The United States Army of the Second World War faced a shortage of manpower after two decades of budgetary and organizational neglect following the post-First World. According to the Chief of Staff, George C. Marshall, this period of mobilization, between 1939 and 1941, was the most crucial of the entire war. In this period, the United States Army pursued large-scale peacetime mobilization, breaking from eighty years of traditional policy. As such, the effort to increase allocations for armaments, industrial expansion, tactical reorganization of the ground forces, mobilizing the National Guard, and the implementation of a peacetime draft all faced an uphill political battle to accomplish, reflecting the complicated political factionalism of the late New-Deal United States. Between the outbreak of hostilities in Europe in 1939 and December 1941, the United States Army grew from less than 150,000 men to more than 1 million personnel, incorporating the National Guard and inductees while also adopting many of the weapon systems it would use throughout the conflict. By mobilizing a usable core for a wartime army and vetting its general tactics and doctrine in peacetime, the Army leadership provided a cadre capable of responding to some of the Allied powers' strategic requirements during the critical year of 1942.

Strengthening civil society participation in development is a prerequisite to enhance access to opportunities and political influence by the poor. An active civil society can improve development accountability. In fact, Africa cannot improve its governance without investing in the role of civil society. This study examines the problem of resource mobilization for NECs in four Africa countries; assessing factors and strategies, which influence their ability to mobilize resources. Utilizing qualitative and quantitative methods, the study found that effective NECs exist in all four countries. The success of these NECs depended on “being strategic” about resource mobilization. The lack of resources mobilization strategies was a key factor in all four NECs. This often meant lack of proactiveness in resource mobilization. In its recommendations, the study presents a model aimed to encourage CSOs to organize and manage resource mobilization in ways that generate income for today, tomorrow and the future in order to sustain their watchdog role in educational development process. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

Strengthening civil society participation in development is a prerequisite to enhance access to opportunities and political influence by the poor. An active civil society can improve development accountability. In fact, Africa cannot improve its governance without investing in the role of civil society. This study examines the problem of resource mobilization for NECs in four Africa countries; assessing factors and strategies, which influence their ability to mobilize resources. Utilizing qualitative and quantitative methods, the study found that effective NECs exist in all four countries. The success of these NECs depended on “being strategic” about resource mobilization. The lack of resources mobilization strategies was a key factor in all four NECs. This often meant lack of proactiveness in resource mobilization. In its recommendations, the study presents a model aimed to encourage CSOs to organize and manage resource mobilization in ways that generate income for today, tomorrow and the future in order to sustain their watchdog role in educational development process. / Development Studies / M.A. (Development Studies)

Einleitung: Vitamin B12 hat wichtige Funktionen im Energiestoffwechsel sowie bei der Erythropoese. Beide Funktionskreise werden bei Hochleistungskühen besonders beansprucht und können bei Belastungen und ungenügender Vitamin-B12-Versorgung Ausgangspunkt für klinische Störungen werden. Ziele der Untersuchungen: In den vorliegenden Studien wurde der Fragestellung nachgegangen, wie sich die Vitamin-B12-Konzentration im Blutserum von Milchkühen in der Frühlaktation verhält und welche Zusammenhänge zu Stoffwechselparametern, dem Erythrogramm sowie dem Gesundheitsstatus der Kühe bestehen. Des Weiteren wurde geprüft, inwieweit der postpartale Stoffwechsel und der Gesundheitsstatus durch orale Vitamin-B12-Substitutionen stabilisiert werden können. Material und Methoden: Die Untersuchungen zur Vitamin-B12-Statuserhebung erfolgten an 157 Kühen der Rasse Holstein Friesian. Blutproben zur Stoffwechselanalytik wurden 2-6 Tage p.p. sowie 4-5 Wochen p.p. entnommen. Parallel dazu wurden klinische Daten zu Leistung und Gesundheitsstatus bis 3 Monate p.p. erhoben. In einem zweiten Versuch wurden die Kühe in 2 Gruppen eingeteilt, wobei die Versuchsgruppe (65 Kühe) eine orale Vitamin-B12-Substitution in Höhe von 0,5 g Cyanocobalamin/Kuh/Tag 4-6 Wochen a.p. beginnend bis zur Kalbung erhielt. 