Suchergebnisse

It is noted that the development of the concept of lifelong learning due to globalization and the information revolution, the housekeeper of a market, the intensification of cultural ties, integration into the European Higher Education Area. The aim of the article is to develop the concept of distance learning "new century, a new education" in the European integration of higher education. This goal is realized in the following problems: found the real challenges that delegate the education system themselves actors of public life - globalization and the information revolution, democracy and a market economy of, intensification of social relations and cultural ties, integration into the European Higher Education Area; problem discussed progress of the concept of distance learning "new century, a new education" in terms of European integration, which is possible on the basis of culture, science and information technology, analyzes the concept and components of the main characteristics of the concept of distance learning "new century, a new education" in the European integration; identified determinants of optimizing the modern concept of distance education in terms of integration into the European Higher Education Area. Analysis of the components of the concept and its main characteristics, defined determinants optimize the modern concept of distance education in terms of integration into the European Higher Education Area. Continuing education serves as a necessary part of the process of integrating research, education and production. Continuing education is equivalent to adult education, as there are different forms of training, professional development and cultural level of people overcome the traditional age of basic education. Distance Learning in Europe became intense development in the early 70 of the last century and is associated with a number of public universities (University of Distance Education). Today, every European country has a group of schools that implement the remote program. Methods such training very well spent. Considerable interest has training programs using new information technologies, including satellite TV, computer networks, multimedia and more. Purpose - to ensure universal access to continuous education in order to obtain and update the skills necessary for their personal involvement in the information society. Socio-economic changes require a new set of necessary basic knowledge and skills that ensure active participation in professional, family, social life, such as computer literacy, foreign languages, technological culture, entrepreneurship and social skills. The modern worker in almost every sphere of activity should have the capacity for economic thinking, to work collaboratively in teams, have training in marketing, have new technologies - economic, social, cultural. He must possess the qualities and "social skills" - initiative, responsibility, communication, creative relevant. In order to implement this concept to develop basic principles that should govern the process of reform of higher education in Ukraine in the context of the Bologna process and are particularly important in the context of best practices of Ukrainian accession: the principle of humanism, the principle of the independence and freedom of all participants in the educational process and scientific from any political power and economic power, the principle of the unity of science and education, the indivisibility of research and teaching, the principle of cooperation, civilized dialogue of national educational systems on the basis of mutual recognition, the principle of universalization through standardization and normalization of the educational process. ; Отмечается, что разработка концепции непрерывного образования обусловлена условиями глобализации и информационной революции, становления рыночной экономики, интенсификации межгосударственных культурных связей, интеграции высшего образования к европейскому пространству. Целью статьи есть формирование концепции непрерывного образования «новому столетию-новое образование» в условиях европейской интеграции высшего образования. Проанализированы составляющие концепции и ее основные характеристики, определены детерминанты оптимизации современной концепции дистанционного образования в условиях интеграции высшего образования к общеевропейскому пространству. ; Відмічається, що розробка концепції безперервної освіти зумовлена умовами глобалізації та інформаційної революції, становлення ринкової економки, інтенсифікації міждержавних культурних зв'язків, інтеграції вищої освіти до європейського простору. Метою статті є формування концепції дистанційної освіти «новому століттю-нову освіту» в умовах європейської інтеграції вищої освіти. Проаналізовано складові концепції та її основні характеристики, визначено детермінанти оптимізації сучасної концепції дистанційної освіти в умовах інтеграції вищої освіти до загальноєвропейського простору.

В статье дается характеристика института государственной службы государства Мэнцзян, которое в 1930–1940-е гг. претендовало на лидерство в мире монголоязычных народов. Раскрывается организационная основа государственной службы, порядок замещения вакантных должностей, основные требования, права и обязанности, предъявляемые к государственным служащим, меры их поощрения и наказания. Освещаются вопросы, связанные с правовым регулированием прохождения государственной службы, роль и место японской стороны в вопросе организации государственной службы. Мэнцязн был образован при участии командования Квантунской армии и рассматривался японской стороной как плацдарм для нападения на СССР. Был сформирован государственный аппарат, включающий органы государственной власти на национальном уровне и уровне административно-территориальных единиц, составляющих основу Мэнцзяна. В научной литературе сам феномен этого политического образования изучен слабо. Данный пробел и восполняет настоящая статья. На основе опубликованных документов (нормативных правовых актов, статистических и учетных данных, обзоров, воспоминаний участников событий, а также данных, полученных современными исследователями) удалось выстроить детальную картину назначения на государственную должность и осуществления государственных должностных обязанностей. К вопросу формирования государственного аппарата, как на высшем уровне, так и на рядовых должностях оккупационные силы подходили тщательно. Несмотря на отсутствие единого нормативного правового акта, регулирующего эту сферу общественных отношений, принятые в разное время локальные акты в виде инструкций, декретов, положений и иных документов весьма подробно регламентировали большинство моментов. Статус государственного служащего давал ряд привилегий и гарантий, однако служащие не были равноправны в нем — приоритет отдавался выходцам из Японии. Активно практиковалось отраслевое регулирование некоторых вопросов, включая требования к кандидату, вопросы поощрения и др. В августе 1945 г. большинство государственных служащих потеряли работу и привилегии, некоторые были подвергнуты уголовному преследованию за сотрудничество с японскими оккупантами, а государственный аппарат, как и сам Мэнцзян, были ликвидированы. ; The article describes the Institute of Public Service of the State Mengjiang which in the 1930s and 1940s claimed to leadership in the world of Mongolian peoples. The article discloses institutional framework of public service, procedures for filling positions, the basic requirements, rights and obligations applicable to public servants, measures of rewards and punishments. The problems related to the legal regulation of the civil service, the role and place of the Japanese side in the organization of the civil service. Mengjiang was formed with the participation of the Kwantung Army Command and considered by Japan as a springboard for an attack on the USSR. The state apparatus was formed. It included the public authorities at the national level and the level of administrative and territorial units, which formed the basis of Mengjiang. This political establishment's phenomenon is poorly studied in the scientific literature. Nevertheless, the highest public office became the subject of separate research works, as opposed to the issues of civil service. This article fills in this gap. On the basis of published documents (regulations, statistical and accounting data, reports, memoirs of participants of events, as well as data obtained by modern researchers) it became possible to manage building a detailed picture of the appointment to public office and the implementation of their duties. On the question of the formation of the state apparatus as on the top-level and at the average positions, the occupying forces' approach was careful. Despite the lack of a single legal act regulating this field of public relations, local acts that were taken at different times in the form of regulations, decrees and other documents regulated most aspects in great detail. The status of civil servant gave a number of privileges and guarantees, but officials were not equal to it — the priority was given to the Japan natives. Sectoral regulation of certain issues was actively practiced, including the requirements for the candidate, the promotion etc. In August 1945, the majority of public servants have lost their jobs and privileges, some have been prosecuted for their cooperation with the Japanese invaders, and the state apparatus, as does Mengjiang, was eliminated.

