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Coral species distribution and percent cover of sessile organisms on protected and non-protected coral reefs in Digir, Buga, Dubbir, and Kanir Kinnidup, Guna Yala, Panama
Get PDFCoral reefs are the most productive, biodiverse ecosystems in the ocean despite covering only \u3c.5% of the ocean floor. In today’s changing climate, coral reefs face a multitude of threats including ocean warming, coral bleaching, ocean acidification, overfishing, increasing human population, and coral mining, among others. One way to protect coral reefs is to establish a marine protected area to limit damage and contamination. This study aimed to examine coral species distribution as well as percent cover of sessile organisms and substrates including coral, fire coral, algae, and sponges on protected and non-protected reefs in order to attempt to analyze the effect of protection on coral reefs in Guna Yala, Panama. Based on the data collected, protected areas had higher algae cover (P\u3c.01, df=107), lower coral cover (P\u3c.0001, df=138), and a higher relative abundance of corals with a “weedy” life history such as Porites astreoides (P\u3c.05, df=80). The data also showed that uninhabited islands tended to have significantly higher average coral cover (P\u3c.0001, df=146) and lower average algae cover (P\u3c.0001, df=161), as well as lower relative abundance of P. astreoides (P\u3c.01, df=134). When the protected site sampled was compared to an unprotected site that was around the same island, the protected area was found to have higher coral cover (P\u3c.01, df=71) and lower algae cover (P\u3c.05, df=72) than the unprotected area. Ultimately, lack of human population and protected status were found to be positive factors for coral reef health, and future study should be done to further examine the relationship between these two factors
Optimized Organic Waste Treatment System An assessment of composting and biogas potential at Santos Organics
Get PDFFood waste holds incredible environmental degradation implications due to its ability to produce and emit potent greenhouse gases, as well as allow for the resources initially used to produce it to go to waste. When in a gloabal crisis of environmental degradation as well as food security, it is a shame to see food be wasted when other more optimal outlets are available.
This study utilizes the Triple Bottom Line to assess the ideal systems with which the three branches of Santos Organics should manage their food waste to optimize its lifecycle in order to further promote the business’ status of sustainability within their Byron Bay, Byron Arts and Industries District, and Mullumbimby locations. The analysis of data through the lens of Structured Decision Making Models, Triple Bottom Line oriented cost-benefit analyses, and Food Waste Hierarchies allowed for the conclusions to be reached for optimized systems of food waste management for each branch.
The incorporation of the Bin Trim food waste reduction education program offered by the New South Wales Environmental Protection Authority is highly suggested to the business as it teaches the branches to manage their food with strategies in mind to avoid the fundamental unnecessary wasting of it. In addition to this, food waste recycling systems have been specially tailored to each branch to assure all three sectors of the Triple Bottom Line are satisfied across the branches’ unique conditions and environments. Systems of anerobic digestion, aerobic digestion, dehydration, large scale compost facilities, vermicomposting, and animal feed biotechnology are analyzed and assessed to fulfill this function.
