Community Based Organizations

In the face of global polycrisis, where interconnected challenges such as climate change, socioeconomic instability, and cultural fragmentation impact education, early childhood education and care (ECEC) must embrace relational and holistic paradigms. This conceptual chapter explores how Indigenous epistemologies, such as kapwa-a core concept in Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Filipino Psychology)-offer a decolonial and relational approach to reimagining early childhood education and care (ECEC) in the Philippines and other contexts. Kapwa emphasizes interconnectedness, reci

This article examines how immigrant-serving community-based organizations become implicated in state monitoring systems as they partner with public health programs. Drawing on ethnographic research and interviews with medical professionals, frontline workers, and administrators in a city in Upstate New York, I analyze how data requirements tied to state health programs incorporate immigrant-serving organizations into systems of oversight. Using the concept of system embeddedness, I show that (1) the financial precarity of immigrant-serving organizations, combined with their trusted relationships with immigrant communities, makes them indispensable actors in state-led health programs and gives rise to datafication practices; (2) data functions as a form of currency, as organizations receive funding in exchange for collecting multilayered information about immigrants; and (3) these data are entered into interoperable infrastructures that circulate information across agencies, increasing immigrants' legibility and monitoring. The article demonstrates how CBOs become key sites where care and oversight are co-produced, and it foregrounds the ethical stakes of expanding data infrastructures in immigrant healthcare contexts amid intensified immigration enforcement. The findings highlight the need to rethink how data are collected, shared, and used in ways that protect community trust while limiting the incorporation of care sites into expansive surveillance regimes.

This study examined the connection between community engagement and rural development in Nigeria. Despite expert-driven efforts to encourage community participation in rural development initiatives in Nigeria, it is clear that rural communities are still plagued by rising poverty, economic backwardness, poor educational attainment, widespread disease and malnutrition, and, more recently, insecurity and killings, kidnappings, and an increase in rural-urban migration. Drawing on a systematic review approach, data were gathered from secondary sources and analysed using thematic and content analysis. The findings reveal a stark contrast between the intended active engagement of rural communities and the actual levels of participation observed in the country. The complexities in achieving genuine community involvement are multifaceted and extend beyond the mere absence of participation. The evidence presented highlights a recurring theme of inadequate involvement and influence of rural communities in development projects, with various factors contributing to this disparity. Issues such as poor resource management, ineffective communication, elite capture, and external design without local input have been identified as major impediments. This demonstrates the inability of both government and non-government efforts in Nigeria to transform rural economies and rural life. It is recommended that development partners should ensure they promote accountable local governance, foster collaboration, counteract "elite capture," and ensure inclusive participation, while actively combating barriers to community participation.

To the Chiefs and village Heads, who grated us permission and ensured conducive environments during physical measurements and social surveys, we are grateful. The efforts of the field assistants and interpreters are also greatly acknowledged.

Since the end of the Cold War in 1989 and the collapse of one-party regimes in the Third World, many African countries have come to the conclusion that, political transformation is an inevitable process of attaining economic and political development. This process is expected to engender economic growth, improve citizens' access to national politics and create conducive environment for wealth creation. Using cross-sectional survey and key informant interview methods, this study found that, the middle class is one of the strong agents of political change and development in contemporary Nigeria. It however, found weak involvement and participation of the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Nigerian Bar Association in matters relating to party formation, economic growth and development, international politics and international relations contribute to limited progress made by Nigeria on the democratization process. The study found that, despite some progress made by the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU) and the Nigerian Bar Association in the democratization process, the middle class still remains one of the most marginalized classes in contemporary Nigeria.

Background and aims: Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) poses significant health risks for seniors, especially among low-income and minority communities. Senior centers offer multiple services. We tested whether implementing two evidence-based interventions-DASH-aligned meals provided through an existing congregate meal program, and support for home Self-Measured Blood Pressure (SMBP) monitoring-lowers blood pressure among participants at two senior centers serving low-income, racially diverse communities. Methods and results: Open-label study, enrolling clients aged !60, eating !4 meals/week at two NYC senior centers. Participants received DASH-aligned congregate meals, and training in nutrition, BP management education, and personal SMBP device. Co-Primary outcomes: a) change in systolic BP measured by independent health professionals, and b) change in percent with "controlled BP" (Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC-8) Guidelines), at Month 1 compared to Baseline. Secondary outcomes: Changes in BP at Months 3 and 5/6 (last measure). We enrolled 94 participants; COVID closures interrupted implementation mid-study. Mean systolic BP at Month-1 changed by À4.41 mmHg (n Z 61 p Z 0.07) compared to Baseline. Participants with controlled BP increased (15.7%) at Month 1. Change in mean BP at Month 1 was significantly correlated with BMI (p Z 0.02), age (p Z 0.04), and baseline BP (p < 0.001). Mean systolic SMBP changed by À6.9 mmHg (p Z 0.004) at Months 5/6. Conclusions: Implementing an evidence-based multi-component BP-lowering intervention within existing congregate meal programs at senior centers serving minority and low-income communities is feasible, and early findings show promising evidence of effectiveness. This

