Development communication campaigns are often carried out to look good and remain ascribed to what has been referred by some authors as communication about development, where communication actions tend to remain a one-way process to legitimize donors’ accountability and promote visible deliverables.  Communication for development (C4D) is understood as a powerful tool that will give voice to the marginalised, opening up for a much wider participation of people to decision making processes and choices that could affect their lives, directly promoting good governance.  This degree project looks at how C4D has been utilised by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in its development interventions and in one communication campaign, in order to answer the main research question of the project: to what extent C4D can lead to a more inclusive development communication? In particular, this project will look more closely at a case study, a recent communication campaign jointly developed by the African Union, the European Union and UNICEF called #YourVoiceYourFuture. Through qualitative interviews with UNICEF staff working on communication and C4D and the analysis of the case study #YourVoiceYourFuture campaign, this degree project tries to investigate how UNICEF has continued including C4D principles in its interventions. Moreover, through the case study analysis, this degree project will look at how C4D principles can be embedded in development communication actions in order to create more inclusive campaigns, with a wider impact and a higher chance to promote social change.    The case study will also show that in order to increase the reach of the campaign, UNICEF’s use of U-Report was instrumental to create an ‘invited space’. Thanks to U-Report, a two-way engagement with the audience was established, sharing young people’s opinions in Africa and Europe and giving them a voice and allowing them to influence political outcomes at the AU-EU Summit in February 2022. The degree project will conclude by recommending that future communication campaigns should consider including C4D principles in their making, in order engage better with audiences and lead to more inclusive results.

The power of the pen used to spark images of the depicted dynamics between the powerful and the powerless is demonstrated in Swedish poet and activist Jenny Wrangborg’s collection of working-class poems. Wrangborg’s poems, which describe the daunting situations faced by marginalized members of the working-class sector causes the reader to question whether or not enough change is taking place, and at what paste is change truly happening in modern society. The use of Wrangborg’s work in this study is to demonstrate the role creative arts, specifically poetry plays in C4D. The findings of this study is to particularly show the way individual voices can be used to promote social justice whilst bringing attention to issues of class discrimination and gender inequality. In this study, I argue that poetry can be a vital mode of protest. The purpose of this study is to determine the strength a single individual has in helping to create change and transformation. The main aim and purpose of this research is to bring a clearer understanding of how poetry in the hands of an advocate can become a strategic communicative tool used to initiate societal change.

This study compares print media representations of refugees and asylum seekers with representations in short stories and poems written by refugees and asylum seekers themselves, within the frames of creative writing workshops. The primary research question guiding the study reads: How do (self-)representations in texts written by refugees and asylum seekers, within the frames of creative writing workshops, differ from representations of refugees and asylum seekers in print media.As a theoretical foundation for the study serves the social constructionist assumption that language, rather than reflect, constructs reality, and that the way the world is understood affects policies, practices and actions – in this case concerning refugees, asylum seekers, refugee relief, refugee/asylum seeker reception systems, integration etc. Starting out from the notion that print media representations of refugees and asylum seekers follow certain recurring patterns – not only resulting in rather simplistic portrayals, but, also, almost systematically leaving out refugee and asylum seeker voices, views and opinions – the study, following Dorothy Smiths suggestion that individuals somehow excluded from a particular discourse may offer perspectives undermining it, turns to the refugees and asylum seekers’ own texts as a possible source of alternative representations. Using Ernesto Laclau and Chantal Mouffe’s discourse theory, complemented by semiotic analysis, (self-)representations in three anthologies with refugee and asylum seeker texts are compared to the results of a meta analysis of earlier research of representations of refugees and asylum seekers in print media.The findings of the study suggests that there are similarities, but also significant differences in how refugees and asylum seekers are represented in their own texts when compared to print media. Consequently, it is argued that there is a potential worth fostering in the creative writing workshops for refugees and asylum seekers, as well as similar initiatives. They may be seen as a step towards increasing refugees and asylum seekers’ opportunities to voice their opinion in matters that concern them; as answering to the post colonial call for bringing in new voices to the (social) development debate; and as contributing to the realisation of an agonistic democracy/pluralism.