The Byron Bay branch can benefit from the incorporation of biotechnology for animal feeds, specifically the utilization of Black Soldier Flies, within their current offsite composting with Evan Anderson at “The Farm” in Byron Bay. Mullumbimby will be able to utilize an anerobic system to fully harness food waste’s the energy potential as well as degradation into liquid fertilizer to benefit themselves and the community across the Triple Bottom Line. The Warehouse branc
Luchadoras: Resistencias contra la violencia de género por las mujeres en la región de San Ramón
No full textThis qualitative study describes the dynamic resiliency-building process against gender-based violence in two rural coffee-producing communities in the region of San Ramon, Nicaragua. It examines the methods and efficacy of economic empowerment and educational interventions facilitated by the Union of Agricultural Cooperatives Augusto Cesar Sandino (UCA San Ramón) in addressing gender inequality, preventing gender-based violence, and increasing access to resources for women in the cooperatives of El Privilegio and Danilo Gonzales. This complex ecology, comprised of the interactions between women, their communities, available resources, and institutions, is assessed through the lens of women’s individual perspectives as they engage in three successive fights: the fight to organize, the fight to economically develop their families and communities, and the defense of their bodies. The study finds that generally, increased access to interventions and resources do seem to lessen a woman’s risk of gender-based violence, largely due to the social ties participants build via the interventions, and the sense of empowerment gained through participation and economic independence. These ties further motivate participation by the women and others within their networks. However, these same social ties may lead to social isolation of non-participants
What It Means to be a Global Campus: A Case Study of Internationalization on the University of Washington Campus
Get PDFThe following paper presents an analysis of internationalization on the University of Washington (UW) campus. The UW attracts students from all over the world each year while also sending students abroad for a quarter or two. The goals and purpose of gaining an international education, however, are not clear. As a result, key stakeholders are often left out of conversations surrounding international education because of a lack of communication and no centralized purpose. These ideas led to a series of research questions including: Should the UW have an official statement on internationalization and international education? What is the current state of internationalization and international education on campus? How do the stakeholders work together in this current state?
The research, conducted through interviews with UW staff members, led to a few findings and conclusions. Individuals were supportive of the UW putting out some sort of official statement on international education and internationalization. They saw the lack of a formal policy as a hindrance on international education because it led to miscommunications and a lack of a unified purpose. The UW already has internationalization efforts but they need to officially embrace and acknowledge the concept in order for there to be unification. The leadership at the University must develop clear goals and objectives and work with individuals at every level to formulate a plan for internationalization that encompasses all facets of the school. The implication of this research is that vagueness surrounding internationalization and international education at a University harms the success of these. Transparency is key along with ensuring that all stakeholders be present and engaged. The findings can especially pertain to larger universities to serve as a model for what can happen when there is less communication across departments
Reframing Homelessness in Vermont: A Systemic Approach to Homelessness Policy Advocacy in Windham County Vermont
Get PDFThe Changeworks Committee of the Groundworks Collaborative was created in 2014 to implement advocacy that would build public support for long-term policy changes addressing the root causes of homelessness in Windham County Vermont. This research focused on the work of this committee, and posed the question: How does reframing homelessness as a systemic issue instead of an individual issue impact the public perception of the problem in Windham County, Vermont? I argue that reframing perceptions of homelessness as the result of systemic failure and not as a problem of individual choice is key to building public support for solutions. Additionally, the work of the Changeworks Committee was analyzed through Shultz’s roadmap for policy, Unsicker’s policy circles, and Lakoff’s reframing model. My findings and analysis show the committee’s efforts have resulted in an increase in community collaboration, awareness of the root causes of homelessness, and the empowerment of those experiencing homelessness. Shifting away from the “pull yourself up by the bootstraps” approach towards a systemic root cause approach has allowed for a deeper, more productive public discourse on how to implement solutions in the local area
Enhancing Global Education in China - A Global Citizen Language Program
Get PDFThe acceleration of globalization calls for education with an aim of creating global citizens who are able to learn, live and function in an increasingly interconnected world. Educators should remember that they are creating future leaders who need to understand how to perform and interact in a global arena. For global citizens to effectively function in such an environment, they are required to have competencies such as: intercultural understanding, curiosity for discovery, cultural self-awareness, sociolinguistic awareness, and ability to listen, observe, interpret and analyze etc.
Chinese students who live in second and third-tier cities receive significantly less global education due to the lack of resources, qualified teachers and the opportunities to interact with the outside world. English language acquisition appears to be the only subject that can let them come into contact with different cultures and customs. However, the purpose of learning this language is overshadowed by China’s examination-oriented educational system. Current English teaching and learning in China are very time consuming and students’ overall English proficiency is poor.