With the changing faces of America's public school classrooms, colleges and universities that are responsible for the preparation of quality teachers will need to ensure that these future educators are equipped with the knowledge and ability to address the learning needs of students of color. This study was designed to examine how North Carolina teacher education programs prepare preservice teachers and beginning teachers with knowledge of culturally relevant pedagogy (CRP). Using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach, beginning teacher (n=25) perceptual data were collected and analyzed utilizing a predeveloped survey instrument followed by a focus group in order to further describe the perceptual data. The findings from this research showed that in order to develop culturally relevant pedagogues from within, North Carolina teacher education programs must (a) develop cohesive collegiate curricula that is built upon the components of CRP, (b) provide continuous support with CRP throughout the critical years of the teaching profession, and (c) develop teaching candidate community immersion programs to promote the deeper understanding of the impact of cultural funds on the education of students of color. Teacher education programs that are willing to work collaboratively with other universities across the state of North Carolina have the opportunity to support the development of culturally relevant pedagogues. Through carefully crafted programs, teacher education programs can ensure the development of v teachers who are prepared to meet the needs of all children, including students of color.

Based on research conducted with American Indian farmers and ranchers in southwestern Oklahoma, this paper interrogates how agricultural resource bureaucracies differentially constrain or enable resilience to climate variability. We demonstrate that while extreme weather events have been a persistent impediment to agriculture in the region, for American Indian farmers and ranchers, such efforts have been equally impeded by a history of negative interaction with opaque and fre

The study explored how innovative governance mechanisms, particularly digital accountability tools and transparency-driven reforms, can mitigate bureaucratic corruption and enhance service delivery. In the beginning, the study examined how some forms of bureaucratic corruption techniques affect the general service delivery in the Edo State Civil Service. In doing so, the quantitative methodology was adopted using descriptive research design and the survey method of inquiry to elicit information from 188 participants through a structured questionnaire. Thereafter, the results obtained were analysed with frequency and simple percentage. The study revealed that embezzlement of funds negatively impacted on the quality of health care services provided by the Edo State Ministry of Health. The data demonstrated that public service fraud affected the quality of power supply through estimated bills, metering manipulations, high tariffs, and diversion of funds meant for the maintenance of power infrastructure, resulting in poor power transmission, power losses, and epileptic electricity supply. Further, the evidence proved that bribery and corrupt practices affected the quality of road infrastructure in Nigeria, and lastly, the data also validated that nepotism greatly affected the general service delivery in the Edo State Civil Service. The research work closed two empirical research gaps on bureaucratic corruption by critically investigating the effects of nepotism and bribery on general service delivery (health care services, infrastructure, education, and utilities). The study advocated for the implementation of digital innovations, including biometric attendance systems, AIenhanced auditing, and blockchain technology in financial record-keeping within public offices. These advancements are designed to reduce the potential for malpractice while facilitating precise tracking of personnel, transactions, and government assets. Furthermore, the paper proposed that future inquiries into additional elements such as extortion, favoritism, misuse of subsidies, deliberate waste, bureaucratic corruption, and its effect on service delivery should take into account.

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el impacto socioeconómico del Programa Pago por Servicios Ambientales (PPSA) en beneficiarios que gestionaron contratos bajo la modalidad reforestación entre 1998 y el 2013, mediante dos organizaciones de base forestal (OBF) en el noroeste de Costa Rica. En primer lugar, se identificaron las características socioeconómicas de los beneficiarios y luego se estableció, validó y aplicó un set de principios, criterios e indicadores para evaluar el impacto del PPSA en las dimensiones social y económica. En general, los resultados indican que el programa ha fortalecido las capacidades locales para el desarrollo forestal de la zona, principalmente por medio de la participación activa de las OBF y los beneficiarios, aunque la percepción de dichos beneficios pareciera disminuir en el tiempo. Palabras clave: bienestar social; método de evaluación; organizaciones de base comunitaria; reforestación; sostenibilidad * Este artículo es resultado del proyecto de investigación Impacto socioeconómico del Programa Pago por Servicios Ambientales, modalidad reforestación, en el noroeste de Costa Rica, realizado como tesis por Carla Padilla Salas bajo la tutoría del profesor Sergio A.

This study examined the extent to which population growth influences sustainable management of solid waste in Cross River State. To achieve this study two research questions were posed, and two null hypotheses was formulated to guide the study and was tested at 0.5 level of significance. The study adopted ex-post facto research design. The population of the study is 270,187. A sample of 573 community members residing in the state was used. The instrument for data collection was 12 items questionnaire, titled: Population Growth and Sustainable Management of Solid Waste Questionnaire (PGASMSWQ) from the administered questionnaire data was organized and analyzed. One-way Analysis of Variance was used and tested at .05 level of significance. The results of the analysis revealed that emergence of urban slums, population diversity influences solid waste management in Southern Educational Zone, Cross River State. Based on this, findings of the study were made. It was recommended among others that the government should provide adequate waste bins for people in their different locations to curb indiscriminate solids waste disposal in the environment.

