Problems Of Local Communities Research Articles

Impact of Forest and Land Fires on Environmental Pollution and Public Health in Sungai Raya Sub-District, Kubu Raya District

Forest and land fires in Sungai Raya District, Kubu Raya Regency, severely impact environmental pollution and public health. This condition causes quite significant ecological and social losses. First, the smoke produced from these fires contains various dangerous substances, such as carbon monoxide, dust particles, and toxic chemicals. Continuous exposure to these substances can cause respiratory problems, respiratory tract diseases, and other health problems in local communities. Apart from that, forest fires also result in the loss of natural habitat for various species of flora and fauna. Disrupted ecosystems can cause biodiversity loss and affect local food chains. Recovery of fire-affected ecosystems takes a long time, and some species may experience local extinction due to habitat loss. Furthermore, preventing and responding to forest fires requires significant resources in terms of personnel and equipment. Funds allocated for firefighting can disrupt local government budgets that should be used for infrastructure development and community welfare programs. Therefore, forest fires harm the environment and health and impose an economic burden on the people of Sungai Raya District. Efforts to prevent forest and land fires and educate the public regarding the risks of prevention are essential to overcome these negative impacts. Sustainable measures such as law enforcement against illegal forest burning, sustainable land management, and increasing public awareness of the importance of preserving the environment can help reduce fire risks and protect public health.

Civic Participation of Young People in Small Territories of a Russian Large Industrial Region

Recently, the public discourse on the search for opportunities and sources of development of small territories has been updated. A significant role is assigned to young people involved in various practices of socio-political participation and solving urgent social problems. The aim of the work was to highlight the features of civic participation of young people in small territories, which can and should be considered for effective interaction between authorities and civil society institutions. Empirical data were collected through a questionnaire survey of the youth of the Sverdlovsk region aged 14-35 years, conducted in October 2022 (n = 2500 people). In the study, a subset of young people from small territories (1,091 people) was compared with the youth of a large city (784 people). Descriptive analysis methods and nonparametric tests were used for the analysis. The results showed that young people from small towns and rural settlements show less interest in politics, but at the same time, they are more involved in the problems of local communities, feel more responsible for what is happening in their hometown, compared to the young residents of a large city, and are also more optimistic in assessing their capabilities. Considering similar forms of civic participation, young people from small territories demonstrate greater activity and willingness to do something for their hometown, and its residents; they also have a higher involvement in patriotic actions. The youth of large cities and small territories differ in the ways they participate in voluntary activities, as the latter prefers collective rather than individual forms of participation. The problem of distrust of young people of small towns and rural settlements towards non-profit organizations with a higher level of interpersonal and institutional trust is outlined. The obtained results contribute to the understanding of the problems and possibilities of using the youth resource for the development of small territories.

Designing a Model for Participatory Health Policy at the Local Level

Background. Today, the participation of local levels in the health policy process is emphasized, which can be used as a means to more appropriately solve the problems of local communities and support the health system in achieving its goals. This study aimed to design a health policy model based on participation at the local level. Methods. This multi-method study was conducted to design a model for participation in health policymaking at the local level during three phases of systematic review, semi-structured in-depth interview, and Delphi technique. The purpose of the systematic review was to identify the factors affecting this participation, which was done by searching for suitable keywords in English and Persian databases. The objective of the qualitative phase was to identify the barriers and facilitators of participation. To this end, 16 people were selected by purposive sampling method and semi-structured interviews were conducted. The elements and components of the initial model were provided to experts in this field through the Delphi technique to confirm the items and validate them, so that the final model could be designed. Results. The influential factors for participation included individual, environmental, and contextual factors, which were identified from a systematic review of 21 articles. Facilitators obstacles, challenges, advantages, and disadvantages of local level participation in the policymaking process were identified through the results of a qualitative study, which were categorized into three main themes, including the participation process, the beneficiaries of the process, and the strategies to facilitate participation. Finally, the health policy model based on participation at the city level was validated and finalized using the opinion of experts. Conclusion. Participation in the health policy process requires the use of facilitators and the removal of obstacles. Local levels in terms of health issues in Iran involve complex and diverse challenges that can be solved through real participation.

