Kevin Kester, Mary Abura, Chaewon Sohn and Ella Rho
This comparative case study looks towards the diverse approaches of higher education to support peacebuilding, from policy and philosophy to pedagogical practices, in…
Abstract
Purpose
This comparative case study looks towards the diverse approaches of higher education to support peacebuilding, from policy and philosophy to pedagogical practices, in conflict-affected and post-conflict settings. The achievement of global development goals is dependent on addressing access to quality education in conflict-affected contexts, including higher education. However, in settings affected by conflict, higher education is often perceived to be a luxury, not a necessity. This study, then, explores whether and how higher education might support peace and development through the unique perspective of the “three faces” of higher education in conflict contexts.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is designed as a qualitative comparative case study. The research examines the work of university educators in two institutions in Afghanistan and Somaliland, highlighting the challenges and opportunities they face working in conflict-affected societies and their pedagogical responses to conflict. Data for the research were collected through in-depth interviews, documents, and digital artifacts with 12 university educators across the two institutions. The faculty teach a wide variety of subjects in the social sciences and humanities, subjects including and in addition to those specific to peace and development studies. To strengthen the interpretation of data, multiple coders were involved and intercoder reliability was conducted.
Findings
Findings indicate a number of challenges and opportunities that university lecturers and their institutions face in teaching for peace in conflict-affected contexts, particularly as it relates to the “three faces” of higher education to support, impede, or reveal the complicated nuances of peacebuilding in conflict settings. Member-checking was employed with participants to enhance the reliability of the analysis.
Originality/value
In the end, the paper contributes new empirical insights into higher education in conflict-affected contexts, particularly from the standpoint of faculty. Critical perspectives and implications for curriculum, pedagogy and research are offered.
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The librarian‐writer recounts through his personal narrative why writing for publication should be an important aspect of professional performance and leadership for librarians in…
Abstract
The librarian‐writer recounts through his personal narrative why writing for publication should be an important aspect of professional performance and leadership for librarians in all libraries, and how professional communication creates even greater opportunities and rewards in developing professionally ‐ from getting published in library journals, to monographs, to undertaking the editing of an international collection of coming out stories and research by gay, lesbian and bisexual librarians. The methods by which the researcher decides to write for publication are also examined.
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The Tacoma Public Library is developing a CD‐ROM Public Access Catalog that interfaces to another computer system which supports a circulation system. The concept of a…
Abstract
The Tacoma Public Library is developing a CD‐ROM Public Access Catalog that interfaces to another computer system which supports a circulation system. The concept of a CD‐PAC‐to‐circulation system linkage is simple: off‐load the searching to the PC to minimize the load on the circulation system, and limit the circulation system searching for status information on demand. Related searches should be extremely fast and efficient. Since the CD‐PAC is an intelligent device, it can act as a front‐end processor to the circulation system for database searching. The initial index search, record display, and retrieval are done on the PC, and add no load to the circulation system. Once a specific record has been selected, the CD‐PAC sends to the circulation system the minimal unique key that will facilitate the fastest retrieval of circulation data, or that demands the least system overhead. Sidebars discuss the stand‐alone CD‐ROM and the library marketplace, and future technologies.
The title of this review may be slightly misleading because Lannion is really a few kilometres from Finisterre, but it certainly seemed as if we were getting to the end of the…
Abstract
The title of this review may be slightly misleading because Lannion is really a few kilometres from Finisterre, but it certainly seemed as if we were getting to the end of the world travelling there in a fierce equinoctial tempest, one of the worst for several years! Fortunately, the weather cleared up for the opening of the conference the following day and revealed the beauty of the Britanny landscape. Nevertheless, the remark must be made that Lannion was a peculiar choice for an International Conference in view of the fact that it is 500 km from the nearest international airport. A number of participants complained of the difficulty of communications and it is known that others abstained from participating purely because of the difficulties of reaching such an isolated spot. However, some 210 delegates arrived by all possible means. Let it nevertheless be said that the organisation was impeccable — one of the best conferences I have ever attended from that point of view. As just one example, Lannion is essentially a small, mediaeval market town that has outgrown its clothes by the advent of modern technology and the enterprises that surround it. The result is a severe lack of modern hostelries capable of lodging an influx of a couple of hundred or more persons. However, there are an adequate number a few kilometres away, in Perros‐Guirec, a small town situated over three picturesque coves on the Pink Granite Coast. The organisers had the forethought to ensure coaches were always available to shuttle the delegates between their hotels and the various events. They also engaged the services of a caterer to produce lunch and dinner each day, probably otherwise impossible if the delegates had to make their own arrangements.