Municipal elections that were held on 5 December 2000 ushered in a developmental system of local government, with specific political, economic and social challenges. This first democratic term of municipal councils was based on newly developed local government legislation, and reduced the number of councillors from approximately 12 000 to approximately 9 000. The system was unique, in that it provided for, amongst other things, the designation of certain full-time councillors, and also introduced the office of Speaker. The roles and responsibilities of councillors were clearly stated in law, and this distinguished the envisaged functions for councillors from their former ceremonial duties. Based on recommendations made by the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-bearers, the Minister for Provincial and Local Government introduced a remuneration system to coincide with the new term of municipal councils. However, due to certain shortcomings in the newly introduced system, stakeholders expressed their misgivings with the remuneration dispensation that was introduced. This study investigates the evolution of local government in South Africa, and then elaborates on recent advancements made in this regard. The study shows how the roles and responsibilities of councillors evolved. More specifically, it initially attempts to identify relevant provisions that deal with the remuneration of all public officebearers, and then focuses on the remuneration for members of municipal councils. Due to the constantly changing provisions relating to the remuneration of councillors, this study examines all interventions made by government until 14 November 2005, when the Minister for Provincial and Local Government published the upper limits of remuneration to be paid to councillors in terms of the relevant provisions in the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers Act, 1998 (Act No. 20 of 1998). It would be most feasible to implement the recommendations made in this dissertation with effect from the date of commencement of the financial year for municipalities during the second term of municipal councils, in terms of section 64 of the Local Government: Municipal Electoral Act, 2000 (Act No. 27 of 2000). Additional information available on a CD stored at the Merensky Library / Thesis (PhD (Public Affairs))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / School of Public Management and Administration (SPMA) / unrestricted

Child and Youth Care is another profession that falls under the social services sector. A contextualization of child and youth care field within the broader socio-economic South African context is presented. In particular, the contribution of child and youth care as a unique field is outlined in this study. The ecological systems theory was used as the theoretical framework to underpin the study. This theory acknowledges that child and youth care as a field and child and youth care workers as professionals are not working in isolation, but are affected by the socio-economic dynamics within the broader macro-system. In the context of applied research, this study investigated the challenges and coping strategies of child and youth care workers in the South African context. Qualitative methodology was used to allow participants some reflection on the challenges experienced and coping strategies used by them. By utilizing the collective case study design, 11 focus group interviews were conducted in six provinces of South Africa to collect data from 93 participants. The participants were employed in government organisations and non-governmental organisations. Participants further represented child and youth care workers from rural, semi-urban and urban areas. Findings revealed that child and youth care workers are faced with an array of challenges which fall under the following categories: psycho-social challenges, professional challenges and socio-economic challenges. Under each of these categories, a range of themes and sub-themes have emerged. Themes and sub-themes that emerged under psycho-social challenges are as follows: inability to disengage from work environment, disengagement from socialisation activities, personal trauma, invasion of personal boundaries and emotional well-being issues. Coping strategies that emerged are: non-existent coping mechanisms, personal mission, substance use and quitting. Under the professional challenges category, the following themes have emerged: dealing with clients’ behaviours, personal risk, lack of tangible and immediate results, poor stakeholder relations, lack of clarity on the role and title of the child and youth care worker, inconsistent job requirements, lack of recognition, lack of training and promotion opportunities and inadequate working conditions. To cope with these challenges, the following strategies have emerged: non-existent coping mechanisms, personal support networks and professional support networks. A range of concepts emerged under each of the sub-themes. The specific features of the sub-theme ‘personal support networks’ include: rationalizing, self-protection and self-care. Coping strategies under professional support networks include: colleagues, team meetings, supervision, and psychological support systems. Challenges that emerged under socio-economic category are: inadequate remuneration structures and inadequate programme funding. To cope with these challenges, it emerged that participants resort to budgeting, formal and informal lending mechanisms, and alternative income generating streams. Upon closer inspection of all the challenges, the study revealed that many of these challenges originate from child and youth care workers not being fully recognised as professionals. Formal recognition of this category of workers will go a long way in resolving a number of challenges raised by the participants. It is also assumed that when registered, child and youth care workers will experience better working conditions which will also enable them to be remunerated properly in line with their counterparts within the social service professions. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / tm2015 / Social Work and Criminology / PhD / Unrestricted

Abudayya, M. The right to aid and homeless need for a fair standard of living.Degree project in Social work 15 högskolepoäng. Malmö University: Faculty ofHealth and Society, Department of Social Work, 2020.The purpose of the study is to examine the Social Secretary assessments ofhousing assistance and social secretary perceptions of the concept of reasonablestandard of living in relation to different accommodation solutions available inMalmö. Furthermore, the study aims to investigate the social secretary challengesassociated with making their assessments of housing assistance. To answer thestudy questions, I used qualitative methods in the form of semi-structuredinterviews. For my study, I interviewed seven informants workingaccommodation caseworkers and accommodations investigators in Malmö.Coding and thematization used to conduct my analysis. Empirical data analyzerbasis of knowledge and theory. Two theories were used in the study of legal andorganizational power. Results and analysis showed that accommodationscaseworkers and accommodations investigators do their assessments of housingassistance on the basis of Malmö's guidelines that distinguish between homelessgroups in the assessment of eligibility. It turned out that the City of Malmö'sguidelines do not resemble the National Board of Health and Welfare guidelines(Socialstyrelsens riktlinjer). There is uncertainty among case workers to definereasonable living standard of accommodation assistance. There are also differentviews on how accommodations solutions in Malmö cater to homeless people needdecent standard of living. Accommodation caseworkers also had differentchallenges in the assessment of aid. There were various challenges thataccommodation caseworkers and accommodations invistigators experienced suchMalmö's new guidelines, lack of time, workload, autonomy and powerlessness.

