Community Leaders Research Articles

‘Yes, we care’: pro-environmental social identity framing to promote acceptance of decentralized wastewater treatment systems

ABSTRACT Decentralized wastewater treatment systems can help mitigate the water crisis. Their successful implementation depends not only on their technological design but also on the level of public support. We aim to assess how a pro-environmental social identity framing in which we present a decentralized wastewater treatment system as an environmentally responsible neighborhood initiative may increase public support of these systems. Two experimental studies examined the impact of pro-environmental social identity framing on public acceptance of decentralized wastewater systems in Groningen (the Netherlands) (n = 92) and Santiago de Compostela (Spain) (n = 208). As expected, pro-environmental social identity framing increased public acceptance in both studies, irrespective of the extent to which people identify with their neighborhood. Specifically, participants in the pro-environmental social identity framing condition displayed more positive attitudes, more positive and less negative emotions, and higher voting intentions toward the decentralized wastewater systems compared to those in the control condition. These results suggest that connecting such systems to shared neighborhood identities can be an effective strategy for overcoming barriers to their implementation. Our study offers valuable insights for policymakers, community leaders, and environmental advocates to craft messages to promote the adoption of decentralized wastewater systems.

End-user participation in drinking water management through Awareness, Education, and Resources: tools for Water Partnerships

ABSTRACT The long-term success of safely managed drinking water systems requires participation from many stakeholders, especially the water users, but also community leaders, technical experts, health practitioners, teachers, NGOs, and others. However, people may need to be empowered before they can be confident or able to contribute to meaningful decision making or governance roles in Water Partnerships. Discussions with water leaders from nine organizations on four continents revealed surprisingly a similar three-step approach to empowering end-user participation in water management. The first step is creating the Awareness of local water challenges and their impact on health. The second step is Education about the options for safe water. Together, Awareness + Education lead to people understanding their challenges and being able to devise a locally appropriate solution. The third step is Resources for water action. Through Awareness, Education, and Resources, water stakeholders including households can be empowered to participate in safely managing drinking water solutions.

The Rajah Tradition: Cultural Identity and Spiritual Practices within an Islamic Context

This study aims to explore the rajah tradition in Kebon Panjang Village, examining its role as both a cultural artefact and a spiritual medium, and understanding how it reflects the intersection between local customs and Islamic values. A qualitative approach with a phenomenological framework was employed, allowing an in-depth exploration of the rajah tradition through interviews, participant observation, and literature review. Data were gathered from both primary sources, such as community leaders and practitioners, and secondary sources, including academic articles and books on amulets and traditional practices. The findings reveal that rajah serves multiple purposes, including protection, blessing, healing, and authority enhancement. It acts as a cultural bridge between traditional beliefs and Islamic spirituality, illustrating how local customs adapt to fit modern religious frameworks. The study also identifies the dual perception of rajah within the community—some view it as a form of Islamic devotion, while others approach it with caution, concerned about potential contradictions with orthodox Islamic teachings. This study provides insights into the sociocultural dynamics of spiritual practices, highlighting the community’s pragmatic approach to religious and cultural identity. The findings suggest that rajah contributes to social cohesion, emotional support, and cultural preservation, offering a model for similar cultural practices in other regions to adapt in the face of religious and modern influences. This research contributes to the literature on amulets and spiritual artefacts by examining rajah within the unique socio-religious context of an Indonesian village, offering a nuanced understanding of how traditional practices coexist and evolve alongside mainstream religious beliefs. The study underscores the significance of rajah as both a symbol of cultural resilience and a tool for spiritual assurance.

