Public Ministry Research Articles

Enhancing global health security in Thailand: Strengths and challenges of initiating a One Health approach to avian influenza surveillance

Infectious disease surveillance systems support early warning, promote preparedness, and inform public health response. Pathogens that have human, animal, and environmental reservoirs should be monitored through systems that incorporate a One Health approach. In 2016, Thailand's federal government piloted an avian influenza (AI) surveillance system that integrates stakeholders from human, animal, and environmental sectors, at the central level and in four provinces to monitor influenza A viruses within human, waterfowl, and poultry populations. This research aims to describe and evaluate Thailand's piloted AI surveillance system to inform strategies for strengthening and building surveillance systems relevant to One Health. We assessed this surveillance system using the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (U.S. CDC) “Guidelines for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems” and added three novel metrics: transparency, interoperability, and security. In-depth key informant interviews were conducted with representatives among six Thai federal agencies and departments, the One Health coordinating unit, a corporate poultry producer, and the Thai Ministry of Public Health-U.S. CDC Collaborating Unit. Thailand's AI surveillance system demonstrated strengths in acceptability, simplicity, representativeness, and flexibility, and exhibited challenges in data quality, stability, security, interoperability, and transparency. System efforts may be strengthened through increasing laboratory integration, improving pathogen detection capabilities, implementing interoperable systems, and incorporating sustainable capacity building mechanisms. This innovative piloted surveillance system provides a strategic framework that can be used to develop, integrate, and bolster One Health surveillance approaches to combat emerging global pathogen threats and enhance global health security.

Development and the role of the church: Exploring public pastoral care positioning within congregational ministry

Discussions on development have been ongoing for many decades. Within these discussions, approaches such as human and community-focused development have gained prominence in recent years. Churches are acknowledged as critical actors and vehicles that foster human development. However, locating development within church discussions raises the question of theological and praxeological relevance. This challenges theology and the church to both develop theological and ecclesiological justification. Within that justification is embedded the challenge of discerning and developing church ministry frameworks that interfaces with people in communities to ensure authentic human and community-focused development approaches. To that end, church public pastoral care is suggested, and its positioning needs to be clearly established, while emerging issues requiring research unveiled for investigation. This article describes the developments on the subject of development and the church, as well as position church public pastoral care as an approach that drives church development while highlighting questions for research on the subject.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This study employs an interdisciplinary approach whereby international development discussion and public role of churches within congregations are integrated to propose the role of church pastoral care as a ministry nexus. It contributes to public pastoral care and congregational ministry designs that respond to poverty and community-social challenges. It employs a critical literature analysis to make recommendations.

International Nonproprietary Names prescription in a specialized public hospital in Egypt

Background: International Nonproprietary Names (INN) is prescribing the name of the active ingredient. Objective: This study aimed to investigate INN prescription rates and perceived barriers towards INN prescribing at a public Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) hospital specialized in treating infectious diseases in Egypt. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted in a 280-bed specialized Ministry of Health Hospital in Alexandria, Egypt. Medications were described either as brand or generic based on WHO Essential Medicines List (EML) classification system and the Egyptian National Formulary. All physicians with prescribing authority in study hospital were administered a questionnaire composed of two sections. The first section explored the socio-demographic and work characteristics of the physicians, and the second section listed the barriers towards INN prescription. Results: Out of the 400 medical records reviewed, 2279 drugs were prescribed. About half of the medications (52.61%) were prescribed in INN. The medicines which were most frequently prescribed in INN were electrolytes solution (99.5%), laxatives (98.6%), and vitamins and minerals (85.2%) and coagulation medicines (82%). Other medications were exclusively prescribed in brand names as antispasmodics, antidiarrheal, dermatology and vascular insufficiency medications. Only 38.75% were trained using INNs to designate medications, about half of physicians (48%) reported that they rarely use INNs in their practice. The most frequently listed reasons for not prescribing in INN prescribing perceived by physicians were physicians being not familiar with INN (79.0%), doubts about the efficacy, safety, or quality of generic drugs (52.0%) and absence of educational programs regarding INN use (47.0%). Conclusion and Relevance: The current study illustrates only half of the prescriptions are prescribed using INN. A multifaceted approach using explicit policy for obligating INN prescription, together with educational sessions for physicians about the value of INN prescription and the bioequivalence of generic medications to their brand counterparts.

