Traditional Local Communities Research Articles

The discourse of the Anthropocene and posthumanism: Mining-induced loss of traditional land and the Mongolian nomadic herders

For over five millennia, Mongolia has been home to a remarkably resilient, land-connected, pastoral nomadic way of life and cultural heritage. Traditional local communities of Mongolian nomadic herders are custodians of the land. Since Mongolia’s transition to a democracy and neoliberal capitalist economy in the 1990s, an unprecedented mining boom has set in as large deposits of mineral resources were discovered. The mining boom and climate change impacts have put mounting pressure on herders’ ability to access their traditional land. Drawing on ethnographic research through storywork with Mongolian nomadic herders ( malchid) in their traditional land ( nutag) in the Gobi Desert region in Mongolia, this study aims to expand the discourse of the Anthropocene by engaging with the concept of posthumanism. We unpack the predominant discourse among Mongolian nomadic herders – loss of traditional land – induced by mining. In the Anthropocene – the epoch of human-induced planetary change – herders have become victims of both human-induced global environmental and climate change and the neoliberal capitalist extractive economy. Driven by mining-induced forced displacement from their traditional land and the natural resources on which they depend, herders are marginalised, resulting in the loss of their livelihood and severing of their special relationship and spiritual connection with their traditional land. We conclude that Mongolian nomadic herders’ voices urge us that it is crucial to expand and pluralise the discourse of the Anthropocene by relearning our ancestral ways of knowing, being and doing, and reconnecting to our holistic, spiritually and physically entwined, reciprocal and symbiotic relationship with land, non-human beings and the natural world that are all regarded as living and sentient entities with identity, agency and intentionality. Mongolian nomadic herders’ ancestral cosmology and onto-epistemology turn us to posthuman or more-than-human ways of understanding and interacting with the world, which decentre human exceptionalism and dominant position in the Anthropocene.

ეთნოეკონომიკის ზოგიერთი საკითხი

In the paper, based on a complex analysis of ethnographic materials, interesting issues of ethno-economics are discussed. In particular: The reasons for the beginning of the process of emptying rural settlements, which is still ongoing, but originates from the last quarter of the 19th century; the consequences of rejecting the willing rule of standing next to each other in labor-activity; Integrating modern means of ennobling personal economic and social status ("living affordably") into everyday life. The following are the reasons for the emptying of the countryside and the abolition of traditional farming: 1. neglecting traditional, time-tested approaches to "people's life", farm management; 2. Abolition of traditional local community governance, for example, replacement of the "Makhvshi" institution with "trickster-savvy, salaried" administrators; 3. The gradual replacement of unity, work for each other with the approach "to be mine". We mean that on the way to economic security, the "rule of unselfishness help" was forgotten. 4. "legally recognized" binding relationships that did not take into account human capacity. Replacing the faith-boosting "begar" with "an inappropriate natural tax imposed on you by law"; 5. Forgetting the habit of asking God for "provided happiness". It is revealed that before the government launched various economic programs to raise social welfare, the individual and the community themselves were oriented to get a better life and distribute the "benefit" to their family and external needs. On the basis of complex research, the historical meaning of the terms: "Scream", "Bad Monday", "Letting go" and "Peace", "Begara" is revealed; Also, the name of a better economic condition obtained by "faithful and calculated work" - "comparatively better being". It is worth noting the fact that ethnographic materials once again confirmed the opinions of Georgian economists that physiocratic views were always predominant for the Georgian space, until the consciousness of our population was formed on the basis of national-Georgian morality. This was reflected not only in various types of legislation, but also in literature. Only "The knight in the panther skin" and "Wisdom of Lies" are enough to prove this. However, after the disruption of the Georgian statehood by Tsarist Russia and, later, the Sovietization, the thinking of the citizens of Georgia changed and adapted to the new reality, which should be perceived as an adequate response to the change in environmental conditions. However, historical experience shows that this process had a negative impact on the current situation and future prospects of our country. Before the state took over social and economic functions, the community itself was responsible for the well-being of its members. We may think that in the conditions of the so-called “collective responsibility”, the area of individual responsibility is lost, however, in the case of the community, it was the concern for the well-being of another; by being willing to share the risks associated with the life of a “neighbor” without benefit, a community member insured himself and his family's well-being. As a result, all this, “relatively better living” obtained by “faith and commited work” can be called the “communit’s economy”. Although it was subject to general economic laws, but the moral and social characteristics of local society were highlighted in it, in the formation of which a decisive role ws played by religion and historically formed traditions. The ethno-economy is what we used to describe this situation.