Konsep Self Help Dalam Pendidikan Islam KH. Abdul Halim Majalengka

The community must be aware and wise in calculating a local leader who has a significant role in building and creating the history of a country. In an era when society tends to be static and fatalistic, Halim proposes dynamic and progressive thinking. By using historical research methods, this study found that Halim's quest to find national identity had been initiated since childhood until he died. Halim has contributed significantly to the growth of many other movements led by the younger generation since then. Halim also succeeded in solving local community problems, especially educational, da'wah and social problems. The emergence of the Islamic Community Association (PUI) organization is a fact of Halim's efforts and struggles. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of Abdul Halim Majalengka in the world of education and Muslim society. The results of this study state that there is a movement from the work that has been done by Abdul Halim Majalengka.
 Keywords: KH. Abdul Halim, Thought, Islamic Education.

PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT CHALLENGES IN MATARAM WEST NUSA TENGGARA

This study aims to identify challenges and obstacles in implementing psychosocial support programs by stakeholders in local communities in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). Qualitative research and purposive sampling were employed to select ten participants from three departments in Mataram. Interviews were conducted, data was observed and analyzed using ATLAS.ti. The study provides crucial insights into Mataram's context. The results showed that stakeholders face several challenges, including limited human resources in mental health, stigma against mental health, mismatch in program implementation, and lack of family support. The implications of this study are the importance of increasing the number and quality of human resources in mental health, involving families in patient care, improving coordination between relevant departments, and building collaboration between governments, non-governmental institutions, and communities. Recommendations based on the findings of this study are to increase public awareness about mental health, reduce stigma, allocate adequate funds, and develop consistent and sustainable psychosocial support programs. This research contributes to understanding the specific context in Mataram, NTB, and guides policies and practices addressing mental health problems in local communities.

“Sweet Spot” for Reflection in Problem-oriented Education

This paper examines the impact of a structured, multi-dimensional reflection track of a 16-week pilot programme in experimental pedagogics (XP) in The Netherlands. XP is an elective undergraduate programme in which students investigate socially relevant educational problems in local communities and design educational interventions to address these issues through problem-oriented project work (PPL). To accompany the learning journey, students follow a reflection track structured with workshops, learning diaries, and articulated learning essays, that covers cognitive, phenomenological, relational, social and global dimensions of reflection. The design of the track was informed by an interdisciplinary reflection framework combining inputs from cognitive and critical paradigms. To evaluate and improve the impact of this novel approach to reflection in problem-oriented education, the authors undertook an Education Action Research (EAR) process with the 17 participating students. The evaluation phase of the EAR was conducted using a phenomenographic design to draw out qualitative variations in conceptions of reflection among students who participated in the pilot. Focusing on variations of conceptions allowed the teachers-as-action-researchers to gain a fine-grained understanding of reflection within the XP problem-oriented setting. The findings reveal an outcome space comprising seven increasingly complex reflection categories. A phenomenographic analysis of the categories led us to conclude that there exists a reflection “sweet spot” inside which there is growth in reflection breadth and depth. Outside the sweet spot, students either do not reflect at all, or become so entangled in reflection that an infinite reflection regress appears to derail learning. We conclude by discussing the contributions of these findings to strengthening critical, socially relevant reflection in problem-oriented project work in the context of current global crises, focusing on the role of supervisors in fostering productive reflection.