В статье подводятся итоги работы II Всероссийской научной конференции «История, экономика и культура средневековых тюрко-татарских государств Западной Сибири», которая состоялась в Кургане 17-18 апреля 2014 года. В работе конференции приняли участие 38 исследователей из России, Казахстан и Украины. Работа конференции велась по нескольким направлениям. В первый день были рассмотрены вопросы истории улуса Шибана и роли Шибанидов в истории Золотой Орды, в том числе проблема границ этих владений, место в административной структуре Улуса Джучи, участие представителей династии в событиях Великой Замятни и междоусобиц 1420-х годов. Также обсуждались этнические и политические процессы в Тюменском и Сибирском юрте. Значительное внимание было уделено вопросам тюркизации населения Западной Сибири и формирования различных групп сибирских татар. Исследователи отметили ограниченность источниковой базы позднесредневековой истории региона и необходимость комплексного подхода с привлечением к исследованию специалистов в области истории, археологии, этнографии, антропологии, лингвистики. Отдельная дискуссия развернулась по вопросу о роли ногайского и бухарского фактора в истории Сибирского ханства Кучума. Во второй день были обсуждены различные аспекты вхождения тюрко-татарских народов Урало-Иртышского междуречья в состав Российского государства. Были заслушаны доклады, посвященные политике и судьбе Кучумовичей, юридическим и военным аспектам подчинения татарских юртов. Проведено обсуждение двух версий этногенеза ичкинских татар как особой группы татарского населения региона. В связи с этим участники конференции призвали к осторожной позиции в применении этнических реконструкций в тюркской истории и их использовании в построении современных межэтнических отношений в России. Также были заслушаны доклады по вопросам духовной и материальной культуры татар Западной Сибири. Значительное внимание было уделено вопросам исламизации тюрко-татарских групп Западной Сибири и существованию исламских институтов в регионе при русской власти. ; The article summarizes the results of the Second National Research Conference "History, Economics and Culture of the Medieval Turko-Tatar States of Western Siberia", which was held in Kurgan on 17 th-18 th April 2014. 38 researchers from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine participated at the Conference. The Conference was focused on several topics. On the first day, the Conference started with the issues of the Shiban's ulus history and a role of the Shibanids in the history of the Golden Horde, including the issue of the borders of these lands, the ulus of Jochi's place in its administrative structure, the participation of representatives of the dynasty in the events of the Great Zamyatnya (i.e, the Great Distemper) and strives of the 1420's. There were also discussed the ethnic and political processes in the Tyumen and Siberian Yurt. Considerable attention was paid to the Turkization of the Western Siberian population and formation of various groups of the Siberian Tatars. Researchers have noted the limitations of the source base of the late-medieval history of the region and the need for a comprehensive approach to the research involving experts in the fields of history, archaeology, ethnography, anthropology, linguistics. A separate debate was held on the role of the Nogai and Bukhara factor in the history of the Kuchum Siberian khanate. On the second day, there were discussed various aspects of the Turkic-Tatar peoples' occurrence from the Ural-Irtysh interfluve to the Russian State. There were presented reports both on the policy and destiny of the Kuchum descendants and legal and military aspects of the Tatar yurtes' subordination. There was held a discussion about two versions of the Ichkinski Tatar ethnogenesis as a special group of the Tatar population of the region. Thereupon, the conference participants called for a cautious stance on the use of ethnic reconstructions in Turkic history and their use in the construction of modern inter-ethnic relations in Russia. There were also presentations on issues of spiritual and material culture of the Tatar peoples of Western Siberia. Considerable attention was paid to the Islamization of the Turkish-Tatar groups in Western Siberia and the existence of Islamic institutions in the region by under Russian power.

В статье рассмотрены основные направления формирования государственной политики в сфере охраны ценных видов сибирских пушных животных в условиях Первой мировой войны. Автор проанализировал работу совещания при Нижегородском ярмарочном комитете, на котором была разработана совокупность мер в рамках государственной политики в сфере охраны «баргузинского» соболя и организации заповедников. В статье анализируется текст ранее не опубликованного нормативно-правового акта, регулирующего общественные отношения в сфере добычи, продажи, хранения и перевозки ценных видов промысловых животных. На основании исследования результатов обсуждения норм закона участниками совещания при Нижегородском ярмарочном комитете автор пришел к выводу о том, что принятие Закона от 9 июля 1912 г. «Об установлении ограничительных мер по охоте на соболя» являлось важным политическим направлением в предвоенные и военные годы. В статье также отмечается, что в условиях начала Первой мировой войны деятельность правительства Российской империи в сфере охраны пушных ресурсов была направлена на учреждение заповедников и снаряжение научных экспедиций. Единый политический курс государства в сфере охраны сибирских пушных ресурсов дополнялся различными правилами местного значения, которые вводили ограничительные санкции на производство промысла. В первой части статьи автор делает вывод, что эффективность государственной политики в сфере охраны пушных ресурсов Сибири снижалась за счет отсутствия административных механизмов реализации норм правовых актов на практике. Во второй части исследования автор анализирует итоги существования Баргузинского заповедника в годы Первой мировой войны на основании ранее не опубликованного и не введенного в научный оборот архивного источника. В статье отмечается, что политику государства в сфере охраны пушных ресурсов Сибири можно охарактеризовать как охранительную. Правительство в годы Первой мировой войны стремилось не только сохранить ценные промысловые виды, но и найти компромиссные способы решения данного вопроса с представителями промыслового населения. Участие крупных фирм в совещаниях при ярмарочных комитетах позволяло представителям государственных учреждений выявить интересы крупных мехоторговцев в ходе практической реализации правительственных мер, влиявших не только на сохранение ценных промысловых животных, но и на уровень развития пушной торговли в период военных действий. ; The article describes the basic directions of State Policy towards protection of species of Siberian fur animals in the First World War. The author analyzes the work of the Meeting at the Fair Committee in Nizhny Novgorod that developed some measures of public policy aimed at protection of «Barguzin» sable and reserves organization. The article considers the text of unpublished normative act regulating social relations in the field of production, trade, storage and transportation of valuable commercial species of animals. Based on the research results of the discussion of the Law at the Fair Committee in Nizhny Novgorod, the author concludes that the adoption of the Act of July 9, 1912 "On the establishment of restrictive measures on sable hunting" was an important political direction in the prewar and war years. The article also emphasizes that under the First World War activities of the Government of the Russian Empire in the field of fur resources were aimed at the establishment of nature reserves and equipment of the scientific expeditions. Unified state policies in the field of Siberian fur resources were supplemented by various local Regulations which introduced restrictive authorization for trade. In the first part of the article the author concludes that the effectiveness of public policy in the field of fur resources of Siberia declined due to lack of administrative mechanisms for implementing the provisions of the legal acts in practice. In the second part of the study, the author analyzes the results of the existence of «Barguzin reserve» during the First World War on the basis of unpublished and non-introduced into scientific use archival documents. The article points out that the state policy in the field of fur resources of Siberia can be characterized as "conservative policy". Russian Government during the First World War, sought to not only save valuable commercial species, but also to find compromise solutions to this issue with representatives of the trade population. Participation in meetings of large firms at Fair Committees allowed to representatives of public institutions to identify the interests of trading houses in the practical implementation of government measures, which influenced not only the preservation of valuable species of animals, but the level of development of the fur trade in the period of military activities as well.

