Community participation is a concept meant to ensure that community members are an integral part of processes that determine their destination in relation to their development needs. It is a means of empowering people by developing their skills and abilities to enable them to negotiate and make appropriate decisions for their development. Community participation, however, is not without its challenges. In most development projects initiated by local municipalities and other government departments in South Africa, community participation appears to be an afterthought. Most often, community members are consulted after decisions are made by government agencies with regards to the kind of development projects that need to be implemented. As a consequence, community development projects which are intended to improve the quality of life of the majority of communities in South Africa, do not meet this objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate community participation in rural development projects and focuses on the Mokgalwaneng community in the North West province of South Africa as a case study. The research asks the following questions: What is the nature of and extent to which community members participate in rural development projects? What are the challenges to community participation in rural development projects and how can these challenges be addressed? An evaluative research design and qualitative and quantitative methodologies were used. The sample groups were the community members and the DRDLR officials and semi-structured questionnaires as interview guides for data collection were used. The study revealed that the majority of the respondents did not participate in the initiation and planning stages of the projects. And the study further revealed that no income and low-income, politics, favoritism, long working hours, illiteracy, low self-esteem, lack of training, lack of resources, lack of communication, lack of information and transparency about the projects are the challenges of participation. It is therefore recommended that, the government should support the community in all levels to ensure a strong commitment to participation in their development projects. It is anticipated that this study will enable the community members and all role players involved in the Mokgalwaneng development projects to realize the importance and advantages of community participation and that they will work through the challenges in order to increase community participation in development projects. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

Thesis (MPhil (Public Management and Planning))--University of Stellenbosch, 1998. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the past the policy for the provision of low-cost housing was not very effective because the context of development planning was characterised by fragmentation, segregation and isolation from the targeted communities. The reasons for this are that these development programmes were not participatory and that they contributed to dependency rather than empowerment of communities. Selected case studies have shown that without the involvement of the community in planning and decision-making low-income housing projects cannot meet the needs and demands of the community for improvement in an effective and efficient way. One of the basic principles of The Reconstruction and Development Programme is that development projects should be people-driven. The policy framework clearly states that delivery systems in housing will depend upon community participation. This current study sought to determine whether delivery systems in low-income housing projects have made this paradigm shift - that they are participatory and need-driven. The study is descriptive and issue-oriented limiting itself to understanding the process of low-income housing provision to newly-urbanised Africans in Mfuleni, a peri-urban settlement in the Cape-Metropole. Interviews were conducted with 100 respondents male or female heads of households, using a semi-structured questionaire. The study gave respondents an opportunity to share their experiences regarding the process of community participation in housing provision.

Community participation is a concept meant to ensure that community members are an integral part of processes that determine their destination in relation to their development needs. It is a means of empowering people by developing their skills and abilities to enable them to negotiate and make appropriate decisions for their development. Community participation, however, is not without its challenges. In most development projects initiated by local municipalities and other government departments in South Africa, community participation appears to be an afterthought. Most often, community members are consulted after decisions are made by government agencies with regards to the kind of development projects that need to be implemented. As a consequence, community development projects which are intended to improve the quality of life of the majority of communities in South Africa, do not meet this objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate community participation in rural development projects and focuses on the Mokgalwaneng community in the North West province of South Africa as a case study. The research asks the following questions: What is the nature of and extent to which community members participate in rural development projects? What are the challenges to community participation in rural development projects and how can these challenges be addressed? An evaluative research design and qualitative and quantitative methodologies were used. The sample groups were the community members and the DRDLR officials and semi-structured questionnaires as interview guides for data collection were used. The study revealed that the majority of the respondents did not participate in the initiation and planning stages of the projects. And the study further revealed that no income and low-income, politics, favoritism, long working hours, illiteracy, low self-esteem, lack of training, lack of resources, lack of communication, lack of information and transparency about the projects are the challenges of participation. It is therefore recommended that, the government should support the community in all levels to ensure a strong commitment to participation in their development projects. It is anticipated that this study will enable the community members and all role players involved in the Mokgalwaneng development projects to realize the importance and advantages of community participation and that they will work through the challenges in order to increase community participation in development projects. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

