Thesis (MPhil (Sustainable Development Planning and Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / In a modern world of fragmentation and embedded dualisms, access to the imagination and creativity seems minimal, especially in science. Human beings and nature, science and the imagination (art), and spirit and matter (body) – these dualisms permeate our sciences and other disciplines, as well as the way we envision the future and educate children about the environment. Sustainability positions a key debate for the future and mediates intergenerational equity (it thus in a way captures the future). Sustainability further proposes an ecological approach wherein systems thinking, holism and the exploration of new (extended) forms of knowledge are subtly starting to reshape the future outlook of the planet. A personal reflection on my own alternative learning process with the Sustainability Institute (SI) resulted in a deep concern and intrigue about the symbolic base of sustainability learning. Imagination, art (stories) and symbols played an intrinsic role in how I integrated many of the empirical and non-empirical, as well as scientific and meta-physical, aspects of the learning. These intrigues led me to explore the nurturing education opportunities that might exist for children to engage with the imagination, art and alternative aspects of education as integrative aspects in learning. Waldorf education claims to use stories in this regard. Waldorf education – together with a review of the role of environmental education – is the case study of this research. This is an inherently transdisciplinary study and, although literature in the separate fields abounds, a comprehensive literature review conducted for this study revealed a gap in research related to the interface between areas of symbolism, sustainability and education (“symbolism-in-sustainability-in-education”). The study is underpinned by the following fields: • Sustainability (with a strong focus on environmental ethics) • Literature (traditional stories) • Psychology (psychoanalytical and environmental psychology) • Education (environmental, Waldorf and finally sustainability or ecological education) This study thus explores the role of the imagination and symbolism, both being ontologically recognised, as well as stories to integrate some of the dualisms prevalent in our modern world, dualisms that are contributing to the reigning ecological crisis. In addition, it focuses on the role of these functionalities to access and open up other forms of knowing in science (with particular application to the built environment/ and planning), which supports the claims of sustainability and sustainability science. I conclude by briefly highlighting a pattern that proposes a way of connecting the ideas in this study in support of ecological education (the future) – and thus sustainability – in an enduring and deep-seated way that is intrinsically human[nature].

Thesis (MScSportSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Postural deformities are a commonly encountered problem among children. Most of the aches and pains of adults are the result, not of injuries, but of the long-term effects of distortions in posture or alignment that have their origins in childhood or adolescence. Television, video entertainment, motorized transportation, fast food and lack of regular physical activity contribute to the poor physical condition of children. School screening for scoliosis is mandated in schools in 26 states of the United States (US) for children between 10 and 16 years of age. Previous studies conducted in the US found that 160 out of 1000 people suffer from scoliosis. This means that scoliosis is as prevalent as hypertension or diabetes mellitus (Boachie-Adjei & Lonner, 1996). Identification of postural deformities at an early stage makes early treatment possible, which may, in future, prevent serious postural abnormalities. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons approved the implementation of screening programs in schools in 1974 (Lonstein, 1988). Few studies have included the entire musculoskeletal system. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of postural deformities among children aged 11 to 13 years in selected primary schools in the Western Cape. The study also proposes to investigate factors that may influence the prevalence rate of postural deformities. These factors included age, gender, school district, weight, height, BMI (Body Mass Index), fat%, waist-hip ratio, and physical activity. Letters were sent to 15 primary schools within a 30km radius of Stellenbosch. This region included Stellenbosch, Strand, and Kuilsrivier. Four schools replied, giving permission to conduct the study at their schools. The sample (N=288, mean age=12.36, SD=0.92) consisted of 78 scholars from grade five; 104 scholars form grade six; and 106 scholars from grade seven. Of the total number of scholars examined (288), 154 were boys, and 134 were girls. Only children with parental consent were allowed to participate in the study. Anthropometric measures included stature, mass, skinfoids (two-site skinfoid), waist- and hip circumferences and trochanterion leg length. Level of physical activity and family history of deformities were obtained by means of a questionnaire. The New York Posture Test was used for postural evaluation (Bloomfield et aI., 1994:320; Reedeo Inc., 2001. This Posture Test was designed for the screening of 