The formation of social relationships accompanies us throughout our lives and are a source of satisfaction. While social interactions bring joy to healthy children, children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder bring such interactions to an unknown territory filled with uncertainty and distress. The social domain is an interrelated system consisting of several areas. If a child does not understand one or more areas, she will not function correctly during human-to-human interactions. Areas that help a child acquire appropriate social skills include cognitive, perceptual, motor, and emotional abilities. Consequently, it is only appropriate to focus on such areas during social skills training to achieve the best possible outcomes. The thesis deliberates on the social skills development of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The work aims to characterize the methods and intervention options in social skills development, imitation, and fine motor skills and evaluate progress in respective areas. The thesis is divided into four chapters. The first chapter outlines the history and terminology development of autism spectrum disorders. The second chapter focuses on social skills development, imitation, fine motor skills, and play. The third chapter describes two children's case studies and...

In determinate circostanze, i giovani vulnerabili possono sperimentare inclusione sociale attraverso lo sport. Dal momento che la comprensione di tali circostanze rimane poco studiata, la tesi fornisce approfondimenti su questo argomento mostrando i risultati della valutazione dialogica di un programma sportivo italiano. I risultati mostrano che: I. Promuovere l'accesso allo sport attraverso tasse sportive agevolate, servizi burocratici e trasporti inclusivi sono presupposti fondamentali per introdurre i giovani allo sport; II. Introdurre professionisti che facciano da ponte tra le società sportive locali e le diverse agenzie che si occupano di giovani vulnerabili è una condizione fondamentale che fornisce maggiori risorse sociali ai giovani, soprattutto in caso di grave vulnerabilità sociale. III. Coinvolgere i club sportivi in una formazione mirata a migliorare la loro capacità di essere inclusivi è una condizione significativa da considerare poiché "competizione" e "inclusione" sono percepiti come valori opposti difficilmente integrabili nel lavoro degli allenatori sportivi. IV. L'esperienza di inclusione attraverso lo sport è collegata all'autoefficacia sportiva e all'interesse dei giovani verso certi sport. Il lavoro discute il ruolo dei processi dialogici nella traduzione della conoscenza scientifica alla pratica e viceversa. I risultati forniscono suggerimenti orientati alla pianificazione e la gestione dei programmi sportivi. / Under certain circumstances, vulnerable youngsters might experience social inclusion through sport. Since the understanding of such circumstances remains under-researched, the dissertation provides insights into this topic by showing the dialogic evaluation outcomes of an Italian sport-based programme. The results shows that: I. Promoting access to sport through subsidised sports fees, inclusive bureaucracy services and transport are fundamental preconditions to introducing youth to the sports; II. Introducing professionals who bridge the gap between local sports clubs and diverse agencies dealing with vulnerable youth is a fundamental condition that provides increased social resources to youngsters, especially in case of severe social vulnerability. III. Involving sports clubs in training aimed at enhancing their capacity to be inclusive is a meaningful condition to consider since “competition” and “inclusion” are perceived as opposite values that can hardly be integrated into sports coaches work. IV. The experience of inclusion through sport is connected to sport self-efficacy and the interest of youth toward certain sports. The work discusses the role of dialogic processes in the translation of scientific knowledge to practice and vice versa. Results provide action-oriented evidence for sport for development planning and management.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to assess the extent of the relevance and success of the empowerment model in facilitating and promoting rural development in South Africa. The assumption was that through active participation communities are able to gain control over their lives and are empowered to promote development successfully. In undertaking this study, the researcher initially reviewed literature on rural development, and thereafter presented and discussed various development methodologies used for realising community development, participation and empowerment. Three case studies selected for an indepth study were distinguishable as follows: the first case that could be regarded as "finished and unsuccessful", the second one that could be classified as "finished and successful", and the third one that could be labelled as "new and ongoing" with respect to rural development projects in the respective communities. A