A framework of quality assessment methods for crowdsourced geographic information : a systematic literature review

Collaboration is the foundation to strengthen disaster preparedness and for effective emergency response actions at all levels. Some studies have highlighted that remote volunteers, i.e., volunteers supported by Web 2.0 technologies, possess the potential to strengthen humanitarian relief organizations by offering information regarding disaster-affected people and infrastructure. Although studies have explored various aspects of this topic, none of those provided an overview of the state-of-the-art of researches on the collaboration among humanitarian organizations and communities of remote volunteers. With the aim of overcoming this gap, a systematic literature review was conducted on the existing research works. Therefore, the main contribution of this work lies in examining the state of research in this field and in identifying potential research gaps. The results show that most of the research works addresses the general domain of disaster management, whereas only few of them address the domain of humanitarian logistics. Collaboration among Humanitarian Relief Organizations and Volunteer Technical Communities: Identifying Research Opportunities and Challenges through a Systematic Literature Review (PDF Download Available). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/315790817_Collaboration_among_Humanitarian_Relief_Organizations_and_Volunteer_Technical_Communities_Identifying_Research_Opportunities_and_Challenges_through_a_Systematic_Literature_Review [accessed May 26, 2017]

Intellectual Property Rights, Legislated Protection, Sui Generis Models and Ethical Access in the Transformation of Indigenous Traditional Knowledge

This dissertation arises out of deep concerns over how Indigenous Intellectual Property and Traditional Knowledge should be ethically accessed and used and reviews existing mechanisms of protection. It focuses on how Indigenous Intellectual Property and Traditional Knowledge should best be ethically, legislatively and legally treated in the public domain and in other public usage - and what mechanisms are required to protect it - particularly regarding Indigenous cultural expression. The dissertation argues that existing regimes of protection - such as copyright, patent, trade secrets, trademark, commercial law, and international regulation and convents - do not provide adequate protection for certain forms of Indigenous Intellectual Property and Traditional Knowledge; and that, therefore, new systems of protection need to be considered, developed and implemented. The purposes of this dissertation are: 1) to outline and establish principles in the use of Indigenous Traditional Knowledge for commercial, industrial, and other public purposes, and in cultural practice, artworks and other tangible and intangible cultural expressions; 2) to establish theoretical frameworks on Indigenous peoples' transformation of Traditional Knowledge through their cultural practice; and 3) to develop useful models and concepts to regulate the use of Traditional Knowledge by third parties in the contemporary contexts. In order to achieve these purposes, this dissertation will review the history of Indigenous and European knowledge systems and the interface between the two systems. It will also examine the development of Indigenous, national and International regulatory mechanisms and how the current discourse is evolving at these levels

The Intellectual Property and Alternative Legal Protection for Thai Cultural Heritage Properties, Traditional Knowledge and Products

This thesis comprises a study into whether the existing intellectual property regime, a sui generis system, or any adaptations or modifications of them have been successfully adopted for protecting both tangible and intangible cultural property and traditional knowledge of Thailand. How other developing countries have dealt with misappropriation issues and the limitations of the current intellectual property regime has also been studied. A number of concerns about and obstacles to traditional knowledge have been pointed out: the existing intellectual property system may have increased the risk of misappropriation or unauthorised use of traditional knowledge without consent; most developing countries have no comprehensive national policies or legal frameworks covering traditional knowledge; lack of effective legislation, authorities and mechanisms associated with intellectual property; the high cost of intellectual property procedures and management; the threat to the intellectual and cultural property rights of indigenous peoples; loss of cultural traditions/ articles and biodiversity; problems with maintaining and passing on cultural expression; as well as inequitable benefit-sharing and remedies. Intellectual property rights and traditional knowledge have become increasingly controversial globally, and sometimes they overlap. Due to the presumption that traditional knowledge is in the public domain, the current intellectual property rights regime can not efficiently and appropriately protect traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions/folklore, or provide equitable sharing for indigenous and local communities. Sometimes domestic legislation is insufficient, incompatible or in conflict with international intellectual property norms and policies. The most feasible solutions need to be rigorous, but flexible enough to cover the various forms of traditional knowledge and access to the generic resources of individual communities. Policy-making, development of categorisation and management of biodiversity data and local knowledge systems, effective strategies and mechanisms, international co-operation and support all need to be taken into consideration. It would be ideal to have a single legal system to protect all forms of intellectual property; unfortunately, in reality, this is impossible. However, depending on the capacity of governments and the readiness of their people, alternative or sui generis rights or a combination of any regimes of both preventive and positive protection could be developed and adapted and play a complementary role to balance the interests of all parties, while the general public can still access appropriate usage and benefits. Various ideas and alternative solutions from the different perspectives of international forums and other countries are gathered, analysed, proposed and recommended here for Thailand in particular

