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Perspectives on Language from Street Produce Vendors in Cape Town: An examination of education, trading, and development in the informal sector
Get PDFLanguage is vital for the functioning of societies, from education to economic interactions. Language of education presents challenges in Africa due to colonial linguistic legacies and the diversity of indigenous African languages. While education trains learners for work in the formal economy, the South African formal cannot absorb all the available labor. The informal economy therefore provides vital work and income to millions of South Africans and immigrants. Language use in the informal sector was studied, including the education and work traders had before working as street produce vendors.
Six interviews were conducted: two near the Cape Town taxi rank, one in the Cape Town CBD, one near the Mowbray taxi rank, and two near the Langa taxi rank. Participants were chosen through opportunistic sampling and interviews were semi-structured.
English was found to be a pivotal language in both formal and informal sector work. It seems to be, or is perceived to be, a default common language in Cape Town. Language proficiencies were shaped by both educational and vocational experiences, although to different degrees for each participant. It was not a barrier of entry to the informal sector, but a skill developed through the work. Other descriptions of linguistic value appear to undervalue the cultural and relational value of indigenous African languages. The desire to learn Xhosa cut across the participants’ racial categories
Geopolitical Relations: Uganda’s Role in the Development of the River Nile
Get PDFThis study examined the geopolitical relations of the Nile Basin by looking at Uganda as a case study, and analyzed Uganda’s use and development of the River Nile. It reviews the history of transboundary politics and treaties along with Uganda’s development projects in the region. The paper then discusses modern relations and agreements, with a focus on the most recent agreement between the Riparian States, the Cooperative Framework Agreement, and how Uganda fits into them with regards to their interest in hydropower development within their borders on the Nile. It then explores possible future developments on the river and the potential for future conflict in the region, and finishes by making recommendations for the Nile Basin and Uganda. The whole project is looked at using the sustainable development paradigm.
This study was conducted over six weeks through primarily document review and eight expert interviews. All documents reviewed were from peer edited sources, such as books, scholarly journals, and accredited news sources. The documents provided historical information and facts and statistics on the modern development and geopolitical relations of the Nile Basin. Interviews served to enhance and further the information gathered in document review. All the interviewees were experts in their fields and most worked within the Ugandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ugandan Ministry of Water and Environment and their directorates. The study was conducted in accordance to ethical considerations and all wishes of interviewees were upheld throughout the paper.
The researcher found that modern geopolitics of the region have been greatly influenced by the 1929 and 1959 colonial agreements that gave Egypt power of the Nile, and that today negotiations focus on changing this status quo, despite protests from Egypt. Uganda must balance its position as both an upstream and downstream Riparian state, and could be a key middle ground country for maintaining peace in the region by appealing to both sides of the water sharing debate. Uganda’s primary investment in the river is hydropower, and so they must balance the want to release enough water to generate electricity, and preserving the catchments of Lake Victoria and the Nile to protect the resource for long term use. Other than hydropower, which is a hotspot for international criticism due to environmental and cultural impacts, Uganda has a large potential for developing irrigation from the Nile and Lake Victoria that could increase agricultural yields which could improve the country’s food security. Uganda’s position in the Nile Basin makes it unique both in its ability to use and regulate the White Nile, and in the political framework of the region
Ecological Succession on Neotropical Landslides: Comparing successional patterns of four different aged landslides in the Cerro Candelaria Reserve
Get PDFAbstract In an area that is vulnerable to frequent landslides due to steep montane slopes and heavy rain falls it is important to understand how the ecosystem regenerates after it has been disturbed. This study examined ecological succession patterns by comparing the vegetation on four different aged landslides and the unharmed forest within the Cerro Candelaria Reserve, located in a cloud forest ecosystem in central Ecuador. One meter soil profiles and 5x5 meter vegetation quadrats were used to observe and characterize the habitats on the four individual landslides and unharmed forest. At each location, soil color, texture, and structure were characterized. Plants within the plots were identified, and the Jaccard Index was used to determine similarity between sites. It was discovered that succession trajectories are highly dependent on soil quality rather than allotted time for regeneration. Asteraceae was the most dominate pioneer plant family within the area, appearing on all four landslides but not in the unharmed forest. Other common pioneer plants found were ferns, Poaceae, Melastomataceae, and Urticaceae. The overall findings suggest that successional sequences are unique to the individual landslide habitats, dependent on landslide incidence, soil quality and neighboring habitats, but regenerating ecosystems share some similar pioneer plant families.