An Encomium for Jesus: Luke, Rhetoric, and the Story of Jesus by Jerome H. Neyrey

Reviewed by: An Encomium for Jesus: Luke, Rhetoric, and the Story of Jesus by Jerome H. Neyrey Pablo T. Gadenz jerome h. neyrey, An Encomium for Jesus: Luke, Rhetoric, and the Story of Jesus (New Testament Monographs 40; Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix, 2020). Pp. vii + 222. £50/$65/€57.50. Distinguished NT scholar Jerome Neyrey is well known for his books and articles that argue that the authors of Matthew, John, and Hebrews followed Greco-Roman rhetorical conventions to communicate their message about Jesus in a way that their audiences would easily recognize. Similarly, in this monograph N. turns his attention to Luke's Gospel, considering it specifically through the lens of the rhetorical genre of encomium. The book is structured much like part 2 of N.'s earlier work on Matthew, Honor and Shame in the Gospel of Matthew (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1998). In chap. 1, N. introduces the book's thesis, that Luke, having received an education in rhetoric (see N.'s appendix) by means of the compositional exercises of the progymnasmata (which taught various rhetorical genres including encomium), composed his Gospel narrative to give Jesus praise according to the encomium's conventional topics (see Michael W. Martin, "Progymnastic Topic Lists: A Compositional Template for Luke and Other Bioi?," NTS 54 [2008] 18–41). Subsequent chapters individually take up those topics: [End Page 331] origins (chap. 2); nurture and training (chap. 3); accomplishments, considered in terms of the four canonical virtues of wisdom (prudence), justice, courage (fortitude), and selfcontrol (temperance) (chaps. 4–7, respectively); and noble death (chap. 8). Each of these chapters reviews what the rhetorical handbooks (e.g., those of Theon, Hermogenes, Aphthonius) said about a topic and considers how Luke employed that topic in composing his Gospel. Regarding origins (chap. 2), N. argues that Luke, much like Matthew, finds praise for Jesus by presenting the conventional ideas of honorable birth (David's native city, Bethlehem), distinguished pedigree (house of David; genealogy), and special events at birth (angelic proclamation; prophecies). N. later clarifies that Luke's presentation is also unconventional in its inversion of values (see Luke 1:52). Regarding training (chap. 3), N. examines Luke's presentation of Jesus's precocious exchange with the temple teachers and his obedience to his parents (2:41–52). N. also discusses Luke's use of another progymnastic exercise, that is, syncrisis, in the comparison between John the Baptist and Jesus. All this analysis is useful, suggesting that at least for Jesus's birth and upbringing, the progymnastic topic lists influenced Luke's composition. In chaps. 4–7, N. turns to Jesus's public ministry (the topic of deeds), viewed through the lens of the cardinal virtues. Anticipating the objection that the vocabulary for these virtues is largely absent in Luke, he explains that audiences would naturally have labeled Jesus's actions as pertaining to individual virtues without Luke having to do so explicitly. Thus, Jesus demonstrates practical wisdom because he distinguishes good from bad (6:43–45), advises choosing actions that are advantageous in God's eyes (14:13–14), and utters wise proverbs (5:31). He is just because he fulfills his duties toward God (4:43) and teaches various forms of justice (6:20–49). He is courageous because he endures assaults from evil spirits (4:1–13) and speaks boldly to his attackers (11:42–52). He is self-controlled, despite insults to the contrary (7:34–35), since he exhibits no inordinate desires (e.g., for wealth [12:33] or honor [18:14]). These are the most innovative chapters of N.'s work, but they are likely the ones that will elicit the greatest skepticism. For such a long section of Luke's Gospel (4:14–21:38), it seems difficult to speak of a template (pp. 53, 58) given such general guidelines. Regardless, N. along the way offers insightful observations on Lucan passages and themes (e.g., the meal scenes [p. 148]). In chap. 8, N. explains that Jesus's death qualifies as noble because, though he was just (23:4, 47), he suffered voluntarily (22:42) for the benefit of others (24:47) and was uniquely vindicated after his death through his...