This thesis is positioned within the intersection of social entrepreneurship and artificialintelligence research streams and explores a timely topic and emerging phenomenon. Whileresearch has started paying attention to the role of artificial intelligence in various aspects oforganizational life, we turn our attention to how social entrepreneurs interact with artificialintelligence to achieve their social missions. We conduct a qualitative study and use aninterpretive research paradigm with an inductive approach to enrich the current understandingof the role of artificial intelligence in shaping processes through which social entrepreneursattempt to accomplish their social mission. Our primary data are collected through semi-structured interviews with social entrepreneurs who are located in different countries andemploy artificial intelligence in their daily work. The analysis revealed that social entrepreneursengage in creating new relations or building on existing relations to enable AI in four maindimensions during the social entrepreneurial process: AI implementation and management; AIdesign and development; AI ethics and openness; and community and collaboration. To betterunderstand the role of those dimensions, we discuss those findings in light of a framework thatis developed to further understand the processes through which social mission is achieved. Thefindings contribute to the existing body of literature on both social entrepreneurship and AI,providing a comprehensive understanding of the role of AI in social entrepreneurship, andoffering practical recommendations for social entrepreneurs who want to exploit AI. Further,they demonstrate how and where AI can be a powerful entity for social entrepreneurs inaddressing social and environmental challenges. However, we also shed light on thecomplexities and challenges that are inherent in AI management and showcase that AI is not asilver bullet to address social objectives.

The increase in social challenges especially with regards to safety and security experienced in rural communities, as well as the lack of efficient lively places and public green spaces, is predominantly increasing in importance for government and planning policies. This problem is substantiated by the large number of deaths (especially the deaths of children) drowning in rivers flowing through or nearby rural communities because of the lack of any other safe, public facilities and well-managed and maintained green spaces. The research question therefore focuses on whether the planning of lively places and green spaces in rural communities can address some of these social issues, and contribute to the strengthening of communities and creation of lively public places. Government is struggling to deal with social issues (especially that of safety and security) within rural communities and a number of strategies were discussed and drawn up. (For example, the Rural Safety Summit which took place on 10 October 1998 aimed at achieving consensus regarding issues of rural insecurity; as well as crime prevention strategies as defined by the SAPS White Paper on Safety and Security (1998).) However, very little (if any) in-depth research on the possibility of upgrading public spaces into lively green places as a solution, has been done. This study can serve as a link between literature and practical rural issues, as well as contribute to green space and lively place development, incorporating international approaches and pilot studies, and illustrating best practices in terms of lively place and green space development, linking it to the local rural reality. In creating public and lively green places for rural communities, issues of safety, inequality, sociability and community coherence are addressed. Through the correct corresponding planning initiatives consequently drawn up, overall quality of life of those living in rural communities can be improved, decreasing the social challenges experienced. / MArt et Scien (Urban and Regional Planning), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-27T14:31:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DOROSNIL ALVES MOREIRA.pdf: 12831575 bytes, checksum: 22d109407bc5645b024aeb584231fdd8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-12-13 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This research sought to describe and analyse how the Universidade Federal de Rondônia (UNIR) took form as a multicampi university institution between 1982 and 2002. For this purpose we perused the stiff authority relationship between the university institution and its vicinities. Upon contemplating the interests of groups present therein I sought to record the public policies, reforms and enterprises within UNIR and its respective entailment in the cities and in respect of the subjects involved therewith. Having chosen a qualitative approach, the research techniques included surveys, forms and documents pursuant to the process of interiorization of this university. The subjects inherent