The theme of the MTh is the research of the Christian political responsibility in terms of an evangelical position. The first step is to examine the historical political background of evangelical engagements, whereas the focus is especially on the German development. The second step analyses theologically where to locate political and social barriers. It creates an overview in what way (or to what extend) the bible shows and discusses socio-political topics. Furthermore the theological base for political actions describes (themetizes) the relation between the (institution) church and the (governing) state, the understanding of salvation and God’s kingdom and also questions of eschatology. Ahead of the evangelical approach of political theology, the last chapter describes the difference from liberation theology and models of contextual theology. / Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)

Excerpt: It’s July 26, 2010, late. I’ve sunk onto the edge of the bed in my childhood home. The bedroom reminds me of one of those cozy, pretty Valentine’s Day shoeboxes I made back in elementary school: small, pink, white, flowery.

Excerpt: MOTHERING A SON WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, or special-mothering, as I call it, is often solitary, crazy-making work. Several years ago, in part inspired by DeAnna Chester’s personal storied account of infertility, I started actively examining my own maternal story. Eventually, a desire surfaced in me to more openly witness (Frank), voicing my maternal experiences so that other special-parents know they are not alone. From the start, though, I wondered if I could witness in an ethical way. Granted, storytelling may be agency-generating, revealing previously unheard truths (Pitre, Kushner, and Hegadoren; Pitre, Kushner, Raine, and Hegadoren; Stevens). Still, as Kristin Langellier...

The theme of the MTh is the research of the Christian political responsibility in terms of an evangelical position. The first step is to examine the historical political background of evangelical engagements, whereas the focus is especially on the German development. The second step analyses theologically where to locate political and social barriers. It creates an overview in what way (or to what extend) the bible shows and discusses socio-political topics. Furthermore the theological base for political actions describes (themetizes) the relation between the (institution) church and the (governing) state, the understanding of salvation and God’s kingdom and also questions of eschatology. Ahead of the evangelical approach of political theology, the last chapter describes the difference from liberation theology and models of contextual theology. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Missiology)

The purpose of this paper is to investigate: what is the significance of professional networks for women within the IT industry. Previous research shows that there are barriers women in the field of IT face when entering and advancing in the industry. To investigate the potential connection between barriers and professional networks ten women were interviewed. Professional networks for women within the sector are examined through a qualitative lens. This study support previous research that showed that women in the IT industry face barriers. Moreover, this study highlights benefits of professional networks, representing that women receive and develop personal skills that can make them more successful at work. This study also provides criticism towards the networks and shows that there is room for improvements. The professional networks described by the respondents in this study seem to miss out on the opportunity to fundamentally discuss the barriers women face as professionals.

This study examines cultural issues surrounding family cancer communication in Appalachia, providing insight into participants’ communication choices regarding their illness within their families. Stories of 29 female Appalachian cancer survivors from Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia were collected via a mixed methods approach in either a day-long story circle (N=26) or an in-depth interview (N=3). Qualitative content analysis was used to identify unique barriers to family cancer communication in Appalachia. Two barriers emerged: 1) the health of other family members and 2) cancer in a “taboo” area. These findings suggest that Appalachian female cancer survivors struggle with similar issues as survivors outside of the region regarding family cancer communication. However, there appear to be additional barriers to family cancer communication for Appalachian women that may be a result of cultural norms of the region.

The aim of this dissertation is to examine inter-ethnic relations between organizationally active people with different ethnic backgrounds. I focus on relations that are based on a mutual interdependence between parties, mutual respect, common procedural rules, real opportunities that expressly approve or reject a proposal in a decision or deliberation situation free from compulsion, where people, who have different ethnic backgrounds, strive after insight and understanding in their relations. In this dissertation I present three empirical cases about cooperation, consultation and participation as forms of inter-ethnic relations from the organizational fields in the society. These cases are examples of what I characterize as “organizing inter-ethnicity”, or organizing people with different ethnic backgrounds around common concerns. Organizing inter-ethnicity is in turn a part of organizing and integrating diversity in society. Drawing on the results of three case studies, I distinguish between opportunities and barriers. My case studies clearly illustrate that the tensions that influence the patterns of and variation in opportunities and barriers have sources that reach well beyond ethnicity. Tensions between old and new organizations, between working immigrant organizations and refugee organizations, between organizations from same group or between organizations that have conflicts from their members’ countries of origin provide some examples of the difficulties that generate barriers to broad interest constellations between organizations.

This study aimed to explore how non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Sri Lanka define and interpret an independent life for women with physical disabilities (WWPD) in their services. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five employees at five Sri Lankan NGOs. The material was then analysed using two theoretical models, the social and medical model on disability. The study results showed that the selected NGOs in Sri Lanka in the majority defined an independent life as difficult to achieve due to societal barriers. However, one local NGO defined WWPD as not independent due to the individual's impairment. Further results showed that NGOs in Sri Lanka provide individual, employment, education and advocacy/lobbying services to help WWPD achieve independence. Services based on the social model focus more on helping WWPD achieve independence than services based on the medical model. Nevertheless, medical model services are needed in combination with social model services for WWPD to achieve independence. International and national NGOs work with social model services more than local organisations. Further, services connect since several services are needed to achieve independence.

Au cœur de cette thèse réside l'application des méthodes d'optimisation et d'études empiriques pour traiter des questions de développement durable dans le secteur de l'électricité du Vietnam pour les 30 prochaines années. On examine les moyens des options énergétiques durables pour le secteur de l'électricité. La thèse s'organise en deux parties. (i) Dans la première partie, nous développons le modèle " bottom-up " de planification intégrée des ressources (IRP) pour fournir une évaluation plus exhaustive de l'état actuel et des perspectives d'avenir pour le secteur de l'électricité du Vietnam dans les trois prochaines décennies. Puis, en utilisant une analyse comparative et une analyse de la vulnérabilité qui est basée sur la simulation IRP, nous analysons les vulnérabilités auxquelles le développement du secteur devra faire face, en termes de dimensions économiques et socio-environnementales. Nous avons en outre développé le modèle IRP, représentant les coûts marginaux de réduction des émissions de carbone de manière réaliste en tenant compte des valeurs non nulles de carbone et de limitation des émissions de carbone, afin de simuler des options d'approvisionnement énergétique soutenables pour le secteur de l'énergie. (ii) Dans la deuxième partie, nous étudions les principaux obstacles contre une adoption plus large des énergies soutenables à l'aide d'enquêtes formelles parmi les experts nationaux. Ensuite, nous utilisons une approche d'analyse empirique pour examiner les différents outils politiques appropriés, y compris des instruments d'incitation / régimes et la réforme du secteur pour une telle durabilité du secteur de l'énergie. Pour la fin, nous analysons l'accès aux sources de financement possibles pour le développement durable dans le secteur de l'électricité du Vietnam.