Community Perspectives Research Articles

Mountain as Living Oracles of the Past and the Future in Mamang Dai’s Poem “The Voices of Mountains"

Mountain as Living Oracles of the Past and the Future in Mamang Dai’s Poem “The Voices of Mountains"

Assessment of Nature Reserve Park Management for Sustainable Development: Insights from Idanre Hills in Ondo State Southwest, Nigeria

Despite Nigeria is gifted with a wealth of natural resources and rich cultural heritage, is still backward in terms of economic development. Therefore, ecotourism has therefore been identified as a vital regional approach for harmonizing economic growth and conservation. Thus, the study empirically evaluates the current state of ecotourism in Oke Idanre hills in Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria. Primary and secondary data were collected and sourced with the aid of questionnaire and scheduled Interviews. The data involved qualitative analysis using descriptive statistics. The results revealed that although ecotourism is still at an early stage, some socioeconomic benefits for the Idanre community exist such as the employment of locals as tourist guides and other investments as a result of this destination. The finding shows the use and access of resources by the locals in the Idanre community as logging and poaching have become the order of the day. Also, Idanre locals have had to cope with reduced access to some parts of the hills especially during the day since the site was listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The dilapidated site resort has brought about revenue loss to the community. The site offers rich cultural artefacts and a tour guide is usually attached to educate the tourists. Hence this study is necessary to ascertain the current state of ecotourism in Idanre hills looking from the community perspective, the practices, administration, and management of Idanre hills, also recommendations offered are centered on the study of the findings.

Analisis Kebijakan Pendaftaran Tanah Sistematis Lengkap dan Implikasinya terhadap Pembangunan Berkelanjutan di Kota Baubau

This study aims to examine the Complete Systematic Land Registration (CSLR) policy in Baubau City and its impact on sustainable development. This study used qualitative methods by using interviews, document analysis, and field observations to collect data. A sample of respondents consisting of government officials, community members, and community leaders was selected by purposive sampling. Based on the analysis conducted, this study concludes that the successful implementation of CSLR policies in Baubau City has significant implications for sustainable development, including inclusive economic growth, social stability, and increased community participation in the regional development process. Understanding the dynamics of this policy can assist the government and stakeholders in implementing appropriate measures to ensure its sustainable benefits to the people and environment in the city. This research makes a significant contribution to the field of public policy and sustainable development by increasing understanding of policy effectiveness approaches in the context of land registration policies at the local level. This research also provides insight into the factors that influence the successful implementation of CSLR policies. However, this study on CSLR policy and sustainable development in Baubau City has some limitations. The study focuses only on policy aspects without considering the perspectives of local communities, who have unique knowledge and experience and can provide valuable insights into policy implications. Therefore, future research needs to expand the scope of analysis to include policy results, implementation processes, and constraints faced by policy implementers and the public.

From nonprofits to neighbors: Exploring the locus of campus-community partnerships

Service learning and community engagement (SLCE) have become near ubiquitous across U.S. higher education. While much scholarship has demonstrated positive student learning outcomes of SLCE, there has been unequal consideration towards understanding the experiences of communities involved. Because community voices and perspectives have been largely missing from literature, this paper, drawing on a community-based case study, and neoliberalism as a theoretical framework, uniquely explores the significance of SLCE at one institution from the vantage point of community members, notably local residents. As a result of the community contributions shared, this paper offers a way of thinking about SLCE “from nonprofits to neighbors” with an aim of (re)imagining SLCE with those who have often been left out of research.

‘We Were an Afterthought’: Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Communities in New South Wales, Australia

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the impact on Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities in Australia of government and community responses to the coronavirus pandemic of 2019 in the domains of education, employment, housing, social connectedness, and public health communication. Most of the examples are drawn from the state of New South Wales. In Australia, CALD refers to people from countries not classified as main English speaking. Most CALD communities reported in this article are from refugee backgrounds, are recently arrived migrants or do not use English in most of their communication. Inadequate, and in some instances, inappropriate or absent support, adversely impacts CALD communities. We used a multidisciplinary bricolage approach that draws on media, government, and community support publications and concluded that CALD communities experienced heightened pressures due to lower resource availability and poor communication. This led to disruption of support services, exposing gaps and vulnerability. The results reported here challenge Australian government, schools, community agencies, researchers to include proactively CALD community perspectives when planning and responding to such crises in future. Improving communication, pandemic response planning, addressing needs and ensuring participation are key considerations.