If we consider welfare as a multidimensional phenomenon, we can show that the traditional approach, based on objective indicators and economic determinants, is insufficient. Apart from the positive but imperfect correlation between the household monetary income and subjective welfare, other factors influence that perception.We use the Economic Ladder Question (ELQ) in the Peruvian household surveys to analyze the factors determining economic welfare, employing an ordered logit model.Our research puts emphasis on those factors affected by policy. We show that more than 70% of the population considers itself 'poor' in subjective terms, while according to the poverty line approach, the proportion is 44,6%. This mismatch between subjective and objective measures means that, in urban and rural areas respectively, 53% and 81% of objective non-poor households subjectively consider themselves to be poor.Using the ELQ we were able to identify factors in determining subjective economic welfare that have been absent in previous research, including: (1) feelings of inclusion in the political and economic system; (2) participation in institutions with decision-making power; (3) the urban poverty characteristics of Lima; and (4) the importance of the reference group in welfare evaluation.The paper concludes by recommending specific policies that focus on the determinants of subjective welfare and by suggesting the importance of using the ELQ to improve the design and evaluation of public policy within a social management framework. ; Si se considera al bienestar como un fenómeno multidimensional, el enfoque tradicional basado en indicadores objetivos y determinantes económicos podría ser insuficiente. En este contexto es que surgen investigaciones sobre el bienestar subjetivo o autopercibido por los hogares. Entre ellas, destacan las de Ravallion y Lokshin (1999), Pradhan y Ravallion (1997) y Graham y Petinatto (2001).Si bien es cierto que existe una correlación positiva entre el ingreso monetario de los hogares y su nivel de bienestar subjetivo, esta dista de ser perfecta. Existen muchos otros factores, tanto económicos como no económicos, que influyen en lapercepción de bienestar de los hogares. Para el caso peruano, algunos estudioscomo los de Herrera, Razafindrakoto y Roubaud (2006), Monge y Winkelried (2001), y Monge y Ravina (2003) analizan las características de la pobreza subjetiva con distintas aproximaciones. Sin embargo, un enfoque inexplorado es el basado en la «pregunta de la escalera económica» (PEE). Las investigaciones de este tipo presentan algunas ventajas importantes sobre las realizadas previamente para el caso peruano.El objetivo principal de este trabajo es mejorar la comprensión del fenómeno de la pobreza en el Perú, tomando en cuenta el bienestar subjetivo percibido por los propios hogares. En ese sentido, la pregunta que motivó nuestro trabajo fue: ¿es el carácter multidimensional de la pobreza adecuadamente recogido por los indicadores tradicionales de bienestar objetivo? De no ser el caso, ¿qué otros factores, sujetos de intervención política, pueden incrementar el bienestar subjetivo de la población?Los resultados del análisis indicaron que, de acuerdo con el criterio de la PEE, más de 70% de la población se considera pobre en términos subjetivos, en tanto que el criterio de la línea de la pobreza indica un nivel de pobreza de 44,6%. Este descalce entre lo subjetivo y objetivo genera que en el ámbito urbano y rural, respectivamente, 53% y 81% de los hogares no pobres objetivos se consideren pobres en términos subjetivos. La comprensión de este grupo particular es importante para una mejor formulación de políticas públicas hacia el futuro.La utilización de la PEE permitió identificar algunos factores ausentes en consideraciones previas como determinantes del bienestar económico subjetivo. Entre ellos, destacan: (1) el sentimiento de pertenencia al sistema político y económico; (2) la participación en instituciones con injerencia en la toma de decisiones; (3) las características de pobreza urbanas propias de la ciudad de Lima; y (4) la importancia del grupo de comparación en la evaluación del bienestar.El documento concluye recomendando políticas específicas para atender los determinantes del bienestar subjetivo y sugiriendo la utilización de la PEE para mejorar el diseño y la evaluación de las políticas públicas en el marco de la gerencia social.

The process of building the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) has not been without controversy and different levels of interpretation in its creation, foundation and development.The aim of this paper is to portray the situation and go beyond the theoretical study, based on official documents which have accompanied and complemented meetings of European ministers responsible for higher education. From these deep interviews, in semi-structured format, we found interesting to capture the views, expectations and perceptions of responsible and active actors in the process of building the EHEA: Guy Haug, Domenico Lenarduzzi, Marius Rubiralta, Eric Froment, Josep M. Bricall and Jorge Fernández Díaz. All of them with political and university relevance have been implicated from different institutions: European Conference of Rectors, European University Association, Department of Education of the European Commission and various Ministries of Higher Education. Their contributions have provided knowledge to contrast and offer a better understanding of EHEA display.Based on the triangulation of the contributions of the interviewees and the review of official documents and statements the study concludes that the university (together with the research – European Research Area and lifelong learning –European Lifelong Learning Area) is the fundamental hinge for society development and European seal. But it needs to adapt to changing times and to be linked to competitiveness and efficiency. It also needs to provide more and better cooperation and proximity to encourage mobility and mutual recognition. Besides, the creation of EHEA corresponds to a power struggle between the University autonomy rights, the legislative right of state governments and the European Commission's recommendations. However, all of them agree to raise a self-critical reflection as regards the diffusion of information so as to avoid possible misinterpretation or misunderstanding and enable more and better ways of participation. ; El proceso de construcción del Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior (EEES) no ha sido exento de controversia y diferentes niveles de interpretación en su creación, fundamentación e desarrollo.El objetivo de este artículo es hacer un cierto retrato de la situación e ir más allá del estudio a nivel teórico, en base a los documentos oficiales que han ido acompañando y complementando las diferentes reuniones europeas de los Ministros responsables de la educación superior. A partir de entrevistas en profundidad, en formato semiestructuradas, hemos encontrado interesante captar las opiniones, expectativas y percepciones de actores responsables e activos del proceso de construcción del EEES: Guy Haug, Domenico Lenarduzzi, Marius Rubiralta, Eric Froment, Josep M. Bricall y Jorge Fernadez Díaz. Todos ellos, con relevancia política y universitaria que han estado implicados desde diferentes instituciones: Conferencia Europea de Rectores, European University Association, Dirección General de Educación de la Comisión Europea y diferentes Ministerios de Educación Superior. Sus aportaciones han aportado conocimiento para contrastar y ofrecer una mejor y mayor comprensión del despliegue del EEES.El estudio concluye, partiendo de la triangulación de las aportaciones de los entrevistados y la revisión de documentos oficiales, en diferentes ámbitos e afirmaciones tales como; la constatación de la universidad (conjuntamente con la investigación - Espacio Europeo de Investigación y la formación permanente – Espacio Europeo de Formación Permanente) como eje del desarrollo de la sociedad y del sello distintivo de Europa, pero necesita adaptarse a los nuevos tiempos y vincularse al concepto de competitividad y eficiencia, y ofrecer una mayor y mejor cooperación y proximidad para favorecer la movilidad y el reconocimiento mutuo. También se establece que la creación del EEES responde a una lucha de poder entre el derecho de autonomía de las universidades, el derecho legislativo de los gobiernos estatales y las recomendaciones de la Comisión Europea. Sin embargo, todos coinciden en plantear una reflexión de autocrítica respecto al esfuerzo de información y difusión para evitar posibles interpretaciones erróneas o malentendidos y posibilitar mayores y mejores vías de participación.