comparative analysis of the three case studies was undertaken with the purpose of establishing the "success" and "failure" in the projects designed to enhance community development and participation. The study shows quite clearly that development projects do not operate in a vacuum but are components of national, social and economic development policies, strategies and programmes for which governments often bear some degree of final responsibility. The success of development projects depends to a large extent on a number of issues, of which community participation and empowerment are the most important. Unless the community actively identifies itself with the project or at the least is involved from day one, in the decisionmaking process of the proposed project, it will be very difficult, if not impossible to achieve the project's developmental objectives. On the basis of the empirical findings, it was revealed that the prerequisites for a successful community development project depend on: a) the encouragement of active involvement, community participation and empowerment of communities for the purpose of enabling them to meet their needs, problems and aspirations; b) the completion in full of the cycle of the development methodology; c) the identification and handling of obstacles in the development cycle as the project unfolds to successful completion; d) the promotion of a facilitative role with regard to capacity building and skills transfer by development personnel; and e) the development of capacity for communities to take control over events influencing their lives (e.g. knowledge, skills, information, networks and support structures to mention a few). In conclusion, it is stressed that the development of people as individuals and as collective groups was central to community development. In doing so, a shift which placed heavy emphasis on resource management and service delivery to capacity building and skills transfer has to take place in order to promote development and social change, making communities progressively minded, desirous of improving their living conditions and capable of doing so through adopting a co-operative way of life for promoting group interests of the community as a whole. From the lessons learned in this study it was shown that the process of rural development can be promoted in a successful manner through the empowerment model which stresses community involvement and participation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie navorsingsprojek was om vas te stel wat die omvang van toepaslikheid en sukses van die bemagtigingsmodel is, in die fasilitering en bevordering van plattelandse ontwikkeling in Suid-Afrika. Die veronderstelling was dat deur aktiewe deelname gemeenskappe in staat sal wees om beheer oor hulle lewe te verkry, en bemagtig sal wees om ontwikkeling suksesvol te promoveer. Met die aanvang van die navorsing, het die navorser eerstens relevante literatuur oor die plattelandse ontwikkeling nagegaan en daarna is verskeie ontwikkelingsmetodes (nasionaal en internasionaal), wat gebruik word vir die realisering van gemeenskapsontwikkeling, betrokkenheid en bemagtiging, aangebied en bespreek. Die drie gevallestudies wat gekies is vir die indiepte ondersoek, word as volg onderskei: die eerste geval kan beskou word as "voltooid en onsuksesvol", die tweede een kan geklassifiseer word as "voltooid en suksesvol", en die derde een kan beskou word as "nuut en in proses" met verwysing na plattelandse ontwikkelingsprojekte in onderskeie gemeenskappe. 'n Vergelykende analise van bogenoemde gevallestudies is onderneem met die doelom die sukses en mislukking van projekte wat ontwerp is om die gemeenskapsontwikkeling en deelname vas te stel. Dit is gevind dat ontwikkelingsprojekte nie in 'n lugleegte geskied nie, maar komponente is van nasionale, sosiale en ekonomiese ontwikkelingsbeleid, strategiee en programme waarvoor die regering meestal 'n mate van finale verantwoordelikheid dra. Die sukses van ontwikkelingsprojekte hang tot 'n groot mate af van 'n aantal kwessies, waarvan gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid en bemagtiging waarskynlik die belangrikste is, tensy die gemeenskap aktief identifiseer met die projek, of ten minste betrokke is van die begin af in die besluitnemingsproses van die betrokke projek, sal dit baie moeilik indien nie onmoontlik, wees om die projek se ontwikkelingstellings te bereik. Die literatuuroorsig het getoon dat die gebruik van ingevoerde westerse norme, standaarde, ontwerpe, regulasies, ens. In die fasilitering van gemeenskapsontwikkeling, in die besonder in plattelandse gebiede, dikwels tot gevolg het dat die projek vervreemding by die plaaslike omgewing veroorsaak. Vir die sukses van die fasiliteringsproses, was vasgestel dat klem op die aanmoediging van, betrokkenheid en deelname by die gebruikers van 'n gevestigde fasiliteit, bekwaamheid oordra en die onderskraging van die projekte inisieer. Op grond van die empiriese bevindings is vasgestel dat vereistes vir 'n suksesvolle gemeenskapsontwikkelingsprojek afhang van: a) die