Food security is a global concern, experienced at a household level in South Africa (SA). The country experiences income inequality with a high unemployment rate. Many that are employed live under the international poverty line. The Potchefstroom area in the North-West Province of SA has a high unemployment rate. The Student Rag Community Service (SRCS) is a student driven non-profit organisation (NPO) of the North-West University (NWU) that is actively involved in socio-economic development of communities within this area. Some community programmes attempt to address food security, but it was uncertain which SRCS projects address such programmes. Unsustainable programmes may lead to greater food insecurity. Much funding has been used for SRCS projects and if unsustainable, funds were not optimally utilised. Archived documentation of implemented SRCS projects were not stored in a system that supported easy reference. Programmes were not assessed against clear sustainability indicators (SI), thus the sustainability thereof was uncertain. Thus, the research question was: Which of the SRCS projects addressed food security through their activities and programmes and were these projects sustainable? The study aimed to assess the food security-related SRCS community projects to promote sustainable development. A case study was done to assess this in its real-life content. The mixed methods strategy was used through the three data collection phases. Further, a non-probability sampling method and the triangulation design were used to compare data. Firstly, the available archived documentation (September 2007 until August 2011) was compiled in an electronic database. Data from the most recent term were scrutinised (September 2010 until August 2011) and food security-related projects (21/48) were identified and those with feeding schemes (5/21). These projects mostly address the themes: food and nutrition, hygiene and infrastructure. Secondly, these projects were visited and community project members were interviewed to assess their experiences with the SRCS’s project involvement and their opinions towards sustainability. Lastly, the SRCS project leaders’ (n=20), of the previous term (September 2012 until August 2013), knowledge and understanding of project sustainability were assessed through a group administered questionnaire. Qualitative data were thematically analysed and quantitative data were statistically analysed. Results indicated positive and negative expectations of community project members. Students indicated that community project members always or often participate and have sufficient skills and competences, but this was not indicated by community project members. Exposure or awareness was believed to increase project capacity. Available funds influenced the ownership and participation of community project members. Statistical analysis indicated a relationship between capacity building, empowerment and production of own food sources. Although some community project members and SRCS project leaders were able to define sustainability and agreed upon SI, these were not implemented or measured at projects. Within the study, SI based on the livelihood assets from literature, were used to assess projects. Some activities created dependence without focusing on the development of assets. Study limitations included a language barrier between the SRCS and the community, and the accessibility of project leaders after the ending of the annual SRCS term. The study might improve current and innovative SRCS projects to overcome poverty and promote food security. / M Consumer Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Food security is a global concern, experienced at a household level in South Africa (SA). The country experiences income inequality with a high unemployment rate. Many that are employed live under the international poverty line. The Potchefstroom area in the North-West Province of SA has a high unemployment rate. The Student Rag Community Service (SRCS) is a student driven non-profit organisation (NPO) of the North-West University (NWU) that is actively involved in socio-economic development of communities within this area. Some community programmes attempt to address food security, but it was uncertain which SRCS projects address such programmes. Unsustainable programmes may lead to greater food insecurity. Much funding has been used for SRCS projects and if unsustainable, funds were not optimally utilised. Archived documentation of implemented SRCS projects were not stored in a system that supported easy reference. Programmes were not assessed against clear sustainability indicators (SI), thus the sustainability thereof was uncertain. Thus, the research question was: Which of the SRCS projects addressed food security through their activities and programmes and were these projects sustainable? The study aimed to assess the food security-related SRCS community projects to promote sustainable development. A case study was done to assess this in its real-life content. The mixed methods strategy was used through the three data collection phases. Further, a non-probability sampling method and the triangulation design were used to compare data. Firstly, the available archived documentation (September 2007 until August 2011) was compiled in an electronic database. Data from the most recent term were scrutinised (September 2010 until August 2011) and food security-related projects (21/48) were identified and those with feeding schemes (5/21). These projects mostly address the themes: food and nutrition, hygiene and infrastructure. Secondly, these projects were visited and community project members were interviewed to assess their experiences with the SRCS’s project involvement and their opinions towards sustainability. Lastly, the SRCS project leaders’ (n=20), of the previous term (September 2012 until August 2013), knowledge and understanding of project sustainability were assessed through a group administered questionnaire. Qualitative data were thematically analysed and quantitative data were statistically analysed. Results indicated positive and negative expectations of community project members. Students indicated that community project members always or often participate and have sufficient skills and competences, but this was not indicated by community project members. Exposure or awareness was believed to increase project capacity. Available funds influenced the ownership and participation of community project members. Statistical analysis indicated a relationship between capacity building, empowerment and production of own food sources. Although some community project members and SRCS project leaders were able to define sustainability and agreed upon SI, these were not implemented or measured at projects. Within the study, SI based on the livelihood assets from literature, were used to assess projects. Some activities created dependence without focusing on the development of assets. Study limitations included a language barrier between the SRCS and the community, and the accessibility of project leaders after the ending of the annual SRCS term. The study might improve current and innovative SRCS projects to overcome poverty and promote food security. / M Consumer Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

