scholarly journals Building Africa’s Homegrown Humanitarian Systems: Restoration as an Alternative to Localization

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oheneba A. Boateng
Keyword(s):  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Humanitarian Action ◽  
The Past ◽  
Local Actors ◽  
History Of ◽  
Historical Antecedents ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Conducive Environment

Many humanitarian actors now recognize that it is crucial to build response structures on the basis of the norms, knowledge, and institutions of those affected by disasters. Currently, this concept has been captured through the term localization. However, the use of localization both as a term and process has so far been done without critical reflection on the traditional meaning of the term, and the impact of its historical application. It has also come about without proper historicization of the broader localization process and how this related to historical antecedents. This paper problematizes localization as a troubled term that describes a concept that has been applied in the past to help erode the homegrown humanitarian initiatives that Africans started. It draws attention to how international humanitarian actors established themselves in Africa as a process of localization which eventually contributed to the erosion of the homegrown initiatives that they interacted with. Given its historically erosive effects on homegrown initiatives, localization, the paper argues, is a troubled term that cannot be redeemed or repurposed for the current attempt to build humanitarian action on homegrown structures. A more reflective and appropriate term is restoration, which not only recognises this history of erosion, but repairs historical mistakes, and ensures that homegrown structures are built in a sustainable manner that avoids a repeat of those mistakes. Restoration in practice should be based on self-determination, and will depend on the leadership of African states, their ability to create a conducive environment for homegrown NGOs to thrive, and the successful synergies they build with other restoration processes across the continent. International actors will have to intentionally reconcile themselves with their erosion footprints, exercise restraint, and scale back their involvement so that local actors can gain the space to evolve. The paper concludes that all this starts with the ability of those leading the process to build homegrown structures to imagine an alternative humanitarian future.

Part IV Activities of Organizations, Ch.14 Humanitarian Action

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weiss Thomas G
Keyword(s):  
World War I ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Humanitarian Action ◽  
War Zone ◽  
Local Actors ◽  
History Of ◽  
Humanitarian Space ◽  
The Cold War

This chapter begins by defining some key terms, including humanitarian action, humanitarianism, humanitarian space, and humanitarian intervention. It then examines the history of humanitarian action in wars through the lenses of three historical periods: the 19th century until World War I; the early 20th century through the end of the Cold War; and the last quarter-century. Next, it describes the entities that exert influence on the ground from outside a war zone: international NGOs, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the UN system, bilateral aid agencies, external military forces, for-profit firms, and the media. Operating alongside, and sometimes in opposition to, external agents in a particular war zone are local actors, which include NGOs and businesses as well as the armed belligerents. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the coordination of the various moving parts of the international humanitarian system.

scholarly journals Sciences and audiences along the last century: the impact of Astronomy Education

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (S349) ◽  
pp. 474-478
Author(s):  
Rosa M. Ros ◽  
Beatriz Garca
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Teachers ◽  
Astronomy Education ◽  
Interest In Science ◽  
The Past ◽  
The World ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Made In ◽  
Science Activities

AbstractJust as in the past, the development of the natural sciences and in particular of astronomy has changed the history of humanity. If we think about the role of our discipline into the future, it shows its enormous power in the field of education, owing to the possibility of awakening interest in science in very varied audiences. Within the framework of the enormous progress made in the technologies related to astronomy, many of them of daily use, the role of the astronomer in the era of Communications acquires fundamental importance.In this presentation, we will try to make a journey through the different ways of presenting astronomical topics for different audiences over the last 100 years. In turn, we will show some specific achievements, associated with education programmes of the discipline. We discuss the impact produced by proposals that are both rigorous in terms of content, and also appeal to the development of the human being in an integral manner, within the framework of citizen science activities.For this research, we have taken into account the uninterrupted development of the NASE programme, which has performed 112 courses in 24 countries throughout the world and in different languages. NASE has involved 4966 secondary teachers in the last eight years.

scholarly journals A brief history of metrology: past, present, and future

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Pierre Fanton
Keyword(s):  
French Revolution ◽  
Quantum Physics ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
International System ◽  
Actual State ◽  
The Past ◽  
System Of Units ◽  
The World ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Impact

In this paper, we take the freedom to paraphrase Stephen Hawking's well-known formula and approach, for a reflection about metrology. In fact, metrology has a past, a present, and a future. The past is marked by a rich series of events, of which we shall highlight only those which resulted in major turns. The impact of the French Revolution is indisputably one of them. The present corresponds to a significant evolution, which is the entry of metrology into the world of quantum physics, with the relevant changes in the International System of units (SI). An apercu of the actual state of the art of metrological technology is given. The future is characterised by a persisting need for a still enhanced metrology, in terms of performance and domain covered. In this respect, soft metrology seems to constitute a promising field for research and development.