Cultural Preservation and Identity: Exploring Strategies for Preserving Cultural Identity among Refugees, Migrants and Minority Communities While Promoting Integration and Social Cohesion

Abstract: The preservation of cultural identity among refugees, migrants and minority communities poses a serious challenge in the context of increasing global travel. This essay examines several tactics meant to support social cohesiveness and integration within host nations while still protecting cultural identity. This research identifies critical elements that support the effective preservation of cultural heritage by an extensive analysis of the body of existing literature. The study highlights the value of inclusive policies, community-driven projects, and educational programs in promoting a sense of respect and belonging across various communities. It also emphasizes how important intercultural communication and cooperation are to reducing cultural differences and promoting social harmony. This study offers a sound understanding of how cultural integration and preservation can coexist, ultimately leading to more inclusive and cohesive societies, by looking at successful models and potential roadblocks. Policymakers, social workers, educators, and community leaders who are dedicated to promoting social integration and cultural variety in a global community that is becoming more interconnected will find great value in these findings.

“Store Strategy”: A New Omni‐Channel Strategy in Community Group Buying

ABSTRACTThis paper explores a new omni‐channel strategy—“store strategy”—in community group buying and investigates the impacts of the application of this strategy on the platform and community leader. Three models are developed: (1) The platform operates only in a single online channel. (2) The platform adopts a store strategy and delegates offline operations to a community leader. (3) The platform adopts a store strategy that includes self‐establishing a store. After comparing different models, some interesting results are obtained as follows: (i) After the store strategy is adopted, the optimal online price remains unchanged, but new offline pricing varies, depending on the offline entry method. (ii) If the cost of the community leader operating the offline channel is low, the proportion of private consumers is particularly high. In this case, the store strategy that delegates operations to the community leader will achieve a win–win outcome. (iii) If the self‐established cost is low and the proportion of private consumers is low, the store strategy with a self‐establishing store will allow the platform to obtain higher profits, while greatly harming the community leader.

Creating an Innovative Community for the Sustainable Self-reliant Debt Management and Community Mediation by Enhancing the Legal Skills of the Tha Fa Tai Community Leaders and Elders Through Active Learnings Methods

Creating an Innovative Community for the Sustainable Self-reliant Debt Management and Community Mediation by Enhancing the Legal Skills of the Tha Fa Tai Community Leaders and Elders Through Active Learnings Methods

Democracy in Local Communities: Direct Election System versus Deliberation System in the Minangkabau Ethnicity in West Sumatra, Indonesia

This paper focuses on the dissonance between the values of the democracy of local communities and the liberal democracy of the Minangkabau community in West Sumatra, Indonesia. A direct election system is adopted to elect the leader of the Minangkabau community. However, a qualitative study shows that, culturally, the Minangkabau community chooses its leader through a clan-based deliberation system, relying on communal rather than individual representation. Adopting direct election with the one-person-one- vote principle to elect the community leader has instead been a source of conflict. The ambiguous understanding of the community members regarding the principles of individual and collective representation has given rise to the conflict. The institutionalisation of a clan-based deliberation system in the community is a solution to solve the conflict. This scholarly inquiry underscores that the Minangkabau ethnic group's democratic ethos fosters an environment conducive to communal deliberations, thereby sustaining their social cohesion and integration.

Organic Community Leadership: An Integrated Perspective

Community, characterised by reciprocity and mutuality, represents one of the fundamental bases upon which society is built. Community leadership is a distinct leadership style that refers to civic-minded individuals who voluntarily and organically self-organise and devote their efforts towards leading issues of importance within their communities. This organic community leadership is a ‘collective relational phenomenon’ that is favoured in dynamic environments; the voluntary action of people within a community can help tackle community challenges at scale, with speed, and result in grassroot innovations. Despite its positive role in society, community leadership faces additional challenges to leadership in organisational settings, including understanding the spatial boundaries of a domain which spans different social fields, fostering linkages among groups where there is no formal authorisation, being receptive to varying ideologies, capabilities, and divergent viewpoints to foster collaboration, and managing unequal power distribution and divergent political agendas. The above opportunities and challenges posed by community leadership has meant that the past few decades have seen growing attention placed on the study of community leadership. Gaps remain in the body of knowledge in supporting the effective execution of community leadership. Authors argue that the leadership literature remains fragmented, many leadership frameworks/models remain agnostic of context, and there is a need for improved understanding of where and by whom leadership is enacted. Most studies to date concentrate on discrete aspects of the community leadership sphere. A more integrated perspective on organic community leadership is needed. Based on a SLR, this paper presents an integrated framework for organic community leadership. The framework emphasises human agency and fostering the collective efficacy of a broad coalition of community stakeholders to work towards a common purpose. It recognises the legitimisation process of emerging leaders and key leader behavioural considerations, framed within the context of fostering an appropriate environment for community cohesion, collaboration, and action. Thus, this paper takes a step towards providing a more holistic stance on the community leadership phenomenon.

