Dr. John K. Friesen is a Canadian who, for over 50 years worked first in the field of adult education in Canada and then in population planning internationally. He gained prominence in his own country, considerable international stature and a reputation for his vision and capability. Friesen successfully used a democratic, cooperative approach in discovering and responding to community requirements in adult learning. This biographical study provides new material about his character, goals, influences. The thesis focuses on Friesen’s work as Director of Extension for the University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, Canada (1953 - 1966) but also outlines his life and career before this term and gives a synopsis of his international work. A brief description is given of Friesen’s upbringing in a small rural community in Manitoba, his experiences as an educator and leader during the great depression and of his war service in the RCAF. His work in organizing adult education programs for the Manitoba Federation of Agriculture and his life during post-graduate studies at Columbia University are described. He was involved in the cooperative movement and provided informed, effective leadership in Manitoba’s post-war efforts to renew its educational system and to develop a network of hospitals. The thesis examines Friesen’s commitments, methods and the management style he applied in expanding the UBC Extension Department into a sophisticated organization. Under his leadership the department became influential in adult education, leadership and citizenship training in British Columbia; also it was involved in international adult education work. Research was conducted into the work of Friesen and others in originating a graduate program in adult education at UBC. The nature and outcomes of his work in promoting continuing professional education is also examined. The role of Extension in the Vancouver International Festival and other cultural development work is discussed. Friesen is shown to have extended the work of the University into communities throughout the province using study-discussion groups, lectures, credit and noncredit programs in this work. A change in University policy (1963) forced the Department to abandon much of its community based work; the consequences of this shift are considered. Comment from seven of Friesen’s senior colleagues provides insight into his leadership quality and the perceived value of the work carried out during his term. Some conclusions are drawn about Friesen’s life as an educator and humanitarian and on his approach to adult education. The ideas, ideals, commitments and convictions demonstrated by Friesen remain valid today. / Education, Faculty of / Educational Studies (EDST), Department of / Graduate

This thesis examines women's issues and the political agenda. Several factors affect the likelihood of a women's issue getting onto the formal political agenda of government (municipal, provincial, and federal). The nature of the issue (the degree to which it challenges the status quo) affects the political outcome: those issues which have fit into current and historical legislative patterns (such as welfare state guidelines) have been more successful. A patriarchal family ideology places limitations on the proper role of women: women have held primary responsibility for the care of children and family. Women's labour force participation creates parameters for government involvement in issues such as childcare. The lobbying and organizational skills of the political actors involved are prerequisites for gaining access to government decision-makers. While the entry of women into the political arena has not insured the entry of women's issues onto the political agenda, female politicians have been especially important in bringing women's issues forward for debate and action. However, government bureaucracy has often been a barrier in the implementation of legislation concerning women's issues. I present a case study of a particular women's issue (childcare) at the municipal level of government. Five locations are examined in the Greater Vancouver area, using a combination of qualitative methods (personal interviews) and quantitative research techniques (government statistics, official documents, and reports from a variety of community organizations). In spite of the steadily increasing labour force participation of women in all locations, the response of local governments to the childcare issue has varied greatly — childcare is on Vancouver's political agenda but not that of the four district municipalities examined. Vancouver's involvement has been more comprehensive and longterm (more childcare spaces, an involved Social Planning Department, two task forces, a Children's Advocate, and buildings and sites for childcare purposes). The response of municipal councils continues to reflect patriarchal notions of the family (where childcare is a private, family responsibility). Alternatively, Vancouver council has recognized a permanent restructuring of the family and the ongoing involvement of the larger community in childcare. At the same time, the lobbying approach of Vancouver childcare advocates has followed long established patterns concerning childcare and governments -- the argument has been based on child welfare, not the rights or welfare of women. / Arts, Faculty of / Sociology, Department of / Graduate

Examining human interaction networks contributes to an understanding of factors that improve and constrain collaboration. This study examined multiple network levels of information exchanges within a public service model designed to strengthen community partnerships by connecting city services to the neighborhoods. The research setting was the Neighbourhood Integrated Service Teams (NIST) program in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. A literature review related information dimensions to the municipal structure, including social network theory, social network analysis, social capital, transactive memory theory, public goods theory, and the information environment of the public administration setting. The research method involved multiple instruments and included surveys of two bounded populations. First, the membership of the NIST program received a survey asking for identification of up to 20 people they contact for NIST-related work. Second, a network component of the NIST program, 23 community centre coordinators in the Parks and Recreation Department, completed a survey designed to identify their information exchanges relating to regular work responsibilities and the infusion of NIST issues. Additionally, 25 semi-structured interviews with the coordinators and other program members, collection of organization documents, field observation, and feedback sessions provided valuable insight into the complexity of the model. This research contributes to the application of social network theory and analysis in information environments and provides insight for public administrators into the operation of the model and reasons for the program's network effectiveness.

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