Faith-Based and Community Organizations as Human Security Actors: Bridging Governance Gaps in Kwara North

Impact of Providing Healthy Food Access and Nutrition Education Through Food Hubs

This chapter examines the role of States and non-State actors in guaranteeing human security. ‘Human security’ as a concept may be seen as methodologically over-inclusive. After all, threats to collective or international security, such as inter-State use of military force, necessarily imperil the security of individuals. For the purposes of the chapter, threats to ‘human security’ are understood as threats to the fundamental human rights of individuals. It is posited that international practice has recognized the interlinking—and potential causal—pathways between gross violations of human rights and threats to international peace. The chapter discusses the traditional dual role of States, as violators and guarantors of human rights. Security offered by States to individuals within their territory is crucial in terms of attaining security at an international level. Indeed, lack of security within the boundaries of a State can have debilitating effects on regional or international peace. The chapter then assesses whether non-State actors can assume a corresponding dual role, looking into the role of multinational enterprises, de facto regimes, and clans through the lens of international human rights and refugee law. Finally, it reframes the category of ‘non-State actors’ more generally and posits that these actors may not be all that detached or different from States in the first place.

The word 'development' is vaguely defined and has diverse meanings in all aspects (political, economic, social, technological, environmental, legal and so forth). Development can be qualitative or quantitative, but this paper concentrates on the qualitative part, although it agrees that qualitative development is the foundation for quality improvement of lives around the world. However, below are some of the generally accepted meanings: According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), it uses a more detailed definitionaccording to them development is 'to lead/live long and healthy lives, to be knowledgeable, to have access to the resources needed for a decent standard of living and to be able to participate in the life of the community.' According to the UNDP, development is looked as "Human Development" (Henk, 2005:2). According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, (Canada, 1999:5), Canada has also incorporated human security/development approach into its foreign policy formulation process(es). The country has redefined the concept of security from the traditional one to that which guarantees "safety for people from both violent and non-violent threats…..characterized by freedom from pervasive threats to people's rights, their safety, or even their lives". The country has also backed its new commitment by expending huge amounts of money and other resources to promote human security worldwide, especially in the form of aid. According to the South Africa White Paper on Defence, 1996, development is an all-encompassing condition in which individual citizens live in freedom, peace and safety; participate fully in the process of governance; enjoy the protection fundamental rights; have access to resources and the basic necessities of life; and inhabit an environment which is not detrimental to their health and wellbeing not only in terms of the internal security of the state, but also in terms of secure systems of food health, money and trade (it is about human security supported by the states and non-state actors). Therefore development is to empower the poor, it is about local people taking control of their own lives, expressing their own demands and finding their own solutions to their problems. Development encompasses capacity building, sensitization training, workshops, seminars and conferences aimed at exploiting the ability or potential of an individual to become self-sustained and support themselves at least to have a decent life. Therefore, development is the act of improving quality of life and making sure everyone has an improved standard of live in the world with the help or efforts of the local people, international bodies, governments and a variety of civil society organizations such as NGOs, community organizations and religious groups. It is also called global development or international development, a vague term covering a wide range of activities, but in simplistic terms it can be understood as the fight against poverty to allow International Development 8 developing countries to 'catch up' with the rest of the world. It has become important to focus on sustainable strategies that focus on long term development rather than quick fixes (Thomas, 2000) . International development or global development is most used in a holistic