Methodology rocks! You know when you are supposed to do things in a strict order, but somehow things work out differently in certain times and spaces, but still falling into place just in the right order and the right time. Well, this is how I feel about the methodology. I still have to write up the theoretical and practical elements of it.
Kerst very kindly has read through the introduction I sent him yesterday and came back with some extremely valuable thoughts about sentences that need a bit of tweaking to be more understandable and clear.
We had our Mission Year dinner this evening in Bermondsey and discussed about the importance of being open and share not only our joy but difficulties as well, including finances during the next 9 months we are in volunteer inner city mission together. It was great to share testimonies about God`s provision during the last couple of weeks. My biggest fear was not being able to afford to buy food, but so far there was always enough.
From the thesis:
Methodology:
The focus of this thesis is on the relationship between policy making and its effect on fashion and traditional craft on a local level in Hungary. It is important to explain why this particular research area was chosen. This is a subject that has been little explored; therefore it was felt to be a valid research field for this project. ‘The creative economy has the potential to generate income and jobs while promoting social inclusion, cultural diversity and human development’ (UNCTAD)1.
Policy making affects traditional craft and fashion on every level, in every part of the world. However what happens locally is surprisingly not as researched as on the industrial level. Although it is crucially important what role it plays in people’s everyday life for centuries.
During the research journey, which shaped the field of interest in both primary and secondary form, it was identified, that to be able to fully analyse the opportunities of the project new areas needed to be explored. These research tools started a new venture, which changed the grass roots of understanding local development and empowerment in small scale fashion related projects. The new interest of the unknown territory is the relationship between fashion and economics.
The identification of the importance of this relationship between these areas has opened up new opportunities for research. By visiting public lectures at London School of Economics (especially inspired by Professor Philip Aghion’s series on Designing Policies for Growth) it became clear that the relationship between fashion and economics is a lot more important in local development and has a lot more effect on its success than it was estimated. The question, if a fashion student should venture into the field of economics was thoroughly thought through and concluded that the relationship between policy making and its effect on fashion on a local level (artisans) is a valid research field. This was underpinned by a conversation with Professor David Throsby from the Macquarie University, Australia, who is one of the few scholars researching the field of economics of arts and culture.
Background: The journey from `Mission Possible` to `Glocal Trinnovation`
From the African experience of setting up sewing projects to the decreasing number of Hungarian artisans. Drawing upon research and the challenges of product design development from `Mission Possible` (Fodor 2008) undertaken for final major project on BA, PDDFI – Clothing (product Design and Development)at London College of Fashion has laid the foundation of intending to deepen the research and further explore the possibilities of sustainable development in disadvantaged communities.
Throughout the research, it was identified that high percentage of the people living in the First World, who has disposable income have a limited understanding of the challenges people in disadvantaged communities have to face on a daily basis. The role of the volunteers in setting up sustainable sewing projects on ground and supporting from the First World not known, either. The financial, medical, environmental, social and gender differences between Western customers and Sub – Saharan makers come across with a significant difference in reasoning why clothing and accessories are made and bought. Setting up projects based on skills and materials, that can be sourced on ground and sold locally for Western customers could be a rewarding challenge.
By working in partnership with an existing organisation an analytical journey of a product designed and made by women in disadvantaged communities, and sold for western costumers was proposed to be written and illustrated with photographs in a form of a book. The aim was to show a real picture of both makers and customers from their everyday life, which could educate and inform readers about sustainable development in a visual and easily readable way. The idea was to create a bridge between the disadvantaged and the wealthy by introducing people from both sides of the label.
Early on the research during conversations of the theme of the thesis in Hungary it was identified that there is a need there in local development in craft to create sustainable livelihoods, as well. Creating sustainable livelihoods is not only a third world phenomenon, but a legacy that needs to be practised everywhere in the world where poverty exist. It is just as much a valid area to research and try to bring change in for City Gateway in Tower Hamlets East London as for Besom around the United Kingdom, for Hope for Africa Missions in Chiaqualane Mozambique, for Five Talents in Uganda, for Worldviewimpact in India (Appendix) and for the author in Hungary, where entrepreneurship is not encouraged by the policy making. Few factors had been eased since 2008 when the research started due to the change of the political scene, which has a more favourable effect on necessity entrepreneurs in terms of reduction of bureaucracy burden when registering. The shift of the research has given the author a unique insight in the relationship between policy making and the decreasing number of Hungarian artisans. The need for sustainable development projects on local level to create jobs locally by using local materials and local skills for the local market to generate income in areas where the unemployment level is high in order to keep the money flowing within the community made it necessary to concentrate not only on the design elements of the products, but on the surrounding main factors: business and economics.
Theoretical research:
During extensive desk research both in Hungary and England it was identified that Hungary’s current position in a transition economy requires more in-depth understanding from the author. Due to the fast changing policies and laws since the great fall majority of the theoretical research took place on the internet. Unexpected challenges occurred on a regular basis with the changes of the political scene and the recession. Since the 2010 elections the cabinet was restructured and some of the government related online research material cannot be revived. At the same time the recession had a major effect on cut backs in the cultural departments and County Seat`s library which was proposed to use in the main part of theoretical research been decreased in its size of research books got sold off, leaving less accuracy for historical research during the communism.
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