A Tale of Two Cities: Understanding Children's Cycling Behavior From the Socio-Ecological Perspective.

The childhood obesity epidemic has persisted for over three decades, which has presented serious social, economic and health consequences worldwide. For researchers and policy makers alike, cycling has been a promising focus over recent years for developing long-term physically active lifestyles in urban environments, in addition to contributing to the global quest to combat climate change. Promoting cycling thus presents a win-win situation not just for individuals' well-being, but for multiple involved sectors such as public health, transport ministry and environmental agencies. For children, cycling promotes exercise engagement, active transport opportunities, motor skill development and social interaction. However, across European cities, there are considerable discrepancies in the uptake of cycling amongst children. To understand and subsequently promote children's cycling behavior, it is crucial that the complex social, physical and policy environment, and their interrelationships, are considered. Therefore, in this perspective article, we adopt the socio-ecological model to gain insight into how children's cycling behavior is shaped at the interpersonal, organizational and community level embedded within city policies, relevant to increase future cycling participation in children. Our perspective is based on a review of cycling policies of two European cities, Amsterdam (Netherlands) and Newcastle (UK), where stark contrasts in children's cycling participation can be observed. Our findings show that cycling policies in Amsterdam have mainly contributed to comprehensive organizational level changes, for example, cycling infrastructure development within the city, whereby these initiatives have made significant progress at the community level where cycling has become part of the “Dutch culture”. Hence, cycling is a more common transportation mode among children in Amsterdam than in Newcastle. In Newcastle, policies primarily focus on organizational or community level changes, and progress has recently been accelerated in response to COVID-19. In addition to differences, we have also identified similar challenges in the two cities, such as the urgency to support uptake of cycling for children with low socio-economic background or challenges related to cultural differences. We also propose a “shared (cycle-)path” for policy makers and researchers as working together is crucial in producing multi-component interventions at a policy level that recognize individual, as well as interpersonal, community and organizational factors.

A situational analysis of the mental health system of the West Region of Cameroon using the World Health Organization\u2019s assessment instrument for mental health systems (WHO-AIMS)

BackgroundThe publication of the World Health Report of 2001 by the World Health Organization (WHO) raised awareness of mental health worldwide. It reported a higher burden of mental illnesses in developing countries, with fewer resources to address the conditions. Since then, many initiatives have been taken in Cameroon to improve the mental health of the population, but these efforts lack local scientific evidence to support them. This study aims to describe the mental health services available in the West Region of Cameroon and to provide evidence-based support to this process.MethodWe used the World Health Organization Assessment Instrument for Mental Health systems (WHO-AIMS) version 2.2 to collect, analyze, and report the data on mental health services offered in 2020 in the West Region of Cameroon. We extracted our data from the registers of 10 mental health facilities of the region, and we interviewed the staff in these facilities and at the Ministry of Public Health.ResultsThe region is divided into 20 health districts, of which six offered mental health services. As a whole, Cameroon had a mental health policy, mental health plan, but no mental health legislation or emergency plan. There was no specific budget for mental health in the country. In the West Region there were not any psychiatrists. Mental health services were provided by nurses, psychologists, general practitioners, and neurologists. There were 1.87 human resources in mental health facilities per 100,000 population, of which 1.4 were nurses. 1 in 1.4 of these nurses worked in the main city. There was no formal link of mental health services with other sectors and no publication in the previous five years about mental health in the region referenced on PubMed.ConclusionIn 2020, the access to mental health services in the West Region of Cameroon was inequitable. The approach to mental health system development was not inclusive and not supported by enough scientific evidence.

