Many of the most destructive natural disasters have taken place in situations characterized by armed conflict and insecurity: the Indian Ocean tsunami in Sri Lanka and Indonesia in 2004, the floods in Pakistan in 2011, the drought in Somalia in 2011 and typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013. Surprisingly little research has systematically explored how armed conflict affects natural disaster management, and how shocks from natural disaster influence conflict dynamics. This dissertation addresses these gaps by providing a qualitative and disaggregated analysis of the micro-dynamics underpinning the relationship between armed conflict, natural disasters and cooperation. It asks: what is the relationship between natural disasters and processes of conflict and cooperation in countries affected by civil conflict? To explore this question, the dissertation offers four essays that explore different facets of this relationship, focusing on the rebel group. Examining collaboration between rebel group and humanitarian actors during disaster relief efforts in the Philippines, essay I finds that rebel group behavior after a natural disaster is shaped by the level of hostility between combatant parties and the nature of the ties with the local population. Exploring the effect of natural disasters on conflict dynamics in the case of the Philippines, essay II suggests that natural disasters hinder rebel group recruitment tactics, by increasing hardship for rebel combatants and supporters, by weakening the rebel group’s organizational structure and supply lines, and by leading to a loss of territorial control. Based on a comparative case study between Colombia and the Philippines, essay III revisits ripeness theory and argues that the level of rebel group cohesion will help to predict whether or not rebel groups stay at the negotiation table until an agreement is reached. While a typhoon affected the Philippines during the negotiations, it did not “ripen” the peace talks. Finally, article IV explores pre-disaster evacuation across conflict-affected regions in the Philippines and India, and argues that both experience of previous disaster and the level of trust in government officials influence the likelihood of people evacuating. The dissertation has important implications for both disaster management and conflict resolution, and it calls for more dialogue between both disciplines.

Submitted by Izabel Franco (izabel-franco@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-16T13:29:16Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseRKH.pdf: 7966483 bytes, checksum: 075f420f66971bcdd35c8dbfe1d3c37c (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-16T19:45:53Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseRKH.pdf: 7966483 bytes, checksum: 075f420f66971bcdd35c8dbfe1d3c37c (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-16T19:45:58Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseRKH.pdf: 7966483 bytes, checksum: 075f420f66971bcdd35c8dbfe1d3c37c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-16T19:46:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseRKH.pdf: 7966483 bytes, checksum: 075f420f66971bcdd35c8dbfe1d3c37c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-26 / Não recebi financiamento / The research proposal was found low cost alternative solution to automatize the classification and selection process to recognize fruit ripeness level using biologic behavior instead of human visual inspection. The goal was to develop low cost and disposable solid state sensor made of office paper with respective equipment for odor monitoring. The concept used to development this sensor was replace the interdigitated electrode with a conductive track using office paper impregnated with an electrolyte that "turns" cellulose fiber in an electrical conductor under gas action. In order to get gas adsorbing surface property for odor monitoring were tested some electrolytes like: Magnesium Chloride, Potassium Iodide, Calcium Hydroxide and others. This configuration replaced the interdigitated electrode per cellulose fiber doped with an electrolyte, it´s the originality of this research. In the fruit ripening process, the major enzymes involved are pectinase to crack the cell walls responsible for the fruits softening, amylase which degrades carbohydrates to simple sugars responsible for the flavor and hydrolase which reduces the amount of chlorophyll responsible for the fruit color change. The reaction that produces ethylene gas (C2H4) is lipids oxidation, the main gas exhaled during the fruits ripening process. The equipment adopted to pick up electrical signal is based on resistance and capacitance measuring that showed reversible electrical signal variation basically due the track geometry and cellulose fiber doping with an electrolyte. Another feature found was the office paper sensor decrease resistivity with fruit odors presence. The sensor manufacturing process is simple, basically consist in printing a mask with a negative image of the track by laser printing and office paper impregnation by an electrolyte. / A proposta da pesquisa foi buscar uma alternativa de baixo custo para automatizar o processo de seleção e classificação do nível de maturação da banana, utilizando-se do reconhecimento de gás exalado no processo de maturação via biológica, em vez da inspeção visual humana. O objeto da pesquisa foi desenvolver um sensor de estado sólido, de baixo custo e descartável, à base de papel sulfite, com o seu respectivo equipamento de monitoramento de odor. O conceito utilizado no desenvolvimento do sensor foi eliminar o eletrodo condutor interdigitado e substitui-lo por uma trilha condutora via dopagem do papel sulfite, impregnando com um eletrólito que “transforma” a fibra de celulose em um condutor elétrico sob a ação de gás. Visando conferir a propriedade de adsorção superficial dos gases no processo de monitoramento de odor, foram testados os seguintes eletrólitos: Cloreto de Magnésio, Iodeto de Potássio, Hidróxido de Cálcio entre outros. Essa configuração de substituir o eletrodo interdigitado por fibra de celulose dopada com um eletrólito traduz a originalidade desta pesquisa. No processo de amadurecimento das frutas, as principais enzimas envolvidas foram: pectinase, que quebra as paredes celulares, responsável pelo amolecimento das frutas; amilase, que degrada carboidratos em açúcares simples, responsável pelo sabor e a hidrolase, que reduz a quantidade de clorofila responsável pela mudança de cor da fruta. A reação que produz o gás etileno (C2H4) é a oxidação de lipídios, principal gás exalado durante o processo de amadurecimento das frutas. O equipamento de captação de sinal elétrico do sensor de estado sólido foi baseado na medição de resistência e capacitância, que apresentou variação de sinal elétrico reversível, basicamente em função da geometria da trilha e da dopagem da fibra de celulose com um eletrólito. Outra característica do sensor de papel sulfite foi a queda da resistividade com a presença de odores da fruta. O processo de fabricação do sensor é simples: consiste basicamente em uma impressão a laser de uma máscara com imagem negativa da trilha e a impregnação do papel sulfite com um eletrólito.

