Beyond Borders: Advances in Global Welfare

Access to universities in Brazil: inclusion and integration of the whole person

Carla Andrea Soares de Araujo — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0800

The University has an important role in the dissemination and democratization of access to knowledge and changing social and political contexts, playing a socio-transforming role through the education of the people involved and building the social reality. For this reason, an important issue that has been laid for the Brazilian university is to provide more access to young people to this reality, especially those who come from difficult socio-economic realities.

Expanding access to higher education also refers to another compelling argument: we must think about the inclusion of young people who come from different realities and have different needs and difficulties. In order for this inclusion to be given in its entirety, it must also consider the whole process of integration of these young people to the new reality of study.

Thinking about the inclusion in higher education presupposes understanding that it is the inclusion and the role of the universities in the process of production of ideas and practices and, above all, it must understand the subject for which this inclusion is intended: the human person. Firstly, we must consider the inclusion of this young student regarding the access to higher education, but it is also important to observe the maintenance conditions in this new environment, which is why the integration process is an important step for the inclusion.

For this reason, we will discuss the role of universities, the inclusion and integration of young people in higher education based on the proposal for humanistic education.

Therefore, this article will try to discuss the meaning of inclusion in universities, as well as integration strategies, seeking to share experiences and discuss possibilities, with the Brazilian reality as a reference, within the theme of values as an internal space for democracy.

Trust in whom? Young Italian people and interpersonal relationships

Rita Bichi — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0800

In recent years, a lot of sociological research carried out in Italy and Europe has shown us the leanings of European and Italian young people toward becoming citizens of the world with a high propensity for geographical mobility and open attitudes towards different cultures. It seems to be a globalized, cosmopolitan generation. What are their reference points? What are the important relationships in their lives? Who shapes the way they see the world? And who represents their social identity.

Environmental protection and internal population displacement: challenges and opportunities. Case study of Gishwati forest area in Rwanda

Mon, 20 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0800

This paper concerns internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the Gishwati protected area due to the 2007 landslides and flooding risks in Rwanda. Those IDPs were relocated in different resettlement sites in Nyabihu and Rubavu Districts. This paper assesses socio-economic challenges and opportunities faced by IDPs, and also suggests alternative solutions to mitigate the negative consequences of population displacement. In total, 160 heads of households were selected purposively and a snowball technique was applied. Quantitative data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS software while qualitative data from focus group discussions were classified into components for content analysis.

Research results indicate that IDPs were not satisfied with the way in which the displacement process was conducted because it used force and violence in some cases. Besides, IDPs encountered economic, social and psychological losses during the displacement process. These include mainly land, houses, disruption of social relationships, disturbance and stress. The majority of IDPs underestimated the value of assistance received compared to their losses because the assistance and protection provided were perceived far below their new needs. Even though their living conditions were worsened by the displacement process, they recognized the positives aspects of their displacement as they survived from floods and landslides. In this regard, IDPs access better resettlement sites and public infrastructures such as administrative services, health centres, schools, markets, roads, electricity and clean water in the new localitiesr.

Based on the challenges experienced by IDPs from Gishwati, the paper recommends adequate information, involvement of IDPs in the displacement process, relevant assistance including professional insertion and psychological counselling, permanent education, long-term planning and indemnity of disturbance for smooth displacement and sustainable resettlement[1].

[1] They were commissioned by ICK to carry out a research project “Preventing risks related to population displacement; defining model of educational actions” jointly sponsored by ICK and the Centre for Coordination of Research of the International Federation of Catholic Universities (CCR/IFCU). This paper is extracted from “Population displacement and its socioeconomic impact on internally displaced people in Rwanda: A case study of the communities from Gishwati forest area and Nyabarongo hydropower plant zone”.

Pathways to child food insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa: Utilizing the Sustainable Development Goals Framework and Implications for Social Work

Margaret Lombe, Yoosun Chu, Smitha Rao, Kaipeng Wang — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0800

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals offer a framework to advance goals of alleviating poverty and upholding human rights. This exploratory study benchmarks progress on child food security, particularly in the critical geographies of Sub Saharan Africa. The study provides an overview of existing data to facilitate further exploration and offers theoretical and tactical considerations to tackle child food insecurity. A three-pronged approach to understand parallel and intersecting pathways to child food insecurity is proposed. Our evaluation points to the need for future assessments to examine child hunger and malnutrition using more comprehensive data and theoretical frameworks.

Knowledge and Perception of Population regarding the Contribution of Improved Cooking Stoves to Households’ Income and Environmental Protection

Adelphine Mudashamagira — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0800

This study examined the population’s knowledge and perception of the contribution of improved cooking stoves to household income and environmental protection in the muhanga district in rwanda. Using a survey questionnaire and an in-depth interview guide, simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used for data gathering from 100 households in the muhanga district who use improved cooking stoves. The study found that residents recognized the contribution of improved cooking stoves to household income and environmental protection. Before using improved cooking stoves (ics), thirty-four percent, 34% of all respondents agreed with the decrease in forest cover , but after using ics, the number reduced to 3%. Before the use of ics, 27% of all respondents accepted that there was soil erosion, while after the use of ics, the number reduced to 7 results further suggest that after using ics, forests are increased; air pollution reduced and soil erosion is controlled. It was also revealed that monthly expenses were reduced from 30% to 8% for those who spent between 15000-20000 rwf. The overall finding of the study underlines the importance of strengthening the adoption of improved cook stoves. Results of this are important and will guide to policy makers, researchers, extension and farmers to build the case for the use of improved cook stoves as a form of intervention.

Human and the Environment: Problematizing the discourse

Mon, 20 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0800

The exploitation of the territory and the emergence of the concept of landscape are associated with industrial and urban lifestyles. The destruction of large natural spaces has led to the creation of protected areas, but we must not forget the people who live and work in these spaces, mainly in rural areas. We must conserve nature while promoting sustainable development that is compatible with the dignity of the people who live in or near these areas. A good example of this effort to respect the territory is the one developed by the Bni Guild tribe of Morocco, which fights against the adversities caused by climate change to continue living on their land.

A Note from the Editors

Mon, 20 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0800

We are excited to announce the publication of the second issue of the journal Beyond Borders, advances in Global Welfare. The journal is supported by Boston College School of Social Work in collaboration with the International Social Science Research Group of the International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU). This special issue draws upon manuscripts coming out of the bi-annual conference of the International Social Science Research Group of the International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU). In keeping with the journal’s global orientation and vision of promoting a stronger evidence base to inform practice and policies decisions, this issue highlights the work of leading scholars, policy makers, and practitioners involved in the research on the various topics related to ecologic and social justice. Manuscripts included this issue cover a broad range of topics including factors, improved cooking stoves and environmental/household wellbeing, pathways to child food security, environmental protection and internal population displacement, dissemination and democratization of access to knowledge as well as the discussion on the relation between Human and Environment. The issue also highlights the work carried out by the International Social Science Research Group of the International Federation of Catholic Universities.

We thank you for your readership and hope you find this issue informative.