Promoting Disabled Persons’ Belongingness in Elite Circles of Nigerian Public Administration Setups: Diagnosis and Treatment

This study analyzes the intrinsic causes of disabled persons' marginalization from elite circles in Nigerian public administration organizations. Its foci among other things are to proffer measures for Nigeria's context of disabled persons' advancement into public bureaucracies' assembly of decision-makers, promote their topmost belongingness in public policy governance, offer ways to sustain disability-friendly public personnel promotion stratagem, propose means to realize public sector-friendly disability inclusivity. Political culture theory is espoused as the theoretical framework. The study parallels the qualitative methodology of a phenomenological inclination. Perceptions, views, and notions on how to promote disability-friendly policies, across all Nigerian public ministries, departments, and agencies (MDGs), toward facilitating upward mobility of disabled public administrators into directorate positions in the public services, derived from questionnaires, interviews, and correlated document analysis constituted data for the study. Content analysis approach guided by heuristic re-constructionism epistemology was adopted for analyzing data. Data from questionnaires were presented in quantitative content analysis. The study finds that there persist low political will towards domestication and implementation of globally agreed affirmative statutes for sustainable advancement of the education, talents, employment, promotion, and generally inclusion of disabled persons, particularly into the elite circle of Nigerian public bureaucracies. The finding mentioned above highlights the immanent variables that constitute major obstacles to the disabled public personnel belongingness as elite public administrators in determining the outputs and outcomes of public administration in Nigeria. It recommends, amongst others, prioritization of disabled persons' inclusion into the top staff echelon of public administration's MDGs across all the Nigerian tiers.

Renewing the Kerygmatic Moment: The Centrality of the Kerygma in the 2020 Directory for Catechesis and the Implications for Forming Clergy and Parish Staffs

Renewing the Kerygmatic Moment:The Centrality of the Kerygma in the 2020 Directory for Catechesis and the Implications for Forming Clergy and Parish Staffs Eric J. Westby (bio) Asignificant theme within the 2020 Directory for Catechesis (DC) is the kerygma, which Pope Francis defined as the initial proclamation of the Gospel.1 In the directory, the emphasis on the kerygma is so pronounced that it raises very important pastoral questions: To what degree might the 2020 DC be advocating for a new model of parish faith formation? If so, what exactly is that paradigm and how should parish staffs be formed for it? To address these questions, this essay will examine the kerygma in light of its Scriptural foundations and its use in the DC, discussing not only the major characteristics of its content but also its pastoral priority. In addition to the DC, the primary sources for this reflection will be the ecclesial writings on evangelization and catechesis from Vatican II through 2020. This will lead to a reflection on the implications for the formation of parish staffs. Scriptual Foundations of the Kerygma The kerygma is the initial saving proclamation of Jesus Christ. A form of the word 'kerygma' is present in Mark's Gospel,2 referring to a [End Page 135] public proclamation,3 and with this announcement comes the invitation to follow Jesus. Jesus models these two elements of content and invitation at the outset of His public ministry. The core message of this preaching is the Gospel of God (Mark 1:1, 14-15), the good news.4 In Mark 1:14, Jesus imparts the kerygmatic message by 'preaching' (from the Greek 'kērussō', a form of the word ''kerygma'), 5 Himself being the herald of His saving message: "Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching (emphasis added) the gospel of God. . . ."6 In Mark 1:15, Jesus' first kerygmatic proclamation is one of good news that invites the listener to the response of repentance: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel."7 Thus the message is not simply a theoretical principle, but it invites the listener to personally respond through repentance, 'mĕtanŏĕō', re-aligning one's being to the content of the message.8 In St. Peter's kerygmatic address of Acts 2, there also is both a content of the message and a response on the part of the listener. On the day of Pentecost, St. Peter gives the prototypical post-Resurrection proclamation, in which he summarizes the Lord's saving work in the Paschal Mystery and calls the listener to repentance, baptism and deeper catechetical formation (Acts 2:14-42). This proclamation brings the person to initial faith, in which the individual responds to the promptings of the Spirit to follow Jesus,9 be baptized and live according to His will. [End Page 136] The Definition of the Kerygma According to the Directory for Catechesis Reflecting the contributions of Pope Francis' 2013 Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, the 2020 DC describes the kerygma as the fundamental message of the Christian faith. The kerygma is the first proclamation of Jesus, His saving plan for us that culminates in His passion, death and resurrection.10 The kerygma also contains the offer to heal us of sin and lead us to everlasting life. Pope Francis summarizes the saving kerygma as a simple, joyful recalling of Jesus' love: "Jesus Christ loves you; he gave his life to save you; and now he is living at your side every day to enlighten, strengthen and free you."11 In the DC, the personal response to the kerygma is all-encompassing: No element of one's life is exempt from this call to conversion, and if one lives this message, every aspect of one's being takes on new purpose and meaning in Christ. The DC makes this connection between the content and daily living, in that ". . . the kerygma . . . always has a value of salvation and fullness of life."12 The kerygma is a challenging message that can cause the listener to have to make difficult life decisions, as seen in the DC: . . . the proclamation of...