71 Kühe, die das stallübliche Mineralfutter erhielten, dienten als Kontrollgruppe. Auch hier erfolgten die Blutkontrollen 2-6 Tage p.p. sowie 4-5 Wochen p.p. Es wurden die Milchleistung sowie auftretende Erkrankungen dokumentiert. Die Blutentnahme erfolgte aus der Vena caudalis mediana. Neben den hämatologischen Untersuchungen wurden folgende Parameter aus dem Serum bestimmt: Freie Fettsäuren (FFS), Betahydroxybutyrat (BHB), Glukose, Bilirubin, Cholesterol, Gamma-Glutamyltransferase (GGT), Creatinkinase (CK), Harnstoff, Calcium, Eisen, anorganisches Phosphat (Pi), Cyanocobalamin und Cobalt. Ergebnisse: Die Vitamin-B12-Konzentration zeigt eine signifikante Laktationsdynamik. Alle untersuchten Kühe hatten 4 Wochen p. p. gegenüber 2–6 Tage p. p. erniedrigte Vitamin-B12-Konzentrationen (p ≤ 0,05). Bei den p.p. kranken Kühen sank gegenüber den gesunden Kühen die Vitamin-B12-Konzentration weniger stark ab (p ≤ 0,05), d.h., höhere Vitamin-B12-Konzentrationen können auf klinische Probleme hinweisen. Gesunde sowie auch p.p. kranke Kühe wiesen 2–6 Tage p. p. höhere Werte für die Parameter Erythrozytenzahl, Hämatokrit und Hämoglobinkonzentration auf als 4 Wochen p. p. Die BHB-, FFS- und Bilirubin-Konzentrationen waren bei allen Kühen 2–6 Tage p. p. infolge der partusbedingten Lipolysesteigerung erhöht (p ≤ 0,05). Bei allen Kühen korrelierte die Aktivität der cholestaseanzeigenden GGT eng mit der Vitamin-B12-Konzentration (p ≤ 0,01). Aufgrund dieser engen Korrelation mit der GGT-Aktivität sowie der Bilirubinkonzentration kann Vitamin B12 bei einer Serumkonzentration ≥ 227 ng/l bei Kühen cholestatische Stoffwechselbelastungen anzeigen. Nach Vitamin-B12-Substitution blieben in der Versuchsgruppe 60 % und in der Kontrollgruppe 47,9 % der Kühe in der Frühlaktation gesund. In der Kontrollgruppe hatten 12,7 % eine Nachgeburtsverhaltung und 40,8 % eine Mastitis, in der Versuchsgruppe betrugen die Anteile 21,5 % sowie 26,2 %. Mit x̃ = 320 pg/ml war die Vitamin-B12-Konzentration 2-6 Tage p.p. in der Vitamin-B12-substituierten Gruppe gegenüber x̃ = 224 pg/ml in der Kontrollgruppe gesichert höher. Auch vier Wochen p.p. war die Differenz noch signifikant. Cobalt, die Parameter des Leber- und Energiestoffwechsels sowie Harnstoff und CK unterschieden sich zwischen der Vitamin-B12-substituierten Gruppe und der Kontrollgruppe nicht gesichert. Die Erythrozytenzahlen sowie die Hämoglobin-Konzentrationen waren in der Vitamin-B12-substituierten Gruppe gesichert höher. Der Milchfettgehalt (%) war bei den Vitamin-B12-substituierten Kühen gegenüber den Kontrollkühen signifikant erhöht (p = 0,022), die Milchleistung unterschied sich unwesentlich. Schlussfolgerungen: Signifikant höhere Vitamin-B12- und Hämoglobin-Konzentrationen, höhere Erythrozytenzahlen sowie geringere Morbidität sprechen für positive Effekte der Vitamin-B12-Substitution. Anhand der Parameter des Leber-Energiestoffwechsels sowie der Milchleistung ließ sich dies nicht bestätigen. Cholestase stört die Vitamin-B12-Bewertung im Blut bzw. ist bei der Interpretation zu beachten. / Introduction: Vitamin B12 has important functions in energy metabolism and erythropoiesis. Both functional groups are particularly stressed in high-yielding dairy cows and can be a starting point for clinical disorders under stress and insufficient vitamin B12 supply. Objective: The studies presented were designed to ascertain the characteristics of the serum vitamin B12 concentration of dairy cows in early lactation and to check the relations with metabolic parameters, the erythrogram as well as the health status of the cows. Furthermore, it was examined to what extent the postpartum metabolism can be stabilized by oral vitamin B12 substitutions. Material and methods: The investigations on vitamin B12 status survey were carried out on 157 cows of the Holstein Friesian breed. Blood samples were taken for metabolic analysis at 2-6 days p.p. and at 4-5 weeks p.p. In parallel, clinical findings on the milk yield and the health status were compiled up to 3 months p.p. In a second trial the cows were divided into 2 groups in which the experimental group (65 cows) received an oral vitamin B12 substitution in the amount of 0.5 g cyanocobalamin/cow/day starting 4-6 weeks a.p. up to calving. 71 cows, which recieved the common mineral feed, served as control group. Again the blood tests were performed at 2-6 days p.p. and at 4-5 weeks p.p. The milk yield and emerging diseases were documented. The blood samples werde taken from the Vena caudalis mediana. In addition to haematological investigations the following parameteres were measured: Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), glucose, bilirubin, cholesterol, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), creatinkinase (CK), urea, calcium, ferric, anorganic phosphor, cyanocobalamin and cobalt. Results: The vitamin B12 concentration shows a significant dynamic in lactation. All examined cows had decreased vitamin B12 concentrations at 4 weeks p. p. compared to 2-6 days p. p. (p ≤ 0.05). In the p.p. morbid cows the vitamin B12 concentration fell less