Community Leaders Research Articles

Co-designing a physical activity intervention for low-income mothers of preschool-aged children with community leaders: a qualitative study

BackgroundYoung children from low-income families experience disparities in school readiness that impact short and long-term health. Family physical activity co-participation is an interactive activity that may promote positive health and academic outcomes. The purpose of this study is to describe the process and outcomes of engaging with community leaders to co-design the Families Moving Together intervention for low-income mothers and their preschool-aged children.MethodsFive action planning sessions were conducted with community leaders, experts in physical activity, early learning, or engaging low-income families (i.e., families receiving housing assistance). The PRACTical planning for Implementation and Scale-up (PRACTIS) guide provided a framework for each session to address implementation and sustainability barriers and facilitators. Qualitative data were analyzed using the Framework Analysis method with inductive and deductive coding.ResultsAction planning participants (N = 19) were aged 50 ± 13.4 years, mostly female (89%), and worked across several community organizations serving low-income mothers and children in an urban city in central Kentucky. Three core themes were identified from analyzing the transcripts. First, participants held shared values, such as respect and equity, that informed the intervention design process. Second, these core values provided a foundation for creating collaborative and sustainable solutions to achieve outcomes. Finally, participants described program design elements to remove barriers and increase facilitators. Through the action planning process, participants co-designed the core components of Families Moving Together, which included leading free family movement programs in the community and engaging trusted community members to deliver the intervention. The goal of this 6-month community-level intervention is to increase school readiness and health by engaging families in physical activity together.ConclusionsCommunity experts and the research team used the PRACTIS guide to co-design strategies to increase physical activity and school readiness that they perceived would enhance the likelihood of implementation and sustainability in the community. Participants underscored the importance of the co-design process that centers community representation and collaborative approaches to create, implement, and sustain programs in the local community. Researchers and community leaders serving low-income mothers and children in other settings may be able to replicate the action planning process to facilitate equitable health outcomes.

Winfield, Kansas’s Early Roots in Community Music: 1870 to 1930

Winfield, Kansas has a rich musical tradition. This is especially true in its early years when citizens worked to integrate music education and community music. Several factors converged during Winfield’s early years (1870–1930) that facilitated the community’s musical successes. These factors included an isolated location with settlers who made music a crucial part of the area’s social network; music educators and community leaders who gained national fame for their efforts in Winfield; public schools and three colleges that placed unusual emphasis on musical excellence; and municipal organizations with high rates of community participation and support. Importantly, music occurred both within and beyond educational institutions, with citizens fully engaged in music as both consumers and participants. Music in Winfield had a wide-reaching impact, with concerts for thousands of students, potentially the nation’s first public school orchestra and class method book, and thriving community music groups and festivals.

Adaptation in adversity: innovative approaches to food security amidst COVID-19 in a remote First Nations community in Canada

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated food insecurity issues in geographically isolated communities, including Fort Albany First Nation (FAFN). This research examines FAFN’s adaptive strategies to improve food security, highlighting community resilience and leadership. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 20 community members who were involved in the pandemic response, either as members of the pandemic committee or as managers of community programs. Thematic analysis revealed significant adaptation of existing programs and the establishment of new initiatives to address food security during the pandemic. Initiatives, such as the community garden and the Fort Albany Farmers Market were food security programs that existed prior to the pandemic, and despite labor shortages during the pandemic, logistical hurdles were addressed to maintain operations and enhance food distribution efficiency. New emergency food initiatives, backed by government support and community efforts, successfully delivered food to vulnerable households. Traditional subsistence activities, such as hunting and fishing, were essential for providing sustenance and strengthening community resilience. These adaptive strategies highlight the critical role of local leadership, community participation and ingenuity, and the utilization of Indigenous knowledge in overcoming food security challenges during crises. This paper underscores the need to support Indigenous food sovereignty and build resilient local food systems tailored to the unique needs of First Nations communities. The experiences of FAFN during the COVID-19 pandemic provide invaluable insights into the resilience and innovation required to improve food security in remote and vulnerable populations, emphasizing the need for sustained investment and policy support in these communities.

