Members Of Community Organizations Research Articles

"Come to us first": Centering Community Organizations in Artificial Intelligence for Social Good Partnerships

Artificial Intelligence for Social Good (AI4SG) has emerged as a growing body of research and practice exploring the potential of AI technologies to tackle social issues. This area emphasizes interdisciplinary partnerships with community organizations, such as non-profits and government agencies. However, amidst excitement about new advances in AI and their potential impact, the needs, expectations, and aspirations of these community organizations--and whether they are being met--are not well understood. Understanding these factors is important to ensure that the considerable efforts by AI teams and community organizations can actually achieve the positive social impact they strive for. Drawing on the Data Feminism framework, we explored the perspectives of community organization members on their partnerships with AI teams through 16 semi-structured interviews. Our study highlights the pervasive influence of funding agendas and the optimism surrounding AI's potential. Despite the significant intellectual contributions and labor provided by community organization members, their goals were frequently sidelined in favor of other stakeholders, including AI teams. While many community organization members expected tangible project deployment, only two out of 14 projects we studied reached the deployment stage. However, community organization members sustained their belief in the potential of the projects, still seeing diminished goals as valuable. To enhance the efficacy of future collaborations, our participants shared their aspirations for success, calling for co-leadership starting from the early stages of projects. We propose data co-liberation as a grounding principle for approaching AI4SG moving forward, positing that community organizations' co-leadership is essential for fostering more effective, sustainable, and ethical development of AI.

Abstract P132: Paso a Paso, Designing a Culturally Relevant Diabetes Prevention Intervention for Hispanic/Latino (H/L) People That Adheres to Evidence Based, Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) Intervention Principles in the Hispanic/Latino (H/L) Community of Salt Lake County

One of five Salt Lake County residents identify as Hispanic/Latino(H/L) and are at higher risk for type 2 diabetes(T2D) compared to non-Hispanic whites. Evidence-based interventions to reduce T2D have not been as effective for H/Ls as for non-H/L whites. This study uses a shared-leadership, community-engaged approach to develop a model for H/L T2D prevention based on DPP with members of the H/L community, community-based organization partners (Utah Mexican Consulate; University Neighborhood Partners), and an interdisciplinary University of Utah team. Two groups of 10-15 people each (one for community members (CM) eligible to participate in a diabetes prevention program; one for community organization members(CBO) potential DPP-like program implementers). As part of a comprehensive participatory planning and evaluation(CPPE) process, each group met to (1)review existing Spanish DPP program components, learning objectives, and materials, (2)identify barriers to successful T2D prevention, and (3)suggest facilitators and areas for adaptation specific to H/L audiences. Participants in each group rated the DPP program structure and content related to healthy eating, increasing physical activity (PA), self-monitoring and meal planning using validated measures of acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility. In addition, qualitative data was gathered and reduced to provide directions for potential adaptations. Quantitative data (Figure 1) indicates CM and CBO agree on importance of DPP program structure and content, however CBO members rated the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility more neutrally than CM participants. Qualitative data indicated a stronger focus on collective support, culturally aligned healthful eating options, and PA promotion that addressed safe activities for laborers. Conclusions CM and CBO participants found DPP to be an important resource for the H/L community, but also identified adaptations that could improve program reach, retention, and effectiveness.

Evaluations of virtual exercise programmes for adults with mobility limitations: a scoping review protocol incorporating an equity lens to inform the development of strategies to optimise participation of under-represented groups

IntroductionFor individuals with mobility limitations, virtual exercise programmes can address the challenges of in-person participation in community exercise programmes. A synthesis of studies of virtual exercise programmes targeting mobility limitations...

Patient/public perceptions on engagement with a medical school: What needs to happen to support authentic and sustained participation

Purpose Patient/public involvement in health professional education is increasing but remains episodic, narrowly focused, reliant on individual enthusiasts, and lacks supportive institutional infrastructure. There is little evidence-informed practical guidance on how to take a more strategic and formal approach. We undertook a qualitative study to learn from patients and the public how medical schools could engage in an authentic and sustainable way. Methods In 2022 we conducted eight focus groups with patients and members of community organizations. Participants were asked about experiences and perceptions of what needs to happen to enable and support them to participate in medical education, barriers to authentic engagement, and how they might be overcome. Recordings were transcribed and data coded inductively. A summary report was circulated to participants for validation of findings. Results The focus groups were attended by 38 participants representing a wide variety of perspectives. Participants provided practical suggestions that we categorized into six major themes: inviting participation; preparing for participation; supporting participation; increasing and supporting diversity; recognizing participation; institutional buy-in and support. Conclusions Individual instructors can enhance authentic patient engagement through recruitment, support and recognition practices. Institutional commitment is required to sustain and widen participation through funding, policies and infrastructure.