This study aims to understand the interface between the governance of event-led regeneration and sustainable development by taking the London 2012 Olympic Games/Lower Lee Valley area regeneration process as a case study. Since the early 1990s, there is a widespread trend towards the use of mega-events to promote a city, stimulate the local economy and regenerate rundown post-industrial areas and communities. The importance of mega-events in destination development has gained increasing attention and they are also considered as a catalyst for city regeneration. The emphasis in the aims of event-led regeneration has changed over the time and the sustainability in terms of economic, physical, social and governance dimensions has gained significant attention from both organisers and researchers. In the context of sustainable event-led regeneration, multiple stakeholder perspectives are essential and it is important to know how different actors are involved and interact in an event-led regeneration. London used 2012 Olympics to regenerate East London, one of the most deprived parts of the city. It is taken as an opportunity to explore new frontiers of interaction and cooperation between the local, regional and national stakeholders. This research adopts an integrative approach, which evaluates the changes in the built environment, social structure and stakeholder organisation together to evaluate the sustainability of the event-led regeneration governance. Data collection methods include interviews with stakeholders of London 2012 planning and organization, focus group meetings with residents living in and around the fringe of the London 2012 Olympic Park, secondary data analysis and document analysis. The research provides a sound base from which the planning of more sustainable mega-events can be undertaken by using the epistemological framework for sustainable event-led regeneration and the evaluation of their impact more fully measured across a wider stakeholder community. The conclusion emphasises the importance of the collaborative approach for the governance and resilience as critical for sustainable event-led regeneration.

This paper assesses the continued community participation mechanisms, especially the Restoration Advisory Board, and the role of these mechanisms in the environmental cleanup of post U.S. military training operations in the current colonial situation of the Puerto Rican island municipality of Vieques. Today the community has many informal and formal mechanisms of organization meant to address the social, economic, health and environmental problems resulting from the Navy's presence on the island. These mechanisms are the cornerstone of the community's search for social and environmental justice. This paper provides a brief history of the Navy's presence on Vieques, the evolution of community participation mechanisms and an analysis of how these mechanisms allow the community to interact with public, private and government institutions involved in the cleanup. The research is centered around interviews with community members to discern whether they feel these mechanisms are effective in properly addressing community concerns. The case study of Vieques could also have international implications for the future of foreign military bases and toxic waste disposal around the world. Analysis of the effectiveness of community participation mechanisms could help marginalized communities deal with developed countries on issues that may concern human health and environmental risks as a result of the developed countries' activities. The analysis of community participation mechanisms can be used as a guide for Vieques and other communities around the world trying to achieve social, economic and environmental justice.

