Civil society’s communicative agency in strengthening community participation for environmental care in Cisayong

General Background: Environmental awareness is crucial for communities to preserve ecosystems and prevent environmental degradation. Social support can play a significant role in fostering this awareness. Specific Background: In rural communities like Tutur village, Pasuruan regency, environmental awareness and social support are often interconnected. However, the extent to which social support influences environmental awareness remains underexplored. Knowledge Gap: While studies have examined environmental education and awareness, few have investigated the role of social support as a driving factor in increasing environmental responsibility in village settings. Aims: This study aims to examine the influence of social support on environmental awareness among the residents of Tutur village, focusing on the relationship between these variables using quantitative methods. Results: The findings from simple linear regression analysis reveal that social support has a significant effect on environmental awareness, indicating that residents with stronger social ties exhibit higher levels of concern and action toward environmental preservation. Novelty: This study offers a novel insight by quantitatively demonstrating the direct relationship between social support and environmental awareness in rural communities, highlighting social dynamics as a key factor in environmental education. Implications: The results suggest that enhancing social support networks through community-driven initiatives can significantly improve environmental consciousness and foster sustainable tourism development, particularly in rural areas like Tutur village. This study provides a basis for future research on integrating social support frameworks into environmental sustainability strategies, particularly in regions with strong communal ties. Highlights: Social support boosts environmental awareness in community residents. Strong community ties enhance responsibility for environmental preservation. Findings promote initiatives to improve environmental consciousness and tourism. Keywords: environmental awareness, social support, Tutur village, quantitative research, sustainability

The purpose of this study is to examine how school education and volunteer experiences at home affect elementary school students' environmental awareness and civic engagement, and to provide data for teaching methods and lesson designs that can enhance elementary school students' environmental awareness and civic engagement. To achieve this, an independent samples t-test and multiple regression analysis were conducted using the first-year data from the DELS(Daegu Education Longitudinal Study), focusing on items related to ‘social studies teaching methods’, ‘students' awareness of social studies classes’, ‘environmental awareness’, and ‘civic engagement’. The results are as follows: First, elementary school students who experienced volunteerism at home had higher levels of environmental awareness and civic engagement. Second, the efficacy of the teaching method, as well as the level of awareness about the class, were found to have a direct correlation with the level of environmental awareness. Additionally, the findings indicated that the awareness of social studies classes exerted a significant influence on the environmental awareness of elementary school students. Third, the efficacy of teaching methods and class awareness were directly correlated with the level of civic engagement. The findings of this study are significant in that they confirm the possibility that elementary school students, through practical activities with meaningful others, can clearly conceptualize and internalize abstract concepts, and the more effectively they learn, the more likely their actions will translate into practice.

This paper aims at investigating the change over time in the environmental awareness in rural Chinese communities and its correlation with environmental management measures implemented at the local level. We identify three main components of awareness, namely: perception, behavior, and attitude toward environmental management measures. Data were collected from two surveys in three villages in northern China in 2006 and 2015 that interviewed 125 and 129 respondents, respectively, and were analyzed employing an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach. The results discussed in the paper show that environmental awareness increased between 2006–2015, and was mainly manifested in better environmental behavior and understanding of environmental status due an improvement in rural infrastructure and a greater amount of information provided to rural residents about the environment. Place of residence had a considerable influence on respondents’ environmental awareness: residents in eco-villages had a higher environmental awareness than those living in common agricultural villages. This appears to indicate a positive nexus between the comprehensiveness of environmental management measures implemented locally, and environmental awareness. Also, the universality of environment issues reduced the importance of socioeconomic and demographic factors in determining the degree of environmental awareness. However, more attention should be paid to villagers’ external behavior and inner feelings, such as their attitude to governmental management policies. These findings yield important policy implications that are relevant to the promotion of environmental awareness in China’s rural communities, and the adoption of more effective environmental management measures.