and multi-disciplinary context of human development and aims at the development of greater quality of life for humans. It, therefore, encompasses foreign aid, governance, healthcare, education, poverty reduction, gender equality, disaster preparedness, infrastructure, economics, human rights, environment and issues associated with these (Worsley,1999). International development ensures that all human beings in the world live a quality life to lift themselves out of poverty and raise their standard of living to one that is closer to the standard of living of the developed states by ensuring that they have access to basic needs of life (food, shelter, clothing, clean and safe water, medicine among others). About 2.6 billion people (about two out of five) live on less than $2 per day. In another comparison, the World Bank, almost one-half of the world's 6.5 billion inhabitants live on the equivalent of less than two dollars a day, and about one-fourth of the world live on the equivalent of less than $1.25 a day (Chen and Ravallion, 2008). Meanwhile, people in the 20-richest countries on average earn 39 times more than people in the poorest 20 (Milanovi, 2007). At the same time, the extent of poverty has declined significantly. For example, the World Bank estimates that from 1981-2005 the percentage of people living on less than $1 per day was halved. The amount decreased from 52 percent to 26 percent in this period (Chen &Ravallion, 2008). In order to improve on the quality of life or to reduce poverty, donor countries, like Canada, provide developing countries with technical expertise, goods and money. According to Worsley (1999) , this is also called international development aid focused on:  Improving the health and education of the people in a country so that people do not die from lack of food, medical services or knowledge (basic needs).  Creating a sustainable food supply so that people can feed themselves,  Boosting economic development so that people can get decent jobs and support their families,  Promoting safety, human rights, and law and order so that people can thrive. According to the (Human Development Report 1996), published by the United Nations Development Program, "human development is the end economic growth which agrees that that economic growth, by increasing a nation's total wealth, also enhances its potential for reducing poverty and solving other social problems. But in poor states what all we see are greater inequality, higher unemployment, weakened democracy, loss of cultural identity, or overconsumption of natural resources needed by future generations (Todaro& Smith, 2009) . International development, however, can promote the concept of international aid aimed at alleviating some of the problems associated with a lack of development. These can only help solve or fix short term challenges and not necessarily long-term solutions (Browne, 1990) . The use of foreign aid should be short term, not long term as it can make poor states dependents on the west and becomes a tool for imperialism and exploitation which keeps poor state underdeveloped. International development, on the other hand, seeks to implement long-term solutions to problems by helping developing countries create the necessary capacity needed to provide such sustainable solutions to their problems. But a truly sustainable development project is one which will be able to carry on genuine international support, be it financial or otherwise. There are many international development projects to address a specific problem or a series of projects targeted at several aspects of improving the quality of lives in many societies. Genuine projects must involve problem solving that reflects the unique culture, politics, geography, and economy of a region. It must be participatory, appropriate, gender sensitive, respect human life, capacity building and empowerment of all people (Parfitt, 2002) . 1.6. Self-Assessment Questions  Q1. What is development and international development?  Q2. Attempt a brief history of international development.  Q3. Clearly identify the goals and means of development. These contrasts highlight both the problem and the progress of what is known in the international community as "development". Large numbers of the world's inhabitants are mired in poverty, especially in Africa, while inhabitants of the world's richest countries live in both relative and absolute luxury. However, international development aims to improve general government policies of these developing countries through the provision of basic needs. The term "development" in international parlance, therefore, encompasses the need and the means by which to provide better lives for people in poor countries. It includes not only economic growth, although that is crucial, but also human development that aims at providing health, nutrition, education, and a clean environment.

