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The thesis is about a small NGO that is working with the rights of persons with albinism in Tanzania. It deals with the NGOs advocacy work on a local and national level, and addresses the challenges that come with their work.  I have concluded that advocacy is a powerful tool for NGOs to use as a part of their strategic communication. NGOs in the Global South and especially Africa are given less attention, thus having less opportunities of reaching out with their message. I have also concluded that for an NGO to succeed in its advocacy work it needs to carefully identify its target audiences and adapt the messages thereafter. To build a relationship with the audiences is also an important part of the process, as a strong relationship increases the chances of involvement in the organization. ICTs can be very useful for NGOs that strive to reach out to the global community.

Στην εργασία αυτή εξετάζεται η λειτουργία της αισχρολογίας στους Αχαρνής και την Ειρήνη του Αριστοφάνη. Οι δύο κωμωδίες επιλέχτηκαν επειδή έχουν κοινό θέμα, την αναζήτηση της ειρήνης από έναν Αθηναίο αγρότη και διακρίνονται σαφώς σε δύο μέρη: αυτό του πολέμου και αυτό της ειρήνης. Μέσα από την σύγκριση των παρόμοιων σκηνών αποδεικνύεται ότι η χρήση της αισχρολογίας είναι διαφορετική στα δύο έργα: στους Αχαρνής εξαρτάται περισσότερο από τον χαρακτήρα του Δικαιόπολη και είναι ευθεία και επιθετική, ενώ στην Ειρήνη είναι πιο εκλεπτυσμένη και σχεδόν καθόλου επιθετική. Αυτό οφείλεται στο ότι η Ειρήνη διδάχτηκε όταν οι αντίπαλες παρατάξεις του Πελοποννησιακού πολέμου ήσαν έτοιμες να συνάψουν ειρήνη, ενώ το 425 π.Χ., που διδάχτηκαν οι Αχαρνής, η ειρήνη φαινόταν πολύ μακρινή. Το συμπέρασμα είναι ότι ο Αριστοφάνης σε κάθε κωμωδία χειρίζεται με διαφορετικό τρόπο την αισχρολογία, η οποία αναδεικνύεται σε στοιχείο της τέχνης του στενά δεμένο με την πλοκή και αποκαλυπτικό του χαρακτήρα των δραματικών προσώπων. / The aim of this study is to present a detailed analysis of the the function of obscenity in Aristophanes’ Acharnians and Peace. The two comedies have been chosen because of their common theme, the quest for peace by an Athenian countryman. Both are clearly divided in two parts: that of the war and the other one for the peace. The comparison of the similar scenes proves that the use of obscenity in the two plays is different: in Acharnians it depends mostly on the character of Dikaiopolis and is explicit and aggressive, while in Peace is more refined and relevant to the theme of the play. This is due to the fact that Peace was performed in 421 B.C., when opponent parties of the Peloponnesian War were ready to sign peace. On the other hand in 425 B.C., when Acharnians was performed, peace seemed to be far away. The conclusion is that Aristophanes in each comedy handles the obscenity in a different way. That obscenity is revealed as an element of his art closely related with the plot and the character of the dramatic persons.

Zambia faces extensive conflict and violence of both direct and structural types. The qualitative and quantitative indices provided by the Global Peace Index (GPI), the Human Development Index (HDI) and the Gender Disparity Index (GDI) confirm that Zambia needs a control shift permeated with tools of peacefulness that will move the country from a culture of violence to a culture of peace and non-violence. The focus of the dissertation is one way of trying to build sustainable peace in the world and in particular Zambia by creating structures within government circles, specifically by establishing a Ministry of Peace that will work to transcend violent conflicts while working alongside a Peace Education Commission (PEC), Peace Research Commission (PRC) and an independent Conflict Resolution and Mediation Commission (CRMC). The aim of such a ministry is to help change the mindset of the people of Zambia from a culture of violence towards to a culture of peace and non-violence. The dissertation discusses possible objections to a Ministry of Peace and proposes a strategic plan for establishing a Ministry of Peace in Zambia. Two focus groups were selected to provide a very small sample of Zambians the opportunity to comment on the idea of establishing a Ministry of Peace in Zambia. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2009.

