Participation In Social Development Research Articles

Social networks that matter: Explaining the social participation of university students

Young people’s social participation has numerous benefits, and universities can play an important role in promoting it. The aim of this study is to broaden our understanding of the impact of social relationships on the development of social participation among university students. We also aimed to determine to what extent previous social participation experiences may modulate said impact. A total of 827 undergraduate students completed a questionnaire assessing their previous experience with social participation, the likelihood of their engaging in social participation in the future and the composition of their social networks, distinguishing between contacts on the basis of the type of relationship and its context (on or off campus). Although a clear relationship was found between social networks and previous experience with social participation, the association with the likelihood of engaging in social participation in the future was weaker and more complex. Previous experience was not found to modulate this association, and relationships with friends seem to be the most important factor in predicting future participation. The differences between civic and political participation are analysed, along with the practical implications of the results in light of, among other things, the potential role played by social norms.

Influence of Politics on Women’s Participation in Social Development in Turkana Central Sub-County, Turkana County, Kenya

Women’s participation in social development is fundamental for accomplishing social equity as well as reducing poverty. Worldwide experience shows clearly that supporting a stronger role for women contributes to economic growth, improves child survival and overall family health, and reduces fertility, thus helping to slow population growth rates. However, data show that women are under-represented at all levels of decision-making worldwide and that achieving their goals becomes difficult without them being in politics to influence or push their agenda. Hence, the purpose of this study was to assess the influence of politics on women's participation in social development in Turkana Central Sub-County, Turkana County, Kenya. Liberalism and patriarchy theory was used to guide the study. The study targeted a total population of 630 from 31 women's registered organisations. The study sample was statistically calculated using a confidence level of 95%, a margin of error (confidence interval of 2%) and a population proportion of 50%, and a sampling frame of 500 was arrived at. Using a random selection of numbers in the interval of 5, the sample size obtained was 98. Questionnaires were used for data collection. Data analysis was done using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The descriptive analysis involved the use of frequency, %ages, means and standard deviations, while inferential statistics involved the use of linear regression analysis to measure the relationship between variables. It was found out that political class considered women's participation in development, and according to it, women were considered to be equal to men politically. It was also noted that we have women in community development projects that vie for elective positions and that the political class considered the participation of women in social development. The study further observed that the county assembly had fulfilled the affirmative action of the two-thirds gender rule. The study findings concluded that women's participation in social development was positively correlated to politics. From the study, it is recommended that the public authority should give equivalent freedom to women and men regarding political space and that the climate ought to be favourable for women to take part in political exercises.

Rural woman participation in social development in Assiut governorate, Egypt

Rural woman participation in social development in Assiut governorate, Egypt

Social participation among Iranian community-dwelling older adults: A grounded theory study.

ABSTRACTBackground:Iran is among the countries whose older adult population is increasing rapidly. The social dimension of health in older adults affects their other existential dimensions. Social participation is a key determinant of health for older adults. This study aimed to explore the process of social participation among community-dwelling older adults.Methods:This is a qualitative study with the grounded theory approach. The study population consisted of eligible community-dwelling older adults. The participants were initially selected by purposeful sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The time and place of the interviews were arranged in discussion with the participants in advance. Lincoln and Guba’s criteria were used to assess the scientific accuracy and validity of the study. The university ethics committee issued the ethics code for the study. Data were analyzed using Corbin and Strauss approach.Result:The results of interviews with 15 participants, in this study, led to the emergence of 12 main categories and 32 subcategories with the core concept of “older adults’ desire to stay active”. Social participation of older adults was a concept clarified with the efforts of older adults to stay active in the community. Categories are fully described in the manuscript.Conclusion:Staying active is one of the main concerns regarding the concept of older adults’ social participation. The existence of conducive underlying factors, such as a participation-seeking older adult, family, and society, assists in the development of social participation at various levels and multiple forms among older adults.

Proactive Community Occupational Therapy Service for Social Participation Development of Thai Adults with Depression: A Grounded Theory Study from Occupational Therapists' Perspective.

