PHA-Exchange> Researcher needed to document alternative health systems

[Jeff Conant]

Dear PHM colleagues,
	I'm writing with an interesting opportunity to help spread the PHM  
vision through a research and documentation project.
	I've recently begun doing some work with a collaborative network  
called Other Worlds, which is developing media outreach and  
educational materials on large-scale, successful alternatives to  
economic globalization, with a strong social justice and gender  
justice focus. Other Worlds' first project is a book, well on its way  
at this point, which will document 14 case studies of alternative  
development around the world. These case studies include a look at  
the MST in Brazil, the traditional gift economy in Mali, public  
management of water utilities, and so forth. In my discussions with  
Other Worlds I have successfully argued the case for inclusion of a  
study of an alternative health system in the book and in subsequent  
outreach materials. We have discussed documenting PHM as a movement,  
documenting local health systems alternatives such as the health  
system in Kerala and some of the work in Bangladesh, or documenting  
social systems of medicine in Scandinavia. Which case study gets  
promoted depends largely on the work of the researcher in presenting  
a strong case.
	If you're interested, please look over the description of the  
(volunteer) position below and write to Beverly Bell at the email on  
the attachment.
	The position would be ideal for a grad student or other health  
researcher who may have funding to support such a project, or may  
already be involved in something similar.
	Thanks.
	-- Jeff Conant


SEEKING: SHORT-TERM RESEARCHER/WRITER

FOR POLITICAL EDUCATION/ORGANIZING PROJECT

ON GENDER, GLOBALIZATION, AND JUST ECONOMIES

MAY 2007


Project Description: Other Worlds is a multi-national, multi-media,  
multi-lingual education and organizing collaborative to inspire hope  
and knowledge that another world is possible, and to help build it.  
It compiles and brings to light political, economic, cultural,  
social, and gender alternatives that are flourishing throughout the  
world, and inspires and helps the public throughout the Americas open  
up new pathways to adapt and replicate them. Other Worlds’ program  
includes: (1) Documenting fourteen case studies of thriving, large- 
scale just economies in a context of globalization, and with an  
emphasis on gender; (2) Creating a book, a photo book, national  
speaking tours and photo exhibits, a 6-part film series, two  
mainstream magazine series, a radio series, electronic articles, and  
a popular education program.  Using the multiple media to conducting  
extensive educational outreach throughout the Americas, in English  
and Spanish, aimed at reaching popular audiences; (3) Inspiring  
action. Once the media products are out, working in partnership with  
movements and citizens’ groups to help the viewers/readers/listeners  
become active in their own communities and sectors and to work for  
more just national and international policy; and (4) Generating  
support for the alternatives and the movements behind them. We  
campaign, fundraise, and support in other ways the movements we  
feature and others working in the same spirit.


In the spirit of the Jubilee South slogan “Nothing about us without  
us,” the project relies on deep collaboration with economic, social,  
and women’s justice movements, and is accountable to them.


Position:  We seek a researcher/writer to help us document and write  
book chapters (also serving as the basis for the other media and  
education) on thriving, large-scale just economic alternatives. The  
position involves researching successful alternatives in the global  
south and north, selecting the most important ones to study in-depth,  
developing analysis about the economic, social, and gender  
implications of the models, and writing it all up in simple, popular  
language.

The job requires: a strong commitment to economic justice; an  
excellent understanding of globalization and gender; knowledge of  
health or water issues and movements; strong research, analysis, and  
writing skills; and self-direction.

Case studies: We seek one researcher/writer to bottom-line each of  
the following studies:

- Alternative forms of water ownership, guaranteeing free or cheap,  
clean, accessible, and civil society- or state-controlled water.  In  
the context of the global commons, we will examine in-depth two or  
three cases and their implications for commodification/privatization  
versus citizen ownership, access, and democratic input.  We will also  
reference, more briefly, other interesting models.


- Health systems as part of the global commons, guaranteeing good,  
accessible health for all. We will briefly explore the problems  
resulting from market-based health care, various alternatives  
(including, for example, Scandinavian state-driven systems and/or the  
collective efforts of the People’s Health Movement), and implications  
and lessons for the U.S.

Timeframe: The project can begin immediately.  While it is impossible  
to predict how much time  the research and writing may take, we seek  
someone who will be able to advance the project on a steady,  
efficient basis.

Location: The comfort of your own home, which may be based anywhere.

Compensation: Due to a virtually non-existent budget, all the members  
of Other Worlds are volunteer or receive a small stipend.

To apply: Send a letter of interest, a resume, and a writing sample  
to: other_worlds at msn.com.  Please indicate whether you are interested  
in the health or the water study; whether you are able to work as a  
volunteer; if you require a stipend, how much you would need; when  
you would be available to start; and roughly how much time you would  
be able to dedicate per week or month.


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