Yahweh and His Clio: Critical Theory and the Historical Criticism of the Hebrew Bible

2006 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Critical Theory ◽  
Cultural History ◽  
Hebrew Bible ◽  
Social World ◽  
Historical Criticism ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Social ◽  
Ancient Israel ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Impact

Discussion about the reconstruction of the history of ancient Israel seldom interacts with theoretical literature on the nature of history. Modern attempts to write Israel’s history, however, have been shaped by their theoretical underpinnings for the past two centuries. This essay explores the epistemological underpinnings of the historical criticism of the Hebrew Bible, outlines trends in historiographical theory, and assesses the impact newer theories of intellectual cultural history can have on studies of the history of the social world of ancient Israel.

scholarly journals The Impact of Recent Antibiotic Usage on Oropharyngeal Neisseria spp. in MSM of Hanoi, Vietnam

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S105-S105
Author(s):  
Huan Dong ◽  
Hoa Thi Nguyen ◽  
Minh Binh Xuan Nguyen ◽  
Trung Vu Nguyen ◽  
Folasade May ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Susceptibility ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Antibiotic Usage ◽  
The Past ◽  
History Of ◽  
Neisseria Gonorrhea ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Susceptibility Status ◽  
Commensal Neisseria

Abstract Background Neisseria gonorrhea (NG) has a long history of gaining resistance to nearly all antimicrobials used for treatment since the 1930s, which makes susceptibility to last-line cephalosporins of dire importance. Horizontal gene transmission is highly prevalent among the Neisseria genus, with genetic fragments from common commensal Neisseria having been found in resistant NG strains. Globally, NG disproportionately affects men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) and nearly all ceftriaxone-resistant cases have been reported from pharyngeal samples. Our study aims to assess the impact of antibiotic usage on the antimicrobial susceptibility of oropharyngeal Neisseria spp. Methods MSM from Hanoi, Vietnam, were surveyed regarding antibiotic usage. Pharyngeal swabs were collected and cultured on chocolate and modified-Thayer–Martin agar. Neisseria spp. were subcultured, identified using MALDI-TOF, and antimicrobial susceptibility determined by E-test using NG CLSI MIC breakpoints to ciprofloxacin (CIP), cefixime (CFM), ceftriaxone (CRO), and cefpodoxime (CPD). Results The 225 MSM surveyed were young (mean age 23.9 years, std 4.4). In the past 6 months: 41.6% participants used any antibiotics, among whom 62.4% did not have a prescription; 6.6% used CFM (16.4% more were unsure), among whom 55.6% did not have a prescription; and 4.5% received CRO. From 72 swabs, 102 Neisseria isolates were obtained; N. flavescens (n = 59), N. perflava (n = 14), N. macacae (n = 8), N. sublfava (n = 7), N. gonorrhoeae (n = 5), N. mucosa (n = 3), N. meningitides (n = 3), N. cinerea (n = 2), and N. lactamica (n = 1). 
“Reduced susceptibility” status for any Neisseria spp. was 35.3, 10, 8, and 30% to CIP, CFM, CRO, and CPD, respectively; 61.8% were “resistant” to CIP. MSM who took any antibiotics in the past 6 months were almost twice as likely to have Neisseria spp. with reduced susceptibility to cephalosporins (CFM, CRO, or CPD), RR 1.8 (95% CI 1.1–3.2; P = 0.026) compared with non-antibiotic users. Conclusion Many MSM in Hanoi used antibiotics recently, often without a prescription. Antibiotic use was associated with antimicrobial “reduced susceptibility” of commensal Neisseria spp. to cephalosporins, possibly potentiating resistance acquisition by NG. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Earliest historic reference of ’tinnitus’ is controversial

2004 ◽  
Vol 118 (7) ◽  
pp. 487-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Dietrich
Keyword(s):  
Ancient Egypt ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Historical Period ◽  
Common Phenomenon ◽  
Original Source ◽  
The Past ◽  
Health History ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Modern Status

Tinnitus, that is defined as ’ringing in the ear’, is and has probably always been a very common phenomenon in the health history of mankind. A variety of pathomechanisms for its onset has been proposed in the past and this trend sees no stopping. Precise pathomechanisms still remain unclear. From the historical point of view, tinnitus is a very interesting topic but there is a lack of scientific enquiries. As its earliest historic reference, the Papyrus Ebers is often cited. By reviewing the original source, however, it is very unlikely that this contains the earliest historic reference of tinnitus. It is rather likely indeed that tinnitus was a known symptom in the ancient Egypt but it has never been exclusively been written down. This article reviews data provided by this fascinating historical period on the questionable reference and highlights the impact of history on the modern status of tinnitus.

scholarly journals ‘VIPsm’, A Threat to Social Stability in South Africa: From Apartheid Exclusions to Democratized Inequalities