in the survey were former dwellers, academic community members, visiting professors, graduates, former professors and leading members of the cities of the Estate of Rondônia. The theoretical reference that grounded our analyses encompassed scholars involved with social, university, public policies, educational and social economic issues, in the critic, future and social emancipation sphere, amongst which we may quote Chizzotti, Dowbor, Wanderley, Freire, Ianni and Morais. The ensuing results evidence a process of interiorization of this university as a set of public policies applied to the constitution of a multicampi institution, arising from the aggregation of articulations of politics and local practices that found in the social realm mechanisms for production and reproduction of knowledge sources of conformation and contention. Such mechanisms were stirred up and propelled by means of the articulation of disperse potentialities, in and out of the institution, that, organized through the university institution, made it possible to endure and overcome the deadlocks and challenges aiming at meeting the thorough social needs and the local and regional development. Clearing the constituting elements of the multicampi institution revealed temporal limits to individual interests collectively manifested and the likelihood of articulation of individual interests for an including future grounded on ethic precepts. An example of subsidence and illustration of challenges and confrontations seen at UNIR (1982-2002) this research spoke for subjects of this process, recovering documents and presenting a multicampi university on course of constitution, pointing out its historical roots and projects of consolidation / O objetivo desta pesquisa foi descrever e analisar como a Universidade Federal de Rondônia (UNIR) constitui-se como uma instituição universitária multicampi no período de 1982 a 2002. Para tanto, analisamos as relações de poder tensionadas entre a instituição universitária e as localidades envolvidas. Ao refletir sobre os interesses de grupos presentes nesse contexto pretendeu-se registrar as políticas públicas, as reformas e iniciativas no âmbito da UNIR e suas respectivas implicações nas cidades em relação aos sujeitos envolvidos. Tendo optado por uma abordagem qualitativa, as técnicas de pesquisa incluíram entrevistas, questionários e documentos referentes ao processo de interiorização dessa universidade. Os sujeitos da pesquisa foram antigos moradores, membros da comunidade acadêmica, professores visitantes, ex-alunos, ex-professores e lideranças das cidades do Estado de Rondônia envolvidas. O referencial teórico que fundamentou nossa análise abrangeu estudiosos da questão social, da universidade, das políticas públicas, da educação e da economia social, na perspectiva crítica, de futuro e de emancipação social, dentre os quais podemos citar Chizzotti, Dowbor, Wanderley, Freire, Ianni e Morais. Os resultados obtidos apontam para um processo de interiorização dessa universidade como conjunto de políticas públicas aplicadas na construção de uma instituição multicampi, decorrente da agregação e articulação de políticas e práticas locais que encontrou no entorno social os mecanismos de produção e reprodução do conhecimento geradores de conformação e contestação. Esses mecanismos foram acionados e dinamizados através da articulação das potencialidades dispersas, localizadas no ambiente interno e externo da instituição, que, organizadas através da instituição universitária, possibilitaram enfrentar e superar os impasses e desafios para o atendimento às necessidades sociais abrangentes e ao desenvolvimento local e regional. O esclarecimento dos elementos constitutivos da instituição multicampi revelou limites à temporariedade dos interesses individuais manifestados como coletivo e as possibilidades da articulação dos interesses individuais na perspectiva de um futuro includente fundamentado em pressupostos éticos. Como exemplo de superação e ilustração dos desafios e enfrentamentos vivenciados na UNIR (1982-2002) essa pesquisa deu voz a sujeitos desse processo, recuperando documentos e apresentando uma universidade multicampi em construção, destacando as raízes históricas e projetos em processo de consolidação

The increase in social challenges especially with regards to safety and security experienced in rural communities, as well as the lack of efficient lively places and public green spaces, is predominantly increasing in importance for government and planning policies. This problem is substantiated by the large number of deaths (especially the deaths of children) drowning in rivers flowing through or nearby rural communities because of the lack of any other safe, public facilities and well-managed and maintained green spaces. The research question therefore focuses on whether the planning of lively places and green spaces in rural communities can address some of these social issues, and contribute to the strengthening of communities and creation of lively