The Building Blocks of Participation


Book Description

"Examines how a capacity for mobilizing community participation can be built into a project's design and staffing. This paper answers that question by analyzing, step-by-step, one case rich in experience: the decentralization project in Mexico and its predecessor, the PIDER (Programa Integral para el Desarrollo Rural) program. The time span of this series of projects stretches from the early 1970s to the early 1990s"--Handbook of Latin American Studies, v. 57.




Public Participation for 21st Century Democracy


Book Description

A comprehensive text on the theory and practice of public participation Written by two leaders in the field, Public Participation for 21st Century Democracy explores the theory and practice of public participation in decision-making and problem-solving. It examines how public participation developed over time to include myriad thick, thin, and conventional opportunities, occurring in both face-to-face meetings and online settings. The book explores the use of participation in various arenas, including education, health, land use, and state and federal government. It offers a practical framework for thinking about how to engage citizens effectively, and clear explanations of participation scenarios, tactics, and designs. Finally, the book provides a sensible approach for reshaping our participation infrastructure to meet the needs of public officials and citizens. The book is filled with illustrative examples of innovative participatory activities, and numerous sources for more information. This important text puts the spotlight on the need for long-term, cross-sector, participation planning, and provides guidance for leaders, citizens, activists, and others who are determined to improve the ways that participation and democracy function. Public Participation for 21st Century Democracy: Helps students and practitioners understand the history, theory, and practice of public participation Contains a wealth of case studies that explore the application of public participation in different settings Covers vital issues such as education, health, land use, and state and federal government Has accompanying instructor resources, such as PowerPoint slides, discussion questions, sample assignments, case studies and research from www.participedia.net, and classroom activities.




Building Blocks for Teaching Preschoolers with Special Needs


Book Description

The third edition of Building Blocks provides readers with a framework for successful and meaningful inclusion of preschoolers with special needs. Like the first two editions, the third edition offers teachers effective, research-based instructional practices to promote learning in inclusive classrooms. The authors have updated existing content and added new content to reflect current thinking in the field.




Designing Gamified Systems


Book Description

Designing Gamified Systems is a fundamental guide for building essential skills in game and interaction design to revitalize and reimagine real world systems – from cities and corporations to schools and the military. Author Sari Gilbert develops a set of core principles and tools for using game thinking and interactive design to build motivation, explain hard concepts, broaden audiences, deepen commitments and enhance human relationships. Designing Gamified Systems includes: Topics such as gamified system design, behavioral psychology, marketing, business strategy, learning theory and instructional design Interviews with leaders and practitioners in this emerging field who explain how the job of the game designer is being redefined Exercises designed to both encourage big-picture thinking about gamified systems and help you experience and understand the challenges and nuances involved in designing them A companion website (www.gamifiedsystems.com) with additional materials to supplement learning and practice




Electronic Participation


Book Description

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the Fourth IFIP WG 8.5 International Conference, ePart 2012, held in Kristiansand, Norway, in September 2012. The 14 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from numerous submissions. This volume includes complete research work organised in five groups as follows: • Keynote Speech • Reviews • Policy Consultations • Case Studies • Techniques and Analysis.




Advancing the Rule of Law Abroad


Book Description

In the modern era, political leaders and scholars have declared the rule of law to be essential to democracy, a necessity for economic growth, and a crucial tool in the fight for security at home and stability abroad. The United States has spent billions attempting to catalyze rule-of-law improvements within other countries. Yet despite the importance of the goal to core foreign policy needs, and the hard work of hundreds of practitioners on the ground, the track record of successful rule-of-law promotion has been paltry. In Advancing the Rule of Law Abroad, Rachel Kleinfeld describes the history and current state of reform efforts and the growing movement of second-generation reformers who view the rule of law not as a collection of institutions and laws that can be built by outsiders, but as a relationship between the state and society that must be shaped by those inside the country for lasting change. Based on research in countries from Indonesia to Albania, Kleinfeld makes a compelling case for new methods of reform that can have greater chances of success. This book offers a comprehensive overview of this growing area of policy action where diplomacy and aid meet the domestic policies of other states. Its insights into the practical methods and moral complexities of supporting reform within other countries will be useful to practitioners and students alike.




Building Organizational Capacity and Strategic Management in Academia


Book Description

As higher education institutions face challenges like technological advancements, student demographics, and funding constraints, effective strategic management is essential. This involves enhancing institutional capabilities through improved governance, resource allocation, and stakeholder engagement while fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. By prioritizing strategic planning and capacity building, academic institutions can remain relevant and responsive to the needs of students, faculty, and the broader community. Further research empowers universities to achieve sustainable growth and fulfill their educational and social objectives. Building Organizational Capacity and Strategic Management in Academia explores the crucial role of leadership and strategic management in boosting the capacity and effectiveness of higher education institutions. It examines the complex dynamics of organizational change, innovation, and sustainable growth within the setting of academia. This book covers topics such as brand management, information technology, and strategic planning, and is a useful resource for business owners, academicians, educators, managers, computer engineers, scientists, and researchers.







Political and Civic Engagement


Book Description

Based upon a three-year multi-disciplinary international research project, Political and Civic Participation examines the interplay of factors affecting civic and political engagement and participation across different generations, nations and ethnic groups, and the shifting variety of forms that participation can take. The book draws upon an extensive body of data to answer the following key questions: Why do many citizens fail to vote in elections? Why are young people turning increasingly to street demonstrations, charitable activities, consumer activism and social media to express their political and civic views? What are the barriers which hinder political participation by women, ethnic minorities and migrants? How can greater levels of engagement with public issues be encouraged among all citizens? Together, the chapters in this volume provide a comprehensive overview of current understandings of the factors and processes which influence citizens’ patterns of political and civic engagement. They also present a set of evidence-based recommendations for policy, practice and intervention that can be used by political and civil society actors to enhance levels of engagement, particularly among youth, women, ethnic minorities and migrants. Political and Civic Participation provides an invaluable resource for all those who are concerned with citizens’ levels of engagement, including: researchers and academics across the social sciences; politicians and political institutions; media professionals; educational professionals and schools; youth workers and education NGOs; and leaders of ethnic minority and migrant organizations and communities.




Financial Participation of Employees in the EU-27


Book Description

This book aims to systematically assess laws and practices, close gaps that currently prevent a full profiling of financial participation, provide a description of individual countries against the background of comparable scores for the EU 27 and to promote a common platform for financial participation within the European Union.