O objetivo do estudo foi construir o perfil dos indicados pelos Comitês de Ética em Pesquisa - CEPs - para membros da Comissão Nacional de Ética em Pesquisa - CONEP, líderes no sistema de controle da ética em pesquisa no Brasil, quanto à representação de grupos sociais, formação e experiência profissional e experiência e conhecimento em ética na pesquisa. Enquanto informantes-chave, buscou-se conhecer práticas correntes no sistema, e compreensão da regulamentação. Foram aplicados questionários, via correio ou via eletrônica, aos 188 componentes da lista de 2003, obtendo-se 94 respostas válidas, que representaram 80% dos CEPs. O questionário constou de 4 partes - a parte I, de caracterização pessoal, mostrou proporção semelhante de gênero, alta qualificação acadêmica, participação em cursos de pequena duração sobre ética em pesquisa/ bioética, e sensibilidade social. Dos respondentes, 50% tinham cargos de gestão na instituição, 18% deles ligados diretamente à pesquisa, apenas 4% eram representantes de usuários, 90% participaram de pesquisas nos últimos 10 anos, sendo um terço em pesquisa clínica. A parte II correspondeu a uma auto-avaliação de sua participação como membros de CEPs, que mostrou satisfação com a relevância do trabalho, valorização de qualidades como responsabilidade, compromisso, habilidade para trabalho em equipe, sendo que 89% e 85% consideraram-se preparados e competentes respectivamente, apesar de percepção variada da representatividade e compreensão política de sua atuação. Identificaram-se áreas de maior dificuldade na análise de projetos, e encontros, seminários e discussão de casos como formas preferenciais de preparação. A parte III identificou as percepções sobre o funcionamento do sistema de avaliação ética das pesquisas no Brasil, evidenciando a utilização das diretrizes e normas do CNS na análise dos projetos. A mais efetiva participação dos representantes de usuários e o monitoramento das pesquisas são dificuldades freqüentes. Sugestões de melhoria do sistema referiram a abordagem dos projetos da área de ciências humanas, pré-requisitos e preparação para membros de CEPs, integração e melhoria da comunicação entre CEPs e com a Comissão Nacional. A parte IV foram estudos de casos, que evidenciaram convergência de posicionamentos na grande maioria das situações apresentadas. Conclui-se que o reconhecimento da liderança desses indicados nos CEPs institucionais tem reflexos da cultura institucional, mais comumente universidades, e que a indicação de membros reconhecidos pelos seus pares, pode conformar um perfil favorável à atuação na Comissão Nacional. / The objective of the study was to analyze the profile of the persons indicated by the research ethics institutional review boards to become members of the National Commission of Research Ethics (Comissão Nacional de Ética em Pesquisa/CONEP), considered as leaders in the research ethics evaluation system in Brazil, as to their social group representation, professional experience, experience in research ethics, views about current practices in the system and relations to formal regulations. Questionnaires were sent by mail and electronically to the 188 members of IRBs indicated as candidates in 2003 for nomination as member of CONEP, with 94 answers, representing 80% of the IRB universe at that time. The questionnaire was composed of 4 parts, with part 1 dedicated to personal characterization. The results indicated equal gender proportions, high academic qualification, and frequent participation in short courses about research and bioethics. About 50% occupied institutional positions, 18% directly related to research, and only 4% were representatives of the patients. About 90% had involvement with research in the last 10 years, a third with clinical research. Part II was dedicated to their self-evaluation as members of IRBs, revealing feelings of satisfaction and gratification with their work, and valorization of attributes such as responsibility, compromise, team work capabilities, and 89% and 85% considered themselves prepared and competent for their functions, although with differing perceptions regarding representation and political understandings about their work. Some areas present more difficulties in the analysis of the projects and meetings, seminars and case discussions were mentioned as preferential mechanisms for development. Part III identified perceptions about the functioning of the national research ethics evaluation system, and the utilization of official regulations in project analysis. A more effective participation of the patient representatives and the monitoring of projects are major problems. Areas of necessary investment: how to deal with social sciences research projects, pre-requisites and preparation of IRB members and improved communication of IRBs with each other and the National Commission. Part IV consisted of case studies dedicated to frequent ethical dilemmas in research and the majority had convergent positions as to how to deal with them. The profile of these members as leaders in their IRBs reflects also very strong institutional cultures.

