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Women’s Traditional Handcrafts: A Global Tool of Resistance, Resilience, Empowerment and Transformation
Full text linkWomen’s Traditional Handcrafts:
A Global Tool of Resistance, Resilience, Empowerment and Transformation
Abstract: Vashti Blacker
Women’s traditional handcraft is a global phenomenon. This research paper explores the common thread in the way that women around the world, at different points of time and history, use their traditional handcraft to tell their stories and create a visual legacy as a tool of resistance, resilience, recovery, empowerment, and transformation in adverse circumstances. The purpose of this research is to illuminate aspects of women’s traditional handcrafts to bring greater recognition, respect and understanding to the contribution women around the globe have made and continue to make in adverse circumstances through their empowered use of traditional handcrafts.
Qualitative research methodology was used with a mixed method approach of a short survey, in depth interviews, and artifact analysis. This helped to explore the topic in a flexible, comprehensive and multifaceted way. The findings in this study followed a thematic analysis. The key outcomes supported the global nature of women’s traditional handcrafts and their use by women in adverse circumstances with respect to three thematic groupings, including creative expression, symbolism and storytelling; resistance, resilience, recovery and survival skills; preservation of culture, identity, and heritage; and healing, empowerment and transformation.
In conclusion, the findings of this study were both clear and consistent. They paint a picture of the immense contribution made by women globally in the face of adverse circumstances through their empowered use of traditional handcrafting. The recommendation would be to highlight and bring to the forefront the global and timeless nature of this phenomenon and its impact. This would also be with the hope and intention of ensuring their place in history, culture, society, and to be more greatly known, understood, valued, and respected. It is about telling their story to the world
In the Face of God: Analyzing the Influence of Religion on Social Dynamics and Cultural Preservation in Pniël
Full text linkThis research paper examines the role of religion in fostering community cohesion, cultural preservation, and governance in Pniël, a small South African town with deep historical and religious roots. Drawing on interviews with community members, it explores how religious practices and spaces function as mechanisms for maintaining collective identity, transmitting values across generations, and addressing social challenges like modernization and gentrification. The study highlights the interplay between tradition and change, emphasizing the importance of preserving religious heritage and cultural narratives in a secularizing world. It also discusses the implications of these findings for safeguarding the histories and identities of small towns globally while acknowledging limitations such as language barriers and the potential for self-censorship in tight-knit communities. Ultimately, this research underscores the enduring value of religion as a unifying force and a cultural anchor in evolving societal contexts
Power Politics and Nuclear Weapons: A Geopolitical Analysis of Iran’s Nuclear Program
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Iran\u27s nuclear program has long been a central concern in global security, influencing both regional power dynamics and international relations. This paper examines how geopolitical factors shape Iran\u27s pursuit of nuclear technology, particularly in relation to its national security, regional dominance, and diplomatic leverage. While Iran’s nuclear ambitions are often analyzed in isolation, this study situates them within the context of the evolving global power landscape, particularly the rise of China and the perceived decline of U.S. influence. The paper argues that Iran’s nuclear program functions as both a defensive measure and a strategic tool in power politics, serving to bolster its sovereignty, deter external threats, and assert itself as a key regional player. By exploring the historical motivations, security concerns, and interactions with global powers such as the U.S., Israel, Russia, and China, the study highlights the multifaceted role of Iran\u27s nuclear ambitions in shaping its foreign policy. Through qualitative analysis, including historical review and expert interviews, the paper provides a comprehensive understanding of how Iran’s nuclear strategy is intertwined with broader geopolitical goals. It further explores the implications for international security, nuclear proliferation, and the shifting geopolitical order. This research contributes to the literature on Middle Eastern geopolitics by offering insights into the strategic calculus behind Iran’s nuclear pursuits and the broader ramifications for global power dynamics and diplomacy
The Changing Power Dynamics and Emerging Multipolarity in WTO
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This paper examines the evolving power dynamics within the WTO since its creation and provides an in-depth analysis of how the changing power dynamics has impacted the multilateral institutions within the WTO. The analysis is divided into three sessions, each talking about a phase of power dynamics.The first phase explores how power imbalances between developed and developing countries have prompted the latter to form coalitions to counterbalance developed country dominance. The second phase stresses the growing multipolarity and multilateralism driven by the rising influence of developing countries, which is reflected by divergent trade interests within developing countries and the inability of the traditional developed-developing country framework to fully capture the WTO system. The third phase shows the growing protectionism in the U.S. and reluctance to participate in multilateral institutions, exemplified by its blockade of Appellate Body.This action, influenced by domestic trade interests and geopolitical factors, has disrupted the WTO’s two-tier dispute settlement system and undermined trade multilateralism. The paper answers the research questions with the analysis of three phases of power dynamics within the WTO. The paper concludes that addressing the WTO’s challenges requires open-minded, multilateral negotiations among all member states
International Advocacy for Tibet: The Current State of Geopolitical Influences and Methods of International Action for Tibetan Human and Political [email protected]
Full text linkHistorically, international advocacy for Tibet has been shaped by Cold War and decolonization era policies to frame Tibetans as victimized objects of international charity. This has left a legacy which continues today, in which Tibetans advocating for an end to human rights abuses inside of China interact with a broader international system which has historically left them out of their own advocacy movement. In this paper, I focus on the methods of appeals that the Central Tibetan Administration and Tibetan non-governmental organizations make to foreign governments and supranational bodies like the UN, because these are what have been seen to have the most effect inside of China-occupied Tibet. I interrogate the strategic interests that countries like the U.S. and India have when interacting with the Tibet issue, as well as how China’s domestic legal system and position as an international economic power impact the effectiveness of appeals to international law. To complete this project, I used a combination of interviews with Tibetan advocacy organizations in Dharamsala, India and New Delhi, India and research conducted online
Exploring Unit 34 Melchor Romero: State power in support programs for those who have been deprived of their liberty.
