Indigenous constitutional recognition from the point of view of self-determination and its exercise through democratic participation

INTRODUCTION: This paper is on Indigenous peoples’ right to self-determination and its exercise through democratic participation. First, I will expound on why the right to self-determination—as configured in international law, translated by many states and adopted by Indigenous communities—enhances liberal democratic governance. Then I will provide a cursory glance at the many and varied ways in which Western and non-Western liberal democracies have made efforts to accommodate Indigenous peoples in their public institutions. THE RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION The normative principle of the right to self-determination has been adopted as the legal right underpinning Indigenous polities’ human rights worldwide. Within the framework of liberal democratic governance, the right to self-determination is the gold standard for virtually all countries with Indigenous populations—except for Australia

Embracing Complexity: Creating Cultural Change Through Education for Sustainability

Campus Kindergarten in Brisbane, Australia, is a community-based organisation for children and families that has embraced change through the evolution of its internationally acclaimed ‘Sustainable Planet Project’. The centre initiated the project in 1997, introducing a range of new curriculum and pedagogical processes - always with young children at the heart - that have led to improvements in play spaces, reduced waste, lowered water consumption and improved biodiversity. This child-focussed approach is reflected in the way that children’s ideas provide much of the motivation and inspiration for changing to more sustainable practices. A whole centre project on water conservation, for example, was sparked when preschoolers (aged 4 years) articulated their concerns to staff about water use in the sandpit. This paper overviews a recent research project designed to document, examine and highlight the Sustainable Planet Project, to assist centre staff, researchers and others with a commitment to sustainability, to understanding the change processes. An important feature has been the project's slow, sometimes erratic, development that has always added complexity to the teachers’ work. Such change, however, has not been viewed negatively. Complexity theory has helped to explain the project’s evolution and complexity has been embraced as a vehicle for creativity, engagement, critique and ongoing change in this learning organisation. As a consequence, a culture of sustainability now permeates the centre where a strong vision has been translated into small but realistic goals and achievements

Too Much Too Soon? A Case for Hesitancy in the Passage of State and Federal Password Protection Laws

Recently, significant attention has been given to employers’ concern and involvement over employees’ use of social media. The amount of attention given to social media has resulted in a number of proposed federal laws and multiple state laws discussing employers’ involvement and participation in employees’ social media use. The purpose of this note is to advocate for a more hesitant legislative stance toward social media password protection laws in an effort to avoid unnecessarily over-legislating in an area of privacy law that is still developing. While the author does not make an outright rejection of such legislation, the author argues that the speed and political vigor with which lawmakers are moving forward with such statutes raises the risk of statutory ambiguity, confusion amongst affected parties, and unnecessary burdens on employers. The note provides a thorough review of current trends in employers asking for social media login information, current legislation protecting employees’ social media use, and proposed legislation meant to combat an employer’s ability to obtain social media information

Neonatal abstinence syndrome: Pharmacologic strategies for the mother and infant.

Opioid use in pregnancy has increased dramatically over the past decade. Since prenatal opioid use is associated with numerous obstetrical and neonatal complications, this now has become a major public health problem. In particular, in utero opioid exposure can result in neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) which is a serious condition characterized by central nervous system hyperirritability and autonomic nervous system dysfunction. The present review seeks to define current practices regarding the approach to the pregnant mother and neonate with prenatal opiate exposure. Although the cornerstone of prenatal management of opioid dependence is opioid maintenance therapy, the ideal agent has yet to be definitively established. Pharmacologic management of NAS is also highly variable and may include an opioid, barbiturate, and/or α-agonist. Genetic factors appear to be associated with the incidence and severity of NAS. Establishing pharmacogenetic risk factors for the development of NAS has the potential for creating opportunities for personalized genomic medicine and novel, individualized therapeutic interventions

Double Dipping in Youth Sports: A Study Focused on Sense of Belonging and Relationships Building Among Parents in Youth Soccer

To understand the full spectrum of impact that youth sport organizations have, it is beneficial to look at parental involvement as an important variable of youth sport participation. As more parents understand the potential benefits for their children participating in youth sports, parental engagement is increasing on the sidelines of games and practices. The primary reason for parents to attend youth sporting practices and events is likely to support their child but there may be additional motivations parents have for increased involvement including their own relationship building. Very little research has been done on possible social benefits for parents in youth sport environments. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential that youth sport organizations have to provide an environment where parents can find a sense of belonging and build relationships with other parents within a sports league. Specifically, this study examined parental sense of belonging within the City of Clemson Parks and Recreation Department’s youth soccer league. A total of 114 parents completed a questionnaire, 10 of which were selected for follow-up interviews. Sense of belonging was measured using the Sense of Belonging Index (SOBI-A). The results of this study confirmed that parental involvement within youth soccer can contribute to relationship building and a sense of belonging for parents

