According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, “Adaptation to climate change is defined as, an adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities” (IPCC 2007). Adaptation is required due to the increase in the number of natural disasters and extreme changes in environmental conditions in coastal areas that are a function of sea level rise, floods, extreme heat, drought, and coastal storm surge from severe storms. To reduce the impacts of climate change risks in the future, coastal communities through local government initiatives are compelled to develop and implement grass roots community plans. This study is part of an International Community-University Research Alliance (ICURA), “C-Change” that aims to develop community-based adaptation protocols based on best practices and through the evaluation of the scientific method of problem solving designed to help coastal communities be sustainable and to protect their local coastal environments. To this end, the thesis reviews the international development and application of adaptive strategies related to climate change and evaluates these global strategies for identification of best practices and application to coastal communities. The objective of this research is to design and develop improved C-Change community adaptation frameworks by analyzing the applications of international protocols and local action plans with respect to the scientific method and of problem solving through using AHP (Analytic hierarchy process) as a tool, and by choosing best practices to provide guidelines for communities’ climate adaptation plans for the C-Change ICURA coastal communities in Canada.

Statement of problem: Ottawa Public Health has expressed the need for accurate and complete data/information on HIV in the Black community from Africa and the Caribbean (ACB) in Ottawa. Method of investigation: A mixed methods approach was done. The first phase was a descriptive analysis of HIV diagnoses in the ACB population in Ottawa between 2005-2010. The second phase used qualitative interviews with people living with, and not living with HIV in ACB communities in Ottawa. Results: HIV diagnosis rates were higher in ACB in comparison to the non-ACB population. The issues that emerged from interviews touched on HIV-related stigma, the exacerbating effect of HIV, essential gaps in current programs and HIV-related services for ACB communities. Conclusion: The HIV diagnosis rates in the ACB communities in Ottawa provide reason for concern. OPH’s approach to reducing HIV rates in ACB communities must attempt to incorporate understandings of the cultural context of HIV in the ACB communities for the betterment of HIV-prevention programming.

<p> There is a dearth of literature focusing on domestic violence within the Jamaican culture. This study addresses the paucity of literature related to physical abuse of females in intimate heterosexual relationships in Jamaica. This qualitative, transcendental, phenomenological study was designed to gain insight into the abusive worlds of these women based on their stories told in their own voices. Identification of their reasons for remaining in their abusive contexts was also explored. Eleven women, no longer in their abusive relationships, participated. Results revealed four major themes: (a) faith, (b) hope, (c) poor judgment, and (d) secrecy. A strong call to address faith teachings and application of scriptures related explicitly to abuse within intimate partner relationships emerged from the results.</p>

<p> Dominica has been recognized for its landscape containing hundreds of rivers and receiving high rainfall, and "our water belongs to the world," or so says many Dominican citizens, and their government. A schism exists in the understanding of the water resources of Dominica. Local perceptions are in conflict with regional climate change data. Where climate change research has found Dominica to be high risk for water quality and quantity, locals maintain the mindset that there is an overabundance of the resource. Local epistemologies influence governmental water management practices, which presently focus on exportation of the resource. In efforts of economic development, while trusting that there is a surplus of water, Dominica leases billions of gallons of water each year to foreign companies. A popular conception on the island is that there is an abundance of water, and therefore, it should be shared globally. This unique social construction of Dominican water has been a foundation leading to the sale of billions of gallons of fresh water to international corporations. However, the bulk exportation of water is occurring in the context of climate change, and thus, the availability of water will be impacted by changes in annual rainfall, sea level rise, increased temperatures, and more severe hurricanes. The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of how the social understanding of water in Dominica was constructed, and what this means in relation to resource exportation and climate change. This research-based paper explores Dominican perceptions of water abundance and sustainability.</p>

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This study explores the literary representations of the post-colonial margin, and develops this site as a place of possibility to transform self identity and acquire power. This exploration of Caribbean-Canadian literature, from writers born in the Caribbean who emigrated to Canada indicates the potential for power in the margins without idealizing this space. / Close readings of fiction by Neil Bissoondath, Dionne Brand and Marlene Nourbese Philip illustrate various struggles within the margin based on race, gender, economics, and education. Despite vast ideological differences regarding identity, all three authors concur in their characterizations of the margin. In each work, the margin is not a monolithic entity, but rather a diverse space which allows for the constitution of various identities. / This textual analysis in conjunction with critical analysis also addresses issues of language appropriation and cultural ghettoization, by critiquing the right of one group to speak for another in a racially mixed society such as Canada, as well as by critiquing the homogeneity of identity within one racial group. Ultimately, by illuminating these textual and critical trends, this study looks toward possible future directions for Caribbean-Canadian literature.

