The Nonprofit Sector and the Informal Sector: A Theoretical Perspective

VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations - How do and why might different nations demarcate socioeconomic activity into distinct societal sectors? In this review and...     

Large urban developments as the new driver for land development in Jeddah

Land development in most Saudi cities including Jeddah is generated by formal land subdivision and informal land development usually referred to as unplanned settlements. Both types of developments contributed to urban sprawl and other urban challenges. Jeddah Municipality attempted to improve land development by encouraging large urban developments. Recently, Jeddah Municipality approved four large urban developments which appear to manifest encouraging implications for urban growth and land development that this paper aims to explore. The paper examines the policy and market contexts that govern land development in general and large urban developments in particular, in order to pave the way to uncover their implications for city growth and land development. The data gathered for this purpose is drawn from published and unpublished reports from relevant authorities. It is found that large urban developments as new mechanisms of land development appear incapable of overcoming key challenges that face city growth and existing land development.     

The Egyptian episode of self-build housing

The Egyptian experience has rarely been incorporated into housing literature within the context of self-build technique. In the last five decades, Egypt has passed through various self-build housing policies. This paper demonstrates shifting the onus of self-build techniques, and shows how these policies and changes affected the urban poor. The paper develops an understanding of the recent transformations of self-help techniques in Egypt through five phases and transpired into varied forms of urban policies. It highlights the shifting liaison of the state and civil society within the implementation of self-build housing. An analysis of self-build housing options designed to accommodate the urban poor concludes the study.     

Why do financial inclusion policies fail in mobilizing savings from the poor? Lessons from rural south India

Combining multivariate and qualitative analyses, this micro‐level study suggests an explanation for the persistence of informal savings in rural south India despite publicly run large‐scale programmes to promote bank savings. Gold, in particular, but also Rotating Saving and Credit Associations (ROSCAs) and private lending, remain the dominant forms of savings. We argue that cultural norms and social institutions, such as social class and caste, shape the nature of savings, and also the propensity and opportunities to save. Gold serves multiple purposes, financial, economic, socio‐cultural and political. Furthermore, we find that the preference of Dalits (the lowest caste) for gold illustrates a relative emancipation, which contrasts with the persistence of caste‐related prohibitions preventing them investing in other assets, such as land.     

正确引导大学生非正式群体的健康发展

以胡锦涛同志为总书记的党中央站在全局和战略的高度,作出加强和改进大学生思想政治教育的重要决策,这对于全面实施科教兴国和人才强国战略,确保实现全面建设小康社会的奋斗目标,确保中国特色社会主义事业兴旺发达、后继有人,具有重大而深远的意义。目前,高校中自发形成的大学生非正式群体在大学中显得较为普遍,它对在校学生各方面素质的培养影响很大。对大学生非正式群体做出正确的评价并加强引导,是当前高校学生思想政治教育教育和管理工作中的一个重要课题。     

Beyond the bubble that is Robodebt: How governments that lose integrity threaten democracy

Robodebt describes the automated process of matching the Australian Taxation Office's income data with social welfare recipients' reports of income to Centrelink. Discrepancies signalling benefit overpayment trigger debt notices. The scheme has been criticised for inaccurate assessment, illegality, shifting the onus of proof of debt onto welfare recipients, poor support and communication, and coercive debt collection. Beyond immediate concerns of citizen harm, Robodebt harms democratic governance. Through persisting with Robodebt, the government is launching a regulatory assault on its own integrity. Two Senate inquiries reveal government endorsing (1) incoherence and inconsistency in public engagement, (2) unsound purposes and processes and (3) disregard for citizens. Such actions destroy trustworthiness. Citizens keep their distance and as a result, cooperation falters. At particular risk is the tax system. Citizens harmed by government turn to alternative authorities for help and opportunity, not always along legitimate pathways. The underground economy provides one such opportunity for fearful welfare recipients.     

对学习分类的再思考

欧美学者对学习的分类存在着两分法和三分法的分歧。两分法没有涵盖非正式学习,三分法虽然涵盖了非正式学习,但在分类标准上却未能保持一致。笔者考察了这些研究者对学习分类的主要观点,认为对学习应该采用两分法和两个层次来分类比较合适,即学习可分为正式学习和非正式学习两大类,而正式学习则可分为正规学习和非正规学习两小类。这种分法既保持了分类标准的一致性,又涵盖了所有的学习类型。     

Grief Support Groups Used by Few—

Abstract

Few adult bereaved attend closed grief support groups, yet many of those who do attend say they are extremely helpful. This research explores factors influencing support group attendance, and the extent to which bereavement support needs are being met. Focus group discussions reveal that a broad scope of sources of support is available to the bereaved. Results show what is seen as unhelpful to them, and what might be more helpful to them. The study indicates many adult bereaved suffer from an overall lack of support and would benefit from more caring overtures from those around them. Findings from this small frontline hospice bereavement study point toward ideas for adjustments in support groups and innovative bereavement education and programming.     

Economic Survival Strategies and Food Insecurity

Abstract

This article reports on a study of 67 Hurricane Katrina survivors who were evacuated to one Texas community. The authors examine the economic survival strategies employed by Katrina evacuees to feed their families during the approximately one week time frame beginning the day before the storm and ending when they were ultimately evacuated from New Orleans. An analysis of their strategies and actions provides insight both into the nature of households and sharing networks under the pressure of this disaster and the shortages that ensue when federal and state systems cannot meet basic needs beyond the resources of the local community.     

African American Informal Support Networks

Abstract

This study examined African American informal support network functioning utilizing Vaux's (1998) reciprocal exchange model. Ten African American caregivers of relatives with severe mental illness and their main informal helpers were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. In 8 of the 10 African American families interviewed, one close relative, called a “main supporter,” assumed major responsibility, comparable to that of the primary caregiver, for care and supervision of the family member with mental illness. Main supporters felt that their family helper role, although stressful at times, gave meaning and purpose to their lives. Five main supporter-primary caregiver pairs formed 'joint households' to share economic and human resources and to facilitate caregiving duties. Social work intervention for caregiving families should provide assistance to both primary caregivers and their informal supporters, particularly main supporters.