This dissertation examines the start of a new era in the history of biodiversity conservation. While new parks, nature reserves, and other conservation areas are being created all over the world, many older parks have lost funds for continued management. Waza National Park in northern Cameroon, is one such site. I analyze the effects of a crumbling fortress conservation area and demonstrate that the absence of authority within it has been devastating to both the surrounding populations and the animals previously protected by the park. Farmers and pastoralists in the region are exposed to physical violence and food insecurity on a par with those faced by those evicted in the early years of park establishment and an open access situation has taken hold. I locate these problems of park management in the region's history, tracing the articulations of territory, access, governance, and subjectivity from the precolonial period. The creation of the Waza protected area was an act of enclosure as well as a form of state territorialization. Before the creation of this reserve, the territory that became Waza was governed by sedentarized village leaders under a larger system of indirect rule by German and French colonials. Before German colonialism, local people had managed the space for farming, pastoralism, fishing, and other subsistence activities. With the French colonial government's creation of the reserve in the 1930s, the space was violently transformed, becoming a strictly governed protected area. Local people's access to and control over land and natural resources were lost and they were evicted from the Waza Protected Area. The reserve was both a symbol of colonial power in the region, and an economic resource for the French administration. Subsistence users and former residents were legally relegated outsiders as squatters, poachers, and thieves within protected area limits. The maintenance of this enclosure was continued by the independent Cameroonian government until the 1990s. The lines between those the government administrators construed as insiders and outsiders were not as circumscribed in everyday practice as they were in French and Cameroonian law. Though local residents had no formal rights to their former village territories, they maintained access. Locals deployed gender, ethnic, spatial, and political subjectivities to achieve an insider status that afforded them access to park resources. Outsiders, generally users from areas distant to the protected area, were less able to negotiate access and were targets of enforcement and often subjected to violence if they transgressed the park's limits. Alliances were formed, however informally, between locals and park guards, with the effect of protecting the park's resources from certain subjects and not others. Due to economic crisis, changed presidential priorities, and structural adjustment projects, state-led park management began to wane in the 1990s and NGOs took on park management responsibilities. In the early 2000s as global conservation discourses shifted their focus from biodiversity to global warming, these NGOs left the park and management declined. Waza National Park became an open access space with all the attendant wildness associated with such a status. Local leaders were unable and unwilling to defend this space and the animals within. Waza National Park's empty and ungoverned territory has also created an ideal spot for criminals to use as a base of operations for kidnapping, murder, and theft causing local people to fear for their physical security. The case of Waza National Park illustrates the problems that arise when conservation is imposed from the outside without real participation by local people. The promoters of protected areas profess extensive commitment to control of the boundaries, legal and physical, created by the initial enclosures. Without either the institutionalization of more viable long term management structures, or local engagement in and benefit from the process from the start, the goals of both biodiversity preservation and community well-being cannot be guaranteed.

There is international concern relating to access and opportunity in Higher Education, particularly for those from traditionally marginalized groups (Council of Europe, 1996; Rougaas, 2001). In Australia, the Government has recently established targets to increase the proportion of Australian 25–34-year-olds with a Bachelor degree to 40% by 2025 and the proportion of undergraduate enrolments from low-socioeconomic backgrounds to 20% by 2020 (Gillard, 2009). The drive towards equity and social cohesion in tertiary education is a clear political goal internationally (OECD, 2008, Rougaas, 2001; ) with significant policy congruence across Europe, the USA and Australia (Ball, 1998). However, longitudinal studies in the USA (Tinto, 2006-7) Australia (Kift, Nelson & Clarke, 2010) and Europe (UK) suggest that concerted government and individual institutional efforts are piecemeal or have made minimal difference to overall retention and completion rates of students from traditionally marginalized groups. Furthermore, the intent and effectiveness of these interventions have been brought into question (Osborne, 2003)This 'wicked' international problem seems resistant to focused policy interventions suggesting, as argued by Gale (2009), that a more fundamental shift is required in how tertiary institutions might be more responsive to increasing diversity. Like Kift et al. (2010) and Krause et al. (2005), Gale (2009) focuses on the student learning environment as the site or "glue that holds knowledge and the broader student experience together" (McInnis, 2001)" and consequently where issues of exclusion and embodied knowledge may best be addressed. However, unlike these researchers, Gale advocates a more sophisticated approach to student equity and social inclusion [that] entails the creation of space in higher education not just for new kinds of student bodies but also for their embodied knowledges and ways of knowing … [that] has relevance for the epistemologies of all socio-cultural groups. (2009, p.14) Higher education institutions and researchers have become increasingly interested in how and why tertiary education systems tend to reproduce privilege (Bourdieu & Passeron, 1977; Teese, 2011). Sellar and Gale (2011) after Connell (2007) posit that real student engagement necessarily involves a shift towards 'epistemological equity' (Dei, 2008) "…from a politics of representation ( of population groups and particular interests) to a politics of recognition (of knowledges and ways of knowing in addition to Eurocentric forms). This conceptual framework resonates strongly with a design-thinking orientation to pragmatic ways in which universities might rethink and reshape their approaches. Taking up Sellar and Gale's (2011) proposition, this paper analyses data collected in the development and implementation of a whole-of-institution Transition Framework for commencing students at one Australian university which used a design-thinking oriented methodological approach to try to disrupt the dominant institutional paradigms at work. In particular, attention is paid to the epistemologies and institutional policies and practices that work as powerful technologies (Ball, 2003) in maintaining a dominant culture. Method: This paper uses a creative and innovative combination of conceptual frameworks; design thinking and the notion of epistemological equity (Dei, 2008) to analyse data collected over two years in the development and implementation of a whole of institution transition framework. Design thinking is an intellectual approach to tackling complex (wicked) problems that focuses on close observation, understanding of and empathy with, end-users (students) as a way of obtaining deep knowledge and rapid prototyping of effective solutions (Caroll et al. 2010). The processes of development of the transition framework followed design thinking processes. Data sources included quantitative institutional data as well as qualitative data from staff and student interviews and surveys. Expected Outcomes: The analysis provides insights into how and why institutional policies, practices and epistemologies militate against the creation of more inclusive spaces and experiences for non-traditional students and proposes some ways in which institutions might tackle the issue of widening participation. It also suggests ways in which institutions might enact a politics of recognition and design more positive and productive higher education experiences for increasingly diverse students.