Proposing Thematic Mapping for Integrated Risk Communication: A study of British & Japanese perspectives in flood-prone communities

Modern flood risk communication continues to lack the input of different stakeholder levels and as a result, there has been an insufficiency to construct communication that is inclusive of all stakeholders. There is also still an absence of consideration of context-specific information that helps to shape the communication crafting process. This study sought to establish the above through the creation of a thematic map (a visual display based on themes), merging top-down and bottom-up approaches to create a clearer picture of important factors for risk communication within the specific contexts being observed. The research team conducted 16 semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 4 different types of stakeholders at 2 rural sites in the UK and 2 rural sites in Japan. The results outlined five key themes that underpin integrated risk communication, establishing the thematic map – Individual Circumstances, Community Structure, Impact Scale, Response Capacity, and Social Barriers. These findings are important in beginning to help conceptualise how current DRR efforts can be enhanced and in presenting an integrated approach to risk communication that helps to reduce unnecessary complexity and inaccessibility. However, further replications of the study are needed at other sites across the world to test the robustness and adaptability of this kind of modelling.

Sustainable Landscape Design and Traditional Villages in Xuzhou, Jiangsu: Low-cost Strategies and Big Data Applications Influencing AI Integration

Big Data usage and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology combined offer a potential approach to solving challenging problems. AI-driven solutions provide insightful analysis and creative solutions by utilizing the power of big data analytics. With an emphasis on the mediating role of technological literacy and the moderating effect of resource availability, this study investigates the effects of low-cost techniques, the usage of Big Data, and the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on sustainability in landscape design. The purpose of this study is to look at the intricate connections between these factors and how they affect sustainable landscape design methods and results as a whole. A standardized questionnaire was answered by a sample of 458 landscape experts as part of a quantitative approach. Smart PLS (Partial Least Squares), which incorporates evaluations of measurement models, structural models, and mediation and moderation studies, was utilized for data analysis. The study found that using Big Data, implementing low-cost techniques, and incorporating AI all had very favourable effects on sustainability in landscape design. The efficient use of Big Data and AI was found to be mediated by technological literacy, highlighting the importance of this concept in this context. Additionally, resource availability emerged as a critical moderating factor, influencing the strength of these relationships. This research contributes to the field by offering a holistic understanding of the dynamics within sustainable landscape design, emphasizing the importance of integration of AI and utilization of Big Data. It provides practical insights for landscape professionals, informs policy development, and advances educational curricula about AI and Big Data in landscape architecture. The study's limitations include potential response bias due to self-reported data and the cross-sectional design, which restricts the establishment of causal relationships. Additionally, the study focused on professionals, limiting the generalizability of findings to broader community perspectives.

Community perspectives on COVID-19 outbreak and public health: Inuit positive protective pathways and lessons for Indigenous public health theory