As a result of the increasing demand for tertiary education in many developing countries, institutions are seeking ways to increase educational access in difficult economic times. This paper describes the development of the University of the West Indies Open Campus as the mechanism for online distance education delivery to students across sixteen islands in the Caribbean region. The shift from the use of print based distance education to online education was examined from the perspectives of the administration, the instructors and the students in order to determine which factors were important for a successful transition. Factors examined included institutional context, vision, curriculum, organizational structure, finances, leadership, stakeholder attitudes towards online courses, staff training, student support and programme quality. The study also examined whether online education could promote a regional cultural identity. The research design used was a qualitative single case study with multiple data sources including archival records, semi-structured interviews and online surveys. Research findings indicate that implementing online education requires a deep understanding of the institutional context, clear vision, effective leadership, understanding attitudes towards online education and the provision of effective student support mechanisms. Context and aspects of culture (specifically communication) emerged as important factors that strongly influenced the transition, both pedagogically and in terms of the organizational culture and structure required to support online education. A lack of communication resulted in staff resistance both internally and externally. Communication was also the major stumbling block in the pedagogical changes required for online teaching and learning. Both students and instructors found teaching and learning online more difficult than in traditional classes as a result of the differences in communication modes between online classes and the wider culture. Students in online classes specifically desired the immediate feedback available in face-to-face classes and indicated a strong preference for blended learning. The study presents some suggestions for successful transitions and provides support for institutions preparing to use online education as a mode of distance education delivery, especially in the Caribbean context.

This study explored the current state of eHealth policy in Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC). It is based on a novel methodological approach to the conduct of systematic reviews of documents that are not always published in peer-reviewed journals. 33 countries were included in the study and 19 ICT and 7 eHealth policies were identified. A hybrid inductive and deductive content analysis approach was used to provide an in- depth analysis and comparison of existing national eHealth policies in LAC. The study found that there has been considerable progress in the establishment of ICT policies in the LAC region, but less so for eHealth policy specifically. The findings suggest that the establishment of a strategic framework that may guide and support decisions and choices in the development of national eHealth policies, could prove to be an essential tool in the successful implementation of eHealth in LAC.

As a result of the increasing demand for tertiary education in many developing countries, institutions are seeking ways to increase educational access in difficult economic times. This paper describes the development of the University of the West Indies Open Campus as the mechanism for online distance education delivery to students across sixteen islands in the Caribbean region. The shift from the use of print based distance education to online education was examined from the perspectives of the administration, the instructors and the students in order to determine which factors were important for a successful transition. Factors examined included institutional context, vision, curriculum, organizational structure, finances, leadership, stakeholder attitudes towards online courses, staff training, student support and programme quality. The study also examined whether online education could promote a regional cultural identity. The research design used was a qualitative single case study with multiple data sources including archival records, semi-structured interviews and online surveys. Research findings indicate that implementing online education requires a deep understanding of the institutional context, clear vision, effective leadership, understanding attitudes towards online education and the provision of effective student support mechanisms. Context and aspects of culture (specifically communication) emerged as important factors that strongly influenced the transition, both pedagogically and in terms of the organizational culture and structure required to support online education. A lack of communication resulted in staff resistance both internally and externally. Communication was also the major stumbling block in the pedagogical changes required for online teaching and learning. Both students and instructors found teaching and learning online more difficult than in traditional classes as a result of the differences in communication modes between online classes and the wider culture. Students in online classes specifically desired the immediate feedback available in face-to-face classes and indicated a strong preference for blended learning. The study presents some suggestions for successful transitions and provides support for institutions preparing to use online education as a mode of distance education delivery, especially in the Caribbean context.

This study explored the current state of eHealth policy in Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC). It is based on a novel methodological approach to the conduct of systematic reviews of documents that are not always published in peer-reviewed journals. 33 countries were included in the study and 19 ICT and 7 eHealth policies were identified. A hybrid inductive and deductive content analysis approach was used to provide an in- depth analysis and comparison of existing national eHealth policies in LAC. The study found that there has been considerable progress in the establishment of ICT policies in the LAC region, but less so for eHealth policy specifically. The findings suggest that the establishment of a strategic framework that may guide and support decisions and choices in the development of national eHealth policies, could prove to be an essential tool in the successful implementation of eHealth in LAC.