Exploring the Role of Creativity in Psychological Resilience

This paper investigates the intersection between creativity and psychological resilience, examining how creative processes and expressions contribute to the development and strengthening of resilience in individuals facing adversity. Psychological resilience, often defined as the capacity to recover from stress or trauma, and creativity, regarded as the ability to generate novel ideas and solutions, are analyzed through theoretical models, empirical research, and practical interventions. The paper reviews biopsychosocial, ecological, and developmental frameworks of resilience, highlighting the critical role creativity plays in fostering adaptive coping mechanisms and enhancing mental well-being. It further explores the empirical evidence linking creative behaviors to resilience-building, particularly in response to trauma and stress. Finally, practical implications and interventions for leveraging creativity to enhance resilience across diverse populations are discussed, suggesting tailored approaches for educators, mental health professionals, and community leaders. Keywords: Psychological Resilience, Creativity, Coping Mechanisms, Stress and Trauma, Creative Expression.

The Stability of Buddhism and Persistence of a Sufficient Living of the Laotians make Self-Immunity to Changing Socio-cultural in the Urbanity of Vientiane, Lao PDR

The research studied self-sufficiency living through the frugality practice of Laotians living in Vientiane city area. Data collections were performed using 400 surveys and 30 sets of questionnaires with community leaders, young adults, state officers, private staffs, general citizens and youths. Result found that Vientiane Laotians are strictly Buddhism and they have more than two occupations due to low wages and high cost of livings. The majority of the citizens are part of young adults’ group and women group. Due to high cost of living, urban living required Laos people to be frugal on a daily basis. They dine together and works are self-reliance. Sustainability and sufficiency are practiced among households at a medium level, but people portrayed extremely high generosity level towards each other. Environment and nature conservation are a big part of their ‘normality’. Vientiane Laotians often attend social gatherings after work. Their demonstrated strong beliefs in Buddhism, of which the religion has encouraged them to live in unity following the Sufficiency Economy Dharmachakra Model.

From pilot to national roll-out of the improved Community Health Fund (iCHF) in Tanzania: lessons learnt and way forward.

Scaling up public health interventions in the health systems of resource poor settings come with technical and operational challenges. Little is documented on scaling up complex health financing interventions and their related outcomes, especially the voluntary health insurance schemes. This study aimed to analyse the scale-up steps, successes and challenges of the improved community health fund (iCHF), a voluntary health insurance scheme in Tanzania, METHODS: In this paper, guided by the Expand Net framework (a scale-up framework for health system interventions), we present a systematic analysis of countrywide scale-up of the iCHF that started in 2019 and implemented in partnership between the government and development partners. We systematically collected information on the scale-up steps and the success and challenges. The collected data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The scale-up involved multiple steps and actions at different levels of the health system. The initial step involved gathering stakeholders' views on scale-up options and strategies. The subsequent steps focused on mobilizing resources for scale-up, advocacy and promotion of the scheme through media, community leaders and role models, capacity building to implementing organs, institutionalizing the scale-up processes, intensifying the scale-upscale-up activities for expansion and spontaneous scale-up and technical backstopping to lower levels of the health system on the scale-up process. We found success and challenges as the scale-upscale-up progressed to mature stages. The success included acceptability and institutionalization of the scale-up activities and growing enrolments and funds in the scheme. The challenges included: the costs to sustaining advocacy and enrolments, equity in scale-upscale-up activities across regions, relying on top-down scale-upscale-up approaches, influence of contextual factors and lack of implementation research alongside the scale-upscale-up process. This paper underscores the scale up steps and success and challenges of scaling-up a voluntary health insurance scheme in a resource-constrained health system. Sustaining the scale-upscale-up gains will require utilizing program data and experiences to sustainably improve the scheme performance while also harnessing support from stakeholders. Further research is needed to assess equity and quality of outcomes of the scale up.

