3659 research outputs found
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Civil Society in Cultural Preservation in Africa: Evidence from the Kambari People of Nigeria
No full textThis paper examines the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in preserving endangered cultural practices among the Kambari communities of Kebbi and Niger States in Nigeria. It explores the major socio-cultural and linguistic factors that simultaneously weakened and sustained Kambari heritage, resulting in complex patterns of transformation in local identity and practice. Drawing on an ethnographic research design, the findings demonstrate that Kambari CSOs employ a hybrid preservation strategy that combines performative revivalism, including festivals, dances, and dramatized rituals, with documentary preservation efforts, such as archival documentation and the dissemination of digital media. These dual strategies foster intergenerational cultural transmission and reposition Kambari traditions within broader discourses of heritage and identity. Despite these achievements, the research underscores that cultural sustainability remains fragile, constrained by modernization, interethnic integration, and limited institutional support. The study concludes that a more context-sensitive, participatory, and policy-supported framework is essential to ensure the long-term survival of Kambari cultural heritage
Sensitivity analysis of key factors influencing concession period estimation in PPP wastewater treatment projects: a system dynamics approach
No full textPopulation growth, combined with a lack of adequate financing, has led to the need for innovative infrastructure financing solutions in developing countries. The mechanism for dealing with these challenges has been, to a certain degree, made viable through the establishment of public–private partnerships (PPPs). This study aims to develop a system dynamics (SD) model using AnyLogic to determine the optimal concession period for wastewater treatment PPPs. The model incorporates construction costs, discount rates, construction duration, and pre-construction expenses to provide an integrative mode of decision-making. This model\u27s application is demonstrated through a case study of the New Cairo Wastewater Treatment Plant, where the optimum concession period turned out to be 19 years. Sensitivity analysis showed that construction costs and discount rates are the most significant factors impacting the estimation of the concession period. The benefits of the SD approach were further validated through comparison with Monte Carlo simulations and agent-based modeling regarding capturing dynamic feedback mechanisms. The paper emphasizes the essence of adaptive governance and flexible contract structures that can help mitigate financial risks and build stakeholder confidence. The study presents practical recommendations to policymakers and practitioners
Impact of modular integrated construction indicators on sustainable performance metrics in Nigeria
Full text linkThe Nigerian construction industry is faced with environmental degradation, economic and social-related challenges, in which Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) could be regarded as practical solution. Sadly, many construction professionals and stakeholders are reluctant to adopt this innovative approach in developing countries like Nigeria. This informs the necessity to investigate the relationships between MiC indicators and performance metrics with a survey of professionals with practical experience in the use of MiC in executing infrastructure in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria. The data retrieved from the respondents were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Pearson correlation was used to determine the relationships between MiC indicators and performance in this study. The results of the analysis revealed that both procedural and internal MiC indicators are significant to enhancing economic, environmental, and social performance. In addition, it has been demonstrated that the impact of MiC is extremely beneficial in all construction ramifications for sustainable practice. Based on the findings of this study, it is suggested that massive awareness campaigns regarding the necessity of using technology in construction activities be launched among professionals and stakeholders in the construction industry to enhance the use of MiC in the Nigerian construction industry
Rural Women’s Response to Climate Change: An Exploratory Study of Women’s Grassroot Network in Odisha
Full text linkThe emergence of Feminist Political Ecological (FPE) position allows to rethink about social institutions like Self Help Groups (SHGs) as foundations for building green movements through everyday practice. The collective voice that has helped them emerge economically self-sufficient is reflected in their decision making, when the larger cause of climate change or environmental decision-making are involved. It is time that their actions permeating the ecology and environment gains credence and such coalitions provide ground as movements for achieving the larger collective agenda.
Idea of SHGs as social capital helped the marginalized women create different ‘gendered subjectivities’ and endowed them with a collective voice, be it conservation of their own ecological settings or confronting the social system. The case of Climate Credit Pilot Project and/or conservation of indigenous seed varieties in remote villages of Odisha bear testimony to women’s consciousness regarding climate mitigation initiatives and the meaningful actions associated with environmental justice. Such interventions show that the embedment of economic, social and cultural values of SHG groups align with their instinct for attaining a larger goal of environment protection through household and community level actions.
The gendered subjectivities including increased social consciousness among women, better access to new information, up-skilling has made them better and enlightened decision makers. The practice of joint or consensual action by SHG collectives enable them to address multi-scalar issues like climate change. However, the broader agenda of social and economic empowerment has to align with their decision making power relating to their immediate ecology and environment. In this context, the proposed study will probe emerging social consciousness of women on climate change issues, while examining their larger environmental responsibility in local situation, wherein the women remain at the receiving end. This is a field-based exploratory study of women from subsistence and indigenous communities of three districts in Odisha which interrogates the role of SHGs in creating a social space for women to engage with the question of environmental decision making. The study intends to analyse the field data in relation to environmental rights, responsibilities and knowledge of rural and Adivasi women within the institution of SHGs. It aims to formulate the concept, i.e., can SHGs be seen as co-linear spaces which needs to be strengthened as bearers of green movements at the local level as a response to the climate crisis
How effective are social accountability mechanisms in Bangladesh’s rural local governments?