aanmoediging van aktiewe betrokkenheid, gemeenskapsdeelname en bemagtiging van gemeenskappe ten einde hulle in staat te stelom hul behoeftes, probleme en aspirasies te volvoer; b) die voltooiing van die siklus van die ontwikelingsmetodologie; c) die identifisering en hantering van slaggate in die ontwikkelingsiklus soos die projek ontvou tot die suksesvolle voltooiing daarvan; d) die promovering van 'n raadgewende rol ten opsigte van die kapsiteit uitbouing en bemagtigingsoorplasing by die ontwikkelingspersoneel; en e) die ontwikkeling van kapasiteit vir gemeenskappe om beheer uit te oefen oor gebeure wat hul lewens beinvloed (bv. kennis, bemagtiging, inligtingnetwerke en ondersteuningstrukture, om maar 'n paar te noem). Ten slotte is beklemtoon dat sentraal tot gemeenskapsontwikkeling, die ontwikkeling van mense as individue en as kollektiewe groepe is. Daardeur vind 'n groot klemverskuiwing plaas vanaf hulpbronbestuur en dienslewering tot kapasiteituitbouing en bemagtigingsoorplasing. Dit moet plaasvind ten einde ontwikkeling en sosiale verandering te promoveer en gemeenskappe in 'n vooruitstrewende gesindheid te plaas, begeerte na verbeterde lewensomstandighede, en die vaardigheid om dit te doen deur aanvaarding van 'n gemeenskaplike lewenswyse, vir bevordering van die groepsbelange van die gemeenskap as 'n geheel. Wat uit hierdie studie geleer is, bevestig dat deur die bemagtigingsmodel wat gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid en deelname beklemtoon, landelike ontwikkeling wel ontwikkeling suksesvol kan promoveer.

Thesis (MEd)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / Includes bibliography / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this thesis I investigate whether the South African government’s Growth and Development Frameworks (GDFs) are aligned with the learning outcomes of the Further Education and Training (FET) Economics curriculum as presented through the National Curriculum Statement (NCS). Central to the GDFs is the cultivation of social justice, more specifically the eradication of inequalities and the establishment of employment opportunities for all the country’s citizens. Also, the government hopes to achieve social justice through the cultivation of democratic relations amongst people that will hopefully contribute towards economic development in society, more specifically local economic development (LED). Similarly, the four learning outcomes, namely macroeconomics, microeconomics, economic pursuit and contemporary economic issues, emphasise the importance of people contributing towards social justice in their communities. The learning outcomes hope to achieve this by inculcating in learners an affinity for democratic action and the acquisition of economics skills, values, knowledge and attitudes that can engender LED. Consequently, the learning outcomes can be said to be aligned with the GDFs on the basis that the common theme that seems to drive both aspects is social justice through democratic action and economic development. Finally, the alignment between the GDFs and learning outcomes has the effect that teaching and learning will and should be more deliberative, engaging and ‘free’ – a matter of people exercising their capabilities towards the attainment of human freedoms such as equality, solidarity and the exercise of their rights. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie tesis ondersoek ek of daar ‘n verbintenis is tussen die Suid-Afrikaanse regering se Groei en Ontwikkelingsraamwerke (GOR’e) en die leeruitkomste van die Verdere Onderwys en Opleiding (VOO) Ekonomie-kurrikulum soos wat dit in die Nationale Kurrikulumverklaring (NKV) voorgestel word. Sentraal tot die GOR’e is die kultivering van sosiale geregtigheid, meer spesifiek die verwydering van ongelykhede en die skepping van werksgeleenthede vir alle landsburgers. Die regering beoog juis om sosiale geregtigheid te verwesenlik deur die kultivering van demokratiese verhoudinge tussen mense wat hopelik ‘n bydrae kan lewer tot ekonomiese onwikkeling in die samelewing, veral plaaslike ekonomiese onwikkeling (PEO). Terselfdertyd word daar deur die vier leeruitkomstes, naamlik makroekonomie, mikroekonomie, ekonomiese vooruitgang en huidige ekonomiese aangeleenthede, die belangrikheid van mense se bydraes tot sosiale geregtigheid in hulle gemeenskappe beklemtoon. Die leeruitkomstes hoop om laasgenoemde te bereik deurdat in leerders ‘n aangetrokkenheid tot demokratiese aksie en Ekonomie-vaardighede, -waardes, -kennis en -houdings gekweek word wat PEO kan bevorder. Gevolglik kan voorgehou word dat die leeruitkomste met die GOR’e vereenselwig kan word op grond van die gemeenskaplike tema van sosiale geregtigheid deur demokratiese aksie en ekonomiese ontwikkeling wat blykbaar beide aspekte dryf. Laastens, die verwantskap tussen die GOR’e en leeruitkomste het die effek dat onderrig en leer meer beraadslagend, interkatief en ‘vry’ behoort te wees – ‘n geval van mense wat hulle vaardighede uitoefen om menslike vryhede soos gelykheid, solidariteit en die uitoefening van hulle regte te bekom.

