scholarly journals Causal Loop Analysis Can Identify Solutions to Complex Dog Management Problems in Remote Australian Aboriginal Communities

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1056
Author(s):  
Brooke P. A. Kennedy ◽  
Wendy Y. Brown ◽  
James R.A. Butler
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Complex Problem ◽  
Loop Analysis ◽  
Multiple Stakeholders ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Aboriginal Communities ◽  
Causal Loop ◽  
Animal Management ◽  
Cohesive Group ◽  
Transformational Management

Companion animal management in Australian remote Aboriginal communities (rAcs) is a complex problem with multiple stakeholders involved, with differing needs, knowledge, power and resources. The Comm4Unity (Cycle of Multiple Methods for Unity—For Community) approach was designed to address such problems. This study represents the second step of the Comm4Unity framework, where a causal loop analysis (CLA) was adapted and tested as a tool to address the issue of dog overpopulation in Wurrumiyanga, and in particular the systemic causes of the problem and necessary transformational management solutions. Ten focus group discussions (FGDs) were held amongst three of the four stakeholder groups identified during the first step in the analysis. The CLA identified 13 positive feedback loops, which drive vicious cycles and perpetuate the dog overpopulation issue. All three groups agreed and developed 22 solutions to address the causes of dog overpopulation. Despite the differences in the framings of the three groups, “training” and “education” were both the top priority solutions for all three groups. The majority of the solutions discussed by the groups were not only transformational but also social, requiring collaboration. This study was successful in so far as transformational actions were co-developed by all FGDs, which may have also built capacity and agency amongst the local community to implement them as a cohesive group.

scholarly journals Stakeholder consultations on small-scale irrigation schemes’ constraints in Zimbabwe

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edgar Muhoyi ◽  
Josue Mbonigaba
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Theory Of Constraints ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
Technical Issues ◽  
Social Environmental ◽  
Political Economic ◽  
Small Scale Irrigation

AbstractSmall-scale irrigation schemes (SSIS) have been considered a solution to viability challenges in drought-stricken farming areas in developing countries. However, the schemes face severe constraints. In this paper, relevant constraints are identified and ranked in terms of how serious the limitations are from the perspective of stakeholders in drought-prone areas of the Chipinge District in Zimbabwe. Information for the study was gained through a questionnaire and focus group discussions with small-scale irrigation farmers as well as key informant interviews with government irrigation officials, irrigation managers and members of the local community leadership. The information was garnered between August and December in 2017 with the analysis conducted using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis, guided by the Theory of Constraints and classified in the political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal (PESTEL) framework. Results indicated that SSIS are important in the drought-prone areas of the Chipinge District regarding food security and income generation. However, technical issues bedevilling the schemes are considered to be the most challenging limitations. The most important constraints—ranked in descending order of gravity—are technical, economic, social, environmental, legal and political challenges. Based on these findings, the research strongly recommends modernising small-scale irrigation schemes’ infrastructure, among other issues, as a priority in Zimbabwe's drought-prone areas.

Mental Health and a Mature Society: Who Cares?

1999 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
David Hall ◽  
John Tomlinson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Crisis Intervention ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Service Systems ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
Mental Health Systems ◽  
Aboriginal Communities ◽  
Community Responsibility ◽  
Mental Health Policies

Community responsibility for mental health remains ambiguous. Despite welcome reform of State and Territory 'mental health systems', the majority of Australia's effort - in dollar and personnel terms - is directed to 'serious mental illness' and chronic psychiatric disability. Positive mental health, in the sense of the capacity to lead satisfyingly balanced, productive and resilient lives, is poorly studied and attracts little policy comment. This paper addresses some of the fundamental characteristics of a mature, caring society. These are contrasted with examples of current policies that perpetuate tendencies to 'blame the victim'. For as long as mental health is merely a construct of the health (read 'ilth') system, with funding skewed towards clinical crisis intervention, progress will be measured only in terms of the control or management of mental illness. What is proposed is reorientation of our ways of thinking about 'mental health' policies and service systems. Australians deserve a collaborative, coherent, comprehensive and caring mental health system. Such a system is described, through positive examples of models being adopted in some Aboriginal communities. Recommendations are made for practical initiatives at the local community level.

