Search Results (12)

The purpose of this study is to clarify the impact of government embedment on villagers’ willingness to engage in mutual supervision of rural residential land utilization. It also examines the role of local elders’ involvement in this process, with the goal of improving the regulatory framework for rural residential land utilization. The data used in this study are sourced from a field survey of 450 rural households in Sichuan Province, China. Data analysis was conducted using Logit, Probit, and moderation effect models, among others. The results show the following: (1) Organizational Embedment significantly enhances villagers’ willingness to participate in mutual supervision, with government-established regulatory bodies and dedicated management personnel effectively incentivizing oversight participation. (2) Due to social risks in actual supervision, Ideological Embedment fails to effectively stimulate supervisory behavior. (3) The effects of Government Embedment vary significantly across villages in different geographic locations. (4) The involvement of local elders enhances the effectiveness of Government Organizational Embedment, with their role in rural residential land governance leaning more toward practical implementation than conceptual dissemination. The findings of this study are as follows: Against the backdrop of government administrative embedment in rural residential land governance, the involvement of local elders has played a significant role in enhancing effectiveness. Efforts should continue to focus on strengthening organizational oversight of rural residential land utilization, reinforcing communication between the government and villagers, and deepening collaboration with local elders to encourage active villager participation in the supervision and management of rural residential land use. Full article

Background/Rationale: Transnational caregiving may be influenced by religious beliefs and cultural traditions that frame elder care as both a moral and religious obligation. While migration alters caregiving dynamics, religious teachings and cultural expectations remain central in guiding transnational caregiving practices. This study examines how Christian Nigerians who have immigrated to Canada navigate caregiving responsibilities within a transnational context, integrating their religion, cultural values, and the practical realities of crossing borders. Methods: This study employed a predominantly qualitative narrative approach, drawing on in-depth interviews with Nigerian Christian immigrants (N = 10) providing transnational care. Data collection involved a pre-interview survey and semi-structured interviews, providing the opportunity for participants to share their lived experiences. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring themes related to the role of religion and culture in caregiving, ensuring a comprehensive exploration of participants’ perspectives. Findings: Caregiving is shaped by religious duty and cultural obligation, reinforced by biblical teachings and cultural values. Participants view elder care as a moral responsibility, tied to spiritual rewards and familial duty. Despite migration demands, family-based care remains preferred over institutional care, with social stigma attached to neglecting elders. Conclusions: Religion and culture remain integral to transnational caregiving practices, sustaining caregiving responsibilities despite migration-related realities. While religious teachings provide moral guidance and emotional support, cultural expectations reinforce caregiving as a collective and intergenerational duty. Policies and resources are needed that support transnational caregivers, ensuring they can fulfill their caregiving roles while adapting to new sociocultural environments. Policymakers should prioritize the implementation of policies and programs to support transnational caregivers, including family reunification measures, caregiving-related travel provisions, culturally tailored eldercare services, diaspora–local collaborations, organized caregiver support groups, and financial mechanisms such as tax incentives for remittances dedicated to elder care. Full article

This discussion explores the (dis)engagement of Jamaican RastafarI from the party political process, using RastafarI elder Mortimo Planno’s notion of “politics without a party” as a strand shaping and tying together the multiple threads of the exploration. The discussion examines how RastafarI has engaged with partisan politics/political parties from Independence (1962) until today. It highlights the differing ways of approaching politics among Rastas, including the minority, who have entered representative politics in a bid to [as yet unsuccessfully] change the tribal and compromised state of Jamaican politics. The decentralized nature of the RastafarI movement allows for diverse expressions of RastafarI political thought and action, but can present challenges for unified political mobilization on a large scale. Nonetheless, with or without direct partisan involvement, RastafarI has adapted and re-presented itself in response to changes in the local and global context, thus becoming a potent political force. So, despite this general lack of engagement with “statical” matters, RastafarI is and continues to be a significant political movement on several fronts, through movements, music, and symbols rather than traditional electoral routes. Full article