Dramatic growth in numbers of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and declines in hunter recruitment have challenged our ability to manage deer populations through traditional methods. We surveyed all state wildlife agencies and estimate the current abundance of white-tailed deer in North America exceeds 30 million. States currently are issuing record numbers of permits to hunters to increase harvest of white-tailed deer. Unfortunately, hunter participation has been declining in North America during the past two decades. Traditional methods of population management have been ineffective in reducing numbers of deer sufficiently in some environments. Regulated commercial harvest would help state wildlife agencies manage overabundant populations of white-tailed deer and allow licensed hunters to sell all or parts of harvested deer. We anticipate that many will criticize regulated commercial harvest of deer and claim that it is contrary to the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation (NAMWC). We feel, however, that regulated commercial harvest meets all seven of the pillars of the NAMWC: 1) Wildlife is a natural resource of the public trust (state wildlife agencies will manage deer and deer would continue to be a public resource). 2) No commercial use of wildlife [a direct reaction to exploitive and unsustainable market hunting in the 18th and 19th Centuries; commercial markets currently exist for other natural resources (e.g., furbearers, fish, timber); contemporary conservation values would not allow overexploitation; a framework for regulations, monitoring, and enforcement already is in place in every state]. 3) Democratic rule of law to regulate use of wildlife (commercial harvest of white-tailed deer would be highly regulated by wildlife agencies through public processes). 4) Hunting opportunity for all (anyone legally able to hold a deer hunting license would be eligible to apply for a Commercial Deer Harvest License (CDHL), CDHL programs would be implemented only where recreational hunting is inefficient or inappropriate). 5) No frivolous use of wildlife (CDHLs will be used to generate food and other products, management would address risks to human health and safety and losses of agricultural resources to deer). 6) Wildlife is an international resource [has little to do with our proposed idea of managing overabundant resident populations of white-tailed deer, but a CDHL program may be applicable to any overabundant species, including internationally migratory species, such as snow geese (Chen caerulescens)]. 7) Science-based wildlife policy (a CDHL program would rely on science and research-based data to estimate densities before, during, and after commercial harvest). A CDHL program should be managed and distributed by state wildlife agencies, issue permits only to qualified individuals, enable harvest of an allotment of deer in areas targeted for population reduction, and permit the sale of whole carcasses and parts of harvested deer. Administration of a CDHL program will be taxing. State agencies are understaffed, but administrative and enforcement frameworks already exist for commercial harvest of publicly owned natural resources (e.g. furbearers, fish, timber) and the processing and handling of meat (e.g., USDA inspections). Revenue generated by CDHL programs could be directed back to agencies and personnel that administer and oversee programs. We anticipate several issues that must be addressed for regulated commercial harvest of deer to be accepted by agencies, hunters, and the public. State laws and regulations will need to be reviewed and some will have to be changed. Some will argue that we do not have the strength, stamina, or political will necessary to implement such broad sweeping changes. On the other hand, many wildlife managers will appreciate having an alternative tool for managing overabundant populations of white-tailed deer. Several benefits (reduce overabundant populations of deer; source of healthy, natural, green, locally-produced protein; economic growth, entrepreneurship, and market expansion; and public engagement and appreciation) and concerns (privatization of wildlife; overexploitation; food safety; competition with existing commodities; law enforcement; challenges of changing laws, regulations, and attitudes) are associated with this concept. We encourage a professional discussion of regulated commercial harvest to address the issue of overabundant white-tailed deer.

Pese a los progresos logrados en la protección de los derechos fundamentales de salud y educación de las personas sordas usuarias de las lenguas de signos, a menudo se sigue negando a niños sordos su derecho a aprender y usar las lenguas de signos en su educación y en entornos físicos y psicosociales accesibles de conformidad con la Convención de los Derechos de las Personas con Discapacidad (CDPD) y con las recientes leyes 27/2007 y 17/2007. El objetivo principal de este estudio fue obtener información sobre los factores estratégicos que favorecen una escuela saludable e inclusiva, mediante programas de educación bilingüe sostenibles y de calidad para escolares sordos en España. La metodología utilizada consistió en un estudio descriptivo con componentes de investigación-acción participativa y un enfoque de análisis estratégico. Como resultados, cabe destacar que las principales macrotendencias que, en el ámbito internacional, han promovido el cambio hacia prácticas bilingües son dos: en primer lugar, los cambios sociales y políticos que tienden a una creciente aceptación de la diversidad y los temas relacionados con las personas sordas; y en segundo lugar, una tendencia a un activismo, una autoconciencia y un apoderamiento crecientes por parte de las personas sordas. Como contrapartida, las que lo han obstaculizado son, por un lado, la visión de la sordera como una condición médica, que puede solucionarse mediante la tecnología; y por otro lado, el fonocentrismo, unido a una cierta resistencia social a lo desconocido. Aunque en España algunas de las escuelas que han iniciado el cambio cumplen las recomendaciones de la CDPD, la mayoría están todavía en una fase preliminar de formulación o puesta en práctica de este nuevo modelo y distan mucho de encontrarse distribuidas de manera igualitaria en las diferentes comunidades autónomas. Como conclusión podemos decir que conseguir una educación más saludable e inclusiva para los escolares sordos implica poner en marcha una estrategia de actuación planificada en la que participen activamente todos los sectores y organismos relevantes implicados y, en particular, las comunidades sordas a través de las organizaciones que las representan. Sin un cambio radical de perspectiva, la salud y la educación no serán accesibles a todos y las desigualdades sociales se verán acentuadas. ; Although progress has been made in protecting deaf sign language users' fundamental rights to health and education, all too often deaf children are still denied the right to learn and use sign languages in their education and in accessible physical and psycho-social environments in accordance with both the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and recent Spanish laws (Act 27/2007 and Act 17/2007). The main objective of the present study was to collect information about some strategic factors that may facilitate healthy, inclusive schooling through sustainable, high-quality deaf bilingual programmes in Spain. A descriptive study was conducted, with some components of participatory action research and a strategic analysis framework. The two main megatrends found to have spurred the current change toward bilingual education in order of priority are: (1) societal and political changes towards a growing acceptance of diversity and Deaf issues and (2) growing Deaf activism, selfawareness and empowerment. The two main hindering megatrends are: (1) the view of deafness as a medical condition with a technological solution and (2) phonocentrism and societal resistance to the unknown. Although some schools have achieved CRPD-recommended standards, the majority of deaf bilingual programmes in Spain are still in a very early stage of formulation and implementation and are far from being equally distributed across the country. Transforming schools into healthier, more inclusive settings for deaf children implies the implementation of a well-planned strategy involving the active participation of relevant sectors and organizations, particularly deaf communities through their representative organizations. Unless there is a radical change of perspective, health and education will not be available to all, and therefore social inequalities will increase. ; Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria del Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo; Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación; Vicerrectorado de Alumnado; y Grupo de Investigación en Salud Pública de la Universidad de Alicante.