Hands-On Demonstrations for Natural Hazards

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce D. Malamud ◽  
Faith Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Natural Hazards ◽  
Serious Games ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
School Students ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Small Group Discussions ◽  
The Subject

<p>Here we present several teaching demonstrations and hands-on activities for natural hazards. Many methods exist to actively involve students and local community participants, particularly when numbers are large, so that teaching is not just `receiving of information' via monologue talks and using powerpoint. These methods include (a) breaking up into small group discussions, (b) group ‘role playing’ exercises, (c) serious games, (d) hands-on activities, and (e) class demonstrations. This paper concentrates on the latter and includes demos/activities for (a) earthquakes, (b) landslides, (c) tsunamis, (d) volcanoes and (e) weather. Natural hazards demonstrations/activities presented here are mostly inexpensive, have been used in front of large university classes and smaller `break-out groups', and are also appropriate for secondary-school students, university students, and local community communications. We have found that as a teaching tool, students and community participants often become much interested and more excited about what they are learning if use is made of these 5-10 minute class demonstrations or activities, even if only peripherally related to the subject at hand. Resultant discussion with questions and comments by students keeps both the students and the lecturer motivated and intrigued about the subjects being discussed. Days, weeks, and months later, the students remember these `demonstrations', but to set these up takes time, effort, and resources of equipment, although not necessarily a large amount of the latter.</p>

Toward a Pattern Language for Eco-Business Design

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 706-715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinsuke Kondoh ◽  
◽  
Hitoshi Komoto ◽  
Yusuke Kishita ◽  
Nobuo Nakamura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pattern Language ◽  
Causal Loop Diagram ◽  
Multiple Stakeholders ◽  
Loop Diagram ◽  
Causal Loop ◽  
Surrounding Environment ◽  
Business Cases ◽  
Key Features ◽  
Business Design

The objective of this study is to seek a pattern language in the domain of eco-business design. A pattern language is first proposed in the field of architecture. By using patterns as the basis for a shared agreement in a community, users and stakeholders in the community can design buildings and their surrounding environment in a cooperative manner. This paper first discusses key features of the language that enables a cooperative eco-business design among multiple stakeholders. It goes on to describe how to formulate the language by using a causal-loop diagram as well as rules that were established by analyzing 130 eco-business cases in Japan. A simplified case study is also provided to illustrate how to use the language.

Alcoholism and Native American Youth: An Overview

1988 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 069-086 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas D. Watts ◽  
Ronald G. Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Native American ◽  
Environmental Economic ◽  
Native Americans ◽  
Community Involvement ◽  
Historical Perspective ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Complex Problem ◽  
Native American Youth ◽  
Total Effort

This article examines alcohol and native American youth in an historical perspective, and in a present day context. The paper is divided as follows: “Introduction,” “The Period Before 1832,” “Indian Prohibition 1832–1953,” “1953-Present,” and “What Next?” It is a complex problem, involving cultural, environmental, economic, and many other elements all best understood in historical context. A native American “community” is difficult to maintain alongside the “corporatization” of tribes and the infusion of government monies and programs. Dynamic local community involvement is called for here, as well as a “small is beautiful” theme for both economic and social policies pertaining to native Americans. This addresses the problem at the local or community level, encouraging mediating structures for a total effort on local community ground.

scholarly journals Stakeholders' Perspectives on the Implementation of the Inclusive Education Policy in Samoa: A Cultural Fit

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Rasela Tufue
Keyword(s):  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Medical Model ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Cultural Fit ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Inclusive Education Policy

<p>This is a qualitative study designed to investigate how the concept of inclusive education (IE) is understood and applied at a number of levels in the Samoan education system. It aims to identify barriers and facilitators to the implementation of the IE policy in this context. The study seeks an answer to the question: What are the beliefs, experiences, expectations and practises of key stakeholders of IE? The stakeholders include practising teachers in primary education classrooms, policy-makers in education, parents of children who are physically and intellectually challenged, teacher-trainers, and local community leaders. The study uses a phenomenologically oriented approach to gain insight into participants’ perspectives and experiences about IE and the implementation of this policy in Samoa. It draws upon document analysis, individual interviews, and focus group discussions as methods for data collection. The results indicate a paradox in participants’ beliefs and practices of IE. Participants, particularly the policy implementers (teachers), tend to be inclusive in their thinking and behaviour at home. However, in the classroom, although participants seem to operate from an inclusive mindset, the practice tends to be exclusive and thus grounded in the medical model of disability. Rather than creating inclusive environments, IE appears to have created another type of exclusion. A number of implications for practice are detailed and future research ideas are outlined.</p>

scholarly journals Youth Services System Review: Moving From Knowledge Gathering to Implementation Through Collaboration, Youth Engagement, and Exploring Local Community Needs