An investigation into a community information database system in the northeast of Thailand: Community empowerment through community learning centres

Following the economic downturn in the late 1990s the Government of Thailand restructured the economy resulting in rapid economic recovery. The society now needs developments to project it into the Information Age. This study is but one creative response to this need. To initiate the study, an extensively validated Questionnaire was implemented with a snowball sample comprising 500 representative, non-randomised respondents from the four provinces of the Inpeng Community Network (ICN). The purpose of the Questionnaire was to ascertain levels of information needs and local knowledge, and to identify ten local experts from ICN for subsequent In-depth Interviews. Data obtained in this way were analysed then classified into a retrievable form of knowledge. A model community information database system (CIDS) was then designed, installed and trialled with a convenience sample of 165 variously prepared respondents using computers in six CLC. Semi-structured Interviews then provided additional data on information needs and refinement of the model CIDS. Respondents saw this refined CIDS as having the potential to be emulated by other rural communities, and in particular, to be a valuable technological tool suitable for dissemination throughout ICN. Respondents believed that community development and empowerment would be enhanced by CIDS, enabling individual problems to be dealt with effectively, and sustainable development to be achieved

Resilience and coping: the perspectives of cancer patients, family caregivers, and medical volunteers at Khampramong Monastery, Thailand

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore in-depth experiences of cancer patients, family caregivers, and medical volunteers who engaged in the treatment and services provided at Khampramong Monastery, Thailand, particularly in the areas of resilience and coping. Participants included 21 individuals (eight cancer patients, eight family caregivers, and five medical volunteers). Data collection was conducted at Khampramong Monastery (Thailand) during the summer of 2013 including interviews, field observations, and artifact collections. Moustakas’s (1994) phenomenological method was used for data analysis. Bracketing (Creswell, 1998) was employed to set aside researcher bias. Standards of trustworthiness were employed throughout all phases of the research. The findings reflected the essence of the experiences, particularly coping strategies of patients that emphasized the role of acceptance and efforts to enhance meaning by helping other to relieve suffering. Resilience factors the participants developed included development of their spirituality and a renewed emphasis on positive thinking in the face of hardship. Implications for counseling psychology, mental health, and healthcare professions to further facilitate and promote resilience and coping in cancer patients and relevant units were discussed

Nonduality and the karmic cyles of the world: Integral health and development in Thai contexts.