Research on the Modernization of Urban Community Governance in the Post-epidemic Era

General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed: " Community is the foundation of the grass-roots, the foundation is solid, can the national building be firm." Community governance work is related to the interests of many parties, the services of the government, as well as social stability and order, the modernization of urban community governance capacity has become the most prominent link in the modernization of national governance system and governance capacity In the post-epidemic era, the modernization of community governance capacity for community work and community organization is more and more obvious, and the demand is also more prominent. As the grassroots cell of modern national governance, the community plays a pivotal role in people's livelihood and social development, and plays an important role in improving the quality of urban life and enhancing the reputation of the city. The modernization of community governance is an important step in the current national governance. However, there are many problems in the actual community governance, such as community public services are not in place, residents have low enthusiasm to participate in community work, the ability of members of community organizations or the workload is large. In the current community governance of the grassroots management of rigid phenomenon, to seek diversified governance means, on the basis of considering community form change and governance needs according to the change of the existing social governance mechanism, above this according to the realistic path of urban community governance to provide accurate positioning, provide effective execution basis for urban community governance. To further promote the development of community, promote the modernization of community governance, we need to speed up the optimization of multiple governance pattern, in the era of the outbreak of social economic structure and social structure, the change of the specific governance demand analyzes the existing community governance phenomenon, from the governance ideas to the main body to finally to effect a series of exploration of community governance ability modernization to provide profound reference, grasp the correct direction of the current community governance, explore to adapt to the outbreak era after the effective path conducive to community development.

Connecting Black families in Houston, Texas, to hereditary cancer genetic counseling, genetic testing, and cascade testing by using a simple cancer genetic risk assessment and telegenetics.

TPS10638 Background: Hereditary breast and colorectal cancers accounts for 5-10% of all cases, but less than half of all eligible patients undergo NCCN guideline-concordant screening. This proportion is even lower among Black patients, who have a higher breast cancer and colorectal incidence and mortality. Recruitment through community organizations has been shown to identify patients who are eligible for genetic testing but have not been offered it by their doctor. Our one-page cancer genetic risk assessment (CGRA) and telegenetics were previously shown to improve adherence to genetic testing guidelines for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Our objective is to identify adults eligible for hereditary breast and colorectal cancer syndromes genetic testing using trusted community organizations that serve the Black community as entry points, reach them with our tailored program, and measure impact. Methods: In this prospective single-arm trial, adults of > 18 years old who self-identify as Black or African American are recruited during events put together by community organizations in Houston, Texas. The CGRA was modified to encompass hereditary breast and colorectal cancer syndromes based on NCCN guidelines. To improve convenience, eligible participants can be consented and fill out the CGRA in-person or via QR code link using a smart phone. Study team members attend community events and are also available via phone to help with informed consent, CGRA, etc. Those at high risk for hereditary breast and colorectal cancer syndromes are provided with educational materials and can be sent the saliva-based kit or complete it on-site. When results of genetic testing include a pathogenic mutation (PV) or variant of uncertain significance, individuals receive telegenetic counseling and risk reduction resources, including about cascade genetic testing. Others are notified of negative results. The program includes education for interested community organization members about importance of genetic testing. The program is projected to reach 1,000 participants with 300 completing genetic testing and identification of 11 PV. The study is overseen by a Community Advisory Board. Impact will be evaluated via a multiple methods design using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance (RE-AIM) Qualitative Evaluation for Systematic Translation (QuEST) framework six months after program start. Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and standard tests of association. Data collected via semi-structured interviews with participants and program implementers will be audio-recorded, transcribed, double-coded, and analyzed via thematic analysis. Enrollment started December of 2022. 15 participants patients enrolled during two community events. Clinical trial information: NCT05694559 .

