scholarly journals The Political Ecology of Chinese Large Dams in Cambodia: Implications, Challenges and Lessons Learnt from the Kamchay Dam

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppina Siciliano ◽  
Frauke Urban ◽  
May Tan-Mullins ◽  
Lonn Pichdara ◽  
Sour Kim
Keyword(s):  
Political Ecology ◽  
Foreign Investment ◽  
The Political ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Energy Poverty ◽  
Large Dams ◽  
The Government ◽  
Institutional Actors ◽  
Reducing Energy

Given the opportunities offered by foreign investment in energy infrastructure mostly by Chinese firms, the Government of Cambodia is giving high priority to developing hydropower resources for reducing energy poverty and powering economic growth. Using a “Political ecology of the Asian drivers” framework, this paper assesses China’s involvement in the development of large dams’ in Cambodia and its impacts on the access of natural resources such as water and energy by dam builders, local communities and the government. This analysis is based on 61 interviews and 10 focus group discussions with affected communities, institutional actors, Chinese dam builders and financiers in relation to the first large Chinese dam built in Cambodia, the Kamchay dam. Based on the results of the analysis this paper makes recommendations on how to improve the planning, implementation and governance of large dams to ensure that the dams’ benefits are shared more equally.

The need for civic engagement and competency in higher education in Lebanon

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 186-194
Author(s):  
Nadine Joudi ◽  
Ghada Chehimi
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Civic Engagement ◽  
National Security ◽  
The Political ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
University Curriculum ◽  
Research Outcomes ◽  
Security Levels

Lebanon has always been unstable on the political and the national security levels. The youth in Lebanon did not have the privilege of stability to engage in civic activities and become active citizens. The youth need to collaborate with adults to explore different issues and opportunities to develop civic engagement in their own society. This study is an exploratory research which reveals the need for constructive plans in higher education in Lebanon that will lead youth to civic engagement and competence. It also focuses on exploring the existence of university curriculum that fosters the actual implementation of civic engagement and civic competency programmes. Data were collected using a qualitative framework. University students’ civic competency, knowledge, skills, participation in civic engagement, attitudes and efficacy are assessed by using focus group discussions with students and instructors. The research outcomes provide a foundation for the sustainable interventions through the development of a university curriculum.   Keywords: Civic engagement, civic competency, Lebanon.  

A Sustainable Ecology Movement: Catholicism and Indigenous Religion United against Mining in Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

PCD Journal ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-109
Author(s):  
Wigke Capri Arti
Keyword(s):  
Political Ecology ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Religious Movements ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Indigenous Religion ◽  
Politics And Government ◽  
Fresh Perspective ◽  
Sustainable Ecology

This article examines and discusses a sustainable ecology movement that has protested the mangan mine in Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, since 2000. This movement has united Catholicism and indigenous religion in an effort to promote sustainability, conservation, and environmentalism. Using the institutions of tradition and religion, this movement has negotiated with the State and the private sector and advocated for a moratorium in mining. This article is a qualitative one, employing interviews and focus group discussions as well as a review of documents and previous research into Manggarai and mining conducted by the Research Centre for Politics and Government (PolGov). This study seeks to understand how tradition and religion have been consolidated in their efforts to stop mining in Manggarai. It makes four important findings. First, although manganese does not have much economic value, it is important for poor provinces such as East Nusa Tenggara. Second, Catholicism and indigenous religion have united to advocate for ecological sustainability and oppose manganese mining. Third, traditional and Catholic institutions have strengthened the bonds between members. Fourth, in a literature dominated by studies of religious movements and extractivism, this article contributes a fresh perspective on extractivism and political ecology.

scholarly journals An investigation into respiratory health problems of workers at stone crushing industries in Bangladesh

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 172-178
Author(s):  
Ehtesham Kabir ◽  
Aminul Islam ◽  
Md. Taufikuzzaman
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Cigarette Smoking ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Significant Relation ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Respiratory Problems ◽  
The Government

