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This article examines the ways in which ethnic and cultural diversity is concretely managed in the city of Marseille, a metropolitan area located in France, a country that academic literature defines as assimilationist. Based on a series of 26 semi-structured interviews and on the analysis of municipal archives, it reveals that ethnic, cultural and religious organizations are essential actors in local political life in Marseille. On one hand, in order to manage their culturally heterogeneous city, municipal officials rely on alliances with community leaders to maintain legitimacy among the local population. On the other hand, community leaders demand symbolic gestures of cultural recognition from the mayor in exchange for their political support. This paper, inspired by conceptual tools developed by Pierre Bourdieu, builds an innovative theoretical framework for analysis of the 'social field of multiculturalism.' In the process, it sheds light on strategies of negotiation and competition among different local actors in the daily management of diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractEducating coastal residents on the dangers of storm surge is one of the core missions of coastal community leaders. Virtual reality (VR) can help communicate risks by simulating storm surge events as if they are happening at the moment and allowing participants to virtually practice mitigation behaviors. However, VR must first be accepted and adopted by community leaders prior to implementation at large. Guided by the technology acceptance model, forty-two semi-structured interviews were conducted with coastal community leaders after they experienced a VR education module of a hurricane-induced storm surge event. Themes pulled from the analysis revealed that attitudes and adoption potential of VR centered on perceptions of ease of use and usefulness. Media features that emerged as relevant in their decision-making process included VR hardware and content’s emotional impact, novelty, ability to be distributed, and customizability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local resistance to proposed developments can be divisive, costly in time and delays, and damage reputations. We use typologies of process sheriff and enlightened resistance to explore community opposition to a proposed beachfront development in South East Queensland, Australia. Content analysis of protest signs, submissions to government, and interviews with community leaders uncovered community values and coherent themes of concern for transparent governance, environment, lifestyle, and identity. Our research reinforces the importance of genuine public consultation, demonstrates legitimate concerns often dismissed as NIMBYism, and contributes practical ways to acknowledge community values in planning decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing body of research has documented how gun violence can affect mental and physical health outcomes among adults. Likewise, the literature is also beginning to reveal negative psychological effects related to distress and hypervigilance and sociological implications around diminished community engagement and economic opportunity. However, there remains a need to fully explore the role of fear related to the experience of gun violence. Through a qualitative inquiry consisting of community resident focus groups and community leader interviews, this study examined how participants' perceptions of fear related to their exposures to and experiences of gun violence. The findings highlight the pervasive emotional experience of existing in a fearful, distressed, and/or anxious state within certain communities, and how civic disengagement, neighborhood disconnection, and economic disenfranchisement exist in communities that disproportionately experience violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores community flood preparedness in Ibadan, Nigeria. The qualitative method was adopted, and key informant interviews with community leaders in selected flood-prone communities were undertaken. Findings indicate that communities are not adequately prepared for floods, but cooperation associated with collectivism help flood victims cope with floods. Pervasive negative outcome expectancy and trust in flood structural protection measures are significant influences on communities' poor flood preparedness. While assistance associated with collectivism has been helpful, it will not suffice in the event of mega-floods. These underline the urgency of taking early action to strengthen the Ibadan communities' resilience to flood risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nigeria has a significant burden of NTDs with more than 120 million people at risk of the dominant NTDs namely Lymphatic Filariasis, Onchocerciasis, and Schistosomiasis. Control efforts have involved the four levels of governance with programs focused on vector control, preventive chemotherapy, water, sanitation and health education. However, the coordination across these levels and with multiple stakeholders remains unclear especially in states like Taraba that have received significant funding from local non-governmental organisations. Methods: This study evaluated NTD control effectiveness across national, state, local, and community levels in Nigeria. Eighty-two stakeholders were interviewed across the 4 governance levels. Results: Findings showed distinct roles of the different stakeholders: the National government sets policies, states adapt and strategise, local governments implement programs, and community leaders drive engagement. There is also some multi-sectoral collaboration and coordination among stakeholders. Challenges included inconsistent drug distribution, inadequate Community Drug Distributor (CDD) incentives, and limited cross-sector coordination. Discussion: NTD control progress has been notable, but to meet WHO's 2030 targets, Nigeria needs expanded partnerships, increased private sector involvement, improved drug distribution, enhanced CDD support, and integrated programs with cross-border collaboration. Conclusion: Strengthening multi-sectoral partnerships, improving resource allocation, and engaging community leaders are crucial for advancing NTD elimination in Nigeria. A coordinated approach is essential for sustainable disease control and achieving global health objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To evaluate the impact of a novel design "Star Home" on the incidence of malaria, respiratory tract infections and diarrheal diseases among children, randomly selected households in Mtwara, Tanzania were offered a free, new Star Home. Drawing on longitudinal qualitative research that accompanied the Star Homes study, this article describes the experiences of residents and the wider community of living with these buildings. Methods: A total of four rounds of face-to-face interviews were undertaken with residents of Star Homes (n = 37), control (wattle/daub) homes (n = 21), neighboring households n = 6), community members (n = 17) and community leaders (n = 6). The use of Star Homes was also observed over these four time periods between 2021 and 2023. Interviews were conducted in Swahili, transcribed, and translated into English for thematic analysis. Results: Star Homes residents appreciated several aspects of the Star Homes, including overall comfort, access to water and electricity, and clean toilets. There were concerns about some design elements, such as poorly closing doors, stoves perceived as inefficient, and the façade, which was susceptible to rainwater ingress. The houses were not always used as intended by their developers, for example, residents were sleeping downstairs instead of upstairs because of cold floors or difficulties using the stairs. Star Homes residents described how the structures triggered praise but also envy from other community members. Conclusions: The findings highlight the need for close attention to the use of novel design houses