Community perspectives on barriers to injury care in Northern Malawi: a three delays framed assessment using focus groups and photovoice.

The global burden of injury is huge, falling disproportionately on poorer populations. The benefits of qualitative research in injury care are recognised and its application is growing. We used a novel application of focus group discussions with photovoice to rapidly assess barriers at each of three delay stages; seeking (delay-1), reaching (delay-2) or receiving (delay-3) injury care in Northern Malawi. Three community Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) of individuals with (FGD1) and without (FGD2) recent injury experience and community leaders (FGD3) discussed barriers to seeking, reaching or receiving care following injury. Participants from FGD1 subsequently used a digital camera and, following training in photovoice, took photographs illustrating barriers to injury care. Participants reconvened to discuss images which they believed illustrated important barriers. A framework method analysis compared barriers generated to those identified by an earlier Delphi study. Seven of eight invited adult community members attended each discussion group. Within the FGDs, all prior Delphi derived delay 1 barriers were described. Within delay 2, all but three were discussed by community participants. Those not covered were: 1) "communication" ;2) "prehospital care"; 3) "coordination". Within Delay 3, only "capacity"was not highlighted by participants during the study. Additional health system barriers not identified in the Delphi were inductively derived. Within Delay 1, these were labelled; "religious or other beliefs"; "indecision"; "fear or lacking courage"; and "community/bystander engagement". Within Delay 2, "lack of assistance" was derived. Within Delay 3; "alleged corruption"; "interfacility transfer"; and "police processes" were all identified during analysis. The photovoice group provided 21 photographs evidencing 15 barriers. Delay 1 was the most frequently captured by images (12/21).The individual barriers most frequently described were "transport" and "roads" (6/21 and 5/21, respectively). The photovoice group did not describe any additional barriers not covered in the prior FGDs. We identified several barriers within this health system. Participants illustrated how some barriers impact on multiple phases of delay. The method was quick, low cost and participants grasped the technique and research question effectively. We recommend this approach for future health system assessments.

Strengthening social cohesion through the Manyanda tradition in Minangkabau customary society: A cultural insight from West Sumatera, Indonesia

Manyanda tradition, a tradition of taking over social roles after death, in addition to successfully maintaining social continuity in the family structure, is also a potential capital in strengthening social cohesion. However, this context has not been discussed comprehensively in previous studies so it is very important to explain. In addition to responding to the shortcomings of previous studies, this study also aims to explain the mechanisms, factors and implications of the practice of this tradition as a reflection of social cohesion based on customary and religious values. By using a qualitative descriptive case study approach, this study shows three important findings. First, the spontaneity of the community and traditional leaders when hearing the news of death and social activities forty days afterwards. Second, the dominance of spiritual and cultural factors in addition to social and structural factors that encourage the community to preserve this tradition. Third, the Manyanda tradition has implications for strengthening the community’s commitment and belief in the meaning of death, the importance of a replacement figure who takes over social roles and strengthens the tribal identity of the Nagari (local village) community. This study recommends the importance of this tradition to be preserved as the root of social cohesion.

Community Leaders’ Perceptions of the Unique Service Barriers and Facilitators Among Immigrant Families With Young Children in the Rural U.S.–Mexico Border Region

The present descriptive phenomenological study examines the unique service access barriers and facilitators of immigrant families along the rural U.S.–Mexico border from the perspectives of agency and government representatives. Twenty-three semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine local/state government officials and 14 community agency leaders using purposive and snowball sampling. A phenomenological thematic analysis approach was utilized to analyze data from individual interviews. Findings reveal that unique barriers experienced by immigrant families in the U.S.–Mexico border region include rurality, border checkpoints, and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol presence, which have placed mobility limitations on immigrant families, cutting them off from central service providers. Programs and policies aimed at engagement of mixed-status families in areas along the U.S.–Mexico border need to create mechanisms to better reach these families.

