Constructive Engagement Research Articles

Gender role changes in African households: A challenge to theology and psychology

In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi is a theological and acclaimed Open Access journal that serves as the official journal of the Reformed Theological Society (Gereformeerde Teologiese Vereniging). It has a broad coverage that promotes multidisciplinary, religious and biblical aspects of studies in the international theological arena, aiming to further Reformational Theology on a scientific basis. It encourages research that challenges traditional discourses within and between the fields of biblical, religious, social and human sciences as well as the constructive engagement with the natural sciences where applicable. The editorial board welcomes discussion articles related to the promotion and furtherance of reformational theology. All contributions are refereed anonymously by at least three other scholars who are recognised as specialists in the particular field of study and the comments of the referees are held in high esteem. English, Afrikaans and Dutch are the general languages of publication and articles in German will also be considered.

PELUANG DAN TANTANGAN KEPEMIMPINAN INDONESIA DALAM BIDANG POLITIK-KEAMANAN DI ASEAN PADA KRISIS POLITIK MYANMAR TAHUN 2021

Indonesia has credibility in carrying out its leadership role in the political-security sector in ASEAN. The political crisis that occurred in Myanmar due to a military coup in early 2021 raised concerns that it would have an impact on regional stability and ASEAN solidity. This reality makes researchers question what are the hopes and challenges of Indonesia in carrying out political-security leadership in ASEAN in the political crisis in Myanmar? This research was conducted with a qualitative design using secondary data from various literatures. This study finds that in responding to the crisis that occurred in Myanmar, Indonesia is faced with hopes for ideas and efforts that are always in helping to find solutions as part of the implementation of leadership in the security-politics field that comes from free-active foreign policy, transition experience democracy and capabilities. democracy. But on the other hand, Indonesia must also be faced with challenges that must be faced in the capacity to carry out political-security leadership originating from the ASEAN Way, rejection of the people of Myanmar and the inconsistency of human rights issues as well as the consolidation of domestic politics in responding to the crisis. Therefore, Indonesia still has to engage in constructive engagement through strengthening its democracy and human rights agenda and prioritizing non-megaphone diplomacy as part of efforts to help Myanmar out from the political crisis.

“Capitalizing” on Catholic Social Teaching: Seeking Normative Principles for Constructive Social Capital in the Catholic Tradition

For decades, the social sciences have been the predominant locus for research on social capital, but there is an overlooked opportunity for constructive engagement with the Catholic Church’s long social tradition. As a self-identified “expert in humanity” (John Paul II 1987, n41), the Catholic Church has much that commends its philosophers and theologians as interdisciplinary partners reflecting on what constitutes true social capital. Such a normative exercise seeks to distinguish authentic and productive social capital instantiated in trust, norms, and networks among persons for the achievement of common goods, rather than perverse and destructive counterfeits that breed mistrust, corruption, and alienation. This paper argues that the four permanent principles of Catholic social doctrine—the common good, solidarity, subsidiarity, and the dignity of the human person—can establish clear, normative principles that social scientists can use as they investigate the social realities that we as human beings in community constitute and actualize. Each permanent principle provides particular value for grappling with enduring critiques and questions in social capital research. Responding to criticisms of the rent-seeking nature of associations, the Catholic notion of the common good can be used as a heuristic for evaluating whether or not social organizations contribute to or detract from the achievement of comprehensive outcomes for all members within a group without injury to those outside. The concept of solidarity can further enlighten how to interpret and evaluate agency within associations. Furthermore, notions of tradition and subsidiarity respond to critiques that social capital is neither persistent through time nor alienable. Lastly, the principle of the dignity of the human person, in light of the common good, helps to explain why true social capital will not be destructive to the public good, but always constructive and constitutive of communities and their governing bodies.

