Conversion to organic farming; experiences from Punjab and Uttarakhand

This research indicates that it is possible for farmers to convert from an intensive conventional system (Punjab) to organic farming, or to make a living on a smallholding in difficult terrain (Uttarakhand). Both alternatives can provide a good livelihood with sustainable methods. I also found that the organizations that assist the farmers in this transition are crucial, because they teach the farmers new methods and give practical and moral support during a time when they feel uncertain making such a large change in how they make their living. One of them is Navdanya, which has been working in Uttarakhand and in several other states in India for nearly three decades. The organization trains and supports farmers converting to organic practices and helps to improve the farming methods of those farmers who have been using traditional, natural methods all along. While a reduction in crop yield, especially during the conversion period, is seen in intensive production systems such as those in Punjab, traditional, low-input production systems as in Uttarakhand often see an immediate increase in the yields after converting to organic methods. This is because in organic agriculture, the farmers make use of a number of on-farm fertility sources including vermi compost, crop residue, and animal manure. Multi-cropping is also used to increase production on small plots and to reduce the risk of loss where there is drought or other difficult climatic conditions

Learning how to support the development of self-determination in young people :a self-determination theory perspective

PhD ThesisSelf-determination is described as an innate predisposition to experience choice, develop our competencies and interact within our social environment. Nourishing self-determination empowers young people to achieve goals, be autonomous and feel socially connected. This is key in today’s society where youth unemployment and poverty are high, students from low economic backgrounds continue to experience lower academic success and deprivation is successive within families. Self-Determination Theory (SDT) emphasises the importance of satisfying basic underpinning psychological needs for life-long psychological growth and wellbeing. The three papers depict the research journey undertaken to explore the application of SDT in work to support young people. The systematic review focuses on interventions that develop self-determination. A quantitative approach was taken to synthesise the findings from eight papers. The papers suggest interventions targeting specific skills increased young people’s self-determination. However, the majority of studies used small sample sizes and narrow quantitative outcome measures over a short timeframe. Chapter 2 is a bridging document providing philosophical and theoretical context to explain how the systematic review led to the empirical research. Critical reflections on research methodology and researcher reflexivity are also explored. Chapter 3 presents the empirical research. The systematic review highlighted a gap in how young people’s underpinning psychological needs are met systemically. Eleven participants from a multi-agency service took part in an Appreciative Inquiry to explore their work with young people. Theory driven data analysis was applied to identify how young people’s needs are met. Findings indicate that professionals work in a variety of ways to meet underpinning needs of autonomy and competence. Further development into meeting needs at the systemic level and more ways to meet young people’s relatedness needs may be required. The research also highlighted that developing the self-determination of young people and professionals by simultaneously meeting their underpinning psychological needs may be effective

Die Kommission in der Krise

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Models for our University's development, recognising its individual socio-economic setting

African Studies Seminar series. Paper presented October 1978We note some salient aspects of the society surrounding the University. There are some changes in this society that are almost inexorable. These changes are so important that, if the University wants to play a constructive part in them while promoting those of its present features that are desirable, it will have to plan for altering its character significantly. When we look elsewhere for existing university models which could guide us, we find little that is helpful. We propose instead a basic outlook: Wits wishes to participate in the future of S.A., rather than be dragged through it. This outlook allows us to formulate some aims for, and consider some constraints on, the University, in terms of which we develop some broad features for the future structure of curricula, professional degrees, research orientation and interaction with its community

Vorwort

Aus der Einleitung:„In einer akademischen Feierstunde am 15. Juni 2006 wurde der Hörsaal J im Hauptgebäude der Universität Hamburg in Magdalene-Schoch-Hörsaal benannt – die fünfte Namensgebung im Rahmen des 1999 begonnenen Programms zur Benennung restaurierter Hörsäle nach im „Dritten Reich“ vertriebenen Hamburger Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftlern. [...] Das vorliegende Heft der Hamburger Universitätsreden dokumentiert die auf der Feier gehaltenen Reden [...] Bei den anschließend abgedruckten Originaltexten Magdalene Schochs handelt es sich nicht um juristische Fachaufsätze, sondern um zwei autobiographische Schriften, die bisher nur schwer beziehungsweise gar nicht zugänglich waren. Der eine verfasst kurz vor Beginn des „Dritten Reiches“, der andere, englischsprachig, nach dessen Ende. [...] Ergänzt wird die Textsammlung durch eine Dokumentation, die erläutert, wo die Entscheidung für die Namensgebung nach Magdalene Schoch ihren Ausgang genommen hat."From the introduction:"In an academic ceremony on June 15, 2006, Lecture Hall J in the main building of the University of Hamburg was named in Magdalene-Schoch-Hörsaal - the fifth name given according to the program launched in 1999 for naming restored lecture halls after scientists from Hamburg who were expelled from the "Third Reich". [...] This issue of Hamburg University Speeches documents the speeches given at the ceremony [....] The subsequent printed original texts by Magdalene Schoch are not legal essays, but two autobiographical writings that were previously difficult or even inaccessible; one authored shortly before the beginning of the "Third Reich", the other, in English, after its end. [...] The collection of texts is supplemented by a documentary explaining the origin of the decision to use Magdalene Schoch\u27s name.

Vorwort

Vom 5. bis 7. Februar 2015 fand an der Universität Hamburg die „Conference on Scientific Cooperation between Greece and Germany“ statt. Auf Einladung von Universitätspräsident Dieter Lenzen nahmen rund 100 Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler aus Griechenland und Deutschland teil, um über Wege aus der aktuellen Krise Griechenlands zu beraten, die dramatisch auch die dortige Wissenschaft betrifft und deren Auswirkungen die Funktionsfähigkeit des griechischen Hochschulsystems inzwischen fundamental gefährden. Dieser Band dokumentiert die deutsche Fassung der englischsprachigen Begrüßungsrede von Universitätspräsident Dieter Lenzen, in der er die Dringlichkeit gemeinsamer Maßnahmen hervorhebt, sowie den in deutscher Sprache gehaltenen Eröffnungsvortrag des Präsidenten des Europäischen Gerichtshofs Vassilios Skouris, der die Spezifika der wissenschaftlichen Beziehungen zwischen Griechenland und Deutschland in historischer wie in gegenwärtiger Sicht beschreibt.From February 5th till 7th, 2015, the "Conference on Scientific Cooperation between Greece and Germany" took place at the University of Hamburg. About 100 scientists from Greece and Germany invited by the President of the University, Dieter Lenzen, took part in the project, discussing the current crisis in Greece which also dramatically affects scholarship there and whose effects are now a fundamental threat to the functioning of the Greek university system. This volume documents the German version of the English-language welcome speech of the President of the University in which he emphasizes the urgency of joint action as well as the opening speech by the President of the European Court of Justice Vassilios Skouris in German. Skouris describes the specifics of the scientific relations between Greece and Germany in both historical and contemporary terms