and careful sensitization around the potential benefits of dwellings to ensure that the intended health impacts of interventions are achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Australian manufacturing sector saw the exit of the automotive industry in 2017 arising in mass retrenchment across its assembly plants and supply chain firms. In 2019, a large-scale program of research was launched to investigate the impacts of the closures on workers and community including a dedicated stream of qualitative work which took place in 2021. This work took the form of in-depth interviews that investigated the experiences of automotive workers as they underwent retrenchment, reskilling, re-employment and retirement. A further set of interviews took place in 2023 to investigate the experiences of community leaders in the areas affected by the assembly plant closures as they navigated a changing economic landscape. This dataset is designed to aid researchers and policy makers understand the complexities of individual experiences that complement the quantitative data collected during the broader program of work. In total, 73 automotive workers and 33 community leaders were interviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explored awareness and knowledge of CSR water initiatives in Narok, Kenya. It assessed stakeholder awareness and knowledge and aimed to identify gaps in CSR communication in water issues. A descriptive design was used, and data was collected from purposively selected key informants and focus group discussions (FGDs) across the vast county. The findings revealed limited awareness by individuals and beneficiary groups on corporate social responsibility activities through local community leaders, local media, interactions, and friends and acquaintances. Community members were not informed about CSR water project efforts and their impact, limited awareness of CSR in water issues, engagement, awareness and misconceptions about CSR goals, benefits, and stakeholder roles. The study concluded that there was low knowledge and awareness of community water projects in Narok. It recommended targeted awareness campaigns through social media, radio, and print media, educational programs, regular feedback for transparency and trust, sharing impact reports and success stories for project value and local partnerships for awareness, training and empowerment. Recognising active members, conducting thorough monitoring and evaluation, respecting customs and cultural values, and involving minority groups will enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of CSR community water projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Immunization plays a substantial role in reducing the under-five mortality rate. However, Tanzania still has a significant number of zero-dose and under-vaccinated children and was ranked among the top ten African countries with the highest numbers of zero-dose children in 2022. The human-centered design (HCD) approach is more ethical and effective at addressing public health challenges in complex sociocultural settings. This study aimed to use the HCD approach to aid in identifying, prioritizing, and implementing community-centric interventions in Tanzania, particularly in the Ilala District of Dar es Salaam, to increase vaccine demand and close the zero-dose gap by at least 50%. Methods: The study involved co-creation workshops with 483 participants to identify, design, and test solutions. The study followed the UNICEF Journey to Health and Immunization framework to identify barriers and enablers influencing stakeholders in adopting and sustaining health- and immunization-related actions. Results: The study identified the causes of under-five defaulting and the zero-dose gap, i.e., the inadequate support of local community leaders in under-five vaccination sensitization and surveillance; poor infrastructure to new settlement areas; hesitancy and unwillingness of parents/guardians; absence of house numbers; limited/time-constrained availability of resources to facilitate mobile immunization services, etc. The participants were able to come up with 309 ideas, which were refined through multiple iterations using the impact–-effort matrix and skimmed down to three (3) solutions: (i) having health facilities to notify and alert local leaders about vaccination dates; (ii) using parents, kids, and grownups who got vaccinated to influence others; (iii) using local government leaders and house representatives for vaccine advocacy. Of these, the solution involving local government leaders and house representatives for vaccine advocacy was implemented. An advocacy strategy was used to enhance the collaboration of the District Commissioner, Council leaders, and community leaders. A home-to-home interpersonal sensitization approach accompanied by the household delivery of vaccination services was employed. The findings reveal that the HCD framework was impactful in increasing collaborations/cooperation with local government leaders and community ownership of the under-five vaccination initiative. As a result, 67,145 houses, equal to 104%, were reached, surpassing the initial target of 64,800 houses, and 131,088 families, equal to 83% of the targeted 156,995 households, were sensitized through a home-to-home campaign approach. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of the approach. Researchers and practitioners are encouraged to adopt the HCD approach when addressing public health challenges, especially in complex sociocultural settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis study explored the experiences of educators interested in sociocritical approaches to renewable energy education in the energy focused and politically charged province of Alberta and other regions of Canada. A generic qualitative methodology was enacted through semi-structured interviews to better understand the challenges that they face, successful strategies that they employ, and the broader curricular, policy, and societal implications of such considerations. The findings of this study provide important insights for educational stakeholders such as teachers, administrators, academics, and government and community leaders in developing future initiatives, resources, curricula, and partnerships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How can we work with diverse cultures and diverse ways of knowing whilst enabling space for diversity? Metalogues can help to avoid (or remedy) misunderstanding, leaving ideas out, speaking for or over others. It provides breathing space between the stimulus of engagement and the process of coming up with an agreed upon output or outcome. This postcolonial and non-anthropocentric approach is rooted in collegiality and a recognition of our hybridity and interconnectedness with many species; as such it celebrates 'entangled life' (Sheldrake 2021) with Indigenous and non Indigenous academics, leaders and community practitioners, including farmers. The paper discusses the dynamic process. Could this process be considered multispecies neuroscience in action? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