13 categories of deformities. Using a "see-through" posture grid, lateral and posterior examinations were performed. The "Adam's position" (forward bending) was used for further scoliosis evaluation. Quantitative data was analyzed, using Statistica (Statsoft, 2001) and classification tree methodology (Breiman et aI., 1993). The anthropometric results indicated that the subjects had a mean stature of 1.54m, mass of 47.48kg, BMI of 19.75, waist-hip ratio of 0.79 and fat% (Lohman, 1987) of 21.35%. The prevalence of postural deformities was as follows: Lordosis, 70%; Kyphosis, 57%; Uneven shoulders, 55%; Inclined trunk, 43%; Winged scapulae, 42%; Pronated feet, 30%; Flat feet, 30%; Flat chest, 29%; Forward head, 28%; Protruding abdomen, 28%; Uneven hips, 11%; Scoliosis, 10%; and Twisted head, 1%. Uneven hips, scoliosis and twisted head were not considered for statistical purposes, because of their low incidence compared to the other deformities. The factors that influenced the prevalence rate of deformities the most were BMI and fat%. A higher BMI and fat% resulted in a higher prevalence rate in most deformities. The prevalence rate of postural deformities in this study was considerably high. Sedentary lifestyles of children (watching television, computer games, junk food and physical inactivity) were a contributing factor in the high prevalence rate of postural deformities. It is known that overweight and sedentary behavior of children is increasing and this could pose an alarming concern to the health of a child. Also, if a significant correlation does exist between the prevalence of postural deformities and conditions such as back pain, the high prevalence rate reported in this study is a matter of concern. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Postuurafwykings is "n algemene probleem wat dikwels onder kinders voorkom. Baie van die skete en pyne by volwassenes spruit nie uit beserings nie, maar vanuit langtermyn gevolge van swak postuur wat huloorsprong uit die kinderjare het. Televisie, videospeletjies, vervoer per motor, kitskos en gebrek aan fisieke aktiwiteit dra by tot die swak fisieke kondisie van kinders. Evalueringsprogramme in skole word in 26 state in die Verenigde State van Amerika (VSA) toegepas vir kinders tussen die ouderdomme van 10 en 16 jaar. Vorige studies in die VSA het getoon dat 160 uit 1000 mense skoliose het (Boachie-Adjei & Lonner, 1996). Dit beteken dat skoliose net so veel voorkom soos hipertensie of diabetes mellitus. Identifikasie van postuurafwykings op "n vroeë stadium maak vroeë behandeling moontlik, wat in die toekoms ernstige postuurafwykings kan voorkom. Die "American Academy of Orthopedie Surgeons" het reeds in 1974 die implementering van assesseringsprogramme goedgekeur (Lonstein, 1988). Volgens navorsing het slegs "n beperkte aantal studies die hele spierskeletale stelsel geëvalueer. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die voorkoms van postuurafwykings by kinders tussen die ouderdomme van 11 en 13 jaar in geselekteerde Wes-Kaapse skole te bepaal. Die studie het ook faktore wat "n invloed op die voorkoms van postuurafwykings kan hê, ingesluit. Hierdie faktore het onder andere ouderdom, geslag, skool, gewig, lengte, LMI (Liggaamsmassa-indeks), vet%, middel-heup-ratio en fisieke aktiwiteit ingesluit. Uitnodigingsbriewe is na 15 laerskole binne "n 30km radius vanaf Stellenbosch gestuur. Dit het ingesluit Stellenbosch, Strand, en Kuilsrivier. Vier skole het toestemming verleen om die studie by die betrokke skole te loods. Die steekproef (N=288, gemiddelde ouderdom = 12.36, SD=0.92) het bestaan uit 78 leerlinge uit graad vyf; 104 leerlinge uit graad ses en 106 leerlinge uit graad sewe. Uit die totale aantal leerlinge wat geëvalueer is, was daar 154 seuns en 134 dogters. Antropometriese metings het die volgende ingesluit: lengte, gewig, velvoue (twee-velvou meting), middel- en heupomtrekke en trochanterion beenlengte. Fisieke aktiwiteitsvlak en familiegeskiedenis van postuurafwykings is bepaal met behulp van "n vraelys. Die "New York Posture Tesf' is gebruik vir postuurevaluasie (Bloomfield et al., 1994:320; Reedco Inc., 2001). Hierdie toets is ontwerp vir die evaluering van 13 deformiteite. Die kinders is vanuit 'n posterior en anterior aansig ge-evalueer met behulp van 'n "deurskynende" postuurruitnet (grid). Die "Adam's-" toets (vooroorbuig-toets) is gebruik vir verdere evaluering van skoliose. Statistica (StatSoft, 2001) en klassifikasieboom-metodologie (Breiman et al., 1993) is gebruik vir statistiese ontleding. Die proefpersone het 'n gemiddelde lengte van 1.54m, gewig van 47.48kg, LMI van 19.75, middel-heup-ratio van 0.79 en vet% (Lohman, 1987) van 21.35% gehad. Die voorkoms van die onderskeie postuurafwykings was as volg: Lordose,70%; Kifose, 57%; Ongelyke skouers, 55%; Romp na posterior gebuig, 43%; Gevleuelde skapulas, 42%; Voetpronasie, 30%; Plat voete, 30%; Plat bors, 29%; Protraksie: skedel, 28%; Uitstaan buik, 28%; Ongelyke heupe, 11%; Skoliose, 10%; en Gekantelde hoof, 1%. Ongelyke heupe, skoliose en gekantelde hoof het minder voorgekom in vergelyking met die ander deformiteite, daarom is die deformiteite nie vir statistiese analise in aammerking gebring nie. LMI en vet% was die faktore wat die voorkoms van postuurafwykings die meeste beïnvloed het. 'n Hoër LMI en vet% het 'n toenemende voorkoms in meeste deformiteite veroorsaak. Die voorkoms van postuurafwyking in hierdie studie was hoog. Sedentêre leefwyses van kinders (TV, rekenaarspeletjies, gemorskos, en fisieke onaktiwiteit) het bygedra tot die hoë voorkoms. Die voorkoms van oorgewig en sedentêre leefwyses is besig om te verhoog by kinders en kan ernstige gevolge vir die gesondheid van die kind inhou. Indien daar 'n betekenisvolle korrelasie tussen die voorkoms van postuurafwykings en kondisies soos rugpyn is, dan blyk die hoë voorkoms, wat in hierdie studie gevind is, 'n bron van bekommernis te wees. Postuurevalueringsprogramme is 'n effektiewe metode vir die vroeë identifikasie van postuurafwykings, aangesien dit vroeë identifikasie en konserwatiewe behandeling moontlik maak.