Towards richer knowledge partnerships between ecology and ethnoecology

Indigenous and traditional practices based on ethnoecological knowledge are fundamental to biodiversity stewardship and sustainable use. Knowledge partnerships between Indigenous Peoples, traditional local communities, and ecologists can produce richer and fairer understandings of nature. We identify key topical areas where such collaborations can positively transform science, policy, and practice.

Fire in the port city: the impact of different population groups on the destruction and revival of Canton city in the nineteenth century

ABSTRACT Canton (present-day Guangzhou) has long flourished as a port city. As the city expanded in the nineteenth century, the risks of conflagrations increased; streets became more crowded, buildings were more often made of wood, and there was more use of open fires. The reconstruction of Canton after conflagrations provides an excellent way to observe the resilience of urban space, understood here as the result of interactions among different stakeholders. This paper explores how authorities, local communities, foreigners, and Hong merchants addressed fires and rebuilt through laws, regulations, technologies and cooperation, and how responses to fire destruction shaped urban space. Divers stakeholders affected the reconstruction of buildings and streets. The government made laws to widen streets, communities built watchtowers, and foreigners made new plans for Thirteen Factories, a neigbhorhood along the Pearl River. At the same time, conflicts between communities and foreigners obstructed plans for urban transformation and maintained the stability of urban structures. The communities kept the traditional local community organizations the ‘Kaifong’ (local organization in street) who opposed the widening streets and fought against proposed fire zones around Thirteen Factories, thus pitching local interests against those of the foreigners in a complex social, political, and cultural context.

Indigenous Peoples and Traditional Local Communities’ Mobilisation to Regain Control

Abstract The article reviews trends in international non-binding standards: 1) the equalisation of indigenous peoples and local communities as rights-holders; 2) the strength and weakness of the safeguards approach in the context of redd+; 3) the wide definition of who constitutes stakeholders; and 4) the scope of a due diligence requirement. The article identifies and discusses two approaches: 1) mobilisation, understood as political or legal pressure exerted upon endogenous actors by other endogenous actors, and where international human rights serve as the norm basis for this pressure. 2) control, implying that power asymmetries in relation to external actors are challenged by alliances with human rights organisations and environmental organisations. Both benefit from being embedded in human rights principles: dignity, non-discrimination, rule of law, accountability, transparency, participation and empowerment. Human rights might, however, lead to tensions internally, as these principles can conflict with customary and exclusionary decision-making procedures.

Corporate social responsibility in luxury hotels in Cusco (Peru) to benefit indigenous communities

Responsible tourism encompasses the protection and conservation of the natural and cultural heritage considered tourism resources, including traditional local communities. However, concerns among the hospitality industry favour the environmental dimension, while the sociocultural dimension still needs more attention. The present case study focuses on the ways in which luxury hotels, in the context of Cusco (Peru, South America), benefit the indigenous Quechua communities, located among the region, through corporate social responsibility (CSR) actions. Interviews with hotel representatives revealed a rather heterogeneous understanding among them regarding CSR-related concepts. However, in general, a growing interest and commitment in promoting actions to help the surrounding communities were noted. While various approaches towards the creation of community benefits were described, there was consensus regarding the perceived main challenge of working with communities being the time that it takes to build a strong relationship with community members due to initial sociocultural barriers. Main actions developed by these hotels included providing education, training, health and sanitation projects; prioritizing local fair-trade suppliers when available and of quality; and supporting local entrepreneurs. In addition, all hotels engaged in philanthropic activities. The study’s insight regarding hotels’ CSR activities demonstrates the diverse ways that the hospitality sector can contribute to the betterment of society.