Racism as a vehicle for the overrepresentation of Black youth in child protection services in Ontario, Canada: Caseworkers’ and community facilitators’ perspectives

BackgroundRecent studies have confirmed the overrepresentation of Black youth in child protection services (CPS) in Ontario, Canada. Anti-Black racism has been raised as an issue contributing to the overrepresentation. Based on Critical Race Theory (CRT) and the social-ecological model, this article examines how different levels of racism influence the overrepresentation of Black youth in CPS from the perspectives of CPS caseworkers (CW) and community facilitators (CF). MethodsWe conducted four focus groups with CW and CF (N = 24) in Ontario. CF are members of community organizations that assist families in navigating CPS and act as liaisons between families and caseworkers. We used thematic analysis to examine the data in NVivo. ResultsParticipants reported three levels of racism contributing to the overrepresentation of Black youth in CPS: systemic racism, institutional racism, and interpersonal racism. Within systemic racism, participants highlighted the ongoing impacts of Canadian policies, cumulative risk factors among Black families involved with CPS, and inadequate access to information among Black communities. Racist policies and practices in CPS and personal factors among caseworkers that impact the provision of services were discussed within institutional racism. Racist beliefs and behaviors among society were raised as contributing to disproportionate reporting of cases concerning Black families (i. e., interpersonal racism). ConclusionOur findings suggest that anti-Black racism at different societal levels intertwine and lead to the overrepresentation of Black youth in CPS. Racism cannot be addressed without identifying its sources and its processes.

Factors influencing the well-being of Asian American LGBT individuals across the lifespan: perspectives from leaders of community-based organizations

BackgroundLesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals have documented disparities in mental health that are experienced across the life course. However, limited research has been conducted to identify the factors which contribute to evaluated risk for poor mental health among older Asian Americans who identify as LGBT. The purpose of this study was to determine the perspectives of leaders of community-based organizations about the mental health needs and concerns of their LGBT constituents from diverse Asian backgrounds.MethodsSemi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with leaders of community-based organizations serving the needs of LGBT individuals. A qualitative framework analysis approach was used to identify, analyze and report themes within the data.Results11 members of community organizations located in California (54.5%), Chicago (27.2%), and New York (18.1%) were interviewed. Chronic stress was identified as negatively impacting constituents’ lives and was attributed to social determinants of health, including inadequate housing, financial insecurity, discrimination, barriers to adequate health care, and immigration status. Ageism, social isolation, language barriers, and limited connections to cultural, religious, or LGBT communities were identified as factors impacting middle-aged and older adults. Participants identified homelessness, violence, and lack of parental acceptance as contributing to distress among youth and younger adults. The most vulnerable community members were identified as gender minorities, undocumented individuals, and individuals with limited English proficiencies. Organizational leaders described strategies to address social determinants.ConclusionsAsian Americans who are LGBT are confronted with substantial risks for poor mental health that are linked to modifiable social determinants of health. Organizations serving these populations play a vital role in meeting the needs of a highly underserved population.

Abstract PO-021: LGBTQ cancer care: Assessing the benefits and limitations of a novel cancer care coordination tool

Abstract Background: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals experience health disparities at disproportionate rates which drive reduced cancer screenings and late-stage cancer diagnoses. These disparities are the result of barriers to care including a lack of LGBTQ-competent providers, lack of health insurance, unstable housing, and avoidance of care due to medical trauma and concerns about abuse and mistreatment. Community health centers are critical for providing primary care to LGBTQ+ patients with cancer. Unfortunately, once a patient is diagnosed with cancer and referred to specialty care outside the health center, primary care services are often disrupted or even discontinued as a result of gaps in communication between primary and oncological care providers. The © 4R Oncology Model (Right Information and Right Care for the Right Patient at the Right Time) is a novel, patient-centric care coordination tool developed to facilitate cancer planning and serve as a longitudinal primary care checklist for patients and their care team. Our project aims to assess the benefits and limitations of the 4R as a component of care delivered to LGBTQ cancer survivors. Methods: In collaboration with Howard Brown Health, we conducted semi-structured interviews with clinical care team members (N=10) to assess the benefits and limitations of the 4R implementation as a component of care delivered to LGBTQ cancer survivors. A Rapid analysis process, a method used when a quick analysis is required to adopt changes to ongoing processes, will be utilized. Results: Clinical care team members indicate that a lack of adequate research on solutions to the disruption of primary care services caused by cancer care for LGBTQ cancer patients is a significant barrier for this patient population. Team members agree that the 4R is a necessary intervention for addressing primary care gaps caused by inadequate care coordination. Conclusions: The 4R shows promise as a solution for initiating and sustaining more continuous communication between primary care and cancer care delivery for LGBTQ cancer survivors. Future interviews with patients, caregivers, and community organization members will further elucidate the barriers and facilitators to cancer care coordination for this population and how iterations of the 4R can improve access to care and outcomes. Citation Format: Nihmotallahi Adebayo, Will Dunne, Toni Madorsky, Sankirtana Danner, Juan Rivera, Elena Molina, Abbey Ekong, Elizabeth Adetoro, Cassandra Osei, Julia Trosman, Christine Weldon, Melissa Simon. LGBTQ cancer care: Assessing the benefits and limitations of a novel cancer care coordination tool [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: 14th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2021 Oct 6-8. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-021.