Introduction Depression in adulthood decreases social participation in the workplace, family, and community, which further results in decreased work performance and cessation and social isolation. There is a high statistic of outpatient consultation and readmission of Thais with depression, yet the mental health support for remission in community life and social participation remains limited and unclear. Further, due to the lack of mental health professional resources, particularly occupational therapists, there is much to be known regarding how such therapists work to support the development of social participation in Thai adults with depression. Objective This research was aimed at understanding the process of how occupational therapists work to redevelop the social participation of community-dwelling Thai adults with depression. Method The grounded theory methodology was used in this study. Data were collected through interviews and nonparticipatory observations of 14 participants who had experience providing mental health care in community services. The constant comparative analysis method was employed. Result Three concepts illustrated a proactive community occupational therapy service for depression (PCOTS-D), namely, integrating depression care in community occupational therapy service (COTS), supporting meaningful participation, and forming collaborative networks. The PCOTS-D supported the reconnection of social participation by leading from proactive depression care service to COTS and then working to support meaningful participation toward the patient's self-management and building collaborative networks with inter- and intraprofessional teams simultaneously. Conclusion The PCOTS-D presented a holistic view of working with community-dwelling Thai adults with depression by considering the importance of the community and researchers' network to redevelop social participation, promote health and recovery, build teams in depression care, and encourage research evidence to enhance the supportive advocacy policy for Thai people with depression.

Wzmocnienie partycypacji społecznej w samorządzie – wyzwanie dla prawa administracyjnego

The article discusses the definition and the essence of the principle of social participation, with particular emphasis on the views of the doctrine and the jurisprudence of the administrative courts. The author expresses the view that social participation has constitutional legitimacy (however modest) and is closely related to the category of civil society. In the following part of the paper, specific participatory instruments are synthetically presented: public consultations, civic budget, youth municipal council, municipal council of seniors, civic legislative initiative, local referendum and village administration (sołectwo) fund. In summary, the author takes the view that the development of social participation meets the desired changes, empowering the real impact of residents on the life of the local community. Moreover, he expresses the view of the need to conduct critical research in parallel on the discussed principle.

Business participation in social development of the territory: Limitations and potential opportunities

Based on the results of sociological research, key barriers that prevent active integration of the business sector into social and economic development of the territories are identified, and the problems of interaction between government and business at the municipal level in present Russian conditions are determined. It is concluded that only on the basis of building common values between the authorities and the business community, changing their behavioral attitudes it is possible to increase the level of social responsibility of business and actively implement social investment.

Obstacles of Female Participation in Social Development

Obstacles of Female Participation in Social Development

A Study of the Self-Organizing Capacity on Computer Use in Rural Areas

In modern society, even if rural people are no longer strangers to computer, the problems concerning the serv- ice efficiency of Computer in rural areas and the Computer use education for peasants also arise accordingly. By combin- ing macro-level sampling questionnaire survey and micro-level observational interview with regular evaluation, this study places the interviewees from rural areas in the organizational system of Computer use education, to investigate the recog- nition and service condition of rural network Computer and sum up the various problems existing in the development of Computer in rural areas. According to the data obtained from continuous assessments, it makes analysis on the awareness and usage degree of media in different locations and at different times. This study shows that the Computer use education in rural areas presents a self-construal form with interpersonal communication oriented. For this, we should introduce a multiple organization structure, thereby to promote peasants' right of discourse in network Computer, so as to really pro- mote peasants' initiative and actual ability in participation in social development.

THE ACCESSIBILITY OF BUILDINGS AND HOUSES FOR DISABLED PERSONS: THE LAW AND PRACTICE IN MALAYSIA

Malaysia is one of the signatories to the proclamations of Asia & Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons (1993-2002), yet Malaysia is still lacking of comprehensive laws as regards to rights of persons with disabilities. The only law available is the Uniform Building (Amendment) By Laws, 1991(UBBL Amendment 1991) that provides for building requirements for disabled persons. This by law may be regarded as an initial step taken by Malaysia to ensure a disabled person’s right to full participation in social development. Despite the existence of this by law, most buildings in Malaysia do not have proper facilities or provide easy access for persons with disabilities. Similarly as far as housing is concerned there is no statutory requirement stipulating that housing (in particular public housing) should be designed to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities. It is the aim of this article to look into some legal provisions related to barrier free buildings including housing in Malaysia.