Contemporary developments in cognitive neuroscience are having a profound impact on the philosophy of mind as philosophers work to understand the implications of these advances for appreciating what it means to be a human person. At the same time, a recent consensus has formed among contemporary theologians around the thesis that Jesus Christ is the revelation of what it means to be truly human. Unfortunately, very few thinkers have made any concerted effort to bring these two developments into dialogue with one another. This study addresses this lack by drawing on the anthropological insights of Karl Barth and bringing them to bear on certain aspects of the contemporary discussions regarding the mind/brain relationship. The thesis thus comprises two major sections. The first develops an understanding of Karl Barth’s theological anthropology focusing on three major facets: (1) the centrality of Jesus Christ for any real understanding of human persons; (2) the resources that such a christologically determined view of human nature has for engaging in interdisciplinary discourse; and (3) the ontological implications of this approach for understanding the mind/body relationship. The second part of the study then draws on this theological foundation to consider the implications that understanding human nature christologically has for analyzing and assessing several prominent ways of explaining the mind/body relationship. This study, then, is an exercise in understanding the nature of a christocentric anthropology and its implications for understanding human ontology. While it will devote significant attention to the theology of Karl Barth and various contemporary philosophers of mind, its fundamental aim is to draw together these apparently disparate fields of inquiry by engaging both theology and philosophy in a vital dialogue on the nature of the human person as revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

<p>This thesis deals with the polyphonic and argumentative functions of the French negation marker, ne, in editorial texts from the daily press. The concept ‘polyphony’ relates to the presence of multiple voices within one and the same utterance. According to this view, negation triggers a subdivision of an utterance in two points of view. Thus the sentence Sweden will not be a part of the monetary union can be divided in two points of view, the underlying ‘Sweden will be a part of the monetary union’, and the explicit ‘Sweden will not be a part of the monetary union’.</p><p>First, I study the polyphonic structure of negative utterances, notably their division in two points of view, by taking into account their specific linguistic features. This is done so as to identify the relevant linguistic criteria that determine the polyphonic interpretation of the negation. The study demonstrates that contextual elements, including pragmatic connectors, presuppositions contrastive elements, and several other devices constitute the primary source of polyphonic markers.</p><p>Negation is furthermore approached from a textual perspective. I explore how the two opposite points of view that are associated with negation form polyphonic sequences with other points of view carrying the same semantic content, and how these dynamic points of view are associated to the different discourse beings that are found in the newspaper article. I found that these sequences often embrace the central polemic theme of the article and, also, that the polyphonic function is not restricted to the negative utterance but constitutes an element that ensures textual and argumentative coherence. These two analyses are carried out within Jean-Claude Anscombre’s and Oswald Ducrot’s Theory of Structural Argumentation, which has recently been formalised by Kjersti Fløttum, Coco Norén and Henning Nølke.</p><p>Finally in this thesis, I analyse the relation between the discourse beings associated with the negative utterance and real beings that exist outside the text, and then consider what rhetorical implications that correspondence or no correspondence has on the polyphonic interpretation of the negation. I also examine whether polyphonic negation can be considered to be a feature of newspaper editorials that identifies these texts as a genre. This study shows that the locuteur, the discourse being responsible for the enunciation of the negative utterance on a textual level, links to the real being, the editorial writer, who then refutes points of view associated to other discourse beings, often by use of nominalizations that refer to community voices. The locuteur also intrudes into an argument or claim, and refutes it in the name of a community or an authority.</p><p>By defining genre, as does the media researcher Patrick Charaudeau, as a correspondence between the constraints imposed by the discursive situation and the constraints imposed by the discursive features, and by considering that one of the editorial’s constraints is to persuade its readers, this study shows that the phrasal negation ne in its polyphonic function, constitutes a distinguishing feature in the genre of editorials. The refutations that are made by an editor constitute a distinctive argumentative strategy since it permits the editorial writer to present external points of view in order to refute them and thereby impose his or her own, subjective point of view.</p>

