University of Guelph hosted OJS journals
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Fostering Inclusive Sport and Recreation in Rural Communities
No full textEconomic development strategies and policy programs like the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot have drawn attention to a need for rural communities to be welcoming to new community members. An important way to foster interaction and community development is through sport, recreation, and leisure opportunities. In this session, we draw from research conducted in Nipissing and Sudbury Districts and present a series of strategies for practitioners and policy makers to foster inclusive sport and recreation opportunities in rural communities. The research explored how practitioners understand their communities and the social inclusion of diverse groups in and through sport and recreation. The findings highlighted that practitioners and managers draw from ideas of colourblindness, ambiguity, and “otherness.” We suggest that practitioners should actively engage new community members in sport and recreation contexts, and work to offer/ develop understanding and programming that attends to their unique circumstances. Practitioners should also consider the implications of strong relationships within rural communities and the impacts they have for newcomers of diverse backgrounds. In conclusion, we highlight a need for social inclusion policy that is clearly articulated and implemented throughout rural sport and recreation organizations. We will offer both practical and theoretical implications of our work
“Nothing about us, without us": Positioning rural (regional) sustainability transitions in a Canadian context
No full textIndigenous, rural, and island regions in Canada continue to endure challenges compounded by “wicked” problems such as accelerated climate change (Reyer et al., 2017), globalization, and rapid technological advancement (Minnes and Vodden, 2019). To mediate the stresses caused by these complex challenges, there is an increasing need for a coordinated and effective transition to a more ‘sustainable’ society (Kohler et al., 2019; Bush and Doyon, 2021). My paper, based on an extensive review of academic literature, responds directly to the recent call from sustainability transition scholars Bush and Doyon (2021) who urge researchers “to explore and develop new pathways and initiatives by adopting a transdisciplinary knowledge co-production approach with transformations scholars and Indigenous peoples” (p. 58). I argue that to position sustainability transitions in a rural Canadian context, one must consider the diversity of governance actors and structures at play including multi-level interactions at the federal, provincial/territorial, regional, and local scale including self-determined Indigenous governance organizations and communities (Minnes and Vodden, 2019; Zimmerman et al., 2022). In concrete terms, effective transitions to a more sustainable society in rural Canada must include meaningful engagement and relationships with Indigenous peoples on their terms (Kovach, 2021)
Climate Justice as a Pathway to Sustainable Development: A Content Analysis Review
No full textClimate justice is a critical element in the complex decisions societies must make to achieve transformative change. Research indicates that socio-economically disadvantaged communities are more likely to engage in activities that contribute to biodiversity loss. Furthermore, as injustice and biodiversity threats are deeply interconnected, social inequities can serve as a primary driver of biodiversity degradation. For example, the dispossession of indigenous lands facilitates the exploitation of biodiversity by non-indigenous actors, thereby exacerbating systemic injustice. As a result, biodiversity loss not only generates new forms of injustice but also intensifies existing inequities. The degradation of ecosystems, such as through climate change, disproportionately impacts marginalized and impoverished groups. In recent years, the concept of climate justice has gained prominence as a framework for defining fair responsibility for the adverse effects of climate change. It is grounded in the principles of equitable development, the protection of vulnerable populations\u27 rights, and political representation. This framework seeks to address global warming by reducing the development and power inequalities that drive climate change and sustain injustice. It underscores the necessity for revolutionary changes and calls for approaches that extend beyond national borders. The methodology employed in this chapter is based on a systematic review of international literature. The aim is to identify key components, concepts, and strategies that contribute to sustainable development
Adding More Plant-Forward Dishes to Menus: Findings from a Survey of Post-Secondary Campus Food Services Across Canada
No full textPost-secondary campus food services are one of the best contexts for trying new ideas for promoting plant-forward foods for health and sustainability. Two main approaches can be discerned in the literature: increasing offerings of meat-free plant-based dishes and either fully or partially substituting plant-based ingredients for meat in existing meat-based dishes. It is now timely to determine what proportion of menu offerings offered in post-secondary institutions across Canada are plant-forward dishes. Post-secondary campus food services are promising contexts for promoting plant-forward diets, yet little information exists on adoption across Canada. The extent of adoption, facilitators and barriers to implementation, and characteristics of plant-forward entrées were identified by food service representatives. The online survey included variables from the inner and outer setting and implementation process domains of Damschroder et al.’s (2022) Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Thirty-four