Determinants of smallholder livestock farmers’ adoption decisions of improved fodder technologies in Insiza District

The study investigated the factors that influence the extent of the use of fodder technologies in the Insiza District of Zimbabwe, as well as the reasons for their low adoption and the lower participation of women than men in fodder interventions. A mixed methods approach was used and data were collected using a structured questionnaire, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. The multi-stage sampling approach was used to generate a sample of 224 respondents who received training on fodder production from the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund (ZRBF) intervention. Using the ordered probit regression model, factors such as gender, education level attained, cattle herd size, total livestock units, land size, willingness to invest more in fodder, engagement in farm enterprises, and intensity of collaborations were found to significantly influence the number of improved fodder technologies adopted. In addition, farmers perceived that fodder technologies are beneficial. The imposition of externally determined innovations, as well as the scarcity of seed for fodder crops, were cited as the primary reasons for the low adoption of fodder technologies promoted prior to the ZRBF intervention. Findings also suggested the existence of gender-specific constraints emanating from the prevalence of a powerful patriarchal culture as the major factor limiting women’s participation in fodder interventions relative to men. Thus, the study recommends that the ZRBF and the government design well-packaged rural development policies, promote equitable gender participation and adopt participatory approaches when proffering solutions to local community problems. The study’s original contributions include the use of a mixed methods approach, a focus on the extent of fodder technology adoption rather than the probability of adoption, and an investigation into the reasons for women’s lower participation than men in fodder intervention.

地域連携による教育の社会的責任の研究 - 街づくりイノベーションスクールを中心に -

This paper examines the direction of future education through a community development innovation school that is a case study for solving problems in local communities with university student-resident participation jointly by industry, government and academia. Based on the university's mission, we analyze the conceptual development process and content of the social responsibility of Japanese and Korean universities, and examine its essence. In addition, from the standpoint of solidarity between the university and society, in the process of collectively solving problems through education, the mutual responsibility of individuals and society is increased, and the social responsibility of education to promote individual self-realization and social growth. Make sense of core values. ESR explores the meaning of new education and strategies in the process of resolving social issues with new educational approaches. In the process of solving social problems, it cannot be solved by the power of individuals alone, and a network of diverse social members and social resources is required. It can provide suggestions for future education through a cyclical relationship that reflects, improves, and develops continuously in the process of solving social problems.

Assessment of the effectiveness of public authorities in solving the problems of local communities

Assessment of the effectiveness of public authorities in solving the problems of local communities

„Orzeł Biały” – nowy tytuł na nowe czasy. Analiza i bibliografia zawartości

“Orzeł Biały” [“The White Eagle”] was issued in Bychawa, in the period 1925–1926, as the continuation of “Nowa Jutrzenka” [“The New Morning Star”] which circulated between 1908 and 1924. The founder, editor and publisher of both these periodicals was the priest (Fr) Antoni Kwiatkowski, a meritorious social and educational, publicist and devoted priest. “Orzeł Biały” came out regularly as a weekly in a modest graphic layout and small volume. Some of its folios were multi-thematic brochures, others were illustrated. The periodical contained articles reflecting the current problems of local community. The subjects were mainly religious, social and educational, as well as those concerning the state and the nation. The editor took some information from books and press, included quotations and reprints. The analysis is supplemented with the bibliography of contents.

BioHealth Digital LivingLab to Solve Local Community Problems

BioHealth Digital LivingLab to Solve Local Community Problems

DISCLOSURE OF INNOVATIVE POTENTIAL OF REGIONS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF INTERREGIONAL COOPERATION AT THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVELS

The article considers management tools to increase the efficiency of socio-economic development of regions: stimulating interregional cooperation, increasing the dynamics of economic interactions in the implementation of joint projects, modernization of infrastructure, solving important problems of local communities. The specifics of the use of cross-border interregional cooperation, under the influence of international organizations, the development of the subjective role of the regions, improving the conditions of interaction with foreign partners are analyzed. The importance of the innovative component of regional development and international regional economic cooperation at the stages of making major decisions of regional public governance is presented. Emphasis is placed on the study of the innovation potential of the region in the framework of choosing a model aimed at effective governance, achieving goals at the intermediate and final stages of implementation of regional development programs. Emphasis is placed on institutional forms of involving local communities in border regions in order to solve common problems of economic growth, remove artificial barriers, ensure the movement of services and capital. On the base of analysis, the parameters of increasing the initiative of the respective regions, their ability to formulate transparent and effective rules, plans and development programs for the long term are substantiated.