ObjectivesIndigenous public health theory and the voices of Canadian Indigenous communities remain under-represented in the literature despite the Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, and the perspectives of Inuit are further under-represented in this literature. The goal of this paper is to explore the perspectives of Iqalungmiut (people of Iqaluit), frontline staff, and decision-makers on the management of the COVID-19 outbreak in Iqaluit in April to June 2021 and to identify lessons learned and contributions to public health policy and practice specific to Inuit populations in Canada.MethodsThis study used the Piliriqatigiinniq Community Health Research Model which was developed by Nunavummiut to guide community-based health and well-being research. Interviews were conducted with 44 individuals: 22 community members and shelter users; 17 frontline workers; and 5 decision-makers representing municipal and territorial government. Participants were asked about their experiences during the outbreak, sources of information, and strengths and challenges during outbreak management.ResultsChallenges included overcrowding, physical disconnection from family members, and mental health and trauma. Community-identified strengths included strong interagency cooperation, food hamper and COVID-19 care kit deliveries, and travel restrictions. Several Inuit positive health-protective pathways were identified including Ilaginniq; Silativut; Inuuqatigiittiarniq; Piliriqatigiinniq; Ikajurniq; and Pijitsirniq.ConclusionOutbreaks of infectious illness are not new to Nunavut communities and Inuit protective pathways have and continue to be critical avenues to adapt to and mitigate such challenges. This exploratory study provides clear direction for Inuit public health policy and practice in Canada, while contributing to the body of literature on Indigenous public health theory.

Restoring Children From Out‐of‐Home Care: Insights From an Aboriginal‐Led Community Forum

ABSTRACTRestoring children from out‐of‐home care (OOHC) to their families is the preferred outcome for all children removed by child protection services, yet little is known about how restoration processes are experienced by families and services supporting them. This paper provides important insights about Aboriginal child restoration from 40 practitioners and stakeholders at a community forum led by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations in regional New South Wales (NSW), Australia. This is one component of larger Aboriginal‐led research, which investigates child protection experiences and pathways to successful restoration in NSW and the data source for this paper. The community forum explored the issues for families navigating family preservation, OOHC and restoration within child protection and legal systems. Findings include the need for a continuum of support for families throughout their engagement with child protection systems and crucially following the removal of their children. Barriers to effective restoration practice included a lack of access to meaningful and ongoing preservation services, insufficient cultural care planning and family finding efforts that are often too late, the pressure on services to support families without adequate capabilities or enough resourcing, the lack of transparency and the complexities in navigating the restoration process, and the lack of culturally informed support for children and their families while children are in care. Implications for policy and practice are discussed. This paper contributes to understanding practice, processes and barriers for restoration, particularly focused on the perspectives of Aboriginal families and communities, with potential insights for practice within Australia and internationally.

Armed actor interventions in humanitarian and public health crises: examining perspectives of crisis-affected community members

BackgroundDespite frequently providing non-military services in times of crisis, little systematic research has examined the perspectives of crisis-affected community members on the role of armed actors responding to humanitarian crises and public health emergencies.MethodsTo address this research gap, 175 interviews were conducted (2020–2021) amongst humanitarian and public health practitioners; armed actors; and crisis-affected community members across three country and four crisis contexts. Specifically, this effort included an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; a refugee crisis on the Jordanian-Syrian border; and a volcanic eruption and COVID-19 outbreak in the Philippines. Data was analysed using grounded theory principles.ResultsCrisis-affected community members held diverse views. Non-state armed groups (NSAGs) and government armed actors were characterised as antagonists by some but supportive by others; gender issues were central to perceptions of armed actors, in ways that were both prejudicing and favourable. Overall perception was most closely linked to armed actor roles rather than the relative amount of conflict in a given area.ConclusionsFindings nuance the relevant literature characterizing NSAGs as disruptive agents, and also the relevant literature that does not fully consider the nuances of gender and armed actor roles as deeply relevant to crisis-affected community perspectives on armed actors. These findings have important implications for both policy and academic discourse on militarization and localization.

Geo-visualizing the hotspots of smog-induced health effects in district Gujranwala, Pakistan: a community perspective.

