scholarly journals Biocultural Restoration of Traditional Agriculture: Cultural, Environmental, and Economic Outcomes of Lo‘i Kalo Restoration in He‘eia, O‘ahu

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 4502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah Bremer ◽  
Kim Falinski ◽  
Casey Ching ◽  
Christopher Wada ◽  
Kimberly Burnett ◽  
...  

There are growing efforts around the world to restore biocultural systems that produce food while also providing additional cultural and ecological benefits. Yet, there are few examples of integrated assessments of these efforts, impeding understanding of how they can contribute to multi-level sustainability goals. In this study, we collaborated with a community-based non-profit in He‘eia, O‘ahu to evaluate future scenarios of traditional wetland and flooded field system agriculture (lo‘i kalo; taro fields) restoration in terms of locally-relevant cultural, ecological, and economic outcomes as well as broader State of Hawai‘i sustainability goals around food, energy, and water. Families participating in the biocultural restoration program described a suite of community and cultural benefits stemming from the process of restoration, including enhanced social connections, cultural (re)connections to place, and physical and mental well-being, which inspired their sustained participation. We also found benefits in terms of local food production that have the potential to provide economic returns and energy savings over time, particularly when carried out through a hybrid non-profit and family management model. These benefits were coupled with potential changes in sediment and nutrient retention with implications for water quality and the health of an important downstream fish pond (loko i‘a) and coral reef social-ecological system. Compared with the current land cover (primarily invasive grasses), results suggest that full restoration of lo‘i kalo would decrease sediment export by ~38%, but triple nitrogen export due to organic fertilizer additions. However, compared with an urban scenario, there were clear benefits of agricultural restoration in terms of reduced nitrogen and sediment runoff. In combination, our results demonstrate that a biocultural approach can support the social and financial sustainability of agricultural systems that provide multiple benefits valued by the local community and non-profit while also contributing to statewide sustainability goals.

2019 ◽  
pp. 55-61
Author(s):  
Tatyana Gorina

The study is based on the analysis of semi-structured interviews of 15 heads of commercial and non-profit organizations in Volgograd. To process the data obtained during the interview, the method of network thematic analysis was used. The study showed that the socially responsible activities of commercial organizations and NGOs of Volgograd is often defined by relationships between people rather than by relations between companies, which is one of the reasons that encourages actors to personal participation in socially responsible activities and helps to strengthen the positive impact of corporate social responsibility on the society. The moral aspect of these relationships (friendship, trust, care, support, etc.) as the most important component of social capital contributes to the development of socially responsible behavior. The involvement of subjects in socially responsible activities is also influenced by the current social and economic situation in Volgograd. Respondents assign a regulatory role to the state as a subject of social responsibility; they believe that it can act as an initiator of social projects, as well as contribute to the expansion of corporate social responsibility, creating conditions for business development. Representatives of Volgograd organizations help those whose problems, difficulties are clear, cause sympathy due to the personal experience of the subject, personal observations. An important criterion for choosing the recipients of social responsibility is the place of residence of its subjects (help their city, district, take care of the well-being of the local community in the territory of the company's presence). The social responsibility of organizations in Volgograd is determined by goals and motives that go beyond economic expediency (gratitude, pride, duty, loyalty, justice, love for people, etc.). At the same time, the scale of assistance depends, according to respondents, on the availability of free financial resources, which can no longer be spent on business development, employee compensation, personal needs.


Author(s):  
Lyudmyla Mishchenko ◽  
◽  
Dmytro Mishchenko ◽  

The actualization of the results of financial decentralization in Ukraine as part of the reform of decentralization of power and the development of proposals for its improvement is explained by the fact that a clear division of functions, powers and financial resources between national and regional levels is the basis for the well-being of our citizens. opportunities for its sustainable socio- economic development on a democratic basis. It is noted that financial decentralization is a process of giving authority to mobilize revenues and expenditures of local governments in order to increase the effectiveness of the implementation of these powers and better management of community budgets. It is established that unlike traditional entrepreneurship, which focuses on profit generation, the purpose of social entrepreneurship is to create and accumulate social capital. Abroad, social enterprises operate successfully in the fields of education, the environment, human rights, poverty reduction and health care, and their development and dissemination is one way to improve the living conditions of citizens. A similar mission is entrusted to local governments, which allows us to consider the revival of social entrepreneurship as an important element in improving self-government policy. It is determined that in modern conditions social entrepreneurship is one of the tools to ensure the ability of the local community to provide its members with an appropriate level of education, culture, health, housing and communal services, social protection, etc., as well as plan and implement programs efficient use of available natural and human resources, investment and infrastructural support of territorial communities. Due to financial decentralization, local governments have received additional resources that can be used to create economic incentives to promote social entrepreneurship in small and medium-sized businesses at the community level.


Author(s):  
Kazuya Nogi ◽  
Haruhiko Imamura ◽  
Keiko Asakura ◽  
Yuji Nishiwaki

Previous studies have shown both positive and non-positive associations between social capital and health. However, longitudinal evidence examining its comprehensive effects on well-being is still limited. This study examined whether structural social capital in the local community was related to the later well-being of Japanese people aged 40 or above. A 3.6-year longitudinal study was conducted in a rural Japanese town. “Well-being” was measured using three indicators (happiness, self-rated health, and depressive symptoms), and those who were high in well-being in the baseline 2015 survey and responded to the follow-up 2018 survey were analyzed (n = 1032 for happiness, 938 for self-rated health, and 471 for depressive symptoms). Multilevel Poisson regression analysis adjusted for covariates showed that having contact with fewer neighbors was associated with a decline in happiness at both the community level (adjusted relative risk = 1.64, 95% confidence interval = 1.20–1.63) and the individual level (adjusted relative risk = 1.51, 95% confidence interval = 1.05–2.17), but participation in local community activities was not. The results suggest that dense personal networks might be more important in areas with thriving local community activities, not only for individuals but also for all community members.


