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Using Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process to Rank Policy Aspirations for Child Protection in Aruba: A Capability Approach
No full textChild abuse has been a growing concern in Aruba since the death of two brothers because of maltreatment in 2017. This chapter presents the findings of the Child Safety Code ‘Codigo di Proteccion’ Policy Evaluation Survey. The sample consisted of 98 professionals from the health, justice, education, and psychosocial services sectors. A human development capabilities-based analysis was conducted using the Fuzzy Synthetic Evaluation approach to rank policy aspirations based on perceptions of the professionals. The Capability Approach (CA) was applied with a focus on Nussbaum’s 10 central capabilities. The results reveal that professionals perceive children to least enjoy the capabilities of ‘Bodily integrity and safety’ and ‘Control over their environment’. The capabilities somewhat enjoyed were ‘Bodily health’ and ‘Other species’. The ranking of the indicators associated with these four capabilities presents a profile of the policy aspirational themes needed to guarantee children's right to a life worthy of human dignity and flourishing. The CA fills a theory gap in childhood studies and provides a normative and evaluative framework for policy decision-making, given the multiple dimensions of human development. Recommendations are made to replicate this research amongst (i) the general population, (ii) children, and (iii) families and service users within the four sectors. The purpose is to compare findings towards designing a population-informed capabilities-based child protection policy agenda for Aruba
Coastal boulders emplaced by extreme wave events impacting the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao; Leeward Antilles, Caribbean)
No full textLarge coastal boulders are ubiquitous geomorphological features that are emplaced along coasts by extreme marine events such as storms, hurricanes, and tsunamis. Many large coastal boulders have been identified on emergent fossil coral reefs on the windward sides of the Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao (ABC) islands in the Leeward Antilles of the Caribbean. Here, structure-from-motion/multi-view stereo techniques were used to map boulder sizes at several coastal sites in the ABC Islands as well as construct digital terrain models of the surrounding areas. Chronological constraints on boulder transport were established through the radiocarbon dating of the vermetids and coral colonies that comprised boulders located along a ridge on Aruba Island. A suite of hydrodynamic models was used to empirically derive the required flow thresholds for boulder displacement to determine whether tsunamis or hurricanes were responsible for detaching and transporting these boulders. Our results suggest that multiple tsunamis, most likely triggered by the El Pilar fault, located near the Venezuelan coast, were the cause of boulder detachment and transport in this region during the Holocene, between 4000 and 500 years BP
Air to Water Extraction Technology: Feasibility of different technologies to optimize energy usage for potable water production
No full textNature-Based Solutions and Climate Commitments in Small Island States and Territories
No full textSmall island states and territories find themselves on the front lines of climate change but often without the resources for large-scale adaptation measures. Nature-based solutions (NbS) – which involve actions to protect, manage, and restore ecosystems while addressing climate and societal challenges – offer cost-effective ways not only to adapt to climate change, but to support the natural resources that are commonly closely linked to livelihoods and human well-being in small island contexts. This round table will discuss the opportunities that NbS present in the small island context, as well as the challenges and limitations they may face. It will further consider research examining the integration of NbS into the climate policies of small island states and territories, and the language utilised in doing so. Through these discussions this session aims to bring to the fore examples of policy best practice and discuss potentials for policy language
development to better incorporate NbS into the climate adaptation, mitigation, and disaster risk management approaches of small islands. This session addresses the concepts of climate adaptation, conservation, and community-based natural resource management in small island states
The Weight of Education: A Comparative Study on the Professional Demands and Workload on Primary School Teachers in Aruba’s Public and Private School Sectors
Full text linkA critical issue in education, teacher workload, directly affects teacher well-being, retention, and the quality of education (Wood, 2019; Kim, 2019). This comparative study examines the workload of primary school teachers in two major educational systems in Aruba: Stichting Katholiek Onderwijs Aruba (SKOA) and Dienst Publieke Scholen (DPS). During an internship, data was collected from SKOA, identifying specific stressors related to perceived workload. These stressors include classroom management, instructional time, administrative tasks, meetings, and staff shortages. This study now extends the research by collecting data from DPS, aiming to compare and analyze workload and its patterns between teachers at both SKOA and DPS. The results provide insights into the factors that contribute most strongly to teacher workload in both systems and offer recommendations on how to best reduce workload pressures on the following indicators: classroom management, instructional time, administrative tasks, meetings, and staff shortages
