The study was designed to identify and get a better understanding of the determinants of Smallholder farmers' participation in cattle markets in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District of North West Province, A hundred and nine smallholder cattle farmers were randomly selected using the simple random sample method. The list of smallholder cattle farmers was obtained from the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ngaka Modiri Molema District). Data was collected through the use of structured questionnaire that consisted of demographic characteristics market-related constraints encountered by smallholder cattle farmers, availability of infrastructure, access to market information, cattle production, cattle nutrition, cattle health, cattle husbandry, and reasons far keeping cattle and markets participated in by smallholder cattle farmers. The data was coded, captured and analysed using the statistical package for social science (SPSS) for frequencies, percentage and profit regression analysis. The results of the study show that the majority of the respondents in this research were male (72%): married (68%); Christians (74%); not formally educated 45°o; and having less than 10 years in farming (61%). The results highlighted that majority of the smallholder cattle farmers used informal markets to market their cattle (83%); mainly used auctions (58%) as a formal marketing channel and were mostly familiar with informal (62%) marketing channels. The farmers received higher prices (65%) from the cattle markets they regularly use and were nearer. The majority of smallholder farmers (55%) do not participate in the most rewarding channels. Majority of the smallholder cattle farmers were affected by, lack of support from government (96%); limited market information (95%); financial constraints (79%); (distance to mainstream markets (60%); and bureaucracy (62%). The results of probit regression model show that out of 15 independent variables considered, the coefficients for 5 variables' were statistical/v significant, These were the number of heifers (Z= 2, 742: P<P0. 05), smallholder cattle farmers keeping of farm records (Z=2. 611: P<0. 05), the number of years in farming (Z=2,45] P<0.01), level of education Z=-1. 745,' P<0.01) and smallholder farmers slaughtering of cattle and selling as carcass (Z- 1,899: P<0, 01). / Thesis (M.Sc.(Agric Economics) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2013

Humanist thinking on development embraces a people-centred view in which people are considered active agents for change in society. However, the nature and success of public participation in development is a contentious and widely debated issue in international planning and development literature. Simultaneously, realities in planning practice such as the effectiveness and influence of public participation on decision making seems to be daunting. In South Africa public participation is a constitutional right and enforced by planning legislation. Although post-apartheid South African legislation devised strategies to increase the participation of the public on all spheres of government, the nature of participation seems to be contradictive and regarded by numerous authors to be ad hoc, incremental, unstructured, unbalanced and uncoordinated. While good intentions were laid by the Constitution and development legislation and policies, these documents do not necessarily ensure effectiveness of participation, nor create a culture of participation. The aims of the research were thus twofold: firstly, to determine the outcome of public participation in planning applications and secondly, to evaluate the effectiveness of public participation against the background of the current legislative framework in order to enable a greater inclusion of participation in planning. The research followed a quantitative approach and included an in-depth study of statutory town planning applications in Tlokwe Local Municipality completed over a period of sixteen years. The inclusion of both periods before and after democratisation in South Africa shed some light on whether the effectiveness of public participation increased or declined during this period. A database was compiled on the detail of applications and included the type of application, location, legislation involved, public participation involved, objections (if any), rebuttals on objections and the outcome of the application. To organise and summarize the raw data gathered, a descriptive statistical analysis was undertaken. Although participation of the public is needed in town planning applications and enforced by legislation in South Africa, the public’s view that their contribution through objections is not effective was negated by the research. For example, objections (as one indication of the effectiveness of public participation) did not feature prominently (only 6, 3% of applications had objections), but these showed efficacy to influence the outcome of the applications. Overall this research provided a first step towards a better understanding of the effectiveness of public participation towards improved and more inclusive decision making. / MArt et Scien (Urban and Regional planning), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Humanist thinking on development embraces a people-centred view in which people are considered active agents for change in society. However, the nature and success of public participation in development is a contentious and widely debated issue in international planning and development literature. Simultaneously, realities in planning practice such as the effectiveness and influence of public participation on decision making seems to be daunting. In South Africa public participation is a constitutional right and enforced by planning legislation. Although post-apartheid South African legislation devised strategies to increase the participation of the public on all spheres of government, the nature of participation seems to be contradictive and regarded by numerous authors to be ad hoc, incremental, unstructured, unbalanced and uncoordinated. While good intentions were laid by the Constitution and development legislation and policies, these documents do not necessarily ensure effectiveness of participation, nor create a culture of participation. The aims of the research were thus twofold: firstly, to determine the outcome of public participation in planning applications and secondly, to evaluate the effectiveness of public participation against the background of the current legislative framework in order to enable a greater