scholarly journals Teaching to Read Multimodal Texts at Tertiary Education: Learning about Gender and Culture with Oxfam Intermón’s Covers

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
María Martínez Lirola
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Gender Issues ◽  
Multimodal Texts ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Social Competences

Using multimodal texts in a language classroom offers many opportunities for the development of multiliteracies and the acquisition of different types of competences. The study, thus, aims to deepen into the different social competences university students can acquire when multimodal texts from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are used in a language classroom. The texts selected are useful to introduce gender issues in the classroom. The methodology is qualitative.  For its framework of analysis, the study draws on the main principles of visual grammar (Kress and van Leeuwen, 2006) so that students learn how to analyse visuals. It was decided to use texts from the NGO Oxfam Intermón in which women from other cultures appeared because they allow students at tertiary level develop critical thinking and respect for cultural diversity, which will contribute to the development of social competences. The study reveals that multimodal texts from NGOs are useful to develop critical thinking, to bring cultural aspects into the classroom and to work on social competences.

scholarly journals THE IMPORTANCE OF PROMOTING MULTIMODAL TEACHING IN THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE CLASSROOM FOR THE ACQUISITION OF SOCIAL COMPETENCES: PRACTICAL EXAMPLES

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (Special) ◽  
pp. 77
Author(s):  
MARÍA MARTÍNEZ LIROLA
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
University Students ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
English Language ◽  
Multimodal Texts ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Foreign Language Classroom ◽  
Teaching Learning ◽  
Social Competences

This article analyses the way in which the subject English Language V of the degree English Studies (English Language and Literature) combines the development of the five skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing and interacting) with the use of multimodal activities and resources in the teaching-learning process so that students increase their motivation and acquire different social competences that will be useful for the labour market such as communication, cooperation, leadership or conflict management. This study highlights the use of multimodal materials (texts, videos, etc.) on social topics to introduce cultural aspects in a language subject and to deepen into the different social competences university students can acquire when they work with them. The study was guided by the following research questions: how can multimodal texts and resources contribute to the development of the five skills in a foreign language classroom? What are the main social competences that students acquire when the teaching-learning process is multimodal? The results of a survey prepared at the end of the academic year 2015-2016 point out the main competences that university students develop thanks to multimodal teaching. For its framework of analysis, the study draws on the main principles of visual grammar (Kress and van Leeuwen, 2006) where students learn how to analyse the main aspects in multimodal texts. The analysis of the different multimodal activities described in the article and the survey reveal that multimodality is useful for developing critical thinking, for bringing cultural aspects into the classroom and for working on social competences. This article will explain the successes and challenges of using multimodal texts with social content so that students can acquire social competences while learning content. Moreover, the implications of using multimodal resources in a language classroom to develop multiliteracies will be observed.

scholarly journals Introducing Global Issues in A Language Classroom: Knowing Other Cultures by Analysing Multimodal Texts from NGOs

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
María Martínez Lirola
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
African Women ◽  
Tertiary Level ◽  
Multimodal Texts ◽  
Global Issues ◽  
Representation Of Women ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
University Level

<p>This article shows the importance of teaching with texts from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in which women from other cultures are represented in order to bring global issues in a language classroom and to deepen in the visual representation of women from other cultures so that students develop their gender perspective. Our main objectives with the research presented in this paper are to introduce students to visual grammar and to work with texts that allow students at tertiary level develop critical thinking and respect for cultural diversity, which will contribute to the introduction of global issues into the classroom. Kress and van Leewen (2006) model of visual grammar was introduced in an English language course at University level so that students could read and analyse multimodal texts. Having done this, students were asked to analyse the texts in groups in order to observe the importance of visuals in the construction of meaning and the way in which the women represented appeared portrayed. The analysis using visual grammar shows that the texts under analysis portray a positive image of African women, which breaks the traditional stereotypes of these women being weak, dependent and marginalised. In addition, this research will show that teaching global issues using multimodal texts from the NGO Intermón Oxfam will help students understand how the discourse used by NGOs creates meaning through different visual and linguistic choices.</p><p> </p>

Doing gender activism in a donor-organized framework: Constraints and opportunities in Kyrgyzstan

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Pares Hoare
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Gender Issues ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
Doing Gender ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
International Donors ◽  
Collapse Of Communism ◽  
And Gender