The purpose of the examined the influence 0f community based organization and forest resource management in Southern Education Zone of Cross River State. To achieve the study, one research question was posed and one hypothesis formulated and tested at 0.5 level of significance. The study adopted ex-post facto research design. The population of the study consists of all residents in Southern Education zone, Cross River State. A sample of 506 respondents, randomly selected from three stratified zone. The population of the study comprised (3,737, 517) of respondent of male and female from the study area in Southern Education Zone, Cross River State. A sample of 506 resident indigenes of the area were selected and used for the study. The instrument for data collection was 5 items questionnaire. The instrument was titled "Community Based Organization and Sustainable Forest Resource Management in Southern Education Zone Questionnaire (CBOSFRMSEZQ) from the administer questionnaire data was organized and analyze. It was concluded that community based organization significantly influence sustainable forest management in Southern Educational Zone in Cross River State. Based on this result, it was recommended among others that community based organization at grassroots level should be encourage and enhance by the government and other stakeholders through Environmental Education.

This paper investigates the determinants of different types of innovative inputs (R&D and technological acquisitions) and their relationship with different innovative outputs (product and process innovation) by distinguish among firms of different age (mature vs young). In doing so we apply a nonlinear structural model estimated on the third and fourth waves of the Italian Community Innovation Survey (CIS). We find that firm and market characteristics play a distinct role in boosting different types of innovation activities for firms of different age. In particular, while the methods of appropriability, and the international market exposure are relevant for both innovative inputs, the cooperation in innovation activities appears to be important to increase the level of investment in R&D but not in technological acquisition. Moreover, young firms show a higher level of sensitivity than their mature counterparts to the sources of information to innovation when looking at the magnitude of their innovative effort. On the contrary, factors like methods of appropriability and support to innovation appear to be more important in enhancing the level of investment in both R&D and technological acquisitions, for the mature firms only. Finally, the two innovative inputs appear to be equally important in determining both innovative outputs for the two sub-samples of firms.

Background: Community-based coalitions could be mechanisms to foster individual and systems change in their communities in order to reduce the burden of obesity. Coalitions can increase the likelihood of reducing obesity by selecting and implementing effective interventions. Members of community-based coalitions are challenged to consider the multiple and interacting determinants of obesity and to select effective interventions from hundreds of untested recommendations. This investigation identified best practices in collective decision-making processes used to select obesity interventions. These practices may be adopted by other community coalitions working to redu ce or prevent obesity in their communities . Methods: Three exemplar community-based obesity coalitions were investigated using a multiple case study design . Data from twenty-six coalition member interviews were analyzed using methods based in Grounded Theory in order to v identify practices in decision-making processes related to intervention selection . Documentation was reviewed to verify coalition activity during this planning stage . Findings: Nine shared practices related to decision-making processes were found among the three exemplar coalitions: setting a vision and objectives that target determinants of obesity and emphasize comprehensive solutions focusing on the community environment; defining an organizational structure that maximizes collaboration and shared decision-making; leaders taking a strong role in guiding and simplifying the process ; obtaining financial resources that support the objectives ; gathering information from the community; communicating information with the community and coalition members ; align ing community-based information with objectives ; making final selections by consensus ; and dispersing objectives to other community organizations to build support and momentum . Research translation: A teaching case study was developed that documents and analyzes the practices and processes that exemplar community coalitions engage in while working to select a comprehensive intervention to prevent and reduce obesity. Conclusions: Successful community-based obesity coal itions formulate a clear vision with strategic objectives , develop organizational structure and processes , utilize information gathered from both subject matter experts (individuals and agencies) and community members , and consider local community needs, VI assets , and interests in order to prioritize and select obesity interventions for their communities .

This dissertation examines the organizational capacity of selected community-based farmers’ associations in Biliran Province, Philippines—specifically, Villa Consuelo Tree Planters Association (VTPA), Capiñahan Integrated Farmers Association (CIFA), and Libtong Farmers Association (LibFA). Utilizing the Organizational Capacity Assessment (OCA) tool developed by John Snow, Inc. under USAID’s New Partners Initiative, the study investigates six core domains: Governance, Administration, Human Resources, Financial Management, Organizational Management, and Program Management. Through a qualitative research design and focus group discussions with key officers of each association, the study employed thematic analysis to identify existing capacities and gaps in management practices.
Findings revealed that while these associations demonstrate resilience and operational continuity, they often lack formal structures, strategic planning mechanisms, and access to technical training. Common challenges include limited understanding of governance principles, inconsistent financial documentation, insufficient human resource development, and reliance on informal systems. However, the associations exhibit strong community ties, local economic engagement, and sustained agricultural productivity.
The study proposes a capacity-building intervention framework tailored to the unique context of each association. By leveraging community involvement, improving internal systems, and enhancing collaboration with government agencies and NGOs, the associations can strengthen their organizational effectiveness. This research contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable rural development and offers a replicable model for assessing and developing grassroots organizations in similar socio-economic settings.
Keywords: Organizational Capacity Assessment, Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), Farmers’ Associations, Rural Development, Biliran Province Philippines.

