University College Stockholm
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The Dual-Driven Treaty : Examining how the TPNW could contribute to a security culture centered around human security.
No full textThe TPNW came into force in January 2021, marking a significant departure within the global disarmament regime by advocating for the complete abolition of nuclear weapons. Despite its ambitious goals, the treaty has faced criticism from nuclear weapons states, particularly regarding its suggested lack of international security dimensions. This thesis aims to examine the dual aspects of security and humanitarian concerns within the framework of the TPNW. Using a thematic analysis of documents from the TPNW framework, the research investigates how the treaty’s humanitarian and security-driven sides could contribute to fostering a security culture centered around human security. Drawing upon Mary Kaldor’s definition of the two security cultures liberal peace and geo-politics, the thesis explores how the TPNW could be part of shaping a security culture centered around human security and concludes that the Treaty has the potential to foster such international security culture
Translating Subjectivity : An Examination of Augustine and Friedrich Hayek’s Notion of the Human in Relation to God and the Market in the Context of Cultural Translation
No full textThis thesis examines Augustine and Friedrich Hayek’s notion of subjectivity in the context of cultural translation theory, following Talal Asad. Previous researchers have related Hayek to political theology and economic theology by observing the notion of market’s divinizing implications and tendencies, often through generalized methods of analysis and allegorical comparison. Research treating neoliberal subjectivity seldom considers it building on Christian theological notions. Given the lack of research on the given topic, more specific the relationship between theological and neoliberal understandings of subjectivity, it is pertinent to examine neoliberal subjectivity as expressed by Hayek, by comparing to saint Augustine. By a close reading of one of western societies most important theologians, Augustine, and comparing to Hayek’s economic vision of society, this study examines how Augustine and Hayek interact by using cultural translation as a methodological framework. Augustine’s notion of God, and Hayek’s notion of the market, is analyzed as explicitly proposing, or implicitly presupposing, notions of subjectivity. Translatability and untranslatability are used as methodological concepts for discussing where Augustine and Hayek’s notions overlap and where they differ. This study demonstrates that Hayek’s understanding of subjectivity in relation to the market has comparable aspects with Augustine’s understanding of human subjectivity in relation to God. Though some aspects where the authors differ, such as the understanding of knowledge, might be described as untranslatable. Use of cultural translation theory, allows for important nuances in the relationship between theology and economic understandings of subjectivity to transpire in analysis
Thekla från Ikonion : Fornkyrkans bortglömda förebild
No full textBakom några av de mest inflytelserika av den tidiga kyrkans fäder och mödrar döljer sig en förebildernas förebild, den idag närmast okända tonårsflickan Thekla från Ikonion (första århundradet e.Kr.), som enligt berättelsen lämnade en bekväm överklasstillvaro för att i Paulus efterföljd sprida evangeliet i Mindre Asien. Den här artikeln analyserar hur Thekla fungerar som förebild för senare generationers kristna, som Gregorios av Nyssa och hans storasyster Makrina (300-talet e.Kr.), och diskuterar hur Theklas berättelse kan fungera förebildligt i en nutida frikyrklig kontext
Oxfam project strategies : A qualitative content analysis of Oxfam's application of the HRBA