A presente dissertação trata da implementação e otimização de um sistema de detecção condutométrica sem contato capacitivamente acoplada (C4D) para Eletroforese Capilar (CE). O sistema é caracterizado pela compactação do sistema de detecção, versatilidade e flexibilidade de instalação em diferentes equipamentos comerciais de eletroforese capilar e home made. Desde a década de 80, a eletroforese capilar vem se consolidando como uma das técnicas de separação mais relevantes. Normalmente, os instrumentos comerciais são disponibilizados com detectores ópticos e detectores eletroquímicos. A C4D é utilizada em eletroforese capilar posicionando-se dois eletrodos tubulares envoltos ao capilar. A aplicação de sinais de alta frequência entre os eletrodos permite monitorar variações de condutividade da solução dentro do capilar. Assim, a resposta do detector depende de diversos fatores como mobilidade do analito, do co-íon do eletrólito, da frequência e amplitude do sinal aplicado entre os eletrodos e da geometria dos mesmos. A ausência de componentes móveis torna o presente detector compacto (6,5 cm3) e robusto. O presente C4D é constituído de um oscilador local funcionando a 1,1 MHz, um circuito capaz de converter corrente em tensão, retificar e filtrar os sinais analógcos, além de apresentar um conversor de sinais analógicos em digitais (Conversor A/D) de alta resolução (21 bits efetivos). Outra vantagem é a possibilidade de determinar o diâmetro interno do capilar através da leitura do conversor A/D quando se faz passar um fluxo de ar e, posteriormente água através do capilar. A diferença de leitura de conversor A/D pode ser convertida em diâmetro interno mediante uma curva de calibração. Em uma aplicação típica, os limites de detecção baseado no critério 3s (sem filtragem inicial) foi de 0,6, 0,4, 0,3, 0,5, 0,6 e 0,8 µmol L-1 para K+, Ba2+, Ca2+, Na+, Mg2+ e Li+, respectivamente, é comparável a outras implementações de alta qualidade de um detector condutométrico sem contato capacitivamente acoplado. / This dissertation deals with the implementation and optimization of a Capacitively Coupled Contactless Conductivity Detector (C4D) applied to capillary electrophoresis (CE). The system is characterized by compaction of the detection system, installation flexibility and versatility in different commercial capillary electrophoresis equipment and home-made. Since the 80s, capillary electrophoresis has been consolidated as one of the most important separation techniques. Typically, commercial instruments are available to optical detectors and electrochemical detectors. The C4D is used in capillary electrophoresis positioning two electrodes encased in tubular capillary. The application of high frequency signals between the electrodes allows monitoring changes in conductivity of the solution within the capillary. Thus, the detector response depends on several factors such as mobility of the analyte, the co-ion electrolyte, the frequency and amplitude of the signal applied between the electrodes and the geometry of the same. The absence of moving parts makes this compact detector (6.5 cm3) and robust. This C4D is composed of a local oscillator, working at 1.1 MHz, a circuit capable of converting current into voltage, rectify and filter the analogs signals, besides presenting a high-resolution analog-to-digital converter (ADC) (21 bits effective). Another advantage is the possibility of determining the internal diameter of the capillary by reading the ADC when it is passed a stream of air and then water through the capillary. A readings different ADC can be converted into inner diameter through a curve a calibration curve. In a typical application, the detection limits based on the 3s criterion (without baseline filtering) was 0.6, 0.4, 0.3, 0.5, 0.6 and 0.8 µmol L-1 for K+, Ba2 +, Ca2 +, Na+, Mg2+ and Li+, respectively, is comparable to other high-quality implementations of a capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detector.