Penerapan Restorative Justice dalam Kasus Kekerasan Domestik di Indonesia: Studi Empiris di Wilayah Perkotaan dan Pedesaan

Domestic violence is a critical issue affecting many individuals and families in Indonesia, with varied impacts across urban and rural areas. This study examines the implementation of the Restorative Justice approach in resolving domestic violence cases in these contexts and identifies factors influencing its effectiveness. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combines quantitative analysis through surveys and qualitative insights from in-depth interviews. Data were collected from 300 respondents, including victims, offenders, and mediators, from urban and rural settings, alongside interviews with key stakeholders. The findings reveal significant differences in acceptance and satisfaction with Restorative Justice processes between urban and rural populations. In urban areas, higher legal awareness and access to trained mediators contribute to a 70% satisfaction rate, reflecting better participation and understanding of the process. In contrast, rural areas exhibit a lower satisfaction rate of 50%, hindered by cultural norms, limited legal knowledge, and a shortage of qualified mediators. Despite these challenges, Restorative Justice shows promise in addressing domestic violence by fostering dialogue, accountability, and reconciliation, emphasizing victim empowerment and offender rehabilitation. This study underscores the necessity of adapting Restorative Justice practices to local socio-cultural contexts to enhance effectiveness. Recommendations include developing tailored mediator training programs, increasing public awareness, and integrating community leaders into the process to build trust and legitimacy. The research contributes to the discourse on legal reform by highlighting the potential of Restorative Justice to create a more inclusive, responsive, and sustainable mechanism for resolving domestic violence cases in Indonesia. These findings are pivotal for policymakers in designing adaptive strategies to bridge the urban-rural divide and strengthen the justice system.

Partnership Development of Smallholder Coffee Cultivation: A Model for Social Capital in the Global Value Chain

The productivity of smallholder coffee cultivation is declining due to ageing trees, making the rejuvenation of coffee trees with superior seeds essential. This rejuvenation process requires the support and participation of various stakeholders, including the government, banks, investors, universities, community leaders, experts, extension workers, and other parties. The nature of an incomplete contract in building partnership with farmers requires confidence building to avoid higher costs in enforcing a new behavior. However, this study shows that the accumulation of social capital also leads to higher expenses in maintaining these relationships. This study aimed to develop a social capital model to enhance partnerships between coffee farmers and relevant stakeholders. The analysis used a system dynamics model for coffee production and farmer income. The data collection involved the gathering of data and information from 17 actors in the coffee industry in Lampung, particularly in Kopista community. The study reveals that the social capital model must be constructed from four components: (1) trust, (2) ongoing cooperative activities, (3) social capital connections, and (4) memories of successful cooperative actions. Active involvement and instruction from specialists on the concept of social capital and partnership models can enhance cooperation by maintaining social connections. The policy implication of this study is that the development of a social capital model and partnership must be constructed by mentoring for economic benefits and must be continuously supported.

Community sports as a conduit for police–youth relationships: a scoping review

PurposeThis paper sought to bring together police science and sport-for-development (SFD) with a scoping review of the empirical literature on at-risk youth and police relationship-building in the context of sport interventions.Design/methodology/approachWe conducted a scoping review with a Setting, Perspective, Intervention, Comparison and Evaluation (SPICE) model to systematically examine existing studies on the involvement of police in sports-based youth development programs. A total of 1,247 records were identified, and ten empirical research studies were included in the review.FindingsThe review identifies the critical role of stakeholders, especially coaches and community leaders, in facilitating police–youth contact. Coaches often serve as boundary-spanners, building trust between police officers and at-risk youth. Police involvement in these programs is multifaceted, with officers participating as teammates, leaders or mentors. This participation helps dismantle barriers and foster positive relationships but shows that different roles are associated with different benefits and risk factors. Relatedly, the review highlights potential risks such as the hyper-criminalization of youth, emphasizing the need for program designs that promote equality and collaboration.Originality/valueThis paper provides the first significant steps toward conceptualizing the role of police within sport interventions by integrating community policing and SFD literature. We advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration between police science and SFD scholars to further develop police–youth relationships.

