Thesis ( M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2011 / The provision of Employee Assistance Programme in a working environment such as a municipality is very crucial. In order to determine the effectiveness of the implementation of the programme to justify its existence to the outside world and to assess the impact of its fulfilment to its objectives, evaluation is therefore necessary. The aim of this research study was to ascertain the implementation of the EAP at the Makhado Municipality in Vhembe District with special focus on the employees’ awareness of the programme, its utilization and also the programme adequacy. A qualitative approach was used in this study. Forty two (42) employees of various ranks or level’s in the municipality were randomly selected to participate in the study, and they were from all the four main centres of the municipality i.e. Makhado, Waterval, Dzanani and Vuwani. Summary of the Main Findings A high percentage (81%) of the employees knew of the existence of an EAP within the municipality, and meetings appeared to be the main awareness strategy. − The attitudes of employees towards the EAP were positive, this state of affairs points to the usefulness of the EAP service. − The EAP provided by the Municipality was viewed as accessible by the majority of employees. − The utilization rate of the EAP in the Municipality was very low as only 17% of respondents indicated that they had utilized the service before. − The majority of referrals were conducted by supervisors while only 9.1% were self referral. The majority of respondents did not answer the question implying various reason/s and could also mean lack or poor knowledge and information about referrals within the programme. (iv Implementation of the EAP at Makhado Municipality in Limpopo Province − The majority of employees did not respond to the question on whether they were satisfied with the EAP within the municipality, and that could translate into low knowledge and information about the programme. − The majority of employees were generally happy with the current location of EAP in the municipality. − The majority of employees viewed EAP as confidential and the level of trust in the EAP staff was high. − The majority of employees were not aware of the EAP policy and never participated in its formulation. − The majority of employees felt that EAP services were useful, and this means that provision of proper information might encourage employees to use the service. − Most employees suggested that frequent dissemination of information to employees through meetings, workshops and other regular contact sessions could enhance the EAP in the municipality. Recommendations The following recommendations with regard to the employees’ familiarity with the EAP are important: o That more awareness sessions be conducted with all employees, especially those at regions unit so that adequate information is cascaded to all employees of the municipality. o The awareness sessions should be conducted at least quarterly involving all regions, and the EAP Advisory Committee should meet at least bi-monthly to discuss aspects to improve and enhance EAP services in the municipality. o It is also recommended that additional qualified EAP personnel, with at least minimum qualifications in Social Work and, or Social Psychology, or any relevant (v Implementation of the EAP at Makhado Municipality in Limpopo Province qualifications and experience in EAP be appointed to run the programme on full-time basis. o That evaluation of the programme implementation should be conducted using the participatory strategies such as suggestion boxes, arranging focus groups and bench-marking with other institutions. The recommendation to allow employees opportunities to submit suggestions, in-puts and give feedback regarding the programme will no doubt assist in the improvement and promotion of the programme. o The Makhado Municipality should utilize different marketing strategies as recommended by EAP literature, such as the following: i. The use of promotional material such as brochures, leaflets, and posters that are user-friendly and in languages understandable by all employees of the municipality. ii. Outreach programmes: The EAP unit needs to regularly visit all the regional offices of the municipality in order to intensify information sharing to employees about the EAP. These can also include decentralising EAP workshops to the periphery offices in order to reach the employees who are far away from the head office in Louis Trichardt. The above-mentioned could serve as effective strategies in promoting and maximising the visibility of the EAP, and may close the gap on information not reaching all employees in the municipality thereby increasing its penetration rate.

Recent years have seen increasing acknowledgment that aircraft accidents affect not only those who are killed or injured, but also the families and friends of victims. Survivors, victims and their families require sensitive treatment in order to help them cope with what has occurred. Following high profile accidents including USAir 427 and TWA 800, the United State of America started a new program which they call it Family Assistance after Air Disaster. After that a several documents providing guidance for dealing with victims and their families were published in Australia, the UK and the EU. However, in the Middle East, there is no region-specific family assistance guidance for dealing with aircraft accidents. As such, operators tend to use plans which have been designed from a western perspective. This means that the impact of culture, ethical sensitivities and religion have not been addressed fully. This thesis explores the differences in dealing with the families of victims after an accident in the Middle East focusing on the Muslim population. Interviews were conducted with experts from airlines, family assistance providers, religious leaders and victim support groups. These were supplemented by a survey of passengers and family members in USA, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia to compare and contrast the expectations and needs of those who may be affected by an aircraft accident. Over 300 responses were received and the data were validated through further expert interviews. The results supported the findings of the literature review and matched with the bad experiences documented within case study accidents such as the mid-air collision involving Saudi Arabian Airlines flight 763. The study found that the three factors are inextricably linked, with religion being a strong factor in determining individual’s response to their loss; how they relate to others and the type of support they should be given. Suggestions are made regarding the design of a Family Assistance Centre, staff training, words that should / should not be used; and to explain how people may react.