The Global Citizen Language Program laid out in this paper, aims to connect learning English and Global Citizenship Education to equip students with highly competitive language skills and cultural competencies, cultivate and inspire creative and open minds, and nurture a sense of understating and compassion for other people and cultures
Seno Banjonki Lower Basic School Vision Care Pilot Project: A Monitoring and Evaluation Course Linked Capstone Thesis
Get PDFThe focus of this capstone thesis is to provide insight into the development and implementation of the M&IE plan for the Seno Bajonki Lower Basic School (SB-LBS) Vision Care Pilot Project. The M&IE plan for the SB-LBS Vision Care Pilot Project can be identified as a mixed methods approach, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data, and a practical participatory evaluation.
Key foci for the M&IE plan for the pilot project taken from the literature review included the importance of involving primary stakeholders at the community level within the project development and implementation, interconnectivity between an objectives hierarchy and assumptions necessary for successful implementation, utilizing the interrelated practices of deciding on the evaluation approach and the development of key evaluation questions, and the use of a multi-tiered report dissemination structure.
Implementation of the M&IE plan for the pilot project included engagement from the author, SB-LBS staff, School Management Committee, Soma Health Eye Unit, Ministry of Education Region 4 Special Education Teacher, and vision specialist Dr. Sandra Wang-Harris. Key lessons learned from implementing the M&IE plan included the importance of analyzing risks/assumptions in the development of the objectives hierarchy and utilizing sound logic and reason in establishing program objectives
Adopting Organizational Learning Systems at the Field Level of International NGOs
Get PDFAn increased push for accountability in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has led to the imperative for what was previously an internal management practice widely-utilized in the private sector: organizational learning. Learning initiatives support organizations to utilize resources more effectively and to reach their objectives with adaptive strategies.
In this paper, I explore the many components belonging to the organizational learning umbrella term from multiple disciplines, grounding my inquiry in the context of international NGOs. The findings from my qualitative research highlight aspects of learning and knowledge management in addition to organizational change and culture; to provide a comprehensive understanding of organizational learning and how it is optimally implemented. Notable attention is given to the apparent contrast of national culture and learning culture. I examined my research through a framework adapted from social capital theory, which categorizes learning into structural, relational and cognitive aspects. Analyzing learning initiatives through these three aspects provides a comprehensive understanding of how organizational learning systems are successfully implemented throughout a multinational organization, particularly at the field level of international NGOs.
I conducted qualitative interviews with experts and field managers to complement the literature review and draw recommendations. These insights are valuable for senior management, field managers and field staff to utilize in advocating for and carrying out organizational learning systems
ABC or AEI: A Comparison of Approaches to Early Childhood Education in Samoa
Get PDFDue to discussion about the importance of early childhood education (ECE), the scene in Samoa has shifted. The present study compares and analyzes approaches to ECE in Samoa from three schools: Brilliant Star Montessori Preschool, Divine Mercy Preschool, and Saoluafata Preschool. Data was collected through participatory observation over the course of two and three days at each school. Results showed both similarities and differences within the preschools in themes such as play, academic curriculum, and classroom management. Analysis found ECE in Samoa is developing and potential tools to further improve the schools were presented. This study will provide a report for educators to refer to in the future
Man and Land: Competing Ontologies, Colonial Legacies, and the Quest for Food Sovereignty
Get PDFLand is an ontological reality, which is at the center of different relationships to land. These relationships are situated in and a product of historical and spatial process that have an under lying power geometry. These different understandings of land tenure can create conflict when they intersect with competing interests in the same space. In Cameroon, this is currently the case in the form of large-scale land acquisitions, which often conflict with local communities as multinational corporations and local elites acquire land concessions with facilitation by the government in the name of development. This paper aims to understand this issue in Cameroon by contextualizing the phenomenon within its colonial and global history, working from the bottom up using the case study of CATAC in Nanga Eboko, and by using a spatial analysis to prove that this conflict over land is part of a broader agrarian transformative process