A tese apresenta e analisa os conteúdos programáticos e a trajetória administrativa, entre 2005 e 2013, do projeto urbanístico Nova Luz, elaborado pela Prefeitura Municipal de São Paulo para o antigo bairro de Santa Ifigênia, localizado no centro da cidade. Duas hipóteses principais e complementares são aqui verificadas. A primeira insere o projeto na tradição das intervenções saneadoras e embelezadoras do urbanismo moderno, tipificadas pelas intervenções de Haussmann na Paris da segunda metade do século XIX ou no Rio de Janeiro e em São Paulo no início do XX, supondo que, tal como nesses paradigmas, o aprimoramento físico do local combinar-­-se-­-ia com a expulsão dos antigos moradores pobres em favor da valorização imobiliária e de usos elitistas do patrimônio arquitetônico da região. O saneamento físico, neste caso, implicaria doença social e degradação em outras partes da cidade. A segunda hipótese leva em conta diferenças significativas nos contextos histórico e social dos dois períodos tratados, exigindo o exame de alternativas que considerem o momento atual, ou seja, as relações entre sociedade civil e Estado no Brasil, a situação da gestão pública urbana após a Constituinte de 1988 e, particularmente, as formas de participação popular em projetos públicos constatadas na cidade de São Paulo nos últimos anos. Assim, as condições atuais da legislação sobre planejamento urbano, suas relações com políticas neoliberais aplicadas às cidades e a fiscalização pela população no encaminhamento do Nova Luz estariam impedindo o desfecho do projeto e as consequências esperadas pela primeira hipótese. A tese defende que o conceito de salubridade aplicado sob a rubrica de modernização já não encontra o mesmo apoio e terreno limpo do passado. Vitórias palpáveis de organização popular contra o Nova Luz fazem crer que o direito à cidade não mais constitui um ideal inalcançável para as classes populares no Brasil, ou pelo menos em sua maior metrópole. Nesse sentido, o conceito de saúde é ampliado para saúde política, pela maior participação e conquista de direitos às condições urbanas de vida digna pelo conjunto da população. / The thesis presentes and analyzes the planning and administrative trajectory of the Nova Luz (New Light) city planning Project in the period between 2005 and 2013, undertaken by the Municipality of São Paulo for the old Santa Ifigênia neighborhood, located in the city center. Two main and complementary hypotheses are verified here. The first inserts the Project in the tradition of beautifying and sanitizing interventions of modern urbanism, typified by Haussmann\'s interventions in the Paris of the second half of the nineteenth century or in the Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo of the early twentieth, assuming that such as in these paradigms, the physical improvement of the place would combine with the expulsion of the former poor residentes favoring real estate valuation and elitist uses of the architectural heritage of the region. The physical sanitation in this case would imply social illness and degradation in other parts of the city. The second hypothesis takes into account significant diferences in the historical and social contexts of the two periods discussed, requiring an examination of alternatives that take into account the presente moment, that is, the relationship between civil society and the state in Brazil, the situation of urban public management after Constituent Assembly of 1988, and particularly the forms of popular participation in public projects found in the City of São Paulo in recente years. Therefore, the current conditions of the legislation on urban planning, its relations with neoliberal policies applied to cities and monitoring by the population of the execution of the Nova Luz Project would be preventing the conclusion of the Project and the expected consequences of the first hypothesis. The thesis argues that the concept of wholesomeness applied under the rubric of modernization no longer meets the same support and free range it had in the past. Tangible victories of grassroots organizing against the Nova Luz Project lead do believe that the right to the city is no longer an unattainable ideal for the popular classes in Brazil, or at least in its largest metropolis. In this sense, the concept of health is extended to political health, for greater participation and achievement of rights to decente urban living conditions for the whole population.