Nurturing care: perceptions and practices of caregivers for children under five in the Ecuadorian highlands – a qualitative study

IntroductionThe importance of nurturing care for child development is well-established, and parents play a central role in providing this care. However, cultural values and traditions can influence child-rearing practices, and there are gaps in child welfare in Ecuador. Two research questions delve into caregivers’ definitions of nurturing care for children aged 0–5 and its alignment with World Health Organization’s concept.MethodsA qualitative methodology was applied to comprehensively explore caregivers’ perspectives and application of nurturing care across diverse cultural contexts in rural areas of Cotopaxi and Loja in Ecuador. Using snowball sampling primary caregivers, healthcare professionals, childcare workers, and community leaders were interviewed and participated in focus groups, examining its congruence with WHO’s Nurturing Care Framework for Early Childhood Development.ResultsWhile there is alignment with the WHO framework, the study reveals challenges such as a lack of awareness of the term “nurturing care” among participants. Findings also indicate issues in health communication, reliance on traditional medicine, and myths around nutritional practices. The role of technology in early learning is explored, noting both its advantages and disadvantages. Notably, preventive health activities were not mentioned, emphasizing a universal need for knowledge.ConclusionThis study urges tailored interventions for nurturing care, emphasizing success tied to robust healthcare and child protection. Urgency lies in cultural sensitivity, local adaptation, and targeted training for implementation. These insights contribute significantly to the global discourse, stressing the importance of context-specific approaches. Implications are crucial for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers dedicated to elevating care quality for vulnerable populations worldwide.

Badati Cultural Design as a Learning Model in Increasing Understanding and Awareness of Prospective Taxpayers

The role of the community in development is characterized by a high awareness of paying taxes. People in the age range of compulsory education are potential taxpayers. The existence of badati culture, which is believed to have positive values for the people on the island of Ambon, is then designed in the form of a learning model. Through the implementation of the Badati Learning model, it is expected that it will have an impact on the level of tax awareness of 12th-grade high school students in Ambon City. The Badati model developed has a syntax: (1) formulation of activities, (2) formation of groups in representatives, (3) representatives disseminate to small groups, (4) small groups discuss, (5) the results of small group discussions are returned to the large group, (5) representatives disseminate classically by each representative in the gandong cloth. The research and development method, with the stages of preliminary studies on community leaders and youth leaders in Maluku, model trials. Limited test stages were conducted in two schools, broader test stages were conducted in three schools, and model validation was conducted in two schools. The results of the study illustrated that the Badati model is proven to have a good impact in increasing students' understanding of the importance of tax awareness for development with the average N-gain value at each stage of the trial, which is at a moderate level (limited trial N-gain value 0.6, broader trial, 0.7, and 0.7 validation test). Keywords: Badati learning model, tax awareness

Preservation of Cultural Values of Soli Lakta Mori Community Dance in Negeri Kuralele Teon Nilaseruadistrict, Central Maluku Regency

This research aims to explore and explain the process of preserving Soli Lakta Mori Dance culture in the lives of the people of Negeri Kuralele, Teon Nila Serua District, Central Maluku Regency. In this study, researchers used qualitative research methods as a basis for confirmation, verification, and analysis of data. The participants in this study were as follows: traditional leaders, religious leaders, Head of the Kuralele government, community leaders, and youth leaders. The focus indicators of this research are (1) forms of preservation, (2) ways of preservation, (3) sanctions given, and (4) inhibiting factors and driving factors for preserving the cultural values of Soli Lekta Mori Tari. There are several techniques that researchers have used to obtain data in the study, namely interviews and documentation. Data analysis techniques in this study are data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. Conclusion is the form of preservation of Soli Lakta mori dance carried out in Kuralele village, TNS sub-district has become an ancestral heritage that is passed on to the younger generation so that the value of the life of basudara people in Kuralele village, TNS sub-district can be formed in the social life order. The way to preserve Soli Lakta mori dance is (a) by finding out about culture, (b) participating in cultural activities, (c) teaching others about culture, (d) teaching culture at school, (e) posting culture on social media, and (f) not being influenced by foreign cultures. Keywords: values, soli lakta mori dance, kuralele village, preservation

Investigating the role of community organizations in communicating extreme weather events in New York City: A content analysis.

