The conceptualization of human development has evolved in many phases since the 1970s through to the new millennium. It has evolved from being viewed generally in economic terms (i.e. Gross Domestic Product, Gross National Income, etc.) through a phase of being viewed as the access to basic needs to the present phase where it is viewed in multi-dimensional contexts (Morse, McNamara and Acholo, 2009,p9-10). An important tenet of human development is the capability of individuals to live sustainably. The World Commission on Environment and Development (1987) developed earlier concepts and understanding of livelihoods and sustenance. The commission viewed livelihoods as the safety of ownership or access to income-generating activities or resources, and sustainability as the stability and improvement of the productivity of such resources in the end (WCED 1987b, p2-4). Chambers and Conway make a more thorough exposition on sustainable livelihoods (1992, p6), and provide this definition:
A livelihood comprises the capabilities, assets(including both material and social resources) and activities required for a means of living; a livelihood is sustainable when it can cope with and recover from stress and shocks, maintain or enhance its capabilities and assets, and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for the next generation; and which contributes net benefits to other livelihoods at the local and global levels and in the short and long-term.
Capabilities are seen here as the ability of people to access and use their opportunities, while assets refer to the tangible and intangible resources that could be used by individuals to engage in productive activities that can help them make a living (Chambers and Conway, 1992 p7). For capabilities, assets and activities to become sustainable, they should have the capacity to be maintained and enhanced in their present and future use (Serrat, 2008, p1). Sustainability is therefore dependent on how people use their abilities with respect to the assets and opportunities they have. The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development pointed out that for individuals and communities to come out of poverty, there is the need for sustainable livelihoods to be attained (Kranz, 2001 p6).
The sustainable livelihoods approach of DFID (1999), provides a simple and holistic view of how livelihood and its sustenance are perceived in recent times. The SL approach can be viewed in three ways; it can be seen as a set of principles guiding development intervention, it can be seen as a framework for analyzing livelihoods and it can be seen as a development objective (Farrington
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2001, cited in Morse, McNamara and Acholo 2009, p6). As a framework, the SL approach acts as a model which serves as an all-inclusive method to assess the factors that affect the lives of people and helps to understand the complex nature of making a sustainable living(Krantz, 2001 p7). It also brings to light the neglected factors of daily human life that affect how and whether people can assess the economic opportunities that are available to them (Peterson and Pederson 2010 p 8-9). Figure 2 below shows the SL framework.
Figure 2: The Sustainable Livelihoods Framework. Adapted from: Department of International Development of the United Kingdom,1999.
As was suggested above, the SL framework depicts the links and relationships that occur among its key components; vulnerability contexts, assets, policies and institutions, strategies, and outcomes. The primary concern of the SL approach is the need for livelihoods to be capable enough to recover from stress, shocks, and critical life situation or circumstances. Vulnerability contexts refer to the extent to which livelihoods are exposed to threatening situations (DFID, 1999). A livelihood is insulated from vulnerability if it does not require help from other sources to cope with stress which poses a threat to the sustainability of other livelihoods (Kollmair and Gamper., 2002 p5). The SL framework depicts that the inability of individuals to cope or adapt to stress places
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them in a state of vulnerability that prevents them from the attainment of sustainable livelihoods (Scoones, 1998, p7).
Assets are the material, social, tangible and intangible resources that people possess, which can serve as a potential capital base for various production streams to create livelihoods (Scoones, 1998, p7). The SL asset pentagon (i.e. see figure below) depicts five key assets that people need to achieve livelihoods. They are human capital, social capital, natural capital, physical capital and financial capital. The value or worth of assets is dependent on policies and institutions. Policies and institutions, through rules and regulations, ensure that the access to assets yields more beneficial livelihoods (Kollmair and Gamper p8, 2002 p: DFID, 1999).
Figure 3: The Asset Pentagon. Adapted from: Department of International Development of the United Kingdom,1999.
Policies, institutions and laid down processes are important in all human activities and endeavours.
They are important for regulations at all levels (i.e. from household right through the community to national and international levels) in all spheres - both private and public activities (DFID, 1999).
The level or extent of access that people have to assets for their livelihoods is largely dependent on the political or the institutional arrangements that exist in a given place (Scoones, 1998, p8).
Livelihood strategies are productive activities that people engage in with the main purpose of achieving a livelihood (Serrat, 2008 p3). It includes the synergising a number and combination of activities, assets, and choices within a set of institutional contexts to reach productive ends or
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outcomes (DFID, 1999). Livelihood outcomes include: income, increased wellbeing, reduced vulnerability, improved food security, more sustainable use of the natural resource base, and recovered human dignity (Serrat 2008 p3, DFID, 1999).
Unemployment can be situated in the context of the Sustainable Livelihood Approach Framework.
Unemployment generally puts people in a vulnerable situation. In navigating this vulnerable situation in developing countries where there are no unemployment benefits, people need to use the resources available to them. The extent and depth of capital or assets that a person has access to will most likely influence their abilities, capabilities, and strategies for seeking employment and productivity. For instance, one’s level of education and skill set as well as cognitive skills (i.e.
human capital) may be influential in that person landing a job. Also, a person’s access to economic capital can play a huge role in self-employment or investments in education. Notwithstanding, the policies, institutions, systems and processes that exist in a place will also determine the extent to which job opportunities are available for people that could take advantage of them.
The relationship between employment and sustainable livelihoods is a bit complex. Sheshamani and Kaungo (1997) elaborate on a few important issues with respect to this relationship. First, being employed will not necessarily guarantee that one earns enough income to cater for the basic needs of their household. For instance, it is known that many workers in developing countries find themselves in vulnerable jobs that have no future prospects, and pay them very little income (UN, 2014, p44). Second, even if one’s current employment provides a source of livelihood that does not guarantee sustainability (i.e. this is with respect to the durability or longevity of the job).
Finally, in certain situations, people do not necessarily have to engage in paid work to earn a living but could engage in productive activities that could help make provision for their livelihoods (Sheshamani and Kaungo. 1997). This consideration is important because it brings up the reality that being employed alone does not guarantee a means out of poverty, or a pathway for a sustainable life. It is also important to note that evidence suggests that in the majority of cases, the availability of employment opportunities is an important means to the attainment of sustainable livelihoods. References can be made to the worldwide reduction in the relative number of working poor from 55.2 per cent in 2000 to 32.1 per cent in 2012 (UN,2014, p45). This indicates that employment remains a very essential means to poverty reduction and a sustainable livelihood.
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The SL framework is very versatile in terms of its application. Ashley and Carney (1999, p4-5) point out that one of its main uses is in research activities. For this research, the assessment is made as to whether the livelihood situation and access to capital (i.e. economic, social, human) of individuals have had any influence on their employability. The research also assesses the nature of the potential influences. Also, it assesses whether unemployment has influenced their livelihood situation and capital, and to further establish the nature of the possible influence.