Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the degree Doctor of Technology: Public Management (Peacebuilding), Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / While children used as soldiers are primarily perceived as victims under internal human rights law and international humanitarian rights law, they also commit war atrocities. In the aftermath of war, the mainstream justice system internationally targets warlords, who abduct and enrol children as combatants, leaving child perpetrators without accounting for their gross, human rights violations. Attempts to prosecute child soldiers through the mainstream justice system have resulted in child rights abuses. Where no accountability measures have been taken, former child soldiers have experienced rejection by their communities. Eventually, some have returned to armed conflict. In other contexts, locally based restorative transitional justice has yielded positive outcomes, such as reconciliation, satisfaction expressed by victims and reintegration into the community. This inquiry used restorative justice peacemaking circles (RJPCs), as a model of transitional justice for former child soldiers. Restorative justice evaluation was based on its outcomes. The intervention was efficient as observed: (1) the greater majority of children below the age of 18 (97.2 %) exposed to RJPCs, who intended to join armed groups before, changed their mind and never joined or re-joined armed groups after seven months; (2) apologies by former child soldiers were accepted and they were forgiven, and (3) support for prosecution of child soldiers dropped after RJPCs. In addition, Baraza emerged as an existing model of accountability, conflict resolution and prevention and reconciliation. Unfortunately, it was not exploited to its fullest capacity. Finally healing former child soldiers was a critical step towards change of identity, the transition from soldiering to civilian life, necessary for meaningful reintegration into society. That implied addressing these child soldiers’ psychosocial well-being and creating an environment where peace prevails and adequate accountability measures are in place and effective. The overall results reveal that RJPC yielded empathy, vicarious justice, forgiveness, reconciliation, and deterrence of child soldiers. / D

A obra platônica pode ser dividida em três fases distintas que agrupam diálogos com características comuns. No entanto, alguns diálogos são de difícil colocação, pois possuem características comuns a mais de uma fase. O Górgias é um desses diálogos, por um lado, possui argumentos característicos dos primeiros diálogos, e, por outro, demonstra uma maturidade temática e uma postura dogmática de Sócrates que mais se aproxima da República, portanto, da segunda fase. Entender quais são as possibilidades de agrupamento dos diálogos de Platão é fundamental para se propor o deslocamento do Górgias dos diálogos socráticos para a segunda fase, ou seja, aproxima-lo do mesmo ambiente conceitual da República, e, a partir disto, começar a enxergar no texto elementos filosóficos relevantes ao desenvolvimento da filosofia moral e política de Platão. / The platonic work can be divided into three distinct phases which form groups of dialogues with common characteristics. Nevertheless, some dialogues are hard to be placed because have characteristics which are commons to more tan one phase. The Górgias is one of these dialogues, from one side, has arguments characteristically from the first dialogues and, from the other, demonstrate thematic maturity and a dogmatic posture from Sócrates which approximates more to the Republic, therefore, the second phase. To understand which are the possibilities of grouping the Plato dialogues is fundamental to propose shifting Górgias from the socratic dialogues to the second phase, therefore approaching it to the same environmental concept of Republic, and, from this point, start seeing in the text philosophical elements relevant to the development of the moral and political philosophy of Plato.

The genus Diplocynodon is a basal alligatoroid with a range of endemic distribution in Europe. The oldest known founds are from Late Palaeocen and the youngest known founds are from Late Miocene. Fossils of this specimen are known also from the Czech republic. In the Master thesis were collected more than 600 founds, mostly fragmentary. In the collections of University of Vienna was found almost complete skull of probably genus Diplocynodon darwini from the Czech republic. The main goal of Master thesis is to make a complexe catalogue of Diplocynodon material from the Czech republic. Key words: Crocodylia, Diplocynodon, Czech republic