Full text linkOver the last few decades, governance systems across the world have prioritised citizen participation. Direct participation of the citizenry facilitates social accountability, which contributes to the advancement of good governance. In Bangladesh, following the success of donor-funded pathfinder projects, various social accountability mechanisms were legally mandated at the local level. This study examines the prescribed functioning of these mechanisms and compares this to actual practice. The study followed an explanatory, descriptive method for content analysis by reviewing relevant secondary literature. Key findings were: no practical guidelines exist in Bangladesh for managing social accountability mechanisms; citizens have limited access to information; local functionaries have insufficient understanding of their role; and social accountability has not been institutionalised. To ensure successful social accountability, it will be necessary to provide adequate guidelines, take financial and management factors into account, and make people aware of their rights. Government and NGO intervention on the demand side (local people) will be required to make this happen
Editorial: Building a model for dispersed openness
Full text linkThis Editorial explores the contribution an academic journal can make to critically engaged scholarship through critical self-reflection and innovation. Community-university engaged research and practice, no longer as marginalised as it once was, remains nonetheless institutionally precarious and the literature dominated by voices from the Global North. For this journal, with its stated aim of increasing the diversity of contributors to the scholarly literature, there is both a responsibility and an opportunity to innovate. This Editorial discusses two recent examples: writers’ workshops for manuscript development and the newly introduced ‘proposals’ section, where authors can gain early feedback on manuscript ideas
Practice of Patriotism, Ethnocentrism, Nationalism and Cosmopolitanism in India: An Interrogation
Full text linkThe central concern of this paper is to examine intersectionalities between the ideals of cosmopolitanism, patriotism, ethnocentrism and nationalism in general, and their changing facets and interfaces in India. It argues that being a multiethnic and plural society, the civilisational ethos of India is conventionally founded on cosmopolitanism. The practice of patriotism and its accommodative principle of unity in diversity have provided the building blocks to this cosmopolitanism. During India’s independence struggle these ideals encountered the forces of modernism, ethnocentrism, communalism and ethno-nationalism. In contemporary India the forces of economic neoliberalism, developmental imbalances and persisting social and economic inequalities, post modernism, hyper modernism, populism, and cultural politics have become part of social reality. Notwithstanding the prevalence of the ideals of cosmopolitanism and civilisational interactive processes, these encounters have brought cumulative fluidity in the social, economic and political orientations in contemporary society, and have created further space for the influence of ethnocentrism and cultural politics as a means to remain rooted in society
An in-depth investigation of digital construction technologies from a building economics perspective
Full text linkWhile initial costs in building economics cover a small portion of the costs incurred during its life-cycle, most occur in construction, operation, and subsequent processes. Despite its numerous contributions to building economics, the construction industry is slowly adapting to digital technologies. To overcome the barriers and crown the assets with their proper management, dynamic applications of digital tools and techniques of Industry 4.0 need to emerge in the construction industry. Therefore, this study aims to present an integrative approach that combines quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques to critically review the available literature on the potential contributions of digital construction technologies to building economics through the post-design phases of the life cycle. The primary focus of the investigation is how digital technologies can overcome prevalent problems and how they can impact building economics. The study contributes to the field by providing an awareness that will inform researchers and practitioners of the trends, gaps, and more profound exchange of ideas in future research efforts
The unrealised potential of local institutions in Papua New Guinea: adopting a bottom-up approach to governance, rule of law, and peace and development
Full text linkAccording to the principles of the bottom-up approach to peace and development, true and sustainable development and social harmony can only emerge by individuals taking constructive actions towards peaceful individual and communal governance – something which each individual and each community must realise within themselves and on their own terms. Well-functioning local-level institutions can support this process. In the Papua New Guinean context, however, too little attention has been given to the most fundamental local institutions – the local-level government and the village court – which for the vast majority of people constitute the first point of contact with any formal political and legal system. This paper firstly reviews the operation, institutional framework and potential cooperation of these two local institutions, with a particular emphasis on those institutional aspects by which bottom-up development can take place and be strengthened and enhanced, leading ideally to empowered communities and increasing peace and prosperity. Secondly, it shows that the potential of both the local-level government and the village court is currently greatly unrealised. Finally, the paper aims to inspire, promote and demonstrate ways in which this potential can be realised, using two case studies and a discussion. It is believed that knowledge, awareness and realisation of such potential will promote a greater sense of individual, communal and social governance, and commitment to the rule of law, emerging from the bottom up and fostering social harmony
The Use and Abuse of Internet Spaces: Fitna, desacralization, and conflict in Indonesia’s virtual reality
Full text linkThis article critically examines the utilization and misuse of internet spaces during Indonesia\u27s political contestations over the past five years, focusing on the emergence of fitna (sedition, strife) in virtual environments. It analyzes how internet users exploit religious symbols to solidify their positions and contest opposing views, leading to the desacralization of religion. The study elucidates the construction of religious values through communal online communication, the effects of digital interactions on religious practices, and the behavioral codes and value frameworks emerging within these virtual religious spaces. By mapping the multifaceted manifestations of fitna—hoaxes, fake news, insulting memes, videos, and hate speech—the article sheds light on the mechanisms of digital manipulation and their broader implications. This research significantly contributes to the discourse by illuminating the intersections of digital media, religion, and conflict, while proposing strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of internet misuse on religious and social harmony
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