scholarly journals Impact of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) on Rural Communities' Livelihoods in Xiengkhouang Province, Lao PDR

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Sopha Soulineyadeth
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Lao Pdr ◽  
Unexploded Ordnance ◽  
Sustainable Livelihood ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
Social And Economic Development ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Indochina War

<p>For over 30 years since the end of the Second Indochina War, UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) contamination in Laos has been a major issue. Laos is considered the most heavily bombed country in the world in terms of quantity of ammunition per capita.  Approximately 25 percent of the villages are contaminated with UXO, and a third of the country’s total area is covered by UXO contamination, comprising around 87 thousand square kilometres. This severely limits the expansion of agricultural production, which leads to scarcity of food supplies, and limits local people’s ability to achieve sustainable livelihoods. Thus, UXO is both a significant challenge to community development and national social and economic development. UXOs are also the cause of many accidents in Laos, the casualties are often farmers who are involved in agricultural activities. Between 1999 and 2012, 934 casualties which was divided into 655 injuries and 279 deaths.  This study was conducted in Xienkhouang province, Lao PDR, a region heavily affected by UXO. The aim of this thesis is to explore the policies and institutions working on UXO in this province, the major difficulties rural communities face in their livelihoods in relation to UXO and the strategies they are using to cope with these difficulties, and to provide a reflection on how to improve support for these communities.  Applying the sustainable livelihood framework as its conceptual framework, this research followed a qualitative approach involving the conduction of 24 semi-structured interviews, including 15 villagers and 9 interviews from organisations working on the UXO domain.  Understanding of the impact of UXO on rural communities' livelihoods an their coping mechanism is crucial to expand debates within development studies in post-conflict settings, as well as for both practitioners and policy makers.</p>

scholarly journals Impact of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) on Rural Communities' Livelihoods in Xiengkhouang Province, Lao PDR

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Sopha Soulineyadeth
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Lao Pdr ◽  
Unexploded Ordnance ◽  
Sustainable Livelihood ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
Social And Economic Development ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Indochina War

<p>For over 30 years since the end of the Second Indochina War, UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) contamination in Laos has been a major issue. Laos is considered the most heavily bombed country in the world in terms of quantity of ammunition per capita.  Approximately 25 percent of the villages are contaminated with UXO, and a third of the country’s total area is covered by UXO contamination, comprising around 87 thousand square kilometres. This severely limits the expansion of agricultural production, which leads to scarcity of food supplies, and limits local people’s ability to achieve sustainable livelihoods. Thus, UXO is both a significant challenge to community development and national social and economic development. UXOs are also the cause of many accidents in Laos, the casualties are often farmers who are involved in agricultural activities. Between 1999 and 2012, 934 casualties which was divided into 655 injuries and 279 deaths.  This study was conducted in Xienkhouang province, Lao PDR, a region heavily affected by UXO. The aim of this thesis is to explore the policies and institutions working on UXO in this province, the major difficulties rural communities face in their livelihoods in relation to UXO and the strategies they are using to cope with these difficulties, and to provide a reflection on how to improve support for these communities.  Applying the sustainable livelihood framework as its conceptual framework, this research followed a qualitative approach involving the conduction of 24 semi-structured interviews, including 15 villagers and 9 interviews from organisations working on the UXO domain.  Understanding of the impact of UXO on rural communities' livelihoods an their coping mechanism is crucial to expand debates within development studies in post-conflict settings, as well as for both practitioners and policy makers.</p>

Contemporary Lao Buddhism

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrice Ladwig
Keyword(s):  
Cold War ◽  
Lao Pdr ◽  
Religion And Politics ◽  
Political Polarization ◽  
The Social ◽  
History Of ◽  
French Colonial ◽  
The Cold War ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Indochina War

Lao Buddhism’s histories are deeply fragmented. Most Lao were deported to Siam in the nineteenth century, and after the demise of the French colonial regime, the country was drawn into the Second Indochina War. After two decades of brutal warfare and massive destructions, the Lao communist movement took power in 1975. This chapter examines the history of Lao Buddhism in the context of these events, and puts its main focus on the entanglement of religion and politics in the postcolonial phase, as the political polarization of the Lao sangha during the Cold War and the impact of the subsequent revolution remain crucial for understanding Buddhism’s position in the current Lao PDR. While under reformed socialism there has been a resurgence of Buddhism in the last two decades, the social and religious transformations resulting from rapid modernization through the capitalist economy and globalization bring new challenges for the Lao sangha.