Socio-Economic and Cultural Impacts of Dhoho Airport Development on Buffer Villages: A Case Study in Tiron and Banyakan, Kediri

Infrastructure development plays a pivotal role in transforming rural areas, particularly through large-scale projects such as airports. This study explores the socio-economic and cultural impacts of Dhoho Airport development in Kediri on buffer villages, focusing on Tiron and Banyakan. The primary objective is to understand how airport development influences economic opportunities, social structures, and cultural dynamics in these communities. Employing a qualitative case study design, this research collected data through in-depth interviews with community leaders, participatory observations of social interactions, and documentation from government and local institutions. The findings reveal significant economic transformations, including livelihood diversification from agriculture to trade and services, fostering the growth of MSMEs. Socially, the airport has contributed to declining cooperation, reflecting a shift toward individualistic values. Culturally, modernization has accelerated acculturation, altering traditional practices and values, particularly among younger generations. Moreover, there is a growing awareness of education and skill development as communities adapt to emerging economic opportunities. This study underscores the importance of inclusive development policies that balance economic growth with the preservation of cultural identity and social cohesion.

Foreign and Familiar: Recruitment Pathways of Young People Engaged with Extremism in Australia

It has been established by leaders of the Australian national security community, such as the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the Australian Federal Police, that young people are being increasingly recruited into extremism. To date, few Australian studies have examined this issue using primary source data. This article seeks to understand the conditions which may make vulnerable young Australians more susceptible to recruitment, recruitment pathways, and forms of recruitment. To address this, primary sources were consulted, and frontline countering violent extremism (CVE) practitioners were interviewed. It was found that there is no typical pathway for young Australians to be recruited to extremism and that recruitment can be both foreign (informed by transnational networks and organisations) and/or familiar (within the immediate domestic environment of the young person). We identified the continued significance of online vectors, but further established the ongoing relevance and power of offline engagement for the recruitment of young people. Finally, we suggest that multiple intersecting vulnerabilities render young people more susceptible to recruitment, with data that suggests they may be naïve to their being recruited in the first place.

Spatial variation and associated factors of home delivery among reproductive age group women in Ethiopia, evidence from Performance Monitoring for Action Ethiopia Survey 2019, spatial and multilevel logistic regression analysis

