Suchergebnisse

Science is key to solving the challenge of managing ecosystems for sustainable development. How do we achieve the benefits that result from the transformation and exploitation of ecosystems, and at the same time preserve ecosystem services and protected areas? In the ecosystem of the Everglades, a subtropical wetland located in South Florida (United States), an economic and environmental transformation occurred in the middle of the 20th century. Today, the Everglades Restoration Program is addressing the challenge of maintaining the benefits of the transformed ecosystem while at the same time protecting and restoring Everglades National Park. An analysis of the governance of this program highlights three important aspects of the system with respect to science. First, the primary decision-making body is the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, a diverse group of 14 agency leads at the highest level of national, tribal, state and local government. Second, the role of science in the restoration program is written into the federal laws and regulations governing the program. Finally, all the member agencies of the Task Force employ qualified technicians and scientists whose work is to conduct, collect and synthesize scientific research. This system reduces the distance between scientists and decision makers. At the same time, the program's governance system allows actors with less financial or political power to exercise power through their scientific results, thus achieving a balance between the economic benefits and environmental benefits of the program. ; La ciencia es clave para asumir el reto principal del manejo de ecosistemas para el desarrollo sostenible: ¿cómo lograr los beneficios que resultan de la transformación y explotación de ecosistemas, y al mismo tiempo conservar los servicios ecosistémicos y las áreas naturales protegidas? En el ecosistema de los Everglades, humedal subtropical localizado en el sur de Florida (Estados Unidos), ocurrió una transformación económica y ambiental a mediados del siglo XX. Hoy, el Programa de Restauración de los Everglades está abordando el reto de mantener los beneficios del ecosistema transformado y, al mismo tiempo, proteger y restaurar el Parque Nacional Everglades. Un análisis de la ciencia y gobernanza del Programa de Restauración de los Everglades nos permite entender este proceso. Las decisiones fuertes sobre el programa son tomadas por una comisión especial diversa, compuesta al nivel más alto del gobierno, equivalente al nivel de ministros. El rol de la ciencia en el diseño, ejecución y monitoreo está escrito dentro de la ley y reglamento que rige el Programa. Finalmente, todas las agencias miembros de la Comisión emplean técnicos y científicos calificados, cuyo trabajo es el de hacer, recopilar y sintetizar investigaciones científicas. Este sistema reduce la distancia entre los científicos y los tomadores de decisiones. Al mismo tiempo, el sistema de gobernanza del Programa permite que los actores con menor poder financiero o político puedan ejercer poder por medio de sus resultados científicos, logrando así un balance entre los beneficios económicos y los beneficios ambientales del Programa.

Science is key to solving the challenge of managing ecosystems for sustainable development. How do we achieve the benefits that result from the transformation and exploitation of ecosystems, and at the same time preserve ecosystem services and protected areas? In the ecosystem of the Everglades, a subtropical wetland located in South Florida (United States), an economic and environmental transformation occurred in the middle of the 20th century. Today, the Everglades Restoration Program is addressing the challenge of maintaining the benefits of the transformed ecosystem while at the same time protecting and restoring Everglades National Park. An analysis of the governance of this program highlights three important aspects of the system with respect to science. First, the primary decision-making body is the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, a diverse group of 14 agency leads at the highest level of national, tribal, state and local government. Second, the role of science in the restoration program is written into the federal laws and regulations governing the program. Finally, all the member agencies of the Task Force employ qualified technicians and scientists whose work is to conduct, collect and synthesize scientific research. This system reduces the distance between scientists and decision makers. At the same time, the program's governance system allows actors with less financial or political power to exercise power through their scientific results, thus achieving a balance between the economic benefits and environmental benefits of the program. ; La ciencia es clave para asumir el reto principal del manejo de ecosistemas para el desarrollo sostenible: ¿cómo lograr los beneficios que resultan de la transformación y explotación de ecosistemas, y al mismo tiempo conservar los servicios ecosistémicos y las áreas naturales protegidas? En el ecosistema de los Everglades, humedal subtropical localizado en el sur de Florida (Estados Unidos), ocurrió una transformación económica y ambiental a mediados del siglo XX. Hoy, el Programa de Restauración de los Everglades está abordando el reto de mantener los beneficios del ecosistema transformado y, al mismo tiempo, proteger y restaurar el Parque Nacional Everglades. Un análisis de la ciencia y gobernanza del Programa de Restauración de los Everglades nos permite entender este proceso. Las decisiones fuertes sobre el programa son tomadas por una comisión especial diversa, compuesta al nivel más alto del gobierno, equivalente al nivel de ministros. El rol de la ciencia en el diseño, ejecución y monitoreo está escrito dentro de la ley y reglamento que rige el Programa. Finalmente, todas las agencias miembros de la Comisión emplean técnicos y científicos calificados, cuyo trabajo es el de hacer, recopilar y sintetizar investigaciones científicas. Este sistema reduce la distancia entre los científicos y los tomadores de decisiones. Al mismo tiempo, el sistema de gobernanza del Programa permite que los actores con menor poder financiero o político puedan ejercer poder por medio de sus resultados científicos, logrando así un balance entre los beneficios económicos y los beneficios ambientales del Programa.