The enhanced paced of development activities and rapid urbanization has resulted in stress on natural resources and quality of life. Humans are responsible for depletion of the natural resources. Environment can be seen to consist of two major components: natural - atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere environments and social or man-made environments. As a result of human intelligence, man has great influence on her biological and physical environment. Often time the influence is detrimental to the environment causing soil degradation and erosion, deforestation and desertification, and pollution. Other effects are adverse climate change such as ozone layer depletion, global warming and acid rain. The importance of environment and the complex nature of its components as well as the benefits that could accrue to mankind based in its awareness has given birth to the discipline of environmental education. The tremendous signification of the message of environmental education for the survival of man has made the relatively new academic discipline to attract great attention. The involvement of public in the implementation of environmental education programmes and campaigns cannot be over-emphasized but this is not the case. Air, water and soil pollution is on the increase. To minimize these problems, environmental awareness is imperative. Lack of adequate environmental knowledge is an obstacle in achieving a sustainable future for humankind at both global and local levels. Measuring the level of environmental awareness in a population can be difficult but environmental awareness programme can help reduce the impacts of human activities on the environment. Use of press media, awareness raising campaigns, incorporation in mainstream education (basic, secondary and tertiary), public participation in environmental matters, celebrities in media campaigns and civic education are some of the ways by which environmental education can be heralded. Educating adult, community, traditional and religious leaders on the importance of environmental health and on the well use of the natural environment is also very critical to sustainable development. This paper is an attempt to review the meaning of environment education, its aims and objectives, and ways of promoting environmental awareness in the society. It also considered how environmental education can be implemented in many contexts. The paper concluded with recommendations of ways of sensitizing the public on the need to be environmental conscious. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2014.v4n3p333

Libyan Women’s Platform for Peace

Environmental education and awareness play a crucial role in promoting and protecting human rights in the modern world. As environmental degradation increasingly affects basic human rights such as the right to clean air, safe water, health, and livelihood, there is a growing need to integrate environmental consciousness into human rights discourse. This research paper explores the intersection between environmental sustainability and human rights, emphasizing how informed and educated communities can advocate for environmental justice and policy reforms. Through the analysis of case studies, policies, and grassroots movements, the paper highlights how environmental education empowers individuals, especially marginalized communities, to claim their rights and actively participate in decision-making processes. The study also discusses the role of educational institutions, media, and civil society in fostering awareness and encouraging responsible environmental behavior. Ultimately, the research underlines that environmental education is not merely about ecological literacy but is a powerful tool for achieving equity, justice, and sustainable development for all. Keywords – Environmental education, human rights, environmental awareness, sustainable development, environmental justice, marginalized communities, climate change, public participation, environmental policy, empowerment.

Engaging Fathers to Improve Dietary Diversity in Northern Nigeria: Perspectives From Community and Religious Leaders, Community Health Extension Workers, and Parents

Abstract. Abidin Z, Setiawan B, Muhaimin AW, Shinta A. 2021. The role of coastal biodiversity conservation on sustainability and environmental awareness in mangrove ecosystem of southern Malang, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 648-658. Southern coast of Malang, East Java, Indonesia has several mangrove ecosystems used for ecotourism, such as Clungup Mangrove Conservation Tiga Warna (CMC Tiga Warna). This area has consistently implemented ecotourism principles. Previously, it was assumed to be vulnerable from the damage due to differences in environmental awareness of ecotourists and local communities. This study aims to (i) describe the strategy of coastal biodiversity conservation to enhance environmental awareness and its sustainability; (ii) analyze the role of conservation on sustainability and environmental awareness, with sustainability as a mediating variable between conservation and environmental awareness. Data analysis was conducted with descriptive and Warp Partial Least Square (WarpPLS). The results indicate that empirical facts of conservation, sustainability, and environmental awareness in CMC Tiga Warna are relevant to the result of statistical analysis. Conservation is believed to form the environmental awareness of ecotourists and local communities and to maintain the sustainability of ecotourism destinations. In addition, the sustainability of ecotourism destinations serves as an effective mediator between conservation and environmental awareness, along with the modeling of environmental awareness enhancement in conservation-based coastal ecotourism. The proposed model explains that sustainability and environmental awareness variances are 23% and 25%, respectively. In summary, Destination Marketing and Management Organization of CMC Tiga Warna ecotourism is believed to improve environmental awareness of ecotourist and local communities by strengthening coastal biodiversity conservation programs in ecotourism areas and in maintaining sustainability.

