Strong Roots 2 Climate Change Adaptation Project Report

Climate change is clearly a global issue, but also one that manifests itself locally. The global dimension requires an understanding of the world’s climate (i.e. physical science). Local adaptation requires a knowledge of projected physical impacts (i.e. physical science) but also a deep understanding of how (a) communities behave (i.e. social science) and (b) how to motivate behaviour change (i.e. psychology). Any project in this area must acknowledge this broad depth of factors and assemble an appropriate team of people to deal with them. The Strong Roots 2 project has aimed to achieve this blend. The 736 Community and Town Councils across Wales represent a direct interface between communities and government. Given the stark warnings of climate change for the future, both globally, and within Wales, Strong Roots 2 set out to further explore the potential of Community and Town Councils to engage with their communities and to address climate change adaptation and resilience at this level. As indicated in Strong Roots 1, the potential contribution of Councils has been somewhat overlooked; nonetheless, this tier of local government is closest to the community and, importantly, embodies the kind of locally-relevant knowledge, expertise and community networks that could support such action. Community and Town Councils across Wales are as individual as the communities they represent. Each Council has unique strengths, and it is important to acknowledge contextual factors when considering the contribution that each Council can make. Taking the local context into account and tailoring strategies are central to the Strong Roots research ethos, as is acknowledging and empowering community and town councillors as equal partners in the process. Moreover, the potential contribution of Community and Town Councils across Wales represents a significant step forward in developing innovative ways to tackle climate change impacts, increase resilience and engrain sustainable practices, both as a community and as a nation. This report builds on the findings of the previous Strong Roots 1 research project and details the findings of an investigation into the potential role of Community and Town Councils as local leaders of climate change adaptation, and the behaviours, resources and skills required to fulfil that role. Strong Roots is an initiative that aims to highlight the potential of Community and Town Councils as leaders in addressing climate change issues locally, and as supporting partners to the Welsh Assembly Government in its commitment to the development of sustainable, resilient low-carbon communities. This particular project is an aspect of this wider initiative.<br/

A Human Rights and Equity-Oriented Response to the Birth Stories of Families Impacted by Albinism in Sub-Saharan Africa: Intersectoral Partnerships for Enhanced Health Professions’ Education

This global health research project focuses on a neglected condition (albinism) and the health inequities and human rights violations faced by mothers who give birth to a baby with albinism. For many women, the delivery marks the beginning of a sequelae of life-altering societal responses that ultimately prevent her and her baby from the full enjoyment of their human rights. Giving birth to a baby with albinism can precipitate abandonment by family and community, intimate partner violence, and precarity. A synthesis of the evidence regarding the experiences surrounding the birth of a baby with albinism for family members and their carers in Africa is needed to inform research and practice. Specifically, this synthesis will support a broader ongoing study exploring how the perinatal experiences of mothers who give birth to a baby with albinism can be improved through health services, health professions education, and the development of equity-oriented and contextually relevant educational strategies, with the overarching aim of promoting, protecting, and fulfilling their human rights. This evidence synthesis is the first phase of four of our study (to read more: www.motheringandalbinism.com). As we are taking a participatory approach, it will facilitate an interdisciplinary dialogue with our intersectoral network to come to a shared understanding of key concepts and findings to inform our collective work. No other evidence synthesis was found on this topic and this knowledge is crucial to support the development of our equity-oriented and contextually relevant educational strategies. Although we had conducted previous synthesis work on albinism and human rights (Reimer-Kirkham et al., 2019; Reimer-Kirkham et al., in review), the focus of this current synthesis is distinct as it targets the perinatal period and broadens the scope to health professions education. This synthesis will inform the next phases of our study and gather insights from relevant sources to present a comprehensive synthesis of birthing experiences of mothers, families, and carers to the birth of a baby with albinism in sub-Saharan Africa