An Exploratory Study on the Smart City Living Lab Operation Model for Resolving Local Community Problems

An Exploratory Study on the Smart City Living Lab Operation Model for Resolving Local Community Problems

Факторы формирования доверия к местной власти в Российской Федерации на современном этапе

Introduction: the population’s trust in the authorities is the basis of socio-political stability and the consolidation of public interests. The involvement of residents in the problems of local communities and the interest in developing the space of their residence form the foundation for trusting interaction between the population and the authorities based on confidence and positive expectations of each other’s actions. Objectives: to assess the level of trust in local authorities, analyze the development of the territorial identity of Russian cities residents and determine its role in the formation of trust. Methods: questionnaire survey of the population in Russian cities. The final sample includes 53 regions of the Russian Federation with 587 respondents. The study was exploratory in nature. Results: the level of trust in local authorities is centered in the range of low and medium scores. The most negative situation with the level of trust is revealed in small towns. Despite the low level of trust, Russian cities residents are characterized by involvement in the local communities’ agenda, actualization of information needs, and interest to the activities of municipal leaders. A high level of the citizens’ territorial identity development has been identified, both in terms of its emotional (a sense of community, empathy for the problems of their native city), and activity (initiative, the desire to improve the local communities life) content. The study confirmed the hypothesis that there exists a relationship between the stability of solidarity values, the development of territorial identity and the formation of trust. Conclusions: the territorial identity of citizens can be considered as a source of trust development, which allows the formation of stable social ties, the readiness for interaction of social actors in local communities. At the same time, the leaders of local self-government bodies can, with maximum efficiency, convert the potential of residents’ solidarity into the development of trust, using such mechanisms as the formation of territorial communities, including digital ones, the consolidation of entrepreneurial, professional and neighborhood interaction networks, self-organization of citizens, event-filled public life, updating information and communication links.

Inclusive local development of communities within the framework of European trends

The article is devoted to the investigation of the essential characteristics and concept of inclusive local development. Solving the problems of the Ukrainian national economy is a complex and multidimensional task regarding the application of the concept of sustainable development, taking into account the current realities, the development trends of the world community, and the place and role of the country in the EU and in the world. In these circumstances the major fact is the adaptation by Ukraine the program of strategic goals of sustainable development. The implementation of this program is impossible without solving the actual problems of local communities. Despite the fact that public administration reform and decentralization of power have been ongoing in Ukraine for the past few years, current approaches to local development have not resulted in a systematic solution to the problems that have accumulated in local and regional authorities. The issues of elaborating new principles and approaches to local development, as well as of the search for effective management models aimed at solving socio-economic problems and improving the population's quality of life remain acute. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new conceptual solutions to the existing problems of local communities. In the conditions of economic, financial and social instability in recent decades, it can be noted that economic growth alone is not enough for effective and balanced development of the country. The new models of social and economic development containing the response to the current challenges as an increase in the level of poverty, inequality in incomes and opportunities of the population have been developed by leading scientists and practitioners. Consequently, as a result of the rethinking of conceptual approaches to the problems of economic development and in the conditions of the transformation of an industrial society into an intellectual one, new concepts of economic growth arise. The concept of inclusive local development has a prominent place among them.

