Astronomy for Development – A story from South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (S367) ◽  
pp. 168-175
Author(s):  
Carolina J. Ödman
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Capacity Building ◽  
Research Community ◽  
Recent History ◽  
History Of Astronomy ◽  
Bright Future ◽  
Socio Economic Development ◽  
History Of

AbstractIn this article we describe the recent history of astronomy in South Africa from the perspective of development. We describe how all major astronomy initiatives have carried a component of development with them, be it capacity building or socio-economic development. We highlight some activities and conclude that South Africa’s coherent and ambitious strategy has led to substantial changes in the astronomy research community in South Africa and that the young astronomers now starting their careers are taking possession of a bright future.

scholarly journals Breve síntesis histórica y reflexiones acerca de la continuidad étnica, sentido de etnicidad e identidad cultural en la región de Santa Elena, Ecuador

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 99-105
Author(s):  
Erick López Reyes ◽  
Paola Peralta Mendoza
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Archaeological Research ◽  
Colonial History ◽  
Identidad Cultural ◽  
Socio Economic Development ◽  
History Of ◽  
First Arrival ◽  
New Republic ◽  
Santa Elena ◽  
Made In

 Se presenta una breve síntesis de la historia prehispánica y colonial de la región santaelenense, desde la primera llegada de grupos humanos a la zona hasta los primeros días de la República del Ecuador. Dando cuerpo narrativo a una serie de datos dispersos, producto de las investigaciones arqueológicas e histórico documentales, efectuadas en la región desde inicios del siglo pasado hasta la actualidad. En base a ellos se plantea entonces una necesaria y pertinente reflexión respecto a temas como la continuidad étnica, etnicidades, cultura e identidad de los actuales grupos humanos, descendientes de los anteriores, que hoy la habitan, planteando además la importancia que esto posee dentro de los procesos en curso, y aquellos potenciales de acometer, en pro del adelanto y desarrollo socioeconómico local a través del nuevo turismo o turismo de innovación.  Abstract This paper presents a brief summary of the pre-Hispanic and colonial history of the Santa Elena region, from the first arrival of human groups in the area until the early days of the new Republic of Ecuador. By giving narrative body to a series of data dispersed product of archaeological research, and historical documentaries, made in the region since early last century actually. Based on them then arises a necessary and relevant reflection on issues such as ethnic continuity, ethnicities, culture and identity of the current human groups, descendants of the previous, now inhabit, also raising the importance this has in ongoing processes, and those potential to undertake, for the advancement and local socio-economic development through New tourism or innovation tourism.

Urbanization and Electric Power Crisis in Ghana

2018 ◽  
pp. 262-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Brandful Cobbinah ◽  
Ellis Adjei Adams
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Urban Growth ◽  
Urban Poverty ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Rapid Urbanization ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Socio Economic Development ◽  
History Of

Traditionally, urbanization is hailed as an important force for socio-economic development of countries. In fact, recent research on Africa suggests that urbanization has the potential to stimulate socio-economic development. Yet, many African countries experiencing rapid urban growth continue to bear a disproportionate amount of the costs associated with urbanization (e.g., increased urban poverty, and energy crisis among others). This is in sharp contradiction to the popular notion that urbanization is a stimulus for socio-economic development. Using Ghana as a case study, this chapter discusses the extent to which rapid urbanization influences power supply and the implications on socio-economic development. The chapter focuses on four issues: (1) the history of power and urbanization in Ghana; (2) the influence of urbanization on power crisis in Ghana; (3) the socio-economic implications of urbanization-induced power crisis; and (4) the policies available in addressing the power crisis. Recommendations to address the ever-growing demand for electrical power are proffered

scholarly journals The Role of the IAU Gleaned From Oral Histories of Individuals Involved in Astronomy in South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (S349) ◽  
pp. 240-247
Author(s):  
Lerothodi L. Leeuw ◽  
Jarita Holbrook
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Oral Histories ◽  
History Of Astronomy ◽  
Cape Of Good Hope ◽  
International Astronomical ◽  
Royal Observatory ◽  
British Colony ◽  
History Of

AbstractThe South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), formerly known as the Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope, will be 200 years old in 2020. Also, South Africa (SA), formerly a British colony known as the Cape of Good Hope, will celebrate her 100-year anniversary as an International Astronomical Union (IAU) member in 2020, following the IAU centenary in 2019 that this IAU Symposium 349 celebrates. In light of all this, particularly in anticipation of the 200-year anniversary of SAAO in 2020, the SA National Research Foundation (NRF) has developed a Roadmap for the History of Astronomy in South Africa. As part of this we are conducting an oral history of astronomers to complement the historical celebrations of the institutions and science relating to astronomy in SA, supported by the SA NRF. Primarily drawing on literature and setting the scene for this work, here we present a snippet of the on-going oral histories, to glean the role of the IAU in astronomy in South Africa and show the potential of the oral histories to inform and complement written history.

