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Copyright of Jurnal Ekonomi Manajemen Sistem Informasi (JEMSI) is the property of Dinasti Publisher and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In an attempt to maintain the integrity of the Republic of Indonesia in the Papua Region, the government, through the TNI, formed a Territorial Task Force. This research aims to analyze the strategy for empowering the Papua defense region through the role of the Territorial Task Force in handling social and security conflicts in Puncak Jaya Regency. This research uses Strategy theory according to Thomas Schelling, namely management instruments for survival and winning competition. This research uses qualitative research methods, and data collection techniques use observation, interviews, documentation. The biggest challenge to conditions in Puncak Jaya is the conflict between the KKB and the community or with the TNI/Polri. Based on the results of the research, the strategic approach taken by the Territorial Task Force in fostering and empowering conflict areas in Puncak Regency is the strategic approach taken by the Territorial Task Force in fostering and empowering conflict areas still continues today, the strategy used is first, a private approach by providing outreach in every sub-district in Puncak Jaya Regency; Second, an approach in the form of free health checks; Third, collaborate with the regional government to carry out outreach to the community; Fourth, provide command posts in each sub-district to monitor and maintain security and establish relations with the community; Fifth, collaborate with the community, especially the Family Welfare Empowerment Group (PKK) to direct and be the first implementer in empowering conflict areas

Purpose: Informed by the concept of well-being in Islam and the eudaimonic view of psychological well-being (PWB), and drawing on resilience theory, this study aims to understand (1) the implications of residing in conflict areas for entrepreneurs' PWB, (2) the barriers facing entrepreneurs in these areas and (3) the implications of their religiosity for their PWB. Design/methodology/approach: Utilizing an interpretative qualitative method, this study employed 22 entrepreneurs residing in conflict areas (Palestine and Libya). Thematic analysis was used to explore the participants' experiences and insights. Findings: The findings show that living in conflict areas enhances certain components of entrepreneurs' PWB, such as self-acceptance and having a purpose in life and diminishes other components of their PWB, including environmental mastery, personal growth, the presence of autonomy and positive relations with others. Additionally, the findings suggest that religiosity, viewed through an Islamic lens, positively contributes to entrepreneurs' PWB and identify societal (macro level) barriers faced by entrepreneurs in these areas. Originality/value: The study is theoretically and contextually relevant and offers novel insights into the interplay between religion and well-being in conflict areas. It presents a reinvigorated awareness, opens specific research directions and permits the contextual applicability and possible extension of resilience theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to develop the Conflict Areas Index (CAI) to identify possible conflict areas that couples experience in their marriages and to develop the Conflict Styles Inventory (CSI) to assess how they deal with these conflicts. Exploratory (N=374) and confirmatory (N=152) factor analysis and test-retest (N=49) examinations were conducted with a sample of 575 married individuals in total. For the first scale, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to examine the construct validity of the CAI. According to the results, a single component giving frequency values for 15 different conflict areas was identified. In the criterion-related validity studies, the scale had a significant, negative, and strong correlation with the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) (r=-.72) and the level of satisfaction with the relationship (r=-.67). The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was found as .91. For the second scale, the construct validity of the CSI was examined using Exploratory Factor Analysis. The results revealed a three-dimensional structure named destructive, passive, and active conflict resolution styles. In the criterion-related validity studies, it was found significant and positive correlations between destructive (r=.14) and passive (r=.18) conflict resolution styles with CAI scores and a significant and negative correlation between active resolution style with CAI scores. In addition, there were significant and negative correlations between destructive (r=-.15) and passive (r=-.12) conflict resolution styles with the RAS scores and a significant and positive correlation between active conflict resolution style with the RAS scores. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients were .88, .87, and .87 for destructive, passive, and active conflict resolution styles, respectively. The correlation values between the scores of the CSI within a 14-day time interval were ⍴=.94, ⍴=.91, and ⍴=.83 for destructive, passive, and active conflict resolution styles, respectively. These results indicated that CAI and CSI have sufficient psychometric properties that can be used to assess conflict areas and conflict resolution styles of married individuals.