This thesis considers ongoing changes in Thai healthcare, seen in wider contexts of development, with particular attention paid to existential issues and human volitional action (karma). Consequently, development is analysed with regard to "external" or material development, as well as "internal" development of consciousness. Moreover, although situations involving curing disease/illness are examined, emphasis is laid on health in light of holistic and preventive measures proposed by main informants, who to varying degrees are influential in providing and reforming healthcare in Thailand. Such people generally adopt Dharma (Buddhist teachings) in promoting awareness of health, considered in physical, mental, societal and spiritual terms. Nevertheless, many also discuss the significance of universals and nondual teachings from other contemplative/mystical traditions, which aim at the same purpose; namely, to transcend narcissistic feelings of individuality, so that suffering inherent in the human condition is ended. Thus, "conventional truths" pertinent to specific cultural contexts are seen as relevant, but also are "absolute truths" that transcend them and other dualities. A central issue of the thesis is consideration of how conceptual analysis and synthesis, and "traditional" and "modem" knowledge (adopting "scientific" modes of inquiry which go beyond empiricism), are currently being integrated in Thailand. This implies both theoretical and practical aspects, and the way that they are adopted in bringing about well-being to the population at large. Using case studies, textual references and primarily experiences of main informants; self-reliance, social engagement, sustainability and dynamic balance are studied in contexts of healing. Furthermore, education (mainstream and alternative modes), the role of teachers and providers of healthcare services (including monks, traditional healers and biomedical practitioners), and implications to policy are examined; as are compassionate, nonviolent, and strategic means to effect change and achieve lasting health and happiness

Potent Plants, Cool Hearts: a landscape of healing in Laos

This thesis maps a landscape of healing in southern lowland Laos, demonstrating how traditional medicine and health practices engage with and occur within the local environment, set against the wider socio-political landscape. Rural fieldwork conducted with traditional healers, villagers and health staff in Champasak province utilised methods from anthropology and ethnopharmacology, and included work within state institutions. In rural Laos, traditional medicine use is commonly a response to chronic illness, as part of complex trajectories of care. Its popularity is strongly influenced both by social and familial connections and trust in practitioners associated with their reputation and positive experiences of the therapeutic encounter. Good health necessitates strengthening the blood and body boundaries to prevent illness, and attention to the mental-emotional and spiritual state. Social wellbeing and networks of care are also integral to regaining health; this is enacted during the soul-calling ceremony, a popular ritual for wellbeing. Traditional medicine forms are heterogeneous and localised, operating primarily outside the formal healthcare context, without a prominent power hierarchy with biomedicine and state regulation. Concurrently, Lao medical practices and knowledge can be situated within intersecting and layered medical and religious landscapes of Southeast, East and South Asia. Characteristics of the Lao healers’ medicines include the collection of fresh plant materials in the wild, preparation methods such as grinding raw woody parts into water, the use of unique herbal formulae, blowing techniques and mantra. Whilst tacit knowledge of medicinal plants among rural people arises through social relations and correspondences between plant names and illness forms, the healers’ knowledge is transmitted in specific forms. In treating illness such as fever, healers formulate a complete treatment based on symptom patterns. To ensure potency, the healers follow the logic of phitsanu, which frames efficacy through sources of spiritual power based in local cosmologies, and draw on natural forces such as van plants and astrology. They must thus regulate their actions to protect themselves and their patients from harm

New momentum to Bangkok's organic food movement: interspersed scenes led by mindful pioneers

This thesis analyses the organic food scenes in Bangkok and their array of stakeholders. It includes emerging trends for organic foods – production and consumption – and continuous engagement of stakeholders in the organic movement. It further seeks to identify pioneers who notably shaped the organic movement or are shaping it, and to investigate their effects. Apart from a general review of organic farming in Thailand, which comprehends diverse practices of sustainable or natural farming, and the origins of the local organic movement, the work examines their urban context: urban food outlets and other marketing platforms, urban gardening projects, networks and NGOs, social enterprises, governmental or educational institutions. The spatial scale of the study principally considers organic farming projects in and around Bangkok but extends to some observations on rural organic farms. On a temporal scale, it processes agricultural changes from the past decades until now, as well as more recent trends towards food and health awareness; it further implies possible future outlook for organic food movements in Bangkok. Two main objectives of the study lie in the motives of the various stakeholders to engage in organic activities, and in the possible interpretation of emerging organic scenes as a New Social Movement. Further research questions address relationships between the movement and common local ideologies, personal attitudes or spiritual beliefs; modelling effects of key stakeholders and pioneers; structural frames, particularly the mega-urban setting of the movement