of the Jews. However, under the influence of philosophical movements that were influential in the Middle Ages, Jewish scholars debated the possibility of supernatural events described throughout the Torah. Maimonides, one of the leading Jewish community leaders of this period and whose influence on Jewish theology is indisputable, also made an explanation on this issue in many of his works. On the one hand, he describes miracles as one of the foundations of religion, and on the other hand, he interprets some of the miracles of the Torah outside of Jewish tradition. Based on this, the issue of which idea Maimonides actually defended is debated by many researchers. Maimonides' understanding of miracles, which has not been studied independently in Turkish literature, constitutes the subject of this article. First, the issue of whether Maimonides believed in miracles, and then the nature of the miracles he presents in his works and the purpose for which they occur are discussed. The sections in the works of Maimonides that deal with the issue of miracles constitute the main sources of this study. The article aims to clarify the issue by examining Maimonides' views on miracles as a whole. History of Religions, Judaism, Maimonides, Miracle [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Background: This study was carried out to assess the level of knowledge and awareness of diabetes and DKA among the general population in the Sudair area of Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among the individuals of Sudair area, Saudi Arabia (both Saudi and non-Saudi). The inclusion criteria were individuals who live in Sudair area of both gender and older than 18 years of age. The data will be collected by filling out a pre-designed online questionnaire that has choice answers. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 24 and presented in tables. Results: There were 709 people who participated in the study; majority of the participants were educated with 368 (51.9%) being University passed out. The majority of the older people believed that diabetic ketoacidosis is dangerous and may cause death. (P < 0.05). People aged less than 30 preferred calling an ambulance immediately 31 (46.9%) rather than taking them to the emergency room when asked about their opinion on a situation if one of their relatives or friends is afflicted with acidity in the blood. (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Awareness of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is low in the Sudair area, though higher among older, more educated, and married individuals. Targeted, multi-channel educational efforts and strong collaboration among healthcare providers, community leaders, and educational institutions are essential to improve understanding and reduce DKA-related health risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kalunga Territory, located in the Brazilian Cerrado in the state of Goias, is rich in biodiversity, and is home to 39 quilombola communities providing a unique opportunity for community-based tourism (CBT) that integrates the unique Kalunga history and culture with sustainable livelihoods. Yet, there is limited research in the resilience of CBT to disturbances, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in a remote Territory that closed its borders. This study aims to better understand how the Kalunga responded and navigated challenges of COVID-19 and the key factors that influence the resilience of CBT. We conducted a series of workshops prior to the pandemic and qualitative semi-structured interviews with community leaders and community members involved in tourism after the pandemic had occurred. Through the application of Berkes and Seixas (2005) framework, this study's findings highlight the importance of diversifying livelihoods and tourism experiences, community values and solidarity, integration of local knowledge and culture, and having a strong foundation for shared governance and decision-making. The paper concludes with key insights for enhancing the resilience of CBT in the Kalunga Territory and beyond such as learning from neighboring communities, the role of bridging organizations between local and national stakeholders, supporting a shared identity and vision, integrating traditional ecological knowledge and diverse perspectives, and reducing the dependency on only tourism for livelihoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2020, Euphrates Institute piloted the Peace Practice Alliance (PPA), a virtual six-month program that brings together an international cohort of peacebuilders to learn peace leadership theories and develop related skills and practices. The program framework is based on integral peace leadership, which focuses on four interrelated areas of Innerwork, Knowledge, Community, and Environment. As part of an emergent field, limited research has documented the application of integral peace leadership in peacebuilder training and development programs. This paper, therefore, examines the pilot PPA program to understand the ways in which an online, global peace leadership training program can support the development of community peace leaders. Findings from interviews with 14 of the program's first cohort of 18 peace leaders revealed that the PPA supported their development through the content of the curriculum, the creation of a strong learning community, and the dual focus on theory and practice. This paper concludes with suggestions for further improvement, including additional spaces for participant interaction and experiential learning and the creation of further training and development opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research is aimed to investigate the role of academic leaders at the University of Saba Region in serving the community. It uses a descriptiveanalytical approach and a questionnaire with (52) items organized into four main fields. The questionnaire is applied to a sample of (40) participants, including faculty deans, vice deans, and heads of departments, selected by using a stratified random sampling method. The study arrives at several important findings. First, academic leaders play a crucial role in contributing to the social, economic, and educational development of the community across various areas. Second, the arithmetic average for all fields was high, indicating strong approval from the research sample regarding the role of academic leaders in serving the community. Third, the role of academic leaders in promoting community culture and reinforcing values comes in the first rank. The second rank is attributed to the role of leaders in developing community initiatives. The third rank is the role of leaders in community research, and the role of academic leaders in training and consulting comes in the fourth rank. The findings indicate that there were no statistically significant differences at the (0.05) significance level in the responses from the research sample across all fields, attributed to the job variable and the years of experience variable. This indicates a consensus among the research participants. The study is concluded with a set of recommendations and suggestions aimed at enhancing and clarifying the role of academic leaders in community service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent technological changes have created new opportunities for small- and medium-sized firms in the semi-periphery to enter digital markets. At the same time, the need to connect startups with the diverse range of actors and resources which sustain an entrepreneurial ecosystem poses a formidable challenge to regions which have historically suffered from disarticulation. The literature suggests that regions aspiring to support technology startups could benefit from bridging organizations or "entrepreneurial ecosystem incubators" (EEIs) to build civic capital. Comparing two successful EEIs in Toronto and Waterloo, Canada, we find that their organizational structure, specifically the composition of their board, shaped connectivity in important ways. Whereas Communitech, an entrepreneur-led EEI in Waterloo, relied heavily on horizontal, peer-to-peer mentoring among entrepreneurs, MaRS, led by established firms and civic leaders, linked startups to external capital, customers, and other resources within a limited number of industry verticals. Both EEIs supported local startup activity, but they fostered different patterns of collaboration and high-technology competition. This analysis suggests that regional leaders in laggard regions may face a tradeoff in how they support technology startups and nurture entrepreneurial ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Esensia: Jurnal Ilmu-Ilmu Ushuluddin is the property of Esensia: Jurnal Ilmu-Ilmu Ushuluddin and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study aims to determine the potential of Kaliagung Kapanewon Sentolo Village, Kulon