The achievement of education in rural populations was one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), outlined by the United Nations. During the last World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), it was concluded that the majority of the world's poor, illiterate and undernourished population lives in rural areas; therefore, access to education is considered one of the greatest challenges for governments in countries with developing economies. The purpose of this study was to determine how a theoretical-practical training program in rural management and leadership (D-ML), artificial insemination (DAI), and bovine genetic improvement (D-GI) affected the perception and level of knowledge in a rural population affected by Colombia's armed conflict. Phase 1 included the theoretical and practical training of undergraduate animal sciences students in three dimensions (D-ML, D-AI, D-GI). After training, students were evaluated according to their level of theoretical-practical knowledge and their behavioral performance. There were 13 students selected to be a part of what we went on to call "the group of student leaders." Phase 2 included the socioeconomic characterization and training of rural residents by the group of student leaders and field experts in the same three dimensions (D-ML, D-AI, D-GI). We evaluated the perception and level of knowledge before and after training in 63 rural residents using an evaluative instrument. The perception of knowledge in rural residents was low for general knowledge (GTD) (2.48 ± 0.76, p < 0.05), D-ML (2.89±1.18, p < 0.05) and D-AI/D-GI (2.17±0.83, p < 0.05), in accordance with the 5-point Likert-type ordinal scale. When level of knowledge was measured before the theorical-practical training, the level of GTD was 45.9%, however, after the training it increased to 77.6% (p<0.01), while the level of knowledge for D-AI increased from 38.5% pre-training to 80.6% (p <0.05) post-training, and level of knowledge for D-GI pre-training was 50.8% and increased to 73.0% (p<0.01) post-training. Finally, the level of knowledge for D-ML increased (p<0.01) from 54.8% pre-training to 75% post-training. Altogether, rural extension programs contribute to closing knowledge gaps in relation to the use of reproductive biotechnologies and bovine management in rural areas affected by armed conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humanitarian crises are on the rise in abroad, and the opportunities for international relief are increasing. Nurses involved in international medical relief are expected to have the knowledge and skills to treat a wide range of target populations and a variety of illnesses and injuries. Therefore, Japanese Red Cross Aichi Medical Center Nagoya Daini Hospital has implemented a training program to strengthen the practical nursing capabilities required for international relief work. The program combines On-the-Job Training (OJT), in which participants rotate through a selected clinical department based on their background and training goals, with Off-the-Job Training in the International Medical Relief Department. The OJT content covers 19 of the 27 medical services listed in the Classification and Minimum Standard for Emergency Medical Teams. Twenty-three participants who have completed the training have been deployed a total of 58 times for in disaster relief, humanitarian assistance in conflict areas and long-term development cooperation projects, and three have also worked in management positions. The training is organized as a self-development program for nurses working internationally, in medical facilities rather than educational institutions. To make the program more effective, Infection Control, Community Engagement and Accountability, and Protection, Gender and Inclusion are required to be included by international standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the increasing number of journalists being killed, kidnapped, and imprisoned across the globe, the safety of journalists seems to be deteriorating. The level of violence against journalists varies over time and from area to area, even within the same country. This article analyzes the violence faced by journalists in the conflict areas of Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. The collected data were analyzed thematically using the research question themes, namely threats and challenges affecting journalists; gender-specific risk; the number of affected journalists; types of risk factors involved in conflict reporting; and the recommendations for promoting conflict reporting and peace journalism education. Semi-structured questionnaires were designed, which entailed questions that were best suited in terms of the objectives of the study. Responses from the selected respondents (80) were recorded and then data from 1992 to 2020 were statistically analyzed. In conflict areas (Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan), the