Full text linkResumen
Tomé como caso de estudio el programa gubernamental Instituto Penal Federal de Campo de Mayo, Unidad N° 34 de la Subsecretaría de Salud Mental de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, un centro penitenciario neuropsiquiátrico de la provincia de Buenos Aires. Analicé este organismo gubernamental que incorpora en su diseño una estrategia comunitaria de reinserción de personas que han estado encarceladas. Identifiqué algunas contradicciones en los propios mecanismos de control del Estado, a partir de conceptos de la gestión de los cuerpos humanos delineados por Michel Foucault y Achille Mbembe. Para responder a la pregunta central de investigación, se adoptó un enfoque metodológico cualitativo, realizando dos entrevistas a profesionales de la salud mental que trabajan en la Unidad 34 y una extensa revisión bibliográfica. Posteriormente, se analizó la información utilizando el marco teórico para responder las preguntas que guiaron la investigación. A continuación, presentaré datos estadísticos relevantes, definare los conceptos que considero claves y desarrollaré el marco teórico correspondiente a mi campo de estudio. Se tomaron todas las precauciones éticas para llevar a cabo una investigación de esta naturaleza y cada entrevistado firmó un consentimiento informado en el que manifestaba explícitamente su acuerdo de participar en el estudio y se garantizaba su anonimato. Este estudio identificó diversos esfuerzos importantes por parte del personal sanitario para superar las barreras sistémicas al tratamiento. Sin embargo, estos esfuerzos, aunque valiosos, son insuficientes para abordar la violencia y el abandono sistémicos.
Abstract
I took as a case study the government program Instituto Penal Federal de Campo de Mayo, Unit No. 34 of the Subsecretariat of Mental Health of the Province of Buenos Aires, a neuropsychiatric penitentiary center in the province of Buenos Aires. I analyzed this government agency that incorporates in its design a community strategy for the reintegration of people who have been incarcerated. I identified some contradictions in the State\u27s own control mechanisms, based on concepts of the management of human bodies outlined by Michel Foucault and Achille Mbembe. To answer the central research question, a qualitative methodological approach was adopted, conducting two interviews with mental health professionals working in Unit 34 and an extensive bibliographic review. Subsequently, the information was analyzed using the theoretical framework to answer the questions that guided the research. Below, I will present relevant statistical data, define the concepts that I consider key and develop the theoretical framework corresponding to my field of study. All ethical precautions were taken to conduct research of this nature and each interviewee signed an informed consent form explicitly stating their agreement to participate in the study and guaranteeing their anonymity. This study identified various important efforts by healthcare personnel to overcome systemic barriers to treatment. However, these efforts, although valuable, are insufficient to address systemic violence and neglect
In God’s Time: Pastoral Care and Migrant Faith in Mexico and the Borderlands of the United States of America
Full text linkKatherine Marshall, a student of Religious Studies, responds to the following question by recounting a series of interviews with professors and pastoral care practitioners from Mexico and the United States of America: “With a focus on the Catholic Church, what is the importance of pastoral care for people migrating through Mexico to the United States of America?” Pastoral care is a part of many religious traditions, but, in a Christian context, it is a practice that involves becoming a physical reminder of God’s constant presence. Pastoral care practitioners make deep listening the core of their work, responding to various needs as they are shared. Many people who migrate have a strong sense of faith, and this reality constitutes a large piece of the answer as to why pastoral care is important in this context. Pastoral care for migrating populations takes different forms in Mexico and in the borderlands because migrants have different needs in these different stages of their journey. Pastoral care in Mexico meets many needs that allow people to keep moving North, whereas pastoral care in the borderlands meets other needs that emerge in a long season of waiting at the border or, upon entry, adjustment to life in the United States. Many organizations providing pastoral care in El Paso of them are actively under attack from the Texas government, and some are closing in anticipation of the administration of soon-to-be President Donald Trump. Still, pastoral carers persist in their work, using their first amendment right to a freedom of religious expression to defend their accompaniment of migrants, as seeking these populations is part of their religious beliefs. The paper ends with a call to action for white American Christians, highlighting the juxtaposition between Christian doctrines calling for the support of migrating populations, the work of Christian pastoral care practitioners, and the reality that most white Christians hold negative views about immigrants