Perceptions and behaviors related to noncommunicable diseases in Palau: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACTThe increasing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is a major public health concern in Palau. This study aims to identify social and psychological factors related to NCDs among Palauan people using a qualitative approach. We conducted eight key informant interviews and eight focus group discussions, which were audio-recorded, transcribed and translated into English. Ideas of the respondents were extracted and labeled, and the labels were analyzed using an inductive multistage approach referred to as qualitative content analysis. Three themes emerged: (1) home education, (2) traditional local community, and (3) modernization and westernization of lifestyle. Respondents believed that the influence of the family on lifestyle was significant, but that disciplining children at home had become difficult. They considered that the traditional lifestyle was mostly healthy, and were reluctant to abandon certain unhealthy customs, such as serving abundant food to guests as a sign of fraternity. They also thought that they overate because of their stressful modernized lifestyle. This is the first qualitative study to analyze perception and behavior of the Palauan people in relation to NCDs. We found that the increase in NCDs was related to two concurrent trends: preserving certain traditional customs unfavorable to good health, and abandoning time-consuming healthy traditional lifestyle to adopt a modernized one. We also found that Palauan people were not confident in their ability to prevent NCDs. Therefore, health promotion activities should be designed to empower people to make positive changes.

만세시위의 다원적 의미와 지속되는 지역공동체 - 안성군 3.1운동의 새로운 이해 -

Attempted in this article is to newly reevaluate the March 1st movement from the standpoint of ordinary people, who were the main participants of the movement. For that task, all the protests that were staged in the Gyeong’gi-do province’s Anseon-gun area are examined here and compared with each other, with the hope of finding the true meaning of such efforts, as well as material and philosophical resources that enabled the protests in the first place.BR In Anseong-gun, between late March and early April, protests occurred in the old Anseong-gun area, the old Yangseong-gun area and the old Juksan-gun area. Apparently there was no coordination made among the leaders in these three locations. This informs us with a very important fact. The local administrative structure that was newly revised in 1919 did affect and shake the existing local order, but throughout the March 1st movement, traditional local communities still managed to play a prominent role.BR Also, a level of diversity could be found from the Manse movement that continued in the Anseong-gun area, in terms of its leaders, participants and how things went overall. Peasants, merchants, day-to-day workers, students and even prostitutes joined the movement, and they all shouted ‘For Liberation!’, hoping for a variety of things that were most important and endearing to each of themselves. Until now, a lot of researches tried to determine the presence of a nationalistic homogeneity [in terms of aspiration] within all these efforts, but in order to appreciate the diverse nature of the March 1st movement, local issues and class issues should be more strongly taken into account in the future as well.

Oficina EtnoeducAtiva: uma proposta interdisciplinar de sensibilização socioambiental em área costeira

O termo Etno significa como grupos locais veem o mundo. O presente artigo tem por objetivo apresentar os resultados da proposição da oficina de educação ambiental intitulada EthoeducAtiva como estratégia de educação ambiental e reconhecimento da comunidade tradicional local. A etapa I do estudo e de caráter etnobiológico foi realizada em março a junho de 2017 com aplicação trinta e uma entrevistas semiestruturadas junto aos pescadores e marisqueiras de Arembepe. Para a análise dos dados utilizou-se a análise de conteúdo que permitiu a interpretação dos dados. Com o resultado parcial da pesquisa foi realizada a oficina experimental com estudantes do oitavo ano de uma escola de ensino fundamental II, inserida da área de estudo denominada EthoeducAtiva - etapa II. O desenvolvimento da oficina deu-se inicialmente através de uma proposta interdisciplinar entre as disciplinas de ciências naturais e língua portuguesa e foi elaborado um texto de cordel fruto da reflexão dos dados encontrados nas entrevistas. A oficina permitiu a associação do conhecimento tradicional com a formação educacional de estudantes em espaços formais de educação. Estratégias que oportunize a elaboração de cordéis ou qualquer outro produto devem ser estimuladas, sobretudo em países que possuem patrimônio natural e cultural tão diverso como o Brasil. Neste sentido, vislumbra-se o desenvolvimento do saber cuidar do meio ambiente e valorização de comunidades tradicionais seja no âmbito local, com reflexões e ações para questões socioambientais em perspectiva global.