СОЦИОКУЛЬТУРНЫЙ ПОДХОД К РАЗВИТИЮ ОБРАЗОВАНИЯ В СЕЛЬСКИХ ТЕРРИТОРИЯХ

The main objective of the article is to reveal alternatives and opportunities for changing the situation within the framework of the development of education in rural areas. The article reveals a modern approach to solving the problem of the development of education in rural areas and the use of education as a tool for the development of the territories themselves. Different types of education and related phenomena and artifacts are highlighted. A comparative analysis of the use of technocratic and socio-cultural approaches is carried out. The article reveals the main characteristics and technologies of the socio-cultural approach to education. Technologies that allow not only to diagnose typical situations in which educational institutions in rural areas are located, but also to develop and implement the most appropriate variable strategies of educational activities and models of their development. The methodological foundations, content, tools and mechanisms of the socio-cultural approach to the development of education in rural areas are considered in more detail. The basic humanitarian technologies that make up the tools of the sociocultural approach to education in rural areas and settlements are revealed. Themechanisms of using education as a tool for solving the life problems of local communities are considered on the example of various types of socio-cultural educational projects. The socio-cultural approach has led to the interpenetration and development of different types and types of education, strengthening its influence on the socio-economic and cultural development of communities. The article describes in detail the experience and results of the implementation of the program of socio-cultural modernization of education in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). An assessment of the risks of implementing socio-cultural modernization of the education system, prospects and opportunities for its promotion in Russia is given.

Socijalna mikrofranšiza u službi zajednice - "rešenje" je JIBU model

Social entrepreneurship is becoming increasingly important for the franchise business model. Social franchising is a useful strategy for growth and sustainability of social enterprises based on practices of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The paper starts from the basic assumption that global social goals can be achieved by using social microfranchise as a modern form of franchise business. Social microfranchises combine benefits and social goals of a social franchise and a microfranchise, while providing the necessary products and services to the poor and creating business opportunities for the poorest in the community. The aim of this paper is to point out the importance of social franchising and microfranchising as new forms of franchising that contribute to the wider community, focusing on the business example of Jibu social microfranchise operating in Africa and its global social impact. There are two key challenges facing developing countries in Africa: access to safe drinking water and high unemployment. Our research has shown that Jibu helps address both challenges by training local entrepreneurs to create a network of franchise units that provide permanent access to drinking water, which can have positive implications for solving other social problems of local communities in many underdeveloped and developing countries.

Guest Editorial: Power in Engaged Scholarship: Dimensions and Dynamics of Knowledge Co-Creation


 
 
 Collaboratively engaged research is shaped by dynamic power relationships among individuals, institutions and communities. Where some disciplines have explored the theoretical and methodological implications of power relations, the engagement movement writ large has suffered from a lack of explicit conceptual models and in-depth analyses of the role of power in the process of knowledge co-creation. Over the last 30 years, considerable attention has been paid to how resources and expertise within academic institutions can be brought to bear on the intractable social and economic problems of local communities. A necessary, yet under-theorised aspect of these dynamics is the extent to which the positionality and interpersonal relationships between actors impact the outcomes and durability of these processes. In this introductory article, we describe our effort to cultivate a conversation about power in engaged research. We organised an Author Collective for scholars and practitioners with a wide range of perspectives to expand our theoretical understanding of power’s role in university- community engagement. By reflecting on identities, approaches and experiences, the authors in this issue explore power as a vehicle for understanding the impact of positionality and interpersonal relationships on the process and outcomes of collaborative research.
 
 

Assessment of long-term energy and environmental impacts of the cleaner technologies for brick production

Brick kiln sector in South Asia contributes to nearly quarter of the global bricks production. Coal is the primary fuel used by this industry and its inefficient combustion process results in harmful pollutants contributing to deteriorating air quality, health problems in local communities, and greenhouse gas emissions. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of cleaner technologies and adoption pathways to achieve environment-friendly and energy-efficient production of bricks in Pakistan during 2019–2050. The study incorporates various timelines for (Zig-Zag Kilns) ZZKs and Vertical Shaft Brick Kilns (VSBKs) adoption, and the phasing out of conventional, Fixed Chimney Bull’s Trench Kiln (FCBTKs). Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) based numerical calculations are performed to simulate brick production from 2019–2050 for seven different scenarios incorporating an assimilated technology mix of FCBTKs, ZZKs, and VSBKs. Emissions of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, black carbon, methane, non-methane volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides are considered in this study. The swiftness of energy demand, and emissions reductions are greatly impacted by the elimination of the conventional FCBTKs. By adopting clearner brick manufacturing, 365.5 million tons (21.8%) of GHG emissions reduction can be achieved. The annual social cost of using FCBTKs increases from 1.02 billion $ in 2019 to 1.88 billion $ in 2050. Cumulative fuel saving potential of retrofitting to ZZKs is 157 million tons (17.7%) and it offers nearly 0.92 billion $ (51%) savings in annual social cost for year 2050. Our study finds that early adoption of ZZKs would benefit more than delayed adoption of VSBKs. However, transition to ZZK/ VSBK alone would not be sufficient to achieve net-zero carbon emissions. Carbon neutral fuels such as biomass and refuse-derived fuel (RDF) appear as an attractive option for deep decarbonization of this sector.