Drones and AI in Modern Warfare: A Security Analysis
Full text linkArtificial intelligence’s (AI) rapid development and integration into drone systems is reshaping modern warfare, with significant implications for international security. As seen in the 2022 Russo-Ukrainian and the 2023 Israel-Hamas war, AI-enabled drones are increasingly employed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), loitering munitions, and swarm formations. The use of AI for autonomous target identification and decision-making raises both operational advantages and ethical concerns, particularly concerning accountability and the potential for unintended escalation. This paper explores the capabilities of AI drones, focusing on their implication for global security and stability and the growing challenge of regulating such systems. The proliferation of autonomous weapon systems (AWS) poses a security dilemma, particularly with the competition between states to acquire these weapons. Furthermore, the advent of humans out of the loop systems challenges traditional deterrence theories, as these weapons lower the cost of conflict and decision-making while raising the risks of catastrophic errors. As states and non-state actors continue to develop and deploy these technologies, international law, and governance mechanisms struggle to keep pace with the rapid technological advancements. This paper argues that autonomous drones present serious security concerns and require urgent and comprehensive international regulation to prevent the destabilizing effects of AI-driven drone warfare, as well as to mitigate the ethical, legal, and strategic challenges posed by their proliferation
The Green Divide: Investigating Possible Socioeconomic Inequities in Public Green Space Quality in Lisbon, Portugal
Full text linkPublic green spaces are an essential element of urban design, providing numerous environmental, social, and health-related benefits to urban populations. This study assesses the quality of public green spaces across four neighborhoods of varying socioeconomic status in Lisbon, Portugal, asking ‘Are socioeconomic inequities in park quality present in Lisbon?’ While previous studies have assessed the spatial distribution of urban green space in Lisbon, this study focuses on the quality of Lisbon’s green spaces, as quality determines to what extent a green space benefits the community in which it is located. Four Lisbon parishes were selected based on their median gross income per taxable person – Marvila and Beato, two of Lisbon’s lowest income parishes, alongside Belém and Parque das Nações, two of Lisbon’s highest income parishes. A sampling of public green spaces from each neighborhood was scored for quality using the PUGSI (Public Urban Green Space Index) quality assessment system. Findings show no clear correlation between the income level of a neighborhood and its average overall green space quality score. However, a correlation between a neighborhood’s income level and the average accessibility score of its green spaces was discovered. Findings highlight a need for accessibility improvements in Lisbon green spaces, especially in lower-income neighborhoods. Green space development projects utilizing participatory methods can address the concerns found in this study, allowing communities to benefit to the fullest possible extent from high-quality urban green space
Evaluating the Efficacy of the Albufeira Convention in a Time of Water Uncertainty: The Case of the Guadiana Basin
Full text linkThis study evaluates the Albufeira Convention’s effectiveness in managing transboundary water resources in the Guadiana River Basin under increasing water scarcity. The primary objectives are to assess the Convention\u27s capacity to balance ecological preservation with competing agricultural and municipal water demands, and to identify areas for improvement in its implementation. The research uses a qualitative methodology, relying on a systematic review of media, policy, and academic sources, supplemented by a structured SWOT analysis to organize findings and provide actionable insights. The analysis reveals that while the Convention fosters cooperation between Portugal and Spain, it falls short in addressing evolving hydrological realities for the Guadiana Basin, such as more frequent and intense droughts and intensifying agricultural pressures. In particular, agricultural intensification in the Alentejo region, driven by large-scale irrigation projects like Alqueva, exacerbates water scarcity and ecological stress in the Guadiana Basin. Despite progress made in the 2024 amendment, including improved flow regulations and equitable water tariffs, significant weaknesses persist, such as insufficient ecological protections, limited monitoring systems, and a lack of stakeholder inclusion. These findings underscore the need to revisit and refine the Albufeira Convention as an essential tool for sustainable and equitable transboundary water management in an era of increasing climatic and socioeconomic pressures