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (13) ◽  
pp. 6-14
Author(s):  
Mashele Rapatsa
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Social Stability ◽  
Transformational Leaders ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Major Goal ◽  
Social Challenges ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Poor ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe object of this article is to present a critical analysis of the impact of the notion of ‘VIPsm’, a phenomenon through which human beings are socially ‘categorized’ or ‘classed’ according to status or wealth or position being held in society. The article is predicated on South Africa’s discernible constitutional pursuit of attaining social stability and equitable social justice. This work is also considerate of the country’s known unpleasant history of apartheid’s acute race-based social exclusions, and in contrast, the post 1994 persistent social and economic inequalities which thus far proliferates material disadvantage, poverty, social discontent and protests amongst citizens. The article employed ‘Transformational Leadership theory ‘and ‘Power and Influence theories’ as tools of analysis, given that the Constitution, 1996 is transformative in nature and thus require ‘transformational leaders’ in order to achieve its major goal of burying wounds of the past, to build one unified nation that is socially stable. It is asserted that social challenges and superfluous differential treatment of humans besieging contemporary South Africa are suggestive of the presence of leadership that is self-centered, opulence driven, and has little or no regard for the poor and thus, disfavor the solidarity principle.

scholarly journals When and why is the forgotten past recovered? The Battle of Warsaw, 1920 and the role of local actors in the production of memory

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-190
Author(s):  
Ewa Ochman
Keyword(s):  
Social Memory ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
Collective Memories ◽  
Long Period ◽  
The Past ◽  
Local Actors ◽  
History Of ◽  
Institutional Actors

Memory scholars mostly agree that although social memory is culturally constructed, political and institutional actors encounter various constraints when adapting the past to their group’s needs and values. The aim of this article is to revisit this old question of the malleability and persistence of the past but in the context of the intensive memory production that emerged during a period of rapid change in post-communist transitional states. First, the article probes the question why some collective memories re-emerge after a long period of suppression while others do not. And second, it examines the conditions under which local rather than national actors become more successful in recovering the forgotten past. The focus is on Poland; its distinct history of frequent ruptures in the continuity of commemorative tradition not only opens up opportunities for less constrained work of remembrance but also for repositioning the standing of national and local agents of memory production.

Ethiopia: the Victory of the Sidama in the Longer Than a Century’s Struggle for the Self-determination

2021 ◽  
pp. 47-65
Author(s):  
Roza Ismagilova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Self Determination ◽  
Ethnic Communities ◽  
Ethnic Stratification ◽  
Ethnic Federalism ◽  
Imperial Period ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Creation ◽  
A Chain ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time

For the first time in the history of domestic Ethiopian studies, the article analyzes in detail the successful struggle of one of the Ethiopian peoples’, the Sidama, for self-determination. On the 20th of November, 2019 a truly historic event took place in Ethiopia: one of the country’s many ethnic communities, the Sidama, achieved self-government. At a referendum about 98% voted in favor of the creation of the Sidama state. This provoked a chain reaction in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region: already 13 ethnic communities – Wolaita, Gamo, Gurage, Kaffa and others – are demanding the creation of their own states. Centrifugal processes in the country have become noticeably more active. The present paper is divided in four sections. The first section, “Who are the Sidama?”, offers a detailed description of the Sidama and emphasizes the vitality of traditional social and cultural institutions, including ethnic stratification and the continued presence of castes of artisans. At the same time, it is noted that globalization and urbanization are introducing significant changes in the life of the Sidama. The second section, “The Sidama under ethnic federalism”, analyzes the positive and negative aspects of ethnic federalism and the reasons for the discontent of the Sidama, as well as the causes of Sidama’s grievances and conflicts over power and resources with other ethnic communities, which ultimately led to their struggle for self-government. The third section, “The Sidama’s struggle for self-government”, provides a detailed account of the Sidama’s struggle against the policy of Amharization during the imperial period, the discrimination in Derg rule (1974–1991) and, since 1991, during the period of ethnic federalism. The fourth section, “Referendum”, is devoted to a detailed description of this important event in the life of the Sidama and their victory: the difficulties and obstacles to organizing the referendum, the attitude of the federal government, the referendum itself and victory. Finally, in the fifth section, “The impact of the creation of the Sidama state on the situation in the region”, the author analyzes the Constitution of the new state. The creation of the new 10th state on the ethnic basis means the strengthening of ethnic federalism in Ethiopia. It is important to stress that the author has conducted several e-mail interviews with Sidama scholars and journalists – active participants in the Sidama movement for self-determination – on the topic of post-referendum events.

More Delicate than a Flower, yet Harder than a Rock

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunaina Marr Maira
Keyword(s):  
Self Determination ◽  
Refugee Families ◽  
Afghan Refugee ◽  
History Of ◽  
Indigenous Sovereignty ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The U.S

This chapter addresses the invisibility of Afghan Americans and the absence of Afghan solidarity activism, arguing that Afghans in the U.S. are erased by a racialized discourse of humanitiarianism. The “Af-Pak” war is based on the notion of humanitarian rescue, of women and backward “others,” and degraded sovereignty, produced through a long history of colonial interventions in Afghanistan. The chapter also discusses the ways in which youth from Afghan refugee families grappled with questions of self-determination and indigenous sovereignty and the impact of displacement and suffering.

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