Increasing the use of evidence-based programs (EBPs) in community settings is critical for improving health and reducing disparities. Community-based organizations (CBOs) and faith-based organizations (FBOs) have tremendous reach and trust within underserved communities, but their impact is constrained by limited staff capacity to use EBPs. This exploratory study sought to identify design and delivery considerations that could increase the impact of capacity-building interventions for CBOs and FBOs working with underserved communities. Data come from a community-based participatory research project addressing cancer disparities in Black, Latino, and Brazilian communities from Greater Boston and Greater Lawrence, Massachusetts. We conducted four focus group discussions with program coordinators in CBOs and FBOs (n = 27) and key informant interviews with CBO and FBO leaders (n = 15). Three researchers analyzed the data using a multi-stage coding process that included both prefigured and emergent codes. Key design considerations included embedding customized capacity-building interventions into community networks with local experts, supporting ongoing engagement with the intervention via a range of resources and communication channels, and addressing resource constraints. Regarding the contextual factors that should influence capacity-building intervention content, participants highlighted resource constraints, environments in which EBP use is not the norm, and challenges linking available programs with the multi-level barriers to good health faced by community members. Overall, the study highlights the need for integrated, long-term capacity-building efforts developed in partnership with, and ultimately sustained by, local organizations.

Introduction One of main priorities of Canadian foreign policy in post-Cold War period has been promotion of human security. Human security, a term popularized by United Nations Development Program, refers to physical safety and material welfare of people. The human security agenda involves unilateral or multilateral governmental and non-governmental actions aimed at enhancing individual protection and well-being. In particular, agenda tackles those conditions--such as economic privation, civil strife, and political instability--that undermine quality of life of individuals. The international focus on human security is result of recognizing that fostering international peace and stability does not necessarily contribute to enhancing individual protection and welfare. In fact, human security agenda is based on premise that promotion of human security is more conducive to international peace and security than other way around. Lloyd Axworthy, Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister from January 1996 to October 2000, championed human security and believed that Canada could play a central role in promoting it worldwide. In addressing prospects for human security, he noted that the road forward has many paths. What unites them is a very simple aspiration--security for all people, everywhere (2001, 2). This paper compares paths that Prime Ministers Jean Chretien and Paul Martin took to promote human security. I argue that from 1996 to 2000, Canada's approach to human security was influenced by Axworthy doctrine--a foreign policy model based on Axworthy's understanding of changes in international system and what they mean for promotion of security. Under leadership of Paul Martin (2003-2006), Canadian government moved closer to middle power internationalism, an alternative foreign policy model with a tradition dating back to early post-World War II period, which in turn changed manner Ottawa promoted human security. The human security approach informed by Axworthy doctrine was ambitious, setting its sight on a range of international endeavors all aimed at securing human well-being. Soft power and reliance on like-minded nations and non-governmental organizations were primary instruments of this approach. On other hand, human security approach guided by middle power internationalism attempted to narrow its focus, prioritizing among human security's various components. Moreover, approach placed greater emphasis on hard power, and Ottawa seemed more inclined to engaging and coordinating with great powers as a means of advancing its human security goals. As two foreign policy models, Axworthy doctrine and middle power internationalism are similar to extent that they are derived from Canada's tradition of active international involvement. In addition, both models recognize Canada's middling influence in international affairs and show a preference for working through multilateral channels. However, their differences lie in their understanding of international opportunities and constraints facing Canada as it promotes human security. The Axworthy doctrine holds that weaker states and non-state actors (global civil society) are capable of advancing agenda on their own. This has spurred belief that agenda could be pursued without securing great power cooperation through bargaining and compromising. Second, doctrine asserts that state-centered international system is being replaced by a norm-centered system where states' freedom of action and ability to maximize their self-interest are increasingly constrained by normative principles. The Axworthy doctrine, therefore, is based on notion that community of states can move beyond Hobbesian nature of international system. Finally, Axworthy doctrine contends that Canada's ability to achieve progress in human security agenda depends more on its possession of soft power than hard power assets. …

The objective of this study was to explore how Ontario Public Health Units (PHUs) partnered with faith-based organizations (FBOs) and other community-based organizations (CBOs) to promote COVID-19 vaccination among ethnoracial groups made structurally vulnerable during the pandemic, and to understand how PHUs perceive the effectiveness of these partnerships with these organizations. Between June to December 2022, we distributed a cross-sectional survey to 34 PHUs in Ontario to explore how PHUs were engaging and partnering with FBOs and CBOs. Responses were received from 28 of 34 (82.5%) public health units. Across Ontario, 23 (82.1%) respondent PHUs worked with FBOs during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout with activities ranging from informing FBOs of vaccine availability, to using places of worship as sites for vaccine administration and co-creating educational materials on immunization that were faith- and culturally sensitive. FBOs can be a valuable community partner as PHUs work to increase the reach and uptake of public health interventions. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the impact of FBO engagement on vaccine confidence and uptake among ethnoracial communities is needed to inform future community engaged vaccine programming in Ontario.

About one fifth of the world population, that is 1.2 billion people, live in extreme income poverty with less than one US $ a day. Another 1.6 billion have less than two US $ a day (CHS 2003: 73). Most of the poor live in severe livelihood uncertainty and lack access to basic education and health services. The United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) aim at cutting poverty in half by the year 2015. As health1 is considered crucial for poverty reduction, three MDGs focus directly on health, covering maternal mortality, infant mortality, HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. The MDGs 4 – 6 directly concern health issues, while other MDGs such as goal three (“Promote gender equality and empower women”) and seven (“Ensure environmental sustainability”) deal with nutrition, water and sanitation and thus impact on health2 (see box 40.1). The concept of ‘human security’ has emerged slowly but steadily over the 1990’s –influenced by the end of the Cold War, the awareness of previously neglected insecurities and globalization– and the question was raised about the expected implications of this concept for health and human development (Chen/Narasimhan 2003a). There are various definitions3 of ‘human security’, which obviously “means different things to different people”4. This chapter applies the definition of the Commission on Human Security (CHS), that stated as the objective of human security “to protect the vital core of all human lives in ways that enhance human freedoms and human fulfilment” (CHS 2003: 4). The emergence of the concept of ‘human security’ will be briefly reviewed (40.2), before focusing on human, livelihood and health security (40.2.1) including current debates of human and health security in South and Southeast Asia (40.2.2) as well as the linkages of poverty, health and human security (40.2.3). Empirical evidence will be presented based on two case studies (40.3) on Vietnam (40.3.1) and Bangladesh (40.3.2). Lessons learned (40.3.3) will be summarized, before turning to the conclusions (40.4).