Community participation is a key feature of major global health declarations and a fundamental principle of health strategies in Aotearoa New Zealand. However, the frequency with which it is espoused belies the complexities associated with its practical application. Engaging communities in primary health care programmes designed to improve their health has been identified as a major challenge. This study’s objective was to explore community members’ perspectives of participation within a health development programme. The programme chosen aimed to increase the fruit and vegetable intake of targeted population groups, including M ori, Pacific peoples, and low income earners. A qualitative instrumental case study approach was adopted to examine the programme and investigate what influenced, constrained, and sustained community participation. Data collection included fieldwork over an eighteen-month period. Two programme projects were selected as the study foci: a communityled project involving distributions of thousands of free heritage variety plants; and, instigated by health services, a project establishing community gardens. These projects provided markedly different pictures of participation occurring within the same programme. The plant distributions had widespread appeal, while the community garden faltered. Community participation fitted within a description of ‘focused social action’. Participation was motivated by needs, values, and interests. While some were personal and family based, the programme also became an imagined vehicle for addressing wider health, social justice, and environmental sustainability goals. Ongoing challenges related to defining targeted communities and groups, varying degrees and types of participation, and different perspectives of participation, especially as health sector staff worked from an equity mandate and community members spoke of equality. Programme groups established as mechanisms to foster community participation had contradictory effects, engaging some as advisors, while failing to reach communities targeted for the programme. The complexities of health sector bureaucracy both enabled and constrained the programme and community participation. This thesis provides an in-depth examination of the complexities of community participation in action, the contradictory effects of contexts enveloping programmes, and the resolve of community members. It increases our understandings of how community members perceive health programmes and community participation, which are critical factors in improving population health.

Community participation is a key feature of major global health declarations and a fundamental principle of health strategies in Aotearoa New Zealand. However, the frequency with which it is espoused belies the complexities associated with its practical application. Engaging communities in primary health care programmes designed to improve their health has been identified as a major challenge. This study’s objective was to explore community members’ perspectives of participation within a health development programme. The programme chosen aimed to increase the fruit and vegetable intake of targeted population groups, including M ori, Pacific peoples, and low income earners. A qualitative instrumental case study approach was adopted to examine the programme and investigate what influenced, constrained, and sustained community participation. Data collection included fieldwork over an eighteen-month period. Two programme projects were selected as the study foci: a communityled project involving distributions of thousands of free heritage variety plants; and, instigated by health services, a project establishing community gardens. These projects provided markedly different pictures of participation occurring within the same programme. The plant distributions had widespread appeal, while the community garden faltered. Community participation fitted within a description of ‘focused social action’. Participation was motivated by needs, values, and interests. While some were personal and family based, the programme also became an imagined vehicle for addressing wider health, social justice, and environmental sustainability goals. Ongoing challenges related to defining targeted communities and groups, varying degrees and types of participation, and different perspectives of participation, especially as health sector staff worked from an equity mandate and community members spoke of equality. Programme groups established as mechanisms to foster community participation had contradictory effects, engaging some as advisors, while failing to reach communities targeted for the programme. The complexities of health sector bureaucracy both enabled and constrained the programme and community participation. This thesis provides an in-depth examination of the complexities of community participation in action, the contradictory effects of contexts enveloping programmes, and the resolve of community members. It increases our understandings of how community members perceive health programmes and community participation, which are critical factors in improving population health.

Several factors are driving the transition from paper-based health records to electronic health record systems. In the United States, the adoption rate of electronic health record systems significantly increased after "Meaningful Use" incentive program was started in 2009. While increased use of electronic health record systems could improve the efficiency and quality of healthcare services, it can also lead to a number of security and privacy issues, such as identity theft and healthcare fraud. Such incidents could have negative impact on trustworthiness of electronic health record technology itself and thereby could limit its benefits. In this dissertation, we tackle three challenges that we believe are important to improve the security and privacy in electronic health record systems. Our approach is based on an analysis of real-world incidents, namely theft and misuse of patient identity, unauthorized usage and update of electronic health records, and threats from insiders in healthcare organizations. Our contributions include design and development of a user-centric monitoring agent system that works on behalf of a patient (i.e., an end user) and securely monitors usage of the patient's identity credentials as well as access to her electronic health records. Such a monitoring agent can enhance patient's awareness and control and improve accountability for health records even in a distributed, multi-domain environment, which is typical in an e-healthcare setting. This will reduce the risk and loss caused by misuse of stolen data. In addition to the solution from a patient's perspective, we also propose a secure system architecture that can be used in healthcare organizations to enable robust auditing and management over client devices. This helps us further enhance patients' confidence in secure use of their health data.