The purpose of this study was to study and analyze in order to increase understanding of how social-secretaries choices and assessments described in the hypothetical situations that relate to families receiving social assistance welfare. The main issues we searched answer to each Mainly, we sought to answer the following questions: What considerations are made regarding the child's best interests in the handling process relating to social assistance and in what way is a childperspective taken into account in decision justification. Problem formulation can be summarized in the variety of decision making on welfare and vulnerability of poor children. In our approach to collecting empiri we used out of vignette-studies and interviews. We interviewed seven social secretaries from a social welfare unit. For our help in the analysis of the collected material, we have made use of Michael Lipskys streetlevel bureaucracy. The conclusion we came to was that the social secretaries agreed that there is disagreement how a child perspective is taken into account but all agree that the child's perspective must be addressed in some form in the management of social welfare.

<p><p>The purpose of this study was to study and analyze in order to increase understanding of how social-secretaries choices and assessments described in the hypothetical situations that relate to families receiving social assistance welfare. The main issues we searched answer to each Mainly, we sought to answer the following questions: What considerations are made regarding the child's best interests in the handling process relating to social assistance and in what way is a childperspective taken into account in decision justification. Problem formulation can be summarized in the variety of decision making on welfare and vulnerability of poor children. In our approach to collecting empiri we used out of vignette-studies and interviews. We interviewed seven social secretaries from a social welfare unit. For our help in the analysis of the collected material, we have made use of Michael Lipskys streetlevel bureaucracy. The conclusion we came to was that the social secretaries agreed that there is disagreement how a child perspective is taken into account but all agree that the child's perspective must be addressed in some form in the management of social welfare.</p></p>

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 106-114).

Recent years have seen increasing acknowledgment that aircraft accidents affect not only those who are killed or injured, but also the families and friends of victims. Survivors, victims and their families require sensitive treatment in order to help them cope with what has occurred. Following high profile accidents including USAir 427 and TWA 800, the United State of America started a new program which they call it Family Assistance after Air Disaster. After that a several documents providing guidance for dealing with victims and their families were published in Australia, the UK and the EU. However, in the Middle East, there is no region-specific family assistance guidance for dealing with aircraft accidents. As such, operators tend to use plans which have been designed from a western perspective. This means that the impact of culture, ethical sensitivities and religion have not been addressed fully. This thesis explores the differences in dealing with the families of victims after an accident in the Middle East focusing on the Muslim population. Interviews were conducted with experts from airlines, family assistance providers, religious leaders and victim support groups. These were supplemented by a survey of passengers and family members in USA, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia to compare and contrast the expectations and needs of those who may be affected by an aircraft accident. Over 300 responses were received and the data were validated through further expert interviews. The results supported the findings of the literature review and matched with the bad experiences documented within case study accidents such as the mid-air collision involving Saudi Arabian Airlines flight 763. The study found that the three factors are inextricably linked, with religion being a strong factor in determining individual’s response to their loss; how they relate to others and the type of support they should be given. Suggestions are made regarding the design of a Family Assistance Centre, staff training, words that should / should not be used; and to explain how people may react.