A presente dissertação trata da implementação e otimização de um sistema de detecção condutométrica sem contato capacitivamente acoplada (C4D) para Eletroforese Capilar (CE). O sistema é caracterizado pela compactação do sistema de detecção, versatilidade e flexibilidade de instalação em diferentes equipamentos comerciais de eletroforese capilar e home made. Desde a década de 80, a eletroforese capilar vem se consolidando como uma das técnicas de separação mais relevantes. Normalmente, os instrumentos comerciais são disponibilizados com detectores ópticos e detectores eletroquímicos. A C4D é utilizada em eletroforese capilar posicionando-se dois eletrodos tubulares envoltos ao capilar. A aplicação de sinais de alta frequência entre os eletrodos permite monitorar variações de condutividade da solução dentro do capilar. Assim, a resposta do detector depende de diversos fatores como mobilidade do analito, do co-íon do eletrólito, da frequência e amplitude do sinal aplicado entre os eletrodos e da geometria dos mesmos. A ausência de componentes móveis torna o presente detector compacto (6,5 cm3) e robusto. O presente C4D é constituído de um oscilador local funcionando a 1,1 MHz, um circuito capaz de converter corrente em tensão, retificar e filtrar os sinais analógcos, além de apresentar um conversor de sinais analógicos em digitais (Conversor A/D) de alta resolução (21 bits efetivos). Outra vantagem é a possibilidade de determinar o diâmetro interno do capilar através da leitura do conversor A/D quando se faz passar um fluxo de ar e, posteriormente água através do capilar. A diferença de leitura de conversor A/D pode ser convertida em diâmetro interno mediante uma curva de calibração. Em uma aplicação típica, os limites de detecção baseado no critério 3s (sem filtragem inicial) foi de 0,6, 0,4, 0,3, 0,5, 0,6 e 0,8 µmol L-1 para K+, Ba2+, Ca2+, Na+, Mg2+ e Li+, respectivamente, é comparável a outras implementações de alta qualidade de um detector condutométrico sem contato capacitivamente acoplado. / This dissertation deals with the implementation and optimization of a Capacitively Coupled Contactless Conductivity Detector (C4D) applied to capillary electrophoresis (CE). The system is characterized by compaction of the detection system, installation flexibility and versatility in different commercial capillary electrophoresis equipment and home-made. Since the 80s, capillary electrophoresis has been consolidated as one of the most important separation techniques. Typically, commercial instruments are available to optical detectors and electrochemical detectors. The C4D is used in capillary electrophoresis positioning two electrodes encased in tubular capillary. The application of high frequency signals between the electrodes allows monitoring changes in conductivity of the solution within the capillary. Thus, the detector response depends on several factors such as mobility of the analyte, the co-ion electrolyte, the frequency and amplitude of the signal applied between the electrodes and the geometry of the same. The absence of moving parts makes this compact detector (6.5 cm3) and robust. This C4D is composed of a local oscillator, working at 1.1 MHz, a circuit capable of converting current into voltage, rectify and filter the analogs signals, besides presenting a high-resolution analog-to-digital converter (ADC) (21 bits effective). Another advantage is the possibility of determining the internal diameter of the capillary by reading the ADC when it is passed a stream of air and then water through the capillary. A readings different ADC can be converted into inner diameter through a curve a calibration curve. In a typical application, the detection limits based on the 3s criterion (without baseline filtering) was 0.6, 0.4, 0.3, 0.5, 0.6 and 0.8 µmol L-1 for K+, Ba2 +, Ca2 +, Na+, Mg2+ and Li+, respectively, is comparable to other high-quality implementations of a capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detector.

This research delves into the complex nexus between sustainable development and the participation of Indigenous Peoples (IPs), with a specific emphasis on Amerindians in Guyana. While sustainable development increasingly integrates into global policy, IPs have historically faced marginalisation, often finding their rights overlooked in discussions on climate change and sustainability. The inherent connection of IPs to their territories, marked by their role as stewards of the environment, showcases their critical importance in global sustainable practices. However, mainstream development often disregards the rich mosaic of Indigenous cultures, experiences, and worldviews. Utilising the Guyana-European Union Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade Voluntary Partnership Agreements (FLEGT VPA) as a case study, this research probes the intricate dynamics of a solution acclaimed for addressing deforestation and illegal logging. Central to the study is the exploration of participatory communication within this development intervention. By highlighting the potential of this communication approach, the study posits that IPs can actively engage, empowering them to reclaim their narrative and enhance their self-determination. Theoretical insights, which include postcolonial and subaltern studies, are complemented by several frameworks such as Communication for Development (C4D) and Communication for Social Change (CSC), among others. By employing a mixed-method approach encompassing individual interviews and focus group discussions, the research presents a comprehensive portrayal of IPs' perspectives on communication processes. The findings aim to augment academic discourse on the communication dynamics around sustainable initiatives, spotlighting avenues for more inclusive, patient, and equitable strategies in support of IPs and local communities. In essence, this thesis calls for an enduring commitment to bridge the chasm between vision and reality in sustainable development.

No description available.

The ongoing digital transformation of our societies impacts all aspects of our lives aswell as the international development and the design for social change. Having said that,in this paper I studied whether the design of participatory ICT4Ds can engage the localend-users/beneficiaries in the processes of knowledge and identity creation, and thus,achieve their self-representation in order to break the colonial-based stereotypes. Moreover, I examined whether the locals’ participation can emancipate design, development,and ICT4Ds from their colonial heritage and the related universalisms, and thus, achievethe construction of a postcolonial pluriversal world.To examine all of the above, I combined the approach of comparative case studies with aseries of interviews. As my research context I investigated the participatory dimensions oftwo ICT4D initiatives, namely UNICEF’s U-Report Yunitok Kenya and Map Kibera, thatoperate also in the Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya. Because of this area’s colonial historyand influence I used postcolonialism as my theoretical framework.The results of this study suggest that the design of participatory ICT4Ds can be influentialin the knowledge and identity creation of the Global South and this has the dynamics tocreate a postcolonial pluriversal world. Similarly, locals’ participation seems to have thepotential to emancipate design, development, and ICT4Ds from their colonial heritage.Nevertheless, this study advocates that the postcolonial rejection of universalisms mightbe problematic as it seems that the concept is not inherently negative but it rather hasstrong connotations due to its connection with the colonial history.