The rapid shift from centralised–authoritarian to decentralised–democratic rule in Indonesia has been accompanied by a large shift in sub-national government policies across districts. Based on case study in Surakarta city comprising business surveys and in-depth interviews, this report argues that demand-side pressures from local business and associations as well as supply-side pressures from local government leaders can be attributed as the broad explanation for the Surakarta city’s performance in tourism industry. In Indonesia’s early transition to democratic governance, business pressures have been constrained by collective action problems and perverse political incentives. On the other hand, local government leaders with good vision, have strong powers and new incentives for policy reform. Local leaders have been playing crucial role in shaping political arena for business as well as civil society. In the name of political inclusion, they invite civil society as well business groups to involve in policy making process. This study’s findings suggest that government leadership is an important policy determinant that can shape the interests of business and the people. The ability of the leader to create economic growth has been determinant in bridging the interests of business as well as the society as a whole.

<p>Leadership is an extensively discussed and researched concept in scholarship. A vast amount of literature focuses on adult leadership, especially in a political and organizational context. Adult leadership places emphasis on the role of individual leaders, whilst youth leadership takes a participatory approach. Leadership scholars indicate that this participatory approach to youth leadership, involves young people addressing community concerns and at a civic level, engaging in planning and decision-making. Social participation traits and civic identity are developed during adolescence yet very little research has been undertaken in this area since the 1960s. This suggests that youth leadership is an overlooked research stream. Current studies on Gen Y indicate that this demographic are technologically proficient especially with regard to Web 2.0 tools, but also disengaged from their community. This research project examines the use of online communities to influence the leadership skills of a Gen Y cohort in the context of social participation and civic engagement. In this study a focus group and an online wiki were used to investigate how Gen Y teenagers in Wellington, New Zealand used online communities to develop and exercise their leadership skills through civic and social action endeavours. Results from the study indicate that youth leadership, in an online context, centres on the role of organisers who foster civic participation through online community networks. Thus youth leadership is strengthened through participation in civic and community issues using online communities. Adult perceptions of youth and the low credibility of online communities, as perceived by youth, were found to act as barriers to online youth leadership. The findings highlight the importance of adults acknowledging youth in social participation and civic endeavours. This study extends research in the youth leadership stream and enhances our understanding of Gen Y and their use of online communities.</p>

<p>Leadership is an extensively discussed and researched concept in scholarship. A vast amount of literature focuses on adult leadership, especially in a political and organizational context. Adult leadership places emphasis on the role of individual leaders, whilst youth leadership takes a participatory approach. Leadership scholars indicate that this participatory approach to youth leadership, involves young people addressing community concerns and at a civic level, engaging in planning and decision-making. Social participation traits and civic identity are developed during adolescence yet very little research has been undertaken in this area since the 1960s. This suggests that youth leadership is an overlooked research stream. Current studies on Gen Y indicate that this demographic are technologically proficient especially with regard to Web 2.0 tools, but also disengaged from their community. This research project examines the use of online communities to influence the leadership skills of a Gen Y cohort in the context of social participation and civic engagement. In this study a focus group and an online wiki were used to investigate how Gen Y teenagers in Wellington, New Zealand used online communities to develop and exercise their leadership skills through civic and social action endeavours. Results from the study indicate that youth leadership, in an online context, centres on the role of organisers who foster civic participation through online community networks. Thus youth leadership is strengthened through participation in civic and community issues using online communities. Adult perceptions of youth and the low credibility of online communities, as perceived by youth, were found to act as barriers to online youth leadership. The findings highlight the importance of adults acknowledging youth in social participation and civic endeavours. This study extends research in the youth leadership stream and enhances our understanding of Gen Y and their use of online communities.</p>

While voter turnout is often seen as one definitive aspect of civic engagement, this paper argues that there are more nuanced ways to reflect on the impact of service-learning experiences on students’ environmental awareness and environmentally responsible behavior changes. Using course evaluation qualitative comments in environmental politics-themed courses that have used service-learning as a pedagogical tool for the past 8 years, this paper argues that environmental awareness and its subsequent application in activism reflect civic engagement through changes in environmental behavior. Service-learning enables students to make connections between the course material and real-world environmental issues, showing them how various communities are attempting to solve certain environmental problems. The focus on problem-solving skills in this particular domain enables students to see themselves as agents of change, though the long-term effects of these changes are difficult to ascertain. The Hawaiʻi context is particularly important due to the plethora of environmental problems we face, and the additional fact that we live both in somewhat of a closed and geographically isolated system as well as being susceptible to a variety of outside systemic influences and forces. If we are not enabling the next generation of environmental problem solvers through higher education, our “sea of islands” as aptly termed by scholar Epeli Hau‘ofa, has a lot to lose.