Using unique village census data collected in 2003 and 2008 in Senegal, we assess the impact of a major World Bank-funded Community Driven Development (CDD) program on membership and assortative matching in community-based organizations (CBOs). We implement both standard discrete choice and dyadic regression techniques. We find that channeling development aid through CBOs makes these organizations more inclusive in the sense that a number of traditionbound assortative matching patterns are partly broken. Ceteris paribus, this leads to more heterogeneous CBOs. On the other hand, the likelihood of CBO membership is reduced in treated villages, with significant differences between men and women. Our results suggest that grassroots level development projects which target CBOs must be carefully designed and executed if they are not to result, paradoxically, in a greater degree of social exclusion, with differentiation by gender playing a crucial role.

Commercial sex work is among the oldest professions globally, governed by a patchwork of laws ranging from full legality in some parts of Europe to outright prohibition elsewhere. This study investigates the legal dimensions and ethical considerations surrounding prostitution, focusing on factors driving individuals into sex work in India and Nigeria and examining the unique contexts within these countries. Adopting a doctrinal approach, this study involves a comprehensive examination of secondary sources. Findings reveal that legal responses to prostitution vary greatly across nations, from the death penalty to total legality. Contributing factors to female trafficking include poverty, unemployment, and societal norms, with cultural and religious customs emerging as significant influences, particularly in India. In Nigeria, while the constitution prohibits gender-based discrimination and the National Gender Policy promotes women's empowerment, there remains an urgent need to evaluate whether these frameworks adequately protect the human rights of vulnerable women. Despite these legal safeguards, deeply rooted patriarchal values, traditions that subordinate women, high illiteracy rates,

Baka community members in Nomedjoh, one of the few indigenous forest peoples with a community forest, ready for a trip into the forest. Photo credit: Samuel Nnah Ndobe Highlights  Institutions defined as rules and norms are important drivers of change in landscapes  Both formal and informal institutions driving changes in landscapes are dynamic and are influenced by different actors with varying interests  Evolution of forest legislation and the formulation of the manual of procedures governing community forests are clear examples of institutional drivers shaping the forest landscape in Cameroon  Despite evolving institutions governing land and trees in Cameroon, disputes over land and forest rights have grown rather than diminished, leading to changing land use patterns and in some cases increasing land degradation  Research can provide knowledge of organization and functioning of effective and efficient hybrid institutions built on interactions between customary and formal rules and norms governing the functioning of landscapes

The study focused on the meeting the challenges of rapid population growth through population education with special focus on the rural development in Nigeria. This study became imperative considering the fact that Nigeria as a nation can not be adequately developed if the greater proportion of the population living in the rural areas lives under abject poverty with high unemployment rate. Rural development which is the integrated approach to food production as well as physical, social and institutional infrastructural provisions with an ultimate goal of bringing about both quantitative and qualitative changes which result in improved living standard of the rural population cannot be effectively achieved with the present over-population problem plunging most the rural areas in the country. The rapid population growth has become a matter of concern for all. It also has implications for socio-economic development, environment and quality of life of the citizenry. Therefore, integratin...

Nghiên cứu tiếp cận từ góc độ lý thuyết sinh kế, lý thuyết vốn xã hội. Cụ thể, sử dụng phương pháp nghiên cứu trong công tác xã hội là tiếp cận và phát triển cộng đồng để làm việc với người dân và xây dựng các hệ giải pháp nào nhằm thúc đẩy việc khai thác, bảo vệ tài nguyên rừng bền vững trong hoạt động sinh kế của người Thái tại xã Xuân Nha, Vân Hồ, Sơn La.

This study generally analysed the effects of cashew production on rural poverty alleviation in Kogi State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to determine the poverty status of respondents in the study area and identify the constraints of cashew production in the study area. A sample size of 210 cashew producers were purposely selected in the State, data were obtained through the use of questionaire and interview schedules. Data were analysed using desriptive statistics, the Foster-Greer-Thobecke (FGT) models and logit regression model. The mean annual income of the farmers was N134,517.1; and majority of the respondents 95.7% sold their cashew nuts to local purchasing agents. Further findings revealed that 95.7% of cashew producers purchased mobile phone using income from cashew production, 95.2% pay children school fees with cashew income, 95.2% of cashew producers bought radio using income from cashew production and lastly 93.8% of cashew producers settled their medical bills using income from cashew production.The result of the FGT model showed that 24.8% of the farmers were poor. Moreso, 23.14% increase in income is needed for farmers to escape poverty line. The research further showed that the coefficient of income (-0.0003772), household size (.641994) and farm size (-.7139034) had significant effects on poverty alleviation among cashew farmers. The major constraints faced by cashew farmers in the study area were insufficient price information, inadequate extension and inadequate capital. It was recommended that adequate capital and other farm inputs should be provided for farmers in other to maximise production and poverty alleviation. Similarly, an enabling environment through government policies should be put in place for extension agents to carry out their duties effectively, and finally more lands should be devoted to cashew production in the study areas to enable farmers to escape poverty line.

Despite the tremendous growth in teacher education programs offered by non-university providers, most teachers still enter teaching in the U.S. through some type of college or university program. We argue in this paper that university teacher education needs to make a fundamental shift in whose knowledge and expertise counts in the education of new teachers. Using tools afforded by cultural historical activity theory (CHAT), we argue that by recasting who is considered an expert and rethinking how university faculty cross institutional boundaries to collaborate with communities and schools, college and university teacher education programs can better interrogate their challenges and invent new solutions to prepare the teachers our students need. Drawing on examples from joint-work among universities, schools, and communities, we highlight possibilities and complexities in pursuing more democratic work in university teacher education.