Providing support to “civil society” in the form of funding to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) became a central aspect of development engagement in Kyrgyzstan and other post-socialist countries in the 1990s, seen as a means of ensuring “good governance,” promoting participation, and providing a safety net of sorts to those who were left vulnerable by the market reforms that followed the collapse of Communism. Since then, donor engagement in Kyrgyzstan has led to the development of a thriving NGO sector, taken to embody “civil society” and to be a sign of the country's democratization, in comparison to its neighbors. However, this sector is dependent on support from international donors, and faces increasing hostility for supposedly representing outside interests, rather than effectively addressing the needs of the Kyrgyzstani population. This is particularly the case in regard to work on women's rights and gender equality. Based on interviews with 16 self-described activists working on gender issues, this paper explores what it is like to “do” gender activism in this practical and discursive environment. For my respondents, activity in the NGO sector emerges as not only a process that goes far beyond the straightforward implementation of donor agendas, but also one that does not necessarily “fit” with dominant understandings of what constitutes civil society activism.

scholarly journals A competency framework for women empowerment: the case of the local government sector in South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 348-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerrit van der Waldt ◽  
David Fourie ◽  
Gerda van Dijk ◽  
Margaret Chitiga-Mabugu ◽  
Johan Jordaan
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Competency Framework ◽  
Women Empowerment ◽  
Empirical Survey ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Government Sector ◽  
Female Politicians ◽  
Gender Based

Gender representativity in political and managerial positions in local government in general and women empowerment in particular remain contentious issues. Although an extensive statutory and regulatory framework for gender equality was established and despite the fact that specific equity targets are set, it is evident that much more needs to be done to facilitate women empowerment in the local government sector. The purpose of this article is to reflect on findings of an empirical survey conducted amongst female politicians, managers, and experts in the local government sector with the aim to design the parameters of a competency framework for women empowerment. The results support the fact that a women empowerment competency framework should incorporate various dimensions and elements, notably sector-specific job requirements, registered gender-based formal programs in the tertiary education sector, as well as content of women empowerment initiatives taken by non-governmental organizations.

Citizen Negotiation: Toward a More Inclusive Process

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bertram I. Spector
Keyword(s):  
National Level ◽  
Organization Structure ◽  
Future Research ◽  
International Level ◽  
Inclusive Process ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Issue Networks ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Different Levels

Negotiation is becoming a more inclusive activity. More and different types of actors are taking part at national and international levels to resolve conflicts and seek agreement. At a national level, non-governmental organizations and individual citizens are partaking in mass demonstrations that often evolve into negotiation. At the international level, ngos working through issue networks have been participating more and more in formal negotiations with state parties. By reviewing several cases at these different levels, this article identifies useful questions for future research focusing on the sources of legitimacy and power of these new actors and how they are changing the organization, structure, process and outcomes of negotiation.

scholarly journals The pursuit of inclusion: Conditions for civil society inclusion in peace processes in communal conflicts in Kenya

2021 ◽  
pp. 001083672110471
Author(s):  
Emma Elfversson ◽  
Desirée Nilsson
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Implementation Phase ◽  
Youth Groups ◽  
Peace Negotiations ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Peace Processes ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Government

Why are some peace processes in communal conflicts more inclusive of civil society actors than others? Inclusion of civil society actors, such as churches and religious leaders, women’s organizations, or youth groups, is seen as important for normative reasons, and studies also suggest that civil society inclusion can improve the prospects for durable peace. Yet, we have a very limited understanding of why we observe inclusion in some communal conflicts but not others. We address this gap by theorizing about various forms of civil society inclusion in local peace processes, and examining to what extent involvement by different types of third-party actors—governments, inter-governmental organizations (IGOs), and non-governmental organizations (NGOs)—may contribute to inclusion. Empirically, we draw on a combination of cross-case and in-depth data covering peace negotiations in communal conflicts in Kenya. The findings show that civil society was less frequently included as facilitators when the government was involved as a third party, while inclusion in the form of direct participation of civil society in negotiations, or via involvement in the implementation phase, was equally common across different types of third-party actors. Our study thus provides important new insights regarding how inclusion plays out in communal conflicts.

scholarly journals Critical Insights into Gender Mainstreaming in Non-Governmental Organizations Based in Vietnam

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Binh Thi Le
Keyword(s):  
Gender Equality ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Gender Issues ◽  
Gender Mainstreaming ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
And Gender

<p>In Vietnam, Confucian doctrine has traditionally influenced gender issues. Although, the determination of Government has brought about considerable improvements in gender equality in society, there remains a need for interventions from a variety of stakeholders including Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Recently, both International NGOs (INGOs) and Local NGOs (LNGOs) have increased in scope, size, and resources to address development issues in general and gender issues in particular in the specific context of Vietnam. They all play a pivotal role in delivering services and advocacy in an effort to enable Vietnamese people to live in a society of justice and well-being. However, there continues to be a gap between the rhetoric and practice of these organizations for both internal and external reasons. This research analyses the process of integrating gender into an INGO and an LNGO’s policies and development projects drawing on semi-structured interviews with staff in these organizations. The study explores the extent to which these NGOs use gender mainstreaming as a tool to achieve the goal of gender equality in their own organization and project sites. What challenges and opportunities for each organization exist? The findings indicate that in reference to gender mainstreaming, these NGOs, more or less, have encountered a series of common obstacles found in literature from other parts of the world. They also highlight the importance of the approach to gender work taken by NGOs. Each approach must be based on the specific conditions and characteristics of each organization and more importantly adaptable to the context, culture, and traditions of Vietnam. As a part of gender mainstreaming, NGOs are starting to pay attention to the work/home divides of their staff as a critically important element in organizational culture aiming to get the organization in order first before integrating gender into other dimensions of their development work. Both NGOs have the strong determination to have more male staff in office and involve more men in projects to address gender issues. Furthermore, the lack of openness and dialogue on implementing gender mainstreaming in the NGO community makes a part of the findings. These particular aspects of organisational practice were highlights of this thesis.</p>

