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CRIME, CORRUPTION, AND CONSTRUCTION: EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF THE “CONSTRUCTION MAFIA” ON PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
Get PDFRecent government policies and a state-led focus on “radical economic transformation” have spawned a range of business forums, colloquially known as the “construction mafia,” seeking to capitalize on economic reform. However, competition for construction contracts have led to the widespread use of intimidation, violence, and government corruption within the eThekwini Municipality. This research seeks to understand how the construction mafia in eThekwini impacts the local government’s ability to develop public infrastructure, as well as the extent to which government responses enable or hinder organized criminal networks in the construction industry. Utilizing a qualitative method of semi-structured one-on-one interviews and notes from the National Summit on Crime Free Construction Sites, this research addresses the economic, social, and political impacts of the construction mafia and outlines the various ways that the government both contributes to and prevents the proliferation of the construction mafia. In order to fully understand the historical context of economic and social inequality in eThekwini, the research takes a nuanced approach to the issue, with careful consideration of the legacies of apartheid and colonialism on contemporary systems of public procurement and construction industry standards. Data is supplemented with sociological and criminological literature that explores the underlying theories behind organized crime and political corruption. As a result, this research adds to the distinct lack of academic work surrounding the construction mafia through consideration of the post-colonial sociopolitical environment and a variety of first-hand perspectives
Unpacking Migration: Education, Livelihoods, and Local Choices in Nepal’s Ilam District
Get PDFThis research examines labor migration in Nepal, focusing on the Ilam district within Koshi Province, an area with high rates of outward migration. Drawing on a background in Industrial and Labor Relations, the study seeks to understand why some individuals choose to remain in communities characterized by extensive labor migration. By analyzing the impact of the three U\u27s —unskilled, uneducated, and unaware—on migration decisions, the study investigates how local education systems, skill-building opportunities, and labor market alignment shape these choices. The research methodology blends qualitative and experiential approaches, including interviews with educators, community members, and workers, alongside immersive observation of daily life. This enables the collection of personal narratives to complement broader socio economic insights. Additionally, visits to schools assess the alignment between education quality and local employment demands. The study incorporates theoretical frameworks such as Self-Determination Theory and Push-Pull Theory to explore motivations for staying versus migrating. The research also considers Nepal\u27s broader migration dynamics, including the challenges faced by Nepali workers abroad and the socioeconomic vulnerabilities created by migration dependencies. By focusing on those who stay in Ilam, this study highlights the community dynamics, economic opportunities, and educational challenges shaping local labor decisions, aiming to inform policies that better align education, labor markets, and community resilience
La integración de la medicina tradicional indígena en el sistema de salud pública en la ciudad de Santiago de Chile: perspectivas actuales de los involucrados.
No full textA pesar de décadas de legislación y programas en Chile que apoyan el derecho de los pueblos indígenas a recibir atención de salud culturalmente relevante, no fue hasta diciembre de 2023 que los centros públicos de salud fueron obligados a implementar un modelo de atención intercultural. El propósito de este estudio fue comprender el estado actual de la atención intercultural en salud, específicamente la integración de la medicina tradicional indígena, en el sistema de salud pública de Santiago a través de las perspectivas de los involucrados. Los objetivos fueron comprender las percepciones de los facilitadores interculturales, los curanderos tradicionales, los médicos biomédicos y los pacientes que brindan y reciben atención en el sistema de salud pública de Santiago. Además, este estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar las limitaciones para la integración de la medicina tradicional indígena en el sistema de salud pública de Santiago, y sugerencias para mejorar esta integración.
Se trata de un estudio de hermenéutica interpretativa en el que se utilizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas y observación participante y no participante. Los resultados revelaron que no había integración formal de la medicina tradicional indígena en el sistema de salud pública de Santiago, ni práctica de la medicina tradicional indígena en los centros de salud pública biomédicos. Las perspectivas de todos los entrevistados indicaron que aún queda por avanzar en la realización de la atención intercultural de la salud y en la integración de la medicina tradicional indígena en el sistema de salud pública de Santiago.
Los resultados identificaron temas comunes dentro de las perspectivas de los participantes sobre las limitaciones para la integración de la medicina indígena tradicional, que eran una falta de recuersos, una falta de educación y comprensión de la cultura indígena y medicina tradicional indígena, una falta de validación y reconocimiento de la medicina tradicional indígena, y finalmente, discriminación y inferiorización de los Pueblos Indígenas.