scholarly journals Challenges faced by libraries in a democratic South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 408-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Maredi Mojapelo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Research Design ◽  
Access To Information ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Socio Economic Development ◽  
Arts And Culture ◽  
Convenience Sampling

Community libraries are crucial for people to have access to information to satisfy their multiple needs. As custodians of information and knowledge in diverse spheres, they play a role in the socio-economic development of nations. This article attempts to investigate challenges faced by libraries in three different settings in post-apartheid South Africa. The study adopted a qualitative research design. The users, librarians and a well-placed official of the relevant department were interviewed. Convenience sampling was used to select users and librarians while purposive sampling was used to select an official. Face-to-face interviews and observation and a checklist were used to collect data. Senior officials of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture need to study challenges revealed by the findings and to take action to remedy the situation.

scholarly journals Capacity building for sustained competitive advantage: a conceptual framework

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 671-691 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Riad Shams
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Capacity Building ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustained Competitive Advantage ◽  
Rapid Changes ◽  
Socio Economic Development

Purpose – Capacity building is a crucial antecedent for socio-economic development. However, an enhanced capacity that is difficult to develop could quickly be eroded, because of rapid changes in competitive forces in industries and markets. Therefore, this paper intends to analyse the extant strategic management and relationship marketing (RM) literature that deal with competition. Eventually, the purpose of this paper is to develop an alternative route for capacity building process that could sustain competitive advantage in a market or industry, which encounters rapid changes in business competition. Design/methodology/approach – An inductive constructivist approach is followed to support arguments, in order to develop a synthesis from the relevant literature to reinforce the current understandings on capacity building and sustained competitive advantage. Findings – An influence of RM on strategic organisational dynamic capabilities (DCs) is recognised, which appears as significant to sustain DCs and subsequent competitive advantage. Based on this influence, this paper proposes a conceptual framework of capacity building that could survive through the “valuable, rare, inimitability and non-substitutability” test, which is fundamental to sustain competitive advantage. Some empirical insights are developed, in support of this conceptual framework. Practical implications – For research and practice, these insights will be useful to focus on specific attributes in capacity building to sustain the enhanced capacity’s competitive advantage over time, across industries and markets. Social implications – Similarly, the insights will be instrumental to sustain the benefit of capacity building to underpin socio-economic progress. Originality/value – The paper proposes a much needed initial conceptual framework for capacity building to sustain competitive advantage of a hard-earned capacity for socio-economic development.

scholarly journals Engaged and Activist Scholarship for Socio-Economic Development in South Africa: A Conceptual Appraisal

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 23
Author(s):  
Paulin Mbecke
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Engaged Scholarship ◽  
Socio Economic Development ◽  
Activist Scholarship

<p><em>The debate around scholarship (engaged and activist) is new in South Africa. Currently, the practice of engaged scholarship and activist scholarship is poor or quasi-inexistent, yet, it is believed that these two approaches can contribute to human rights activism which favours socio-economic development. This paper identifies the patterns and principles of engaged scholarship and activist scholarship and their connection with socio-economic development. It argues that effective engaged and activist scholarship programmes can contribute to and facilitate socio-economic development. Thus, the paper suggests a model outlining four key principles forming a conceptual framework for an effective engaged scholarship and a supporting activist scholarship model that facilitates the awareness and participation of communities in socio-economic development efforts.</em></p>

scholarly journals Model of Socio-Economic Development of the Region (on the Example of the Siberian Federal District)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis Zhuravlev ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
Social Protection ◽  
Basic Education ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Federal District ◽  
Transport Infrastructure ◽  
Irkutsk Region ◽  
Socio Economic Development ◽  
History Of

The article addresses the issues of solving a number of planning and forecasting problems of managing socio-economic development. The material presented is based on the general principles of regional planning and reflects the provisions formed taking into account international experience and on the basis of the domestic history of the development of macroeconomic process control systems using modern information technologies. An economic-mathematical model of two key processes of the region’s socio-economic system «basic education, health care, social protection» and «transport infrastructure» has been developed. The results of the calculations are illustrated by the example of the Irkutsk region. The practical use of the developed methodological approaches will make it possible to justifiably solve the tasks of strategizing the rapid development of the regions.

scholarly journals Not by bread alone: Official development assistance in South Africa

2004 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 571-580
Author(s):  
JFE Ohiorhenuan
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Development Assistance ◽  
Official Development Assistance ◽  
The People ◽  
Socio Economic Development ◽  
Development Processes ◽  
Catalytic Role ◽  
The Government

This is a reflection on the role and relevance of ODA to the collective efforts of the government and the people of South Africa in the reconstruction and development of a post-apartheid society. South Africa needs ODA; it needs ODA of a different kind; the effective coordination and collaborative deployment of the little ODA that comes into the country can play a catalytic role in South Africa’s transformation and socio-economic development processes.

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