IntroductionHome birth is described as a delivery that takes place at home without the presence of a skilled birth attendant. In 2017, nearly 295,000 mothers died from various pregnancy and childbirth-related problems, accounting for approximately 810 maternal deaths per day. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the spatial distributions of home birth and associated factors in Ethiopia using the Performance Monitoring for Action Survey (PMAS) 2019) to get information that helps to take geographic-based interventions and can assist health planners and policymakers in developing particular measures to reduce home deliveries.MethodIn PMA-ET 2019, a community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in collaboration with Addis Ababa University, Johns Hopkins University, and the Federal Ministry of Health from September 2019 to December 2019, in Ethiopia. A multi-stage cluster sampling procedure was employed to draw from the stratified 2019 PMAS sample. A weighted total of 5,796 women were included in this study. ArcGIS version 10.7 software was used to visualize the spatial analysis. In addition, STATA version 14 of the statistical software was used for multilevel analysis The Bernoulli model was applied using Kulldorff's SaTScan version 9.6 software to identify significant purely spatial clusters for home delivery in Ethiopia. Intra-class Correlation Coefficient (ICC), Likelihood Ratio (LR) test, Median Odds Ratio (MOR), and deviance (−2LLR) values were used for model comparison and fitness. Adjusted Odds Ratios (AOR) with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) and p-value <0.05 in the multilevel logistic model were used to declare significant factors associated with home delivery.ResultThe spatial distribution of home delivery was non-random in Ethiopia. Statistically significant high hotspots of home delivery were found in Somali, Afar, Sidama, most of South Nation Nationality and People Region (SNNP), most parts of Amhara, south west Ethiopia, and Oromia region. In the multilevel logistic regression model; Women from the lowest wealth quintile were 1.68 times [AOR = 1.68; 95% CI: 1.31, 2.15] higher odds of giving birth at home as compared to their counterparts. Regarding maternal educational status, mothers who had no education, primary education, and secondary education had 9.91 times [AOR = 9.91, 95% CI: 5.44, 18.04], 6.62 times [AOR = 6.62, 95% CI: 3.65, 12.00] and 2.99 times [AOR = 2.99, 95% CI: 1.59, 5.63] higher odds of giving birth at home compared to mothers who attained higher education, respectively. In addition, community-level factors were significantly associated with home delivery, women who had high community-level poverty were 1.76 times [AOR = 1.76; 95% CI: 1.14, 2.72] higher odds of home delivery compared to women who had low community-level poverty.ConclusionHome delivery was statistically found to be a significantly high hot spot in Somalia, Afar, Sidama, most of the South Nation Nationality and People area (SNNP), most of Amhara, southwest Ethiopia, and the Oromia region of Ethiopia. Significant factors associated with home delivery in Ethiopia were women with lower levels of education, poor wealth, living in rural areas, high levels of community poverty, divorced or separated widowed marital status, and older maternal ages. Therefore, health institutions, health professionals, National and regional policymakers health planners community leaders and all concerned should give priority to the identified hot spot clusters to design an effective intervention program to reduce home delivery.

AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMME AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF THE ANCHOR BORROWERS PROGRAMME

The Anchor Borrower Programme (ABP) was introduced in 2015 by the Federal Government of Nigeria to provide loans for farmers,create jobs, increase agricultural productivity, and create employment to ensure national development. The study employed ordinary least squares regression analysis to examine the program’s impact on national development. The explanatory variables considered include employment in agriculture, food export bill, and food import bill, while the dependent variable is gross domestic product (GDP). The findings revealed that the Food Import Bill, which was 0.2694 (27%) before the program, reduced to 0.0102 (1.02) after the program. Also, the country’s food export bill, which was 0.2884 (28%) before the program, was reduced to (1.7). In contrast, employment in agriculture, which was -0.0534 (-5.3) before the program, further deteriorated to -0.8200 (-82%) after the anchor borrowers’ program. This implies that the anchor borrow program failed to meet the desired expectations. Other findings of the study identified late disbursement of loans to non-farmers, disbursement of funds during off-farming seasons, ineffective loan recovery mechanisms, diversion of loans for non-agricultural purposes, insecurity challenges, and climatic conditions as some of the factors that militate against the efficacy of the program. The paper, therefore, recommends the inclusion of community leaders in identifying agricultural practitioners for loan disbursement and recovery, prompt disbursement of funds, the supply of farm equipment and seedlings rather than cash, and the inclusion of insurance coverage to mitigate the effects of other risks associated with insecurity and climatic trajectories.

Intimate Partner Violence-Related Homicides of Hispanic and Latino Persons - National Violent Death Reporting System, United States, 2003-2021.