Local Responses to Participatory Conservation in Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal

Biodiversity conservation has undergone a profound change in philosophy, policies and management approaches over the last forty years. The traditional top-down approach to nature protection has been widely criticized for failing to include critical social elements in management practices, and is being gradually replaced by a slew of participatory strategies under the rubric of bottom-up conservation. The new approach recognizes local communities as key partners in wildlife management and seeks their participation in social development and biodiversity conservation. However, every social context is different in its structure and functions, and in the way social groups respond to calls for participation. In order to gain a better understanding of the approach and the barriers encountered in its implementation, a questionnaire survey of 188 households was employed in the communities of the Upper Mustang extension of Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) in Nepal. The study provides a comparative analysis of community participation and its barriers between Non-Tourist (NT) and Tourist (TV) villages. The results revealed important differences between the two groups in terms of their participation in community programs, barriers to participation, and perception of benefits from participation. Owing to their distinct spatial, demographic and attitudinal differences, the two village groups have their own sets of needs, values and motivation factors which cannot be generalized and treated as such. The research clearly identifies the need for the conservation agency to be creative in devising strategies and initiatives appropriate to specific social groups so as to optimize their input in participatory conservation.

Arab Women Viewpoints with Respect to Their Participation in Social Development in the Society

Arab Women Viewpoints with Respect to Their Participation in Social Development in the Society

Youth participation in the fight against AIDS in South Africa: from policy to practice

Effective youth participation in social development and civic life can enhance young peoples’ health and well-being. Yet many obstacles stand in the way of such involvement. Drawing on 105 interviews, 52 focus groups and fieldworker diaries, this paper reports on a study of a rural South African project which sought to promote effective youth participation in HIV/AIDS management. The paper highlights three major obstacles which might be tackled more explicitly in future projects: (i) reluctance by community adults to recognise the potential value of youth inputs, and an unwillingness to regard youth as equals in project structures; (ii) lack of support for meaningful youth participation by external health and welfare agencies involved in the project; and (iii) the failure of the project to provide meaningful incentives to encourage youth involvement. The paper highlights five psycho-social preconditions for participation in AIDS projects (knowledge, social spaces for critical thinking, a sense of ownership, confidence and appropriate bridging relationships). We believe this framework provides a useful and generalisable way of conceptualising the preconditions for effective ‘participatory competence’ in youth projects beyond the specialist HIV/AIDS arena.

KERANGKA PEMIKIRAN TENTANG STRATEGI INTERVENSI MASYARAKAT

An Idea of Social Intervention Strategy In the frame tc increase people participation in social development, many activies in community intervention has implemented. The essention of the activity is a community empowerment process to gain self reliance, which people can solve their problems, and met their need. The empowerment process through community intervention has several models. These are community development / locality development model, social planning and policy mode l, and social action model. In social development context through the strategy of community intervention, community worker can do their functions as an enabler, broker, social planner, educator, expert, advocate, and activist. Have as a starting point on situation, condition, problems and needs that felt by Indonesia people, so the strategy of community intervention that relevant to implement is locality development model with bottom up approach. Nevertheles, in order to effort social development can effective in realization throughh implementation this model, should supported by both of another models, those are social planning and policy, and social action models, so social welfare that we expected, relatively will be come true

The Effects of Peer-Play Level on Initiations and Responses of Preschool Children With Delayed Play Skills