Title: Using Carrots to Bring Peace? Negotiation and Third Party Involvement Author: Martina Klimesova 284 p. (+references and appendices) March 2011 How to make peace? This dissertation answers what impact third party incentives have on peace negotiation, more specifically on negotiation strategies in internal armed conflicts based on self-determination grievances. This study further assesses when the ripest time for the employment of incentives is, and in what way external incentives have an impact on possible negotiation asymmetries. Incentives in the following negotiation processes were analyzed: GoSL-LTTE in Sri Lanka (Eelam, 2002-03; 2006), GoI-GAM in Indonesia (Aceh, 2000-03; 2005), and the GRP-MILF in the Philippines (Mindanao, 2001-08). The findings indicate that those third party incentives which are linked to the core conflict issues are most likely to have some impact on the negotiation, but that committed pro-process leadership by the conflicting parties is also a necessity. The research also indicated that third parties have only limited options in employing incentives that can have an impact on the core conflict issues; and that, in any case, they are rarely willing to pursue such options. Committed strong leadership, presence of ripeness (far more frequently stipulated by an MHS than MEO),...

This thesis, which deals with the influence of the location of pre-kindergarten classes in elementary school, she devoted herself to the problems associated with this topic. And that is only 1 entry class, school readiness and related characteristics of the child in this age but also the continuity of preschool and primary education, which the most important areas, regarding the thesis topic, educational programs for preschool children organized by elementary school. One of these programs are also preschool classes located in the elementary school. And this location is the most devoted attention. This thesis explores and examines what are the positives of the location, whether they are seen as a negative. To meet the objectives of the thesis is mainly managed by teachers who have experience with children who attended classes in elementary school situated. Teachers in most expressed by children who attended the class, in the first class quickly adapt to the environment than children who attended a regular kindergarten class located in the building of a kindergarten. A few respondents expressed so that it can not yet judge, as they have with children attending preschool classes located in elementary school, little experience. Furthermore, the majority expressed a positive in this class so that it is...