The overexploitation of forest resources in the Lubumbashi Charcoal Production Basin in the southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) leads to deforestation and miombo woodlands degradation, threatening local livelihoods. Current forestry policies are ineffective, partly due to neglecting traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). This study identifies and describes TEK and practices related to biodiversity conservation and sustainable miombo woodlands management. Focus groups and interviews were conducted in four villages (Maksem, Mwawa, Nsela, and Texas), selected based on forest resource availability and population size. Data on sacred sites, conservation practices, knowledge transmission, ceremonies, and socio-demographic factors were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Fisher’s exact test, and Jaccard’s similarity index. The findings revealed that 75% of respondents identified sacred sites where logging activities are strictly prohibited. Thirty sacred tree species were identified, with stronger compliance in villages with a high availability of forest resources. This TEK is predominantly transmitted orally through family councils, as well as traditional ceremonies or rituals. Conservation practices include small-scale farming, intercropping, avoiding tree cutting in sacred sites, and using deadwood. However, only farming and intercropping are still commonly practiced, particularly in resource-scarce villages (64%). Women and elders are primary custodians of TEK, though its application is constrained by population growth and dwindling forest resources. The findings emphasize the crucial role of TEK in strengthening forest restoration initiatives by selecting key woody species and sustainable practices, while fostering community involvement. As such, decision makers should prioritize integrating TEK into DR Congo’s forest policies to support biodiversity conservation and miombo woodlands restoration efforts. Full article

This study explores the integration of traditional African marriage customs with Catholic Canon Law in Nigeria, where cultural norms are deeply rooted. The research examines the historical, theological, and cultural dimensions that influence marriage within African Catholic contexts. Despite valuable insights from these scholars, significant challenges persist in reconciling traditional practices with Catholic sacramental rites. The article highlights critical areas needing further investigation, particularly the incorporation of culturally significant elements into Catholic marriage ceremonies and the provision of culturally sensitive pastoral care for married couples. To address these challenges, the study proposes several strategies: Cultural Hermeneutics, which promotes dialog between traditional African values and Catholic teachings; Inculturation of Liturgical Practices, which adapts Catholic wedding ceremonies to include African traditions; and Inclusive Pastoral Care, which offers compassionate and culturally informed support for couples. The research emphasizes the compatibility of African and Christian marital values, highlighting both personal and communal dimensions. It advocates for a shift from priest-centered marriage rites to elder-centered ones, increased involvement of extended families and Basic Christian Communities (BCCs), and a revision of church legislation to accommodate local customs while upholding core Gospel principles. By implementing these approaches, the Nigerian Catholic Church can create a marriage framework that honors cultural heritage while remaining true to Christian doctrine. Full article

The current study investigates the factors influencing face-mask-wearing practices among elderly individuals in rural Thailand. A mixed-methods approach was employed, involving qualitative interviews with 15 elderly participants and a subsequent survey of 201 elders. Seven subthemes were identified, including the perceived benefits of mask-wearing, the perceived threat of COVID-19, mask-wearing enhancing attractiveness and self-confidence, social norms, misconceptions about COVID-19 prevention tools, perceived barriers to mask-wearing, and resources to afford face masks. The developed themes, codes, and quotes were utilized for creating a questionnaire. The survey revealed the adherence of 81.1% of the participants to mask-wearing. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis demonstrated that motivation, comprising (1) the perceived threat of COVID-19, (2) alternative threats aside from COVID-19, and (3) the perceived benefits of a face mask strongly affected mask-wearing practices (β = 0.68, p < 0.001) and the willingness to wear a face mask (β = 0.61, p < 0.001). Social norms had a negative direct effect on the perceived barrier (β = −0.48, p < 0.001) and a positive direct effect on mask-wearing practices (β = 0.25, p = 0.001). This study highlights that motivation and social norms play pivotal roles in sustaining mask-wearing behavior among rural elderly populations. Encouraging local cooperative actions through community rules could initiate behavioral changes within the community. These findings contribute to the understanding of factors influencing mask-wearing and provide insights into designing effective interventions to promote mask-wearing among elderly individuals in rural areas. Full article

Food insecurity continues to be a burden for many South Africans. The production and consumption of fruits and vegetables have a potential role in improving household food security and are considered one of the critical pathways for reducing food insecurity and malnutrition levels in the country. This paper set out to determine the effect of fruits and vegetables on the food security status of rural households in the Limpopo province. Data (secondary) for this study were collected from 2043 respondents who were selected through stratified random selection based on the population size of the district municipalities in Limpopo. This study used a quantitative research approach, and data were analyzed using a descriptive analysis, the household food insecurity access scale (HFIAS), and a Poisson regression model with an endogenous treatment model. The findings revealed that gender and involvement in agricultural production had a positive significant relationship with the consumption of fruits and vegetables, while disability grants had a negative impact. Age, household size, and receiving a disability grant had a positive significant impact on determining the household food insecurity status; however, gender had a negative significant relationship. This study concluded that the consumption of fruits and vegetables considerably influenced the food security status of the household. There is a need for government officials and local leaders to provide food security interventions that prioritize women and elders. These may include promoting household production and consumption of diversified fruits and vegetables. Full article