State compensation is considered a complementary tool for victims of crimes’ access to restorative justice. Particular benefits with state compensation for trafficked persons is the non-involvement of the offender, which by the nature of the crime usually implies a major obstacle for their access to financial compensation. The access to compensation for cross border victims - which includes victims of trafficking - and the importance of enforcing victims of crimes’ right to justice and equality before the law, has undergone a major actualization in step with the free movement - which led to an increased mobility across EU-borders. The correlation between equality before the law -as an expression for cross border victims’ access to state compensation regardless of citizenship- and the prevailing increasement of freedom of movement in the EU will among others be analyzed down Dworkin’s perception on equality and freedom as reciprocal musts. The right to compensation for victims of trafficking is established in binding EU-acts and therefore requires compliance, particularly since Directive 2004/80/EG - which enforces cross border victims’ right to compensation - was adopted. Due to the lack of contrasting research in the area of victims’ access to state compensation in the EU-member states five different countries is hereby being analyzed, intending to compare national policies on compensation and their compliance with Directive 2004/80/EG. The member states in focus are Spain, Greece, Portugal, Malta and Italy. My conclusion asserts that the member states do comply with the EU-obligations on compensation but the protection of trafficked persons’ right - and access to- state compensation is notwithstanding beneath contempt and requires urgent progress.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Central to the study of animal ecology is the usage an animal makes of its environment. In arid and semi-arid environments worldwide, the availability of surface water largely determines the behaviour, distribution and abundance of animals. As a consequence, the distribution and quality of water are factors that influence carrying capacities of protected areas in environments such as the Kruger National Park, South Africa. Just as wildlife may select water sources according to water quality, they may also select drinking locations according to perceived predation risk. Predation risk can therefore strongly influence the patch use and resource selection of animals. Similarly, human traffic and activity in natural areas can also have an effect on the behaviour and resource use of resident wildlife. This research investigates mammal usage patterns at selected water sources within the Makuleke Wetland System in Kruger National Park to contribute towards management planning for this important Ramsar Wetland Site. The research examines daily and seasonal trends in usage as well as possible links to water quality, land cover and human disturbance. Camera traps were set up seasonally at perennial pans and rivers within the Makuleke Wetland system to determine mammal species’ usage patterns. Environmental characteristics associated with each water source, such as water quality, vegetation cover and extent of human activity were also determined. A cluster analysis and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) were run in order to determine how environmental variables may influence mammal species’ seasonal drinking site selection. Overall, mammals appear to be selecting for drinking sites with increased distances to ground cover where they are more likely to see predators in advance. Mammal species appear to be avoiding the Zimbabwean border as a result of human activity in the Zimbabwean side of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. The perennial pans and rivers appear to be a significant water source during the dry months to large herbivore and large carnivore species, which display the greatest seasonal fluctuations. Elephants show the greatest demand for water during the dry season and access the perennial water sources throughout the day and night. The Makuleke wetland system, and in particular the perennial water sources, provide an important dry season refuge for the northern Kruger National Park’s and the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park’s elephant population. The Luvuvhu River and its associated pan (Nwambe), within its floodplain, are sources of water for the greatest diversity and richness of species when compared to the water sources associated with the Limpopo floodplain, within the Makuleke Wetland System. Information from this study may aid South African National Parks management with their “adaptive management” strategy for Kruger National Park, to manage the park in an ever changing environment. It is widely accepted that emphasis be placed on the major role river systems play in biodiversity, and hence their high priority in conservation.