The aim of the thesis is to find the answer, whether it is plausible to monitor social cohesion of the municipality and how to measure this cohesion, which is one of the essential pillars of sustainable development. In order to find out, analysis of approaches and measurements of the sustainable development social pillar in international and Czech environment was carried out. Social pillar was identified and described also at the local level. Within the framework of the sustainable development social pillar at the municipal level three main thematic blocks are proposed: • Social environment quality of the municipality • Social-demographic population structure of the municipality • Contentment and participation in the public affairs These themes should be monitored by the set of indicators proposed in this thesis. It aimed to cover all dimensions of social cohesion which are significant and well-founded in the context of the territorial planning process. These indicators can be followed in the direct relationship with the population size and regional importance of the observed territorial unit at the local level and they are not separated from the concept of indicators monitoring at other – territorially higher – levels. Outcomes, analysis and interpretation of attained values could become the basis for the “territorial sustainable development analysis” (part of territorial planning instruments according to contemporary legal regulations), representing social pillar. All phenomenon and processes must be evaluated in the context with other sustainable development pillars and afterwards they should become another suitable instrument for measurement of the fulfilling the territorial planning aims.

Decentralization is an approach Malawi government is using to accelerate development. In order to achieve this, local structures like ADCs were instituted to improve community participation and enhance demand driven type of development. This study examined the effectiveness of the ADCs in decentralization. The study was conducted in TAs Chilowoko and Kalumo in Ntchisi district. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used. Through random sampling, 97 respondents were interviewed using a household questionnaire. Two focus group discussions and 14 key informant interviews were also done. Analysis of the quantitative data collected was done using Scientific Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) tool while the qualitative data was analyzed manually using common themes that emerged from the findings. The results show that the community members do not commonly know ADCs and that they do not have autonomy to enhance community participation in decision making. ADCs do not have the autonomy to operate as custodians of development. ADCs are also facing many challenges that include lack of operational resources, incentives, transport and political infringement. On the overall, therefore, the study recommends that there is need to create awareness on the existence of the ADCs and other local structures to the community members. Secondly, there is need to review the National Decentralization Policy, Local Government Act and the Guidebook on decentralization in Malawi / Development Studies / M. A. (Development Studies)

Young women’s sexual attitudes, experiences, and sense of self develop within multiple social contexts, including the schools in which they spend so much of their time, their romantic and sexual relationships, and a larger normative climate of expectations and beliefs about sexuality. Girls may struggle to develop a healthy view of their sexuality in the face of prevailing sexual beliefs that in many ways deny girls’ sexual desire and define female sexuality as passive and vulnerable. Despite these negative messages, however, many girls do develop positive attitudes about their sexuality, feeling entitled to sexual pleasure and safety. This study explores how young women develop this sense of sexual agency during adolescence and the transition to adulthood. Using longitudinal data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, I place adolescent sexual development in a social context, by considering the role of schools and early sexual relationships in young women’s developing sexual agency. Additionally, I consider the consequences of girls’ sexual attitudes and first sexual experiences not only for their sexual health but for their later sexual relationships as well. Finally, I consider how young women’s experience of sexual agency may be connected to another manifestation of gender inequality in relationships - housework. Findings suggest that girls’ attitudes toward sex and contraception are related to their sexual relationships in adulthood: girls who see sex as having negative consequences - either for their social relationships, their sense of self, or their future - are less likely to experience sexual agency in their adult relationships. Results also suggest that schools may play contradictory roles in girls’ sexual empowerment, as girls who do well in school were more confident about their ability to use contraception but were also more likely to associate sex with guilt and shame. Additionally, schools provide a peer context for the development of sexual attitudes. Finally, results suggest that explanations for gender inequality in housework are less relevant for sexual behavior, though women and men who are committed to equality in their relationships are likely to be more egalitarian in both housework and sex. / text