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En un lugar que es vulnerable a los derrumbes frecuentes debido a las empinadas laderas montañosas y caídas de lluvias fuertes es importante entender cómo el ecosistema se regenera después de que ha sido perturbado. Este estudio examinó los patrones de sucesión ecológica comparando la vegetación en cuatro derrumbes diferentes y el bosque ileso dentro de la Reserva Cerro Candelaria, ubicado en un ecosistema de bosque nublado en el centro de Ecuador. Se utilizaron los perfiles del suelo de un metro y los cuadrados de vegetación de 5x5 metros para observar y caracterizar los hábitats de los cuatro derrumbes individuales y bosque ileso. En cada ubicación, se caracterizó el color del suelo, la textura y la estructura. Se identificaron las plantas dentro de las parcelas, y se usó el índice Jaccard para determinar la similitud entre los sitios. Se descubrió que las trayectorias de sucesión son altamente dependientes de la calidad del suelo en lugar de tiempo asignado para la regeneración. Asteraceae fue la familia de plantas pioneras más dominada dentro de la zona, apareciendo en los cuatro derrumbes pero no en el bosque ileso. Otras plantas pioneras comunes encontradas eran helechos, Poaceae, Melastomataceae, y Urticaceae. Los hallazgos generales sugieren que las secuencias sucesionales son exclusivas de los hábitats de derrumbes individuales, dependiendo de la incidencia de derrumbes, la calidad del suelo y los hábitats vecinos, pero los ecosistemas de regeneración comparten algunas familias de plantas pioneras similares
Perdiendo el Paraíso: lo que el turismo se llevó de la Isla Isabela / Losing Paradise: what tourism took from Isabela Island
No full textDesde los años 60s las Islas Galápagos se han convertido en una importante atracción turística para el mundo. En los últimos 50 años han tenido un rápido crecimiento para transformarse, por medio del sector turístico, en un gran poder económico para el Ecuador. Pero, ¿cuáles han sido las fuerzas que impulsaron este crecimiento? y, lo que es más, ¿cómo ha afectado el crecimiento tan increíble a las comunidades locales de las islas? Este estudio se enfoca en explorar, tomando a la Isla Isabela como base, lo que ha ocasionado (y se ha llevado) el turismo aquí en Galápagos, usando en particular el punto de vista político y antropológico. También intentaré clarificar la situación gubernamental, la actual y la de antes, para poder establecer el papel que el gobierno ha jugado en relación con el turismo, a través del tiempo. Y finalmente se explora lo que se vislumbra en el futuro para la isla Isabela y si, como lo predicen algunos de los habitantes, Isabela y sus comunidades están realmente destinadas a ser totalmente destruidas.