highest number of deaths were recorded due to crossfire (45.8%). The findings illustrate that among three countries Iraq had the highest number of male (48.4%) and female (4.2%) journalists in terms of gender-specific risk. Further results show that military officials and political groups are the deepest risk factors causing threats to the lives of journalists. In conclusion, a journalist's geographic location, workplace environment, religion, and culture can influence their moral behavior, sense of judgment, general mindset, and psychological disposition, all of which influence journalists' overall behavior and attitude. However, adopting safety measures by journalists does not always reduce the challenges of conflict areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The achievement of education in rural populations was one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), outlined by the United Nations. During the last World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), it was concluded that the majority of the world’s poor, illiterate and undernourished population lives in rural areas; therefore, access to education is considered one of the greatest challenges for governments in countries with developing economies. The purpose of this study was to determine how a theoretical-practical training program in rural management and leadership (D-ML), artificial insemination (D-AI), and bovine genetic improvement (D-GI) affected the perception and level of knowledge in a rural population affected by Colombia’s armed conflict. Phase 1 included the theoretical and practical training of undergraduate animal sciences students in three dimensions (D-ML, D-AI, D-GI). After training, students were evaluated according to their level of theoretical-practical knowledge and their behavioral performance. There were 13 students selected to be a part of what we went on to call “the group of student leaders.” Phase 2 included the socioeconomic characterization and training of rural residents by the group of student leaders and field experts in the same three dimensions (D-ML, D-AI, D-GI). We evaluated the perception and level of knowledge before and after training in 63 rural residents using an evaluative instrument. The perception of knowledge in rural residents was low for general knowledge (GTD) (2.48 ± 0.76, p < 0.05), D-ML (2.89 ± 1.18, p < 0.05) and D-AI/D-GI (2.17 ± 0.83, p < 0.05), in accordance with the 5-point Likert-type ordinal scale. When level of knowledge was measured before the theorical-practical training, the level of GTD was 45.9%, however, after the training it increased to 77.6% (p

This article comparatively examines the results of a qualitative study of how non-governmental organizations (NGOs) may promote a shared society in the conflict-affected areas of Israel and Cyprus. The authors have chosen to set their research in these two contexts, where the complex relationships between the majority and the minority communities have led to persistent conflicts that seem rather 'intractable' and 'frozen'. Three thematic categories emerge from this analysis: (a) empowering citizens to enact intercultural initiatives; (b) enhancing youth's agency; and (c) collaborating with the state and other actors. The authors discuss their findings under the framework of interculturalism and intercultural change. Their argument is that for peacebuilding to flourish in both countries, civil society organizations (CSOs) should cultivate sympathetic imagination by enabling people from the communities in conflict to firstly imagine and then pursue alternatives to the current status quo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to investigate greenhouse gas emissions (GHGEs) in conflict areas, emphasising Palestine. This estimation faces several difficulties, particularly in data collection. The paper first presents the geopolitical context of Palestine and its consequences for the analysis of GHGEs. Then, it presents the estimation of the GHGEs related to energy, which constitutes the major contributor to GHGEs in Palestine. The emissions were estimated according to Tier 1 in the 2006 IPCC guidelines. For the first time in Palestine, (i) the International Energy Agency methodology for calculating emission factors from electricity consumption is used to estimate the emission factors of GHG at the final point of consumption, and (ii) the scope 2 emissions from imported electricity are accounted for in the total emissions. The GHGEs from the Palestinian electricity generation (excluding imported electricity) were 446,471 tons of CO2eq in 2019, representing 11% of the total emissions from the energy sector. The total GHGEs from electricity final consumption (including imported electricity) in all sectors were 3,929,829 tons of CO2eq. More than 60% (2,316,465 tons of CO2eq) of these emissions were attributed to the consumption of electricity by the households. Emissions from fuel consumption in 