inclusion of participation in planning. The research followed a quantitative approach and included an in-depth study of statutory town planning applications in Tlokwe Local Municipality completed over a period of sixteen years. The inclusion of both periods before and after democratisation in South Africa shed some light on whether the effectiveness of public participation increased or declined during this period. A database was compiled on the detail of applications and included the type of application, location, legislation involved, public participation involved, objections (if any), rebuttals on objections and the outcome of the application. To organise and summarize the raw data gathered, a descriptive statistical analysis was undertaken. Although participation of the public is needed in town planning applications and enforced by legislation in South Africa, the public’s view that their contribution through objections is not effective was negated by the research. For example, objections (as one indication of the effectiveness of public participation) did not feature prominently (only 6, 3% of applications had objections), but these showed efficacy to influence the outcome of the applications. Overall this research provided a first step towards a better understanding of the effectiveness of public participation towards improved and more inclusive decision making. / MArt et Scien (Urban and Regional planning), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The objective of this study was to explore which personal and environmental variables are the best predictors of reintegration to normal living in older adults discharged from an in-patient rehabilitation unit. More than fifteen biopsychosocial characteristics of 94 people over 60 years old were evaluated with reliable and valid tests a few days before discharge from rehabilitation. The participants' reintegration to normal living was evaluated three months later (n=86) with the Reintegration to Normal Living Index. From multivariate regression analyses, functional independence, balance, grip strength and general well-being are the best predictors and explain 26% and 27% of the variance in reintegration to normal living. This study suggests that by increasing efforts to maximize functional independence, balance, grip strength and well-being, rehabilitation professionals can expect older adults to achieve a greater degree of participation in their activities and social roles and maybe contribute to their quality of live.

Au Québec, plusieurs personnes souffrent d'un problème de santé mentale. Pour certains utilisateurs de services rencontrés, la participation citoyenne semble jouer un rôle important dans leur processus de rétablissement. La question principale du mémoire est donc : Comment la participation citoyenne agit-elle sur le rétablissement? En abordant l'histoire de la santé mentale au Québec et sa situation actuelle, on comprend mieux comment le concept de rétablissement est apparu et les controverses qu'il suscite. Le rétablissement est défini comme étant un processus personnel qui comporte généralement les dimensions suivantes: d'espoir, d'autodétermination, de connaissance et de défense de ses droits, d'identité positive et d'intégration. La participation citoyenne évolue et est en lien avec la notion de pouvoir. Certains groupes ont trouvé des façons de solliciter et de favoriser la participation citoyenne. La méthodologie du mémoire est qualitative et constructiviste. Six utilisateurs de services en santé mentale ayant une participation citoyenne ont été rencontrés en entrevue individuelle et ensuite en groupe, afin d'échanger sur leur rétablissement et leur participation citoyenne. Selon les personnes rencontrées, la participation citoyenne favorise entre autres l'espoir, le développement de ses compétences, la reprise de son pouvoir, l'entraide et l'estime de soi. Ces éléments agissent également tous sur le rétablissement.

Ce mémoire porte sur les approches de communication pour le développement utilisées dans les projets de coopération internationale. Remarquant des failles dans les projets de coopération internationale quant à leurs résultats réels, nous avons étudié les différents paradigmes de communication afin qu’ils soient plus adaptés aux besoins des populations locales, donnent des résultats durables et rendent les populations indépendantes. Ce mémoire cherche à comprendre comment les interactions basées sur la communication participative peuvent susciter des changements durables et bénéfiques pour les communautés locales. Après avoir comparé les paradigmes de la modernisation et du diffusionnisme, l’école de la dépendance ainsi que le nouveau développement, nous avons retenu comme approche théorique à prioriser celle de la communication participative pour le développement. Allant au-delà du modèle de la participation utilitariste, qui se contente de prétendre utiliser la participation, et de celui de la participation comme finalité, la communication participative pour le développement telle que nous la concevons doit être multidirectionnelle, multidimensionnelle, faire partie intégrante du processus de développement et viser des changements sociaux. Pour répondre à notre question de recherche, nous avons choisi de faire une étude de cas sur le Carrefour de solidarité internationale de Sherbrooke, un organisme québécois de coopération internationale, et de son ONG partenaire au Mali, l’Association Kilabo. Nous nous sommes rendue au Mali, et, avec une approche d’ethnométhodologie, avons conduit des entrevues semi-dirigées avec différents acteurs locaux et tenu des séances d’observation des activités de l’organisme. Ces méthodes ont été complétées par de l’analyse documentaire. Nos données de recherche nous ont menée à plusieurs pistes de réponses à notre question de recherche. Nous avons tout d’abord constaté l’importance de travailler avec les femmes dans les projets et programmes de développement et celle que les relations se poursuivent à long terme. Toutefois, l’analphabétisme est un obstacle aux changements, et les acteurs locaux du développement sont grandement dépendants sur le plan financier. L’approche fédérative utilisée par l’ONG locale tend cependant à utiliser une réelle communication participative. À la lumière de ces résultats, nous pouvons conclure que l’approche de communication participative entraîne des changements positifs et durables dans les communautés locales, ces actions ne représentent que des gouttes d’eau dans l’océan, et des problèmes structurels internationaux énormes sont à l’œuvre pour créer les inégalités.