2016 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 685-716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie Anderson ◽  
Kai Ruggeri ◽  
Koen Steemers ◽  
Felicia Huppert

Empirical urban design research emphasizes the support in vitality of public space use. We examine the extent to which a public space intervention promoted liveliness and three key behaviors that enhance well-being (“connect,” “be active,” and “take notice”). The exploratory study combined directly observed behaviors with self-reported, before and after community-led physical improvements to a public space in central Manchester (the United Kingdom). Observation data ( n = 22,956) and surveys (subsample = 212) were collected over two 3-week periods. The intervention brought significant and substantial increases in liveliness of the space and well-being activities. None of these activities showed increases in a control space during the same periods. The findings demonstrate the feasibility of the research methods, and the impact of improved quality of outdoor neighborhood space on liveliness and well-being activities. The local community also played a key role in conceiving of and delivering an effective and affordable intervention. The findings have implications for researchers, policy makers, and communities alike.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. McGeechan ◽  
D. Woodall ◽  
L. Anderson ◽  
L. Wilson ◽  
G. O’Neill ◽  
...  

Research highlights that asset-based community development where local residents become equal partners in service development may help promote health and well-being. This paper outlines baseline results of a coproduction evaluation of an asset-based approach to improving health and well-being within a small community through promoting tobacco control. Local residents were recruited and trained as community researchers to deliver a smoking prevalence survey within their local community and became local health champions, promoting health and well-being. The results of the survey will be used to inform health promotion activities within the community. The local smoking prevalence was higher than the regional and national averages. Half of the households surveyed had at least one smoker, and 63.1% of children lived in a smoking household. Nonsmokers reported higher well-being than smokers; however, the differences were not significant. Whilst the community has a high smoking prevalence, more than half of the smokers surveyed would consider quitting. Providing smoking cessation advice in GP surgeries may help reduce smoking prevalence in this community. Work in the area could be done to reduce children’s exposure to smoking in the home.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Viktoriia Gorbunova ◽  
Natalia Gusak ◽  
Vitalii Klymchuk ◽  
Valeriia Palii ◽  
Vitalina Ustenko ◽  
...  

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore senses of powerlessness and empowerment among Romani in Ukraine in relation to such social circles as the extended family, the Romani local community and the whole Ukrainian society. The main research interest is focused on situations and factors that make people feel powerless or empowered. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted using a semi-structured interview method via telephone. Romani NGO experts approved the interview content. Trained Roma-facilitators were interviewers. Every interview was transcribed for further thematic analysis. Findings The most prominent empowerment factors for Romani people are located within their families and local communities, while the bigger society (Ukrainians themselves and Ukrainian public institutions) is a main source of powerlessness. At the same time, the rigid role of family and community expectations is seen as detrimental for both males and females. Originality/value The paper is original in terms of its topic (senses of powerlessness and empowerment among Romani in Ukraine as social determinants of mental well-being) and research strategy (engagement of Roma-facilitators as interviewers).


Pomorstvo ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-41
Author(s):  
Donald Schiozzi ◽  
Alen Jugović ◽  
Željko Smojver

The seaport, as a link of the transport chain, is oriented towards the development of the maritime system of the country and the summit place of traffic slope from all transport routes and means of transport. While the city, as a community of residents, is oriented towards promoting the well-being of citizens and the quality of their lives, so it strives to ecological, cultural and visual values. This relation of interest is merely one of the numerous relations of interest of the relevant stakeholders in the planning and development of the seeports in relation to the spatial concept of cities deriving from a constrained coexistence in a restricted area – as two separate entities whose interests and objectives appear to be different at first sight. In this paper, the relations of interest of the relevant stakeholders have been analyzed, quantitative and qualitative variables have been evaluated that influence the development of the seaports in relation to the spatial concept of the city. The research has highlighted the need to look at and analyze all relevant stakeholders interests, of which the most important are: state – local community, state – managing body of the port, state – economy, local community – managing body of the port, local community – economy and economy – managing body of the port.


Afrika Focus ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-38
Author(s):  
John R.S. Tabuti ◽  
Patrick Van Damme

Indigenous knowledge (IK) has a role to play for households and community well-being in Uganda. However, IK is undergoing significant change and is on the decline in Uganda because of factors such as acculturation or the loss of IK through exposure to external cultures. In this paper we review some of the roles of, and threats to, IK with particular reference to the local community of Kaliro District. We make some recommendations on how to conserve IK in Kaliro and elsewhere in Uganda.


Author(s):  
Costas Yannopoulos ◽  
Stefanos Alevizos ◽  
Marina Kavallieraki

The Smile of the Child is a Greek non-profit, voluntary organization in the field of social pedagogy. It has been an NGO active in the field of child protection and children’s rights since 1996. It began as the dream of 10-year old Andreas Yannopoulos, who, shortly before losing his own battle for life, documented his vision in his journal. The Smile of the Child, empowered by committed employees and the support of hundreds of volunteers, provides services 24 hours a day throughout the year, including programmes for children’s welfare and protection of their physical and psychological health, as well as for the safety of thousands of children in danger in Greece.


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