Circular Economy Design towards Zero Waste: Laying the foundation for constructive stakeholder engagement on improving construction, renovation, and demolition (CRD) waste management

The city of Montréal is one of many cities worldwide who strive to cut the amount of waste they generate and advance towards zero waste in an effort to meet the Paris Agreement goals. Construction, renovation, and demolition (CRD) waste is a major contributor to urban waste streams but also an area where waste diversion and innovative waste management approaches could deliver significant reductions in waste. One such promising approach is that of circular economy which envisions a future where CRD waste is designed-out of the built environment by keeping construction materials in use. This paper presents a series of methods used to collect and organize data towards advancing circular thinking within CRD material management decision-making in Montréal and mobilizing engagement with the relevant data. Methods includes a detailed literature review, semi-structured interviews with stakeholders from across the building sector value chain followed by a thematic analysis. Collected data is mapped to the internationally recognized United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework in an aim to provide globally significant methodologies which cities worldwide can use to showcase contributions to the UN SDGs. Advancing towards zero CRD waste in Montréal will require the input of multiple stakeholders. The work presented in this paper is part of a larger research effort which works to deliver an initial but vital first step in the collection, integration, and dissemination of data towards a circular, more sustainable, built environment.

The long view: Strategic arms control after the New START Treaty

ABSTRACT The Nuclear Notebook is researched and written by Hans M. Kristensen, director of the Nuclear Information Project with the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), and Matt Korda, a senior research associate with the project. This edition features unique contributions from FAS Impact Fellow and international lawyer Jessica Rogers. The Nuclear Notebook column has been published in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists since 1987. This issue examines the topic of strategic arms control after the expiration of the New START Treaty in February 2026. We explore potential avenues for constructive engagement between the United States and Russia and consider how to optimally balance arms control options that are legally possible and politically feasible. To see all previous Nuclear Notebook columns, go to https://thebulletin.org/nuclear-notebook/.

Socially Responsible Marketing (SRM): Broader, Deeper, and Ever Greater

In 2021, the authors offered a macro-level and normative based definition of Socially Responsible Marketing (SRM) that could serve as the basis for a doctrine of ethical, conscientious marketing. This essay offers a synthesis of ideas and further expands thinking on Socially Responsible Marketing, in reply to thoughtful comments shared by nine leading scholars invited by the Journal's editor to discuss “Toward a Doctrine of Socially Responsible Marketing (SRM): A Macro and Normative-Ethical Perspective”. We are hopeful the ideas shared in this special section generate further discussions on broader, deeper and greater social responsibility in marketing, and reveal fresh opportunities for macromarketing research, teaching, policy, constructive engagement and professional practice.

Changes in Engagement for Adults with Dementia: Effects of an Intergenerational Program

Finding ways to engage adults living with dementia in meaningful and social activities as well as elicit positive emotions and behaviors is important. Intergenerational programs (IGPs) involving young children have been shown to benefit the physical, emotional, and social health of older adults, including those living with dementia, and are often positively received by this population. This study examined how involvement in an IGP was associated with the way that individuals living with dementia engaged and the behaviors that they exhibited during the activities. Fourteen older adults living in a shared-site long term care facility participated in an onsite IGP. Their interactions were recorded over a five-day period immediately prior to the children’s arrival and throughout the duration of the program; adults’ engagement and behaviors were coded using the Menorah Park Engagement Scale (MPES). Findings indicated that there were significant changes in engagement type and the behaviors exhibited by these adults during the IGPs. Constructive engagement significantly increased while non-engagement and other engagement were significantly reduced when the children were present. Greater displays of pleasure and helping behaviors were also exhibited during the IGPs. These findings have implications for recreational therapy practice in long-term care settings and support the use of IGPs with adults living with dementia as a nonpharmacological intervention to improve social engagement in this population.

Regional Governance for Food System Transformations: Learning from the Pacific Island Region

The unsustainability of food systems is a global policy challenge. There is an urgent need for the improved coordination and integration of policies across sectors to improve food system outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine the role and opportunities for regional governance in strengthening policy for food system transformations, using the Pacific Island region as a case study. We conducted a qualitative policy analysis, drawing on data from 21 interviews with experts and participants in Pacific Island regional food system governance, and the analysis of 17 key regional commitments (policy documents) relating to food systems. The findings indicate that the Pacific Island region has made significant progress towards improved regional food systems governance. Regional governance has been used to address multiple shared and inter-related challenges associated with food systems, improve coordination across silos, and facilitate constructive engagement on policy issues between international, regional, and national actors. However, food systems outcomes related to the economy, nutrition, and environment continue to be mixed, and there are challenges to policy coordination and effectiveness at the regional level. Interviewees envisaged a regional approach characterized by being rooted in regional values, meeting multiple objectives, balancing tensions, and providing meaningful support and resources for countries. Following food systems disruptions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, this study suggests that there is an opportunity to strengthen regional food system governance through paradigm change, the development of new modes of coordination, and increasing the dynamic interactions between regional institutions, countries, and communities.