public places. Government is struggling to deal with social issues (especially that of safety and security) within rural communities and a number of strategies were discussed and drawn up. (For example, the Rural Safety Summit which took place on 10 October 1998 aimed at achieving consensus regarding issues of rural insecurity; as well as crime prevention strategies as defined by the SAPS White Paper on Safety and Security (1998).) However, very little (if any) in-depth research on the possibility of upgrading public spaces into lively green places as a solution, has been done. This study can serve as a link between literature and practical rural issues, as well as contribute to green space and lively place development, incorporating international approaches and pilot studies, and illustrating best practices in terms of lively place and green space development, linking it to the local rural reality. In creating public and lively green places for rural communities, issues of safety, inequality, sociability and community coherence are addressed. Through the correct corresponding planning initiatives consequently drawn up, overall quality of life of those living in rural communities can be improved, decreasing the social challenges experienced. / MArt et Scien (Urban and Regional Planning), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Sedan början av 1990-talet har det i Sverige utvecklats flera bostadsområden där många leverunder ekonomiskt pressade förhållanden. Genom åren har kriminaliteten i sådana områdenökat, vilket har påverkat de boende genom att skapa en känsla av otrygghet och en rad hinderför dem att leva normala liv. En viktig samhällsgrupp att ta hänsyn till och hjälpa i sådanaområden är ungdomarna. Ungdomar påverkas av sin omgivning och därför är det av storbetydelse att ge dem de rätta förutsättningarna och möjligheterna att forma sin framtid genomatt arbeta för förbättringen av de utsatta områdena. I den här studien har riskområdenaEneborg, Högaborg och Wilson Park i Helsingborg studerats utifrån ett ungdomsperspektiv.Syftet är att undersöka hur ungdomarna upplever sina områden, och vad som kan göras för attskapa rätt förutsättningar för dem att forma sina liv på ett positivt sätt. Metoden har baseratspå en kvalitativ ansats där sex ungdomar har intervjuats som är bosatta eller är aktiva istudiens fokusområden. Som komplement till intervjustudien har det även genomförts enlitteraturstudie och observationer. De teorier som tillämpats är fenomenologi ochplatsidentitet, de har använts för att fokusera på individuella upplevelser av plats och rum.Genom att tillämpa dessa teorier har en djup förståelse för ungdomarnas personligaupplevelser och känslor kunnat uppnås. Resultatet visade att ungdomarna generellt sett tyckteatt området känns tråkigt och stilla. De var positiva gentemot ett parkområde, men negativatill nästan resten av området. I intervjuerna diskuterades frågor som rör olika ämnen, så somaktiviteter, trygghet, den fysiska omgivningen och social tillhörighet. Med hjälp av derasåsikter och erfarenheter kunde sedan strategier identifierats, både aktiviteter och metoder föratt på ett socialt sätt närma sig och hjälpa ungdomarna i området. / Since the early 1990s, several housing areas have developed in Sweden where many peoplelive under financially pressured conditions. Over the years, crime in such areas has increased,affecting residents by creating a sense of insecurity and a range of obstacles for them to livenormal lives. One important societal group to consider and help in such areas is adolescents.Adolescents are influenced by their environment, and therefore it is crucial to provide themwith the right conditions and opportunities to shape their future by working towardsimproving vulnerable areas. In this study, the risk areas of Eneborg, Högaborg and WilsonPark in Helsingborg have been studied from a youth perspective. The aim was to investigatehow adolescents experience their areas and what can be done to create the right conditions forthem to shape their lives positively. The method has been based on a qualitative approach,where six adolescents living or active in the study’s focus areas have been interviewed. Inaddition to the interview study, a literature review and observations have also beenconducted. The theories applied are phenomenology and place identity, which have been usedto focus on individual experiences of place and space. By applying these theories, a deepunderstanding of adolescents' personal experiences and feelings has been achieved. Theresults showed that the adolescents generally felt that the area is dull and quiet. They werepositive towards a park area but negative towards almost the rest of the area. The interviewsdiscussed issues related to various subjects, such as activities, safety, the physicalenvironment and social belonging. With the help of their opinions and experiences, strategieswere discovered, including activities and methods for socially approaching and helpingadolescents in the area.