This thesis examines the artisanal mining-combatant-recruitment nexus in war torn zones. With a case study of the Kivus in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which has experienced one of the world’s worst blood-shedding over the last two decades, the study uses a constructivist Grounded Theory approach to research in terms of both data collection and analysis. It focuses on the existing body of knowledge on conflict analyses with a particular reference to the absurdity of abundance theory, which singles out the endowment of natural resources and weak governance as the main fuelling-factors of the conflict in the DRC. Data collection was carried out using diverse methods including literature reviews, interviews and focus groups. In particular, the study aims to explore how the demilitarisation of the mining zones could contribute to enhancement of the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) of ex-combatants and promote social cohesion, sustainable peace and security in the eastern DRC. The analysis of the conflicts in the DRC and the acquaintance of belligerents with artisanal mining revealed the convoluted multi-layered nature of the conflicts in the country and their intricate causalities. The examination of the demilitarisation of the mining zones pertinent to the nexus between artisanal mining and the recruitment, reintegration and re-recruitment of combatants in the Kivus identified a few prerequisites in order to sever the artisanal mining-combatant-recruitment relationship that largely swivel around “bottom-up solutions”. The research contributes to knowledge in three broad areas; firstly, it contributes to ongoing academic debates on conflict analyses, the political economy of armed conflicts vis-à-vis mining sector as well as the mining sector and DDR of combatants in the DRC. Secondly, it offers empirical analysis and data on the combatants’ recruitment and DDR process and the artisanal mining sector with regards to state failure and protracted armed conflict in the DRC. Finally, it underlines the need to re-evaluate “the concept of community-based approach”, a key approach to improving peacebuilding and post-conflict recovery in the eastern DRC.

The study of Roman military administration has largely been limited to the Prinicipate following the discovery of documents at Vindolanda and Dura-Europos. The origin of this administration is either attributed to Augustus’ military reforms or considered older but irrecoverable based on a perceived lack of evidence. This thesis aims to demonstrate that, far from irrecoverable, it is possible to reconstruct the development of a relatively complex and well-structured bureaucratic system supporting the army during the Middle Republic. This bureaucracy developed in parallel with the military as the scale and scope of Rome’s wars increased during the period, and is reflected in the evolution of an administrative complex on the south-eastern slope of the Capitol. It is argued that in Rome and within the legion detailed records were kept and, within reason, every effort was made to keep them as accurate as possible. The Capitol functioned as the administrative hub, where census declarations and the census list, stored in the atrium Libertatis, served as the central authority for military records. Other military documents kept in the aerarium Saturni provided support. Lists such as the tabulae iuniorum were created from the census records, with exemptions and served terms noted. From these, legion lists with the same details could be created by military tribunes or scribae at the dilectus, the military recruitment levy, in the area Capitolina. One copy of this list was taken with the legion, and from 204 BC another was left in Rome. These parallel documents enabled a degree of cooperation between the administrative authorities within the legions and at Rome. The legion lists allowed commanders (or their subordinates) to act as devolved satellite bureaucracies, with more exact information from being on the spot. Frequent letters and embassies from the legions to the senate meant that these satellites could communicate not only their tactical position but also administrative information. In the field, legion lists provided commanders with a record of their men. Additional information on rank was added once the legion was organised. Using this list the quaestor calculated the pay for each individual, marking the separate deductions to be made from each soldier. Commanders took care to keep the record of their numbers accurate, noting casualties in as much detail as time and injuries allowed. This information was transmitted to the senate in order to keep the legions up to strength, not only by replacing casualties but also those who had served the ideal maximum term of six years. Overly long service was for the most part thus avoided. It appears that every effort was made to keep the records as up-to-date as possible, but it was recognised that errors could occur. The lustra conducted by new generals provided the opportunity to correct any omissions or mistakes as well as ritually purifying the army under a new commander. The emergency levy circumvented any errors in the census so that Rome could mobilise effectively in a crisis. It was not Augustan invention but these Mid-Republican developments which presaged the bureaucratic system known under the Principate.