than in the healthy cows (p ≤ 0.05), which means higher vitamin B12 concentrations may indicate clinical problems. Healthy as well as p.p. morbid cows showed higher values for the parameters erythrocyte count, hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration at 2-6 days p.p. than 4 weeks p.p. BHB, FFS, and bilirubin levels were increased in all cows at 2-6 days p.p. as a result of partus related rise in lipolysis (p ≤ 0.05). In all cows, the activity of the GGT, which indicates cholestasis, was closely correlated with the vitamin B12 concentration p ≤ 0.01). Because of this close correlation with GGT activity and bilirubin concentration, vitamin B12 may show cholestatic metabolic stress in cows at a serum concentration ≥ 227 ng/l. After vitamin B12 substitution 60 % of the cows in the experimental group and 47.9 % of the cows in the control group remained healthy during early lactation. In the control group 12.7 % had a Retentio secundinarum and 40.8 % had a mastitis, in the experimental group the proportions were 21.5 % and 26.2 %. At two to six days p.p. the vitamin B12 concentration in the vitamin B12 substituted group was significant higher (x̃ = 320 pg/ml) than in the control group (x̃ = 224 pg/ml). This difference was still significant at four weeks p.p. Cobalt, parameters of liver and energy metabolism as well as urea and CK did not differ significantly between the vitamin B12 substituted group and the control group. Erythrocyte counts and hemoglobin concentrations were significant higher in the vitamin B12 substituted group. Milk fat content (%) was significant higher in the vitamin B12 substituted group compared to the control group (p = 0.022), the milk yield did not differ significantly. Conclusions: Significant higher vitamin B12 and hemoglobin concentrations, higher erythrocyte counts as well as lower morbidity speak for positive effects of vitamin B12 substitution. Based on the parameters of hepatic and energy metabolism as well as milk yield this could not be confirmed. Cholestasis interferes with the evaluation of vitamin B12 in the blood respectively should be considered in the interpretation.

Most studies of emerging Swedish parties and politics have mainly focused on the Swedish Social Democrats and their struggle for democracy and political power, most as a prelude  to the so called ”Swedish Model”. Competing parties have received attention from historians on the national level, but their local origin remains to large extent an open field. The aim of this study is to investigate how local political factors shaped the emerging liberal party organizations in two small Swedish towns. By a case-oriented comparison two towns are contrasted, Skövde in Skaraborg county and Filipstad in Värmland. This thesis suggests that the distinction between national politics and municipal government, based on the interests of economic elites, was transformed during the period 1880-1920. During this period local elections and local government became increasingly sites for political struggle between different parties, with new agendas. With a framework that considered parties in light of their functions rather than organizational types and theoretical concepts borrowed from the sociology of social movements, the thesis main results suggest that political mobilization and liberal party-formation was depending on the local political traditions. The theoretical framework made it possible to pinpoint both similarities and differences between the cases. The results of the study indicate that the historical tradition is central to parties to emerge and flourish. This suggests that it is more meaningful to focus attention on local and regional processes to understand the historical development than has previously been done. / De svenska partiernas historia är relativt väl känd på nationell nivå, men deras lokala ursprung är mindre utforskat och inte minst gäller det borgerliga partier. I den här avhandlingen undersöks hur lokalpolitiska faktorer formade de framväxande frisinnade, eller liberala, lokalorganisationerna i Filipstad och Skövde. Avhandlingen visar att politisk mobilisering och politisk organisering i städerna i hög grad formades av lokala och regionala politiska traditioner. Den visar också att kommunerna var politiserade långt före att de nationella partierna tog hand om valen och kommunala frågor.   Studien visar att det fanns en kontinuitet mellan äldre lokala partier och de lokalavdelningar av nationella partier som etablerades efter sekelskiftet 1900. Det var en kontinuitet som återspeglades såväl ideologiskt som organisatoriskt.     Avhandlingens resultat pekar på att det är mer meningsfullt att fokusera uppmärksamheten mot lokala och regionala politiseringsprocesser för att förstå den generella politiska utvecklingen i Sveriges historia än vad som tidigare har gjorts. Anders Forsell är doktorand i historia inom Forskarskolan i regionalt samhällsbyggande. Det här är hans doktorsavhandling.