Purpose Occupational exposure to dust is a major health and safety concern for workers in developing countries. Such laborers are often exposed to dust without being aware of its threat to their health. In the process of crushing stone, mineralogical materials are released into the environment. The material includes dust, fumes, ashes or other industrial waste which may constitute toxic elements. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the respiratory health problems of stone crushing industry workers in Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach This cross-sectional descriptive research study was conducted by adopting a multi-method approach. Data were collected by use of a questionnaire survey, focus group discussions, in-depth interview and spirometric examinations. Focus group discussions and questionnaire surveys were conducted among 240 workers. The respondents were divided in six groups for the spirometric examination. The questionnaire was formulated by following standards set by the American Thoracic Society Division of Lung Disease questionnaire and European Coal and Steel Community. Data on respondent’s height, weight and smoking habits were collected by using a structured checklist. Meanwhile, lung functions were assessed by spirometry. A Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used to analyze the data. Findings The results show that there was a significant relation between respiratory problems and inhalation of dust and particulate matter and cigarette smoking. It also shows that coughing was the most common problem among the respondents. The majority of respondents suffered from obstructive types of respiratory problems. Originality/value Findings of the study reveals that chronic exposure to dust at stone crushing plants increases the risk of respiratory problems and the impaired lung function of workers. It also reveals that there is a significant relation between respiratory problems and inhalation of dusts and cigarette smoking. Raising awareness about health risks amongst workers could reduce these health hazards. The government should make a national policy for the prevention, control and elimination of silica exposure and silicosis. The results would help to raise awareness of the issue. Finally, it would raise awareness on respiratory health problems of workers at stone crushing industries in Bangladesh and help the government to make a policy for the prevention, control and elimination of silica exposure and silicosis, and thus enhancing public health policy and practices in the country.

scholarly journals Constitution Review- between necessity and opportunity

2020 ◽  
pp. 11-26
Author(s):  
ANCA-JEANINA NIȚĂ
Keyword(s):  
Political Elite ◽  
The Political ◽  
Constitutional Court ◽  
Democratic Regime ◽  
Parliamentary Democracy ◽  
Constitutional Amendments ◽  
Legislative Proposals ◽  
The Government ◽  
Institutional Actors ◽  
Constitutional Revision

The present article aims to rediscuss the variables of constitutional revision. This effort stems from the recent initiatives purporting “to reform the Constitutional Court of Romania” and observations regarding the “major deficit of parliamentary democracy in the legislative procedure”, generated by the special procedures of “tacit adoption”, “assuming responsibility” and the excess of legislative power on part of the Government, as expressed through ordinances. Given a constitution needs a certain level of stability and the possibility to adapt to new, political and social realities, this article showcases the procedural rules and limits in relation to constitutional revision. It selectively presents possible outcomes of a future constitutional revision – stemming from the observation of disfunctions manifested in the functioning of the constitutional-statal mechanism (particularly the parliamentary practice of tacitly adopting bills and legislative proposals and the governmental practices in the field of assuming responsibility before Parliament and of adopting emergency ordinances). It showcases the constitutional and infraconstitutional framework regulating the organization and functioning of the Constitutional Court of Romania and remarks a recent bill to amend Law No. 47/1992. Last but not least, it analyses whether constitutional amendments would actually play a part in consolidating the democratic regime of Romania if not paired with a reform of the political elite, reshaping the conduct of the main political and institutional actors

scholarly journals Factors Impacting Tanzanian Rural and Peri-urban Drug Dispensaries’ Perceived Benefits from Using an mHealth Reporting System

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Alistair Elias ◽  
Joel S. Mtebe
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Information Quality ◽  
Reporting System ◽  
Quality Service ◽  
System Quality ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Core Element ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
The Government

This study examines the factors impacting Tanzanian drug dispensaries’ perceptions of the potential benefits of using a mobile health (mHealth) reporting system. Since 2003, the Government of Tanzania has implemented its Accredited Drug Dispensing Outlet (ADDO) programme in support of dispensaries in under-served rural and peri-urban areas. A core element of this ADDO programme is the dispensary use of an mHealth application for reporting on the drugs they are dispensing and the medical conditions that are being treated. This study canvassed the views of ADDO programme dispensaries using the mHealth reporting system in the Iringa, Mbeya, and Njombe Regions, through a survey questionnaire completed by 318 dispensaries and focus group discussions with 38 dispensary personnel. The data revealed that four factors—system quality, information quality, service quality, and price value—are all having a statistically significant impact on dispensaries’ perceptions of the potential benefits of using the mHealth system.

scholarly journals Nexuses between Malnutrition, Social Exclusion of Children and Human Capital: A Qualitative Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 415-422
Author(s):  
Uzma Niaz ◽  
Nazia Malik ◽  
Sadaf Mahmood ◽  
Zahira Batool
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Social Exclusion ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Academic Achievements ◽  
Malnourished Children ◽  
Interview Guide ◽  
The Government ◽  
Socially Excluded