Progo Regency, Special Region, it is hoped that with the identification of this, the researcher can formulate a roadmap for the development of Kaliagung Kapanewon Sentolo Village, Kulon Progo Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta. This research is a qualitative descriptive research. The population in this study is the leaders and community leaders of all community members in Kaliagung Village, Kapanewon Sentolo, Kulon Progo Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta. The data collection method uses observation, focus discussion groups and literature studies are used to obtain information about the potential of the village, qualitative descriptive analysis specifically using the analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. SWOT analysis contributes to the development of strategic management theory, especially in the context of independent village development. The SWOT analysis shows that this framework can be applied effectively in the context of village development. This approach helps to link between internal conditions (local resources) and external conditions (government and market support) in the formulation of development strategies. The results of the EFE and IFE analysis placed the Kaliagung Village in a certain quadrant, which provided a theoretical basis for choosing the most suitable strategy, such as a growth-oriented strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the urgent global need to tackle climate change, the "Just Transition" framework has emerged as a critical tool for promoting fairness and sustainability in climate resilience efforts. This article focuses on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by Angola, a country in the Global South burdened by climate change impacts despite lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to countries in the Global North such as the US and Europe. The article examines the economic, social, and political factors that may hinder the transition, including issues related to policy formulation, capacity building, political will, and corruption. Through interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), document analysis, and input from key stakeholders in sustainability and climate change discourse, this article aims to explore the feasibility and potential avenues for implementing a Just Transition approach in Angola. Primary data collection involved in-depth interviews with government officials, community leaders, and climate resilience experts, with a focus on diverse perspectives, including women. Additionally, FGDs were conducted to gather further insights, while document analysis provided additional context from policy documents and reports. By triangulating these qualitative data sources, the study aimed to gain a nuanced understanding of the dynamics at play and potential pathways toward achieving a just transition in Angola and the wider Global South. Despite challenges like poor policy implementation and corruption, the article suggests that a just transition presents transformative opportunities across economic, social, and environmental spheres, contingent on meticulous planning, strong leadership, and sustained commitment to sustainability, particularly from governmental bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines whether the preferences and behaviors of traditional community leaders change depending on their leadership experience. Using data from a lab-in-the-field experiment conducted in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh, in which participants were village leaders in traditional communities of these tracts, this study focused on competitiveness, dishonest behavior, and altruism, which are crucial factors in the fair governance of communities. The results of a pedometer-shaking game to measure competitiveness, a dice-casting game to extract dishonest behavior, and a simple dictator game are reported. The experimental results reveal that the longer the leader's term, the less competitive they are and the less likely they are to engage in dishonest behavior, although experience as a leader does not have any significant effect on altruism. This study contributes to the literature as it adds experimental evidence regarding the preference change of leaders in traditional communities. Preferences change in the direction of conformity to the norms and benefits of other community members as leaders gain experience. Thus, changes in leader preferences should be considered when evaluating the governance systems of traditional communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Territorial contestations entrench opposed groups within tight political and psychological constraints, seemingly rendering improvements to intergroup relations intractable. In this paper, we examine political theater as a novel tool for enabling intergroup dialogue to transform social representations of intergroup relations. Participants are selected leaders from two groups involved in a territorial conflict in the Philippines: community leaders of the Guardians of the Marsh (N = 7), closely entwined with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front; and Christian sociologists doing peace projects at the Mindanao State University—General Santos City (N = 5). We describe the design and implementation of a set of culturally embedded, participatory, and power‐sensitive theater exercises to facilitate intergroup dialogue between community leaders. Through a mixed methods analytical strategy, we compare participants' theater utterances in the first and second halves of the workshop. Triangulated results from quantitative and qualitative analysis show shifts in social representations toward more just and trusting intergroup relationships. The study affirms the usefulness of political theater as a tool for intergroup dialogue, customized to conditions of asymmetric conflict between two groups embroiled in territorial conflict. Furthermore, we caution against using conventional intergroup dialogue as a tool for peacebuilding, when features of dialogue support the underlying structural foundations of inequality and muted resentments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Journal of Professional Business Review (JPBReview) is the property of Open Access Publications LLC and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

AbstractThe present article assesses the extent to which a community context can play the role in legitimising engagement in paramilitary Irish republicanism. The research analyses this specifically in relation to Belfast. Using thematic analysis of 53 primary source interviews with former paramilitaries and community leaders the research identifies three core themes. These are: republican movement integral to community, distrust of criminal justice system and community legitimisation of paramilitary style attacks. The analysis focuses on the utility of criminological theories and approaches to explain the findings. Specifically, the research assesses the applicability of situational action theory. The research found that a multi-theoretical approach is best applied in the explanation of this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Like in most African countries, community leaders (including clan and family heads) in rural communities in Ghana undertake core child protection duties, including facilitating kinship placements, resolution of child maltreatment and trafficking issues, and spearheading community‐wide education programmes. The child protection activities carried out by community leaders are legitimized and sanctioned in the child welfare legislation of African countries, such as the Child and Family Welfare Policy in Ghana. As the role of the community leaders is being regularized and legitimized in most African countries, it has become necessary to understand how the child protection activities of these community leaders are supervised, regulated, and monitored by professional child protection workers. Through in‐depth narrative