In 2022, homicide was the second leading cause of death for Hispanic and Latino persons aged 15-24 years in the United States, the third leading cause of death for those aged 25-34 years, and the fourth leading cause of death for those aged 1-14 years. The majority of homicides of females, including among Hispanic and Latino persons, occur in the context of intimate partner violence (IPV). This report summarizes data from CDC's National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) on IPV-related homicides of Hispanic and Latino persons in the United States. 2003-2021. NVDRS collects data regarding violent deaths in the United States and links three sources: death certificates, coroner or medical examiner reports, and law enforcement reports. IPV-related homicides include both intimate partner homicides (IPHs) by current or former partners and homicides of corollary victims (e.g., children, family members, and new partners). Findings describe victim and suspect sex, age group, and race and ethnicity; method of injury; type of location where the homicide occurred; precipitating circumstances (i.e., events that contributed to the homicide); and other selected characteristics. Deaths related to each other (e.g., an ex-partner kills the former partner and their new partner) are linked into a single incident. State participation in NVDRS has expanded over time, and the number of states participating has varied by year; data from all available years (2003-2021) and U.S. jurisdictions (49 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia) were used for this report. Of the 49 states that collect data, all except California and Texas collect data statewide; Puerto Rico and District of Columbia data are jurisdiction wide. Florida was excluded because the data did not meet the completeness threshold for circumstances. NVDRS collected data on 24,581 homicides of Hispanic and Latino persons, and data from all available years (2003-2021) and U.S. jurisdictions (49 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia) were examined. Among homicides with known circumstances (n = 17,737), a total of 2,444 were classified as IPV-related (13.8%). Nearly half of female homicides (n = 1,453; 48.2%) and 6.7% (n = 991) of male homicides were IPV-related; however, among all Hispanic and Latino homicides, most victims were male (n = 20,627; 83.9%). Among the 2,319 IPV-related homicides with known suspects, 85% (n = 1,205) of suspects were current or former partners for female victims, compared with 26.2% (n = 236) for male Hispanic and Latino victims. Approximately one fifth (71 of 359 [19.8%]) of female IPV-related homicide victims of childbearing age with known pregnancy status were pregnant or ≤1 year postpartum. Approximately 5% of IPV-related homicide victims were identified as Black Hispanic or Latino persons (males: n = 67; 6.8%; females: n = 64; 4.4%). A firearm was used in the majority of Hispanic and Latino IPV-related homicides (males: n = 676; 68.2%; females: n = 766; 52.7%). This report provides a detailed summary of NVDRS data on IPV-related homicides of Hispanic and Latino persons in the United States during 2003-2021. This report found heterogeneity of characteristics and circumstances of Hispanic and Latino IPV-related homicides. Whereas most Hispanic and Latino homicide victims were male, nearly 60% of Hispanic and Latino IPHs and IPV-related homicide victims were female. Additional research is needed to better understand the relation between IPHs and IPV-related homicides and race (distinct from ethnicity) and pregnancy. NVDRS provides critical and ongoing data on IPV-related homicides of Hispanic and Latino persons in the United States that can be used to identify existing strategies and develop new early intervention strategies to prevent IPV and the escalation of IPV to IPH. Strategies that have demonstrated promise in reducing rates of IPH include expanded availability of low-income housing units; sanctuary policies that outline the relation between immigration enforcement and law officers; state laws prohibiting firearm access to those subject to domestic violence restraining orders; improvement of community relations with police to implement risk-based interventions; and comprehensive social, economic, medical, and legal safety nets to create pathways out of abusive relationships, including for pregnant women. Community, local, state, and Federal leaders can combine data on IPV-related deaths and the best available evidence-based programming and policy to create community-engaged solutions that reflect the experience of their Hispanic and Latino communities, including historical and societal factors that increase risk for violence.

"The sort of design sophistication we were all in need of," Ernst Plischke’s design for Paul’s Book Arcade (1949), Hamilton