The study relates to road management in Nigeria, on one (land locked) state out of the 36 that comprise the country. The state (Sokoto) has a population of over four million people, and the acute shortage of road connections to the majority of its rural inhabitants necessitated the research. The practice of road management in Sokoto is broadly representative of other Nigerian States. Sokoto like all the northern states, is distant from the coast, and its main asset is an abundant supply of cheap labour. Roads provide the principal mode of access, and are a key factor to trade, industry and social development. An intensive literature review was carried out to determine the existing state of knowledge on the problems encountered by practitioners in the field. The review (desk study) occupied the first stage of the research. It rapidly became clear that the topic is seriously under-researched, both internationally and specifically in the study area. The review has also drawn upon a variety of published and unpublished sources, drawing upon the limited amount of quantified and rigorous data that is available, but also assessing the more substantial quantity of partially quantified or impressionistic information to be found in project reports and case studies. For research to be successful, observable indicators must be found for at least some of the abstract concepts used in the theory. In this regard, six months field work (data collection) was carried out in Nigeria as the study's second stage. This translates the research hypothesis into an operational hypothesis. The third stage of the research covers the analysis and validation of data. This includes an interpretation, which serves as a bridge between the theoretical and practical data. The thesis describes how the empirical data has been used in analysis, to spell out parameters that affect rural road management in Nigeria as in many Sub-Saharan Africa. The research revealed the inappropriate use of technology to be the major factor hindering performance. The study suggests some workable operating methods as possible alternatives that can simplify the difficulties of road maintenance under different operating conditions.

The importance of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) as a prerequisite for national development has been emphasized in recent years by developing countries and by donor agencies. Research findings point to the benefits children, as well as nations, derive from ECCE provision. For children, these benefits include school readiness; and for nations, benefits address the reduction of social inequality, possibilities for increased tax revenue through eventual improved employment prospects, and development of societal values. In 1990 at Jomtien in Thailand, 155 nations of the world agreed on a joint plan of action to fulfill six Education For All goals. The first goal required nations to work towards the expansion and improvement of comprehensive ECCE by the year 2015. The responsibility of poor countries was to make necessary budget allocations and policy commitments; rich countries were to provide both intellectual and financial support. Whilst some progress has been made, many developing countries especially in Sub-Saharan Africa are still at risk of not achieving EFA by 2015. Uganda is one country where there are difficulties in attaining EFA and ECCE in particular. This has been exacerbated by the prevailing economic, social, geographical, and cultural differences, as well as general beliefs about ECCE. This study investigates the present quality and accessibility in ECCE provision in Uganda. It explores the extent to which Uganda has expanded and improved ECCE and raises the key question as to why even with international donor support and government commitment to institutional changes, ECCE is an area of education still riven with problems. The study uses participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and photography in six selected schools in three Districts. Research findings reveal that the majority of children are not accessing ECCE provision, while many of those that do are being educated in environments not conducive to their learning and development. Findings show that there are a number of factors both internal and external to Uganda that impact upon efforts to fulfil the commitment made at Jomtien in 1990. This research concludes that first and foremost, there should be a national, ‘Ugandan’ approach to and policies about ECCE. Rather than being led by international pressure and policies, approaches to improving quality and accessibility in ECCE provision should be refocused away from ‘top-heavy’, ‘lop-sided’ approaches to a more pre-school-level focused approach. This will help in establishing and addressing culturally relevant and economically achievable quality targets. Secondly, there is need for public awareness of the importance of ECCE. This will not only give rise to increased community participation in the establishment of community-based ECCE centres, but also the involvement of stakeholders in the identification and implementation of solutions to the problems facing ECCE. And finally, rather than looking to the West for funding, Uganda should develop in-country funding strategies from both public and private sources. This will help to remove the negative impact of ‘modalities’, these often being required by external donor funding. In-country funding sources will as a result give Uganda room to ‘manoeuvre’ when planning for ECCE.