También surgieron temas comunes en las sugerencias de los participantes para mejorar esta integración, que incluían una mayor visibilidad de la cultura mapuche y acceso a vivirla, aumento de la educación de los profesionales de la biomedicina sobre la medicina tradicional indígena, legitimación de la medicina tradicional indígena y un programa formal de medicina mapuche, más facilitadores interculturales y formación reglada para este puesto, y finalmente, más financiamiento y recursos del Ministerio de Salud para atender las necesidades específicas de la medicina mapuche en el contexto urbano de Santiago.
Palabras claves: medicina tradicional indígena, interculturalidad, salud intercultural, los Pueblos Indígenas, Mapuche, salud pública, antropología médica, Santiago
Despite decades of legislation and programs in Chile that support the right of Indigenous Peoples to receive culturally relevant health care, it wasn’t until December of 2023 that public health centers were required to implement an intercultural model of care. The purpose of this study was to understand the current state of intercultural health care, specifically the integration of traditional indigenous medicine, in Santiago’s public healthcare system through the perspectives of those involved. The objectives were to understand the perceptions of intercultural facilitators, traditional healers, biomedical medics, and patients providing and receiving care in Santiago’s public health system. Additionally, this study aimed to identify limitations to the integration of traditional indigenous medicine in Santiago’s public health care system, and suggestions to improve this integration.
This interpretive hermeneutics study utilized semi-structured interviews and participant and non-participant observation. The results revealed that there was no formal integration of traditional indigenous medicine in Santiago’s public health system, and no practice of traditional indigenous medicine in biomedical public health centers. The perspectives of all interviewees stated there was still progress to be made to realize intercultural health care and integrate traditional indigenous medicine in Santiago’s public health system.
The results identified common themes within participants\u27 perspectives of limitations to the integration of traditional indigenous medicine, which were a lack of resources, a lack of education and understanding of indigenous culture and traditional indigenous medicine, a lack of validation and recognition of traditional indigenous medicine, and finally, discrimination and inferiorization of Indigenous Peoples.
Common themes also arose in participants\u27 suggestions to improve this integration, which included a greater visibility of mapuche culture and access to experience it, an increase in the education of biomedical professionals regarding traditional indigenous medicine, a legitimization of traditional indigenous medicine and a formal mapuche medicine program, the presence of more intercultural facilitators and formal training for this position, and finally, more funding and resources form the Ministry of Health in Chile to attend to the specific needs of mapuche medicine in Santiago’s urban context
Raíces de Resistencia: Mujeres Aymaras y el Preservacion de Agricultura Tradicional en el Norte de Chile
No full textEntre la investigación histórica y la exploración cualitativa, este estudio desarrolla una imagen tanto del contexto histórico de las conexiones humanas con la tierra basadas en la filosofía aymara, como de la realidad de la preservación cultural frente a la modernización. Se comunica a través de este trabajo de investigación así como de un trabajo documental creativo que entrelaza el contenido cualitativo
Proyecto de Investigación: ¿Cómo los facilitadores de Cecrea La Ligua integran el concepto pedagógico de “co-protagonismo” en los laboratorios creativos y cómo dialogan con el modelo tradicional chileno?
No full textEl sistema educativo chileno es reconocido como uno de los más desiguales, según datos estadísticos. Esta desigualdad socioeconómica, política y cultural afecta los modelos educativos y provoca una segregación que genera una situación de injusticia social, impactando las oportunidades de desarrollo integral de niños, niñas y jóvenes. En respuesta a esta problemática, el gobierno de Michelle Bachelet (2014-2018) impulsó una Reforma Educativa destinada a garantizar una educación de calidad. En este contexto, surgieron espacios educativos alternativos como Cecrea, un programa público y gratuito diseñado para ofrecer a niños, niñas y jóvenes (NNJ) un espacio donde puedan imaginar, explorar y desarrollar habilidades creativas en un entorno de colaboración y aprendizaje mutuo. Este estudio de caso analiza cómo los facilitadores de Cecrea en La Ligua integran el concepto de “co-protagonismo” en los laboratorios creativos, y cómo se diferencia esta propuesta educativa del contexto educativo chileno más tradicional. Se realizaron siete entrevistas semi-estructuradas con facilitadores y miembros administrativos de Cecrea, seis observaciones participativas en los laboratorios creativos y un análisis de fuentes primarias y secundarias relacionadas con el co-protagonismo. Los hallazgos de este análisis cualitativo permiten comprender cómo el co-protagonismo puede promover la participación activa, el aprendizaje horizontal y la colaboración intergeneracional, no sólo en los entornos educativos, sino también como una herramienta para construir una sociedad más inclusiva y equitativa.