La participation sociale des aînés est un concept de plus en plus valorisé par les professionnels de réadaptation qui inclut, en plus des rôles sociaux comme les loisirs et les relations interpersonnelles, la réalisation des activités courantes comme la préparation des repas et les déplacements nécessaires pour accomplir ces rôles sociaux. Les études faites jusqu'à maintenant permettent de mieux comprendre les facteurs personnels et environnementaux associés à une meilleure participation sociale. Cependant ces études ont été faites en milieu urbain ou sans considérer l'impact possible du niveau d'urbanisation du milieu de vie des personnes sur leur participation. Objectifs. L'objectif de cette étude est de comparer le niveau de participation sociale de personnes âgées selon qu'elles vivent en milieu métropolitain, urbain ou rural, et de comparer les facteurs sociodémographiques associés à la participation sociale pour chacun des types d'environnement. Méthodologie. Cette étude s'inscrit dans une plus vaste recherche multicentrique réalisée auprès de 350 personnes âgées vieillissant normalement et vivant dans la communauté dans quatre régions du Québec soit les villes de Montréal, Québec, Sherbrooke et dans des régions rurales situées en Estrie. Les données ont été regroupées pour former trois types de régions soit la région métropolitaine (Montréal), la région urbaine (Québec et Sherbrooke) et la région rurale (Estrie rurale). La participation dans les activités courantes et les rôles sociaux a été évaluée à l'aide de la Mesure des habitudes de vie. Basé sur le modèle conceptuel du Processus de production du handicap, ce questionnaire comprend 77 items couvrant 12 domaines d'habitudes de vie, dont six sont reliés aux activités courantes et six aux rôles sociaux de la personne. Les données sociodémographiques et environnementales ont été recueillies à l'aide d'un questionnaire spécifiquement développé pour l'étude. Chaque personne a été évaluée par une assistante de recherche à son domicile ou à un centre de recherche. L'admissibilité était vérifiée, une explication détaillée de l'étude était donnée et un formulaire de consentement était signé. Les questionnaires étaient ensuite complétés en mode assisté. Résultats. Les participants de la région rurale étaient différents des autres groupes avec un niveau de scolarité et un revenu familial inférieurs, une accessibilité restreinte aux espaces commerciaux et l'absence d'accès à un transport en commun. Les participants de la région métropolitaine, quant à eux, conduisaient peu la voiture, se sentaient moins en sécurité dans leur quartier et étaient moins satisfaits de leur soutien social que ceux des autres régions. Les participants de la région urbaine ne se différentiaient pas des autres groupes. Malgré les différences observées sur plusieurs facteurs environnementaux, aucune différence significative n'a été observée entre les groupes au niveau de leur participation sociale. De plus, les facteurs associés à la participation dans les activités courantes et les rôles sociaux étaient très similaires d'une région à l'autre. Ainsi, pour la participation dans les activités courantes, l'âge et vivre avec d'autres sont associés à une participation moindre, alors que conduire est associé à une plus grande participation. Pour la participation dans les rôles sociaux, vivre avec d'autres et travailler sont associés à une participation inférieure alors que conduire est associé à une participation plus optimale. Discussion/Conclusion. Cette étude suggère que, même si l'environnement des personnes âgées vivant en milieu rural, urbain, ou métropolitain diffère, leur niveau de participation dans les activités courantes et les rôles sociaux est très similaire. De plus, les variables associées à la participation sont similaires pour chacune des régions, sauf pour le travail à l'extérieur qui était associé à un niveau inférieur dans la région rurale. Il s'agit principalement de l'âge, vivre avec d'autres et conduire.