This thesis is a study of how community participation is understood, enacted, produced and governed in the context of an organization that promotes community participation. The contribution of this thesis is to shed light on the frequently found gap between the expectations and the reality of community participation. In examining how community participation is promoted, the thesis focuses in particular on actors such as community leaders and development workers, and the interactions between them. The thesis applies a multi-disciplinary theoretical framework, which is built through combining theoretical approaches that include discourse analysis, institutional analysis, and the actor-oriented approach. The framework accommodates the examination of the roles of various types of social factors in shaping the workings of community participation. These include the idea of community, social relations in communities, and the agency of actors who are promoting the approach. This thesis conducts a case study of the Council of Community Organisations (CCO) programme in Thailand, which is a large-scale promotion of community participation in development and governance. The case study examines the operation of the programme from national to local level, and explores several localities where the programme is being implemented. The exploration of the CCO programme illuminates pathways through which the approach’s inner mechanisms can constrain it from fulfilling the expectations. The thesis identifies how the idea of community, through its association with the sense of collective identity, tends to distort community participation from achieving empowerment. Moreover, the social relations in communities, generally characterised by inequality and diversity of interests, frequently constrain the approach from achieving effective mobilisation of collective action. Such a constraint is often accentuated by adverse incentives that community leaders face when they become part of development interventions. Finally, it is found that the deficiencies of community participation are likely to persist. This is because the actors who are promoting the approach usually manoeuvre to gain advantages from their roles in ways that reinforce the influence of the aforementioned factors.

Se realizó un estudio cualitativo de diseño fenomenológico en el que intervinieron 12 dirigentes de las organizaciones de base de un Asentamiento Humano (AA.HH.) del distrito de Manchay. A través de la entrevista y grupos focales se investigaron las principales razones de participación comunitaria; los datos obtenidos fueron analizados a partir de la técnica de análisis de contenido, para posteriormente realizar la triangulación de datos. En el presente artículo se exponen los resultados y los argumentos brindados por los participantes; finalmente se discuten los principales hallazgos acerca del estudio en función de cuatro aspectos: elementos motivadores de participación, formas de participación, percepción como comunidad y percepción hacia el agente externo. / It was considered appropriate to carry out a qualitative study of phenomenological design involving 12 leaders of organizations of a human settlement (AA.HH.) from the District of Manchay, whereby through the interviews and focus groups were investigated the main reasons for community participation. The obtained data was analyzed from the technique of content analysis, and then the triangulation of data was performed. Also the findings obtained are exposed, the arguments provided by the participants and finally the main results on the study are discussed based on four aspects: motivators for participation, forms of participation, perception as community and perception towards the foreign agent.

This thesis explores the expectation gap and how it relates to the field of emergency management. As disasters become more commonplace, many citizens have high expectations of their governments, which results in a lack of individual disaster preparation. This thesis analyzed the current state of community education and engagement programs, use of best practices by governments and inter-agency cooperation and partnerships. The research consisted of fifteen interviews with emergency management professionals representing local, state, and federal government as well as the private sector. The results show limited public participation, as well as issues with crisis communications systems. Over 80% of research participants noted lack of disaster education programs as a serious issue. The results also show differences between expectation levels across demographic groups, limited educational program accessibility for minority populations and a difference in expectations between urban and rural residents.

Despite stipulations in local government legislation that Municipalities should build the capacity of the local communities to enable effective public participation and to foster community participation in local government, little is known on how municipalities capacitate their people staying in the rural areas to participate effectively in the IDP process. This research study investigated, explored and analyzed capacity building programmes used by Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality to capacitate its people staying in the rural areas to participate effectively in the IDP process. The study was conducted through qualitative interviews with officials working and people living in two rural wards. An analysis of the interviews yields that Lepelle-Nkumpi municipality does not have a capacity building policy or strategy for promoting effective participation of people in the IDP process. The capacity building programmes used by the municipality are more focused on ward committees, ward councilors and project steering committee members than on traditional leaders, small businesses and other people staying in the rural areas. The municipality has planned training programmes for ward committees, ward councilors and project steering committee members and none for other people. Information sharing is done through ward committees, municipality and council meetings for all categories of citizens. People who practise subsistence farming are capacitated through agricultural research based interventions. Skills development programmes are used to enhance participation of project steering committee members in monitoring the implementation of IDP projects. The capacity building programmes are effective in making people aware of structures they can use to participate in the IDP process and to participate during IDP project implementation and to a minimal extent enhances people’s participation in monitoring the implementation of IDP projects. The Municipality’s capacity building programmes enhances people’s skills to participate effectively during implementation of IDP projects and not in the decision making during analysis, strategies and approval phases of the IDP process.