Suchergebnisse

Introduces a special journal symposium on "The United Nations and Regional Challenges in Africa -- 50 Years After Dag Hammarskjold.". Adapted from the source document.

This article suggests that where one is positioned in the current geopolitical system is likely to have an influence on whether one feels hope or despair. In this respect, material asymmetry as a divisive influence is noted, & it is argued that poverty reduction is a crucial component in defining a culture of peace. The need for sharing of resources as envisioned in the definition offered by Elise Boulding (2000) is endorsed. Although the reduction of material asymmetry is seen as crucial, it is not, however, seen as sufficient for the attainment of a peace culture. Redressing other power differentials such as gender is also viewed as crucial. The insights offered by Boulding on the role of nongovernmental organizations are highlighted, but the need to examine civil society more widely is also noted. In particular, the question of the meaning of citizenship is emphasized. In conclusion, the importance of developing a holistic, interdisciplinary approach that draws on cooperation & interdependence is affirmed, & it is argued that there is sufficient reason for hope. 2 References. Adapted from the source document.

A number of scholars during the 1980s and early 1990s questioned the relevance of psychology in South Africa. In this paper we characterise the nature of what became known as the 'relevance debate', and then investigate whether South African psychology has become more relevant during the nation's first ten years of democracy. Themes which are identified with respect to this issue include the apparent increasing representation of marginalised groups within South African psychology, the conscious responsiveness of psychologists to post-apartheid policy imperatives and issues, their alignment with international theoretical trends, and finally, an increasing recognition of the political nature of South African psychology. The authors conclude that a more productive approach within future debates regarding relevance in psychology would be to examine the nature of knowledge production within the discipline.

ABSTRACT. Women are under-represented in leadership positions in South African higher education institutions, and tend to be c1ustered in the lower ranks. In this study, 22 women leaders in South African higher education were interviewed to ascertain their perceptions of their professional development needs. The areas most strongly prioritised were those re1ating to finance, strategic planning, organisational politics and academic research. There was also a strong demand for organised peer support structures. Results are discussed with reference to the literature, on higher education leadership and in relation to the South African socio-historical context. Finally, implications for the design of a professional deve10pment program are discussed. FEMMES SUD-AFRICAINES CHEFS DE FILE EN ENSEIGNEMENT SUPÉRIEUR: BESOINS EN PERFECTIONNEMENT PROFESSIONNEL DANS UN CONTEXTE EN ÉVOLUTION RÉSUMÉ. Les femmes sont sous-représentées dans les postes de leadership des établissements d'enseignement supérieur de l'Afrique du Sud et elles se retrouvent généralement dans les échelons inférieurs. Dans le cadre de la présente étude, 22 femmes chefs de file au sein de l'enseignement supérieur en Afrique du Sud ont été interviewées en vue de confirmer les perceptions de leurs propres besoins en matière de perfectionnement professionnel. Les points fortement priorisés sont les domaines associés à la finance, à la planification stratégique, à la politique organisationnelle et à la recherche universitaire. L'étude fait également ressortir une forte demande de structures organisées de soutien par les pairs. Les discussions sur les résultats obtenus se font en fonction de la documentation connexe, du leadership en enseignement supérieur et du contexte socio-historique sud-africain. Fait également l'objet d'un examen, l'incidence de l'élaboration d'un programme de perfectionnement professionnel.

There has been little systematic gathering of information about women's conceptualizations of peace & peacebuilding within different national contexts. This article reports on a research project that examined how women involved in peacebuilding activities in South Africa understand the meaning of peace & peacebuilding. The principles of participatory research methodology were used in the design of the project. The methods & procedures were designed in consultation with an advisory group composed of South African leaders in the field. A two-day workshop was then convened. It followed a participatory process that brought together 16 women who are emerging leaders in present-day South Africa. The main objective was for participants to discuss the question of how women directly engaged in peacebuilding activities view the meaning of peace. With the permission of the participants the proceedings were recorded. This article presents an analysis of the transcribed proceedings focusing on key themes that elucidated conceptualizations of peace & peacebuilding. The dominant conceptualization was that peace is a gendered process that involves both internal & external aspects. Emotional issues & processes were seen to compose the internal aspects of peace, whereas the external aspects of peace were seen as the technical-procedural components. The article discusses each of these aspects, examining the complex & diffuse ways in which they were seen as gendered. 19 References. Adapted from the source document.

Although women's instrumentality in peacebuilding is internationally recognized, gendered meanings of peacebuilding are poorly understood. Our study was conducted to learn from a diverse group of South African women what peacebuilding means to them. Sixteen women gathered in Cape Town for a 2-day workshop that used feminist participatory methods to gather data about women's meanings of peacebuilding. All talk was audiotaped, transcribed, & analyzed for content pertaining to research questions & to identify thematic strands. For these workshop participants, peacebuilding is a process, relationship building is crucial to its effectiveness, & meeting basic human needs underlies its success. Women recognized their active involvement in peacemaking & peacebuilding &, occasionally, in peacekeeping & peace enforcing activities. They viewed their approaches often to be distinct from men's & believed the significance of their peacebuilding work is not adequately recognized within South African patriarchal society. 37 References. Adapted from the source document.

Discusses the connection between individual healing and national reconciliation; based on transcripts of testimony from public hearings to investigate the crimes of the apartheid regime and interviews conducted with victims of human rights abuse, three commissioners, and personnel of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).