Ecological sanitation: a sustainable dream or reality? : exploring complexity of transitions to more sustainable sanitation practices : a case-study of Burmi Tola, India

In the world today 2.5 billion have no access to improved sanitation. This causes social, economic and environmental consequences and therefore weakens all three pillars of sustainability. The sanitation deficit although decreasing in relative terms has increased in absolute numbers since 1990. Conventional water-based systems are costly, pollute the environment and require heavy resource use. This study looks at ways to implement and design more sustainable sanitation technologies. Using a qualitative case study design semi-structured interviews were taken in the field on site of an ecological sanitation pilot project where human excreta is collected, rendered safe and then used a fertiliser. From the data collected it showed that although people may use the technology there exists important social barriers that contradict with community values. The results and subsequent discussion show the need to include communities in the designing of new sanitation technologies therefore lessening this conflict. A new model is proposed based on the Transition Management literature to search for new sustainability visions and come up with innovative designs that are valued by people who will use them

Master of Fine Arts

thesisWithin this thesis, I will be exploring the notion of authenticity in performance. I have found that the word ‘authenticity' can take on a litany of meanings and is not necessarily synonymous with ‘actuality.' Throughout this thesis, I am asking: Can something be fabricated construction, yet hold some sort of compelling truth that convinces us of its reality, in some way? I believe there is authenticity, a deep sense of truth, within even the most make-believe of situations. Several creative methods for exploring authenticity are expounded upon, including: ‘stage peacocking,' preliminary regression, imaginative play, creating a persona, physical embodiment, dilation or stage presence, amplification, asymmetry and performance identity. This thesis is in no way a comprehensive list of how to experience authenticity on stage, but is a guide built upon my own, personal experiences in choreography and performance to offer insight and direction for others who are on a similar quest

Chemotherapy-Related Cognitive Impairment: The Breast Cancer Experience

The aims of this qualitative descriptive study were to describe the experience of chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) for women with breast cancer who received chemotherapy; and identify information about CRCI that women would find useful prior to chemotherapy and the onset of CRCI. In-depth interviews were conducted with 18 women who reported changes in cognitive function and were within 6-12 months of completing chemotherapy. Participants described issues with short term memory, trouble focusing, and difficulty with word finding, reading, and driving. Support and validation of the experience was acknowledged as important. Coping strategies included writing things down, depending on others, focusing on one task at a time, and giving oneself permission to make mistakes. Participants wanted to receive information about CRCI prior to initiating chemotherapy and desired an individualized approach to education and made specific recommendations for educational content. On-going assessment for CRCI and reinforcement of education were recommended

An update of themes and trends in urban community-led total sanitation projects

This briefing paper identifies common themes and trends of Urban Community-Led Total Sanitation (UCLTS). The study relies on literature from 14 different projects across India and Africa alongside articles that focused on UCLTS and participation in urban sanitation projects. The hope is to provide an overview for those working in the field by identifying common characteristics, problems and opportunities. The paper ends with a list of recommendations for those currently working on UCLTS projects and those interested in transferring the CLTS model to urban environments