interviews with 12 community leaders in two rural communities in Ghana, this study explored community leaders' motivations for undertaking child protection practices, and how their child protection activities are supervised and monitored by professional child protection workers. The findings revealed child protection workers utilize training of trainers' programmes, and stakeholder policy engagements as supervision mechanisms to monitor the child protection duties of the community leaders. The study findings highlight key gaps in the monitoring and supervision duties performed by professional child protection workers, including (1) the lack of coordinated structure and framework for monitoring, and (2) the limited focus on outcome in monitoring. Implications for child protection practice have been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What explains protest mobilization in areas of limited statehood, where the government struggles to make and enforce rules? We adapt existing theory to explain protest mobilization through a comparative perspective, beginning with the proposition that informal political elites who mediate citizens' interactions with the government in areas of limited statehood represent a crucial but understudied source of political opportunity. We specifically argue that informal political elites who are effective intermediaries between citizens and the state moderate the relationship between grievances and protest at the individual-level. Six months of fieldwork in Liberia substantiates this claim. Leveraging an original, high-frequency household panel dataset, we demonstrate how informal political elites called "community chairpeople" moderate the otherwise positive association between public service shortages and protest. Qualitative data collected through focus groups and interviews provide further evidence of how informal political elites shape protest mobilization in settings where the state is weak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community lay leaders are critical in connecting professional services and general populations in communities. However, limited studies have explored the potential protective factors for psychological health among this group of people. In addition, based on the complex nature of spiritual health, the inconsistent findings of previous studies also suggested that different domains of spiritual health may shape psychological health differently in different contexts and among different socio-demographic groups. Therefore, we assessed the psychological health of Hong Kong community lay leaders after COVID-19 and examined the effects of different domains of spiritual health on psychological distress after controlling for age and gender. Cross-sectional data from 234 Hong Kong community lay leaders aged 18 to 84 were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results showed that most Hong Kong community lay leaders reported moderate anxiety. In addition, personal and communal (one domain) and transcendental domains of spiritual health were negatively associated with depression, anxiety, and stress, and the environmental domain of spiritual health was positively associated with depression, anxiety, and stress. These findings imply the importance of considering both the positive and negative effects of spiritual health on psychological distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper presents a case study of a school district–university partnership to co-design a Children's Cabinet, a cross-sector initiative bringing together institutional and community leaders to address youth well-being in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a vibrant, immigrant-serving community in the Northeast United States, the partnership was initiated by district leaders in Spring 2021 after pandemic disruptions led to a youth mental health crisis. Design/methodology/approach: Our descriptive, qualitative case study focuses on the structure and emerging design principles of the research–practice partnership, which established a Children's Cabinet comprised of educational, government and community leaders along with researchers. From Spring 2021 through Spring 2024, we collected and analyzed member and youth interviews, ethnographic observations and artifacts from all meetings and process interviews with key partners. Findings: We describe the structure of the partnership, including how researchers and district leaders collaborated on meeting facilitation and how researchers conducted and shared applied research. We then discuss three design principles that guided the work, including centering relationships, sustaining focus on key goals and embedding applied research. Originality/value: As embedded research partners, our team is uniquely situated to narrate the nature and structure of the partnership and reflect on the design of our cross-sector initiative. Increasingly, universities are partnering directly with districts on school improvement initiatives. Our work shows how engaging in RPPs to bring together school, community and research partners can facilitate local leadership and collaboration to address complex, cross-sector goals such as increasing youth well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Menoufia Journal of Agricultural Economic & Social Science is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Indigenous education efforts across the world’s Indigenous communities are being implemented to address varying challenges of poverty, cultural discrimination, resource dispossession and isolation. Engaged in a decolonisation agenda, most Indigenous communities are leading diverse localised efforts that turn inwards to their own rich tapestries of knowledge, culture and relationships. In this paper, we argue for the need to broaden the conceptualisation of Indigenous education models to account for the invaluable role that social learning and practice play in sustaining grassroots efforts on how a particular Indigenous people engage with formal educational processes. This paper explores Indigenous education as a community of practice that exemplifies mutual engagement, joint enterprise and shared repertoire, as crucial elements in sustaining Indigenous education endeavours. We use Lave and Wenger’s “communities of practice” as a theoretical framework to better understand how the Manobos, an Indigenous group in the southern Philippines, have been able to successfully operate their own school. Drawing from participant-observation and key informant interviews with teachers, community leaders and missionaries, we foreground examples of how the Manobos rely upon mutual engagement, joint enterprise and shared repertoire of actors to show that they belong to an overarching community of practice. More specifically, we demonstrate that Indigenous education as practiced by the Manobos is a socially constituted enterprise that entails grassroots learning at the individual and collective level, collaborations with external groups, as well as strategic negotiation and compliance with government’s policies that ultimately help them sustain the school’s operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature shows that communities under different socio-economic conditions suffer different levels of damage in disasters. In addition to the physical intensity of hazards, such differences are also related to the varying abilities of communities to prepare for and respond to disasters. This study analyzes the spatial patterns of building damage in Hurricane Ian in 2022 and investigates the socio-economic disparities related to the damage. Specifically, this study employs NASA's Damage Proxy Map (DPM2) to analyze spatial patterns of building damage caused by the hurricane. Then, it uses statistical analysis to assess the relationships between building damage and hurricane intensity, building conditions, and socio-economic variables at the building and census tract levels. Furthermore, the study applies geographically weighted regression (GWR) to examine the