The study aims to understand the response of Christian AIDS organisations to HIV/AIDS related conflicts in Bulawayo-Zimbabwe. Many criticisms have been levelled against these organisations mainly because of their delayed, uninformed and reluctant response to HIV/AIDS issues. The intent of this research is not to criticize but to improve the effectiveness of organisations in responding to conflicts related to HIV/AIDS by suggesting possible responses or interventions. Building on conflict resolution theories, the research tried to explore the issues of HIV/AIDS motivated conflict, explain their causes, their form and nature and identified them among the people living with HIV/AIDS in Bulawayo using the focus group technique. Data was also collected from support group supervisors and organisations. The results suggest that there is a possible link between HIV/AIDS and interpersonal conflict and that HIV/AIDS conflict do occur in Bulawayo and they take many forms. People living with HIV/AIDS are the most affected because they suffer from both the disease and the damage to relationships. It still needs to be proved how destabilisation of relationships contributes to the spread of HIV/AIDS in Bulawayo. The results also suggest that there is no formidable response by organisations to HIV/AIDS related conflicts because they refer cases to other institutions. The paper also identifies many issues hindering the resolution of conflicts and some of them include: lack of knowledge on resolution, lack of awareness and lack of relevant skills among many. The study suggests that conflict resolution should be mainstreamed into HIV/AIDS intervention measures in of Faith-based organisations in Bulawayo. However, awareness and further studies of HIV/AIDS related conflicts are needed if meaningful intervention is to be achieved. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2009.

The government of Uganda, on realizing that community conflicts could not be handled entirely by the centre, enacted a Local Councils Act, whose operationalization began on 8th June, 2006. The Act established the Local Council Courts for the administration of Justice at the local levels; it was also intended to define the Jurisdictional powers and procedures for the established Courts and other related matters. Laws and guidelines were developed and the Minister of local government issued the Local Councils Courts (Regulations) 2007 aimed at facilitating the operationalization of local councils in their functions related to the administration of Justice. Since their inception, the experiences, challenges, and people's perception of these local councils is not very clear. Overall, the study explores the experiences of local council courts in resolving local conflicts and also comes up with suggestions for more effective resolution of conflicts. The specific objectives are: 1) to identify types of conflict handled; 2) to explain the process of resolving conflicts; 3) to document the degree of satisfaction with the court process and perception of the system's effectiveness; 4) to identify the challenges faced by local council courts system in helping to resolve conflicts; and finally to make suggestions for improving the effectiveness of these courts in resolving conflicts. This study used a cross-sectional descriptive study and employed both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. It was conducted in Lubaga division (LC III), Kampala District and it targeted members of the local courts, community members with a case handled by the local court representatives of collaborating institutions. The findings show that there was no uniform understanding of the phenomenon conflict apart from the community respondents and key informants who almost had similar view to mean 'a misunderstanding between two parties'. The local councils at all levels (LC I, LC II, LC III) were only mandated to handle civil cases. The cases mostly handled were; domestic violence (37/63); rent defaulting (35/63) and land disputes (30/63) .In all these cases the causes were mostly economical, social, cultural and political in nature. The study also found out that most of disputes were being brought willingly to the courts but a small fee levied was unpopular among the community members. The local courts were issued with guidelines to follow although these guidelines fell short of the expectations of the members who wished they could also handle criminal cases. The level of satisfaction with skills and capability of local courts members to handle cases was just above 50% and the reasons advanced were that in most cases the conflicts were usually resolved or settled, and the disputants were always allowed to ask questions. Most of the conflicts were usually resolved through negotiations (37/63) with courts playing a moderating role and encouraging the complainants to reconcile. Local courts were also perceived to be effective in terms of being quick and cost effective. The effectiveness of these courts was also looked at in terms of their ability to handle a wide range of services as reported by 38/63%) of the respondents. Other factors which were advanced as impacting negatively on the effectiveness of these courts include: biasness (36/63); lack of follow up, political interference and to some extent corruption. etc. The key challenges reported were; delivery of services on voluntary basis; lack of coordination between police and local courts; lack of local courts to implement judgments; pressure to make judgments on cases outside the mandate of these courts and the high rates of child offenders yet they were protected the existing laws. In conclusion, generally though not uniform there was a clear and rightful understanding of the term conflict. The local council courts were following the guidelines and were aware of their mandate of handling only civil cases which was a good practice. The approach of local courts endeavoring to solve cases through negotiations was a good one although at times it was reported as a slow process. Overall, communities were satisfied with the local courts and felt that they were effective in handling local conflicts The existing policies should be revised to accommodate: 1) remuneration of local court officials, 2) empowering the local courts to enforce their judgments; 3) clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of the local courts vis-à-vis those of the police and 4) reviewing the laws regarding child-offenders less than 18 years of age. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2009.