No full textThis study aimed to examine the implementation of the Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) in the project “Improved WASH Services in WAU and WAR Districts”, focusing on sustainable water and sanitation in Sierra Leone. Through a content analysis of the project evaluation report, the integration of HRBA principles in planning, implementation and results was examined. The results showed that HRBA was applied to some extent in the project, in particular by involving local people in decision-making and emphasizing their rights to water and sanitation. This inclusive methodology increased participation and ownership among the communities. However, it also identified challenges, such as a lack of resources and training, which hindered a more complete integration of HRBA. The analysis highlighted the importance of continuing to work on strengthening HRBA in development projects and addressing the challenges that hinder its effective application. Despite progress in promoting human rights through HRBA, there is still a need to overcome obstacles that can undermine its effectiveness. The conclusion highlighted that HRBA has the potential to be a powerful method for advancing human rights in development, but that its success depends on careful mainstreaming and monitoring. Denna studie syftade till att undersöka implementeringen av Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) i projektet "Improved WASH Services in WAU and WAR Districts", med fokus på hållbar vatten och sanitet i Sierra Leone. Genom en innehållsanalys av utvärderingsrapporten för projektet granskades integrationen av HRBA-principer i planering, genomförande och resultat. Resultaten visade att HRBA tillämpades i viss utsträckning i projektet, särskilt genom att involvera lokalbefolkningen i beslutsfattandet och betona deras rättigheter till vatten och sanitet. Denna inkluderande metodik ökade deltagandet och äganderätten bland gemenskaperna. Dock identifierades också utmaningar, såsom bristande resurser och utbildning, som hindrade en mer fullständig integration av HRBA. Analysen betonade vikten av att fortsätta arbeta med att stärka HRBA i utvecklingsprojekt och adressera de utmaningar som hindrar dess effektiva tillämpning. Trots framsteg i att främja mänskliga rättigheter genom HRBA, finns det fortfarande behov av att övervinna hinder som kan underminera dess effektivitet. Slutsatsen framhävde att HRBA har potential att vara en kraftfull metod för att främja mänskliga rättigheter i utvecklingsarbetet, men att dess framgång är beroende av en noggrann integrering och övervakning
The consignation prayer in the ܪܫܡ ܟܣܐ (ršām kāsā) : A study of liturgical development
No full textThis thesis tries to discuss the consignation prayer (formula) of the West Syrian PRES as seen in the Nomocanon chapter 4.8 in relation to manuscripts before and after the time period of the Nomocanon. Liturgical and theological significances of the consignation prayer is also explored through this thesis. An inductive historical-critical method is applied for this study, with the help of the underlying theory that the Nomocanon of BarHebraeus has contributed to a liturgical centralisation within the West-Syrian tradition in relation to the consignation prayer of the PRES. The oldest manuscripts used in this study are dated to the 10th century and the recent ones to the 20th century, thus analysing and studying the liturgical development of the West-Syrian PRES’s consignation prayer
The Temptresses : The Theological and Ideological Function of the Seductress
No full textPotifars hustru, Delila och Rut - tre av den hebreiska bibelns femme fatales. Alla tycks de, på olika sätt och i olika utsträckning, använda sitt erotiska kapital eller nyttja sin kvinnliga attraktionskraft för att uppnå ett syfte. Är de förförerskor, och är det i sådana fall det enda de är?Potiphar's wife, Delilah and Ruth - three of the Hebrew Bible's femme fatales. They all seem, in different ways and to different extents, to use their erotic capital or their feminine attractiveness to achieve a purpose. Are they seducers, and if so, is that all they are
Expectations on the Spiritual Growth of Children : The Perception of Children within Equmenia
No full textDen här uppsatsen syftar till att undersöka vilken barnsyn som den kristna barn- och ungdomsorganisationen Equmenia företräder. Analys sker av två utgivna material inom Equmenia genom att använda relationssociologiska och teologiskantropologiska teorier inom barndomsforskning, främst utifrån aktörskap. Resultatet visar att Equmenia står för en barnsyn som värnar barns egen förmåga att möta Gud, men pekar på ledarens stora roll i att möjliggöra detta möte. Guds egen roll, liksom hemmets, minskar till förmån för ledarens och verksamhetens roll
”Träden har fått liv” : En studie av hur naturmystik genom kontemplativ praxis kan bidra till samspelet mellan människa och natur samt främja andligt välmående.
