The contemporary militaries have an increasingly high number of women than in the previous years. This is a positive development that resonates with the democratic dispensations. Despite of some resistance from certai...The contemporary militaries have an increasingly high number of women than in the previous years. This is a positive development that resonates with the democratic dispensations. Despite of some resistance from certain quarters of the society, overall women＇s presence is becoming acknowledged. This increase has a potential to make a positive impact on peacekeeping missions. Their utility is enhanced by their characteristics that are lamented for their incongruence to combat operations. The constructive and reconciliatory nature of peacekeeping mission makes them an important asset. However, their optimal productivity is threatened by the incessant rape that they experience from both their adversaries and the own force. This creates a stressor that compromises their performance. The situation is aggravated by the lack of support after their ordeal. The organisational culture and leadership are not making women＇s presence in operations tenable. Their experience post-rape is characterised by rejection and lack of support from the salient others. This situation requires to be changed urgently to provide a sense of security and care for women. Policies and practices need to be modified to allow optimal performance from the most productive group in the military force.展开更多
The agricultural sector is often considered to be the largest water consumer and the policy aimed at saving irrigation water exists across Europe. The flip-side of such policy, however, is the disappearance of traditi...The agricultural sector is often considered to be the largest water consumer and the policy aimed at saving irrigation water exists across Europe. The flip-side of such policy, however, is the disappearance of traditional irrigation canals since farmers are encouraged to turn to drip irrigation and overhead irrigation gradually. Given this, we would like to argue that traditional irrigation canals need to be reexamined. Such canals are not only built aquatic infrastructure, they are also the product of a culture and social relationship with water in the Mediterranean region. Canals form a complex system which is driven by environmental, economic and social factors. Our sociological and environmental research in Provence （and around the Durance basin more specifically） points up how the very dense territorial network of gravity-fed canals is useful in water management, as well as in other shared uses over the long-term. The findings underscore the positive environmental role played by these historical and anthropogenic constructions. They contribute to refilling the aquifer and also act as a valuable environmental good and service （e.g., run-off regulation, biodiversity, landscape, recreation, etc.）. Further, several local actors have underscored their role as part of an intangible cultural heritage and as important for the area＇s economic and social development. Such canals play a central role in sustainable development since beyond their productive role in agriculture, they play a social role （new uses） and an ecological role （as reservoirs for biodiversity and ecological corridors）.展开更多
文摘The contemporary militaries have an increasingly high number of women than in the previous years. This is a positive development that resonates with the democratic dispensations. Despite of some resistance from certain quarters of the society, overall women＇s presence is becoming acknowledged. This increase has a potential to make a positive impact on peacekeeping missions. Their utility is enhanced by their characteristics that are lamented for their incongruence to combat operations. The constructive and reconciliatory nature of peacekeeping mission makes them an important asset. However, their optimal productivity is threatened by the incessant rape that they experience from both their adversaries and the own force. This creates a stressor that compromises their performance. The situation is aggravated by the lack of support after their ordeal. The organisational culture and leadership are not making women＇s presence in operations tenable. Their experience post-rape is characterised by rejection and lack of support from the salient others. This situation requires to be changed urgently to provide a sense of security and care for women. Policies and practices need to be modified to allow optimal performance from the most productive group in the military force.
文摘The agricultural sector is often considered to be the largest water consumer and the policy aimed at saving irrigation water exists across Europe. The flip-side of such policy, however, is the disappearance of traditional irrigation canals since farmers are encouraged to turn to drip irrigation and overhead irrigation gradually. Given this, we would like to argue that traditional irrigation canals need to be reexamined. Such canals are not only built aquatic infrastructure, they are also the product of a culture and social relationship with water in the Mediterranean region. Canals form a complex system which is driven by environmental, economic and social factors. Our sociological and environmental research in Provence （and around the Durance basin more specifically） points up how the very dense territorial network of gravity-fed canals is useful in water management, as well as in other shared uses over the long-term. The findings underscore the positive environmental role played by these historical and anthropogenic constructions. They contribute to refilling the aquifer and also act as a valuable environmental good and service （e.g., run-off regulation, biodiversity, landscape, recreation, etc.）. Further, several local actors have underscored their role as part of an intangible cultural heritage and as important for the area＇s economic and social development. Such canals play a central role in sustainable development since beyond their productive role in agriculture, they play a social role （new uses） and an ecological role （as reservoirs for biodiversity and ecological corridors）.