Energy services have a particularly significant impact on the daily life and welfare of consumers. The importance of such services is high, and their regulation is also changing both at the EU and Member States level, especially after the adoption of the Third Energy Package1, which is focused on improving the operation of retail markets to yield real benefits for both electricity and gas consumers. In order to implement the main or the most relevant goal of the EU, such as high level of consumer rights protection, resulting in consumer trust in business sector, proper and effective functioning of the EU internal market etc., it is essential to ensure clear and sufficient legal regulation, establish responsibility of the services providers, consumer rights and duties as well as promote more effective, faster and cheaper ways of solving consumer and business disputes. The authors of this article feel the lack of scientific analysis on this issue. Despite its importance, discussions take place at political or practical level, but no recent analyses exist as to why energy services sector is so fragmented and how it affects different conditions or rights of consumers in various Member States. This article also clearly supports the idea that the above-mentioned goals can be achieved by close and more fruitful cooperation between the EU and national competent authorities, participation in various ad hoc expert working groups and committees, such as the Vulnerable Consumers Working Group. This article reflects general ideas about the problems arising in the energy consumer services sector, the activity of the EU and national institutions, seeking to ensure fair and transparent provision of such services to consumers, it also contains an analysis of alternative dispute resolution (hereinafter – the ADR) methods and good practice of their application in the EU Member States. This article highly supports the application of alternative procedures in the field of energy services and sees them as a possibility to minimise increasing consumer problems, e.g. a new phenomenon – consumer energy poverty in the EU, which is defined as the situation where a household is unable to access a socially and materially necessitated level of energy services at home and pay for the provided services. ; Energijos paslaugos turi ypatingą poveikį kasdieniniam vartotojų gyvenimui ir jo gerovei. Tokių paslaugų svarba yra didelė, o jų teisinis reglamentavimas nuolat kinta tiek ES, tiek ir jos valstybių narių lygiu, ypač priėmus Trečiąjį energetikos paketą48, kurio pagrindinis siekis – gerinti mažmeninių elektros ir dujų, tiekiamų vartotojams, rinkų veikimą ir siekti kuo didesnės vartotojų teisių apsaugos šiame sektoriuje. Siekiant įgyvendinti pagrindinius šiame teisės aktų pakete įtvirtintus uždavinius jie glaudžiai siejami ir su kitu ES tikslu – aukštu vartotojų teisių apsaugos lygiu. Jis įmanomas tik tada, kai vartotojai pasitiki rinka, verslo subjektais, o tai užtikrina tinkamą ir efektyvų ES vidaus rinkos veikimą, todėl būtina užtikrinti, jog būtų taikomos tik aiškios ir tinkamos teisės normos, nustatančios paslaugų teikėjų atsakomybę, pareigas, vartotojų teises ir pareigas, o vartotojų ginčai sprendžiami pasitelkiant veiksmingesnes, greitesnes ir pigesnes alternatyvaus ginčų sprendimo formas. Straipsnio autoriai mano, kad trūksta mokslinės šios srities analizės. Nepaisant šio klausimo svarbos, jis analizuojamas tik politiniu ar teisės nuostatas taikančių specialistų lygiais, tačiau nėra atliekami naujausi tyrimai vartotojų energetikos sektoriuje, kuris yra be galo fragmentiškas ir formuoja skirtingas sąlygas ar teises vartotojams skirtingose ES valstybėse narėse. Šiame straipsnyje palaikoma idėja, kad nurodyti tikslai gali būti pasiekti tik stiprinant glaudų ES institucijų ir valstybių narių bendradarbiavimą, dalyvaujant įvairių ad hoc ekspertų darbo grupių, komitetų, tokių, kaip, pvz., Pažeidžiamų vartotojų darbo grupė, veikloje. Šiame straipsnyje pateikiamos bendrosios mintys apie problemas, su kuriomis susiduria energetikos paslaugų vartotojai, naujausias ES ir valstybių narių iniciatyvas šioje srityje, kuriomis siekiama užtikrinti sąžiningą ir skaidrų energijos paslaugų tiekimą vartotojams, analizuojamas alternatyvaus ginčų sprendimo formų pritaikymas šiame sektoriuje kylantiems ginčams spręsti ir geroji ES valstybių narių praktika. Manytina, kad alternatyvaus ginčų sprendimo formų pritaikymas energetikos paslaugų srityje galėtų ženkliai sumažinti vartotojų problemas, ypač tokias, kaip naujasis reiškinys – vartotojų energetinį skurdą ES, suprantamą kaip situaciją, kai namų ūkis neišgali įsigyti socialiai ir materialiai būtino energijos paslaugų lygio ir nepajėgia atsiskaityti bent už jų minimumą.