Introdução: O fragmento C4d e os anticorpos anti-HLA doador específicos (DSA) são marcadores de resposta humoral em enxertos renais com rejeição, mas o papel das células B nesse processo ainda não é claro. Neste estudo foi avaliada a correlação entre C4d, DSA e células B de enxertos com disfunção e sua associação com aspectos morfológicos, função e sobrevida do rim transplantado. Material e Métodos: A marcação para C4d, células B CD20+ e plasmócitos CD138+ foi realizada por imunoperoxidase em biópsias por indicação de 110 receptores de transplante renal. Positividade para CD20 e CD138 foi definida por curva ROC (≥5 céls./mm2). O soro coletado concomitante a biópsia foi testado para DSA classe I e classe II. Estes marcadores foram correlacionados com dados clínicos e do transplante, a histopatologia de Banff e a evolução do rim transplantado. Resultados: Depósitos de C4d e DSA circulantes foram detectados em 100% e 70% dos pacientes com rejeição mediada por anticorpos (RMA) respectivamente, e nos casos de rejeição aguda celular (RAC) em 42% (p<0,001, vs. RMA) e 28% (p=0,003, vs. RMA). Estes dois marcadores correlacionaram-se positivamente (r=0,31, p=0,016). Houve correlação significativa entre DSA e plasmócitos CD138+ (r=0.32 p=0,006), mas as células CD20 e CD138 não se correlacionaram entre si. As células CD138+ predominaram na RMA, associadas com maior painel pré-transplante e DSA, mas não a C4d, e as células CD20+ predominaram na RAC e nas biópsias com fibrose intersticial/atrofia tubular, associadas a maior incompatibilidade HLA e a retransplantes. Pacientes com C4d+ tiveram pior função e sobrevida do enxerto em três anos de transplante, e aqueles com DSA+ uma pior 7 sobrevida do enxerto. Positividade para CD20 ou CD138 não foi preditiva da função ou sobrevida do enxerto. Na análise multivariada, somente o C4d foi fator de risco para perda do enxerto. Conclusões: Esses resultados confirmam o valor prognóstico do C4d e dos DSA para uma pior evolução do enxerto renal, e sugerem uma associação das células B CD20+ com parâmetros de rejeição celular e dos plasmócitos CD138+ com marcadores de resposta humoral. Entretanto, nesse estudo o infiltrado de células B na biópsia do enxerto não foi preditivo de uma pior evolução do rim transplantado. / Introduction: The fragment C4d and the donor specific anti-HLA antibodies (DSA) are markers of the humoral response in rejecting kidney grafts, but the role of B cells in this process is still unclear. In this study we evaluated the correlation between C4d, DSA and B cells in dysfunctional grafts, and their association with morphological features, and graft function and survival. Material and Methods: The staining for C4d, CD20+ B cells and CD138+ plasmocytes were done by immunoperoxidase in 110 kidney graft biopsies for cause. Positivity for CD20 and CD138 were established by ROC curve (≥5 cells/mm2). Serum collected at biopsy were tested for anti-HLA class I and II antibodies. These markers were correlated with clinical and transplant characteristics, Banff histopathology and graft outcomes. Results: C4d deposits and circulating DSA were detected in 100% and 70% of the patients with antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) respectively, and in cases with acute cellular rejection (ACR) in 42% (p<0.001, vs. AMR) and 28% (p=0.003, vs. AMR), respectively. Both markers were positively correlated (r=0.31, p=0.016), and there was also a significant correlation between DSA and plasmocytes CD138+ (r=0.32 p=0.006). CD20 and C138 cells were not siginificantly correlated. Plasmocytes CD138+ predominated in AMR, and were associated with higher pre transplant PRA and DSA positivity, but not with C4d. CD20+ B cells were highly expressed in ACR and in biopsies with interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy, in association with more HLA mismatches and re-transplants. Patients with C4d had poorer graft function and survival, and those 9 with DSA + also had a worse graft survival in three years of transplant. CD20 or CD138 cells were not predictive of graft outcomes. In multivariated analysis, only C4d remained a risk factor for graft loss. Conclusion: These results confirm the prognostic value of C4d and circulating DSA for a worse kidney graft outcome, and suggest an association of CD20+ B cells with parameters of cellular rejection whereas CD138+ plasmocytes correlated with markers of the humoral response. However, in this study the B cell infiltrate in graft biopsy was not predictive of adverse outcomes to the transplanted kidney.