The World Bank’s new Environmental and Social Framework: some progress but many gaps regarding the rights of indigenous peoples

ABSTRACTIn October 2018, the World Bank began applying its new Environmental and Social Framework to all new Bank investment project financing. However, the final version of the Framework contains a number of weaknesses that could have significant impacts on the rights of indigenous peoples affected by a Bank-financed project. A fundamental problem is the Bank’s lack of an express obligation to respect human rights and promote borrowers’ respect for human rights. Other weaknesses of the Framework include: the terminology of ‘Sub-Saharan African Historically Underserved Traditional Local Communities’; the applicability and determination of free, prior and informed consent; and the limitation on borrowers’ need to compensate or offset residual impacts on indigenous communities only when ‘technically and financially feasible’. The article draws upon the authors’ close knowledge of the World Bank drafting process, and is intended to raise awareness about the insufficient protection afforded by the Framework to indigenous peoples and to encourage further advocacy to ensure that other international financial institutions do not replicate these deficiencies. The article demonstrates how the Bank’s handling of these issues reflects the deeper underlying tensions between governments’ desire to exploit land traditionally held and used by indigenous peoples and the rights of those communities.

Traditional Local Communities: What Lessons Can Be Learnt at the International Level from the Experiences of Brazil and Scotland?

A new Draft Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas is currently being negotiated at the Human Rights Council. It is hoped that this negotiation will lead to the adoption of a new international human rights instrument that reflects the specific needs of traditional local communities and other rural populations, and allows for the adequate protection of their rights. This article will look into the question of the right to land and natural resources of traditional local communities through a comparative study of the domestic laws in Brazil and Scotland. Assessing whether and how these countries define communities and legally protect their customary forms of land and resource tenure may contribute to a better understanding of the under‐theorized notion of traditional local communities, and illuminate legal solutions or challenges that should be taken into account in the negotiations of the new Declaration.

사회적 자본이 제주지역 공동체 문화인 괸당문화와 지역발전에 미치는 영향

본 연구의 목적은 사회적 자본 수준이 제주도의 지역 공동체 문화의 하나로 논의되고 있는 괸당문화에 대한 영향력과 지역사회발전을 위한 긍정요소로 어떠한 영향이 있는지 살펴보기 위한 직접설문조사로 제주지역주민 600명을 대상으로 실시 하였고, 최종분석에는 594부가 사용되었다. 수집된 자료는 SPSS 18.0을 이용하여, 기술통계, T-test, ANOVA 분석 및 다중회 귀분석을 실시하였다. 분석결과, 첫째, 조사대상자의 사회적 자본의 수준은 네트워크(평균 4.01점), 신뢰(평균 3.80점), 규범 (평균 3.43점), 협력(평균 3.00점), 참여(평균 2.80점)의 수준으로 나타났고, 둘째, 사회적 자본은 대체로 도농지역, 행정구역, 월평균소득에 따라 집단간 차이가 있었다. 마지막으로 사회적 자본의 하위 요인 중 네트워크와 참여가 높을수록 괸당문화의 필요성이 높다고 인식하고 있으며, 규범과 참여가 높을수록 괸당문화는 지역사회발전에 중요한 영향요인으로 작용할 수 있 음을 확인하였다. 따라서 이러한 연구결과들을 통하여 사회적 자본의 육성은 괸당문화를 긍정적 공동체문화로서 지역발전에 중요한 요소로 활용할 수 있다는 시사점을 갖는다.

Managing the Indian coast in the face of disasters & climate change: a review and analysis of India’s coastal zone management policies

Serious attempts have been made to manage the highly populated Indian coast during the last 25 years in terms of regulating the activities and managing disasters. This has lead to formulation of various policies to maintain environmental quality and sustainably manage the coastal resources. Basically, the coastal zone needs to address the demands of all the stakeholders starting from traditional local communities, administrators, to academic researchers etc. India has faced tremendous challenges in implementing regulatory measures like Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) issued in 1991 by demarcating countries coast in to four different zones with provisions and prohibitions for various activities. The concept of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) has been taken with the support of spatial decision-support tools derived from satellite data including national programmes on inter-sectoral approaches towards ICZM. 2004 onwards a series of disasters have reminded the necessity of having regulatory measures through implementable approaches. Subsequently, the CRZ 2011 notification has been a new addition to the list of policies using bottom-up approach as a good governance tool. The country has strengthened its potential in coastal management, disaster management and several community based field projects to enhance participation of stakeholders. This paper is aimed to critically review the processes that are made during the last two decades including the future challenges towards sustainable management of coastal zone with special emphasis on the three coastal areas from eastern, western and southern coast of India.