scholarly journals ADDRESSING VIEWS OF KEY INFORMANTS WHO ARE WORKING FOR WOMEN RIGHTS REGARDING INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 462-469
Author(s):  
Nan Kyipyar Si
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Violence Against Women ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Key Informants ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
The People ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Women Rights

Some married women are experiencing different types of intimate partner violence by their current or former husband. However, the awareness and services for those women are still needed. This study explored the key informants’ perspectives to provide more comprehensive services to those women. Qualitative feminist method was used and five participants were purposefully selected to interview in depth. Key informants reflected upon intimate partner violence as causes of intimate partner violence, why intimate partner violence cases were underreported, why didn’t women leave their violent partner, what they actually felt for intimate partner violence, gaps with intervention for survivors and planning for better outcome. It was found that awareness among women who experiencing violence and the people around them needed to be raised. And services provided for them also needed to be more concise and updated. Therefore, it is essentially important to extend education session to all people regarding violence against women. Collaboration and cooperation of government and non-governmental organizations is also helpful to decrease various kinds of violence committed to women.

scholarly journals Media positioning: comparing organizations’ standing in the news

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 354-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anke Wonneberger ◽  
Sandra Jacobs
Keyword(s):  
Public Relations ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
Public Organizations ◽  
Corporate Communication ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Organizational Issues ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Media

Purpose Visibility in the media is considered important for organizations, as it is alleged to affect their reputation, public legitimacy, and stakeholder relations. Strategies for media relations often discern corporations, public organizations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The media attention for those organizations is, however, often studied in isolation. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of media positioning to compare media coverage for corporations, public organizations, and NGOs. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative content analysis of the media coverage of 61 Dutch organizations was conducted. The comparison focused on three aspects of media positioning: prominence, context, and evaluation. Findings Public organizations and corporations were most similar, whereas corporations and NGOs differed most strongly in their media positioning. Corporations appeared most prominently in the media. While corporations and public organizations were more often related to organizational issues, NGOs were more often linked to substantial issues and received more positive coverage. Originality/value Insight into the content, amount, and tone of organizational media coverage is crucial for the formulation of public relations strategies by corporate communication professionals. The analysis shows whether and how the prominence, context, and evaluation differs among corporations, public organizations, and NGOs. The findings shed light on institutional factors that affect the visibility of different types of organizations, thus enabling future scholars in the field of visibility analyses in corporate communication to refine theories on drivers and characteristics of media coverage regarding different types of organizations.

scholarly journals THE ROLE OF CRITICAL THINKING DURING FORMATION OF A NEW CULTURAL NARRATIVE

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Spodra Austruma
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
School Environment ◽  
Rational Analysis ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Cultural Narrative ◽  
Communication Practice ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
High Level ◽  
Formal Communication

During recent years in Latvian society the activities, communication and interaction of different society groups and non-governmental organizations have been increasing at a very high level. The reason for this lies in powerful migration processes in Europe, refugee crisis, political-economical fluctuations in the world, Brexit*, and many other events. Non-formal communication practice has also activated in the space of mass media among different communities, school environment and society as a whole. As a reaction to cultural-political events, utilitarian arguments have gained popularity, where their motives of further delivery are based on stereotypical, easily perceivable opinion that is popular in society, on expressions of utilitarian argumentation, dominating childish simplicity, which directly starts to touch all cultural systems, including education, thus creating new cultural narrative. Emotions are often replacing rational analysis of education and culture - consequently reducing the ability to evaluate through arguments the importance of processes in particular cultural space. Also coordination and change of value priorities of different generations are connecting with the change of cultural and human existence necessity - by changing feelings towards specific values, a group of values from other cultures is growing, where people are required to change their overall thinking (Inglhert,R.Pippa,N.2009,227). Both theoretical and empirical instruments are used in the paper. In order to form theoretical understanding of the problem, normative acts and literature were analysed, strategies of acquisition of information by individual and society were reviewed, individual's desire and ability to use critical thinking were analyzed, which through the search of balance between the truth and stereotypes is creating a new cultural message.

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