Chile’s educational system is recognized as one of the most unequal, according to statistical data. This socioeconomic, political, and cultural inequality affects educational models and leads to segregation, creating a situation of social injustice that impacts the holistic development opportunities for children and youth. In response to this issue, Michelle Bachelet’s government (2014–2018) initiated an Educational Reform to ensure quality education. Within this context, alternative educational spaces such as Cecrea emerged. Cecrea is a public and free program designed to offer children and youth a space where they can imagine, explore, and develop creative skills in an environment of collaboration and mutual learning. This case study analyzes how facilitators at Cecrea in La Ligua integrate the concept of “co-protagonism” into the creative laboratories and how this educational approach differs from more traditional models within the Chilean educational context. Seven semi-structured interviews with Cecrea facilitators and administrative members, six participatory observations in creative laboratories, and an analysis of primary and secondary sources related to co-protagonism were conducted. The findings from this qualitative analysis provide insights into how co-protagonism can foster active participation, horizontal learning, and intergenerational collaboration, not only within educational environments but also as a tool for building a more inclusive and equitable society
Leks of Hermit Hummingbirds The importance of understanding the complicated mating system
Get PDFMany species of the family Phaethornis, commonly known as hermit hummingbirds, engage in a lek mating system, in which males gather in groups to “perform” at a lek with the goal of attracting a female to copulate with. Their performance includes a repetitive song, and often movement of the tail feathers, while sitting on a perch low to the ground. Their success is often influenced by morphology, age, behavioral display, and location of their territory. Little research has been done on the leks of the tawny-bellied hermit, the white-whiskered hermit, and the stripe-throated hermit, three species of Phaethornis that can be found within the Ecuadorian cloud forests. A lek of each of these species was observed over multiple days within or near the Santa Lucía reserve during the month of November, the dry season, and therefore non-breeding season for the hermits. Auditory and visual data was collected, as well as data on the characteristics of the lekking sites, such as canopy coverage and presence of hermit food sources. By building a basis of knowledge on the lekking behavior of the tawny-bellied, stripe-throated, and white-whiskered hermit, this study hopes to aid future research projects and conservation efforts. The study found that the number of males active varied among the leks: while the stripe-throated had at least 6 active males, the white-whiskered had 2 and the tawny-bellied had 3. Furthermore, the hours the birds were most active varied among species. Interesting correlations were found between the time of day and the rate of calling, as well as the number of birds present at a lek and the rate of calling for the tawny-bellied hermit. Hopefully, this study brings to light the complexity of lek mating systems and encourages further research on the subject, as well as supplies the basic information necessary for future research
Redes de salud de las mujeres en las ferias libres de Loja
Get PDFEste estudio explora el papel de las hierbas medicinales tradicionales en los mercados de Loja, Ecuador, centrándose en la dinámica entre las mujeres vendedoras, la transmisión de conocimiento, y su relación con la confianza y la salud comunitaria. A través de observaciones de campo y entrevistas, se analizan cómo las prácticas de estas mujeres se enmarcan en un contexto donde la medicina tradicional es un recurso económico, pero también una herramienta clave para promover el bienestar comunitario.
La investigación destaca cómo las vendedoras transmiten conocimientos ancestrales sobre el uso de plantas medicinales, mayormente a través de la oralidad y la práctica diaria, promoviendo un intercambio generacional que enfrenta desafíos relacionados con la continuidad de estas tradiciones entre las nuevas generaciones. Al mismo tiempo, la confianza emerge como un elemento central en las interacciones entre las vendedoras y sus clientes, basada no solo en el trato humano, sino también en el manejo respetuoso de las plantas.
