar series: Illicit Economies, Violence and Development
Register for six seminars on illicit economies, violence and development
We eradicated coca: now what?
This digital report highlights the personal experiences of some of Colombia’s “substitution farmers” who eradicated their illicit coca crops as part of the Peace Agreement’s substitution programme, but are still waiting for the state to deliver what was promised to them.
Voices from the borderlands 2022
Our flagship report, based on a collection of life stories that offer insights into how illicit drugs, violence and conflict, poverty and development, and insecurity and resilience are entangled in the everyday lives of people in the borderlands.
“Everyone here feels that they have been let down by the government.”
Audio Audio translationQuestion: When you decided to take out the coca as part of this programme, what was your motivation to do so, why did you make the decision?Answer: On …
Continue reading ““Everyone here feels that they have been let down by the government.””
“If the PNIS had been a reliable programme, there wouldn’t be any more coca.”
In this area of Tumaco, characterised by its coconut production, the programme has seen serious delays. As well as the common problems (delayed payments, suspensions, etc), these beneficiaries never received …
Continue reading ““If the PNIS had been a reliable programme, there wouldn’t be any more coca.””
“We managed to grow this cacao ourselves, all thanks to our hard work and not the government.”
“We went into the substitution programme to eradicate coca, and because you need money to invest in a project here. We needed help, my kids are in secondary school and …
Fish farming project led by women – Guayacana
“Tilapia could be an option, if the government invests money into it.” We went to Lorenzo’s* farm, situated in one of the rural divisions along the Tumaco-Pasto highway. Lorenzo came …
Continue reading “Fish farming project led by women – Guayacana”
Common themes and insights
Making sense of the life stories with common themes around agency and voice, violence and peace, and borders and boundaries.
Implications for researchers and policymakers
Life stories raise questions, provocations and pointers for researchers and policymakers.
Why life stories?
Challenges and unique benefits of using life stories in research and policy engagement
Transforming war economies into peace economies
About Voices from the Borderlands and the research behind it.