Diversity in society, whether in terms of religion, language, ethnicity, tribe, and so on, is an unavoidable fact, especially for the Indonesian people. Therefore, this diversity must be managed and accommodated effectively to prevent it from becoming a threat that could lead to vertical or horizontal conflict. This research aims to. 1) finding out the pattern of strengthening tolerance in religious moderation villages in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, 2) finding out local actors involved in strengthening tolerance in religious moderation villages in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, and 3) finding out the implications for the resilience of Pancasila ideology in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. This study uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive research method. The data collection technique in this study used in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and documentation. The data validity test used was data triangulation, and the triangulation of data analysis methods and techniques used was interactive data analysis. The results of the study show that the pattern of strengthening religious tolerance is carried out by the village government in collaboration with religious leaders and community leaders by organizing Pancasila birthday gadgets (June 1), regular interfaith dialogues, and involving religious leaders in various activities. Local actors involved in strengthening tolerance in religious moderation villages are village heads, hamlet heads, religious leaders, community leaders, and youth leaders. Strengthening tolerance through religious moderation in villages has implications for increasing the resilience of Pancasila ideology in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, considering that the religious level of the community is increasing, and the harmony of life between religious people increases.

Rural communities have tremendous difficulties in social justice and sustainable development due to the prevalent and ongoing nature of gender-based violence (GBV). This study aims to map sustainable GBV accountability ecosystems in the rural communities of the Vhembe district. The study seeks to discover the contextual elements, institutional mechanisms, and community dynamics that support long-lasting and sustainable response to GBV within the Vhembe District. Through in-depth interviews, the study gathered qualitative data using a qualitative research approach. The study engaged different stakeholders, including survivors, community leaders, law enforcement agencies, civil society, and government representatives, in order to get an in-depth understanding of the current GBV accountability structures and their sustainability. While a non-probability purposive sampling was adopted for the selection of the participants. Data was analysed using the Thematic analysis, with the assistance of Atlas TI Data software. The results of this study brought to light the complex issues that rural communities face in preventing GBV, which includes resource access issues, cultural norms, and weak institutional support. Moreover, the research has revealed the potential practices and community-driven initiatives that support sustainable accountability, including launching community-based support teams, establishing capacity-building programs, and stakeholders’ collaboration. The study findings will significantly assist the policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to develop targeted interventions and strengthen sustainable responses to GBV in rural communities of Vhembe district. Additionally, the ethical considerations were followed to protect the participants from any harm.

This study explores the implementation of prophetic communication values—?idq (honesty), sh?r? (deliberation), ?adl (justice), and ra?mah (compassion)—as a strategic approach to resolving local political conflicts in Labuhan Batu Selatan, North Sumatra. The research examines how these Islamic ethical principles are actualized by political actors, religious leaders, and civil society during the post-election period. Grounded in a qualitative case study design, the study draws on 12 in-depth interviews with key informants, including local government officials, clerics, NGO representatives, and community leaders. It also incorporates document analysis of local media coverage and election-related public statements. The study adopts a constructivist theoretical framework, emphasizing how actors interpret and enact moral-religious values within political discourse. Thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns in ethical and dialogical communication across multiple stakeholder groups. Findings reveal that while individual actors often internalize and express prophetic values in informal settings, formal political communication remains dominated by transactional and polarizing narratives. Religious leaders and civil society organizations serve as moral intermediaries, but their capacity is constrained by the lack of institutional mechanisms for dialogue and reconciliation. This study contributes both theoretically and practically. Theoretically, it offers a moral-ethical lens to the study of local political communication in pluralistic Muslim societies. Practically, it suggests that the integration of prophetic values into political discourse can promote ethical governance and strengthen social cohesion in post-electoral contexts.