The present study describes the parents’ attitude towards malnutrition, social exclusion of children, and human capital in three districts of South Punjab, Pakistan. The qualitative research approach is applied with three Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with parents of children. The interview guide was used to collect data and thematic analysis approach was done. It was concluded that malnutrition made the children socially excluded by damaging their health, academic achievements, and losing their interests in games. It was also concluded that no education and skills of malnourished children become socially excluded from their workplaces. Finally, it was concluded that this situation of malnutrition leads them toward social exclusion. Therefore, this social capital of the future in the shape of social exclusion of children increases the economic burden of family and ultimately nation. To overcome this issue, steps should be taken by the government and community level.

scholarly journals Deradicalization and Formation of Public Attitudes of Islamic Boarding School (Pesantren) in Sukoharjo, Indonesia

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Arkanudin Budiyanto ◽  
Subejo Subejo ◽  
Samsul Maarif
Keyword(s):  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Boarding School ◽  
External Factors ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
The Government ◽  
Internal And External Factors ◽  
Weak Influence

The spread of religious radicalism in Indonesia has pervaded all levels of society without being able to be sorted are rigid. Responding to the situation, the government does the de-radicalization program, included Pesantren. This study aims to identify the communication strategy, internal and external factors in shaping public attitudes of Islamic Boarding School (Pesantren) towards the de-radicalization of religious with quantitative and qualitative approaches. The data collection is done by observation, interviews, questionnaires, and focus group discussions. Quantitative analysis tools using SEM. The results showed that the communication strategy of de-radicalization effect on public attitudes of Islamic Boarding School (Pesantren) through external factors significantly. External factors also influence the public's attitudes of Islamic Boarding School (Pesantren) directly with a strong and significant influence. The communications strategy of de-radicalization also directly affects the public's attitudes of Islamic Boarding School (Pesantren) with weak influence.[Penyebaran radikalisme agama di Indonesia telah merasuki semua lapisan masyarakat tanpa dapat dipilah secara rigid. Merespon situasi tersebut, pemerintah melakukan program deradikalisasi, termasuk di lingkungan Pesantren. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi strategi komunikasi, faktor internal dan eksternal dalam membentuk sikap masyarakat pesantren terhadap deradikalisasi agama dengan pendekatan kuantitatif dan kualitatif. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan observasi, wawancara, kuesioner, dan FGD. Alat analisis kuantitatif menggunakan SEM. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Strategi komunikasi deradikalisasi berpengaruh terhadap sikap masyarakat pesantren melalui faktor eksternal secara signifikan. Faktor eskternal juga mempengaruhi sikap masyarakat pesantren secara langsung dengan pengaruh yang kuat dan signifikan. Strategi komunikasi deradikalisasi juga berpengaruh langsung terhadap sikap masyarakat pesantren dengan pengaruh yang lemah.]

scholarly journals Muhammadiyah’s Moderation Stance in the 2019 General Election: Critical Views from Within

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Haedar Nashir ◽  
Zuly Qodir ◽  
Achmad Nurmandi ◽  
Hasse Jubba ◽  
Mega Hidayati
Keyword(s):  
Political Party ◽  
General Election ◽  
The Political ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Middle Way ◽  
Grass Root ◽  
Grass Root Level ◽  
Nahdlatul Ulama ◽  
Moderate Position