Orientador: Mauro Jose Andrade Tereso / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Agricola / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-09T02:09:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Pasin_LuizEugenioVeneziani_D.pdf: 2635335 bytes, checksum: f3eafd23983f962147507e0a5c2f01eb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / Resumo: No Brasil o domínio das técnicas de manejo das abelhas africanizadas permitiu que os apicultores explorassem melhor o potencial da flora brasileira. A apicultura é uma atividade nobre e das mais antigas, podendo ser considerada uma opção estratégica capaz de gerar ocupação e renda na unidade de produção agropecuária-UPA. Porém, a forma de condução do negócio é que definirá a capacidade de proporcionar renda e o próprio fortalecimento da atividade como alternativa econômica para o apicultor. Este trabalho teve por objetivo identificar e analisar a organização da produção e comercialização do mel na região do Vale do Paraíba-SP. Em uma amostra significativa, que envolveu 116 UPAs atendidas pelo escritórios de desenvolvimento regional ¿ EDRs de Guaratinguetá e Pindamonhangaba, aplicou-se questionário e entrevistas junto aos apicultores, caracterizando o perfil sócio-econômico do apicultor, a participação da renda apícola na renda total da UPA e as ações estratégicas adotadas. Dados secundários foram coletados no Centro de Estudos Apícolas da Universidade de Taubaté ¿ CEA/UNITAU, nas casas de agricultura municipal, nas EDRs de Guaratinguetá e Pindamonhangaba, na Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento de São Paulo-SAA/SP, no Serviço de Inspeção Federal-SIF e nos Institutos de Pesquisa e Estatísticas IBGE, IEA, SEADE, MDIC. Verificou-se que a atividade apícola se caracteriza como complementaridade de renda. A região não possui programas oficiais para o desenvolvimento da apicultura, as associações de apicultores existentes não são atuantes e as ações de fomento ocorrem com base em iniciativas isoladas de pequenos grupos de apicultores juntamente com o técnico da Casa de Agricultura. De maneira geral as ações organizativas para a produção e comercialização do produto mel não são realizadas em grupos, prevalecendo a individualidade entre os apicultores. A presença de fragmentos do capital social, parcialmente relacionado com os demais capitais intangíveis, caracteriza na região a existência do arranjo produtivo do mel em processo de formação não consolidado / Abstract: The introduction of African bees to Brazil allowed beekeepers to explore Brazilian flora to its full potential. The work carried out with bees, can be considered a strategic option capable of generating income and employment in ¿Agro-industry Production Units¿ (UPAs). However, the way business is conducted will define the conditions for strengthening the activity as a viable economic alternative. The objective of this thesis was to identify and analyze the organization of production and commercialization of honey in the Valley of Paraíba region in São Paulo state. A sample of 116 UPAs were considered, all under the care of Regional Development Offices (EDRs) located in the municipalities of Guaratinguetá and Pindamonhangaba. Questionnaires were completed and interviews were undertaken with beekeepers and honey producers. This was done in order to understand their social and economic conditions, to analyze the share of their total income derived from activities with bees, and to define their strategy to continue with their businesses. Secondary data was collected at the University Centre for Bee Studies at Taubaté (CEA/UNITAU); Municipal Agricultural Centers (CAMs); the EDRs quoted above; the São Paulo Agency for Agriculture (SAA/SP); the Federal Inspection Service (SIF), and also at many statistical and research centers such as IBGE, IEA, SEADE, MDIC. Studies have shown that activities with bees are important sources of extra income. The region where this study was carried out has no governmental programs for the development of activities with bees. The contribution of existing Associations of Beekeepers is limited, and actions to encourage businesses are isolated, taken by small groups of people acting together with a local specialist from the CAMs. As a whole, the organizational activities in favor of production, marketing and sale of honey produce are not undertaken in groups, i.e. individual actions and ¿isolated activities¿ prevail. The presence of what is called ¿fragments of social capital¿, partially related to other intangible capital, characterizes (in the researched region) the existence of a ¿honey productive arrangement¿, which is in its initial stages of development / Doutorado / Planejamento e Desenvolvimento Rural Sustentável / Doutor em Engenharia Agrícola

