Multiple and Multidimensional life transitions in the context of life-limiting health conditions:Longitudinal study focussing on perspectives of Young Adults, Families and Professionals

Background: There is a dearth of literature that investigates life transitions of young adults (YAs) with life-limiting conditions, families and professionals. The scant literature that is available has methodological limitations, including not listening to the voice of YAs, collecting data retrospectively, at one time point, from one group’s perspective and single case studies. The aim of this study was to address the gaps found in our literature review and provide a clearer understanding of the multiple and multi-dimensional life transitions experienced by YAs and significant others, over a period of time. Methods: This qualitative study used a longitudinal design and data were collected using semi-structured interviews over a 6-month period at 3 time points. Participants included 12 YAs with life-limiting conditions and their nominated significant others (10 family members and 11 professionals). Data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Results: Life transitions of YA and significant others are complex; they experience multiple and multi-dimensional transitions across several domains. The findings challenge the notion that all life transitions are triggered by health transitions of YAs, and has highlighted environmental factors (attitudinal and systemic) that can be changed to facilitate smoother transitions in various aspects of their lives. Conclusions: This study makes a unique and significant contribution to literature. It provides evidence and rich narratives for policy makers and service providers to change policies and practices that are in line with the needs of YAs with life-limiting conditions as they transition to adulthood. Families and professionals have specific training needs that have not yet been met fully

Voices from the field : fifth annual Social Forestry Writing Workshop

For more about the East-West Center, see http://www.eastwestcenter.org/Contents: Managing decentralizatio​n in social forestry: a review of issues and strategies in the Philippines / Maria Victoria Sabban -- Traditional community forest management: enhancing forest conservation in Thailand / Jintana Amornsanguansin -- Developing local organization for watershed management in Sam-Mun Highland Development Project / Samer Limchoowong -- Using the principles and methodology of social forestry to manage the Yangtze River shelterbelt in China / Yang Yunhai -- Improvement of village and small household forest farms through social forestry: case study of a proposed social forestry project in Yunnan province, China / Cao Xiyun -- Implications of forest policies forestry practices in Indonesia / Djoko Widardjo -- Evaluation of forest concession maps: a case study using GPS and GIS / Sukirno Prasodjo -- Mapping customary land: a case study in Long Uli Village, East Kalimantan / Martua T. Sirait -- GIS application for social forestry programs: a case study of watershed classification for social forestry planning / Chanchai Sangchyoswat -- Diagnostic tools for social forestry in Bangladesh / Syed Iqbal Ali, Kamrul Ahsan

Empowerment and Participatory Geographic Information and Multimedia Systems: Observations from Two Communities in Indonesia

Participatory Geographic Information and Multimedia Systems (PGIMSs) were developed and used by two rural communities in Indonesia. This paper reports on the empowerment impacts that resulted from this development project. Empowerment related to PGIMS is examined using a two-dimensional analytical framework that explores the phenomenon at two social scales (individual and community), and is related to four empowerment catalysts associated with the project (information, process, skills, and tools). This paper evaluates the appropriateness of the analytical framework and concludes with general observations about the relationship between empowerment and PGIMS. Copyright (c) 2005 The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Information Technologies and International Development.