Neoliberal governance in Indonesian universities: the impact upon academic identity

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (9/10) ◽  
pp. 666-682 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurdiana Gaus ◽  
David Hall
Keyword(s):  
Academic Identity ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
State Universities ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Personal Project ◽  
Neoliberal Governance ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand the under life of Indonesian academics during ongoing implementation of government-driven policy enacted in higher education instititutions in Indonesia. The attention was specifically focused on the new programme of accountability and quality assurance moderated by the implementation of online assessment system to monitor and evaluate the perfromance of lecturers directly and how this system impacted upon the meaning of academic identity perceived by them. Design/methodology/approach – This study was drawn from a qualitative research of case study approach. Semi-structured interviews were utilised to collect data and conducted with 30 academics from three state universities. Findings – This study revealed that academics were grappling to balance their schism between keeping their existing identity tenable and excercising new prescribed roles from external environment. However, academics were still able to practice their preceived identity through their principled personal project that legitimate them to become academics and pursue their success rather than use instrumental means. Practical implications – The results of this study will be expected to contribute to a better understanding on the dynamics of academics’ world as it is encountered against government-driven policy, and provide indications for policy makers to take into account this issue in the formulation and enactment of their policy. Originality/value – A new aspect of identity in academic profession was found, that is to say religion.

Understanding the interplay between support agencies and small and medium-sized enterprises in a conflict environment from an institutional theory perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Nisar Khattak ◽  
Noor Muhammad ◽  
David Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Institutional Theory ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Support Providers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Support Mechanism ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis study determines the relationship between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their support providers during three phases: pre-conflict environment, during conflict environment, and the post-conflict (uncertain) environment with the reference to institutional theory in the northwest region of Pakistan where there is ongoing unrest between the authorities and the insurgents.Design/methodology/approachUsing a qualitative approach, a total of 23 semi-structured interviews were conducted, 19 with the owner-managers of small manufacturing firms and 4 from small business support providers in the region.FindingsThe authors theorise the changing role of support agencies as differing institutional gaps, while conflict is destructive for SMEs and support agencies; paradoxically the crisis results in stronger relationships between the support providers and SMEs which was weaker in the pre-conflict environment. Such stronger relationship enhanced the cognitive pillar of institutional theory where entrepreneurship is supported by various groups including government agencies and SMEs to alleviate unemployment in the region which is one of the potential reasons of terrorism in the country.Practical implicationsThe study may have value for policymakers who need to know more about how small businesses and support providers develop a support network in difficult regions and give a comprehensive framework to other conflictual regions who face similar circumstances.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the previous literature in several ways. First, the study reveals the impact of conflict environment on small businesses and support providers where a little research has been undertaken. Second, the study shows the support mechanism in three different intervals pre-conflict, during the conflict and post-conflict and how the Talibanization in the region has a positive impact by strengthening the support structure among small businesses and support providers. Finally, the study contributes to the growing body of literature on entrepreneurship in conflict environments.

scholarly journals Contrasting Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Pine Plantations in the Páramo Ecosystem of Ecuador

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Quiroz Dahik ◽  
Patricio Crespo ◽  
Bernd Stimm ◽  
Felipe Murtinho ◽  
Michael Weber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Storage ◽  
Pine Plantations ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Stakeholder Groups ◽  
Water Provision ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Erosion Prevention ◽  
Future Management