This literature review will focus on the experiences of K–12 public school students in the United States who identify as being of Latina/o origin. In particular, we will focus on the experience of Mexican origin students, beginning with a general portrait of Mexican Americans in the U.S. Then we move on to historical issues facing Mexican Americans, including the practice of subtractive schooling, the impact of the No Child Left Behind
Act (NCLB), high-stakes testing, the history of bilingual education, misidentification in special education, the role of Latina/o teachers, and demographic realities that help illustrate how the education system generally fails to support Mexican and Mexican American students adequately. Second, we review opportunities that reflect Mexican Americans’
growing political power. Such opportunities include the DREAM Act, pedagogical shifts that call upon teachers to draw on the resources that students bring to school, increased family engagement and advocacy, and a rethinking of bilingual education. We conclude with promising future prospects embodied in today’s Mexican American movement for
Ethnic Studies and a Grow Your Own educator movement both of which share an agenda for community empowerment.

This thesis focuses on the study of the stakeholder relations of PHAST Ujenzi, a community-based organization (CBO) that provides sanitation services in a slum area of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. My research aims at describing how this CBO has established and maintained relations with different stakeholders, and it looks for highlighting interests, benefits, and challenges in such collaborations. Additionally, my study aims at contributing to the Stakeholder Theory literature, by providing relevant information on how Non Profit Organizations, in particular CBOs, build up relations and collaborate with different stakeholders. Thus, I will revise the main ideas proposed by stakeholder theory concerning the stakeholder concept, stakeholder salience, and stakeholder management, and I will analyze to which extent these ideas can be applied when studying the stakeholder relationships of a CBO. In order to address the questions of this research, I make use of literature on stakeholder theory and on CBOs. The main research approach of this thesis is qualitative case study research by taking a single case study as unit of analysis. In addition, this study takes elements of the action research approach, as I have close relationship with the researched organization and my study might bring up certain actions and practices that could be implemented later on. In this thesis, I used two methods for collection of data. I collected data through in-depth semi-structured interviews carried out with members of the CBO and current stakeholders. In addition, I took field notes through participant observation in most relevant meetings/workshops where CBO and other actors interacted. This study revealed that PHAST Ujenzi is a CBO that emerged with the participation and support of different actors such as local authorities, community, and a local NGO who instantly became stakeholders. Currently, the group has direct and indirect relations with local CBOs/NGOs, suppliers, international donors and organizations, and media. By analyzing these CBO's stakeholder relations, it was possible to conclude that in some cases, stakeholder theory can serve to examine the stakeholder relationships of a CBO, even though this literature stream focuses mainly on business corporations. For example, similar than in businesses, a CBO would find it useful to relate with stakeholders because this might bring more organizational flexibility, more impactful products and services, and less probability of negative actions triggered by outsiders. In addition, attributes to identify salience of stakeholders (power, legitimacy, and urgency) and stakeholder management techniques such as bridging can also be relevant for CBOs. Nevertheless, some stakeholder theory elements should take into account CBOs' reality. For instance, CBO stakeholder models for identifying and for assessing salience might differ from the models proposed for corporations. Moreover, reasons that explain why to engage with stakeholders such as profit maximization and less competition are not as relevant when talking about CBOs. Finally, CBOs' stakeholder relations are strongly influenced by values and moral commandments since the moment they are established, which might not be the case for several business corporations.

Communities are strategic in a variety of ways towards the provision and management of education as well as teaching, learning and enforcement processes. However, communities play a variety of roles in the enhancement of democratic practice and stability. This paper discusses how communities can be involved in the promotion and management of education as well as the development of the capacity of communities to assume increased role in handling the entire education environments towards enhanced funding, management and monitoring under democratic settings. Method used in this study is the content analysis of community and democratic participation in various forms and dimensions in order to show the challenges and prospects in the Nigerian setting. Results in the study indicate that community participation in education and democratic participation must be inherently connected to each other for stable polity and good governance, as well as expansion of educational and other services. It is recommended that partnership and interaction between community and government in education must be built to provide initiative, responsibility, sensitivity for participation in education and governance designed to prevent break in communication and breakdown of law and order.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as a tool to strengthened program coordination and scale-up of Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVC) related services in resource-limited settings remains largely untapped. Assessing geographic program coverage in its focus communities, Pact Nigeria in partnership with an indigenous community based organization, Safe Motherhood Ladies Association (SMLAS) implemented a GIS study in 8 communities across 3 Local Government Areas (LGA) of Ebonyi State. Although conventionally used in the context of vertical programs, GIS approaches can help improve service delivery outlets, extent of effective coverage and beneficiaries. About 450 children enrolled in the OVC program, were geotagged with attributes of service providers offering health, nutrition, shelter, economic strengthening, education, child-protection, legal and psycho-social support (services required in the OVC continuum of care), the geotagged ID were then linked to database containing demogra...

