The Middle East's political structure has recently undergone a transformation where diplomatic ties and normalization have characterized the regional context. The ongoing normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel is the latest in developing bilateral relations, where a realized agreement would have a significant impact on the security and political structure of the region, but also have consequences internationally. The purpose of the paper is to further examine Saudi Arabia's role in the normalization process with Israel through a case study, where the potential agreement is analyzed by using the theoretical frameworks of realism and liberalism. The study’s theoretical framework is being operationalized where security and elements of power contextualize the essence of realism, while the nature of liberalism is being put into context by interdependence, peace theory and individual rights. The normalization can be explained through driving forces within security- and economic policies, which are being promoted with the help of a bilateral treaty with Israel. Additionally, the potential diplomatic relation correlates with the national reshaping of Saudi Arabia. This transformation demands regional stability and diversification of the state’s economic sector, in order to proceed with Vision 2030.

This study assumes, rather than debates, that there is an increasingly global environmental crisis – global warming, loss of ozone layer, biodiversity loss, deforestation and desertification, natural resource depletion, toxic pollution - brought about by western nations’ abuse of the natural environment during nineteenth century industrialization, continuing through the twentieth century, and, many would argue, into the new millennium as well. Greens have been warning of the dangers of human-induced climate change since the 1960s. And yet, their analysis of the reasons for the wide and global range of ecological problems currently being experienced, of which climate change is only one, is not widely known. And even less so, are their solutions to the ecological crisis. This thesis, “Towards the development of a "green" worldview, and criteria to assess the "green-ness" of a text: Namibia Vision 2030 as example”, poses two research questions, and undertakes three tasks. The first question asks: “What does ‘seeing green’ as worldview mean?” “Green” emerges as not only pro-environmental attitudes and behaviours, but a fundamental challenge to western-cultural views on Self, and on the Self/Other relationship, including our human-nature relationship. It represents a total worldview, with its own legitimating narratives, epistemology, ontology, ethics, and viewpoints on real-world political issues as well. The green worldview differs sharply in its ultimate premises from mainstream sustainable development. On the green view, only the radical changes in Self, the Self/Other relationship, and society’s structures, which a green worldview demands, will be sufficient to avert the impending ecological crisis. A green worldview, while containing considerable diversity, is still sufficiently coherent and consistent that it can be reduced to a set of criteria and indicators for “seeing green”. This was the study’s second task. The study’s third task co-incides with its second research question: “How green is Namibia Vision 2030s worldview?” Namibia Vision 2030 is Namibia’s premier policy text designed to guide Namibia through a generation of sustainable development. Using the green criteria and indicators developed during the study, it is argued that particularly as far as this text’s ultimate premises on the human/nature relationship are concerned, its worldview is best described as pale green fading into grey. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Psychology / unrestricted

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This essay critically analyzes the implementation of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative through a detailed descriptive case study as the methodological framework, employing the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) model as the theoretical basis. The essay delves into the alignment of Vision 2030 with TBL principles, particularly in its influence on economic diversification, social inclusivity, and environmental conservation.  The study incorporated the three dimensions, concluding that Vision 2030 has successfully taken substantial steps in steering the Saudi economy away from its conventional reliance on oil. Socially, Vision 2030 places a significant emphasis on enhancing the quality of life for all Saudi citizens by investing in education, healthcare, and social welfare programs. On the environmental front, Vision 2030 demonstrates a steadfast commitment to sustainability through initiatives that promote renewable energy and environmentally friendly practices. The TBL framework serves as a valuable perspective for assessing the intricate impact of Vision 2030. Through an evaluation of the initiative's advancements in economic diversification, social inclusivity, and environmental preservation, it becomes evident that Vision 2030 is facilitating a more balanced and sustainable developmental trajectory for Saudi Arabia. / <p>My deepest gratitude extends to the individuals who have played a pivotal role in the success of this essay, particularly my unwavering family and cherished friends. Their unwavering support, encouragement, and constructive feedback have been instrumental in shaping my thoughts and refining the essay's content. I am particularly indebted to my esteemed advisor, Abdulelah Al Mutairi, whose guidance, expertise, and unwavering belief in my potential have been invaluable. His insightful suggestions and meticulous attention to detail have elevated the essay to a level I could not have achieved on my own. I am truly grateful for the collective support and encouragement that has made this endeavor possible.</p>

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There has been a mixed public response on social media toward Saudi Vision 2030, which could threaten public support of its implementation. This research investigated local tensions between social, religious, political, and economic values concerning the Saudi Vision 2030 plan, with a view to understanding the opportunities and challenges of social and cultural change within an evolving Saudi society. In this study, Twitter activity is treated as a societal mirror that reflects some of the perceptions regarding the transformations taking place within Saudi society. Both a case study informed by tweets sampled from Saudi Arabia and Vision 2030 related documentation explored how the current public social media discourse reflects existing social, religious, and cultural tensions concerning the government-proposed Vision 2030. This study drew on theoretical framework informed by Durkheim’s and Ibn Khaldun’s theory of social change, Merton’s strain theory, and Luhmann’s Social System Theory, to explore social, political, economic, and religious tensions found within the interactions of Twitter users around projects and events implemented or inspired by Vision 2030. An application programming interface (API) was used to retrieve Twitter posts, while a thematic analysis was applied to published documents related to Vision 2030 to identify Saudi society’s challenges to the implementation of the Vision. The study found that within Saudi society, Vision 2030 had an impact upon the normative disorder already taking place due to the rapid changes brought about by the Vision. Specifically, the study highlighted the link between ambiguous, clear, or absent norms, and a person’s pre-existing background knowledge. Social and religious group norms were more ambitious than clear, whereas economic group norms tended to be clearer. Finally, the study found that over time, through public debates, norms moved from an ambiguous and absent stage and became increasingly well-defined. The study showed that Saudi society, as a result of Vision 2030, is experiencing a normative disorder.

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For school libraries to sufficiently contribute to better information skills’ development and creation of a culture of lifelong learning among students, they require backing through well articulated policies both at national and individual school level. This study investigated the prevailing status of school libraries in public secondary schools in Nairobi County, Kenya. Using a survey research design, with a response rate of 68% for school principals and 66% for school librarians, this study established that although the majority of the schools had school libraries, these were individual schools’ efforts. There were no government policies on school libraries and most of the schools lacked explicit library policies. Additionally, they had not embraced contemporary trends in technology and the major impediment was lack of financial support. The study concluded that school libraries in Nairobi County were inadequately resourced and supported and recommended that the government of Kenya should come up with national policies that will entrench school libraries in the education system. / Information Science / MA (Information Science)

For school libraries to sufficiently contribute to better information skills’ development and creation of a culture of lifelong learning among students, they require backing through well articulated policies both at national and individual school level. This study investigated the prevailing status of school libraries in public secondary schools in Nairobi County, Kenya. Using a survey research design, with a response rate of 68% for school principals and 66% for school librarians, this study established that although the majority of the schools had school libraries, these were individual schools’ efforts. There were no government policies on school libraries and most of the schools lacked explicit library policies. Additionally, they had not embraced contemporary trends in technology and the major impediment was lack of financial support. The study concluded that school libraries in Nairobi County were inadequately resourced and supported and recommended that the government of Kenya should come up with national policies that will entrench school libraries in the education system. / Information Science / M.A. (Information Science)