The páramo, a collection of Neotropical alpine ecosystems, plays a prominent role in ecosystem services (ESs), providing water supply and regulation, conservation of biodiversity, and carbon storage in soil. The establishment of pine plantations for carbon sequestration and wood production has recently raised questions concerning the possible impact on the páramo’s ES. This study identifies the main stakeholders in this field and compares and contrasts their perceptions of the impact of pine plantations on the páramo’s ES, because the disparity among stakeholders’ perceptions must be addressed to achieve sustainable management. The data were gathered using 56 semi-structured interviews and were qualitatively analyzed. The results show that the main stakeholder groups (landowners, local government officials, foresters, and nature conservationists) acknowledge the important ES of the plantations. The perception of plantation impact varies among and within stakeholder groups, however, on specific functions, such as water provision, carbon storage, erosion prevention, and habitat function for wildlife and natural vegetation. Consideration and integration of these perceptions can help policy makers and organizations develop sustainable policies for the future management of the páramo ecosystem.

scholarly journals Monitoring Implementation Impact of the EU-Indonesia’s VPA on SME Livelihood

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Rahmanta Setiahadi ◽  
S. R. Kartika Sari ◽  
Ahmad Maryudi ◽  
Julia Kalmirah ◽  
Liliana Baskorowati
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Wood Products ◽  
Theory Of Change ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Sustainable Livelihood ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Marginalised Groups ◽  
The Impact

The Europe Union (E.U.) has agreed to grant the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) license to Indonesia as the first country in the world to receive it. FLEGT VPA (Voluntary Partnership Agreement) is a bilateral agreement between the European Union (E.U.) and wood exporting countries, to improve forest governance sector and ensure that timber and wood products imported into the E.U. are produced by the laws and regulation of partner countries. The Indonesian government has obliged to implement Article 12 relating to social safeguards. Indonesia has to periodically monitor to see the extent to which the VPA has an environmental and social impact that affect the lives and welfare of vulnerable and marginalised groups. The purpose of this study is to analyse how the effect of implementation of the Sistem Verifikasi Legalitas Kayu (SVLK) as part of VPA in the small and medium forestry industry sector. Methodology survey with focus group discussions, structured interviews, and semistructured interviews to find out the response and opinion of SME’s owner and employee addressed the effect of SVLK in East Java and Central Java, Indonesia. The theory of change (ToC) was used to consider the implications of SVLK implementation on the sustainable livelihood of small and medium enterprises (SME’s). The results of this study showed that SVLK had a more significant impact on livelihoods, as follows. First, the vulnerable and marginalised groups need to be supported by stakeholders to encourage readiness in faces of SVLK impact. Second, SVLK is susceptible to the effects and at risk of losing livelihoods for women and disabled groups in a short time. This group includes vulnerable groups of aspects of adaptability and sensitivity to the effect. Third, SME’s worker groups who do not have a labour organisation are sensitive to the impact on the workplace company. This group is classified as a group that is quite vulnerable if the effect lasts long enough and on a large scale of impact.

Working in a therapeutic community: exploring the impact on staff

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anisha Vyas ◽  
Cathy Spain ◽  
David Rawlinson
Keyword(s):  
Personal Development ◽  
Therapeutic Community ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Therapeutic Communities ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Emotional Instability ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact working in a therapeutic community (TC) has on staff practice and personal development. Design/methodology/approach Eight female members of staff who work in the TC participated in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was used. Findings The findings of this paper show three superordinate themes: confidence gained within TC; the staff impact of the intensity of TC; and staff value for specific TC principles. Research limitations/implications Limitations include researcher bias as both authors work in the TC and/or in the service. Reasonable adjustments were made in order to account for this. Practical implications Implications for future research include understanding and supporting the needs of staff and further exploration of the impact of staff working within TCs for people diagnosable with emotionally unstable personality disorders. Originality/value The research was carried out at one of the longest running TCs for people with emotional instability in the country. It offers a unique opportunity to garner the views of staff members with up to 27 years of experience. Findings may be of value to practitioners, administrators, policy makers and researchers interested in therapeutic communities.

scholarly journals Measuring the Supply of Ecosystem Services from Alternative Soil and Nutrient Management Practices: A Transdisciplinary, Field-Scale Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (18) ◽  
pp. 10303
Author(s):  
Alissa White ◽  
Joshua W. Faulkner ◽  
David Conner ◽  
Lindsay Barbieri ◽  
E. Carol Adair ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Silage Production ◽  
The Impact