2019 were about 3,912,566 tons of CO2eq. Transport was found to be the main emitter of GHGs, with more than half of the total emissions (2,207,834 tons of CO2eq). Considering imported electricity in estimating the total GHGEs from the energy sector doubled the emissions. It increased the share of household emissions in the total GHGEs from the energy sector to become the most significant contributor to the total emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wetland areas are rich with inland fisheries potential. However, the entry of oil palm plantations has threatened the existence of wetland ecosystems. Community rejection of the entry of oil palm plantations has created conflict between the two parties. Even though it is in a conflict area, the fishery potential has encouraged the development of fishing tourism which invites local tourists. The development of fishing tourism in wetlands not on contributes to the rotation of the rural economy and the study of social sciences. This study aims to determine the driving factors for the development of fishing tourism and their contribution to the community's economy. The research method used is qualitative research locations are villages that develop fishing tourism in South Kalimantan Province. Interviews were conducted with fish well owners, anglers, formal and non-formal figures, and community members who have businesses around fishing locations. The informants were 64 people. Observations were made of fishing objects. Document studies and audio-visual recordings were carried out regarding the activities of anglers. Data analysis uses an emic perspective, so an overview of fishing tourism from the point of view of the research subject. The results of the study show that the driving factors for the development of fishing tourism are wetland ecosystems as freshwater fish habitats and open road access, both opened by oil palm plantation companies and local governments. The development of this new type of business has contributed to the owners of fish wells and the informal business sector around fishing grounds. The conclusion is that fishing tourism can still be developed even though it is in a conflict area. The implication is the occurrence of economic cycles in rural areas and the sustainability of natural resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to identify the role of women in conflict-affected areas and the importance of providing social support to enhance their participation in peace construction. The study population consisted of (110) female breadwinners. To achieve the objectives of the study, the social support scale was used. After verifying the reliability and validity of the tools, they were submitted to the study sample. The results showed a medium level of support from parents, relatives, and acquaintances, while the level of support from social institutions was low. Furthermore, The results showed that there were no statistically significant differences between social support and the woman's assistance to her family, according to the housing type and age variables. However, there are differences according to the profession variable and in favor of independent work. The study revealed that there are no statistically significant differences between social support and women's assistance for their families according to the family size variable. The study clarified the importance of women's contributions to peace negotiations and the importance of their participation in the post-conflict transitional process in shaping the future of post-conflict countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Local and international Psychotherapists working with war survivors are confronted with a whole variety of burdens. The close contact to their clients and the conversations about terror, flight and genocides, they are frequently subject to vicarious traumatization resulting from these events and reveal a risk of developing secondary traumatization. Methods We interviewed 54 local psychotherapists and 28 psychotherapists originating from abroad who were treating survivors of ISIS terror in refugee camps organised by non-government organisations (NGOs). Results The results show that local and non-local psychotherapists who work in a context of humanitarian crises reveal a risk of developing secondary traumatization. The results of this present study would also indicate that the secondary traumatization depends both on individual characteristics such as bonding styles and personal experiences and also on the ambient characteristics such as the degree of traumatization of the patients. Conclusion The study revealed that the local and non-local psychotherapists had a range of different pressure factors and helpful resources which indicated that better caring/support, supervision and organization are needed to enable psychotherapists to perform more effectively in war regions from the point of view of preventive healthcare.