In 1949 a remarkable interior design for a Hamilton bookshop by Ernst Plischke was, according to the client, "the sort of design sophistication we were all in need of." Paul's Book Arcade played a pivotal role in Hamilton social circles in the 1940s, with the owner David Blackwood Paul (aka Blackwood) and his wife Janet Wilkinson, forming their own "centre of human enlightenment." The Blackwood group of friends included painter Margot Phillips, who like Plischke, was a European refugee, painter, critic, and a writer for The Listener, Geoff Fairburn and his wife Jean (also an artist), as well as writer Alexander Gaskell Pickard. Paul's Book Arcade was established in Hamilton in 1901 by Blackwood's father William Henry Paul. In 1933, Blackwood took over the management of the bookshop, reportedly as the result of a disagreement with his father, who by then was a powerful community leader. Paul's local services were a more pressing concern, and so Blackwood inherited what was a "modest emporium" with the atmosphere of a general store. Blackwood would later transform Paul's Book Arcade to such an extent that in 1949 the visiting English publisher Sir Stanley Unwin numbered the bookshop among the fourteen best in the world, and one of the two best in New Zealand. So successful was the bookshop that in 1955 a further two stores were opened, each in Auckland. The first was located on Shortland Street, and the second on High Street, also designed by Plischke. The Blackwood social circle would have a lasting and far‐reaching influence on the mid‐century architecture of Hamilton. Connections with local artists and groups such as the Waikato Society of Arts, allowed a seamless flow of European‐inspired modernist ideals to inform Hamilton's new architecture, interior design, and cultural landscape. The first built manifestation of this movement was the 1949 interior design for Paul's Book Arcade by Austrian architect Ernst Plischke. This presentation will look at the relation between Blackwood and Plischke, the architect's design for the Book Arcade, and how the Blackwood's informed design sensibilities would influence Hamilton's modernist landscape for years afterwards.

Creating a bully-free Sierra Leone: a comprehensive approach involving prevention, intervention, and support for victims and bullies by teachers, parents, and community leaders

Bullying poses a substantial challenge to the educational and social development of children in Sierra Leone. This conceptual analysis explores the critical roles of teachers, parents, community leaders, and other stakeholders in preventing and addressing this issue. It emphasizes the importance of a multi-faceted approach by examining the complexities of bullying within the Sierra Leonean context. The conceptual analysis differentiates between prevention, intervention, and postvention strategies, outlining specific actions aimed at both bullies and victims. Effective bullying prevention strategies include teacher training, parent involvement, and community collaboration, while intervention efforts focus on immediate support for victims and appropriate consequences for bullies. Additionally, postvention actions are discussed to support recovery and healing for those affected. It highlights the need for sustained efforts, data-driven approaches, and policy development to create a safer and more inclusive learning environment for all students in Sierra Leone.

Semantic Features of Tools Used in The Nyadran Ritual of Tengger Residents in Lumajang

Semantic features are the study of semantics that discusses the shape of an object or object that is characterized by the presence of signs or features and other explanatory components attached to the object or object based on its features. The purpose of this study is to obtain an objective overview of the form, function, and meaning of the semantic features of the tools used in the nyadran ritual . The approach used in this study is an ethnolinguistic approach. The data in this study is in the form of quotations of words, phrases and sentences about the form, function, and meaning of the semantic features of the tools used in the nyadran. ritual. The data sources of this research are traditional leaders and community leaders as well as books and journals that provide information about the semantic features of the tools used in rituals. The instrument used in this study is the researcher as the main instrument coupled with interview guidelines and data description sheets. The data collection technique is carried out using three methods, namely through observation, interviews, and documentation. Data analysis techniques use interactive patterns, namely data reduction, data presentation, and verification. Based on the results of the study, the following findings were obtained. First, the shape of the semantic features of the tools used in the nyadran ritual, namely round, long, and square based on materials, sizes, and colors. Second, the function of the semantic features of the tools used in the nyadran ritual, namely as a substitute for containers for eating, containers for cooking, and containers for storing foodstuffs used on a daily and ritual basis. Third, the meaning of the tools used in the nyadran ritual is different, namely as a symbol of the presence of ancestors, as the pride and honor of a certain person and as a form of respect for people who died unnaturally, which are interpreted in terms of days and rituals. The suggestions that the researcher can convey based on the results of this study are as follows. (1) This research can increase students' knowledge about the shape, function and meaning of an object or object. (2) The results of this study can help teachers in maximizing Indonesian language and literature lessons about the semantic features of the tools used in the nyadran ritual in tengger residents in Lumajang. (3) For future researchers, this research is expected to be a reference for conducting further research.