Canadian university and college food service units participated. The percentage of plant-forward to overall entrée offerings varied widely, with a median of 17% in 2018-2020, doubling to 35% in 2023-2024. When the sample was divided into three subgroups: no-meal-plan group (n=8), late adopters (adopted 1-4 years ago: n=13) and early adopters (adopted 5+ years ago: n=12), the percentage of offerings had significantly risen among early and late adopters despite remaining low for the no-meal-plan group. While meat-free entrées were commonly available across all the groups, a larger number of variants with partial meat substitution were available among early adopters compared to the other groups. Late adopters reported significantly more barriers to implementation than the other two groups on some measures while the no-meal plan group reported the lack of infrastructure compared to other groups
Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System (PAFES) in the Philippines: Approaches, Rationale, Objectives, Framework, Strategies, Opportunities and Challenges
No full textTo ensure food security, the Philippine government launched the “One DA Agenda: Key Strategies Towards Transformative Agriculture and Fishery Sector” in 2021. This agenda espoused a list of 18 strategies subsumed under four pillars, namely: consolidation; modernization; industrialization; and professionalization. One of these strategies is the Province-led Agriculture and Fisheries Extension System (PAFES) under the consolidation pillar. This study offers a review of the approaches, rationale, objectives, framework, strategies, opportunities, and challenges of PAFES. Content analysis and critical review were conducted in this investigation. The results of this study revealed that PAFES represents a formal inter-agency network that aims to enhance rural livelihoods through the dissemination of science-based knowledge to target stakeholders. PAFES is integrative, collaborative, and science-driven in approach. It aims to improve communication channels, teamwork building, and horizontal linkages among participating organizations. PAFES’ legal framework is founded on legislations that highlight the governance principles of decentralization, innovation, pluralism, consolidation, and transformation. To maximize its impact, the PAFES is strategically situated at the provincial level to promote economies of scale. It seeks to improve economic productivity through the introduction of modern technologies, mechanization of the agri-fisheries sector, and the adoption of value chain approach systems. By adopting certain catchphrases. PAFES strategies are rationally based on profit maximization, responsive localization, and operational sustainability. Opportunities and challenges were presented in this study across three thematic areas: digitalization of agriculture and fisheries sectors; access to governmental support; and delivery of extension programs after devolution. Since there are more challenges than opportunities, PAFES must overcome the former to succeed
A Sociological Examination of Playground Marginalization and the Importance of Inclusive Spaces
No full textThis essay explores ideas of spaces, places, and social change through the examination of playgrounds. Playgrounds are important spaces for childhood development as they foster motor, social, and emotional skills; however, their design often excludes physically disabled children. The exclusive design of playgrounds reinforces societal norms that equate normalcy with able-bodiedness. This author applies Michel Foucault’s concept of ‘Docile Bodies’ to argue that playgrounds discipline bodies by determining which movements are normal through their design which pressures disabled individuals to internalize and conform to societal expectations. Additionally, Ray Oldenburg’s concept of third places is employed to highlight the importance of playgrounds as places outside of school and home where children can congregate and create a sense of belonging. Oldenburg envisioned third places as accessible and diverse, however, most playgrounds exclude disabled children from important relationships and experiences. It is vital that playgrounds be redesigned to accommodate all bodies to challenge society’s deeply embedded notions of normalcy and to foster social change.
The Hero Achilles: Love, War, & the Fluidity of Ancient Greek Sexuality
No full textIn popular reimaginings of Ancient Greece, heroes are often depicted as the modern epitome of masculinity, characterized by muscularity, height, and, most notably, strict heterosexuality. In the 2004 film Troy, for example, the character Achilles falls in love with Briseis. Achilles’ love evolved as society did; however, studying the origins of the myth and the nuances of Ancient Greek sexuality are necessary to form a complete understanding of their culture. Archaeological discoveries have enabled us to view this topic through the lens of art, specifically in images on Greek pottery and descriptions in literature. Homer’s Iliad heavily implies that Achilles had a homosexual relationship with Patroclus, in addition to his love for Briseis. Other ancient texts have also described his affection for Polyxena, and the Amazon Penthesilea has appeared with Achilles on several pieces of pottery. Mentions of her also appear in Pseudo-Apollodorus’ Epitome of the Bibliotheke and in Arctinus’ Aethiopis. Achilles’ story, and the debate surrounding his love for Patroclus, offer a unique insight into the complexities of Ancient Greek sexuality; Achilles was not heterosexual, but he cannot be defined as gay (exclusively homosexual) by ancient Greek or modern standards. This essay will explore the topic of sexuality in Ancient Greece, drawing on supporting evidence from literature, epic poems, and pottery to form an understanding of the pervasiveness of queer culture among men of that time