The potential impact of peer-play opportunities on the overall development of young children has been well-documented in the social development, occupational therapy, and special education literature. However, the effect of peer characteristics on the manifestation and facilitation of specific types of play roles and behaviors has received little attention. This topic is of key importance to occupational therapists who are striving to develop interventions that enhance the development of social participation and play in preschool children. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in initiation and response exhibited by preschool-aged children with social-play delays when participating in free-play dyads with peers of differing developmental levels. A single-subject alternating treatments design was replicated across five preschool-aged children with developmental play delays. Each child was paired with one peer who had lower developmental play skills and one peer who had higher developmental play skills. The arranged dyads were given the opportunity to play together in a specially designed playroom at their school. Their interactions were videotaped and later coded. All five children generally showed more initiation and response to initiation during play with higher-level peers, although one participant showed less differentiation for initiation than the other four children. An occupational therapist working with a preschool child with play delays and wanting to facilitate the child's initiation and response in play situations should consider pairing the child with play delays with a child who has higher play skills.

Social Development in Thailand: Past, Present and Future Roles of the Public Sector

The public sector has played a dominant role in Thailand's social development, using the eight national development plans as guiding principles for setting priorities and resource allocation. Each of the development plans has conceptually evolved over time: from expansion of basic facilities, integrating social policy in national development, mobilizing people participation in social development, and then, human and social development of the people. The public sector also accordingly shifted its role from being the leading actor in the provision of social services for the people, to minimize its role and become the facilitator of human and social development of the people. It is important to note that NGOs and CBOs have also played a pivotal role in the development process. Though the country faced the challenge of the 1997 economic crisis, and saw rapid change as a result of globalization, the situation helped re-enforce and justify the current concept of encouraging people participation in development. The country has thus undertaken major reform programmes, in order to comply with the Constitution of B.E.2540 (1997), guaranteeing rights to health, education, social protection, and a social safety net. I. Introduction Thailand has used national development plans as the framework for setting priorities and for resource allocation since the inception of its first Five-year National Development Plan over 40 years ago. While each plan reflects the priority pertaining to circumstances during a particular period, their concept and approach have evolved over a period of time. The conventional development approach usually compartmentalizes each aspect of development into managerial levels, ignoring its interdependent nature. For example, social development contains almost the same function and is based on the same principle for any government. But the recent Eighth National Development Plan adopts a strategy that places people at the centre rather than as a means to development itself. This concept requires a shifting role of the public in the overall process of national development. II. Overview of National Development Plans: A Framework of Public Sector Role Expansion of Facilities for Social Services: The First and Second Economic Development Plans (1961-71) During the 1960s, over 80 per cent of the population resided in rural areas. Agriculture dominated people's way of life, an existence of reliance and interdependence. Major export products consisted of rice, rubber, and timber. However, there was political instability in the Southeast Asian region, arising from polarized politics, communism vs. capitalism, etc. The government viewed this as a threat to national security. Meanwhile, the Thai people still suffered from a lack of basic necessities. Thus national security and economic stability were emphasized as development priorities. National Development Plans during this period had the single objective to stimulate economic growth. Therefore, the plans focussed on constructing basic infrastructure such as roads, ports, multipurpose dams, and electricity generation plants. It should be noted that the construction of road networks facilitated not only the transport of agricultural products to nearby markets, but also connected strategic remote areas throughout the country and generated a sense of belonging to the Kingdom of Thailand. Plans were project-oriented, using external loans. Though it was not explicitly spelled out as social policy, the plans identified basic social services - namely, community facilities and social welfare, public health, and education, to be provided during the period. For example, in the field of public welfare, the objective was to render assistance to those who could not fully help themselves, such as orphans, homeless children, juvenile delinquents, and other underprivileged or socially maladjusted youngsters. In addition, the plans set objectives for public health programmes to expand and improve facilities for medical care of the sick, and to promote the general health of the population by systematic control of communicable diseases, improvement of environmental sanitation, and provision of better maternity and child welfare services. …

The Importance of the Role of Women in Social Development

. two-fotd : to recognize the past and present achievements of women in world societies and to encourage further growth and development of women’s potential on an ,indivi-. dual os well as on a societal and global basis. Althoug’h women’s contributions in the history of regional and national developmen.t have been numerous, it is apparent that their participation in social development is still very limi-ted in scope and that expanded opportunities are essential (UN Report, 1970).