Darbe apžvelgiama ir įvertinama Turkijoje veikianti ES paramos administravimo sistema. Pasitelkus neofunkcionalizmo, tarpvyriausybinio bendradarbiavimo ir daugialypio valdymo teorijas bandoma paaiškinti Turkijos integracijos į ES procesus. Turkijos – ES santykių pradžia laikoma 1963 m. sudaryta ES - Turkijos asociacijos sutartis, o šiuo metu Turkijai yra suteiktas šalies kandidatės statusas. Paskelbdama valstybę šalimi kandidate, ES įsipareigojo finansiškai remti Turkijos pasirengimo narystei ES procesą. Europos Sąjungos finansinė parama skiriama šalims kandidatėms ir potencialioms šalims kandidatėms remiant ne ES šalių narių siekį tapti demokratiškesnėmis, gerbiančiomis žmogaus teises ir įstatymo viršenybę valstybėmis, finansine parama taip pat siekiama spręsti šalių socialines-ekonomines problemas, skatinti šalių vystymąsi ir rinkos ekonomikos veikimą. Parama kandidatėms ir potencialioms šalims kandidatėms skiriama pagal Pasirengimo narystei pagalbos priemonę. Nuo PNPP įsteigimo jos administravimas buvo decentralizuojamas vis daugiau atsakomybės perleidžiant paramą gaunančioms šalims, skatinant jų institucijų administracinius gabumus. Šalys kandidatės ES paramą administruoja decentralizuoto įgyvendinimo metodu. Tik kryptingas, subsidiarumo, partnerystės ir proporcingumo principais paremtas, ES finansinės paramos lėšų panaudojimas, gali būti efektyvus ir užtikrinti, kad užsibrėžti pasirengimo narystei pagalbos priemonės tikslai bus pasiekti. Siekiant geriau suvokti... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / In this paper it is reviewed and evaluated the implemented EU’ assistance administration system in Turkey Republic. By using neo-functionalism, intergovernmental cooperation and multi-level governance theories is tried to explain Turkey’s integration in EU. The beginning of Turkey – EU relations is 1963, when it was made EU – Turkey association treatment, by now to Turkey is given a candidate country status. After declared Turkey as candidate country, EU engaged to provide a financial assistance to Turkey during preparation to the EU membership process. EU provides financial assistance not only to announced candidate countries, but also to potential candidate countries for supporting non-member states to become member to EU, to become more democratic countries which respect and implement human rights, power of law, by providing financial assistance also is trying to solve social-economic problems, to promote development of countries and promote economic market. The financial assistance to candidate and potential candidate countries is provided under Instrument for pre-accession assistance (IPA). From the IPA establishment, the implementation of instrument was gradually decentralized by delegating more and more responsibilities to beneficial countries in this way promoting institutional capacity building. In the candidate countries the assistance is administrated by decentralized implementation method. Only based on subsidiarity and partnership principles EU assistance source... [to full text]

The purpose of this study is to research whether or not gender has an impact on assessments regarding the support for persons with special nedds (LSS personkrets 3). Administrators working in disability care are to make decisions on the basis of the individual's needs when assessing the need for aid and support. This study is based on qualitative interviews, with six administrators, and one head of operations. The empirical data collected has been thoroughly analysed from a gender perspective, rooted in Butler's theory regarding performativity and subversive actions, as well as Connell's gender regime, and Hirdman's gender contracts. Results show that administrators have ackknowledged and noticed differences in how male and female users express their needs, where the difference lies in the communication; females seem more reserved and shy, whereas males seem more outward and extroverted. The interviews indicate that administrators from chosen municipalities have a poor gender awareness, and seem not to apply gender perspectives in their work.

The role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has sparked increased interest in recent years as they have grown in prominence and international activity. The thesis looks at British and Canadian NGOs concerned with overseas development assistance, and asks what influence they have wielded in the formulation of their own governments' development policies. Based on recent policy community writing, a "conceptual map" is devised which suggests that six elements are important for any analysis of influence: context, content, motivations, resources, tactics, and channels. Chapters two to five use these elements to look at the broad "policy communities" in which official development policy is formulated, and to examine the increasing roles and activities of NGOs as lobbyists. Chapters six and seven take a closer look at two specific "policy networks" within those communities: the relationships created around the World Food Conference in 1974 are compared with those existing at the time of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (the Earth Summit). The thesis concludes that NGOs have had an increasing but limited influence on government policy, given (1) an increase in the activity and influence of NGOs, (2) the greater relevance of certain "elements of influence" over others, and (3) the comparatively stronger influence of Canadian NGOs in relation to their British counterparts. The thesis' contribution to knowledge is based on its use of extensive and original primary sources and interviews in both countries, its application of a policy community approach to a new field in international relations, and its systematic attempt to answer evolving questions about this growing, international, and non-governmental force.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--West Virginia University, 1998. / Title from document title page. "December 15, 1998." Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 115 p. : ill. Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 98-107).