What’s Next in Faith-Based Community Organizing

Migration research and analysis: Growth, reach and recent contributions of research and analysis being produced on migration is important for those working on migration policies, studying migration, or wanting to develop an informed opinion on migration.It is important to highlight at the outset that there are fundamental differences in the publishing processes for academic and non-academic material, and each has its strengths and weaknesses.The academic publishing system is largely focused on producing journal articles and books.This process typically involves multi-stage reviews and editorial comments involving authors, editors and reviewers.Most published academic research ("white" literature) is behind paywalls (that is, not freely accessible), and often managed by commercial publishers.In contrast, the production of research and analysis publications outside of academic publishing ("grey" literature) generally involves faster and simpler processes that are typically, although not always, characterized by more limited peer review.Contributions from grey literature (such as research reports, working papers and government/official documents) are usually freely available.A report such as this, designed to contribute to our collective understanding of migration and mobility in an increasingly interconnected world, would clearly be incomplete without describing the role of grey literature, which has been "recognized as a key source of evidence, argument, innovation, and understanding". 6 The volume, diversity and growth of both white and grey literature preclude a systematic review of all the material produced and published on migration in 2017 and 2018.Instead, this chapter highlights examples of key contributions made during this period, published in English by a selection of academic journals and intergovernmental organizations.It provides an update to the chapter in World Migration Report 2018, including by focusing on different academic journals and intergovernmental organizations, and their key output in 2017 and 2018. 7 The next section provides an overview of the different actors involved in migration research and analysis.The third section features recent, selected contributions from academia and intergovernmental organizations, and the reach and impact of some of the migration research materials published. Main producers of migration research and analysis AcademiaIdeally, researchers create new knowledge that is supported by strong evidence and is useful for others.Research findings are produced for, and disseminated to, different target audiences.Traditional academic work can be highly technical and narrowly focused, although academic researchers are increasingly encouraged to disseminate their work beyond academic spheres. 8 Researchers analysing policy-relevant issues are often keen to engage with policymakers to impart knowledge that can inform policy deliberations and help shape policymaking -this is especially the case with migration.Effective research contributions for policy audiences tend to take the form of short papers and blog articles, as well as policy workshops and interactive expert meetings.6 GreyNet International, 2014.7 In order to ensure, to the extent possible, that this chapter provides a comprehensive "stand-alone" overview of migration research and analysis in 2017 and 2018, we have drawn upon key background and context material included in the

Gender-based violence (GBV) among adolescents in informal urban settlements significantly hinders student safety, gender equity, and educational outcomes. This proof-of-concept study explored the feasibility of implementing Digital Gender Hubs—school-based, youth-responsive digital platforms aimed at addressing GBV through reporting, education, awareness, and support services—in secondary schools within the Nyalenda informal settlement in Kisumu, Kenya. The study covered six objectives: to assess the prevalence and forms of GBV among students; evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding GBV and digital literacy; determine institutional and infrastructural readiness for implementation; explore the potential of digital platforms as safe spaces for GBV response; identify key stakeholders and assess their support; and develop evidence-based recommendations for the design and sustainability of the hubs. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining quantitative surveys, qualitative focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews (KIIs). Participants were drawn from three mixed public secondary schools, one special school for the deaf, two NGOs, one community-based organization, and a government GBV recovery centre, all selected for contextual relevance. Gender Transformative Theory informed the study framework, allowing for critical analysis of structural and normative drivers of GBV. Ethical considerations included informed consent and assent, protection of confidentiality, prevention of re-traumatization, and provision of referral services for affected individuals. The study prioritized inclusivity, particularly for students with disabilities, and responsible design of digital tools to prevent misuse. Ethical approval was obtained from the relevant authorities, with all procedures aligned to principles of child protection and cultural sensitivity. Generative AI tools, specifically ChatGPT, DeepSeek, and TurboScribe were used. The study found that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is widespread in mixed secondary schools within the Nyalenda informal settlement, with girls experiencing sexual exploitation and boys facing physical abuse and neglect. While schools have functional guidance departments and dedicated teachers, they lack training, private counselling spaces, and digital infrastructure. Students and staff have limited digital literacy, and no schools currently use digital platforms for GBV response. Stakeholder engagement is fragmented, with minimal NGO involvement and weak coordination with government actors. However, there is strong support for digital gender hubs that offer anonymous reporting, inclusive design, and integration with legal, health, and psychosocial services. Recommendations emphasize staff training, peer-led programs, community sensitization, and aligning digital hubs with existing policy and data systems for long-term sustainability.