A rich civic infrastructure of community-based organizations (CBOs) can help generate, diffuse and maintain a culture of engagement and health that benefits marginalized populations most at risk for illness, disability, and poor health. Attention to CBOs advances "meso-level" frameworks for understanding health cultures and outcomes by going beyond attention to social networks and social identities. We focus on three mechanisms: CBOs can (1) empower individuals by developing civic capacity and personal efficacy; (2) foster solidarity by building networks, social identities and a shared commitment to collective well-being; and (3) mobilize people to have a voice in health-related policies and programming, thereby affecting community well-being. We draw on theory and research in sociology, political science and psychology, and we illustrate the utility of a CBO approach by examining survey and semi-structured interview data from participants in youth civic groups in 13 low-income, predominantly immigrant communities in California. Interview data illustrate the ways in which CBOs enhance members' civic capacities, provide a sense of empowerment and efficacy to engage in healthy behaviors, develop solidarity among diverse participants, and elaborate networks among those committed to community well-being. We also discuss CBO-led campaigns in which youth mobilized for change in policies and practices of local institutions to illustrate possible community-wide health consequences of CBO engagement. CBOs can thus generate individual-level well-being effects, and reduce structural barriers to good health through changes in the broader environment.

Yes, the miners' canary, as Gutiérrez and Jaramillo remind us, is a warning of approaching dangers (this volume, pp. 173-189). Cloaked in yellow, it lifts its voice in protest and critique, a warning that perhaps also signals resistance to impending dangers that lurk ahead.. .. As we write this piece, it is the end of the Fall term. "The Hawk" (how many Chicagoans refer to winter's wind) has arrived with familiar ferocity and chill. Within and beyond the slightly ajar university classroom door we recently shared, it is quiet, except for a few lingering footsteps in the distance of Eddie, our service engineer.. .. (Yolanda) Eddie reminds me so much of my uncle Joe though they look nothing alike. Perhaps it is less the embodiment of my uncle and more my imaginings of him in his current job as the day-shift doorman of a high-rise nestled within the downtown skyline that I am reminded of. My uncle had worked over 35 years (after returning from Vietnam with a Purple Heart), supporting a wife and two daughters as a state postal service employee. Shortly after retirement, however, he found it necessary to return to work "in order to make ends meet." Though according to him, the pay "does what it does," my uncle makes the most of his new position, and like Eddie, I imagine, he does so in quiet, masked dignity. His life, to me, illuminates a lived tension in the lives of many minority faculty who grapple with negotiating culture, class, and race across the life span.

The paper focuses on the implications of patriarchy and gender equality on the productive development of Nigerian workforce as it continues to contribute to national development in a fast globalizing 21 st century. It aims to determine that patriarchy and gender equality are practically functional tools for the promotion of workers productivity in contemporary Nigeria. It concedes that there is appreciable degree of belief by many Nigerians that patriarchy is a big factor undermining productive advancement of Nigerian workers and also fostering the propagation of social and gender inequalities in the country. Against this belief, the paper submits that the twin concepts of patriarchy and gender equality are potentially working tools for the sustained productivity of Nigerian workers; and therefore recommends, among others, change of perception to support the prevalence of patriarchy and gender equality, effective implementation of gender mainstreaming and meritocracy, eschewing social and political vices within the context of equal respect/treatment for and among all Nigerians.

This study examined the contribution of community initiatives to local economic development in some rural communities of Ondo State, Nigeria with specific reference to project planning and implementation. Project planning and implementation are critical variables for the achievement of local economic development. The study adopted a survey research method; primary and secondary data sources were used to generate data for this study. A stratified sampling technique was used to draw the 276 questionnaire respondents and the purposive sampling technique was used to draw eighteen interview respondents. Questionnaire responses were analysed with tables, frequency counts, and simple percentages. Data collected from the interviews, and observations on the local economic development initiatives was analysed. Correlation and regression were used to test the hypothesis through SPSS IBM version 20 at a 5% level of significance. The results show that there is a significant relationship between people's initiatives in project planning and implementation and local economic development. The study found that despite the involvement of people in project planning and implementation, certain projects were abandoned in Akoko South East Local Government Area of Ondo State. Due to also weak monitoring system, certain projects were not implemented according to Community Development Plans in Aduralere, Okemeji, and Epinmi communities in Ondo State. It is recommended that more innovative methods through the people initiatives in project planning and implementation, could lead to the achievement of sustainable local economic development.

This paper examines the roles which women could play if they are effectively empowered towards resolving the problem of food security that will guarantee an enduring and sustainable general security and economic development in Nigeria. The paper examines the issues such as; the issue of food security situation in Nigeria, general security challenges in recent times in Nigeria, as well as the economic implication of general security challenges on food security in Nigeria. The methodological approach adopted in writing this paper is content analysis. The paper found that livelihood initiatives aimed at protecting and promoting food security could be achieved through women’s empowerment in agricultural production, small scale businesses and any other forms of employment. This will consequently lead to food security, prevent dependency, reduce vulnerability to social vices, enhance self reliance and development of specific skills leading to improvement of the general well being of the p...