Affirmative Action

Affirmative action refers to a range of governmental policies designed to foster greater opportunities for racial and ethnic groups that have a traditionally been victims of discrimination. These policies are also frequently extended to women and to individuals who have suffered from socio-economic disadvantage. Affirmative action has generally been less controversial when based on class or gender instead of race. Affirmative action policies have taken the form of quotes for members of previously disadvantaged groups, preferential weighting of applicants for employment and university admissions and governmental pressure to increase recruitment of members of groups that have long suffered from discrimination. In some nations—the United States and the Republic of South Africa are examples—affirmative action occurs in the absence of a history of formal legal discrimination and stigmatization of and often very strong patterns of racially linked class disadvantage (Cottrol). Affirmative action policies are found in a diverse set of nations in the modern world including such nations as Brazil, Colombia, India, Israel, Malaysia, Nigeria, South Africa and the United States (Sowell, 2-22)

Boise State Data Management Needs Report

To ensure compliance and to achieve greater value for the research sponsored by the University and outside funders, researchers need to take an active part in the management of the data they produce. Albertsons Library, in coordination with University units such as the Office of Sponsored Programs and the Office of Information Technology, is well-positioned to play an integral role in educating researchers and providing support on issues related to data management. Albertsons Library established a working group in early 2014 dedicated to learning about data management issues and becoming involved in the University’s research data management activities. In order to better serve the University community in this regard, the Albertsons Library Core Data Management Team worked with librarian liaisons to interview campus researchers on their current knowledge of and practices related to data management. Responses were grouped into three major topic areas for analysis: Data Characteristics, Data Storage, and Data Discoverability and Access. Researchers reported a variety of practices, some demonstrating effective management of their researcher data, while others described significant gaps in their current practices

3D Immersive Visualization: Expanding Human Sensation

Unmet Need: The constant push for better and more interactive data visualization aids: the Oculus Rift replaced a two-dimensional fixed monitor with head tracking and a three-dimensional virtual space to explore; the Novint Falcon replaces two-dimensional pointing tools with a haptic sensor with force feedback and three degrees of axial freedom. Deliverables: A demonstration of the technologies involved, in the form of an Oculus- and Falconenabled physical simulation of a room containing several objects that can be handled and manipulated in three dimensions. Constraints: The hardware is expensive and difficult to acquire, and it requires a beefy computer to run. Approach: We chose two exciting alternative human interface devices and put together a demo that shows off their capabilities for real-time input and feedback when used together. Results: We realized our goal of a physical simulation on a smaller scale than we initially planned; technological limitations got in the way of us expanding it beyond what we have here. Issues: The devices used here and the technologies they represent are still new and experimental; they are prohibitively expensive, and their software is unstable and resource intensive. In order for the technologies to be adopted widely, they will have to become more accessible, and a software infrastructure will have to be built around them. Impact: Devices like these are poised to change the way we interact with computers and think about virtual space and data presentation. This project shows off just two, aiming to give the user an idea of the interactions that are possible.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/capstone/1104/thumbnail.jp

Summer 2017 - Spring 2019 Data Management Strategic Agenda: Final Report

Between Summer 2017 - Spring 2019, Albertsons Library’s Research Data Management Group worked on implementing a strategic agenda. Below is a report of the activities undertaken in response to that plan. In particular, the work of the group has been shaped and impacted by several key factors: Over the past two years, the group had several changes in membership with two members departing, one new member joining, and another assuming additional job duties. Unlike earlier configurations of the group which focused more on exploration and development, the Research Data Management Group had evolved to the point where we are delivering services. As a result, changes in membership have a greater impact on the work and focus of the group. As the university has wrestled with providing support for research data, the focus and priorities of other campus units has moved the Library’s group away from collaborative approaches and towards point-of-need interactions. This shift has furthered due to a limited ability for all partners to engage in shared goals. Beginning in fall 2019, the Research Data Management Group began to notice a change in direction with the inclusion of the library’s new data visualization librarian. As the group has adjusted its focus, we found our priorities and interests have also changed. It is expected that further shifting will occur as the new Head of Scholarly Communications and Data Management arrives and have identified managing those changes as important goals to accomplish in the next two years. At this stage, the Research Data Management group has determined it wants to build upon our previous strategic agenda by concentrating on establishing a sustainable service model and focusing efforts on clear areas that we can affect, particularly in regards to external stakeholders