This thesis examines fatty acid (FA) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) dynamics in a marine top predator, the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus,) and their transfer during lactation from mother to offspring. It examines regional and annual variations in FA composition and PCB loads, and also how the physical and chemical characteristics of these molecules (e.g. their polarity and size) can affect the rates of accumulation, mobilization and transfer of specific FAs or PCBs. Two UK grey seal colonies (North Rona (NR) and Isle of May (IOM) were studied during three consecutive years (1996-1998 and 2004-2006). Lactating grey seals and their pups were repeatedly captured during the lactation period and sampled for blubber, serum and milk and analysed for FAs and PCBs. Overall, the two colonies were clearly distinguished from each other, suggesting that the main prey species had different FA composition, and possibly that the seals from these colonies had different diets . These differences are probably a direct consequence of differences in prey community structure in the two regions where seals from these two colonies are thought to feed. Within each colony, annual differences could be detected between some years but not between others. During 1996-98, IOM seals showed a clear change in their FA profiles while NR seals did not. In contrast, during 2004-2006 NR seals showed a clear change while IOM seals did not. The changes observed in IOM during 1996-1998 are consistent with the large-scale regime shift that occurred in the North Sea during the 1990‟s. The relative proportions of each FA that were mobilized from blubber and transferred to the milk during lactation were very similar between colonies, and could be explained to a large degree by their physico-chemical properties. For a given carbon chain length the mobilization increased with increasing number of double bonds; and for a given number of double bonds the mobilization decrease with increasing carbon chain length. However, the mobilization also appeared to be influenced by the specific nutritional requirements of the growing pups. For instance, FAs that are considered essential for pup development or efficient energy storage (e.g. saturated FAs) were more highly mobilised than expected. This selectivity was also reflected in the FA composition of the different body compartments (maternal blubber and milk, pup blubber) that persisted throughout lactation. These changes were also similar between the colonies. Colonies could also be clearly distinguished by their blubber PCB profiles. IOM seals had higher total concentrations on average than NR seals (1327.9 vs. 680.2 ng/g lipid in 2005 and 1199.7 vs. 819.0 ng/g lipid in 2006). IOM seals also had higher total amounts in both years (79.2 vs. 38.0 mg in 2005 and 61.7 vs. 53.4 mg in 2006). One of the main differences between colonies was that females from IOM had higher concentrations of highly chlorinated congeners than NR seals. PCB concentrations in blubber increased towards the end of lactation. Serum and milk PCB concentrations also increased rapidly, especially for the highly chlorinated congeners. These results were consistent with other studies showing the increase in concentrations as a result of lipid loss. Serum concentrations stayed constant during the first part of lactation and increased at late lactation. This was also observed in milk PCB concentrations. The changes in the PCB profiles in the three body compartments were very similar between colonies. However IOM seals always had higher total concentrations of PCBs in all of the body compartments. The concentrations of individual congeners relative to PCB-153 showed that blubber contained higher proportions of the highly chlorinated PCBs relative to other tissues. There were no clear changes in these proportions in blubber during lactation, but the relative proportions of highly chlorinated PCB In serum and milk increased throughout lactation while the less chlorinated PCBs stayed constant. The highly chlorinated PCBs were found in lower concentration in the milk compared to the less chlorinated compounds suggesting a selective release from blubber to blood and a selective transfer of PCBs to the milk.