Swartkrans Cave, famous for abundant hominin fossils of P. robustus and the site where the first evidence of the co-existence of two hominin species was recovered, has yielded a wealth of information on early hominin behaviour. In 2005 a new program of research and excavation began at the site, and its results form the central part of this thesis. This study has focused on the early Pleistocene Member 1 deposits which include an Earlier Stone Age industry and the late Pleistocene Member 4 Middle Stone Age deposits. The thesis has four areas of focus. First the new work has resulted in clarification and new interpretations for the formation of the hominin rich Hanging Remnant deposit of Member 1, which lacks stone tools. This extensive calcified conglomerate which spans most of the north wall of the cave is now seen as a non-homogenous unit that represents material entering from at least four avens. However, this study also established that the newly exposed central portion of the Hanging Remnant and the hominin fossil-rich northwest corner infill worked by Robert Broom in the 1940s derived from the same depositional episode. Secondly, the new excavations in the Lower Bank of Member 1 have resulted in an enlargement of the previously ambiguous Earlier Stone Age assemblage. Analysis of this new assemblage, in conjunction with recently released dating results, has now confirmed that the artefacts belong to the Oldowan Industrial Complex. Thirdly, new excavations in the Member 4 deposit have resulted in the recovery of over 3,200 Middle Stone Age (MSA) stone tools and a clearer understanding of their context. The stone tool-bearing deposits of Member 4 are now understood to derive from a surface colluvium, rather than a cave infill. This MSA assemblage consists of a high number of retouched pieces that are dominated by steep-sided scrapers and denticulated scrapers with a near-absence of points. The technology of a variety of core types suggests a superior understanding of raw material flaking qualities by the tool makers. The limited types of formal tools suggest that the site was used for one or more specific activities, rather than for a range of activities by the tool makers. Fourthly, excavation of the deposits underlying the Member 4 colluvium has resulted in the discovery of two previously unknown hominin-bearing deposits. It is now established that what was originally called Member 4 is composed of three distinct deposits. The lowest of these is an east extension of the Member 1 Lower Bank (LB East Extension), which has yielded P. robustus fossils. This is overlain by a large talus cone (TCD), which also has yielded P. robustus fossils. The latter is capped by flowstone dated to ~110,000 years, followed by the MSA-tool bearing colluvium.

The Appalachian Land Ownership Study was a participatory action research project in one of our nation’s poorest regions suffering from absenteeism, poverty, powerlessness, and improper taxation. In discovering who owned the region’s land, the participants sought to organize against the social, economic and environmental injustices imposed on the Appalachian land and people. Most sociological and historical accounts of the Land Study focus on the process of participatory action research and the work of the project’s Task Force. However, over 50 citizen researchers also participated in the study. These citizen researchers encountered rich learning experiences as they struggled against scientific, corporate, and governmental power. The purpose of this oral history study was to discover the learning and experiences of citizen researchers involved with the Appalachian Land Ownership Study of 1979-1981. Significant themes emerged which contribute to understanding the complex personal, cultural, and social framework for environmental adult education. First, the Appalachian backdrop was a critical context for informal and experiential learning from the land and its people. Second, the Appalachian Ownership Task Force leaders were critical environmental adult educators who facilitated the learning of citizen researchers through dialogue. Third, agency was fostered as citizen researchers were moved to act in defense of a threatened lifeworld, and thus also became critical environmental adult educators. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2013.