Copyright of Journal of Al-Frahids Arts is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Electronic Turkish Studies is the property of Electronic Turkish Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This research aimed at shedding light on the political role for the working women in the sector of PR in areas of conflict in both the United States of America and Palestine. It is also to show the main challenges these women face through applying the theory of excellence in PR, in order to find the missing elements in PR and apply them to guarantee achieving the needed social and political change. The researcher followed the analytical descriptive method and comparative method; also she used the two tools of questionering and interviewing with employers in PR in both the United States of America and Palestine. The research has reached many findings; the most important one in that is: the number of women who occupy prominent positions in the organizational structure for PR administration in both the U.S.A and Palestine is very small. This status has affected their ability to introduce the social and political changes; although they are able to participate is much bigger roles than they have, and cause change and social empowerment in both United States of America and Palestine, are subjected to a number of challenges connected to gender; they are subjected to discrimination on basis of sex, wage, decision respect, and position status with 16.3% in Palestine and 6.7% in the U.S.A. The research has shown that is more internet in the appearance of the women than her practical and scientific qualifications. Also, the wrong concept of PR form another challenge related to having tasks not connected to their specialization and not respecting the PR post as other post. Finally, the researcher recommended to restructure the organizational PR bodies, to institutionalize them, and to reinforce the role of gender in a more profound and effective way taking into confederation the balance in distributing leadership position in both the U.S.A and Palestine. This can happen by using the theory of excellence to fulfill the unachieved elements needed for the social change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite emerging study of business initiatives that attempt to support local peace and development, we still have significant knowledge gaps on their effectiveness and efficiency. This article builds theory on business engagements for peace through exploration of the Footprints for Peace (FOP) peacebuilding project by the Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia (FNC). FOP was a business-peace initiative that attempted to improve the lives of vulnerable populations in conflict-affected regions. Through 70 stakeholder interviews, we show how FOP operationalized local peace and development in four conflict-affected departments of Colombia, and examine FNC's motivations for and effectiveness of its peacebuilding activities. Our main finding is that FOP's success supported several existing theories on business engagement in peace both in terms of peacebuilding by business and for local economic and societal development, providing evidence in support of development–business collaborations and local peacebuilding by business under certain targeted circumstances. We relate these findings to existing literature, highlighting where existing business-peace theory is supported, where FOP challenged assumptions, and where it illuminated new research gaps. These findings serve to take business-peace theory forward and improve our understandings of what can constitute success for business-peace initiatives in Colombia and possibly other conflict-affected regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Local and international Psychotherapists working with war survivors are confronted with a whole variety of burdens. The close contact to their clients and the conversations about terror, flight and genocides, they are frequently subject to vicarious traumatization resulting from these events and reveal a risk of developing secondary traumatization. Methods: We interviewed 54 local psychotherapists and 28 psychotherapists originating from abroad who were treating survivors of ISIS terror in refugee camps organised by non-government organisations (NGOs). Results: The results show that local and non-local psychotherapists who work in a context of humanitarian crises reveal a risk of developing secondary traumatization. The results of this present study would also indicate that the secondary traumatization depends both on individual characteristics such as bonding styles and personal experiences and also on the ambient characteristics such as the degree of traumatization of the patients. Conclusion: The study revealed that the local and non-local psychotherapists had a range of different pressure factors and helpful resources which indicated that better caring/support, supervision and organization are needed to enable psychotherapists to perform more effectively in war regions from the point of view of preventive healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The provision and planning for healthcare delivery in conflict is a pressing imperative. Healthcare within these environments is naturally complex, given the entanglement of affected populations, militaries and oft-deteriorating public services. The field of digital health, placed at the intersection of healthcare and technology, has the power to revolutionize healthcare delivery and improve health outcomes worldwide. Its impact is particularly significant in conflict zones, where it can address the unique challenges faced by these regions. Violence, damaged infrastructure, restricted mobility, forced migration, and overstretched healthcare facilities are all hallmarks of conflict zones that demand novel approaches to addressing them. Health care delivery is being revolutionized by the introduction of digital health technology in conflict zones, which are improving access, emergency response capacities, health information management, and mental health assistance. Doctors and aid organizations can more easily overcome challenges and reach out to underserved populations in these regions because to digital technological improvements. Recent decades have seen a shift in the nature of conflict, and with it, a corresponding shift in the range of digital health solutions available to address geographical, epidemiological, and clinical gaps. The purpose of this letter is to inquire into the application of digital health in conflict zones and its potential to lessen the pressing healthcare needs of affected communities., Competing Interests: The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2023.)