Syftet i denna studie är att undersöka och jämföra underlagen till två statliga insatser i Sverige, Storstadssatsningen och Nya långsiktiga reformprogrammet för minskad segregering. Genom att göra en kvalitativ textanalys har vi tittat på hur dessa texter framställer medborgaren, insatser och mål och hur delaktighet och medinflytande ges de medborgare som är mottagare av de riktade insatserna. Medborgaren beskrivs på liknande sätt i båda underlagen. Likheterna handlar om att de framställs med avsaknad av olika kompetenser samt är synonyma med olika problem. De skillnader som framkom är hur medborgares etnicitet framställs. De mål och insatser som jämförts i båda underlagen lägger fokus på arbete och utbildning för att bryta segregationen. Delaktigheten och underifrånperspektivet har stor plats i Storstadssatsningen men är nära obefintlig i den nya satsningen.      Då vi ser ett hårdare klimat i samhället med ökad segregation och en avsaknad av makt och delaktighet för medborgare, kan detta skapa ett utanförskap och dessutom öka klyftorna i samhället. Med stöd av integrationsperspektiv och begreppen empowerment och social mobilisering försöker vi därför se vilka möjligheter till förändring det ges till dessa utsatta medborgare genom de underlag vi undersöker.      Med denna studie som utgångspunkt går det att se brister i det sociala arbetet med utsatta människor. Arbetssätten måste utvecklas i takt med förändringar i samhället. / The aim of this study is to examine and compare the preparatory work of two government efforts to diminish segregation in Sweden: Storstadssatsningen and Nya långsiktiga reformprogrammet för minskad segregation. We have, by a qualitative textual analysis, examined how these preparatory works represent the citizen, their intention, efforts and goals and how the influence and participation by the citizen is intended to meet the needs of recipients of these efforts. The vulnerable citizen is represented in the same way in both preparatory works. Similarities that can be seen are citizens described with a lack of competencies and defined by the problems of their neighbourhood. There are differences concerning how citizens by ethnicity are described. The goals and achievements, which have been compared in both preparatory works, are focused on work and education as instruments to breach segregation. Participation and the influence by the citizen is given a great deal of space in Storstadssatningen, but hardly no space in Nya långsiktiga reformprogrammet för minskad segregation.        We can see a much harder climate in the community, with increased segregation, where citizens without power and participation develops alienation and where the gap between groups increase. With a perspective of integration and concepts of empowerment and mobilization, we examine possibilities for an alteration. We examine the representation of this methods in both preparatory works.       In this study, we can see defects in the government welfare systems, which urges a responsibility, in the social work, to define and work with new methods.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / Reissued 30 May 2017 with correction to degree on title page. / The thesis argues that the Maoist-led government in post-insurgency Nepal has failed to deliver on the promises of reform that brought it to power. The long-enduring social and economic grievances based on the Nepali Hindu social structure persist. Starting in 1996, the Maoists successfully capitalized on such grievances, and with the promise of radical reforms, led a decade-long successful insurgency. A political negotiation incorporating major Maoist demands ended the insurgency in 2006. The electoral victory right after the end of the insurgency provided the Maoists with the mandate and opportunity to reform traditional socio-economic and political structure. Unfortunately, the post-2006 period is seeing an emergence of political instability akin to the post-1991 era. This thesis examines the state of reforms in post-insurgency Nepal to identify the gaps between the promises made and the reforms implemented that are causing ongoing grievances. The thesis also highlights the importance of the coalition culture in producing political stability to eliminate persistent grievances and implement reforms for the future stability of Nepal. / Lieutenant Colonel, Nepalese Army

Mellan åren 1934-1946 pågick en debatt i Sverige om kvinnlig samhällstjänst skulle införas som en frivillig eller obligatorisk tjänst. År 1939 startades Riksförbundet kvinnlig samhällstjänst som en ideell organisation. Studiens syfte var att undersöka Riksförbundet kvinnlig samhällstjänst under och kort efter andra världskriget. Undersökningen utfördes med hjälp av en kvalitativ textanalys med genusperspektiv. Riksförbundet kvinnlig samhällstjänsts huvudsakliga syfte var beredskap och fostran.  Grundtanken var en frivillig tjänst för unga kvinnor, mellan 17–25 år, med en teoretisk och en praktisk del med arbete på landsbygden hos överbelastade husmödrar. Tjänsten hade tydliga nationalistiska drag och skulle verka för landets gemenskap. Initiativtagaren för Riksförbundet kvinnlig samhällstjänst var  Nora Torulf som hade kopplingar till flera nazistiska rörelser. / Between the years of 1934 – 1946 a debate was held in Sweden about whether female civil service should be a voluntary or an obligatory service. In 1939 the National Organization of Female Civil Service started as a voluntary organization. The purpose of the study was to investigate this national organization during and shortly after World War II.  The study was carried out through a qualitative text analysis with a perspective on gender. The organization’s main purpose was mobilization and nursing. The idea was a voluntary service for young women, between 17 – 25 years of age, with one theoretical and one practical part working in the countryside for overburdened housewives. The service had clear nationalistic traces and would help the nation’s community. The originator of the organization, Nora Torulf, had connections to many Nazi movements.