spatial variation of the damage factors. The results provide valuable insights into the potential factors related to building damage and the spatial variation in the factors. The results also reveal the uneven distribution of building damage among different population groups, implying socio-economic inequalities in disaster adaptation and resilience. Moreover, the study provides actionable information for policymakers, emergency responders, and community leaders in formulating strategies to mitigate the impact of future hurricanes by identifying vulnerable communities and population groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractProblem, research strategy, and findingsTakeaway for PracticeRising temperatures and prolonged heat waves present significant challenges for all communities and are further exacerbated by socioeconomic and spatial vulnerabilities. Extreme heat impacts are amplified in areas with historic underinvestment in infrastructure, discriminatory redlining practices, and limited access to cooling amenities. To ethically mitigate and adapt to these impacts, holistically addressing urban heat impacts and coping strategies at the neighborhood level is crucial. Here we present the development of a HeatReady Neighborhoods planning rubric, co-created with community members and academic partners. The rubric evaluated overall HeatReady performance levels based on community-specific values and served as a modular template for assessing heat readiness using the Phoenix (AZ) metropolitan region as a case study.By prioritizing hyperlocal, neighborhood-scale needs, the planning rubric can enable communities to optimize their social, physical, and natural assets for improved resilience to extreme heat and other slow-moving natural hazards. This adaptable model can guide planners, city officials, and community leaders in co-creating strategies with neighborhoods to effectively identify, mitigate, and build adaptation to the adverse effects of extreme heat, filling a gap in mainstream, agency-led heat action planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2022 mpox epidemic predominantly affected gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM). Led by a provincial community program and co-galvanized by clinician-researchers, GBM community leaders in Ontario coordinated a robust response, representing a reproducible strategy for community engagement and mobilization during future epidemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Losing indigenous knowledge is to lose the future and impoverish the societies because indigenous knowledge is considered one of the cornerstones and survival of communities, societies and economies. This study, thus, aims to explore and assess the contextual enablers of indigenous knowledge and their role in developing and sustaining the Ewe communities in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach: The qualitative research design, which enabled the researcher to engage the participants in an interview process and observation, was used in this study. It was augmented with a quantitative design using structured questions. Data analysis was guided by the basic principles of grounded theory. The coding system was aided by NVivo to analyze the qualitative data, while the quantitative data was analyzed using the SPSS. Descriptive analysis and graphs were deployed in the presentation of the findings. Findings: The study discovered that the communities are in possession of several types of indigenous knowledge, ranging from tacit to explicit knowledge, which are embedded in their cultural and traditional systems and unique to every community; the culture of trust among the citizens and motivation to create and share knowledge in communities was high. Same time, family heads, farmer groups, libraries and museums played key roles in the preservation and management of indigenous knowledge in the communities. On the other hand, information officers and institutions like churches and police posts played insignificant roles in the management and preservation of knowledge in the communities just as the absence of a culture of willingness by the community members to create and share knowledge. Additionally, there was an absence of technological infrastructure, platforms, databases and policies to aid the management and preservation of knowledge in the communities. The study concludes that indigenous knowledge plays a vital role in the development and sustainability of communities in Ghana. Practical implications: Community leaders and political leaders need to invest in systems and structures that will promote the management and preservation of indigenous knowledge for the development of the communities and the state as a whole. Originality/value: The study demonstrates its originality in terms of scope, setting, population and empirical evidence by focusing on the role of indigenous knowledge in the sustainability and development of Ewe communities in Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This developmental research aims to enhancing and extend the implementation of an integrated injury surveillance system for all age groups in areas where responsibilities have been transferred to local authorities in Ubon Ratchathani Province. The study period is from February to April 2024. The target groups include 208 individuals from government agencies, community leaders, and public health volunteers, as well as 200 individuals from all age groups at risk. The tools used in this research include the surveillance forms created and developed by the researchers in the model areas, communication and public relations strategies for injury warnings, health literacy assessments for at-risk groups, random helmet use surveys, and participation and satisfaction assessments. Data analysis involves qualitative methods using content analysis and quantitative methods using descriptive statistics, including percentages, medians, and paired t-tests. The study results indicate that after expanding the model, there was an integration of networks participating in the surveillance system. The use of surveillance tools for risk assessment facilitated communication and risk management at the individual, causative agent, and environmental levels. Consequently, participants' health literacy significantly increased, with a p-value < 0.01. Helmet use rose from 32.00% to 82.00%. Additionally, the management of risk points increased to 5 from the initial target of 4. Network participation post-implementation reached its highest level at 86.06%, and satisfaction was at 81.73%. The injury rate from major causes across all age groups decreased compared to the median rate of the past five years during the same period. Therefore, the surveillance system should focus on proactive measures to provide warnings before incidents occur. It should also encourage public participation, with local administrative organizations playing a central role in driving and coordinating efforts. This approach ensures continuous and sustainable integration of network operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In the face of evolving public health challenges, including emerging diseases, pervasive health disparities, and escalating environmental threats, the integration of learning health system (LHS) principles emerges as a vital strategy for enhancing the adaptability and efficacy of public health initiatives. Traditional approaches within these systems often overlook the potential to deeply involve community‐based organizations (CBO) that are led and staffed by the communities they serve as equal and essential partners in the public health discourse. Methods: This commentary proposes a suite of nine community‐led transformation (CLT) principles aimed at reimagining LHS frameworks to authentically incorporate CBOs at their core. Drawing on the experiences from initiatives supporting Afghan refugees, we illustrate the application of these principles through two detailed case studies. Results: These examples demonstrate