Human Security and Japan International Cooperation Agency and Non-governmental Organizations Collaboration (A Case Study of Great East Japan Earthquake/Tsunami)

Informed by Communication Infrastructure Theory (CIT), this article explores the ways community organizations and ethnic media serve as communicative resources and form into storytelling networks with different health-enhancing purposes for Filipina household service workers (FHSWs) in Hong Kong (HK). Using key informant interviews with print and broadcast media, non-governmental organizations, and faith-based organizations in HK, it found that cancer, stroke, and depression were shared concerns among FHSWs. Community organizations and ethnic media explained these concerns based on work and labor conditions. As communicative resources, they provided health information, offered tangible support, and campaigned to employers and governments. In discussing social media for health, community organizations highlighted accessibility, whereas ethnic media focused on journalistic practices. Overall, this article highlights ethnic media and community organizations as key but often overlooked publics in health communication and the importance of further incorporating temporality in CIT-informed research for migrant health. Implications to public health campaigns and health reporting are discussed.

Context: Whereas academic discourse on socio-environmental justice (SEJ) globally has focused on race, ethnicity and wealth, and gender inequalities, research on SEJ in relation to children, their well-being and waste management in Africa has remained neglected.This paper focuses on the Almajirai, children in the Islamic educational system, and critically examines SEJ in Almajirai involvement in the solid waste management (SWM) system of cities in northern Nigeria.Data Source and Method: The study is situated in the city of Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Mixed methods approach used for data collection included consultations with key stakeholders, ethnographic and field observations; key informant interviews (KIIs), questionnaire survey of 350 respondents sampled purposively, and a critical review of literature. Percentages were utilized for analysis of quantitative data while quotations and transcriptions were made from interviews. Findings: Findings indicate that while many Almajirai contribute to environmental well-being through collection, disposal and recycling of waste, they often suffer unbridled socio-environmental injustice in their quest for a livelihood and also for their perceived association with insecurity in northern Nigeria.Conclusion: In the light of the findings and the overarching juvenile-related sustainable development goals (SDGs) targets, the paper rethinks the role of Almajirai in SWM while articulating possible policy benefits of scaling up engagement with Almajirai in the post-2015 development era.

BackgroundEffective dissemination of information about evidence-based programs (EBPs) is essential for promoting health equity. Faith-based and other community organizations have difficulty locating EBPs for implementation in their settings. A research team engaged in a systematic search to identify a menu of EBPs that could be offered to African American FBOs as part of a community-engaged implementation study. Methods. A four-stage process was developed to search for EBPs meeting seven inclusion criteria for dissemination in faith-based organizations (FBOs). Criteria included relevance to identified health disparity topics, endorsement on a federal website, free access to downloadable program materials, facilitator guidance, no requirements for health care providers, and culturally relevant materials for African American communities.ResultsNineteen government websites were searched. Sixty-six potential EBPs were identified. Six EBPs met all inclusion criteria.DiscussionThe search for EBPs that met seven criteria for implementation in African American FBOs demonstrated challenges that have been described in the literature. Researchers encountered a lack of standardized terminology for identifying EBPs on federal websites, frequent requirement for health care providers or clinics and/or fees for training and materials. FBOs are supportive and safe places to offer EBPs to promote health, and EBPs need to be designed and disseminated to meet the needs and preferences of FBOs. Including members of FBOs and others in the community in EBP development, design, and dissemination, such as searchable health promotion EBP registries, can increase the likelihood that effective programs intended to address health disparities are readily accessible to FBOs for implementation.

This chapter emphasizes the human security concerns of the Kurds and how it shapes their threat perception in the Middle East. The security dimension of nationalism has been mostly understudied as many studies on nationalism have focused on the political and social dimensions. However, both for state nationalisms and minority nationalisms, security aspect remains an important dimension in the emergence and path dependency of nationalist discourses. Yet, what these nationalisms understand from security differ to a great extent. While state nationalism prioritizes the security of the state in the sense of its territorial integrity and the interests of “national security” defined by state actors, minority nationalisms tend to define security in broader terms which is beyond the state-centric approach. The security understanding of minority nationalisms tend to be closer to what the United Nations Development Programme framed as “human security.” This article attempts to examine the function of nationalism as an instrument of security which is understood differently by state and minority group actors through an analysis of the emergence and historical evolution of Turkey’s Kurdish question. Recent events such as the so-called Kurdish Opening, peace process with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), renewed violence and Turkey’s ambiguous approach to the Kurds under the Islamic State threat in Syria, and the rising popularity of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) will be discussed within the theoretical framework of competing security understandings of state and non-state actors.