Gaps in knowledge about local peacebuilding: a study in deficiency from Jos,Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The emphasis on local or hybrid efforts in peacebuilding literature brings front and centre the importance of being rooted within a particular context, with leadership and vision for social change and justice proffered by local actors. This is the same emphasis found in development literature and a necessary foundation for transformation. Scholars and practitioners nevertheless also note a role for outsiders in supporting local efforts (eg Lederach in 2005). Yet a significant challenge arises for outsiders, and to some extent local actors: how do you know what was tried or is underway that you might support or from which you might learn? This paper reports findings from a collaborative research project that examined the gap between the practice of peacebuilding locally and internationally available ‘knowledge’ via publications produced on local peacebuilding in Jos, Nigeria, between 2001 and 2008. It identifies a staggering gap between efforts and knowledge in the form of publications. The paper discusses the implications of the findings in terms of what it means for outsiders when thinking about helping resource local transformation efforts.     

Stability First,Development Second,Democracy Third: The European Union's Policy towards the Post-Conflict Western Balkans, 1991–2010

This article assesses total EU financial flows towards the Western Balkans between 1991 and 2010. It shows that, in the short term, the majority of support has been allocated to humanitarian assistance and socio-economic development. Although the EU has declared its interest in democracy promotion, democracy assistance ranks only third on the list of its financial expenditures in the Western Balkans. Therefore, although EU financial aid is consistent with official EU programmes, it is inadequate in the post-conflict context of the EU candidate and potential candidate countries that require support for democratisation.     

从纺织品贸易争端看中美经贸关系的政治化倾向

纺织品贸易历来是中美贸易摩擦的焦点。中美纺织品贸易争端表面上是经贸问题,实际上是美国选举政治、利益集团、贸易保护主义、对华贸易歧视政策等多重因素作用的结果。中美经贸争端对中美两国经济利益的影响具有明显的不对称性,因此,解决包括纺织品贸易在内的中美贸易争端,通过政治解决或借助国际贸易的争端解决机制来保护中国的利益,可能会取得更好的效果。     

南亚的战略重要性与中国的南亚战略

南亚是中国睦邻外交重点、和平崛起的西部依托带及边陲稳定与发展的联动区,具有重要的战略意义。当前,南亚格局进入大变革和大调整阶段,印度崛起、反恐战争、大国博弈等都对中国的南亚战略构成新的挑战。中国未来的南亚外交应多管齐下,稳中求进,以营造良好的周边环境,服务于国内经济发展大局,并带动南亚的稳定与发展。     

中英大学师生关系比较

师生关系是否和谐一致,直接关系到高校学生培养质量和学校未来的发展。英国大学普遍实行“导师制”,由导师负责指导学生的学业和品德。中英大学师生关系在师生交流目的、交流内容、交流方式及交流时空等方面存在显著差异。英国大学的师生关系有许多值得我们借鉴之处。借鉴英国的经验,应从观念更新、制度建设、教师素质提高、学生态度改变等几方面入手,着力建设良好的大学师生关系。     

我国《物权法》的商事适用性

本文从相对宏观的视角讨论了我国物权法的商事适用性:首先,确定物权法商事适用性的标准,从诸多商法价值理念中挑选出与物权法相关性较强的三个价值,即交易安全、商事交易多样性和商事便捷;接着,挑选出现行物权法中的典型制度,结合大陆法系国家民商事立法,对其立法理念、价值和功能进行分析和梳理,探究各自在实现民法价值之外能否体现较强的商事适用性;最后,对物权法的商事功能从立法和效用角度作一个整体的评述,并对本文开头民商事立法模式的介绍作一个有限的回应,以期对于理清现行民商法律规范之间的关系有所裨益。     

燃煤污染型氟中毒病区儿童智力调查及法医学意义

目的探讨燃煤污染型氟中毒病区8～12岁儿童智力水平及其与染氟量之间的关系,为慢性氟中毒致中枢神经损伤的相关研究提供人群数据资料,为氟病区人群智力残疾鉴定提供修正参考值。方法采用《中国修订韦氏学龄期儿童智力量表(WISC-CR)》测试99名8～12岁小学生(包括氟斑牙组55人,对照组44人)的智力水平,比较氟斑牙组与对照组儿童智力水平差异,并对染氟儿童智力水平与染氟量之间的相关性进行分析。结果氟斑牙组的言语智商(85.64±16.53)、操作智商(94.87±12.73)、总智商(88.51±12.77)均低于对照组(言语智商94.34±16.04、操作智商99.23±12.44、总智商96.64±11.70),其中,两组的言语智商和总智商差异有统计学意义(P=0.002,P=0.01)。氟斑牙组与对照组的言语智商中各项分测验均显著低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。操作智商中各项分测验除积木测验和译码检测外,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论燃煤污染型氟中毒儿童可出现智力损害,对言语智力的损伤较为明显;对患儿进行智力残疾鉴定时,应考虑修正智力评测的结果。     

超越蓝与绿?台湾主流媒体意识形态与网络舆论交互影响研究

网络舆论的兴起能否在实质意义上挑战台湾主流媒体的政治话语,很大程度上取决于台湾网民对于传统媒体报道中所设置框架的反抗,甚至反过来影响传统媒体的能力。本文以"陈光标事件"在台湾掀起的舆论风波为分析案例,旨在考察当涉及两岸的非政治事件被呈现于主流媒体与网络讨论时,蓝绿意识形态是否依然起作用并如何影响二者间的互动。研究发现,网络舆论与媒体报道在态度与框架选择上并不完全一致;泛绿平台上的报道与网民舆论在事件发展的中后期相互影响,且网络舆论开始反作用于报道;媒体对于网络舆论的议程设置能力依然存在,但并不意味着更好的框架互动效果。研究肯定了台湾网民对传统媒体的挑战能力,并揭示了更为复杂的互动关系,其中意识形态扮演了重要角色。     

Developing a Tripartite Prevention Program for Impoverished Young Women Transitioning to Young Adulthood: Addressing Substance Use,HIV Risk,and Victimization by Intimate Partners

Little is known about the transition to adulthood for adolescent females and young women who are impoverished and homeless. Co-occurrence of drug use and abuse, HIV risk, and victimization is notable among homeless women, highlighting the need for comprehensive interventions. Unfortunately, evidence-based prevention approaches addressing these inter-related problems among impoverished women transitioning into adulthood are lacking. To address this gap, we designed an innovative prevention program by utilizing open- and closed-ended interview data from impoverished women (n = 20), focus groups with community experts and providers (2 groups; n = 9), and a theoretical framework to direct the research. Information provided by our focus groups and interviews with women supported our theoretical framework and highlighted the importance of addressing normative information, providing skills training, and utilizing a non-confrontational approach when discussing these sensitive issues.