This study aims to examine the health effects of smog on different age groups in Gujranwala and its associated health effects. To achieve this, primary data was gathered through a questionnaire survey focused on health issues faced by elderly individuals during the smog season. The results of the survey revealed that older adults in Gujranwala are particularly vulnerable to a range of health problems during this period, including coughing, throat infections, irritated eyes, runny noses, shortness of breath, chest pain while breathing, wheezing, asthma, heart problems, and respiratory issues. In order to analyze the spatial distribution of these health concerns, spatial and geo-statistical methods were employed utilizing ArcGIS 10.5. By integrating field data and secondary sources, hotspot and cold spot zones were identified. Employing the statistical model within ArcMap 10.5, hotspot analysis was performed to determine areas with elevated air quality index (AQI) values and associated health problems. The application of the inverse distance weighted approach, incorporating the Z value, facilitated a visual representation of areas with heightened and reduced AQI and health-related issues. The study's outcomes underscore the prevalence of health challenges among older adults during the winter months in Gujranwala, particularly linked to smog-induced throat infections, irritated eyes, and runny noses. The research identified zones with escalated AQI values, encompassing regions such as Gujranwala, Chandaqella, Alam Chowk, Khali Shahpur, Sialkot Bypass, and Pindi Bypass. It was established that industrial pollutants and vehicular emissions are the primary contributors to smog in the area. Given the detrimental consequences of pollution on individuals of all age groups, it is imperative to take action to mitigate its impact. This can be achieved through addressing pollution sources, implementing effective emission control measures, and fostering public awareness. By adopting proactive measures, the adverse health effects of pollution can be minimized, thereby fostering a healthier and safer environment for the entire population. This study offers valuable insights for policymakers and environmentalists to implement targeted interventions and improve air quality, ultimately safeguarding the health of local populations.

Maritime Defence Empowerment in the Development of Fishermen's Communities in Sungsang Waters, Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra

According to Republic of Indonesia Law No. 34 of 2004 addressing the INAF, the duties of the Indonesian Navy are outlined in Article 9 paragraph (e): to implement Dawilhanla. Dawilhanla is the empowerment of coastal communities through Binpotmar, which is implemented by Lantamal III/JKT in Banyuasin regency, South Sumatra, coastal areas represented by Bungakarang Village, Tanjung Lago regency, Marga Sungsang, Sungsang I-IV, Pili Village, Banyuasin II regency. The purpose of organizing the Empowerment of Maritime Defense areas is: in the perspective of Hanneg's interests is to prepare maritime defense areas and support forces as early as possible to win the conflict. From a community perspective, it aims to assist in overcoming community challenges and improving the welfare of maritime communities. The purpose of this research is to analyze Lantamal/JKT's strategy for empowering marine defense areas to improve the welfare of fishing communities in Banyuasin regency, South Sumatra, as well as to develop a model of this strategy. The research employed a qualitative research approach. Data was collected from designated informants and analyzed using qualitative techniques. The findings of research on coastal community empowerment are limited by only providing assistance to fishermen, which is not optimal considering the limited budget. Synergy between agencies is not implemented in a sustainable manner that meets the needs of the fishing community. The conclusion of the implementation of the coastal community empowerment strategy to increase the income of coastal communities/fishermen in Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra Province, was not successful.

Assessing community awareness for flood disasters in the UAE through human-centered design

The methodology of human-centered design (HCD) is used in this paper to examine community knowledge of flood disasters in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). With the region's floods becoming more frequent and severe, evaluating and improving the community's preparedness and response procedures is critical. HCD provides a user-centered approach that combines community perspectives and needs, ensuring effective strategies and interventions are created. This paper will use an HCD framework to assess the present awareness levels of the UAE community, identify existing issues in dealing with flooding disasters, and provide first-hand data related to community resilience.

Partnerships in the recovery planning process: lessons from Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria and Irma