The African continent has been beset with violent conflicts, civil wars and extended periods of instability. The continent’s future depends on the capacity to prevent, manage and resolve conflict. Reacting to conflict has proven highly expensive for the international community and has strengthened the case for a greater focus on conflict prevention. This study will examine the role, relevance and success of preventive diplomacy in responding to and preventing violent and protracted conflicts in Africa, in particular recent international efforts to seek a concrete, comprehensive and all-inclusive peace settlement to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo had resulted in what many analysts considered to be ‘Africa’s First World War’. The aim and objective of this study will be to assess the role of preventive diplomacy, in particular efforts by the international community to resolve the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The study of the success of preventive diplomacy in responding to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo will cover three distinct phases. The first phase will assess the historical development of the crisis in the former Zaïre dating back from 1997 to 1998 and initial steps that were taken to address the conflict. The next phase will cover the period dating from 1999-2000 following the signing of the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement, while the final phase will assess developments and efforts to secure peace by the international community from 2001 until 2004, while providing for a brief discussion on possible future developments. The research will commence by examining various theoretical contributions and insights produced on conflict prevention and the concept of preventive diplomacy. The examination of conflict prevention and preventive diplomacy will be rooted in theoretical insights produced by Michael Lund (1996) and other influential contributions on preventive diplomacy. The theoretical framework for this study will be based on Michael Lund’s model of preventive diplomacy. Although Lund’s conceptual framework provides a valuable insight into the theory of preventive diplomacy an additional theoretical consideration may be included into his assessment. Lund’s theoretical framework fails to address the impact of psychological variables and the extent to which prevailing conflict attitudes may exert a negative influence on a conflict situation. This may render the effectiveness of preventive diplomacy at the level of unstable peace obsolete if it fails to take prevailing conflict attitudes into account. This dissertation will also propose the inclusion of social-psychological approaches to augment the strategy of preventive diplomacy as developed by Lund. Very little conclusive and in-depth research has been conducted on how psychological variables, particularly conflict attitudes such as negative images, attitudes, perceptions and conflict behaviour can fuel and exacerbate a conflict situation, especially conflicts in Africa and how this may derail the success of preventive diplomacy in resolving such severe conflicts. In the numerous efforts to secure peace in the embattled Democratic Republic of the Congo scant consideration, evaluation and analysis has been produced on the way in which conflict attitudes such as misperception, fear, distrust, hostility and suspicion, became not only a major stumbling block to the peace process, but also negatively affected the outcome of the various peace agreements that were negotiated. One of the core arguments this dissertation will posit is that preventive diplomacy has not been successfully applied in resolving conflicts in Africa, and will continue to fail, unless greater emphasis is placed on structural prevention, that includes an assessment and strategy for responding to conflict attitudes, such as misperception, hostility, suspicion, fear and distrust. It could be argued that preventive diplomacy initiatives when taken alone and independently of a broader strategy of conflict prevention are likely to fail unless they are linked to measures and actions that tackle the deeper or structural causes of conflict. Greater emphasis should be placed on timely and adequate preventive action, through the vigorous promotion of preventive diplomacy, particularly structural prevention. The conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is intermittently erupting and will continue to do so, unless the structural causes of the crisis and the various conflict attitudes are effectively dealt with. The study will commence with the theoretical and conceptual framework of the study, consisting of a discussion of conflict, preventive diplomacy, and conflict prevention. The conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will be discussed as well as the underlying factors that contributed towards the brutal and excessively violent nature the conflict came to assume. The study will also examine the international response to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as well as the immediate diplomatic efforts initiated to resolve the crisis from 1998-1999, which culminated in the signing of the Lusaka Cease-Fire Agreement on 10 July 1999. An assessment of the intervention efforts initiated by the United Nations, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and other key African states, in particular South Africa will also be undertaken. The impact of psychological variables and the importance of assessing the crucial contribution of social-psychological approaches towards understanding and resolving conflict will be briefly considered with particular reference to the protracted tensions which persisted between Rwanda and the DRC, despite the conclusion of numerous peace agreements between both countries. The final chapter will form an evaluation of the prospects for peace in the DRC beyond 2004 and will conclude the study with particular reference to the extent to which the research questions have been adequately addressed with final recommendations on the role of preventive diplomacy in addressing conflict. / Dissertation (MA (International Relations))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Political Sciences / unrestricted

The main goal of the thesis was to detect and subsequently present a comprehensive views of educational society and parents for the current issue of school preparedness and its related issues concerning the high number of school attendance delay. To obtain these views was used a method of semi-structured interviews with parents, teachers from preparatory classes and teachers from nursery and primary schools. When analysis of testimony was finished, has been used and also elected procedure confrontation between these dates, then confrontation with professional publications, articles, web discussion forums and also primary data which was find out at conference that was organized on this topic. After the research was found that the issue of school preparedness affects to other issues like: an education and qualification of nursery teachers, the quality of cooperation between school and family, problems of capacity classrooms in nursery and solving number of children and age composition of class, accountability for school readiness child etc. The results of this thesis indicate what opinions have the family and educational public on the current status of the school preparedness disadvantages of children and also parts of school preparedness, in which today's children mainly excel. The main contribution...