Culturally-Responsive Strategies for Resolving Social Conflict in Rural Community

Conflict is an inherent reality and always exist in the community. The aim of this study is to explore the cultural aspects which contribute to the regularity and peace in a society, and the mechanisms in the form of conflict resolution models to resolve conflicts in the communities that rely on the value of local wisdom. The methodology of the research is a qualitative approach. Data collection was conducted by using in-depth interviews. Observations were done to look at the ways how people resolve conflicts by conducting and participating in traditional ceremonies. Data were analyzed through a coding process by three researchers in the form of a discussion to formulate the findings and conclusions of the study. The application of the model was agreed upon by several experts and specialists after a process of discussion. The results of the study showed that the value of conflict resolution through local wisdom in traditional local community outside of airports in Indonesia, particularly in Talang Sejumput area is able to maintain peaceful conditions in the community in a sustainable manner. The application of conflict resolution models in rural communities can be used as a reference in the resolution of conflicts in the societies with differences in culture and structure by adapting to the local values and cultural conditions of the local community. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n20p2267

Migrants, land markets and carbon emissions in Jambi, Indonesia: Land tenure change and the prospect of emission reduction

Policies designed to reduce land-based carbon emissions require a good understanding of the complex connections between state-sanctioned concessions, forest conversion, informal land markets and migrants. Our case study in the peat forests of the Tanjung Jabung Barat (TanJaBar) regency of Jambi, Indonesia aimed to explore relations between four key stakeholder groups: the state, local communities, migrants, and state-sanctioned concessions. We hypothesized that current land use patterns are shaped by insecurity in formal forest tenure alongside informal land tenure arrangements with migrants. In analyzing the six two-way relationships between the four stakeholder groups, we found that interactions between the stakeholders have changed local norms and practice, causing land conflicts and contested claims that need to be explicitly addressed in efforts to reduce carbon emissions in TanJaBar. Relational concepts of land rights between migrants and local community leaders are informed by social identity, expectations of investment opportunities, insecure customary forest tenure and competing land use policies. Migrants act as intermediaries in shaping the land tenure system and shift the balance of power between local communities, the state, and business concessions. We conclude that effective and equitable implementation of national Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation+ (REDD+) programs will need to recognize underlying land ownership dynamics, power struggles and strategic positioning among stakeholders across scales. Obtaining free and prior informed consent (FPIC) from all relevant stakeholders is a major challenge given this complexity. Low emission development strategies will require recognition of a reality beyond large-scale concessions and traditional local communities.

Application of the DPSIR model for the diagnosis of an estuary of the Brazilian Northeast: a tool for local and regional management

Landim Neto, F.O., Gorayeb, A, Silva, E.V, Pereira Filho, N.S, 2013. Application of the DPSIR model to an estuary of the Brazilian Northeast: a tool for local and regional managementThe occupation and use of coastal environments are characterized by a general lack of planning, which provokes increasing pressures and the progressive intensification of problems such as deforestation, the pollution of water resources, inadequate disposal of solid waste, and the illegal occupation of public areas. The present study proposes a diagnosis of the environmental quality of the Guaribas estuary on the western coast of Ceará, in northeastern Brazil, based on the application of the DPSIR model (Driving Forces, Pressures, State, Impact, Responses). In the field, geographic coordinates were collected (GPS navigator), providing the data for the production of maps in an SIG environment, based on the interpretation of high spatial resolution satellite images. Based on the observed constraining factors, it was possible to predict eventual impacts, such as a reduction in fishery productivity, loss of habitats and biodiversity, and numerous problems in the sphere of public health. The appropriation of space was clearly related to the installation of the Pecém shipping terminal and industrial complex, as well as hotels financed by foreign investments attracted by the economic development policies of the state, which conflicts with the interests of the traditional local communities and creates a marked imbalance in the use of coastal space. The results of the present study indicate that the DPSIR model represents an excellent analytical tool for the evaluation of the local scenario, given the integrated analysis of socio-environmental problems, in addition to the identification of potential strategies that may be adapted to the perspective of public authorities, the economic sector, and society in general. Overall, there is clearly an urgent need for the regulation of the use of the coastal environments of western Ceará, Brazil.