Access to human resources is a crucial factor in most cases of business and regional development. Due to demographical changes, urbanization and new values among the next generation, the competition to find the right workforce is likely to increase. Reports have stressed that the difficulties for companies to find the right labor can become a hindrance to sustainable business and regional development. Considering the low proportion of women in the field of engineering, only 20 percent, one must ask; Why are WE (Works in Engineering) not more attractive for women? The purpose of this thesis is to describe the collaboration between an expanding enterprise in a semirural area and a gender research project, from three different perspectives in order to find some answers for the overarching question. In the first paper, the purpose is to describe and analyze the creation of a process model for gender awareness within an enterprise. The second paper will, with the same empirical data, focus on the interdependence between enterprise and region. Finally, the last paper, written for a conference in India, addressing readers unfamiliar with the gender equality issue in the Swedish context, describes how a male facilitator combines disclosing personal life experiences with other methods, as a strategy to inspire men to consider a gender perspective, to use gender glasses. Gender equality has been a topic on the political agenda in Sweden for a long time. Although much progress has been made, many obstructive structures remain. Sweden is one of the European countries that have the highest participation rate for women in the labor force. However, the labor market is highly gender-segregated, both horizontally, which refers to the concentration of women and men in different types of jobs, and vertically, the concentration of women and men in different jobtasks and positions. Due to this background, the innovation system, Triple Steelix, was granted funding by VINNOVA for the project "Gender Perspective for Attractive Work", in the fall of 2008. The purpose of the research project was to develop methods and knowledge that would contribute to increased gender awareness in order for employers to become more attractive to current and potential staff. The framework for the collaboration is action research in combination with feminist theory, the concept of "doing gender", theories of masculinity, and attractive work theories. Different approaches and methods, such as analogies, anecdotes, and pictures, have been used during workshops with the organization, in order to nourish the joint learning process.Findings are that in an industrial environment with an "engineering discourse",driven by a technical-economic rationality that prioritizes market demands, gender issues are not often seen as a parameter for sustainable business or regional development. Nevertheless, the project demonstrates that with an interactive approach and an open dialogue that considers the company's needs, arguments, and intervention for more gender-equal workplaces do not necessarily meet resistance. In this case, the concept of employer brand was the admission ticket for the collaboration. The combination of different participatory methods that were adapted to the context made it possible to counter resistance from individuals and to discuss gender from different perspectives and ways of reasoning. Another conclusion is that when launching long-term transformational processes in an organization, gender should not remain a "non-issue". When gender issues are integrated, it will contribute to examining the organization from a new perspective regarding issues such as power, symbols, and relations. In the described collaboration, gender perspective was integrated and the enterprise became more aware of gender issues as an important component of strengthening the employer brand. The principle of the described process model can probably be used in similar cases if adapted to a local context. ; Godkänd; 2012; 20120117 (ysko); LICENTIATSEMINARIUM Ämnesområde: Människa-maskin med inriktning mot genusforskning/ Man Machine Relation Focusing Gender Examinator: Professor Ewa Gunnarsson, Institutionen för ekonomi, teknik och samhälle, Luleå tekniska universitet Diskutant: Universitetslektor Mats Westerberg, Institutionen för ekonomi, teknik och samhälle, Luleå tekniska universitet Tid: Tisdag den 21 februari 2012 kl 13.00 Plats: F719J Bell, Luleå tekniska universitet

Un tema importante en el ámbito universitario es el desarrollo científico y la incorporación de la investigación como un proceso y una función "natural" de la docencia. Se propone analizar el contexto de las comunidades académicas y las posibilidades de un desarrollo docente que incorpore el tema científico de manera significativa en los procesos de formación y en el horizonte de la incorporación de los estudiantes a los sistemas de investigación universitaria, para destacar que las universidades tienen un discurso políticamente bien estructurado, pero cuestionables resultados en producción científica, formación de comunidades académicas y formación investigativa de los jóvenes. Transferencia a la prácticaSe aborda el análisis de la ciencia y la investigación en la universidad como prácticas sociales que tienen un fuerte componente político y dependen de la acción pública que los participantes les imprimen. Para ello es importante plantear la renovación en las prácticas pedagógicas en la universidad colombiana que dé mayor sentido a una docencia para la formación en investigación en el contexto universitario, en especial en el desarrollo de las comunidades académicas y la inclusión de los estudiantes en los procesos científicos. ; Scholarly development and the incorporations of research as a process and a "natural" function of education is an important issue at universities. This paper analyzes the context of universities and the possibilities of incorporating science in teacher training programs as well as the participation of students in the research systems at universities. Some universities seem to have a well-structured discourse in these issue, but questionable results as for scientific production, development of scholarly communities and research training of young people.Transference to practiceIn this paper, science and research at universities are approached as social practices that have strong political components and that depend on the visibility that they achieve. Therefore, it is important to renew education practices at Colombian universities, towards education in research training at universities, and aimed at the development of scholarly communities and the involvement of students in scientific processes. ; Un sujet important dans le domaine universitaire est le développement scientifique et l'incorporation de la recherche en tant qu'un processus et une fonction "naturelle" de l'enseignement. On vise à analyser le domaine des communautés académiques et les possibilités d'un développement de l'enseignement qu'incorpore le sujet scientifique d'une manière plus significative dans les processus de formation et dans l'horizon de l'inclusion des étudiants aux systèmes de recherche universitaire, afin de souligner que les universités ont un discours politiquement bien structuré, mais leurs résultats sont questionnés en ce qui concerne la production scientifique, la formation académique et la formation à la recherche des jeunes.Transfert à la pratiqueOn aborde l'analyse de la science et de la recherche à l'université en tant que pratiques sociales qui ont un fort composant politique et qui dépendent de l'action publique que les participants y marquent. Pour cela il est important de proposer le renouvellement dans les pratiques pédagogiques à l'université colombienne afin de donner un plus grand sens à l'enseignement pour la formation à la recherche dans le domaine universitaire, notamment, dans le développement des communautés académiques et l'inclusion des étudiants aux processus scientifiques. ; Um tema importante do contexto universitário é o desenvolvimento científico e a incorporação da pesquisa como um processo e uma função "natural" da docência. Neste artigo propõe-se analisar o contexto das comunidades acadêmicas e as possibilidades de um desenvolvimento docente que incorpore o tema científico de maneira significativa nos processos de formação e no horizonte da integração dos estudantes aos sistemas de pesquisa universitária, visando destacar que as universidades têm um discurso politicamente bem estruturado, mas questionáveis resultados em produção científica, na formação de comunidades acadêmicas e na formação investigativa dos jovens.Transferência à práticaAnalisa-se a ciência e a pesquisa na universidade como práticas sociais que têm um forte componente político e que dependem do caráter público que os participantes lhes imprimem. Para isso é importante propor a renovação das práticas pedagógicas na universidade colombiana, dando maior sentido a uma docência para a formação em pesquisa no contexto universitário, em especial no desenvolvimento das comunidades acadêmicas e na inclusão dos estudantes nos processos científicos.