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Since the 60s the Galapagos Islands have become an important tourist attraction for the world. In the last 50 years they have had a rapid growth to become, through the tourism sector, a great economic power for Ecuador. But what have been the forces that drove this growth? and, what is more, how has the incredible growth affected the local communities of the islands? This study focuses on exploring, taking Isabela Island as a base, what has caused (and has taken) tourism here in Galapagos, using in particular the political and anthropological point of view. I will also try to clarify the governmental situation, the current one and the one before, in order to establish the role that the government has played in relation to tourism, over time. And finally, what is glimpsed in the future for Isabela Island is explored and if, as some of the inhabitants predict, Isabela and her communities are really destined to be totally destroyed
a Danza de las Tijeras Continuidad Dinámica y Reivindicación de la Identidad Indígena Andina / Dance of the Scissors Dynamic Continuity and Reclamation of Andean Indigenous Identity
No full textThis research project aims to analyze the contemporary ways in which the Dance of Scissors is practiced and reproduced to determine if its continuity outside the place of origin, with all the modifications that it has experienced, can be considered a form of cultural resistance. Resistance in this context is addressed in two specific ways: as a dynamic continuity of Andean indigenous identity and as a tool of cultural vindication. To achieve this goal, during the work period the research methodology consisted of interviewing dancers and scissors musicians; be a participant as observer of skills and essays of Tijeras dancers in the districts of Villa El Salvador and El Agustino in Lima; and the collection of cultural material, including documentaries, posters, material produced by the Ministry of Culture, bibliographic material, etc. The result of this process is a record of the perspective of dancers and musicians of contemporary scissors regarding the present and future of dance, showing that there is a discourse of resistance and organized structures of dancers and musicians in urban areas that seek to use all the tools at your disposal - such as patrimonialization and the economic potential of dance - to claim their cultural manifestations, their identity, and their place as worthy citizens of recognition in the new contexts in which they live today
Ethical Business Practice, Accountability, and Quality Assurance: Primary Drivers for Sustainable Tourism Development in Iceland
Get PDFThe tourism industry in Iceland has grown exponentially in the last decade, causing changes to the natural landscape and drastically shifting revenue streams in the economy. This rapid growth coupled with the recent development of Iceland’s tourism industry makes it the perfect case study for how to effectively mitigate tourism influxes. This unprecedented rate of growth impels the creation of sustainability measures within this industry in order to ensure a lasting vision of Icelandic tourism in the future. Both the government and private sector have already begun to institute sustainability measures in society and in business. The primary aim of this study is to create a macroscopic picture of what drives sustainable tourism in Iceland by determining what has shaped the industry thus far. Interviews were conducted with a government official, the leader of a privately-funded tourism organization, and employees in tourist companies in order to gain insight into the industry. Various secondary sources such as economic reports from the Icelandic government and tourism anthropology papers provided a basis for analyzing the interview data. The overwhelming conclusion from this research was that the creation of sustainable tourism relies on accountability and quality assurance, transparency of shared knowledge, and most profoundly, a commitment to ethical business practice. This research reflects that business guided by ethics was the primary factor motivating people within the tourism sector to institute sustainability measures. Testimonies from both government officials and employees in the private sector reflects that the success Iceland has had so far in mitigating the tourist influx has been reliant on their singular mission of sustainability. Looking forward, maintaining sustainability within the industry will rely on continued partnership and commitment to ethical business
A Comparative Approach to Non-Formal Education: The Power of Sport for Female Youth
Get PDFNon-formal education plays a vital role in the lives of our female youth. From positive self-talk to team unity, the number of life skills that are promoted through value based curriculums are innumerous. Due to the growing popularity of such programming, it is important to understand the distinguishing characteristics of each organization. Therefore, this comparative study will analyze the power of sport as a form of non-formal education, and its impact on girls in India, Cameroon, and the United States. This will be accomplished through individual interviews that will attempt to answer the following question: What distinguishes non-formal education from informal learning in relation to sports programs geared towards female youth?
Once the results from the qualitative research were analyzed, the following four themes emerged as being representative of the data: (1) Customized Goals, (2) Gaining Positive Life Skills, (3) Community Membership, and (4) Applicability of Learning. No matter the language, country, or even sport, commonalities could be found in the distinguishing characteristics for non-formal education sports programs geared towards female youth.
The results of this study can be used by non-formal education sports organizations to better understand the learning outcomes and how to better design a successful non-formal education sports program. Additionally, donors and volunteers play a huge role in the success of these organizations, therefore the results could also be used to educate future benefactors about the impact that their efforts could have on female youth around the world
Ignorance is Bliss: The Impacts of International Travel and Education on Political Beliefs
Get PDFThis ISP examines the link between international travel and selected political beliefs. While the literature on the political effects of international travel are almost non-existent, many works exist that link increased education to higher political skepticism. In this study, we test the theory that international travel can be interpreted as education, and thus can have the same effect of engendering political skepticism.