Introdução: O fragmento C4d e os anticorpos anti-HLA doador específicos (DSA) são marcadores de resposta humoral em enxertos renais com rejeição, mas o papel das células B nesse processo ainda não é claro. Neste estudo foi avaliada a correlação entre C4d, DSA e células B de enxertos com disfunção e sua associação com aspectos morfológicos, função e sobrevida do rim transplantado. Material e Métodos: A marcação para C4d, células B CD20+ e plasmócitos CD138+ foi realizada por imunoperoxidase em biópsias por indicação de 110 receptores de transplante renal. Positividade para CD20 e CD138 foi definida por curva ROC (≥5 céls./mm2). O soro coletado concomitante a biópsia foi testado para DSA classe I e classe II. Estes marcadores foram correlacionados com dados clínicos e do transplante, a histopatologia de Banff e a evolução do rim transplantado. Resultados: Depósitos de C4d e DSA circulantes foram detectados em 100% e 70% dos pacientes com rejeição mediada por anticorpos (RMA) respectivamente, e nos casos de rejeição aguda celular (RAC) em 42% (p<0,001, vs. RMA) e 28% (p=0,003, vs. RMA). Estes dois marcadores correlacionaram-se positivamente (r=0,31, p=0,016). Houve correlação significativa entre DSA e plasmócitos CD138+ (r=0.32 p=0,006), mas as células CD20 e CD138 não se correlacionaram entre si. As células CD138+ predominaram na RMA, associadas com maior painel pré-transplante e DSA, mas não a C4d, e as células CD20+ predominaram na RAC e nas biópsias com fibrose intersticial/atrofia tubular, associadas a maior incompatibilidade HLA e a retransplantes. Pacientes com C4d+ tiveram pior função e sobrevida do enxerto em três anos de transplante, e aqueles com DSA+ uma pior 7 sobrevida do enxerto. Positividade para CD20 ou CD138 não foi preditiva da função ou sobrevida do enxerto. Na análise multivariada, somente o C4d foi fator de risco para perda do enxerto. Conclusões: Esses resultados confirmam o valor prognóstico do C4d e dos DSA para uma pior evolução do enxerto renal, e sugerem uma associação das células B CD20+ com parâmetros de rejeição celular e dos plasmócitos CD138+ com marcadores de resposta humoral. Entretanto, nesse estudo o infiltrado de células B na biópsia do enxerto não foi preditivo de uma pior evolução do rim transplantado. / Introduction: The fragment C4d and the donor specific anti-HLA antibodies (DSA) are markers of the humoral response in rejecting kidney grafts, but the role of B cells in this process is still unclear. In this study we evaluated the correlation between C4d, DSA and B cells in dysfunctional grafts, and their association with morphological features, and graft function and survival. Material and Methods: The staining for C4d, CD20+ B cells and CD138+ plasmocytes were done by immunoperoxidase in 110 kidney graft biopsies for cause. Positivity for CD20 and CD138 were established by ROC curve (≥5 cells/mm2). Serum collected at biopsy were tested for anti-HLA class I and II antibodies. These markers were correlated with clinical and transplant characteristics, Banff histopathology and graft outcomes. Results: C4d deposits and circulating DSA were detected in 100% and 70% of the patients with antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) respectively, and in cases with acute cellular rejection (ACR) in 42% (p<0.001, vs. AMR) and 28% (p=0.003, vs. AMR), respectively. Both markers were positively correlated (r=0.31, p=0.016), and there was also a significant correlation between DSA and plasmocytes CD138+ (r=0.32 p=0.006). CD20 and C138 cells were not siginificantly correlated. Plasmocytes CD138+ predominated in AMR, and were associated with higher pre transplant PRA and DSA positivity, but not with C4d. CD20+ B cells were highly expressed in ACR and in biopsies with interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy, in association with more HLA mismatches and re-transplants. Patients with C4d had poorer graft function and survival, and those 9 with DSA + also had a worse graft survival in three years of transplant. CD20 or CD138 cells were not predictive of graft outcomes. In multivariated analysis, only C4d remained a risk factor for graft loss. Conclusion: These results confirm the prognostic value of C4d and circulating DSA for a worse kidney graft outcome, and suggest an association of CD20+ B cells with parameters of cellular rejection whereas CD138+ plasmocytes correlated with markers of the humoral response. However, in this study the B cell infiltrate in graft biopsy was not predictive of adverse outcomes to the transplanted kidney.