Предлагаемая Вашему вниманию статья является переводом работы Дж. Киртона и Дж. Кулик «Саммит значительных успехов: результаты саммита Группы восьми в Кэмп-Дэвиде в мае 2012 г.». Авторы статьи анализируют итоги саммита «восьмерки». 18-19 мая 2012 г. президент США Б. Обама принимал в своей резиденции в Кэмп-Дэвиде 38-й ежегодный саммит «Группы восьми». Лидеры обсудили вопросы глобального экономического роста, развития, мира и безопасности, и менее чем через 24 часа обнародовали краткое пятистраничное коммюнике. Несмотря на это, Кэмп-Дэвидский саммит завершился успешно. В ходе встречи лидеры обсудили наиболее актуальные вопросы, задав в то же время направление последующим встречам, в том числе саммиту НАТО в Чикаго, «Группы двадцати» в Лос-Кабосе и Рио+20 в Рио-де-Жанейро. Этот успех был обусловлен рядом причин. Первой стала серия сильных глобальных потрясений, обсуждение которых было включено в повестку дня саммита. В их числе новый этап кризиса в еврозоне, высокие цены на нефть и продовольствие, а также эскалация конфликта в Сирии. Второй причиной стала неспособность других важнейших международных институтов решить эти проблемы. Третья причина приверженность «восьмерки» продвижению демократии и ее роль в таких вопросах, как демократическая трансформация на Ближнем Востоке и в Северной Африке. Четвертой причиной стало укрепление относительных возможностей стран «Группы восьми», поддержанное сильными позициями доллара США, японской иены и британского фунта. Пятая причина наличие у присутствовавших лидеров политической власти, капитала, преемственности, компетенций и поддержки в их странах. Саммит в Кэмп-Дэвиде стал для ряда лидеров шестым или седьмым, а некоторые из них обладали поддержкой большинства граждан и контролем над законодательными собраниями своих стран. Наконец, еще одной причиной успеха стало ограниченное число участников саммита в Кэмп-Дэвиде, прошедшего в традиционной для «восьмерки» атмосфере уединенности, являющейся ее уникальным и оригинальным преимуществом и позволяющей лидерам общаться в более непринужденной обстановке. Совокупность этих факторов позволила «Группе восьми» вновь заявить о себе как о сильном центре эффективного глобального управления. ; On May 18-19, 2012, at the presidential retreat in Camp David in Maryland, U.S. president Barack Obama hosted the 38th annual G8 summit. The leaders discussed global economic growth, development, and peace and security. After less than 24 hours of face-to-face time among the leaders, they issued communiqué of only five pages. However, Camp David was a significant success. The leaders came together to effectively address the most pressing issues of the day while setting the direction for the summits that were to follow, including the summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Chicago, the G20 in Los Cabos, Mexico, and the Rio+20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. That success was propelled by several causes. The first is the set of strong global shocks were particularly relevant to a number of items on the agenda. This included the newest installment of the euro-crisis, spikes in oil and food prices, and the escalating violence in Syria. The second is the failure of the other major international institutions to address these challenges. The third is the club's dedication to the promotion of democracy and its significance on issues such as the democratic transition in the Middle East and North Africa. The fourth is the high relative capabilities of G8 members, fuelled by the strength of the U.S. dollar, the Japanese yen and the British pound. The fifth is the domestic political control, capital, continuity, competence and commitment of the leaders in attendance. Camp David saw several G8 leaders returning for their sixth or seventh summit and leaders with a secure majority mandate and control of their legislative houses at home. Finally, the constricted participation at the remote and secluded Camp David Summit, a unique and original advantage of the G8 summit style, allowed for more spontaneous conversation and interpersonal bonds. Together, these interconnected causes brought the G8 back, as a broader, bigger, bolder centre of effective global governance.

In 2011, the United States continued to lead the international donor community in providing assistance for the clearance of landmines and explosive remnants of war, as well as the destruction of at-risk and unsecured weapons and munitions. In Fiscal Year 2011, the Department of State allocated $142 million in assistance to 42 countries, thereby helping communities recover, and countries become more secure. This 11th edition of our annual report, To Walk The Earth In Safety, details the programs and partnerships that make the United States' Conventional Weapons Destruction (CWD) program a lasting success. Increased instability as a result of sweeping political change in the Middle East and North Africa in 2011 endangered the security of a range of weapons stockpiles across the region. In Libya, the revolution and eventual collapse of the Qadhafi regime brought increased attention to the global threat posed by illicit proliferation of weapons, including man-portable air-defense systems or MANPADS, also known as shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles. For the last year, the United States has led an international effort to help Libya secure its conventional weapons stockpiles. Our commitment to stability and security in the Middle East, including Syria and North Africa, ensures that the U.S. will continue working to help reduce illicit weapons proliferation throughout the region. Since 2003, our cooperation with more than 30 countries around the globe has led to the reduction of nearly 33,000 excess, loosely secured, or otherwise at-risk MANPADS by the U.S. CWD program. While MANPADS remain a top U.S. priority, landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXO), and explosions at poorly maintained depots continue to kill or injure thousands of civilians annually. A tragic example of this occurred in Brazzaville, the Republic of Congo, on 4 March 2012 when a munitions depot exploded, resulting in more than 250 deaths and more than 2,000 injured. UXO was thrown as far as three kilometers (nearly two miles) from the blast epicenter, forcing tens of thousands of families from their homes and posing lingering hazards to emergency responders and complicating recovery efforts. Working in close coordination with national authorities and with technical experts from the United Nations and specialized nongovernmental organizations (NGO), the United States funded and deployed a team of civilian technical experts known as the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) to help dispose of nearly 20,000 items of damaged and unstable munitions. This allowed some area residents to return home and safely rebuild. Through humanitarian mine action, the United States continues to clear a path to a safer world. We congratulate Burundi, Jordan, Nepal, and Nigeria on declaring themselves mine-impact free this year, and we are proud of the U.S. contribution to their efforts. In 2011, under U.S. chairmanship of the Mine Action Support Group, 24 donor nations and NGOs worked to improve donor coordination around the world. In addition, our increasing engagement in the Pacific has resulted in the continued cleanup of abandoned and unexploded ordnance, mostly from World War II, in the Solomon Islands, Kiribati, and other Pacific nations. In 2011, our Public-Private Partnership Program grew to almost 70 partners and continued to apply new energy, ideas, and financial resources to the field of CWD, including humanitarian mine action. Partnering with civil society enables us to expand our reach, raise awareness, and encourage grassroots participation. The United States' CWD program has contributed close to $2 billion to more than 90 countries to reduce the harmful worldwide effects generated by indiscriminately used, illicit, and abandoned conventional weapons of war since 1993. I invite you to read this report and learn about the significant conflict-remediation and peace-building efforts the U.S. is making around the world. I extend my appreciation to the U.S. Congress and American taxpayers who support our efforts to help everyone "to walk the Earth in safety."