This research explored the application of a resilience assessment (RA) template in an Ontario community to facilitate sustainable community planning. Research and application of sustainable community planning that incorporates management of social and ecological resilience is relatively young territory that requires improved understanding and extension. The research goals were to critically examine the performance of the process used to perform the RA. This inquiry was considered a knowledge-generating evaluation that combined applied research and evaluation research to contribute to theoretical understanding and action. The RA template was field-tested using a single in-depth case study - the Town of Huntsville, Ontario. A mixture of qualitative methods was used to pilot and evaluate the RA, including: key informant interviews, online group discussions, focus groups, and secondary literature review. The process used to perform the RA was evaluated against four criteria that focused on the adequacy of data collection, participant diversity, participant empowerment, and utility for other communities. This research illuminated obstacles and shortcomings within the Resilience Alliance 2010 RA workbook and offered recommendations to improve the utility of the RA for communities and participants. The RA template tested in this thesis could be adapted for application in other communities, including small urban and rural communities and larger municipalities. The RA template would benefit from additional case study research.

A coastal lagoon is a landform that is influenced by natural processes and human activities. All human activities at the upstream, particularly agriculture and cultivation bring soil, waste, and other materials to the downstream area through the river drains into the lagoon. Even though its position is inland of water bodies, the lagoon is still affected by waves and winds from the sea. Additionally, coastal lagoon will be the depository place for sedimentation from the upland area. Segara Anakan (SA), which is located in Indonesia, is an example of a coastal lagoon area, which has a unique biophysical characteristic. The region has a great natural ability to ensure the sustainability of the interrelationships between terrestrial, estuarine and marine ecosystems in harmony and balance as a habitat for flora and fauna. The region is an area of migration of various types of protected animals and it is a place of breeding for diverse species of the shrimp and fish, which have a highly economical value. Segara Anakan lagoon (SAL), currently experiencing acceleration narrowed on its area due to a very intensive sedimentation from the mainland. The research aims to answer the question of how ecological dynamic occurs in the SAL area due to sedimentation. Achieving the objectives of this study required examining the morphology and land use changes with multitemporal remote sensing approaches. While, to assess the role of community participation and planning management strategies is using qualitative descriptive methods and SWOT analyze. The using of multitemporal remote sensing Landsat images is possible to analyze the morphological and land use changes with different time and sensors. These Landsat has image accuracy about 92.66%. It can be used for image interpretations resulting 13 classes of land use. The morphodynamics of SAL indicated by the changes of area of lagoon and accreted land and also the distance of coastlines during the periods 1979-2013. In addition, the land use or land cover also changes during that time. The bigger portions of land use changes are in the tropical and mangrove\'s forests. There are distinctive forms of participation in conservation efforts. The upstream community involvement in conservation tends to be different participating in the way of ideas, money, materials, properties, skills and expertise or social activities. In addition, the community at downstream area has a sufficiently high level of participation in environmental conservation. There are also strong relationships between the level of education and level of income and basic knowledge in conservation with the participation of SA conservation. The ecological dynamics of the SAL area are described with a historical time line. It is divided into three time periods: the 1970s - 1980s, the 1990s and from 2000 onwards. Each of these has occurrences that can lead to changes in the environment. The implementation of appropriate conservation technique can reduce the sedimentation rate. Hence, the synergic coordination measures between upstream and downstream regions are necessary in the future. Increasing community awareness and participation in the conservation by improving educational sector, providing information, and applying sustainable development land use are the ways to match human activities with the temporal and spatial dynamics of the coastal resources.