Characteristics of the Process by which Resident Members of Community Organizations Become Aware of Community Issues

Characteristics of the Process by which Resident Members of Community Organizations Become Aware of Community Issues

Research Capacity Building: Insights From a Stakeholder Community of Self-Advocates With Disabilities, Families, and Community Organization Members

Abstract Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations. We will share methods and lessons learned from engaging stakeholders in five U.S. regions and connecting them nationally to build research capacity and partnerships. Research capacity building is aimed at identifying stakeholder-driven priorities and outcomes in relation to organization-level OT interventions and how these interventions facilitate community participation and ultimately affect health and well-being of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Primary Author and Speaker: Tracy Jirikowic Additional Authors and Speakers: Roxanna Bendixen,Teal Benevides, and Roger Ideishi Contributing Authors: Robert Smythe, Anna Perng

Training The Utilization Of Palm Oil Waste Supporting Village Community Economy

There are still a lot of environmentally friendly waste that has not been used. Like palm oil fronds that rot because they are not used. This is due to the lack of knowledge about the benefits of oil palm frond waste. The purpose of this research is to provide insight to the community about processing oil palm frond waste, through training. Specifically, this study aims to measure the level of training in the utilization of palm oil frond waste against the results of activities in making products from environmentally friendly waste. It is hoped that this research can help the farming community in utilizing palm oil frond waste into a high-value product. The research sample consisted of 25 members of community organizations (PKK women's groups and youth youth groups). The method used is true experimental design by conducting training on the manufacture of products from oil palm frond waste. The results show that the informant independent variable (X1) has a significance of 0.175, material (X2) has a significance of 0.099, facilities (X3) has a significance of 0.956, behavior (X4) has a significance of 0.000. and innovation (X5) significance of 0.397. The significance value of the F test is 0.000. and all variables have an effect on Activity Results (Y). However, when tested individually, the behavior variable accepts the hypothesis while other independent variables reject the hypothesis. there are still many influences from other variables (R Squre = 66.7%) that affect the results of activities. Further research can use other methods, to find the effect of training on the results of activities.

The Implementation of Concrete Areas of the Community Organization Councils for self-governance of Local Communities: A Case studies of the community organization councils in Na Wae Sub-district, Chawang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province Thailand.

This article is a part of research study on The Implementation Of the Community Organization Councils for self-governance: A Case studies of community organizations councils in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province Thailand, Which aims to study the Implementation of Concrete Areas of the community organization councils To promote self-governance knowledge of local communities The researcher gave an example of the community organization councils in Na Wae Sub-district, Chawang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province Thailand. Which is the prototype area of this research By using participatory action research methods. The results of the research onThe Implementation of Concrete Areas of the Community Organization Councils for self-governance of Local Communities: A Case studies of the community organization councils in Na Wae Sub-district, Chawang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province Thailand found that It is a platform for sharing knowledge and experiences among development partners, including government, private and public sectors who are members of community organizations, which have a number of driving activities, both on issues, problems and social capital such as customs and traditions, community services, community rights in resources and environment, organic farming systems in the community, community welfare fund systems, and Community financial institutions etc. And There are new community organizations According to the policy of the agency And government policies such as civil servant shops, Rural Solidarity Group etc. and It is an important strategy to Implementation the community organization council for self-governance in the future. This will be the growth and strength of the Thai citizen movement to another level.