M.A. / This study focuses on the concept of an open society, a concept that was given currency by the philosopher Karl Popper in his 1945 book, The Open Society and its Enemies. Popper provides five imperatives for an open society: state power must be limited and strictly controlled; the aim of public policy must be the reduction of misery; massive reconstruction must be foresworn in favour of incremental changes, guided by critical feedback from the citizenry; institutions to enable free criticism are essential to an open society; and individualism and diversity must be cherished as the source of a richer and more valuable critique. This study examines the South African Constitution to evaluate the extent to which it, as an institution, contributes to the attainment of a Popperian open society, and concludes that it provides the enabling conditions to attain four out of five of Popper’s imperatives. Where it does not succeed is in providing for incremental social change: on the contrary, it enshrines a vision of a radically reconstructed society. Ironically, that vision seems to have been renounced by the state, which has instead adopted an austere economic policy designed to win global approval. This policy has elicited widespread criticism, as have other government policies. Government response to criticism has been far from the positive acceptance envisaged by Popper, ranging from dismissal to outrage to blatant attempts to silence criticism through regulation or legislation. In the case of criticism from the courts (in the form of judgments against government agencies) response has frequently been non-compliance with court orders, even with Constitutional Court orders. The Constitutional Court represents one of the institutional checks and balances on the state demanded by Popper, having considerable powers of judicial review to guard against the abuse of state power. An evaluation of the Court’s contribution towards the attainment of an open society suggests that initially the Court was somewhat reticent about exerting its powers, to the extent of being taxed by some with undue deference towards government. In recent years, however, the Court has shown signs of increased assertiveness, finding for government on fewer occasions and attaching structural interdicts to its orders. It nonetheless requires something more, if the Constitutional Court is to make the contribution it should towards attaining an open society, and this study concurs with a suggestion that the Court undertake public interest litigation, as other apex courts have done. The open society envisaged by the Constitution (and by Popper) requires that the Constitutional Court be vigilant for abuses of state power, provide an ongoing critique of public policy through its judgments, and even accept its share of responsibility for realising the reconstructive vision portrayed in the Constitution, through actively identifying, investigating and addressing injustices in our society.

This study is an attempt to discover the deeper motives behind Communist China's present policy toward the Afro-Asian nations. From the outset it was assumed that this policy was entirely motivated by ideological considerations. As I progressed with the research, however, I became increasingly aware that ideology was not the only generating power behind Peking's policy, but that there was instead a more profound force at work. This so-called force, or power, or motive, whatever the case may be, has its roots deeply buried in Chinese history and I have chosen to call it China's traditionally legitimate aspirations. Although, in historic China, these aspirations were largely culturally inspired, they have recently been obscured by the tenets of a revolutionary doctrine called Communism. Historically, China has exercised a dominating role in Southeast Asia, for which the main source of inspiration and justification lay in the Confucian system of government. This position of hegemony was challenged in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries by the western powers who had little understanding of China's traditional role. With the founding of the Communist regime, in 1949, however, China once again entered upon a period of strong central authority and was thus in a position to re-assert herself and pursue a policy directed toward a revival of China's traditional aspirations. The structure of this paper consists of five main parts. The first two sections are devoted to an analysis of the ideological framework within which China's policy operates, as well as the actual strategy which has evolved from it. The emphasis here has been placed on what I have termed the "Asianization" of Communism and the pragmatic approach taken by the Chinese Communists on the implementation of their long-term aims. The final three sections are devoted to a discussion of the major instruments which Peking has at its disposal for the penetration of Southeast Asia. Two of these instruments, the overseas Chinese and the Communist parties, are, in my opinion, of singular importance and deserve separate treatment, for both these instruments are bound to play a determining role in the future development of Southeast Asian societies. Although the topic presupposes a discussion of both the Asian and African nations, the emphasis in this study, has been on the former. The African orientation of Communist China's policy is of a very recent nature and consequently there is only scant information available on the subject. However, Africa does form an integral part in Peking's ideology and overall strategy toward the "colonial and semi-colonial,, countries and this aspect has been treated accordingly. With respect to the Asian countries, I have preoccupied myself only with those in which Peking's influence has been and is most notable. For this reason, only passing reference has been made to the Philippines and Japan because, for the moment, these countries appear to be outside the scope of China's sphere of activity. This study is based on such major sources as Mao Tse-tung's theoretical works, and recently published works by Barnett and Brimmell. Much of the basic information derived from these sources, has been supplemented, however, by material from such publications as Survey of the Mainland China Press' and Peking Review. These last two sources were of great value in supplying illustrative material of a wide scope and have been used quite extensively. / Arts, Faculty of / Political Science, Department of / Graduate