The study assesses the knowledge of infertile couples regarding child adoption, determine the level of practice of child adoption among infertile couples and identify the factors that influence the practice of child adoption among infertile couples. The setting was Human Reproduction Research Programme (HRRP) in University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Edo State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross sectional design was used with a sample size of 200 respondents that were selected using simple random technique. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaire and were analyzed using descriptive statistics with result presented on tables and inferential statistics to test for relationship between variables with p at 0.05 level of significance. Results showed that majority 194 (97%) were within the age group of 20-49, and 174 (87%) respondents were females. One hundred and twelve (64.4%) had been pregnant before. Few 21 (10.5%) respondents had good knowledge of infertility while only12 (6%) respondents had good knowledge of child adoption. The males had better knowledge of child adoption than females (p = 0.001). Also, those who had good knowledge of infertility were also discovered to have better knowledge of child adoption (p = 0.008).It was concluded that workshops, seminars and health talks should be organized in churches, meetings, town halls, and social clubs concerning child adoption to clarify all doubts and misconceptions. Efforts should be made by stakeholders and the government to make laws that will enable infertile couples to have easy access to adoption as this will prevent baby factories and child trafficking at homes.

It has been recognized for many years that preparing teachers for high-need urban schools is a challenge requiring a reexamination of teacher education program structures and content. Robert Farls, for example, writing in 1969, made a number of suggestions that sound remarkably contemporary. Among them are recommendations to increase fieldwork in the schools, require coursework in comparative culture, offer coursework on-site in schools, and study human relations, psychology, and the history of the civil rights movement (p. 411). His central concern is develop

The existence of poor project planning and implementation culture is an antithesis to development. This is because the growth of any nation is essentially dependent on successful execution of critical development projectsand infrastructures. The purpose of thispaper is to explore the current issues around project planning and implementation in Nigeria's public sector vis-à-vis international best practices. The methodology adopted was a documentary review of past and current literature which enhance critical and contextual analysis of project implementation and execution culture in the country. It was found that the three tiers of government have not really planned, implemented and executed projects with due diligence in accordance with global best practices. Thus there exists a widespread institutional mediocrity in project execution, deficiency of vision, and inadequate budgetary allocations leading to high cost of project financing and corruption in the long run. The paper recommends amongst other things the establishment of National Public Projects Implementation System (NPPIS),public projects governance institutional framework and project management offices (PMOs), in Ministries Departments and Agencies to support processes for better public projects delivery system.

This study examined gender differentials in technical efficiency among small scale cassava farmers in Abia State, Nigeria. The profitability of cassava production, technical efficiency as well as the factors influencing inefficiency among the farmers in the study area were determined. Well structured questionnaire and interview schedule were employed to obtain primary data from the 133 male and 147 female cassava farmers sampled from two agricultural zones in Abia State. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, farm budgeting technique and stochastic frontier production function. A total of 73.68% of males and 81.63% of females were married, with an average household size of 6 and 5 persons, mean farming experience of 18 years for males and 16 years for females, and cultivated less than 2ha of land. Cassava production was profitable with a gross margin of ₦140,978.28 per hectare for males and ₦131,070.27 per hectare for females. The maximum likelihood estimates showed male f...

Farming in clusters is an economically viable practice to sustain small, limited resource, and socially disadvantaged farmers and forestland owners with their agricultural operations. The objectives of the study were to strengthen the capacity of clientele on cluster farming and to lower production and marketing costs by sharing input costs. Clusters were created and interventions were provided by project partners through several activities, including workshops, meetings, field days, loans, and materials/equipment. The results showed that 29 clusters involving 224 farmers, and 14 cooperatives involving 410 farmers were formed and strengthened. The number of farmers participating in workshops, training programs, field days, and meetings were, respectively, 4,921, 3,095, 1,426, and 1,285. The results also revealed that 190 producers received access to farm loans, mobile and stationary cold storage facilities, and marketing materials. Additionally, 930 farmers strengthened their knowle...

The author's views expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect the views of the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, the Canadian International Development Agency, the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation or the Danish Committee for Aid to Afghan Refugees. I would like to thank the staff of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, DACAAR and the World Bank for their patience and assistance with this study. I would also like to highlight the role of the Afghan Women's Education Centre (AWEC) and Cooperation for Peace and Unity (CPAU) who were kind enough to loan their staff for the fieldwork in this study. The study would not have been possible without their staff who at times endured security risks to patiently complete their interviews. Staff at the National Solidarity Programme have been available at short notice and extremely helpful with their time and information. National Solidarity Programme Facilitating Partners kindly shared information and hosted our field trips sometimes at short notice. I would like to thank all those interviewed who shared their time and opinions with us and helped us put together the picture represented by this report.

Over the last several years—in the context of US political upheaval, ongoing crises related to climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic and an economic downturn—indigenous, Mexican-origin farmworker families in Washington State have engaged more intensely in class struggle through acts of solidarity and forms of collective action, in part through independent labour unions, worker cooperatives and mutual aid. This article chronicles the labour struggles that led to a notion of class rooted in family units of production and that strengthened transnational solidarity in resistance to racist forms of exploitation in the agricultural sector. Class organization rooted in family and solidarity has allowed indigenous agricultural workers in Washington State to face COVID-19 and incidents driven by climate change, which syndemically compounded existing community health crises, from a place of power. Focusing on the experience of farmworker families in Washington State, I outline agricultural employers' exploitation of workers during this period of increased vulnerability and the strength of farmworkers' resolve to take their health and well-being into their own hands.