PERAN BAHASA DALAM MENINGKATKAN PARTISIPASI MASYARAKAT DALAM PROSES DEMOKRASI PADA PEMILU 2024

This study aims to explore the role of language in increasing community participation in the democratic process, specifically in the 2024 General Election in Amawang Kiri Village. A qualitative approach with a case study design was used to understand the social phenomenon in the village, where language plays a significant role in electoral communication. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with the Election Committee (PPS), community leaders, and villagers involved in the election, as well as observations of election socialization activities. The findings indicate that using language that is easy to understand and more inclusive enhances the community's understanding of the election process and encourages more active participation. This research provides recommendations on communication strategies that use local language and more accessible approaches for rural communities to improve the quality of participation in the 2024 General Election.

Exploring barriers and facilitators to blood donation in secondary schools in Malawi.

Despite the Malawi Blood Transfusion Service (MBTS) increasing the amount of blood collected since its inception in 2004, Malawi remains with a 27% deficit in required blood supplies nationally. We sought to understand the facilitators and barriers to blood donation among secondary school students in Malawi. We utilised a qualitative exploratory design, with a sample of 135 participants purposefully selected from 16 secondary schools across Malawi. Data collection methods included in-depth interviews with 20 participants (inclusive of first-time and repeat donors, lapsed and non-donors), 20 key informant interviews (including community leaders, policy-level stakeholders and MBTS staff), and 16 focus group discussions involving 95 participants (community stakeholders and all donor categories). We used the consolidated framework for implementation research (CFIR) to assess barriers and facilitators of blood donation, focusing only on four CFIR domains: internal and external factors; the implementation process and individual characteristics influencing blood donation. Blood donation among students are facilitated by altruism, incentives including milestone awards, knowledge, motivation, transport, peer pressure and individual health status. Common barriers cited included: negative experiences with the blood donation process, fear, unsupported environment, poor incentives, privacy issues and the donation activities starting late than scheduled. While there have been efforts to motivate students to donate blood, significant barriers to blood donation still exist. Intensifying education and awareness campaigns may help dispel misconceptions and fears surrounding donation experiences and blood usage. Also, continuing with the provision of appropriate incentives including milestone awards may also encourage students.

Tourism Communication Strategies for Promoting Cultural Heritage in Sumenep: Analyzing Stakeholder Roles and Engagement

This research investigates the tourism communication strategies used to promote Sumenep’s cultural heritage, focusing on the roles and engagement of key stakeholders such as local government, tourism operators, community leaders, and cultural institutions. The study, using a qualitative approach and thematic analysis via NVIVO software, examines how communication is structured and coordinated among these groups to enhance tourism. The findings highlight that successful tourism communication relies on strong collaboration between local authorities and community leaders, with cultural events and heritage preservation playing a central role. The research concludes by recommending improved communication strategies through stakeholder alignment and the inclusion of local cultural narratives for better tourism development in the region.

Empowering Communities Through the Desa Berdaya Program: Lessons from Bligo Village

Desa Berdaya (Empowered Village) is an acceleration initiative in rural areas utilizing an integrated approach encompassing capacity building, economy, health, education, environment, and disaster preparedness. Its primary aim is to foster and develop local institutions to address community issues. This study seeks to portray the success of community empowerment through the Desa Berdaya program in Bligo Village, initiated by the private organization Rumah Zakat, by analyzing the 5P empowerment strategies: enabling, strengthening, protecting, supporting, and maintaining. A qualitative method with a case study approach was employed. Data collection was conducted using in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, observations, and documentation. Informants were selected purposively, including Bligo Village Government officials, Rumah Zakat facilitators, women’s farming groups, the Bligo Beriman waste bank, entrepreneurs, and local community members, totaling ten informants. The findings reveal that the implementation of the Desa Berdaya program in Bligo Village does not follow specific criteria but is based on program facilitators’ recommendations, often prioritizing their home villages. Based on the 5P empowerment strategy, the enabling stage involved dialogues with the village head, community leaders, and other key members deemed capable of implementing the Desa Berdaya program. During the strengthening stage, formal groups were formed, and collaborations with various internal and external parties were initiated. The protection stage was realized by issuing official decrees for the established groups, along with financial support from Rumah Zakat, Bligo Village Government, and the Magelang Regency Agricultural Office. The supporting stage was conducted through facilitation and guidance provided by program facilitators to the community. Finally, the maintenance stage was carried out by fostering a conducive atmosphere within the empowerment groups. The Desa Berdaya program positively impacts Bligo Village, particularly in social, health, environmental, and economic aspects. The reactivation of community groups and the establishment of a waste bank, which remains well-managed, are among the significant outcomes. The people of Bligo Village have become increasingly critical in addressing social and economic issues in their community due to the continuous empowerment process, which persists to this day.