Naomi Noble Richard

Naomi Noble Richard

Mapping the Literature on Social Responsibility and Stakeholders’ Pressures in the Mining Industry

Mining activities can be good for the local economy, but they can also have a negative impact, which has created increasing pressure from stakeholders. A constructive and positive engagement between a company and its stakeholders is important for sustainability issues and can provide a shared understanding of sustainable development. This review aims to examine the growth trajectory, the most influential documents, and the conceptual framework of the literature on stakeholder engagement and corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the mining industry. Moreover, tries to answer the following research questions: What research streams have been followed? Which theories and research paradigms have been used? A bibliometric analysis was performed using 149 documents extracted from the Web of Science and Scopus databases. The documents obtained were analysed using Bibliometrix software. The results suggest that the most studied constructs within the mining industry are related to sustainability issues, management and legitimacy concerns, and the importance of stakeholders, particularly local communities, and the social impacts that mining generates. The study contributes to the literature by reviewing prominent cited references and documents that cited them, the authors provide the landscapes and research gaps of major research lines for further development.

Signs of sexuality in a book about death seen through a psychoanalytic lens: Paradox and parody in play and perversion

Verbum et Ecclesia is a theological research journal that challenges traditional discourses within and between the fields of biblical, religious, social and human sciences as well as the constructive engagement with the natural sciences. It is an instrument of engagement between theological disciplines, on the one hand, and theology and other disciplines, on the other.

Nimi Wariboko’s The Pentecostal Hypothesis and African Pentecostalism during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the world in significant ways just as it has opened new vistas of thought in both secular and religious circles. This article is situated within the frames of African Pentecostalism, which found itself in a gap during the lockdown in early 2020. This ‘gap’ is grounded on Nimi Wariboko’s The Pentecostal Hypothesis, which I use as a theoretical framework to interrogate how the African Pentecostal churches, which inadvertently found themselves in a ‘gap’ responded to the predictions that Africa would be the most hit by the pandemic, and how it also impacted on their teaching and praxis. The thrust of The Pentecostal Hypothesis is the creation of, and insertion into, a gap between sense and spirit, and how such a gap creates an opportunity for meaning-making: “It does not make sense, but it makes spirit.” That is, even though something may not make sense on the basis of scientific data and rational argument, there is a sense in which appealing to spiritual data, it will still be meaningful. In order to achieve this, the author adopted interpretive method, a qualitative method that helps to engage Wariboko’s socialtheological worlds of the Pentecostals within the context of COVID-19. Through this method, we analyze the responses of African Pentecostals and attempt to validate them against The Pentecostal Hypothesis. It was thus observed that many Pentecostals’ theological explications of the COVID-19 pandemic cannot pass as absolute epistemology of the pandemic as some of them assumed. Consequently, it is concluded that there is the need for a constructive engagement so that sense and spirit can be utilized for human flourishing in a pandemic or crisis situation.

On Social Diplomacy

Summary Diplomatic studies are becoming more open to social ideas, and a growing number of scholars are looking at diplomacy as a social practice. At the same time, diplomacy itself is in greater demand in increasingly complex societies, both international and domestic. This article analyses diplomacy between socially defined actors and complements the ideas of social diplomacy outlined in my book Diplomacy for Professionals and Everyone (Leiden: Brill, 2022). Since the social is essentially interconnectional, interactional and relational, I explore social diplomacy that takes place between purposive social entities, such as individuals, groups, organisations and states, and their aggregations, by focusing on their means of engagement, interaction and relationship-building. Diplomacy has always been regarded as a mission, and social diplomacy can be considered a goodwill mission that involves constructive engagement and dialogical interaction between parties to create a social good, most notably positive relationships.