With student outcomes increasingly becoming associated witht est scores, schools are less able to dedicate themselves to helping students learn how to become engaged and active participants in a democracy. As a result, other community based organizations have stepped in to help students acquire the sense of agency, belonging, and competence—known as the "A, B, C’s" of youth development—that research has shown to be crucial for youth to become contributing citizens. Drawing on survey, interview and observational data, this paper considers how two such organizations give students an opportunity for personal development, while providing youth with leadership skills and opportunities to engage in their schools and communities. This research suggests that in addition to the traditional "A, B, C’s," it may be beneficial to consider aspects of diversity—proposed here as "D"—that play an important role in youth development, as well as the synergy of all four components of youth development that result in positive student outcomes.

This paper examines the roles which women could play if they are effectively empowered towards resolving the problem of food security that will guarantee an enduring and sustainable general security and economic development in Nigeria. The paper examines the issues such as; the issue of food security situation in Nigeria, general security challenges in recent times in Nigeria, as well as the economic implication of general security challenges on food security in Nigeria. The methodological approach adopted in writing this paper is content analysis. The paper found that livelihood initiatives aimed at protecting and promoting food security could be achieved through women's empowerment in agricultural production, small scale businesses and any other forms of employment. This will consequently lead to food security, prevent dependency, reduce vulnerability to social vices, enhance self reliance and development of specific skills leading to improvement of the general well being of the people, culminating in sustainable economic development. The paper therefore recommends among other things, that there is need for proper

A contributing factor to the U.S. national obesity epidemic is the built environment-the physical aspects of a community in which we live, work and engage in our everyday activities. Therefore, modifying the built environment can be a solution to address the epidemic. Such an example is the Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention (ArCOP) Growing Healthy Communities (GHC) initiative. The GHC initiative encourages community health workers, health education specialists, government officials and other stakeholders to embrace community collaboration in efforts to improve built environments by equipping them with resources that increase community access to healthy foods and physical activities to help combat obesity. ArCOP to date has funded 100+ GHC communities in Arkansas. One of the five communities being highlighted by the authors for their GHC efforts includes: the University of Arkansas at Little Rock University District community, in which the authors have contributed to implementing various GHC projects for the residents of this community. The GHC, a state initiative, has implications for national and global use, and it is emerging as an exemplary best practice model. It provides communities with effective strategies to help address the health inequities of obesity, through prevention and intervention measures to improve health behaviors.

Despite the tremendous growth in teacher education programs offered by non-university providers, most teachers still enter teaching in the U.S. through some type of college or university program. We argue in this paper that university teacher education needs to make a fundamental shift in whose knowledge and expertise counts in the education of new teachers. Using tools afforded by cultural historical activity theory (CHAT), we argue that by recasting who is considered an expert and rethinking how university faculty cross institutional boundaries to collaborate with communities and schools, college and university teacher education programs can better interrogate their challenges and invent new solutions to prepare the teachers our students need. Drawing on examples from joint-work among universities, schools, and communities, we highlight possibilities and complexities in pursuing more democratic work in university teacher education.

Despite the tremendous growth in teacher education programs offered by non-university providers, most teachers still enter teaching in the U.S. through some type of college or university program. We argue in this paper that university teacher education needs to make a fundamental shift in whose knowledge and expertise counts in the education of new teachers. Using tools afforded by cultural historical activity theory (CHAT), we argue that by recasting who is considered an expert and rethinking how university faculty cross institutional boundaries to collaborate with communities and schools, college and university teacher education programs can better interrogate their challenges and invent new solutions to prepare the teachers our students need. Drawing on examples from joint-work among universities, schools, and communities, we highlight possibilities and complexities in pursuing more democratic work in university teacher education. field experiences. Historically, very little success has been achieved in coordinating what is done in the course and field components of teacher education programs. Oftentimes, the teachers in P-12 with whom teacher candidates are placed for their field placements know very little about the course-based portion of the program and the course instructors know very little about the placement sites and the work of the cooperating teachers (Zeichner, 2010a). Even in the current era of school-university partnerships, partner and professional development schools, colleges and universities continue to maintain hegemony over the construction and dissemination of knowledge for teaching in teacher education (Duffy, 1994; Zeichner, 2009) and schools remain in the position of "practice fields" where candidates are to try out the practices provided to them by the university (Barab & Duffy, 2000). Oldenburg (1999) has analyzed the role of "third places" such as cafes, coffee shops, bars and hair salons in the building of community. He discusses the concept of leveling that nicely describes the kind of situation involving university academics and school-based educators that does not often exist in traditional models of university-based teacher education even when they claim to be engaged in partnerships with schools. Oldenburg argues that "leveling" is where "worldly status claims must be checked at the door in that all may be equals." This surrendering