This study focuses on the way in which Muhammadiyah, one of Indonesia’s largest Islamic organizations, stood in the 2019 General Election. Like its counterpart Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah has marked the moderation of Islam in Indonesia, different from Islam elsewhere in the Middle East. Since its establishment, Muhammadiyah has urged its members not to join any specific political party, but rather to take a moderate position in political pragmatism and support patriotism in broader national interest. Likewise, in the 2019 election, Muhammadiyah did not organizationally support any candidates, citing its “middle way” approach. However, this study identifies a dualism in the political attitudes of Muhammadiyah’s elites. Even without official orders or prohibitions from the central leadership, some Muhammadiyah members got involved and carried their organization’s attributes to support certain candidates, resulting in political division within the organization. Some members of the organization took a clear political stance, whereas others remain neutral. This created tension within the organization in both elite and grass-root level. The main data for this study were collected through interviews, unstructured discussions, and focus group discussions with several Muhammadiyah elites.[Artikel ini melihat posisi yang diambil salah satu organisasi Islam terbesar di Indonesia, Muhammadiyah, dalam Pemilu 2019. Bersamaan dengan Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah menjadi penanda moderasi Islam di Indonesia yang berbeda dengan Islam di tempat lain. Sejak didirikan, Muhammadiyah telah menandaskan untuk tidak berafiliasi dengan partai politik tertentu, tetapi mengambil posisi moderat dalam perpolitikan dan mendukung patriotisme demi kepentingan nasional yang lebih luas. Demikian juga, dalam Pemilu 2019, Muhammadiyah secara resmi tidak mendukung calon mana pun berdasarkan konsep “jalan tengah”. Namun, penelitian ini mengidentifikasi adanya dualisme dalam sikap politik para elit Muhammadiyah. Tidak adanya perintah atau larangan resmi dari pusat, banyak anggota Muhammadiyah yang membawa atribut organisasi dan terlibat aktivitas politik serta mendukung kandidat tertentu. Ini berakibat munculnya keterbelahan politik dalam Muhammadiyah. Beberapa anggota mengambil sikap politik yang jelas, sedangkan yang lain tetap netral. Ini menimbulkan ketegangan dalam organisasi, baik di tingkat elit maupun akar rumput. Data utama untuk penelitian ini dikumpulkan melalui wawancara, diskusi tidak terstruktur, dan diskusi kelompok terfokus dengan beberapa elit Muhammadiyah.]

scholarly journals COMMUNITY MOVEMENT IN WASTE MANAGEMENT (Case in Cikapundung River Basin in Bandung City)

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bintarsih Sekarningrum ◽  
Desi Yunita
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Community Organizing ◽  
Qualitative Method ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
The People ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Government ◽  
Community Movement

There is a connection between the behaviour of throwing waste into the river with the community perspective about river. The behaviour of people throwing waste into the river assosiated with the lack of availability of facilities dispose of waste in the area and looked at the river as an object or place that is easiest to throw garbage into the river. Related to these problems, this research describes the community who doing the social movement in waste management a long the river, as well as analyzing patterns of community organizing in waste management.The approach used is a qualitative method of data collection techniques consisted of observation, interviews and focus group discussions. Research shows that the government has made efforts through the program "Clean Cikapundung River", and waste management efforts, sediment transport and manufacture kirmir on a riverbank to prevent abrasion. However Cikapundung still dirty and full of trash. To overcome these problems, there are many communities who awakened and stirred to make an effort in order Cikapundung no longer become dumping grounds. The movement to strive for existence of the river can be used again as an important source of livelihood for the people. Community was formed to instill public awareness of the environment, especially rivers, in the form of an appeal and a call to people not to throw garbage into the river and do the cleaning and arrangement along the river so that the river Cikapundung clean and free of trash based on solidarity and mutual assistance. The social movements showed public awareness to make changes to their environment, especially the problem of waste in the river.

Consumption and Distribution of Iodized Salt in Subamia Village Tabanan District 2014

2016 ◽  
pp. 143
Author(s):  
Manik Ulan Dewi ◽  
K. Tresna Adhi ◽  
Dyah Pradnyaparamita Duarsa
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Iodized Salt ◽  
Community Leaders ◽  
Iodine Deficiency Disorders ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
The Government ◽  
Salt Distribution

Background and purpose: Consumption of iodized salt is essential to prevent iodine deficiency disorders. One of the key success of iodized salt program is distribution. This study explored the consumption and logistical distribution patterns of iodized salt among housewives in Subamia Village Tabanan District.Methods: The study was a qualitative with data collection using two focus group discussions (FGD) of 6 active and 6 inactive cadres. Indepth interviews were conducted with two health staffs, two community leaders, one staff of Trade/Industrial Office at Tabanan District and one salt seller. Data was analysed using thematic method.Results: Respondents prefered uniodized salt because of several reasons including less bitter, tastier and cheaper than iodized salt. Moreover, the distribution of iodized salt regulated by the government was reported to be impeded the salt distribution, this resulted in the difficulty of villagers to access the iodized saltConclusion: Appetizing flavor, access and no local regulations on distribution of iodized salt is the cause of low consumption of iodized salt in Subamia Village Tabanan District.

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