The study aimed at establishing the relationship between household socio-economic characteristics and young female education participation and success in Zomba (Malawi). The main objective of the study emanated from huge concern regarding obstacles being faced by young females in education in most developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, which continues to contribute to young female school drop outs. The study had set empirical and theoretical objectives as guidance. The theoretical objectives were: to review the literature on the trends of young female education in sub-Saharan Africa and in Malawi; to review theoretically the relationship between household socio-economic characteristics and young female education participation and success in Malawi; to review the literature on cultural practices and gender biases that hinder young female education participation and success in sub-Saharan Africa and Malawi; to document the economic benefits of young female education; and to review gender disparities in education in Malawi. The empirical objectives were set as follows: establish if there is a gender bias in the households perceptions in terms of education support; establish if there is a statistically significant difference in the perceptions of young female education across different categories of heads of households; establish if there exists a statistically significant relationship between household Socio-economic characteristics and young female education participation in Malawi; and establish if there exists a statistically significant relationship between household socio-economic characteristics and girl success for those in school. The literature of the study was based on the theoretical objectives relating to what other studies have done on female education. A comparison across the world was conducted on factors hindering girls’ education and some of the trends on girls’ education in Malawi were reviewed from the past decade or so. It was observed that there is a gender bias in education, boys being given more precedence over girls, that from the factors that hinder children’s ability to attend, school girls seemingly had more share of the problems. The empirical portion of the study was based on data that were collected from random households in Zomba district. A total of 327 households with school aged children were interviewed. The study adopted a quantitative analysis where different quantitative methods were used such as descriptive analysis (cross tabulation, frequencies and means) and a logistic regression analysis was used to analyse the relationship between household characteristics and girls’ education. Overall, the descriptive and cross tabulations analysis showed that there is a gender bias in education with boys receiving more benefits compared to girls, and more girls than boys either repeat classes more or even drop out of school. Most girls dropped out of school because of pregnancy-related issues. It was also discovered that parental perceptions that were based on cultural norms hindered girls’ education participation, where most parents, especially from the rural areas, do not regard female education as important, and where given a choice, they would rather have their girl child drop out of school and get married. The regression analysis was based more on the relationship between household characteristics and girls’ education. Two regressions were used, one having success and the other school participation as the dependent variables and household characteristics like income, distance to water point, distance to school, age of child, age of parents and location as the independent variables. Overall, it was observed that children that came from rural areas had a higher probability of dropping out of school, and if the household was located in areas far from the water point and school, their girl child had a higher probability of dropping or repeating a class. In addition, the age of child and parents played a role in girls’ education. The study recommends that the government, in collaboration with the non-governmental organisation that deal with girls’ education in Malawi, should continue to explore other ways of dealing with the problems faced by girls in schools. There is need to educate parents, especially those in the rural areas, about the importance of girls’ education and this could be done through village-by-village campaigns through the chiefs. Government should also look into some of the cultures practised in different communities and maybe set by-laws stopping girls from attending for The relationship between household socio-economic characteristics and young female education participation and success in Zomba (Malawi) Page vi example initiation ceremonies during school days. Lastly, it should be every woman’s duty who has benefited from education to give back to the community by helping young girls who are having difficulties in accessing quality education.