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In-Situ Combustion (ISC) is a very complex thermal recovery process that is strongly affected by the chemical composition and physical properties of reservoir rock and fluids. Stability of the process depends on the amount of heat continuously generated from the chemical reactions between fuel formed during ISC and injected oxygen. Heat generation depends on the amount of fuel formed, which, in turn, is affected by initial oil saturation (IOS). Thus, in this study, ISC process dynamics were investigated at various saturations on 7.5 °API Peace River bitumen, under 3.4 l/min air injection rate. Through one-dimensional combustion tube experiments higher combustion front temperatures were observed for increased IOS. The degree of bitumen upgrading was determined in terms of viscosity and API gravity changes. Correlations for hydrogen-carbon ratio, air requirement, consumed fuel, and combustion front velocity were obtained. Good burning characteristics of Peace River bitumen resulted in stable self-sustained combustion with 26.01% IOS. However, an experiment with 13.39% IOS failed because of insufficient fuel generation. Furthermore, X-Ray cross-sectional images were taken along the combustion tube after each run to support and enhance the interpretation of experimental results. Particularly, fluctuations in concentrations of produced gas composition were explained with computed tomography (CT) data.

The emphasis on segmentation and reduction in atomistic thinking has had a huge impact on the way that we educate. This increasingly questioned worldview encourages fragmentation, isolation and feelings of alienation and powerlessness, believed to contribute to anger, depression, substance abuse, aggression, violence and at times suicide among our youth. We urgently need to find and implement solutions. A new emerging paradigm in education, referred to as holistic education, is surfacing as a possible solution. This dissertation is based on my qualitative research study of a soul-centered, holistically-oriented private elementary school in Texas---the Robert Muller School of Fairview, Texas. (Robert Muller was past Assistant Secretary-General of the U.N.) The focus of my inquiry is the holistic nature of the World Core Curriculum for Global Education Synthesis, a framework that emphasizes both peace and global education. It includes the school's eclectic philosophy, mission statement, setting, community-building activities and integrated curriculum from a holistic, whole-person perspective that includes the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual development of the child. Also examined is how the school's holistic 'Model of School Development' attempts to construct a culture of peace and non-violence. Special attention is given to (1) Peace Education, with its emphasis on healing emotional afflictions and on developing communication, problem-solving and conflict resolution skills appropriate for living non-violently and democratically, and (2) Global Education, with its emphasis on multi-cultural and planetary/earth relationships. The transformational effects of the program on students, teachers and parents and the extent to which these programs correspond to theoretical models of educating for peace and global education are examined as well. An evaluation of the strengths and concerns of the school, from the perspective of the teachers and parents, is also given. The dissertation concludes with a brief response to seven research questions, the last being whether or not the school's holistic "Model of School Development" can be implemented in our private schools and public school systems.

Conflict is an inevitable part of our daily lives, resulting from complex and often litigious society. In urban area like Kigali, where people struggle for the fulfilment of their basic interests conflicts are likely to erupt. Effective alternative are highly needed to deal with conflicts. This study was designed to seek how to establish a conflict resolution and mediation centre in Kigali with the aim of contributing to the search of peaceful and durable solutions to conflicts occurring between individual and community members in Kigali. The study examined the nature, causes, extent and consequences of conflicts in Kigali and the ways to deal with them. The research approach taken in this study was qualitative relying on structured interview, reviewing literature and documentary analysis around the subject. The researcher spent one month in Rwanda and got opportunity to engage a sample of participants to get their views. Twenty participants were selected in Kigali city and a ‘purposive sampling’ was adopted when recruiting them. Through interviews, participants responded to the objectives of the study. Informal discussions were also conducted with key informants to assess the relevance and the contribution of a conflict resolution and mediation centre. The findings revealed that there are a growing number of conflicts in Kigali with the pressures of urban expansion, their consequences are severe and their extent is considerable. The study showed a strong support of the initiative to establish a conflict resolution and mediation centre as way of handling conflicts in constructive manner. Finally the study suggested a variety of recommendations towards the Rwandan governments, to NGOs and Churches, globally requesting them to invest in the field of conflict resolution and especially to support the setting up of a conflict resolution centre as an office that can play a role of settling conflicts peacefully and effectively. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2009.