PurposeTo assess which partnerships were most critical during the recovery planning process following Hurricanes Maria and Irma. We discuss the roles and impact of different types of partners, barriers and facilitators to partnerships and lessons in collaboration during the development of the economic and disaster recovery plan for Puerto Rico.Design/methodology/approachThe Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center (HSOAC) was tasked with assisting the Puerto Rican government with an assessment of damages from Hurricanes Maria and Irma and the development of the Recovery Plan. During the process, a small team compiled and coded a database of meetings with non-HSOAC partners. The team was divided into sector teams that mirrored FEMA’s Recovery Support Functions. Each sector completed two surveys identifying high impact partners and their roles and contributions, as well as barriers and facilitators to partnerships.FindingsA total of 1,382 engagements were recorded across all sectors over seven months. The most frequently identified high impact partners were federal and Puerto Rican governmental organizations partners. NGOs and nonprofits were noted as key partners in obtaining community perspective. Sector teams cited a lack of trust and difficulty identifying partners as barriers to partner engagement. Given the expedited nature of disaster response, establishing partnerships before disasters occur may help facilitate community input. Early networking, increased transparency and defining roles and responsibilities may increase trust and effectiveness among partnerships.Originality/valueTo our knowledge, this is one of the few studies that quantifies and illustrates the partnerships formed and their contributions during recovery planning, and lessons learned.

Community Perspectives in Developing Bat-Cave Tourism in Leang Londrong, Bantimurung-Bulusaraung National Park: Comparing The Locals & Tourists

Maros-Pangkep karst formation in South Sulawesi is one of the largest karst environments in the world. One cave located in the area is Leang Londrong and is a part of the management of Bantimurung-Bulusaraung National Park. The Leang Londrong area is known as tourism spot with water-based tourism as the main attraction and it is also known as the main ecosystem service provider in particular as water sources for many areas. This cave is inhabited by some species of bats. Even now the area is designated for water-based tourism, other potential tourism object such bats roosting inside the cave for tourism development has not been explored. Therefore, this study attempts to examine the perception of local community and tourists visiting the area towards nature, cave, bats and its conservation, as well as cave-bats tourism development. The study was conducted between January-April 2022 by distributing questionnaires to 86 respondents consisted of local community, tourists, and government’s representatives. The results indicated that in general the respondents had limited knowledge on nature, cave, bats and its conservation. In particular with bats, the majority of the respondents have not yet been familiar with bats, understood the roles of bats for the environment, and tended to ignore the existence of bats. However, in relation with nature and conservation, bat conservation, and the development of cave and bat tourism in Leang Londrong, all respondents from the tourist’s side agreed to support (>85%) and for the locals, the number was even higher (>90%). Therefore, from the perspectives of local community and tourists, the chance in developing cave and bat tourism in Leang Londrong can be considered possible.

Digital Pathways to Empowerment: Unraveling Women's Journeys in Atmanirbhar Bharat through ICT - A Qualitative Exploration

This qualitative research aims to explore the lived experiences, perceptions, and challenges faced by women in leveraging Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for empowerment within the framework of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, the study seeks to understand how ICT tools and platforms contribute to women's socio-economic empowerment, including their participation in education, entrepreneurship, governance, and employment. By examining individual narratives and community perspectives, the research aims to uncover the nuances of women's engagement with ICT, as well as the barriers they encounter in accessing and utilizing digital resources. The findings of this study are expected to provide valuable insights into the intersection of gender, technology, and development, informing policy and practice for promoting women's empowerment and self-reliance in India. In the framework of Atmanirbhar Bharat, we want to investigate the relationship between ICT and women's empowerment in this qualitative study. By studying women's experiences, obstacles, and opportunities when using ICT resources, we hope to add to the body of knowledge needed to create policies and programs that support gender-inclusive development and enable women to take an active role in empowering themselves and their communities as they work towards prosperity and self-reliance in India.