Macroservicing: a commentary on services as constructive engagement for sustainable peace, prosperity and well-being

PurposeThis study aims to introduce the term, concept, mission and practice of macroservicing to recognize the ascent and obligations of Homo Servicus and to broaden and reinvigorate the service discipline. The author shares a framework for constructive engagement via macroservicing; services provisioning throughout ecosystems, particularly marketing systems, to eliminate or mitigate social traps, to reduce disenfranchisement and suffering and to enhance well-being in the system and stakeholders of the system, which ultimately includes everyone.Design/methodology/approachSynthesis of literature was drawn from several disciplines, including macromarketing and social psychology, and relevant streams of research to make key points about existential threats from social traps, and their resolution via macroservicing.FindingsComplex social traps and systemic challenges – e.g., war, poverty, environmental degradation – require systemic services-marketing solutions by catalytic institutions in ways that engage vulnerable people and address needs of stakeholders, locally, regionally and globally.Research ImplicationsFurther study of socioeconomic/market phenomena and a framework that must be understood and can be studied empirically to design, coordinate and deliver appropriate services throughout ecosystems.Practical ImplicationsBusinesses, governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and citizen-consumers can use the framework and related text to inform and to guide collaboration and decision-making vis-à-vis services reach and efficacy throughout their communities, states, regions or alliances.Originality/valueThe commentary offers fresh perspectives and insights; an adaptive, practical framework for systemic analysis and humane problem resolution to enhance individual quality of life, community eudaimonia and planet well-being. Emphasis is placed on the inclusion of under-served or disenfranchised consumers in marketing system(s) and solutions that emerge from macroservicing to facilitate access and inclusive services provisioning.

Measuring Positive Childhood Experiences: Testing the Structural and Predictive Validity of the Health Outcomes From Positive Experiences (HOPE) Framework.

Positive childhood experiences (PCEs), that occur within secure and nurturing social environments, are fundamental to healthy physical, social-emotional, and cognitive development. However, reliable measures of these experiences are not yet widely available. We used data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) to empirically represent and psychometrically evaluate 3 primary domains of PCEs defined within the Health Outcomes from Positive Experiences (HOPE) framework, specifically: 1) nurturing and supportive relationships; 2) safe and protective environments and; 3) constructive social engagement and connectedness. LSAC is a nationally representative cohort that has followed young Australians from birth since 2004. LSAC data were used to represent the 3 primary HOPE-PCEs domains (birth to 11 years) across 4 inter-related PCEs constructs: 1) positive parenting, 2) trusting and supportive relationships, 3) supportive neighborhood and home learning environments, and 4) social engagement and enjoyment. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the proposed 4-factor structure. Predictive validity was examined through associations with mental health problems and academic difficulties at 14 to 15 years. The 4-factor structure was supported by empirical data at each time point. Higher exposure to PCEs across each domain was associated with lower reporting of mental health problems (β=-0.20 to -2.05) and academic difficulties (β=-0.01 to -0.13) in adolescence. The 4 LSAC-based HOPE-PCEs have sufficient internal coherence and predictive validity to offer a potentially useful way of conceptualizing and measuring PCEs in future cohort studies and intervention trials aiming to enhance the understanding of, and mitigate the negative impacts of, adverse childhood experiences.

Doing Philosophy Comparatively in China: Constructive Engagement between Marxist, Western, and Chinese Traditional Philosophy (2000-2022)

Marxist philosophy, Western philosophy, and Chinese traditional philosophy constitute three main forces of contemporary Chinese philosophy. In the past two decades, a great deal of in-depth and extensive constructive engagement has been carried out among the three. Previous studies on such constructive engagement have focused on the perspectives of Western or Chinese traditional philosophy, while the perspective of Marxist philosophy has been neglected to a large extent. Given the key position of Marxist philosophy in contemporary Chinese philosophy, it is undoubtedly regrettable that such a perspective is missing. This paper aims to fill this gap in the perspective of examination from the perspective of Marxist philosophy by examining the constructive engagement between various research paths within contemporary Chinese Marxist philosophy on the one hand, and the constructive engagement between Marxist philosophy, Western and Chinese traditional philosophy on the other hand.