Farmers and policy makers pursue management practices that enhance water quality, increase landscape flood resiliency, and mitigate agriculture’s contribution to climate change, all while remaining economically viable. This study presents a holistic assessment of how two practices influence the supply of these ecosystem services—the use of an aerator prior to manure application in haylands, and the stacked use of manure injection, cover crops, and reduced tillage in corn silage production. Field data are contextualized by semi-structured interviews that identify influences on adoption. Causal loop diagrams then illustrate feedbacks from ecosystem services onto decision making. In our study, unseen nutrient pathways are the least understood, but potentially the most important in determining the impact of a practice on ecosystem services supply. Subsurface runoff accounted for 64% to 92% of measured hydrologic phosphorus export. Average soil surface greenhouse gas flux constituted 38% to 73% of all contributions to the equivalent CO2 footprint of practices, sometimes outweighing carbon sequestration. Farmers identified interest in better understanding unseen nutrient pathways, expressed intrinsic stewardship motivations, but highlighted financial considerations as dominating decision making. Our analysis elevates the importance of financial supports for conservation, and the need for comprehensive understandings of agroecosystem performance that include hard-to-measure pathways.

The use of mobile phones by women microenterprises in Malawi: a sustainable livelihoods perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald Flywell Malanga ◽  
Memory John Banda
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Sociocultural Factors ◽  
Sustainable Livelihood ◽  
Ict Literacy ◽  
Transport Costs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This study aims to assess the impact of mobile phones on the livelihoods of women microenterprises in two selected districts of Malawi. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted an interpretive qualitative approach. The authors conducted six focus group discussions with 33 women microenterprise owners in two selected districts of Malawi. This study was guided by the sustainable livelihood approach as an analytical framework. Findings The findings confirmed that to some extent use of mobile phones by women microenterprises helped them realise their livelihood outcomes. These included improved access to information, improved communication, improved marketing, reduced transport costs and improved efficiency and productivity. However, optimum benefits were highly curtailed by a number of factors such as poor information and communication technologies (ICT) infrastructure, security issues, high cost of talk time and data bundle, lack of ICT literacy, low education and sociocultural factors. Originality/value The findings provide evidence on the role of mobile phone technology play in promoting the value for women participating in business activities in disadvantaged communities. Policymakers and other stakeholders can use the findings as a basis for prioritising the improvement of mobile technology infrastructure in rural communities tailor-made to women microenterprises.

scholarly journals The Impact of Community-Based Rehabilitation in a Post-Conflict Environment of Sri Lanka

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-111
Author(s):  
Masateru Higashida ◽  
Joseph Soosai ◽  
Jacob Robert
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Analysis ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Family Members ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
Community Based Rehabilitation ◽  
The Impact

Purpose: Conflict and disability are closely associated; it is therefore significant to examine strategies at the grassroots-level for restoring the human rights of people with disabilities living in post-conflict societies. The aim of this study is to reveal the impact of and issues with community-based rehabilitation (CBR) in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka that was ravaged by civil war from 1983 to 2009.Methods: The research was implemented in October 2016, in collaboration with a local NGO in the Mullaitivu district. A mixed-methods approach was followed, which included quantitative analysis of the NGO’s registration database of people with disabilities in the area (n=964), group interviews with 9 community rehabilitation committees (CRCs) of people with disabilities and their family members (n=118), and semi-structured interviews with clients of the CBR programme (n=5). Thematic analysis was applied to the narrative data.Results: The quantitative analysis on clients of the NGO revealed that 60.9% of disabilities were related to war. Livelihood assistance was the most common type of self-reported need (44.6%). The qualitative analysis revealed that in communities with inadequate local resources, CRCs that had access to livelihood assistance made a positive impact on the socioeconomic conditions of people with disabilities and their family members. Potential issues were observed, such as the expectation of and dependence on the financial aid without self-help. Some people with disabilities would not attend CRCs if there were no financial benefits. As most of the participants had war-related disabilities, it is also possible that participation of people with intellectual and psychiatric disabilities unrelated to war may not have been promoted in some CRCs.Conclusions: The CBR programme has had positive impacts on the living conditions of participants, albeit with some potential issues such as financial expectations and aid dependency. The authors argue that empowerment of people with disabilities and addressing socioeconomic inequality should be considered simultaneously.

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