No full textTräden har fått liv: En studie av hur naturmystik genom kontemplativ praxis kan bidra till samspelet mellan människa och natur samt främja andligt välmående Denna studie utforskar hur naturmystik, förmedlad genom kontemplativ praxis, kan främja ett positivt samspel mellan människa och natur samt bidra till andligt välmående. Med hjälp av ekofilosofi, naturmystik och Ignatiansk andlighet, har en kurs utformats inom en församling i Svenska Kyrkan. Kursens design syftade till att engagera deltagarna i en djupare kontakt med naturen genom sina sinnen och andliga reflektioner. Genom aktionsforskning undersöktes tre huvudsakliga forskningsfrågor: Vilka motiv kan ligga bakom människors sökande efter en djupare kontakt med naturen och deras intresse för att utforska kombinationen av andlig utveckling och fördjupad relation till naturen? Hur kan närvaro och uppmärksamhet med flera olika sinnen påverka människors upplevelse av naturen, och hur kan det i sin tur påverka andligt välmående? Hur kan aktionsforskning inspirerad av Ignatiansk andlighet bidra till undersökningen av naturmystik genom kontemplativa övningar för att främja andligt välmående och en upplevd positiv förändring i relationen till naturen? Resultaten visar att deltagarna upplevde en fördjupad förståelse av sig själva och naturen, samt en ökad känsla av meningsfullhet och inre ro. Deltagarna rapporterade att de fått en mer nyanserad syn på naturen och en starkare upplevelse av samhörighet med den. Studien indikerar att kontemplativ praxis och naturmystik kan vara kraftfulla verktyg för att främja andligt välmående och stärka människans relation till naturen. Vidare forskning föreslås för att utveckla och förfina metoderna samt undersöka deras långsiktiga effekter
Unpacking the Commodification of Indigenous Rights by Exploring Conditions for Political, Legal, and Moral Agency
No full textIn the global discourse on Indigenous rights, an increasingly prevalent concern emerges as Indigenous communities navigate the complex intersection of their space for political, legal, and moral agency and various approaches to their rights as Indigenous people. The argument developed in this paper is that when Indigenous rights are seen as interests, privileges, charity or needs rather than rights, they risk being commodified which in turn undermines Indigenous political and moral agency, and this should be understood as a question of recognitional justice. I develop the argument in three steps. The paper sets out to first explore in what contexts, by which actors and to what extent Indigenous rights are being seen as interests, privileges, charity or needs. Focusing on the only Indigenous group within the EU, the Sámi, this paper aims to delineate patterns of commodification, examining how external actors and market forces impact Indigenous rights as well as political, moral, and legal agency. This is based on illustrations from the Sapmiarea of Norway, Finland, and Sweden (c.f. Joona & Joona 2023, Freng Dale & Dannevig 2023). The first section of this exploration delves into the historical context, tracing the roots of the commodification of Indigenous rights. It scrutinizes instances where cultural artefacts, practices, and traditional knowledge have been commodified for economic gain, often without equitable compensation or acknowledgement. The implications of such practices extend beyond economic exploitation, impacting the cultural identity and self-determination of Indigenous groups. Second, the paper elaborates on the argument that approaches to Indigenous rights based on interests, needs, charity, and privileges risk leading to a commodification of Indigenous rights. The commodification of Indigenous rights, often driven by external actors and market forces, poses a significant challenge to the autonomy and self-determination of Indigenous groups worldwide. It also challenges the legitimacy of Indigenous rights as rights, as the terminology matters immensely. When companies, corporations but also state actors reduce Indigenous rights to interests, needs, charity and/or privileges this intuitively seems to have implications for Indigenousmoral, legal and political agency, and the paper explores what implications that could be. SeeingIndigenous rights as rights is utterly a question of justice, why the argument is analysed and developed based on the perspective of recognitional justice (Fraser 2005, 2009; Honneth & Fraser2003) in tandem with various understandings of rights (Romare 2020, Gewirth 1981, Hohfeld1964). Third, by analysing Indigenous moral, legal and political agency (cf. Bellier & Préaud 2012; Goldberg & Badua 2008; Quane 2005), the paper sets out to identify ways in which Indigenous rights risk undermining the critical potential of Indigenous rights as rights. The nexus between commodification and political agency requires a critical examination of power dynamics, legal frameworks, and cultural dimensions. Instances of commodification often occur within a broader framework of historical injustices, perpetuating a cycle of marginalisation that hampers Indigenous communities’ ability to exercise meaningful political agency. Hence, I argue that the commodification of Indigenous rights is undermining various forms of Indigenous agency. In conclusion, this paper underscores the urgency of addressing and questioning the commodification of Indigenous rights, as that is a critical aspect of promoting and preserving the political, legal and moral agency of Indigenous communities. By unravelling the historical, cultural, legal, and political factors at play, this exploration contributes to a deeper understanding of the moral challenges associated with the intersection of commodification and Indigenous political and moral agency.