The general goal of the present study was to assess mathematics achievement at the end of Grade 12 in the Dominican Republic, with particular attention to school and regional differences, as well as gender differences. Also, gains in achievement were examined by comparing the achievement of students in Grade 12 to that of students finishing Grade 11. In addition, the performance of Grade 12 students was compared to that of Grade 8 students as assessed in the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics in the Dominican Republic (TLMDR) study and to that of students from other countries in the Second International Mathematics Study (SIMS). The sample included 1271 students in Grade 12 and 1413 in Grade 11, distributed over 49 schools. Three types of schools were sampled, public schools, and two kinds of private schools. They were urban schools located in the twelve largest cities of the country. These cities were grouped into three regions of similar size. The mathematics test consisted of 70 multiple-choice items distributed over two test forms. Students' scores were analyzed to assess how much mathematics students in Grade 12 know. Grade 11 data were used as a surrogate for pre-test scores to estimate gains in achievement. School means were used in an analysis of variance designed to examine the effect of school type and region on mathematics achievement. Males' and females' scores were used to analyze gender differences in achievement at the item level, and within each of the school types and regions in the sample. Grade 12 students' responses to 14 items were compared to those of Grade 8 students. Finally, Grade 12 students' responses to 10 items were compared to those of students from other countries in SIMS. Among the findings of this study were: 1. Students in Grade 12 scored poorly on the mathematics test. Grade 11 and Grade 12 students obtained similar achievement levels which indicated that the achievement gains between the two grades were very small. 2. School type and region were found to significantly affect mathematics achievement, but no interaction effect was found. 3. The comparison of school type means showed that only one type of private school significantly outperformed public schools. This type of school also outperformed the other type of private school. 4. The comparison of region means did not produce the predicted outcome. The pairwise comparisons showed that none of the regions was significantly different from the other, despite the fact that the region factor was significant. 5. The analysis of gender differences in mathematics achievement showed that males performed significantly better than females. At the item level, males outperformed females on only 19 items. Most of these items dealt with geometry, or were at the application level. 6. Gender differences favoring males were found to be independent of school type and region. 7. Comparison between Dominican Grade 12 and Grade 8 students revealed that mathematics achievement improved between the grades for most items. 8. Dominican performance was very poor on the SIMS items and it was far behind that of other countries. / Education, Faculty of / Graduate

This master thesis aims to provide a complex up-to-date overview of the spa industry in the Czech Republic and to analyze the position of Spa Luhačovice. Having shown the growing global importance of wellness tourism, the focus moves onto the spa industry which plays a major role in wellness. Nevertheless,the medical significance of spas can't be overlooked, especially in the Czech Republic where spas are known for the quality of medical care. While statistical reports from the Health Information and Statistics of the Czech Republic and from the Czech Statistical Office are being examined and analyzed in the country's perspective, Global Wellness Institute provides the majority of the global wellness and spa data. The thesis shows the current state of the industry in the country with its strengths and weaknesses. Moreover, the practical part is focused on Spa Luhačovice, the biggest spa in Moravia region. Various information and data are compared to overall development of the spa industry in the country. Finally, an interview with the spa representative is conducted to further clarify the findings of this thesis.

The aim of my thesis is to analyze the current status of SMEs, estimate their future development with a focus on international business activities and subsequently demonstrate their importance and significant position in the domestic and international markets.