Analysis of Perceived Importance of Extension Research Topics by Extension Researchers in the Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Research Institute

The main objective of this research was to analyze the importance of the extension research topics among the extension researchers at the Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Research Institute AERDRI. This objective was achieved through following sub-objectives: (1) Identifying some of the personal and professional characteristics of the researchers of AERDRI. (2) Analyzing the research plans of the (AERDRI) during the period (2012-2017) and classifying them according to the research topics of the (AERDRI). (3) Determining the current and expected importance degrees of the research topics of the research plans of the AERDRI based on the viewpoint of the respondents. (4) Identifying the respondents' opinions related to the extent to which the extension research topics were in line with the research requirements of the 2030 strategy for sustainable agricultural development. This research was conducted on the members of the research body of the three extension research departments of the AERDRI, who hold the degree of researcher and above: Extension Methods and Audio/Visual Aids Research Department, Extension Programs Research Department, and Extension Organization and Training Research Department. This study was conducted on a systematic random sample of 65 respondents representing 52% of the total researchers working in the selected departments. The research data were collected by a pretested interview questionnaire during the period from July to August 2018.The spss.v.25 was used to analyze the data and the following statistical methods were used: Frequency tables, percentages, arithmetic mean, standard deviation, range, and t-test. The most important results were as follows: First: The personal and professional characteristics of the respondents: results showed that most respondents 70.76% are over 51 years of age. The percent age of Respondents of rural origins 47.70% was closer to those of urban residents 52.30%. About half of the respondents 49.24% work in the extension programs department. The research results indicated that 69.23% of the respondents have reached 18 years or more of their research experience. The number of published papers was high among 80% of the respondents. More than three quarters of the respondents 75.38% have a medium and low level of vocational training. The internet, conferences, seminars, workshops, and scientific lectures were the most important sources of agricultural information for the respondents, respectively. 81.54% of the total respondents have a low and medium level of job satisfaction. The research results indicated that some of the rules of behavior ranked high in terms of presence from the viewpoint of the respondents, namely: considering the personal rights of researchers participating in research 98.47%, objectivity in all stages of research 96.92%, and considering research topics needs and problems of local communities 95.38%. The results showed that 69.23% of the total respondents believe that the level of influence of the organizations related to their research work was low or medium. Based on the respondents’ opinions the most important organizations affecting their research work were: Agricultural Research Center, Central Administration for Agricultural Extension, and the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics. Second:Determining the current and expected importance degrees of the research topics of the research plans of the AERDRI: The most important research topics that ranked low according to the current importance were:rural tourism, the possibility of providing paid counseling service, the role of distance education media in extension work, and the level of performance of trainers for presentation and presentation skills. While the most important topics according to the expected importance were: the role of distance education media in extension work, the current and future extension role of cooperative societies, and the extension role of agricultural services institutions. Third: the level of compatibility of the extension research topics with the general objectives of the 2030 Strategy for Sustainable Agricultural Development: The research results showed that about three quarters of the respondents (73.85%) believe that the level of compatibility of the studied research subjects with the general objectives of the 2030 strategy is low or medium