The measurement of economic performance and social development has become increasingly important as societies have evolved and become more complex. At present nations do not only seek to improve economic performance but are also compelled to improve social development through improvements in socially and environmentally sustainable initiatives. Traditional measures such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is derived from United Nations’ System of National Accounts (SNA) have been criticised given the inability to adequately account for these social and environmental aspects of social development. Given these perceived deficiencies in the conventional measures, several alternative objective measures have been proposed in an attempt to address these shortcomings. Therefore the primary aim of this study is to analyse, via a literature survey, these alternative objective measures of economic performance and social development. The alternative measures that constitute the survey are the Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare (ISEW), the Genuine Savings (GS), and the United Nations’ Human Development Index (HDI). Upon the completion of the literature survey, sustainable development theory is used to evaluate the extent to which the National Accounts and the alternative objective measures are consistent with Hicksian and Fisherian definitions of income and capital, which embody the concepts of sustainability and sustainable development. The evaluation reveals that the National Accounts neither conform to the Hicksian nor the Fisherian definitions of income, thus could not be viewed as a measure of sustainable income. It is found that the ISEW is consistent with the Fisherian definition of income and is also a partial indicator of sustainable development. The evaluation of the GS measure reveals that it is consistent with the Hicksian definition but not the Fisherian definition. In terms of overall sustainability, it is argued that GS is a partial measure of weak sustainability. The HDI is similar to the National Accounts, in that it is neither consistent with the Hicksian nor the Fisherian definitions of income and is also not a measure of sustainability. In summary, the study demonstrates that despite GDP's shortcomings as a measure of economic performance and social development, currently, there is no alternative approach which simultaneously addresses every flaw in GDP. However, all the alternatives yield a much better approximation of social development than GDP.

The measurement of economic performance and social development has become increasingly important as societies have evolved and become more complex. At present nations do not only seek to improve economic performance but are also compelled to improve social development through improvements in socially and environmentally sustainable initiatives. Traditional measures such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is derived from United Nations’ System of National Accounts (SNA) have been criticised given the inability to adequately account for these social and environmental aspects of social development. Given these perceived deficiencies in the conventional measures, several alternative objective measures have been proposed in an attempt to address these shortcomings. Therefore the primary aim of this study is to analyse, via a literature survey, these alternative objective measures of economic performance and social development. The alternative measures that constitute the survey are the Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare (ISEW), the Genuine Savings (GS), and the United Nations’ Human Development Index (HDI). Upon the completion of the literature survey, sustainable development theory is used to evaluate the extent to which the National Accounts and the alternative objective measures are consistent with Hicksian and Fisherian definitions of income and capital, which embody the concepts of sustainability and sustainable development. The evaluation reveals that the National Accounts neither conform to the Hicksian nor the Fisherian definitions of income, thus could not be viewed as a measure of sustainable income. It is found that the ISEW is consistent with the Fisherian definition of income and is also a partial indicator of sustainable development. The evaluation of the GS measure reveals that it is consistent with the Hicksian definition but not the Fisherian definition. In terms of overall sustainability, it is argued that GS is a partial measure of weak sustainability. The HDI is similar to the National Accounts, in that it is neither consistent with the Hicksian nor the Fisherian definitions of income and is also not a measure of sustainability. In summary, the study demonstrates that despite GDP's shortcomings as a measure of economic performance and social development, currently, there is no alternative approach which simultaneously addresses every flaw in GDP. However, all the alternatives yield a much better approximation of social development than GDP.