Concepções de profissionais do Sistema de Justiça sobre adoção por casais de gays e lésbicas

Abstract: This exploratory and qualitative research aimed to understand how legal professionals and professionals working in the Public Ministry (psychologists, social workers, prosecutors, and judges) understand and notice adoption by gay and lesbian couples. Forty-one professionals were interviewed (six judges, three prosecutors, fourteen psychologists, and eighteen social workers), who work in ten judiciary districts of three Brazilian states, with the collected data being submitted to content analysis and interpreted according to the bioecological theory and local literature. For the professionals, adoption in Brazil is legally possible, but there are restrictions based on the propagation of moral values on the social imaginary. In general, they would more specifically assess, in these candidates, the possible repercussions of sexual orientation and adoption in their lives and in the lives of their families, worrying about the emotional safety of their future children. The importance of preparing candidates, children/adolescents, and professionals was emphasized, and these must act as agents of change to a cultural re-signification of preconceived conceptions.

Aspectos técnicos, sociais e ambientais do sistema de fornecimento de água e saneamento básico do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / Technical social and environmental aspects of the water supply and sanitation system in the State of Rio de Janeiro

This literature review article results from the bibliographical analysis on the study related to the management of water resources in the city of Rio de Janeiro and part of the Baixada Fluminense, supplied by the Guandu system. The constant monitoring of water quality points to several reasons for its degradation. Industrial and residential pollution is associated with illegal occupation of its banks, industrial operations that do not comply with environmental legislation. The Public Ministry is constitutionally responsible for protecting the environment. The supply history, the analysis of the problems faced and the importance of the pigeon pea river for the state. Actions for its preservation and sustainable development in the region. The foundation of development with planned actions between the state and society. This study encompasses the Water Treatment Plant, the transposition of the waters of the Paraíba do Sul River and the management of water resources in this system from a legal perspective, where environmental planning and rational use for the preservation of water resources are fundamental. for the environment and the maintenance of natural resources as an asset of the population of the State of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil.