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to explore children's pathways through homelessness within the South African context, with particular attention paid to pathways out of homelessness. This study focusses on factors influencing children's successful transitions out of homelessness.


Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative exploratory design was used, using interviews with nine children who had exited or were in the process of exiting homelessness. Interviews were conducted at a children's shelter in Pietermaritzburg or in the children's home environments. Interviews were analysed thematically.


Findings
An ecological framework was used to frame the factors influencing children's pathways in, through and out of homelessness in the children's narratives. These included institutions, relationships and intrapersonal strengths and resources. The study suggested that constructive relationships with shelter staff and parental figures, as well as intrapersonal strengths, were the most prominent factors in children successfully negotiating their way through their homelessness. The importance of a relationship with the paternal family within some African cultures was also a point of leverage.


Research limitations/implications
Implications for policy and practise include the need for systemic change, as well as greater support for shelters and shelter staff. The issue of rivalry in the shelter context and the role of the paternal family in the reintegration process require more research attention. The research is limited to homeless children in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.


Practical implications
This study provided feedback to the shelter regarding their strategies for assisting homeless children off the streets. It further provided evidence for the importance of the work of the shelter, to strengthen advocacy efforts. This may be useful to others in similar circumstances.


Social implications
This study highlights the importance of macrosystemic interventions in the efforts to assist homeless children, while at the same time not ignoring the inter and intra, personal elements to enhancing their well-being.


Originality/value
This paper is singular in its exploration of factors influencing children's successful transitions out of homelessness within the South African context.

The social movement focused on re-localizing food systems is oriented toward recreating relationships between producers, consumers, and other community stakeholders. Sustaining community efforts to build local food systems requires preparation of county Extension educators to understand how food supply chains function as systems, facilitate community partnerships, and create equitable access to locally produced food. This paper shares how North Carolina Cooperative Extension designed, delivered, and evaluated a local foods in-service training on these three topics, as well as shares lessons learned through the process. The implications of this study are helpful for Extension educators planning, delivering, and evaluating in-service training programs that support development of local food systems.

Faith-based organizations are a powerful resource for addressing health issues within the African American community. In this paper, we describe two projects led by volunteer faith-based leaders and community residents who collaborated with public agencies to design programs to combat obesity. The first project, the Southeast Raleigh Community Garden Project, involved the construction of a community garden and the delivery of educational programs on healthy eating among youth. The second one, Project FACT (Faith-based groups Addressing health issues through Community outreach Together in the community), implemented church-based nutrition education programs and community walking programs led by church volunteers. The purpose of the two faith-based health promotion projects was to increase opportunities for physical activity and to encourage consumption of more fruits and vegetables. These projects resulted in the construction of a walking trail with the community garden as its destination, implementation of education programs to increase nutritional awareness, the initiation of multiple walking programs, and policy changes within the church to encourage a healthier lifestyle. The projects demonstrated the feasibility of collaboration among faith-based organizations, community residents and government agencies to promote physical activity and healthful eating among families by creating physical changes in the environment and implementing educational and walking programs in low income communities.