The communication of extreme weather forecasts (e.g., heatwaves and extreme precipitation) is a challenge for weather forecasters and emergency managers who are tasked with keeping residents safe during often unprecedented situations. Weather models have inherent uncertainty, and the ability for potentially life-saving information to get to the people who need it most (e.g., those who need to evacuate) remains a challenge despite the proliferation of digital access to information and social media sites like Twitter. It is also unclear the role that community-based organizations and super-local governmental entities play or may play during weather events in transmitting weather information and providing assistance. In New York City, there remains robust inequality, with communities that are historically disadvantaged often suffering the highest number of deaths and level of destruction following weather events. Results from interviewing 26 New York City community leaders suggest that local organizations often act as intermediaries, passing on official weather information to members of their audience, regardless of the mission statement of their organization. Common challenges for communities in responding to extreme weather include lack of access to information, language barriers, and insufficient resources. Considerations for future weather communication strategies are discussed.

Creating an Environment Free from Sexual Violence Against Women and Children Within the Cultural Values of Mitawe in West Sulawesi

This research aims to create an environment free from sexual violence against women and children in West Sulawesi Province through the application of Mitawe cultural values. The Mitawe culture, which emphasizes politeness, respect, and dignity, is seen as an important tool in preventing sexual violence within the Mandar community. The research method used is empirical law, involving observation, in-depth interviews with traditional leaders and community leaders, as well as document analysis from the Office of Women's Empowerment, Child Protection, Population Control, and Family Planning (DP3AP2KB) of West Sulawesi Province. The research findings show that Mitawe values can be effectively integrated into sexual violence prevention programs through various interventions carried out in local communities. The implementation of these values has successfully raised public awareness about the importance of respecting the rights of women and children, as well as reducing the incidence of sexual violence in several districts. Moreover, collaboration with DP3AP2KB has enabled the implementation of more structured and sustainable prevention strategies, including training for victim advocates and public awareness campaigns. This research also found that strengthening local cultural values, such as Mitawe, can be an effective approach in creating a safer society free from sexual violence. These findings provide a foundation for developing more inclusive and culturally sensitive policies in the effort to protect women and children in West Sulawesi.

Implementation of Religious Moderation in Tolerance Village in Bandung City

This research aims to understand and analyze the understanding of religious moderation and the manifestation of religious moderation in the Village of Tolerance, Kebon Jeruk sub-district, Andir District, Bandung City, Indonesia. This research uses Alfred Schutz's religious phenomenology approach regarding the construction of meaning, then analyzed using indicators of religious moderation, namely tolerance, non-violence and radicalism, national commitment and accommodating to local culture. The method used in this research is grounded research, a type of qualitative research with data collection techniques through observation, interviews and documentation. The data sources used in this research are primary and secondary. Primary sources were obtained from interviews with village officials, community leaders, religious leaders, and the people of Kampung Toleransi. Meanwhile, secondary data was obtained through books, journals and websites. The results of this research can be concluded that in the Village of Tolerance, there is a manifestation of religious moderation. Religious moderation is understood as an attitude or view that respects each other amidst existing differences. Having different views or beliefs is not a problem for the people of Kampung Toleransi, but with the differences that exist, each religious community always gives each other space to express their religion in a respectful, safe, comfortable and peaceful manner without any intimidation from other religious communities. The attitude of religious moderation in Tolerance Village can be seen from the people who have and always prioritize an attitude of tolerance, wasatiyah or balanced, fair, musawah or equal, and deliberation. Its manifestation is realized in the form of strengthening tolerance, national commitment, anti-violence and radicalism, respect for local culture, the role of religious figures and government policies.