Participatory system dynamics modelling for dairy value chain development in Nicaragua

The use of system dynamics tools can add valuable insights when identifying and evaluating priorities for pro-poor value chain upgrading. However, to better understand the complex systems in agricultural value chains and to develop useful models, a participatory modelling process is important. This article highlights the group model building process of the dairy value chain in Matiguás, Nicaragua, one of a few examples of participatory model building in developing countries. The results confirm several benefits with participatory system dynamics modelling, including team learning, a greater understanding of the value of modelling, and a tool for decision-making and priority setting.     

Ethnocompetitiveness,relations, and networks: towards rural sustainability

Small producers face various obstacles in placing their products on the global market. The most important obstacle is associated with the generation of innovative products in a dynamic context. This article presents a case study which provides support for a methodology designed to quantify the competitiveness of small and medium-sized local producers in relation to other producers in the same region and nation. It explores how the evolution of knowledge relates to the ability of agricultural producers to sell their products in regional and international markets. To do so, it utilises the concept of ethnocompetitiveness, which can be understood as the hybridisation of local knowledges with external or codified knowledge.     

Exploring the role of migrants’ remittances in the UN's nation building and development management in Haiti

Remitting outweighs foreign aid by a rate of more than eight times, resulting in a skewed perception of the Haitian economy and consequent hindrance to development. Endowing Haitian state institutions and civil society by strengthening the potential role of migrants’ remittances in regional socio-economic reconstruction could prevent some of the mistakes uncovered in previous development policies from recurring in current nation-building initiatives. The funding gap of the United Nations’ short term funded projects could be bridged with a long term commitment of a new migrant class of investors to finance productive projects and endow regional participatory institutions.     

ISIS——“恐怖主义新标杆”介绍

2003年美国发动的伊拉克战争打开了中东地区的潘多拉魔盒,激活了什叶派与逊尼派之间无休止的冤冤相报,导致该地区深层次矛盾更加激化。2014年6月10日以来,伊拉克风云突变,局势急剧恶化,极端组织伊拉克和黎凡特伊斯兰国(ISIS)在伊拉克横行肆虐,短短十几天,闪电般地接连攻占了十多座重镇和炼油厂,伊拉克与叙利亚边界已失控,引起了伊拉克全国极度混乱。目前,伊拉克政府反击无力,其国家安全受到严峻挑战。ISIS的目标是整合伊拉克北部、叙利亚、黎巴嫩、约旦、巴勒斯坦,甚至包括以色列的大叙利亚地区,成立一个没有国界的酋长国。     

当代美国假释制度的新发展

美国假释制度近30年的发展历程有三个成长代。第一代假释执行的方式主要是监视、面谈等,假释基本上等同于释放;第二代假释执行方式将假释人员置于矫正项目中,突出了矫正;第三代假释执行引入了行为管理方法。与之比较,可看出我国的假释现状与其第一代相类似,必然制约假释的推行,导致假释难。如果像其第二代、第三代那样,建立起一个完整的、具有科学性和有效性的矫正系统,假释难将迎刃而解。     

环境设计预防犯罪理论（CPTED）的溯源及评析

美国犯霏学家C．雷·杰弗瑞（c．Ray Jeffery）首创了CPTED这个术语,之后又发展了CPTED理论,从大处着眼,强调多策并举的综合性预防犯罪措施。而今天的CPTED理论主要是指纽曼（Newmanl或者克罗（Crowe）模式,主要从小处入手,以环境设计威慑犯罪来达到预防犯罪目的。经过40年的发展,该理论日臻成熟和完善,有了第2代CPTED,并由美国走向了世界。对CPTED理论的赞誉之词颇多,但批评之声也从来不绝于耳。唯有全面审视其评价,才能对CPTED有一个客观的认识。     

路向与方法: 北美汉学家论孔子说《诗》

Late in the early time of the 20th century, Confucius’ literary thoughts aroused scholarly attention in the English world. Since the 1970s, two academic trends has emerged in North American sinology about Confucius’ critique on the Book of Poetry. These research is done along two directions: one on Confucius’ poetic points of view; secondly, the other on the relations between Confucius’ thinking mode and his literary thoughts. In sinologists’ studies of Confucius’ literary thoughts, varied research methods are adopted, including the shift of focus between the pragmatic and the lyrical; multi-phase close reading, method of double proof,approach of structuralism, and the post-modernist perspective.     

“Ain't Making It in America”: The Economic Characteristics of African Immigrants in North Carolina,USA

This study interviewed 350 African immigrants in North Carolina (NC) to shed light on their economic conditions. It focused primarily on their labor force participation and incomes for the period 2004–2014. The findings showed that both structural changes in NC's economy and prejudicial experiences within the labor force were the most important forces that undermined the economic ambitions of the Africans. The study also yielded a complex picture and raised some questions about the resettlement outcome of African immigrants in the United States.     

Community filmmaking as research: (re)considering knowledge production through the camera's lens

In southern Chile, Mapuche Indigenous communities are using video and digital filmmaking to collectively reflect on and communicate knowledge. This article shares their experience, arguing that with the increasing accessibility of information and communication technologies, we should be rethinking and broadening the acceptable ways to generate and convey knowledge about development. Acknowledging the diverse ways of knowing and communicating knowledge, this article suggests that video can be a powerful tool for self-representative knowledge-sharing by Indigenous communities. Only by expanding our debates beyond written media can we engage equitably with a plurality of knowledge-holders to resolve development challenges.     

Security cooperation,counterterrorism, and EU–North Africa cross-border security relations,a legal perspective

The EU is clearly in the process of developing an external dimension to the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (AFSJ). This paper focuses on ex. Police and Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters (PJCCM) provisions. These developments pose specific legal basis issues for the EU, given its complex EU–member state legal relationship, and the inter-institutional balance, all reflected in the treaty framework post-Lisbon. New Court of Justice rulings are now emerging which will assist in this issue. Equally the approach to be taken in developing these relationships will be crucial. This paper proposes the adoption of an Onuf style constructivism in order to best capture the reality of the process that is developing, and has developed for the ex. PJCCM measures internally. This then needs to be allied with a constitutionalism model to ensure a balanced development of all three aspects of the AFSJ.