Indigenous-led, culturally safe health research and infrastructure are essential to address existing inequities and disparities for Indigenous Peoples globally. Biobanking, genomic research, and self-governance could reduce the existing divide and increase Indigenous participation in health research. While genomic research advances medicine, barriers persist for Indigenous patients to benefit. In northern BC, Canada, the Northern Biobank Initiative (NBI), with guidance from a Northern First Nations Biobank Advisory Committee (NFNBAC), has engaged in consultations with First Nations on biobanking and genomic research. Key informant interviews and focus groups conducted with First Nations leaders, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community members established culturally safe ways of biobanking and exploring genomic research. Strong support for a Northern British Columbia First Nations Biobank (NBCFNB) that will promote choice, inclusion, and access to health research opportunities emerged. The acceptance and enthusiasm for the development of this NBCFNB and its governance table highlight the shift towards Indigenous ownership and support of health research and its benefits. With engagement and partnership, community awareness, multigenerational involvement, and support from diverse and experienced healthcare leaders, the NBCFNB will establish this culturally safe, locally driven, and critically important research priority that may serve as an example for diverse Indigenous groups when designing their unique biobanking or genomic research opportunities. Full article

Local food traditions are an essential part of culture and society, reflecting a community’s history, values, and beliefs. Elders play a major role in passing on local food knowledge to younger generations, ensuring local food traditions and cultural identity do not disappear over time. To preserve these traditions, it is essential to engage older and younger generations of a community in a transgenerational dialogue. From this perspective, the study utilizes a hybrid participatory approach, composed of design thinking and learning-by-doing. Results of the case study underline the effectiveness of the approach in stimulating both the transfer of knowledge, as well as the involvement of younger generations, in the preservation of local food traditions. Full article

The act of decolonizing knowledge systems involves recovering and renewing traditional, non-commodified cultural patterns, such as the sustenance of intergenerational relationships and traditional practices. A decline in beaver harvesting, which was once an integral part of the Omushkego Cree culture, has resulted in an overabundance of beavers and dams, which has negatively affected communities by increasing the local flooding events and impacting the water quality. The aim of the Amisk (beaver) program was to reconnect the Elders and youth to revitalize traditional on-the-land activities and, in the present case, beaver harvesting and associated activities within the community. The program and evaluation were built using a two-eyed seeing (Etuaptmumk) and community-based participatory research approach. Salivary cortisol, a biomedical measure of stress, was collected before and after participation in the program. Photovoice, along with semi-directed interviews, were employed to identify the key elements of well-being from a First Nations’ perspective. For the beaver harvesting activities, the changes observed in the cortisol concentrations were not statistically significant (p = 0.094). However, the act of beaver dam removal was associated with a statistically significant increase in the post-participation cortisol concentration (p = 0.021). It was noteworthy that increased stress during the removal of the beaver dams–as indicated by the elevated post-activity cortisol levels–were not reflected in a decrease in the qualitative measures (semi-directed interviews and photovoice) of well-being from an Indigenous perspective. In fact, there was a noted increase in the subjective well-being of the participants, which highlights the importance of multiple perspectives when assessing well-being, especially in Indigenous peoples. However, the cortisol findings of the present pilot project need to be interpreted with caution, due to the limited sample sizes. Full article

Youths are the next generation to foster community resilience in social–ecological systems. Yet, we have limited evidence on how to engage them effectively in learning about environmental change. One opportunity includes the involvement of youths in research that connects them with older generations who can share their values, experiences, and knowledge related to change. In this community-based study, we designed, assessed, and shared insights from two intergenerational engagement and learning interventions that involved youths in different phases of research in the Saskatchewan River Delta, Canada. For Intervention 1, we involved students as researchers who conducted video and audio recorded interviews with adults, including Elders, during a local festival. For Intervention 2, we involved students as research participants who reflected on audio and video clips that represented data collected in Intervention 1. We found that Intervention 1 was more effective because it connected youths directly with older generations in methods that accommodated creativity for youths and leveraged technology. Engaging the youths as researchers appears to be more effective than involving them as research participants. Full article

The expansion of oil palm plantations in Papua province, Indonesia, involves the conversion of forests, among other land types in the landscapes, which are a source of clan members’ livelihoods. The way in which this expansion occurs makes it necessary to understand the factors associated with why companies look for frontier lands and what externalities are generated during both the land acquisition and plantation development periods. Using a spatial analysis of the concession areas, along with data from household surveys of each clan from the Auyu, Mandobo, and Marind tribes who release land to companies, we find that investors are motivated to profit from timber harvested from the clearing of lands for plantations, activity that is facilitated by the local government. Land acquisition and plantation development have resulted in externalities to indigenous landowners in the form of time and money lost in a series of meetings and consultations involving clan members and traditional elders. Other externalities include the reduced welfare of people due to loss of livelihoods, and impacts on food security. Full article