Framing post-conflict societies: an analysis of the international pathologisation of Cambodia and the post-Yugoslav states

The article examines the pathologisation of post-conflict societies through a comparison of the framing of the Cambodian and post-Yugoslav states. The notion of failed states fixes culpability for war on societies in question, rendering the domestic populations dysfunational while casting international rescue interventions as functional. The article suggests that the discourse of pathologisation can be understood not as a means of explaining state crisis so much as legitimising an indefinite international presence and deferring self-government

Harbor Magazine: Preaching the Gospel of Philanthropy Through the Analysis of Benefit Corporations

Harbor magazine is a philanthropic, fashion magazine that advocates the use of sustainable goods in an industry of business moguls simply seeking monetary gain. The brands and philanthropists interviewed and highlighted in the publication have made a difference in some way to the community and the world, developing revolutionary companies that are radically altering the way business is conducted. The brands included in Harbor magazine are recognized as Certified Benefit CorporationsTM, promising to align their business intentions around a public good. Businesses, along with consumers, have an equal responsibility to the planet, and Harbor magazine seeks to make these powerful, impactful companies known. Each meets the highest standard in verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability, taking steps in the right direction to solve social and environmental problems. As consumers move toward a greener tomorrow, Harbor magazine provides them with simple solutions for where to begin. As more and more companies recognize the power of simple, sustainable changes in the way business is conducted, society will see lasting, durable prosperity, with a planet that will thank them for it

The Conscious Consumer\u27s Perceptions: How Awareness Levels of Sustainability Actually Impact Consumer Choices/Purchasing Practices

Overview: As a student in the School of Journalism and New Media, I will receive my Masters of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications August 2020. In order to experience the full breadth of the program, I aim to conduct field research at various environmentally conscious companies through support of the Graduate Student Council (GSC). This GSC project will ultimately explore attitudes toward sustainable consumption and identify the level of impact environmental marketing has on purchase decisions. By analyzing current marketing strategies with the suggested brands while dually examining target audience responsiveness, receptiveness and purchase behavior, I aim to reveal the depth of consumer awareness around sustainability. Intellectual Merit: The object of this GSC project is to examine the relationship between business marketing strategy and consumer awareness, specifically in the field of corporate sustainability. Moreover, this project intends to reveal the level with which conscious consumer’s purchase decisions rely on environmental marketing methods. In a field that is vastly ever-changing, marketers often struggle to understand responsiveness to messaging. Though recent technological advancements have positively contributed—social media platforms, data analytics, and the like—businesses are vying to apprehend where efforts should be focused. This GSC project will in turn strive to uncover the ‘sweet spot’ around green messaging in the fashion industry. In order to do so, primary data will be collected in the form of case studies, surveys and interviews, with statistical techniques used for analysis. The most notable research method will be a case study of Patagonia, a company long known for their innovation and stewardship. Pioneers of environmental and social responsibility, Patagonia will serve as a dynamic overview of corporate marketing practices in the conscious space. In addition to this research method, I will conduct various surveys and questionnaires to acquire conscious consumer insight. For the purpose of the research study, it is best to define the ‘conscious consumer’ as an individual “engaging in the economy with more awareness of how consumption impacts society at large” (Wong, 2019). These consumers make premium purchase decisions based upon well-understood company practices, such as sourcing, ethical labor and environmental impact, of which I seek to further identify (Chaubey, Dimri, & Manchanda, 2008). External Opportunity: Each fiscal year (May 1 – April 30th), the Patagonia Retail Grants Program monetarily supports grassroots campaigns, upwards of $12,000. I propose to apply for and host panel events throughout the nation, open to the public through registration, based upon various sustainable themes. Panelists would include local thought leaders and business owners adapting green initiatives into their companies. Academically, this opportunity will delve deeper into the educational component of my marketing research, creating opportunity for individuals to learn more and get involved in local green initiatives. The application is due April 30th

Understanding yield effects of controlled drainage through soil moisture excess and deficit metrics

Understanding the risks or benefits to crop yields is an important factor in implementing a water management practice such as controlled drainage. Soil moisture from monitoring sites in Minnesota, Iowa, Indiana, and Ohio were used to compare deficit and excess moisture conditions in free-draining and controlled drainage sites and understand those inconsistent impacts. Time and magnitude of soil moisture deficit and excess stress were determined using metrics based on thresholds, depths in the soil profile, and corn growth stages. Seventeen metrics were found to show statistically significant correlation with yields as well as a difference in the quantity of stress between controlled and free-draining fields. Based on one metric of soil moisture deficit stress, free-draining plots experienced 77 additional cm-days of moisture deficit stress from the R3 stage until maturity compared to controlled plots and an additional 118 cm-days over the entire season. Meanwhile, controlled drainage plots were found to experience between 0.5 and 3.19 additional cm-days of excess stress during the period from seedling emergence to V6 compared to free-draining plots. In general at the sites studied, moisture deficits occurred during the latter half of the growing season while moisture excesses occurred during the earlier half; both types of stress were shown, when quantified with several different metrics, to correlate negatively with yield. While moisture excess was greater with controlled drainage, the differences were small and often not statistically significant; meanwhile greater differences were found in moisture deficit between free and controlled drainage. Due to a reduction in soil moisture deficit, controlled drainage has the potential to provide yield benefits in years when deficit stress occurs

"You can trust me…" Young people going missing and at risk of, or abused through, child sexual exploitation in North Wales

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) has been a strategic priority, and a key area for practice development, for Barnardo’s for over two decades. Within Wales, Barnardo’s Cymru has worked closely with the Welsh Government since 2005 to support the development of robust policy and practice guidance to address CSE in Wales. Established research and practice evidence demonstrates a strong correlation between children and young people going missing and risk of sexual exploitation. Over the past few years, a series of high-profile prosecutions of cases of CSE have raised public awareness of this crime. Networks of perpetrators who had been abusing children and young people over many years were uncovered in Rotherham, Rochdale, Derby, Sheffield, Manchester and Oxford, leading to an increase in activity across all sectors to improve safeguarding and disrupt perpetrators. This research aims to improve understanding of the nature of the relationship between going missing and CSE, and to improve responses to children and young people at risk. Although this issue has been considered at a UK level, very little research into children and young people who go missing and the link between going missing and risk of CSE has been undertaken in Wales. This research was carried out in North Wales but might usefully inform practice across Wale