Impact of Government Policy on Women Empowerment: Evidence from the Poverty Alleviation Fund, Nepal

Traditionally, most of the women in developing countries like Nepal have had to face different forms of inequality and discrimination such as limited access to education, deprivation from property rights and forced early marriage mainly due to the patriarchal structure of society. As a result, gender disparity, forced marriage and violence against them, women have a lower societal status and lower level of education, few accesses to employment and legal rights compared to male. Government policies and programs helps to improve all the aspects of women empowerment. The main objective is to study the impact of government policy based programme for women empowerment. The study demonstrates the role, responsibility, opportunity, and decision-making issues of women. Taking reference of PAF model for women empowerment members of community organizations (CO) involved were selected as a sample. Both qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed. The PAF model takes community demand driven approach and supports the formation of representative community organizations of the poor and helps them identify their own development priorities, needs and solutions. The findings revealed that the women are in the process of their empowerment. They need position help and support from the family, society, and country as well. For this, country should develop gender friendly policies and programs.

How are nature based solutions helping in the greening of cities in the context of crises such as climate change and pandemics? A comprehensive review

Urban areas are expanding due to rural-urban migration and due to population increases. Their resilience is being challenged due to socio-political consequences of increasingly frequent and severe storms, due to climate changes, influx of human and animal refugees and as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors prepared a systematic literature of ways cities can be transformed into more resilient, and sustainable regions by creatively enhancing the quality and quantity of blue and green areas in and around them. The literature review was conducted to provide holistic insights into selection, implementation monitoring, assessment, and valuation of Nature-based Solutions in diverse urban regions. The authors reviewed no fewer than 298 articles from 109 academic journals and related sources, published within 1997–2020. The focus of the articles was upon ‘nature-based’ changes that are being implemented in urban areas, globally to enhance their resilience and the ‘quality-of-life’ of humans and other species. By implementing nature-based solutions, and complimentary ‘urban wilding ’ approaches, urban areas and their hinterlands are expanding their ‘blue’ and ‘green’ areas and are thereby decreasing the ‘heat-island’ effects, while improving human health by surrounding them with rich bio-diversities of locally adapted, aquatic and terrestrial plants and animals. Although, many NBS options have been documented to be beneficial, their environmental, economic and social/psychological dimensions have not been adequately quantified, especially in the context of climate changes, and with regard to COVID-19. It is essential that the benefits of NBS are quantified with easily measurable outcomes, that are readily understood by practitioners, city policy-makers and members of community organizations, based upon specific geographical and climatological contexts. This will help them accelerate implementation of NBS and wilding into their urban systems. The reviewers found that more research is needed on anticipatory learning, backcasting and community participation to help to effectively implement the appropriate NBS for improving the sustainability of urban systems. The reviewers provide guidance for urban leaders to incorporate NBS into their policies and strategies to improve urban resilience and equity and to more effectively reduce impacts of climate change, population growth and pandemics. • Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) provide valuable approaches for improving urban resilience and sustainability. • Barriers to implementation of NBS include knowledge gaps between science and policy. • Citizens and urban leaders should build upon the experiences that NBS improve quality-of-life. • Rewilding needs to be an integral part of improving urban resilience. • Metrics are essential for monitoring the short and long-term benefits of NBS and rewilding. • Implementation should be supported by global urban partnerships. • Research is needed to broaden the scope of NBS integration within the context of climate changes, and pandemics.

The Contradictions of Liminal Legality: Economic Attainment and Civic Engagement of Central American Immigrants on Temporary Protected Status.

This study examines how Temporary Protected Status (TPS) may shape immigrants' integration trajectories. Building on core themes identified in the immigrant incorporation scholarship, it investigates whether associations of educational attainment with labor market outcomes and with civic participation, which are well established in the general population, hold for immigrants who live in the "liminal legality" of TPS. Conducted in 2016 in five U.S. metropolitan areas, the study is based on a unique survey of Salvadoran and Honduran TPS holders, the majority of immigrants on this status. The analyses find that TPS holders with higher levels of educational attainment do not derive commensurate significant occupational or earnings premiums from their education. In contrast, the analysis of the relationship between educational attainment and civic engagement detects a positive association: more educated TPS holders are more likely to be members of community organizations and to participate in voluntary community service, compared to their less educated counterparts. These findings illustrate the contradictions inherent to TPS as it may hinder certain aspects of immigrant integration but not others. This examination contributes to our understanding of the implications of immigrants' legal statuses and of immigration law and policy for key aspects of immigrant integration trajectories.