This paper focuses on the interest of both researchers and educators in violent areas in the use of Internet-based tools to support education. The potential contribution of education using technology in violent areas has been overlooked in the field of education and technology research. Arguably, the body of knowledge in this area is limited. Education in areas of violence has not been approached from either a technology, education or political science perspective, and because of this, opportunities for education in violent areas are not addressed appropriately. Cloud computing is an emerging educational computing paradigm for delivering educational and computing services that are based on a number of existing technologies (Internet, virtualization and grid computing). The provision of this service on a pay-as-you-go basis through the popular medium of the Internet providers, makes this computing service unique compared to other currently available computing service modalities in such areas. By viewing education as a core activity in an effort to diminish violence in conflict areas, it should be possible for educators and practitioners to adopt a new approach to defining educational strategies. The main contribution of the paper to both academia and practitioners is a synthesis model that conceptualizes the factors providing a unique solution to educational needs in violent areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of the Social Sciences is the property of Kuwait University, Academic Publication Council and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Assigning specific infrastructure per transport mode addresses discrepancies between mobility and land-use developments. This paper elaborates on pedestrian scenarios for central Ramallah, a major urban developing area in Palestine. The sustainability of the four alternative pedestrian scenarios is assessed according to the participatory multi-actor multi-criteria analysis, which integrates stakeholder objectives in the evaluation of the alternative scenarios. To determine the impact of each pedestrian scenario on the traffic flow, an origin-destination matrix is estimated by means of traffic counts, according the Furness distribution algorithm and the maximising-entropy approach. Results forward the medium Al-Zhara scenario as compromising alternative between the objectives of the governmental, transport operator and local business stakeholder groups, as it instigates less congestion, pollutant gas and greenhouse gas emissions. Detour routes subjected to parking constraints are proposed to optimise the reduced traffic flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of the Oslo Accords, Israel and the Palestinian Authority agreed to jointly manage issues of environmental concern according to internationally recognised standards. The purpose of this paper is to qualitatively evaluate the outcomes of the Palestinian-Israeli Oslo environmental peace agreements regarding trans-boundary hazardous waste management. Hazardous waste is an area of particular importance given the potential for inefficient management to impact on public health and shared ecological resources. Although the environmental negotiations that took place within the framework of the Oslo Accords can be seen as a significant milestone for environmental cooperation, many objectives were never achieved. Ultimately, both parties were left with suboptimal trans-boundary management, in practice, because broader political disputes derailed cooperation in many technical spheres. This outcome can be attributed to four main factors: Israeli security concerns, territorial disputes, logistical ambiguities and Palestinian institutional constraints. The outcomes of the environmental agreements challenge neo-functionalist approaches to peacebuilding at the inter-state level. Given the risks environmental concerns pose to both sides, new models are needed that disentangle the management of immediately shared environmental challenges from the ongoing conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzing legal policies requires an in-depth understanding of the sociopolitical contexts within which sexual abuse is disclosed. Data presented in this study are based on a larger study of 628 Palestinian Israeli girls aged 14 to 16 years. Of these 628 girls, 28 victims of sexual abuse discussed their abuse with the research team. In addition, interviews were conducted with professional helpers. The contextual analyses of the interviews focused on the way young girls perceived disclosure, social support, and legal intervention to their abuse. Data revealed that the girls' attitudes not only conformed to general findings on disclosure of sexual abuse but also reflected sociopolitical fears and stressors. Helpers struggled between their beliefs that they should abide by the state's formal legal policies and their consideration of the victim's context. The study reveals how decontextualizing child protection laws and policies can keep sexually abused girls from seeking help. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Do mining companies produce wars to get easy access to a country's mineral resources? The article argues against conspiracy theories and a purely moral approach to this question. The problem cannot be analyzed without taking into account the evolutions in the international mining sector and their effects on the ground. On the African continent, mining companies tend to get involved in conflict-ridden areas as the least preferable option, to be taken when no valuable alternatives are available. The challenge is not so much to prevent economic actors to be involved, but to reorient this involvement towards productive purposes and taking into account the locally existing networks of exploitation and trade. This is the only efficient starting point for giving the local producers a productive benefit of the mining exploitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed at shedding light on the political role for the working women in the sector of PR in areas of conflict in both the United States of America and Palestine. It is also to show the main challenges these women face through applying the theory of excellence in PR, in order to find the missing elements in PR and apply them to guarantee achieving the needed social and political change. The researcher followed the analytical descriptive method and comparative method; also she used the two tools of questionering and interviewing with employers in PR in both the United States of America and Palestine. The research has reached many findings; the most important one in that is: the number of women who occupy prominent positions in the organizational structure for PR administration in both the U.S.A and Palestine is very small. This status has affected their ability to introduce the social and political changes; although they are able to participate is much bigger roles than they have, and cause change and social empowerment in both United States of America and Palestine, are subjected to a number of challenges connected to gender; they are subjected to discrimination on basis of sex, wage, decision respect, and position status with 16.3% in Palestine and 6.7% in the U.S.A. The research has shown that is more internet in the appearance of the women than her practical and scientific qualifications. Also, the wrong concept of PR form another challenge related to having tasks not connected to their specialization and not respecting the PR post as other post. Finally, the researcher recommended to restructure the organizational PR bodies, to institutionalize them, and to reinforce the role of gender in a more profound and effective way taking into confederation the balance in distributing leadership position in both the U.S.A and Palestine. This can happen by using the theory of excellence to fulfill the unachieved elements needed for the social change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-timber forest products have often been held out as potential tools for conservation and sustainable development, but sustainability assessments are frequently difficult and time-consuming, especially in conflict areas. Thus, rapid assessments can be useful in providing a broad overview of the harvesting system in order to generate meaningful conservation or development recommendations. Here, we use rapid assessment methodology, including semi-structured interviews and direct observations, to examine the frankincense harvesting system in Somaliland in 2010 and again in 2016 and 2017. We identified significant levels of overharvesting, driven by a breakdown of the traditional management system. Demand for resin and resin prices increased dramatically from 2010 to 2017, at the same time as the tree populations were declining, resource tenure security was weakening, drug use was increasing, and the supply chain was becoming more complex. These factors combine to incentivize short-term unsustainable practices, and the lack of traceability and transparency prevents international buyers from meaningfully engaging with the system. However, new technologies and approaches being employed mean that buyers will soon be able to clearly direct their purchasing in order to incentivize sustainable practices and purchase resin in an ethical manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: since December 2019, the world is experiencing, the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the Virus SARS-CoV-2. It is feared that the pandemic maybe more devastating in conflict affected areas in the world. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practices with regard to the COVID-19 in Buea municipality, Cameroon., Methods: this was a cross-sectional study carried out in communities selected from 5 health areas of the Buea Health District. A questionnaire was administered to collect data on the knowledge, attitudes and practices on COVID-19. The knowledge was measured using a 26-points Liker scale on awareness, mode of transmission, clinical manifestation, site of the infection and prevention. The data was analyzed in SPSS version 25., Results: of the 545 particpants who consented, 21.9% had a correct knowledge of COVID-19, 43.8% had intermediate knowledge, 34.4% had poor knowledge and 11.93% had no knowledge. Majority of the participants (73.3%) knew they were at risk of contacting the infection. They were aware that cleaning and disinfecting the environment (78.8%), reducing contact with animals (56.3%) could help prevent the infection. Even though participants knew about the face mask (93.5%) and hand sanitizers (88.8%), only 21.7% and 32.9% had purchased them respectively. Few participants reported that they will go to a man of God (6.0%), native doctor (3.5%) and auto-medication (25.8%) if infected., Conclusion: There is still a knowledge gap in the Buea population with respect to COVID-19. The population is aware of the disease and preventive measures, but few have taken steps to procure essential tools for the prevention. There is need to intensify sensitization to fill the knowledge gap the population has with regards to COVID-19., Competing Interests: The author declares no competing interests., (© Tendongfor Nicholas et al.)