Supporting the Poorest and Most Vulnerable in CLTS Programmes

The CLTS Knowledge Hub and UNICEF convened an Asia-focused workshop titled ‘Supporting the Poorest and Most Vulnerable in CLTS Programmes’ in the Philippines in May 2017. The event brought together participants with experience of working on directly, supporting or researching CLTS programmes from across the continent. Over the course of five days participants representing a range of different organisations explored ways the poorest and most vulnerable can be supported both through strengthening the CLTS process and the introduction of support mechanisms. This Learning Paper is more than just a summary or record of the event, and aims to provide a starting point for the conversation on this critical subject to continue within the WASH sector. It focuses on strengthening the CLTS process, identifying and targeting people for support, the sequencing of support mechanisms, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders and the different support mechanisms and the associated risks. It concludes with summarising some emerging principles, considerations and recommendations which are not just relevant for CLTS programmes but other approaches, all of which are working towards equitable and adequate sanitation for all by 2030. This publication complements the Learning Brief "Supporting the least able throughout and beyond CLTS".Desde a sua criação há quase 20 anos, o Saneamento Total Liderado pela Comunidade (Community-Led Total Sanitation, CLTS) espalhou-se por mais de 60 países e teve como resultado milhões de pessoas em todo o mundo a viver em comunidades Livres de Fecalismo a Céu Aberto (Open Defecation Free, ODF). Esta abordagem afastou-se dos programas de saneamento orientados para subsídios, que muitas vezes levavam a construção desigual e utilização apenas parcial. Desde que se começou a implementar o CLTS em grande escala, porém, surgiram vários desafios. Estão a surgir dados que apontam para a necessidade de apoiar melhor as pessoas menos capazes de proporcionarem a si próprias instalações sanitárias acessíveis, sustentáveis e higiénicas. Tendo isto em consideração, o CLTS Knowledge Hub, com sede no Institute of Development Studies, e a UNICEF organizaram um workshop em que se procurassem formas de apoiar os mais pobres e vulneráveis da região da Ásia. De 24 a 28 de Maio de 2017, os participantes, pessoas com experiência de trabalho em todo o continente asiático, reuniram-se em Tagaytay, nas Filipinas.Depuis sa conception il y a bientôt vingt ans, l’Assainissement total piloté par la communauté (ATPC) s'est propagé dans plus de 60 pays et a permis à des millions de personnes à travers le globe de vivre dans des communautés ayant mis fin à la défécation à l’air libre (FDAL). L’approche se démarquait de la programmation de l’assainissement à base de subvention, qui avait souvent débouché sur une construction précaire et une utilisation partielle des toilettes; toutefois, depuis la mise en œuvre de l’ATPC, plusieurs problèmes sont apparus. Les données émergentes suggèrent qu’il est nécessaire de mieux aider les personnes les moins capables à se procurer par leurs propres moyens des installations sanitaires accessibles, durables et hygiéniques. Fortes de ce constat, la CLTS Knowledge Hub, basée à l’Institute of Development Studies, et l’UNICEF ont organisé un atelier pour se pencher sur divers moyens d’aider les plus pauvres et les plus vulnérables en Asie. Du 24 au 28 mai 2017, les participants, ayant déjà travaillé sur le continent asiatique, se sont réunis à Tagaytay, aux Philippines.Sid

Frontiers of CLTS : innovations and insights

FrontiersThe consistent usage of toilets has emerged as a major and growing problem, especially in India. Some members of a household with a toilet do not use it at all, while others use it only some of the time. This can start as soon as a toilet has been constructed, or may develop over time together with second and third generation problems. This prevents or ends open defecation free (ODF) status. Toilet quality, maintenance and accessibility can be factors, but recent evidence points to mind-sets, social norms and cultural preferences also playing a significant role. India faces an additional problem of total non-use. Unlike most African countries, Nepal, Indonesia and others, the universal household hardware subsidy in India has limited the full CLTS approach to exceptional pockets. Combinations of subsidy, corruption, standard toilet designs built for and delivered to people, and incomplete and faulty construction have led to many toilets built never being used. The Economic Times of India reported on 23 November 2015 that according to the National Sample Survey Office, of the 9.5 million toilets constructed in rural India in the first year (2014-5) of the Swachh Bharat (Clean India) Mission only 46 per cent were being used (Sharma 2015). And of these many will likely only have been used partially. In this issue of Frontiers of CLTS we focus on the growing problem of partial usage, drawing on academic and grey literature. Partial usage is emerging in communities some years after achieving ODF conditions. We ask how widespread and serious this is, why it occurs, what can be done about it, and what more needs to be known? We draw on evidence from Africa and Asia, with the bulk of it from India where there has been more relevant research, according to which partial use is rampant. We believe that there are important implications for India and the Swachh Bharat Mission, as well as those around the world confronting this problem.This series is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation (Sida)

Partial usage of toilets: a growing problem

Partial use of toilets has been a neglected topic, but is now becoming well documented in India, where much non-use of toilets is also found. Evidence from India and elsewhere is summarised and reasons for partial usage and non-usage are presented. In India toilet use is often limited to some household members, to visitors, and to night time, rains and emergencies. To achieve and sustain ODF conditions continuously, the scale and causes of partial and non-usage in India and elsewhere present an important agenda for action orientated research to understand the problems better and to find solutions

The Addis Agreement: Using CLTS in peri-urban and urban areas

The CLTS Knowledge Hub with the support of Plan International Ethiopia, convened a three day workshop focusing on ‘Using a CLTS Approach and Tools in Peri-Urban and Urban Environments’ in Addis Ababa in June 2016. Over the course of three days participants from across the world and different organisations shared their experiences with urban CLTS and discussed what added value a CLTS approach in the urban context could bring. This Learning Paper has two purposes. It can be read as a record of the different discussions that took place. However, it is much more than a workshop report. Based on practical examples of what has worked it highlights the key stages of any urban CLTS programme. Furthermore, it provides guidance, advice and experiences of these different stages. Its purpose is not a guide but the beginnings of a toolbox for those interested in following a similar approach