Information for Building a New Nation

This paper examines the view taken of the importance of information and information technology by the government in the new democratic South Africa. The relationship between new principles of governance and citizenship of transparency and accountability, and information provision is discussed. The new philosophy can be traced through important policy initiatives that have taken into account inputs by the Library and Information Services (LIS) sector in the formulation of public policy. The key issues of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) of the government are highlighted and the ways in which LIS can contribute to its aims are suggested. The effects of disunity in the professional LIS arena are considered in the light of the dynamics of policy formulation. It is concluded that the trajectory of South Africa towards an information society needs to take into account the requirements of the majority for information and information literacy.     

Counseling Self-Efficacy and Counseling Competence in Prepracticum Training

Counseling self-efficacy and counseling skills were examined over time in a graduate prepracticum class. Efficacy increased with training, but its relationship to performance of skills was weak.     

An Interactional Model for Empowering Women in Supervision

Gender-related power differences have been observed in supervision. Empowering women involves attending to women's need for connection in interactions. An interactional model for encouraging connected power in supervision is presented.     

The Effects of Assertive Training on Counselor Trainees

It has been suggested that the addition of assertive training as an integral part of counselor education programs would be desirable. Although this study indicates that assertive training is effective in reducing counselor discomfort and anxiety, such training has no significant effect upon client or supervisor ratings of counselor effectiveness. Therefore, the addition of such a training experience seems, at best, to be open to question.