Both Thoreau and Rawlings call attention to humanity's need to expand its perceptions and interpretations of what it means to be a part of a community in Walden and Cross Creek, respectively. Building on the established idea of what it means to be incorporated into a human community, each author also implores his or her readers to extend the perceived boundaries of what comprises a "community" to include the natural world. Ultimately, both texts point to the need for the establishment of what Aldo Leopold calls a land ethic, which requires the re-drawing of communal boundaries to include the land with man as a citizen rather than a conqueror of Nature. Thoreau and Rawlings demonstrate how an individual can start to expand his or her conception of community to move closer to Leopold's ideal by recounting the different experiences they have with human society and nature while living at Walden Pond and in Cross Creek, Florida. However, each author uses different approaches. Thoreau concentrates primarily on reflecting upon improving his individual self in order to eventually improve his Concord community. Rawlings, on the other hand, makes a greater effort to reflect upon her interactions with the people of Cross Creek in addition to her interactions with Nature in order to strengthen her bonds with these things. Such a difference causes Rawlings to be read as presenting a re-vision of Thoreau's ideas about the relationship between humankind, one's community, and Nature. While the kinds of experiences Thoreau and Rawlings encounter might be different, in the end it is their emphasis on the importance of an individual's relationship to the community-one that includes both humans and Nature-that resonates with readers. / by Julianne Curran. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2010. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2010. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

[pt] Este estudo tem como pressuposto a idéia de que há uma relação entre degradação das condições ambientais do planeta e desatenção às necessidades e desejos das crianças em espaços de Educação Infantil. Entendendo que os seres humanos são, simultaneamente, seres de cultura e de natureza; e que o pertencimento à natureza foi se perdendo no processo de produção da visão de mundo moderna, a pesquisa buscou elementos para a compreensão das conexões entre esta visão dicotômica e o modo de funcionamento de instituições educacionais. O referencial para conectar os planos micro e macro-políticos foi encontrado nos campos da ecologia, do feminismo e da micropolítica. A pesquisa de campo desenvolveu-se em parceria com uma instância de formação da Secretaria Municipal de Educação de Blumenau (SEMED), Santa Catarina; e envolveu profissionais dos Centros de Educação Infantil (CEIs), que atendem à crianças na faixa etária de 0 a 6 anos, em horário integral. Através de uma investigação qualitativa que inclui observação participante, questionários e entrevistas, foram analisados os espaços físicos de 70% dos CEIs de Blumenau, no que se refere à tempo ao ar livre e contato com elementos do mundo natural, como terra, areia, água e vegetação. A pesquisa inclui, ainda, entrevistas com as profissionais que atuam junto às crianças, buscando elementos para a compreensão do conjunto de referências conceituais que definem um cotidiano distanciado da natureza. Os dados obtidos revelam concepções e práticas educacionais coerentes com uma visão de mundo que separa ser humano e natureza, corpo e mente, razão e emoção. Nesta medida, contribuem para a reprodução de um modo de funcionamento social que é gerador de desequilíbrio ambiental, desigualdade social e sofrimento pessoal. / [en] This study is based on the idea that there is a relationship between the degradation of the environmental conditions of the planet and the lack of attention to children needs and wishes in Childish Education. If there is an undertanding that human beings are, at the same time, culture and nature beings and that the nature perception has been lost during the production process of the modern world vision, the research gathered elements for the comprehension of the relationships between this docotomic vision and the way educational institutions work. The references to connect the micro and macro political plans was found in ecology, feminism and micro political fields. The field research was developed through a partnership with a formation instancy of the Education Municipal Secretary in Blumenau, Santa Catarina; it involved professionals of the Childish Education Centers (CECs), that attend to children from 0 up to 6 years old, in a full time mode. Through a qualitative investigation which includes the participant observation, answers to interviews and questionnaires, the physical spaces of 70% of Blumenau CECs were analysed, regarding the out of door time and contact with elements of the natural world, such as sand, ground, water and vegetation. The research also includes interviews with the professionals who act with the children, searching elements to understand the set of conceptual references which define an everyday far away from nature. The obtained data show educational conceptions and practices that are consonant to a world vision which put apart human being and nature, body and mind, good sense and emotion. Thus, they contribute for the reproduction of a kind of social working method which generates environmental unstability, social inequality and personal suffering.