This theory is tested using a survey which was distributed at various locations in Amman, Jordan. The survey first asked about the respondent’s basic demographical information, education level and international travel history. The political questions focused on two main themes: peace and intervention. The respondent was asked to rate their optimism for peace in various Middle Eastern conflicts and their beliefs on the ability for American or Russian military intervention to bring peace to the same Middle Eastern conflicts.
One hundred surveys were collected and analyzed. It was found that international travel had no effect on optimism for peace in Syria, Iraq, Libya or Yemen. However, the results showed a strong trend in other areas. Those who had traveled internationally, compared to those who had never left Jordan, were significantly more pessimistic about peace in the Arab/Israeli conflict, and were significantly more skeptical about the ability for American military intervention to bring peace to Syria, Iraq, Libya or Yemen. Additionally, those who had traveled internationally were significantly more skeptical about Russian involvement in Syria. The most significant aspect of analysis showed that traveling to more countries resulted in more skepticism. The results for optimism for peace in Syria, Iraq, Libya or Yemen are muddled because current events change those situations constantly. However, views on the Arab/Israeli peace and foreign military intervention in the region are long-held, resulting in clear evidence that international travel generates political skepticism
PeaceJam University Scholars Program: Through the Lens of the Laureates
Get PDFThe PeaceJam Foundation is an international non-profit working with 14 Nobel Peace Prize Winners to increase peace education and social justice. The organization offers year-long programming for youth age 5-25 and hosts regional events such as the Youth Leadership Conference. This unique event brings together local youth who have been participating in PeaceJam programming throughout the year to meet a Nobel Peace Prize Winner and develop the knowledge and skills needed to create positive change in themselves, their community, and the world. While in most regions PeaceJam’s strength lies in its K-12 programming, findings indicate a gap when it comes to providing the same for college age youth.
This paper will present a pilot design for a PeaceJam Rocky Mountain higher education program, with a specific focus on a university level course. The design is based on SIT’s International Education Design & Delivery and Design Concepts & Evaluation courses and offers a way for Red Rocks Community College, a local institution interested in partnering with PeaceJam Rocky Mountain, a way to increase internationalization at home.
Research for this project was conducted through interviews with PeaceJam staff and Red Rocks Community College faculty. They provide support for the design of a college level course incorporating PeaceJam’s curriculum, a deep analysis of PeaceJam’s Nobel Laureates and their work, and student designed service learning projects. Community partners are selected for their connection to one of PeaceJam’s ten issue areas. In conclusion, this paper suggests how adding a study abroad component to this program in the future would add a rich international experience to the program
#NowAreYouStartingToGetIt?: A Case Study of \u27Stop Charters in KY\u27 Advocacy Campaign
Get PDFThe United States is experiencing a sweeping neoliberal education reform agenda. The marketization of education is the latest trend in this neoliberal education agenda, and it finally took in hold in Kentucky. Charter schools are understood as being part of the marketization of education, which comes with lower accountability standards and a siphoning of public funds away from traditional public schools. Kentucky has a history of education reform policies that have resulted in an improvement in the quality of public education. However, public education has seen a decline in the allocation of state resources over the past decade. This steady decline in funding has led to more public schools being labeled as failing. Thus charter school legislation emerged in Kentucky and succeeded in passing into law. Save Our Schools Kentucky (SOSKY) mobilized in opposition to Kentucky’s charter school legislation. I worked with and studied SOSKY’s ‘Stop Charters in KY’ advocacy campaign, and I found that SOSKY was successful in building a strong constituency base and building rapport within the legislature but failed to block the passage of charter school legislation due to the timing of the mobilization, the political timing, and the timing of the legislative action on the bill. My analysis shows that because SOSKY mobilized too late in order to set up adequate fundraising strategies, the conservatives finally had control of all bodies in the state legislature, and the bill was pushed through at the end of the session giving Kentuckians very little time to become familiar with its contents, the Stop Charters in KY campaign failed. In order to move forward, advocates must mobilize to ensure accountability and transparency in charter school implementation and work to return power to the local school boards