Gestão Estratégica de design e aprendizagem situada em comunidades tradicionais locais

The traditional local communities depend on the development of local craft products for their own subsistence. This article aims to explain the process of situated learning as a cognitive strategy in traditional local communities, for the upgrading of products, territories and identities through design management. The research literature is classified as exploratory and addressing the concepts of situated learning, traditional local community, identity and territory, and appreciation of the local product design and strategic management of the design. As a result we obtain an analysis of situated learning and their traditional ways, resultadondo in a relationship of complementarity to the communities

Comunità virtuali, comunità locali e comunicazione pubblica

Recently, there has been an evolution of the concept of community, mostly as the result of the development of new communication technologies. A new phenomena has particularly affected both private companies and public administration. In other words, we are witnessing the birth of virtual communities. They are not opposed to traditional local communities but are forcing companies, public structures, etc. to change their communication processes. The new technologies, especially internet, do not only promote services usually beneficial to the local community, but also widen the range of potential interests to a virtual community. It is therefore essential to take a new look at communication policy, especially public sector communication and the relations on which it is based, due to its particular importance in public administration.

A CONCESÃO DE FLORESTAS PÚBLICAS

The concession contract of public forests is a legal instrument that enables the sustainable exploitation of public forests, aiming to mitigate the illegal deforestation. It also allows the regularization of the possession of traditional local communities. This article examines their legal relevance and procedural question of its peculiarities. The objective is to demonstrate the importance of this instrument for the sustainable agricultural development.

Think Global, Act Local: Using the Internet to Facilitate Transformative Learning in Regional Universities

IntroductionOver the past two decades, there has been a huge increase in the number of international students enrolled in Australian universities. From a small base, enrolments grew 1,041 per cent between 1980 and 1999 (Welch, 2002, p. 442). There has been a strong financial imperative for this growth; as Welch (2002, pp. 443-444) points out, the rise in international student numbers has accompanied, and been at least partly driven by, a dramatic decline in federal funding for higher education in Australia. But the benefits of increasing internationalisation for the staff and students of Australian universities as well as for the Australian community more generally are manifold. In an increasingly globalised job market, exposure to diverse social and cultural contexts enables students to develop skills, attitudes and outlooks that will stand them in good stead in their professional lives (McLoughlin, 2001, p. 11; Rizvi, 2000, p. 223). Further, evidence suggests that diverse learning environments facilitate learning (Boylan, 2002; McLoughlin, 2001). Perhaps even more importantly, the of international students can transform local communities. As Rizvi argues, Their contributes to the creation of 'in-between' cultural spaces not bounded by the dictates of geography. They reconstitute localities by their mere presence (2000, p. 209).The growth in international student numbers has particularly powerful implications for Australia's regional universities, both in economic terms, as a means of surviving government funding cuts to higher education, and in social and educational terms. Traditionally, regional universities have understood their identity and mission specifically in terms of local and regional students. The commitment of many such institutions to distance education has reflected this conception of their identity and mission as providers of higher education to people in remote and regional areas. But the growth in international student numbers has expanded that identity and mission exponentially. 'Town and gown in the bush' no longer refers solely to the relationship between a regional university and the local communities in which it physically operates but encompasses communities- both metropolitan and regional - in other nations. This expansion of the way that regional universities conceive of themselves is necessary for their economic survival. But it also offers and unique opportunities for these institutions to transform both their traditional local communities and the communities with which their international students bring them into relationship.Currently, however, the full potential of such transformations is not always being realised. In a number of regional institutions, international students are geographically removed from the local students of their own institution. Concentrated in purpose built campuses in metropolitan areas, international students have often only a shadowy in the regions. This means that the experience of internationalisation is limited for both Australian regional and (to a lesser extent) international students, and the potential for the participation of regional students, in particular, in what Rizvi (2000, p. 223) calls a new global generation is curtailed. Use of the Internet, however, can foster collaboration among culturally diverse individuals (Burbules, 2000; McLoughlin, 2001; Welch, 2002). This paper argues that the use of the Internet in teaching and learning has the potential to bring local and international students together in learning communities in which not only knowledge but also identities can be constructed and reconstructed through meaningful collaboration. The use of the Internet does not in itself guarantee such collaboration; a focus on educational, rather than economic, imperatives and the use of a dialogic rather than a didactic approach to online teaching and learning are also required. But the result-the creation of virtual learning communities that bring together local and international students-has the potential to subvert the global-local dichotomy. …