Trust and compassion in willingness to share mobility and sheltering resources in evacuations: A case study of the 2017 and 2018 California Wildfires

Advances in the sharing economy – such as transportation network companies (e.g., Lyft, Uber) and home sharing (e.g., Airbnb) – have coincided with the increasing need for evacuation resources. While peer-to-peer sharing under normal circumstances often suffers from trust barriers, disaster literature indicates that trust and compassion often increase following disasters, improving recovery efforts. We hypothesize that trust and compassion could trigger willingness to share transportation and sheltering resources during an evacuation.To test this hypothesis, we distributed a survey to individuals impacted by the 2017 Southern California Wildfires (n = 226) and the 2018 Carr Wildfire (n = 284). We estimate binary logit choice models, finding that high trust in neighbors and strangers and high compassion levels significantly increase willingness to share across four sharing scenarios. Assuming a high trust/compassion population versus a low trust/compassion population results in a change of likelihood to share between 30% and 55%, depending on scenario. Variables related to departure timing and routing – which capture evacuation urgency – increase transportation sharing willingness. Volunteers in past disasters and members of community organizations are usually more likely to share, while families and previous evacuees are typically less likely. Significance of other demographic variables is highly dependent on the scenario. Spare seatbelts and bed capacity, while increasing willingness, are largely insignificant. These results suggest that future sharing economy strategies should cultivate trust and compassion before disasters via preparedness within neighborhoods, community-based organizations, and volunteer networks, during disasters through communication from officials, and after disasters using resilience-oriented and community-building information campaigns.

Research-Capacity Building: Insights From a Stakeholder Community of Self-Advocates With Disabilities, Families, and Community Organization Members

Abstract Date Presented 03/26/20 We will share methods and lessons learned from engaging stakeholders in three US regions and connecting them nationally to build research capacity and partnerships. Research-capacity building is aimed at identifying stakeholder-driven priorities and outcomes in relation to organization-level OT interventions, how these interventions facilitate community participation, and ultimately impact health and well-being of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Primary Author and Speaker: Tracy Jirikowic Additional Authors and Speakers: Roger Ideishi, Roxanna Bendixen, Teal Benevides

Social inclusion in an alternative food network: Values, practices and tensions

The paper explores the challenges faced by a consumer food cooperative to combine social inclusion and embeddedness in its urban environment with the standards of food quality it targets. While the difficulty to make alternative food networks (AFN) socially accessible is well documented in the literature, little is known about the organizational practices to foster inclusion in AFNs. Based on over 100 participant observations of meetings held at the cooperative and food activities with members of community organizations, our research has produced understanding on how a participative process - through collective decisions, exchange of knowledge and commitment to workslots - could facilitate or restrain social inclusion. Results suggest that the promotion of the value of sociocultural equality in access to quality food for the largest number is hindered by differences of food, consumer and participation cultures between members and non-members of the cooperative. The value of sociocultural equality in access to quality food is pragmatically challenged by the practice of social inclusion regarding the food supply and the participation in voluntary work.

Enhancing Social-Ecological Resilience in Indonesia: A Case of North Pekalongan District, Central Java

<p>In the last eight years (2008-2016), some areas in the northern part of Pekalongan have been experiencing coastal inundation. There have been social, economic and physical disruptions caused by coastal inundation particularly on built environments, paddy fields, and fishpond. The capacity of these areas to provide support for community livelihood has decreased significantly. This accumulative environmental change leads to the emerging of vulnerable regions which are characterized by limited social and ecological capability in responding to hazards. In order to enhance the social-ecological resilience, it is necessary to identify how these communities elevate their capacity and improve their livelihood. This paper presents empirical evidence of various pathways on how the community has transformed their capacity to respond to the changing environment due to coastal inundation. Using a case study approach, this paper explores on how the community has learned from their experiences, knowledge, and efforts withdrawn from the past, and then turns them into a better understanding to cope with, to adapt to, and to become resilient from coastal inundation. In-depth interviews with several key persons who are selected by purposive and snowballing sampling method are employed. These key persons represent the most capable person in each sub-district who poses some important data and information related to coastal inundation either as the individual, household members, or community organization members. The scope of area observation is limited to six sub-districts which adjacent to the coast in the North Pekalongan District. This research employs inductive approach and manual coding technique. The research demonstrates that social-ecological resilience will likely enhance in a community which is capable of nurturing flexible networking. Such networking has made it possible for important information, novel knowledge and practical tools and solutions spread over in the community. These are key elements that allow new transformative pathways occur. However, there is various community capacities with different achievement on transformative pathways which need to be engage on the future empowerment initiatives. Only few community of Kandang Panjang Sub-district come to short term resilience due to their awareness on establishing social networking and several actions on environmental quality improvement.</p>