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. B. Brownlie ◽  
Gloria Chaim ◽  
Olivia Heffernan ◽  
Tyson Herzog ◽  
Joanna Henderson
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Youth Engagement ◽  
Youth Services ◽  
Multiple Stakeholders ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Implementation Phase ◽  
Transition Readiness ◽  
Community Needs ◽  
Local Contexts ◽  
System Review

This article describes a two-phase, multi-sectoral project aimed at enhancing youth services addressing substance use in Ontario. In the information gathering phase, a youth-focused website and survey, focus groups, and interviews were used to elicit perspectives from multiple stakeholders. In the implementation phase, capacity-building and consultations on transition-aged youth needs were conducted to inform youth transition-readiness checklists. We discuss the importance of engaging youth as collaborators as well as respondents and the processes used to tailor findings to local contexts for implementation.

EIA Practices in the Natural Gas Extraction Sector in Tanzania: Does Local Community Contribution Matter?

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (03) ◽  
pp. 1950015
Author(s):  
Iddi Mwanyoka ◽  
Will-Elimina Selestine ◽  
Said Nuhu
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Community Participation ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Gas Extraction ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Community Contribution ◽  
Effective Community ◽  
Natural Gas Extraction ◽  
Document Review

Community participation is an important element for implementation of various development projects including Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) processes. However, involvement of the local community in contributing to the EIA processes is minimal. This paper sought to explore local community contribution in the EIA practices in the natural gas extraction sector in Tanzania. Household survey, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and document review were employed in this study. Findings revealed that the majority of respondents have inadequate understanding of the EIA process and therefore undermine its significance, their role and contribution towards the exercise. Procedures for engaging the community were also lacking according to standard measure practices. Various factors emanating from policy implementers, EIA consultants and the community were attributed to low participation. Views and opinions of participants were not considered during implementation of the gas exploration and extraction project which left communities dissatisfied with implementers and practitioners. Therefore, implementation of the EIA policy in regard to procedures should be emphasised to ensure adherence for smooth and effective community participation in the EIA processes. This will guarantee respect for community contribution and mainstreaming of suggestions in the implementation of natural gas exploration and extraction projects to avoid adverse effects and reduce on mitigation consequences.

scholarly journals Participatory Assessment of Ecosystem Services from Community-Managed Planted Forests in Bhutan

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1062
Author(s):  
Prem Bahadur Rai ◽  
Robin R. Sears ◽  
Dorji Dukpa ◽  
Sonam Phuntsho ◽  
Yustina Artati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Forest Restoration ◽  
Forest Cover ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Soil Protection ◽  
Planted Forests ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Multilateral Environmental Agreements ◽  
Participatory Assessment ◽  
Viable Approach

Planted forests provide a range of ecosystem services, from the local to global scales. In this study, we evaluated the perceptions by local people of the ecosystem services from planted forest stands in Bhutan. We employed household questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions in eight villages in two regions of Bhutan: Trashigang dzongkhag, in eastern Bhutan, and Punakha dzongkhag in western Bhutan. At all sites, the planted forests were created several decades ago to restore forest cover in deforested and degraded areas. The restored stands were perceived by residents to provide multiple goods and ecosystem services important to local security, health, and livelihoods, including wild edibles, freshwater, and soil protection, and aesthetic and cultural services. This study indicates that local community participation in forest resource management can ease user conflict and manage the planted forests sustainably. We see community-based forest restoration on degraded lands as a viable approach, among others, to achieve national commitments to the Bonn Challenge and other multilateral environmental agreements related to forests.

Education for Citizenship as a Permanent Laboratory

2019 ◽  
pp. 517-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Balconi ◽  
Elisabetta Nigris ◽  
Luisa Zecca
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Teacher Professional Development ◽  
Curriculum Design ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Development Project ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Group Data ◽  
Focus Group Data ◽  
Teacher Professional

In this chapter, the authors discuss the results of three focus group discussions conducted in the context of the teacher professional development project STEP (school territory environment pedagogy) undertaken by researchers and teachers from three EU Countries—France, Spain, Italy—and one non-EU country, Switzerland. Specifically, they present findings regarding changes in how the teachers in the Milano Bicocca case study represented citizenship education practices. The focus group data was subjected to content analysis, using a set of categories drawn from the national reference documents on curriculum design and the transnational curriculum defined in the STEP project. The changes in the teachers' representations concerned three main aspects: dialogue with the local community and territorial context, the gap between teachers declared intentions and actual educational actions, and the adoption of a complex perspective in the choice of knowledge to be mobilized.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document