the CLT principles in action and spotlight the enhanced cultural competency, effectiveness, and equitable power distribution that arise from such partnerships. Centering small to mid‐sized CBOs including ethnic‐led and/or faith based within LHS structures enables the system to access invaluable cultural insights, strengthen community bonds, and empower those communities to spearhead their transformative journey toward sustainable health, equity, and well‐being improvements. Conclusion: The CLT principles herald a shift toward a more inclusive and co‐led public health paradigm by offering a blueprint for stakeholders eager to forge strong, trust‐based coalitions and cocreate initiatives with community leaders including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) leaders from ethnic‐led and/or faith‐based CBOs. By embracing these principles, public health systems can evolve into truly inclusive, responsive, and sustainable entities poised to advance health equity for all community members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This sequential mixed methods study evaluated the impact of the Chicago Parent Program (CPP) in 12 Baltimore Title I PreK programs on parent engagement and student outcomes from kindergarten through 2nd grade. Phase 1 (quasi-experiment; N = 11,996) compared PreK students whose parents enrolled in CPP with those whose parents did not enroll in CPP on measures of kindergarten readiness, chronic absenteeism, suspensions/expulsions, and grade retention. Phase 2 (qualitative; n = 20) explored the perceptions of school-based staff, principals, and district and community leaders on CPP's impact on parents, students, and parent engagement, and why they sought to continue CPP in the schools. Research Findings: No effects on student outcomes were found using administrative data. However, all of those interviewed described observed improvements in parent and student behavior and parent engagement and all schools have continued implementing CPP. Practice or Policy: Qualitative results highlight the importance of stakeholder perspectives and the limitations of administrative data for evaluating brief interventions serving families with complex needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This research analyzed Tada Hera's customary fines for offenders who cause damage. Each type of offense had its customary fine. This research took place in Sikka Regency. This research aimed to scrutinize the meaning of Tada Hera customary fines to avoid social disparities that occur in the community and to maintain the cultural identity and customary values of the community inherited by the ancestors. The sources of information for this research were regional leaders, customary elders, and community leaders who resided in the Sikka Regency. Data collection techniques were observation and interview. The research data collected was analyzed descriptively using qualitative data analysis techniques. The appropriate method in qualitative research was the ethnographic method. The sanctions given to the perpetrators were advice and also customary fines. Tada Hera customary fines included horse, pig, gold, money, rice, sarong, clothes, and local alcoholic drink. The items were given to the aggrieved person and some were cooked to be eaten at the Tada Hera venue. This research provided deep insight into the dynamics of dispute resolution for the development of policies that were more inclusive and in favor of the community. Thus, the gap that occurred between the victims, perpetrators, and the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article assesses the toponymic renaming processes in post-apartheid South Africa at Alfred Duma Local Municipality (ADLM), in uThukela District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal province. The renaming of places involves a wide variety of elements that determine which places need to be renamed and why. This article is significant as the findings may make the communities involved in the renaming processes more aware of the procedures that need to be followed when renaming places, especially in rural areas, such as ADLM. This article delineates an array of elements and backgrounds regarding the renaming of places, the topics on the deconstruction of a colonial legacy through place naming, the politics of renaming and the identity of a place in the post-apartheid era. This is a critical toponymic qualitative study, where data were collected through face-to-face, semi-structured interviews. Twenty-six participants were selected to participate in the study. The researchers sampled community members, community leaders, officials from Alfred Duma Local Municipality, officials from the uThukela District Municipality, members from the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Geographical Names Committee, members from the South African National Geographical Names Council, officials from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture and from the National Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture. Findings from the data were thematically analysed from an onomastic perspective. Some of the themes revealed in this article are: renaming protocols, stakeholders in the renaming process of public places, collaboration between different stakeholders in the renaming process and the perception of communities in the renaming process. The research found that although the majority of the participants seemed appreciative of the place-renaming process at ADLM, a few were not aware of the exact procedures involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohol-related research in Botswana has rarely used a socio-ecological approach. This article presents a phenomenological in-depth analysis drawn from community mapping interviews (n = 23) collected among community leaders and service providers in one village in Botswana. The socio-ecological approach guided our research and analysis. This paper explored the influence of alcohol misuse within the cultural, familial, practices and legal frameworks in Botswana. Findings revealed patterns in alcohol misuse over time, the influence of alcohol misuse within different ecological systems, and their response to alcohol patterns as three global themes are discussed. The findings showed that alcohol misuse remains a major public health problem that trickles down from the community, and family systems to an individual, when there are with limited resources to address the alcohol misuse that exists. Recommendations to address alcohol misuse in Botswana include providing alcohol-free recreational places, more research on alcohol harm, and educating communities about alcohol harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines what young adults (aged 18–34) observe and learn about U.S. government leaders and civic engagement through 141 of the country’s most-watched entertainment television programs for their age group. Based on a content analysis of 658 episodes of entertainment television, it interrogates the demographics and actions of politicians and government leaders portrayed on the show, along with any civic action and conversation undertaken by everyday characters not in civic leadership positions. With important implications for both scholars of civic and political communication and entertainment media, as well as media practitioners who wish to understand the cultural importance of their work, this study reveals how the portrait of civic leadership and life offered to young people by the most-watched television programs provides a potentially harmful and uninspiring portrait of democracy in action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Sub-optimal community health service delivery (CHSD) has been a challenge constraining community health systems (CHS) globally, especially in developing countries such as Nigeria. This paper examined the key factors that either enhance or constrain CHSD in Nigeria at the individual, community/facility and governmental levels while recommending evidence-based