Learning Strategies for the Practice of Taboos in Shaping the Character of the Malay generation in Bintan, Kepulauan Riau, Indonesia

The issue of the conduct of the nation's generation is increasingly worrisome, exacerbated by the rapid pace of globalization that further deteriorates the situation. Experts are continuously formulating ideas and strategies to improve the conduct of the nation's generation but have yet to achieve maximum results. The increasing number of ill-mannered students, disobedient children to their parents, and the high level of crime and corruption displayed by the nation's generation prove that this nation is experiencing decay. This study aims to explore and deeply understand how the practice of prohibitions can cultivate the conduct and ethics of the Malay generation. Additionally, it seeks to comprehend the challenges faced in the current practice of prohibitions and to provide an alternative to strategies for learning conduct and ethics. This study is a qualitative case study conducted through interviews using purposive sampling techniques, involving 16 study participants consisting of leaders and religious figures, academics, community leaders, and community groups. The semi-structured interview served as the primary instrument, while documentation and observation were used as secondary sources in data collection for this study. The study found that the practice of prohibitions is still upheld and serves as a proven strategy for enhancing the ethics of the Malay community in Bintan Island, Riau Archipelago, once upon a time, as it involves familial relationships as educators. However, a weakness of this strategy is its inherent dependence on outdated, superstitious, and illogical practices. The research results also indicate that the advancement of time and globalization have distanced the Malay generation from the practice of prohibitions, leading to a deterioration of conduct. Through this study, the researcher proposes a framework for an educational strategy for learning conduct as an alternative to the practice of prohibitions that is logical and easily understood by any generation.

POLEMIK WACANA KANTOR URUSAN AGAMA (KUA) MENJADI TEMPAT PERNIKAHAN DAN PENCATATAN SEMUA AGAMA

The idea of making the Office of Religious Affairs (Kantor Urusan Agama, KUA) a marriage registry for all religions in Indonesia has sparked significant debate. The Office of Religious Affairs (KUA) is a government institution responsible for the development and guidance of religious life in the community. The role of the KUA as a marriage registry for all religions has been the subject of intense debate in recent years. The Ministry of Religious Affairs' initiative to make the Office of Religious Affairs an inclusive center for religious services has attracted much controversy. This study aims to analyze the social and cultural impact of the implementation of the discourse, taking into account the potential for increased interfaith tolerance as well as the risk of conflict that may arise and analyzing the social and cultural impact of the implementation of the KUA as a place of marriage registration for all religions. The results show that this discourse raises pros and cons from various figures. If the KUA successfully transforms into an institution that serves all religions, it may trigger a cultural paradigm shift in society. People may become more open to other religious practices and reduce the negative stigma against religious minorities. This could be the first step towards a more inclusive society. On the other hand, there is a risk that integrating these services could lead to a blurring of each religion's identity. Some groups may feel that their religious traditions and practices are no longer valued or fully recognized in the context of these shared services. This research uses a type of normative legal research, which conducts research on library legal materials or secondary data. Normative legal research examines positive legal norms in the form of laws and regulations, this research explores the views of the community and religious leaders regarding the change in the function of the KUA, as well as the steps needed to implement this policy effectively