Por último, el estudio subraya la interconexión entre estas prácticas y la salud comunitaria, demostrando cómo las mujeres desempeñan un rol esencial como promotoras informales de bienestar, al tiempo que enfrentan tensiones entre la generación de ingresos y el mantenimiento del acceso a remedios asequibles y de calidad
Geothermal Best Practices and Economic Development: The Case of Iceland and São Miguel Island
Get PDFThroughout human history, geothermal energy has been used for practical purposes, religious purposes, as a form of community engagement and as a natural heating system. Since the industrial revolution, the global community has relied on fossil fuels for energy production. Not only is the large-scale use of fossil fuels widely accepted internationally, but it is also extremely profitable for fossil fuel companies. This has had catastrophic impacts on climate change and the environment. Nations have recognized the dangers and negative impacts of the reliance on fossil fuels for energy production. Nations have been funding extensive research regarding renewable energy infrastructure including the implementation of geothermal energy. For example, today 70.38% of Iceland’s total energy is produced from geothermal energy. Like Iceland, São Miguel Island, located in the North Atlantic Ocean, is a region with increased geothermal potential due to its volcanic activity. Both Iceland and São Miguel Island lie on top of fault lines, where multiple tectonic plates meet. Specifically, the Açores is positioned precisely where the North American and Eurasian plates collide (How Iceland’ s Geothermal Champions are Greening the Azores). This paper seeks to explain and explore geothermal best practices specific for each of these regions, and how other nations can potentially use these best practices for their own versions of renewable energy implementation. This paper will highlight the importance of geothermal energy while moving further away from typical fossil fuels, with a focus on economic development
Building Effective Partnerships between International Aid Organizations and Civil Society: An Integrated Approach to Tackling Stunting in Indonesia
Get PDF This study examines the dynamics of collaboration between international aid organizations and civil society, using stunting in rural Indonesian communities as a case study. Stunting, caused by chronic malnutrition during early childhood, leads to irreversible physical and cognitive impairment. Addressing the cultural nuances of this issue requires integrated efforts, highlighting the need to evaluate how international organizations can contribute effectively. This investigation draws on four primary interviews and relevant literature to analyze the factors that enable and hinder successful partnerships. The findings identify significant barriers to collaboration, including top-heavy organizational structures, misaligned agendas, and problematic financial frameworks within international organizations. Programs like BISA, which rely on internationally dictated initiatives, often fail to adapt effectively to local contexts. In contrast, grassroots efforts led by organizations such as the 1000 Days Fund have achieved measurable reductions in stunting rates. Based on these findings, the study offers three key recommendations to enhance collaboration: decolonizing aid dynamics, amplifying grassroots initiatives, and empowering the youth. Future research could explore how international organizations can better support locally informed policy development and conduct comparative studies across nations facing similar public health challenges to uncover transferable strategies. Ultimately, this project advocates for a paradigm shift in international engagement, emphasizing the importance of localized expertise and equitable collaboration in addressing stunting and advancing global public health outcomes.
From Collaboration to Continuity: Exploring Stakeholder Engagement for Sustainable Global Health Partnerships
Get PDFGlobal health partnerships have been identified as crucial to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and targets related to health and wellbeing. Specifically, the Global Fund, UNAIDS Joint Programme, and the World Food Programme are examples of some of the relevant partners currently engaged in this work, filling roles in global health financing, governance, and delivery. Current literature has identified that the effective engagement of stakeholders in partnerships can be crucial in effective project implementation and that global health partnerships during the era of the Millennium Development Goals did impact health outcomes. This research aims to investigate the current strategies for stakeholder engagement as well as identify the techniques used by partners to implement strategies or coordination with stakeholders that are sustainable in the long term.
Analysis of organizational reports and interviews with experts identified that global health partners are making efforts to include local stakeholder and country perspectives and needs in their work but still face barriers in bridging the gap between bringing these voices to the table and ultimately giving them the space to be heard and centered. Additionally, various sustainability initiatives have been proposed by partners to increase the longevity and success of their work. Accountability and coordinating mechanisms for ensuring that all actors involved in these initiatives know their role is still a point of weakness. Lack of adequate funding to ensure the success of these long-term projects is an additional barrier. Currently, not enough data is available to fully identify the effectiveness of these sustainability strategies as measured in health outcomes. Ultimately, this research provides a checkpoint into the current state of global health partnerships as they relate to stakeholder involvement and long-term strength and effectiveness