Cette thèse porte sur le phénomène de la mobilisation de personnes en situation de pauvreté et d’exclusion dans un acteur collectif existant et à travers les espaces collectifs privilégiés que constituent les organismes communautaires. Elle est composée de trois chapitres. La problématique et l’objet d’étude forment le premier, la méthodologie est présentée dans le deuxième alors que les résultats de recherche, combinés à leur analyse et à leur interprétation, constituent le troisième chapitre. La discussion générale des résultats est incluse dans la conclusion. La particularité de cette thèse réside dans l’appréhension globale du phénomène de la mobilisation, l’examinant dans le contexte spécifique de la pauvreté et de l’exclusion en tant qu’oppressions structurelles, et dans la perspective du développement du pouvoir d’agir (empowerment). Considérant que la mobilisation est le fruit de l’amalgame entre un acteur collectif et une action collective, cette recherche apporte d’abord une nouvelle compréhension de l’espace dans lequel se développe le processus de mobilisation. Elle propose en effet une distinction novatrice entre d’une part l’acteur collectif, entité relativement floue et diffuse, et d’autre part l’organisme communautaire en tant que tel, entité aux frontières bien définies, lequel fournit un espace collectif privilégié pour le développement de la mobilisation. Cette différenciation contribue notamment à mieux appréhender les processus qui s’y déroulent et à mieux cerner le rôle que peuvent jouer les organismes communautaires à cet égard. En examinant finement et avec un grand souci du détail le processus de mobilisation vécu par les individus, de leur premier contact avec un organisme communautaire à leur engagement avec un acteur collectif existant, cette recherche propose une nouvelle construction théorique à propos d’une réalité courante, mais peu explorée jusqu’à aujourd’hui, et fournit des pistes pour accompagner le plus adéquatement possible de tels processus. En se centrant sur les aspects individuels de la mobilisation sans pour autant occulter son caractère intrinsèquement collectif, cette thèse contribue à rendre encore plus explicite la nécessaire intégration entre le personnel et le collectif dans l’appréhension des problèmes sociaux, et permet d’en saisir les nombreux effets sur le plan individuel, spécialement en ce qui a trait à la restauration du statut d’acteur. En plus de démontrer clairement les liens existants entre les processus de mobilisation et de développement du pouvoir d’agir individuel et collectif, cette thèse met en évidence les principales pratiques communautaires qui y contribuent et soulève les principaux défis et les contradictions qui y sont associées. Ce faisant, elle nous semble apporter une contribution au renouvellement des pratiques sociales et communautaires. / This thesis studied the phenomenon of the mobilization of people living in poverty and social exclusion within an existing collective actor and throughout the privileged collective spaces that community organizations comprise. It has three chapters. The first discusses the field of study and the research problem, the second describes the research methodology and the third presents the research results, their analysis and their interpretation. A general discussion of the study’s findings is included in the conclusion. The thesis is unique in its global consideration of the phenomenon of mobilization, examined within the specific context of poverty and social exclusion conceived as structural oppressions as well as from an empowerment perspective. Considering that mobilization results from the amalgamation of a collective actor with a collective action, this thesis brings forth a new understanding of the space in which a mobilization process develops. Indeed, it proposes an innovative distinction between a collective actor, a relatively vague and diffuse entity, and a community organization as such, an entity with well defined borders, that provides a privileged collective space for the development of mobilization. This distinction, in turn, allows for a better grasp of the processes involved and of the role that community organizations can play within them. Based on a thorough and considerably detailed examination of the mobilization process that individuals go through from their first contact with a community organisation to their engagement within an existing collective actor, this research then proposes a new theoretical construct for this current but seldom explored reality and suggests the most adequate avenues for the accompaniment of such processes. Focused on the individual aspects of mobilization and without losing sight of its intrinsically collective character, this thesis reinforces even more explicitly the necessary integration of personal and collective phenomena in the investigation of social problems, and sheds light on the various effects that occur on the individual level, especially regarding the restoration of one’s standing as a social actor. On top of clearly illustrating the links between the process of mobilization and that of individual and collective empowerment, this thesis emphasizes the principal community practices that contribute to them and underscores the main challenges and contradictions associated with them. In this way, it seeks to contribute to the renewal of social and community practices.