solutions for sustaining and improving CHSD within the framework of CHS. Methods: Data were collected through a qualitative study undertaken in three states (Anambra, Akwa-Ibom and Kano) in Nigeria. Respondents were formal/informal health providers, community leaders and representatives of civil society organizations all purposively sampled. There were 90 in-depth interviews and 12 focus group discussions, which were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using codes to identify key themes. Results: Factors constraining community health service delivery at the individual level were poor health-seeking behaviour, preference for quacks and male dominance of service delivery; at the community/facility level were superstitious/cultural beliefs and poor attitude of facility workers; at the governmental level were inadequate financial support, embezzlement of funds and inadequate social amenities. Conversely, the enabling factors at the individual level were community members' participation and the compassionate attitude of informal providers. At the community and facility levels, the factors that enhanced service delivery were synergy between formal and informal providers and support from community-based organizations and structures. At the governmental level, the enhancing factors were the government's support of community-based formal/informal providers and a clear line of communication. Conclusions: Community health service delivery through a functional community-health system can improve overall health systems strengthening and lead to improved community health. Policy-makers should integrate community health service delivery in all program implementation and ultimately work with the community health system as a veritable platform for effective community health service delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leadership in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) is changing globally. We investigated ECEC leadership and leaders’ interpretations of power and its realization between leaders and followers, a little researched topic in the field. Our theoretical framework consists of ECEC contextual knowledge and prior research attached with Michel Foucault’s and Mary Parker Follet’s perceptions of power as positive, relational and discursive microphenomenon. Our essay data (N = 46) was written by ECEC center leaders before participating in educational leaders in-service training. The method of analysis was Greimas’ actantial analysis (1979), which enabled us to build two actantial models of leaders’ perspectives and relation to power. Findings indicate that power is a leader-centered, unstructured and hiding concept needing conscious reframing and integration of positional and non-positional leader roles in the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I examine US and Canadian Sikh diasporic politics through the lens of 1984 postmemory, or the collective memory of traumas not directly experienced but felt as such. I use interview data with US and Canadian Sikh community leaders to make the case that 1984 has been a crucial impetus for the majority of Sikh advocacy today, even that which does not directly engage the Indian state. Rather than craft a fresh political imagination, violence of the Indian state upon the Sikh body acts as a spectral force through which all continuing advocacy projects for Sikh belonging are filtered. I [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efforts to promote inclusivity of marginalized groups in tourism have mainly focused on people with disabilities, seniors, and ethnic minorities. However, other marginalized groups such as plus-size travelers have been neglected. The Plus-Size Travel Movement draws attention to travel restrictions and ostracization from the market due to body size and intersectional identities. This study is the first of its kind to address this phenomenon. It aims to unpack the plus-size travel movement through a netnographic analysis of four major online movement platforms. The analysis reveals how community leaders mobilize with different discourses to politicize travel for plus-sized individuals and empower the community. This research seeks to stimulate further scholarly discussion about expanding theoretical approaches that examine consumer marginalization in tourism consumption beyond its current scope. It also provides recommendations for the industry, including engaging with plus-size travel influencers to establish more inclusive practices and policies and following the movement on social media closely to identify ways to enhance the experience of plus-size travelers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dr. Ney Bienvenido Arias Lora emerged not only as a pioneer in neurosurgery but a community leader in the Dominican Republic (DR), contributing significantly to a region where both fundamental and neurosurgical resources were scarce. This account aims to shed light on the remarkable life and career of Dr. Arias Lora, emphasizing the critical role he played in establishing and advancing neurosurgery in the DR. This paper relies on original bibliographic materials, providing an in-depth analysis of Dr. Arias Lora's life. Through a thorough examination of his career, we aim to highlight his pioneering efforts in the Caribbeans where neurosurgical expertise was nearly nonexistent during his time. Dr. Arias Lora, born in 1926, and became the first neurosurgeon in the DR in 1959. He played a pivotal role in establishing the Neurosurgery Residency Program at the Hospital Salvador B. Gautier and was instrumental in the development of neurosurgery training in his home country and the Caribbeans. Beyond his medical contributions, Dr. Arias Lora served as an educator, authoring significant works, and holding prestigious academic positions. His legacy is reflected in the " Dr. Ney Arias Lora Traumatology Hospital " in Santo Domingo, a testament to his dedication to neurosurgery and public service. Dr. Ney Bienvenido Arias Lora's life and achievements stand as a testament to the transformative impact dedicated individuals can have on the advancement of neurosurgery. Despite the intricacies inherent in the field of neurosurgery and broader societal challenges, his story serves as an inspiration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: Since the onset of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there has been a significant opportunity to leverage virtual platforms for communication and dissemination of knowledge. An online survey was conducted to examine the viewpoints of World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO) leaders concerning the necessity, primary priority areas, and implementation strategies for a virtual global gastroenterology educational program. Methods: We conducted a survey of leaders of WGO member societies to assess their opinions on creating opportunities for global education using virtual platforms, identifying practical implementation steps and priority educational areas. Results: Responses were obtained from 57/117 (48.7%) contacted leaders with 56/57 (98.2%) identifying such a need. Five mutually exclusive priority educational topics were proposed in the survey: clinical gastroenterology, endoscopy, nutritional support, research methodology, and professional development. Overall, most participants prioritized clinical gastroenterology (45/57; 78.9%) and endoscopy/hand skills (27/57; 47.3%) as educational topics to be addressed by the virtual global gastroenterology educational program. A majority of WGO member society leaders surveyed favored monthly teaching activities (33/57; 57.8%), ideally carried out between 1500-2100 local time (31/57; 54.3%), ideally with no administrative fees (47/57; 82.4%). Conclusions: This truly global survey of WGO member societies achieved a good response rate and provides important insights into the need for and scope of future virtual education programs under the aegis of the WGO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]