Continuarea judecăţii sau restituirea cauzei la procuror? Despre consecinţele procedurale naţionale ale deciziei CJUE din cauza C-282/20 ZX

Continuarea judecăţii sau restituirea cauzei la procuror? Despre consecinţele procedurale naţionale ale deciziei CJUE din cauza C-282/20 ZX

Family violence and its influence in the times of covid


 
 
 The present research of "Family violence and its influence in the times of covid-19", had as a general objective to determine the impact of family violence in the times of covid-19. The method was descriptive, qualitative in approach; of non-experimental design: transversal, the population of the district of Callao, shows the interview of three officials of the Public Ministry of Callao, the content of non-probabilistic type. The personal technique for collecting information was the interview. The following conclusions were reached: a) Family violence increased in the times of covid, due to social isolation and stress, b) It was generated by uncertainty and the economic situation in an improvised way, and c) Violence is caused by different causes such as tensions over unemployment and the new rules that must be adapted inside and outside the dwelling.
 
 

Regulation of the Double Degree of Jurisdiction in Criminal Proceedings in Romania

In criminal cases, after the trial on the merits, the legislator has established legal provisions that give the parties and the Public Ministry the right to challenge these judgments in the first instance, or in situations where there is a presumption of error by the magistrate who tried the case criminal, or when there were other elements or evidence that were not taken into account in the trial of the case in the first instance (merits). The possibility of going through the dual degree of jurisdiction is an essential condition when a person is found guilty of a crime, having the right to request the examination of the case by a higher jurisdiction, being also a component of the right to a fair trial.

Endocervical swabbing in women with COVID-19 symptoms from departments of Paraguay

COVID-19 is an eminently respiratory transmissible infection of respiratory initiation, the existence of other sources of contagion is discussed. The ACE2 viral receptor has also been detected in the uterus and vagina; Hence, the involvement of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on the genitourinary system and its possible repercussions on pregnancy has been raised. To determine the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in endocervical samples of women with COVID-19 in the departments of Paraguay. Designed as a prospective observational of transverse cohort. Two hundred women were recruited from August 2020 to February 2021, with no more than 48/72 hours of a previous positive nasopharyngeal swab result for SARS-CoV-2 by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (rt-RT-PCR) and who agreed to participate in the study. A clinical epidemiological questionnaire was completed. The samples were taken in health services of the MSPYBS (Public Ministry of Health and Social Welfare), homes and shelters in the different departments of Paraguay. Each patient underwent a swab (dacron swabs) or endocervical cytobrush for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 by rt-RT-PCR. Women recruited had a mean age of 46.5 years (95% CI 31,562.5). They reported contagion with SARS-CoV-2: 75.5% in the community, 13.5% at home, 8.5% in the place of work and 1.5% abroad. The clinical manifestations were: 30% flu syndrome, 22.5% fever, 20% cough, 15.5% anosmia, 15.5% digestive disorders, among other symptoms. The swabs or endocervical cytobrush samples subjected to rt-RT-PCR for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 were negative in the 200 study women. It should be noted that the vaginal samples were taken within 24-72 hours after obtaining a positive result for SARS-CoV-2 in the nasopharyngeal swab and that 62.5% of the women were hospitalized in respiratory modules. The reason for the negativity of the exams and their significance are discussed. Conclusión: No SARS Cov-2 infection was detected in the endocervical region of 200 women with clinical manifestations of COVID 19 and evaluated within 48/72 hours of a positive nasopharyngeal result for SARS Cov-2. The results in the study population agree with the findings of other studies reported in the literature.

UMA ANÁLISE SOBRE A REVITIMIZAÇÃO E VIOLAÇÃO DE DIREITOS HUMANOS DAS MULHERES EXERCIDO PELA POLÍCIA NA ATIVIDADE PRÉ-JURISDICIONAL

The activity carried out by the police in the context of the first contacts of women victims of domestic violence with the government until the conclusion of the police investigation has a pre-jurisdictional character. However, it is during this process of reception, listening to victims and investigations that situations of revictimization and, consequently, human rights violations can occur. Thus, this research carried out a literature review to understand the historical-social context that favors an alleged, but not effective, protection of women's rights through police activity. The research focuses on some cases analyzed in the scope of the Domestic Violence Court of the District of Santa Rita, Paraiba, understanding, from the factual study, the phenomenon of revictimization. From this, it can be inferred that the external control of police activity exercised by the Public Ministry is a way to curb possible human rights violations within the scope of pre-jurisdictional activity carried out by police authorities.