The study aimed at establishing the relationship between household socio-economic characteristics and young female education participation and success in Zomba (Malawi). The main objective of the study emanated from huge concern regarding obstacles being faced by young females in education in most developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, which continues to contribute to young female school drop outs. The study had set empirical and theoretical objectives as guidance. The theoretical objectives were: to review the literature on the trends of young female education in sub-Saharan Africa and in Malawi; to review theoretically the relationship between household socio-economic characteristics and young female education participation and success in Malawi; to review the literature on cultural practices and gender biases that hinder young female education participation and success in sub-Saharan Africa and Malawi; to document the economic benefits of young female education; and to review gender disparities in education in Malawi. The empirical objectives were set as follows: establish if there is a gender bias in the households perceptions in terms of education support; establish if there is a statistically significant difference in the perceptions of young female education across different categories of heads of households; establish if there exists a statistically significant relationship between household Socio-economic characteristics and young female education participation in Malawi; and establish if there exists a statistically significant relationship between household socio-economic characteristics and girl success for those in school. The literature of the study was based on the theoretical objectives relating to what other studies have done on female education. A comparison across the world was conducted on factors hindering girls’ education and some of the trends on girls’ education in Malawi were reviewed from the past decade or so. It was observed that there is a gender bias in education, boys being given more precedence over girls, that from the factors that hinder children’s ability to attend, school girls seemingly had more share of the problems. The empirical portion of the study was based on data that were collected from random households in Zomba district. A total of 327 households with school aged children were interviewed. The study adopted a quantitative analysis where different quantitative methods were used such as descriptive analysis (cross tabulation, frequencies and means) and a logistic regression analysis was used to analyse the relationship between household characteristics and girls’ education. Overall, the descriptive and cross tabulations analysis showed that there is a gender bias in education with boys receiving more benefits compared to girls, and more girls than boys either repeat classes more or even drop out of school. Most girls dropped out of school because of pregnancy-related issues. It was also discovered that parental perceptions that were based on cultural norms hindered girls’ education participation, where most parents, especially from the rural areas, do not regard female education as important, and where given a choice, they would rather have their girl child drop out of school and get married. The regression analysis was based more on the relationship between household characteristics and girls’ education. Two regressions were used, one having success and the other school participation as the dependent variables and household characteristics like income, distance to water point, distance to school, age of child, age of parents and location as the independent variables. Overall, it was observed that children that came from rural areas had a higher probability of dropping out of school, and if the household was located in areas far from the water point and school, their girl child had a higher probability of dropping or repeating a class. In addition, the age of child and parents played a role in girls’ education. The study recommends that the government, in collaboration with the non-governmental organisation that deal with girls’ education in Malawi, should continue to explore other ways of dealing with the problems faced by girls in schools. There is need to educate parents, especially those in the rural areas, about the importance of girls’ education and this could be done through village-by-village campaigns through the chiefs. Government should also look into some of the cultures practised in different communities and maybe set by-laws stopping girls from attending for The relationship between household socio-economic characteristics and young female education participation and success in Zomba (Malawi) Page vi example initiation ceremonies during school days. Lastly, it should be every woman’s duty who has benefited from education to give back to the community by helping young girls who are having difficulties in accessing quality education.

Ce mémoire de maîtrise qui aborde la thématique de la mobilisation et de la participation des citoyens au développement de leur communauté, présente les résultats d'une recherche qualitative menée auprès de citoyens de la communauté de Saint-Camille, au Québec. Le contexte actuel mondial dans lequel nous vivons, avec en trame de fond la mondialisation et le déclin de l'État-providence, a des impacts importants sur nos sociétés. Les collectivités territoriales, qui sont victimes de la délocalisation économique et sociale, se retrouvent en marge du système économique mondial et ont peine à assurer une qualité de vie appréciable à leurs concitoyens. Dans ce contexte, le développement des communautés apparaît être une approche prometteuse qui mise sur l'implication des citoyens pour agir sur leur milieu. Or, cette implication citoyenne demande nécessairement des efforts et du temps, alors que le travail et la famille prennent déjà une place importante dans le quotidien de l'individu. La mobilisation et la participation des citoyens au développement de leur communauté restent donc difficiles à actualiser. Néanmoins, certaines communautés sont des exemples positifs de développement des communautés et les citoyens qui y habitent prennent en charge leur propre développement. C'est le cas du village de Saint-Camille, au Québec. Cette étude de cas a pour objectif principal de comprendre quels sont les éléments interférents auprès des individus et favorisant la mobilisation et la participation à court et à long terme, dans le cadre d'initiatives de développement au sein de la communauté de Saint-Camille. C'est par la réalisation de sept entrevues semi-dirigées auprès de citoyens et citoyennes et d'un groupe de discussion auprès de leaders de ce village, ainsi que 25 heures d'observation participante et une analyse documentaire que nous avons pu dégager une explication du phénomène de la mobilisation et de la participation. Cette explication qui s'articule autour de quatre axes, soit la communauté constituée, les éléments déclencheurs, les éléments interférents et les conditions de maintien de la mobilisation/participation, amène des pistes intéressantes pour tout ceux qui ont à mobiliser et faire participer des citoyens.