Priority setting: Development of the South Australian Aboriginal Chronic Disease Consortium RoadMap for Action.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Aboriginal) people in South Australia are overburdened by cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. The South Australian Aboriginal Chronic Disease Consortium (Consortium) was established in June 2017 as a collaborative partnership to lead the implementation of three state-wide chronic disease plans using a strategic approach to identifying key priority areas for action. In 2017-2018, the Consortium Coordinating Centre facilitated a priority setting process, which involved extensive consultation, including a prioritisation survey and stakeholder workshops. The Consortium's Aboriginal Community Reference Group was instrumental in leading the identification of priorities for action. The Consortium RoadMap for Action identified seven across-plan priorities and six condition-specific priorities. It acknowledged that: strengthening social and emotional well-being is central to improving health outcomes; prevention and early detection, acute management and ongoing management are all components of the continuum of care; and improving access to services, strengthening the workforce, and monitoring and evaluation are required across the continuum of care. Widespread implementation failure in the past across the health system and health services implementation and research translation highlights the value of the Consortium approach and its commitment to implementing the state-wide chronic disease plans in a collaborative manner. The Consortium relies on and fosters cross-sectoral alignment, with all key players including all public, private and Aboriginal Community Controlled health services, to progress its priorities and aspirations to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal people using evidence-based strategies. SO WHAT?: Rigorous and transparent priority setting processes that bring together research, clinical practice, health services operations, policy and community perspectives can foster intersectoral collaboration and partnership and support the implementation of shared priorities.

In Solidarity: Undocuqueer Identities and Politics in U.S. Spanish-Language Ethnic Media

ABSTRACT This study presents a critical discourse analysis of the coverage of undocumented LGBTQ people and the Undocuqueer Movement by Spanish-language news media to examine how notions of solidarity and advocacy inform ethnic news narratives. The analysis reveals that Spanish-language news outlets construct undocumented LGBTQ identities around the notions of precarity and activism, affording the community some agency while still highlighting the interlocking oppressions that make undocuqueer life particularly hazardous in the U.S. Additionally, the coverage in Spanish-language media deploys solidarity as a news value, rendering newsworthy the perspectives of the undocumented LGBTQ community, the systemic issues that impact it, and the initiatives that undocuqueer people and their allies have taken to improve their situation. This study suggests that Spanish-language news media, as part of the legacies of ethnic media, are a particularly fertile ground for the development of solidarity reporting, which allows journalists to leverage their belonging to minoritized communities to produce more accurate, fair, impactful, and action-oriented news narratives.

Virtual community engagement: Engaging virtual communities for nation branding through sports

Major sporting events bring a range of social, economic, and reputational benefits for hosting nations and serve as a vehicle to showcase the nation brand. Social media engagement during sport events provides opportunities for community members to cocreate, curate and communicate their nation brand’s attributes. While research in nation branding and community engagement has examined the ways place-based communities contribute to nation branding, little is known about how and in what ways virtual communities contribute to their nation brand. This study addresses this gap by examining the virtual brand community (VBC) surrounding the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Using social network analysis and content analysis, the findings suggest that VBC contributions is dependent on the composition, participation, and cultivation of conversations focusing on the personality traits of a nation brand. Theoretically, the outcomes from this study advance understanding of leveraging the properties of VBCs in making contribution to the production and maintenance of an authentic nation brand, that values community perspectives facilitated through community engagement. For public relations, it extends the current research in digital social-level engagement in virtual settings and outlines future research in participatory approaches to nation branding. The growing use of major sporting events in supporting nation branding goals, particularly in Asian and African continents, suggests the outcome of this study has implications at regional and international levels to guide public relations managers in major events to facilitate sustainable VBCs for authentic place branding outcomes.

A cross-sectional study exploring community perspectives on the impacts of COVID-19 in Nunavut and recommendations for a Holistic Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit approach to emergency response

ABSTRACT The goal of this study was to examine and address critical knowledge gaps and develop an understanding of both the positive and negative societal outcomes resulting from the public health measures associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in Nunavut and the interventions being undertaken to promote positive well-being. Data collection for this study included narrative, in-person interviews in Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, Baker Lake, and Cambridge Bay between September 2022 and January 2023. A total of 70 participants were interviewed for this study. Community highlighted challenges, such as crowding and food insecurity, and concern for the collective wellbeing of the community. Strengths included financials supports, food sharing, and maintaining community connections over a distance. Recommendations included a focus on holistic health such as 1) public education and awareness about communicable disease, 2) financial supports, 3) housing, 4) access to healthcare, 5) focus on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, 6) mental-health and addiction supports, and 7) community spaces. Community members described both strengths and challenges they believe impacted their experiences and service delivery as well as recommendations for the future.