Who am I becoming?: Understanding the ministry training portfolio as a theological practice

This article outlines a theological basis for the process of compiling a portfolio as part of a programme of ministerial formation. Such a task can often seem to the candidate rather like jumping through hoops, or gathering evidence merely for the sake of it. But I argue that it is properly understood as a theological practice, inviting reflection on who they are becoming in Christ. In philosophical literature, ‘gestures’ are understood as incomplete actions that correspond to some deeper truth. By framing the task of portfolio composition in the language of ‘gesture’, it is seen to be a vital practice in formation for public ministry, rather than merely an exercise in proving one’s readiness for ordination or licensing.

Higher Ground: Rev. Dr. William Barber II and the Political Content of Prophetic Form

This essay argues that Rev. Dr. William J. Barber’s message on “Higher Ground,” a speech delivered at a massive 2014 protest rally, reveals his intentional problematization of distinctions between the sacred and the secular. As Barber’s articulation of what Ashon Crawley calls “Blackpentecostal breath” spill over the boundaries posited by conventional categories—they are too ecstatic to be ordinary speeches, and too political to be traditional sermons—these plural expressions identify themselves as sounds that come from another world. If both content and form are understood as thought, it becomes apparent that these prophetic utterances critique the oppression wrought by contemporary social orders, announcing the reality of live-giving, just forms of social life. In place of the world that seems natural, Barber’s incantations presence a world to-come, a higher ground. Thus, while Barber’s sound is familiar as a signature of black Christian contexts, his public ministry asserts that aesthetic practices such as these contain a surplus, a transformative and collectivizing capacity. Barber’s ecstatic preaching, then, functions as a technology of transcendence which refuses putative divisions between the sacred and the secular, advancing in their place a moral worldview.

Факторы формирования веротерпимости (на примере социологического опроса городского населения Дагестана)

The problem of interreligious tolerance, the nature of relations between followers of different faiths is actualized in the multi-confessional and multi-ethnic space. As part of the study of religious identity and cult behavior of the urban population of Dagestan, the issue of religious tolerance, as well as factors of deterioration in the interreligious sphere, was touched upon. Empirical data show that the spread of new religious movements, alien to traditional Islam, appearance of political parties and leaders using religious feelings of the population for political ends, the desire of Islamic organi-zations to get an exclusive position in Dagestani society and the struggle and ambitions of spiritual leaders (imams) for influence, – all contribute to religious intolerance in contemporary Dagestani society. In the mass consciousness of urban population in general, one can observe a positive atti-tude towards proselytism and proselytizing activities, although the subgroups identifying themselves as unbelievers and vocal unbelievers emphasize the destructive role of this process with the motiva-tion of deteriorating, firstly, the ethnic situation, and, secondly, the inter-religious relations in socie-ty. In addition, empirical data show that the urban population surveyed believes that the main func-tion of clergy is public ministry, assistance to the needy, spiritual and moral education. At the same time religious organizations are viewed as unable to effectively resolve the problems of interethnic confrontation and ethnic conflicts.

From Lament to Advocacy: Black Religious Education and Public Ministry

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The Quality of Overall Planning and its Influence on Overcrowding in Malaysian Preschools

Overcrowding in Malaysian preschools is concerning and can be attributed to inadequate building size and poor planning. Sufficient space for learning activities is crucial for children's development. This study examines and proposes recommendations to improve the overall planning of 26 public Ministry of Education (MOE) preschools in Klang Valley. The Children’s Physical Environment Rating Scale was used to assess planning aspects including building size, indoor activity spaces, classroom enrolment, and modules. Most assessed MOE preschools lacked space and the average quality of overall planning was rated Fair. Recommendations are hoped to promote better planning for public preschools in Malaysia.