Promoting Positive Education through Constructivist Digital Learning Heutagogy: An Intervention Outcome

The present day school system curtails children’s natural growth and interferes with their freedom to explore. It is here that teachers have an opportunity to engage meaningfully with the student community, and make them and society aware of the importance to explore and become self-determined and autonomous learners. Sustained engagement of students in an online class is only possible with continuous efforts from teachers. Constructivist Digital Learning Heutagogy could be the effective solution to break the monotony in online classes, and also to break away from teacher-centric classes and to bring about constructive engagement among the learners in online classes. Online education has very much changed the needs of education. Today we need an education system which is self-driven and facilitated by a teacher or a more knowledgeable other. The study throws light on CDLH (Constructivist Digital Learning Heutagogy) Model. Four-week training (how to teach with the use of the CDLH Model) was given to TGT mathematics teachers and then an intervention at six months will be provided by the same mathematics teachers to their students to assess the psychological indicators like Positive Emotions (Expression, Emotion Management, Expressing Gratitude), Academic Achievement (Focus and Persistence), Learning Engagement (Love of Learning) and Positive Relationship (Peer Relationships and Empathy) taught by the CDLH Model. CDLH model has been validated and tested for reliability (PLS SEM software) in the pilot test conducted. Results revealed that learning through constructivist Digital Learning Heutagogy supported academic achievement, learning engagement and positive emotions, whereas it also showed that the peer relationship was not supported by the intervention. Very importantly it helped to break the monotony of the class.

Flashpoint: How a Little-Known Sporting Event Fueled America's Anti-Apartheid Movement

Flashpoint: How a Little-Known Sporting Event Fueled America's Anti-Apartheid Movement

Iran’s Look to the East Policy in the Framework of Bounded Rationality Model

Doğu’ya Bakış politikası; İran’ın, Batı ile yüzleşmek için Doğu ülkeleriyle ilişkilerini güçlendirmesini hedefleyen bir dış politika vizyonudur. İlk kez Cumhurbaşkanı Mahmud Ahmedinejad Dönemi’nde İran’ın maruz kaldığı yaptırım ve izolasyonu kırmak amacıyla uygulanmaya başlanmıştır. Ancak Hasan Ruhani’nin 2013 yılında cumhurbaşkanlığı görevine gelmesiyle birlikte izlediği Batı ile yapıcı angajman politikası kapsamında Doğu’ya Bakış politikasının Batı’yı dengeleme yönü ön plana çıkmıştır. ABD Başkanı Donald Trump’ın Mayıs 2018’de Kapsamlı Ortak Eylem Planı’ndan (KOEP, Nükleer Anlaşma) çekilerek İran’a karşı sert yaptırımlar uygulamasına istinaden İran dış politikasının yönü bir kez daha Doğu’ya dönmüştür. İran’da daha çok muhafazakâr cephe tarafından desteklenen Doğu’ya Bakış politikasının, İbrahim Reisi’nin Cumhurbaşkanı olmasıyla birlikte yeniden İran dış politikasında öne çıktığı görülmüştür. Ancak Reisi hükûmetinin uyguladığı şekliyle Doğu’ya Bakış politikası, çeşitli kısıtlama ve çıkmazlarla karşı karşıyadır. Bu makalenin amacı, söz konusu politikayı dış politika analizi modelleri arasında yeri olan sınırlı rasyonellik modeli perspektifinden değerlendirmek ve bu politikanın esasen mutlak bir rasyonel tercih olmadığını, dış politika karar alıcılarının sınırlı alternatifler arasından en uygun olanını seçmesiyle oluşan zorunlu ve kısıtlı bir tercih olduğunu ortaya koymaktır.

A GENUINE BLEND OF STATECRAFTS

Power transition in the international order and the position of China in this order have triggered ramifications in China's foreign policy strategy toward the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Its foreign policy approach has evolved from strict non-intervention to an assertive policy at the international level and constructive engagement at the regional level. China has simultaneously been applying both soft and hard power to protect its national interests in MENA. This study aims to assess China's four-pillar MENA policy from the perspective of its smart power strategy by examining its hard power means and soft power tools.