This collection of international research and collaborative theoretical innovation examines the socio-cultural contexts and negotiations that young people face when growing up in rural settings across the world. This book is strikingly different to a standard edited book of loosely linked, but basically independent, chapters. In this case, the book presents both thematically organised case studies and co-authored commentaries that integrate and advance current understandings and debates about rural childhood and youth.

This collection of international research and collaborative theoretical innovation examines the socio-cultural contexts and negotiations that young people face when growing up in rural settings across the world. This book is strikingly different to a standard edited book of loosely linked, but basically independent, chapters. In this case, the book presents both thematically organised case studies and co-authored commentaries that integrate and advance current understandings and debates about rural childhood and youth.

West African Worlds: Paths through Socio-economic Change, Livelihoods and Development provides a critical assessment of social, economic and political change in Africa's most populous, most balkanised and, arguably, most externally-orientated region. Centering on the diversity which inheres in livelihood pursuits and development interventions at different scales and in a variety of localities, the book combines a focus on livelihoods and development with a rejuvenated role for the state in development intervention and mediation. the study of society and nature which bridges the region's linguistic and political divides * Multi-level analyses of diversity and change from a range of disciplinary perspectives, including fictional writing * Examples and case studies cover the full range of geographic scales, combining broader-scale political economy with individual, household and group livelihood concerns * An impressive mix of West African and West Africanist voices from a variety of geographical locations * Highlights both the unity and diversity of regional contexts in the pursuit of livelihoods and for the practice of development* Focuses on both evolutionary and transformational change Combines theory and application with policy and practice students taking courses in Development Studies, Geography, Politics, Anthropology and Sociology. It will also be of interest to researchers, policy makers, development planners and practitioners, as well as anyone with an interest in socio-economic dynamics and change in the region. Reginald Cline-Cole is Senior Lecturer in Geography in the Centre of West African Studies at the University of Birmingham. Elsbeth Robson is Lecturer in Development Studies in the School of Earth Sciences and Geography at Keele University.Series Editor: David Simon

West African Worlds provides a critical assessment of social, economic and political change in Africa's most populous and arguably most externally focused region. With an emphasis on globalisation and modernisation, case studies and commentary are integrated throughout to highlight the concerns and issues of the region. Enriched by an impressive mix of West African voices, this text combines theory and application with policy and practice to address socio-economic change, the pursuit of livelihoods, and development within West Africa.

This book explores the daily mobilities and immobilities of children and young people in sub-Saharan Africa. The authors draw on findings from rural and urban field research extending over many years, culminating in a 24-site study across three African countries: Ghana, Malawi, and South Africa. Wider reflections on gender, relationality, the politics of mobility, and field methodology frame the study. By bringing together diverse strands of a complex daily mobilities picture-from journeys for education, work, play/leisure and health, to associated experiences of different transport modes, road safety, and the virtual mobility now afforded by mobile phones-the book helps fill a knowledge gap with crucial significance for development policy and practice.