Att bidra till välgörenhet sträcker sig flera århundraden tillbaka i tiden.  Världen står än i dag inför stora utmaningar som humanitära kriser, klimatförändringar och politiska konflikter, som kan behöva stöd i form av bidrag när  statliga medel inte räcker till. Här spelar välgörenhetsorganisationerna en viktig roll. Många av välgörenhetsorganisationerna är etablerade i dagens digitalisering, vilket också ökar konkurrensen om det digitala givandet från användarna.  Syftet med studien var att ta reda på vad som engagerar användare till att bidra digitalt till välgörenhet, samt identifiera vilka nyckelfaktorer som är viktiga för engagemanget i interaktionen med digitala välgörenhetstjänster.  Studien utfördes i samarbete med en etablerad svensk välgörenhetsorganisation och inkluderade användning av deras tjänst Gåvoshopen i den kvalitativa undersökningen. Välgörenhetsorganisationen riktar sig främst till individer som behöver humanitärt stöd. Genom kvalitativa metoder har semistrukturerade intervjuer utförts tillsammans med användartester av en tjänst för digitalt givande. Eftersom välgörenhet i sig inte är en tjänst utan ett beteende, har studiens arbete inspirerats av det teoretiska ramverket Theory of planned behavior, och kopplat den empiriska datan till teorins tre faktorer, attityd till beteende, subjektiva normer och uppfattad beteendekontroll.  Resultaten visade att visuella element så som bilder, textinnehåll och färg, hade en stor inverkan på empatin hos användarna. Designelement som är viktiga nyckelfaktorer till digitalt givande. Navigering och struktur på webbplatsen visade tydliga resultat över hur användarupplevelsen uppfattades, vilket i sin tur gav indikationer på om användarna ville fullfölja sitt digitala givande. Genom studiens resultat har rekommendationer för nya designprinciper tagits fram som kan inspirera andra välgörenhetsorganisationer i deras arbete att öka det digitala givandet från användarna. / Contributing to charity dates back several centuries. The world still faces significant challenges today, such as humanitarian crises, climate change, and political conflicts, which may require support in the form of donations when government funds are insufficient. This is where charitable organizations play an important role. A large part of charitable organizations are established in today's digitalization, which also increases competition for digital donations from users. The purpose of this study was to find out what engages users to contribute digitally to charity and identify the key factors that are important for engagement in interaction with digital charity services.  The study collaborated with a well-established Swedish charity organization that primarily focuses on individuals needing humanitarian support. The study performed a qualitative study by conducting user tests on one of their services that they offer on their website.  Through qualitative methods, semi-structured interviews were conducted along with user tests of a digital donation service. Since charity itself is not a service but a behavior, the study was inspired by the theoretical framework Theory of Planned Behavior and connected the empirical data to the theory's three factors: attitude toward behavior, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control.  The results showed that visual elements such as images, text content, and color had a significant impact on users' empathy. Design elements that are important key factors for digital giving. Navigation and structure on the website showed clear results on how the user experience was perceived, providing indications on whether users wanted to complete their digital donation. Through the study's results, recommendations for new design principles have been developed that can inspire other charitable organizations in their efforts to increase digital donations from users."

Denna studie undersöker hur förändrade livsstilar påverkar ungdomars engagemang i meningsfulla aktiviteter samt de sociala utmaningar som uppstår när unga blir inaktiva. Genom att intervjua aktörer som arbetar med barn och för barn, utforskar vi sambandet mellan inaktivering och negativa sociala fenomen. Studien identifierar hinder som bidrar till inaktivering, såsom socioekonomiska faktorer, kostnader för deltagande i idrott och komplexa familjedynamiker. Erik Eriksons psykosociala utvecklingsteori och Travis Hirschis teori om sociala band är de teoretiska ramverk som används för att betona vikten av att skapa en miljö där barn känner sig trygga och välkomna samt för att stärka sociala band och motverka ungdomars inaktivering.Vi genomförde åtta individuellt strukturerade intervjuer samt tre fokusgruppsintervjuer med aktörer som är involverade i barns liv. Resultaten tyder på att bristen på meningsfulla aktiviteter och bristande föräldrakontroll är kopplad till ungdomars inaktivitet. Respondenterna understryker vikten av att skapa välkomnande miljöer där ungdomar ges möjlighet att utforska sina intressen som en potentiell åtgärd för att minska risken för att de hamnar i negativa sociala fenomen. / This study examines how changing lifestyles affect youths' engagement in meaningful activities and the social challenges that arise when young individuals become inactive. By interviewing stakeholders working with and for children, we explore the relationship between disengagement and negative social phenomena. The study identifies barriers contributing to disengagement, such as socioeconomic factors, costs associated with sports participation, and complex family dynamics. Erik Erikson's psychosocial development theory and Travis Hirschi's theory of social bonds serve as the theoretical frameworks used to emphasize the importance of creating an environment where children feel safe and welcomed, and to strengthen social bonds to counteract youth disengagement.We conducted eight individually structured interviews and three focus group interviews with actors involved in children's lives. The results suggest that the lack of meaningful activities and inadequate parental control are linked to youth inactivity. Respondents emphasize the importance of creating welcoming environments where young people are given the opportunity to explore their interests as a potential measure to reduce the risk of involvement in negative social phenomena.