Improving forestry education through participatory curriculum development: A case study from Vietnam

Abstract

As agriculture and forestry practices change in different contexts, new requirements emerge for the development of education programmes. In forestry education there is a need for a shift of focus from technology towards an interdisciplinary approach based on a new range of knowledge, skills and attitudes, and drawing on new concepts of knowledge and learning. Increased participation of stakeholders in the forestry education process seems essential for this shift to take place, leading to greater empowerment, commitment, and more effective learning. This paper presents a case study of the Social Forestry Support Programme in Vietnam, in which participatory curriculum development (PCD) plays a fundamental part. Beginning with stakeholder identification and analysis, PCD provides an overall framework for educational development. Recognising constraints associated with the process, the paper describes strategies aimed at capacity building, management of stakeholder involvement, and planning and evaluation. As different stakeholders learn to learn together through discourse and interaction, the chances of sustainable outcomes from the PCD process should be improved. The dynamic and flexible nature of PCD suggests that there is considerable potential for its adaptation and application in a range of different contexts.     

Accuracy of Estimates and Statistical Power for Testing Meditation in Latent Growth Curve Modeling

The latent growth curve modeling (LGCM) approach has been increasingly utilized to investigate longitudinal mediation. However, little is known about the accuracy of the estimates and statistical power when mediation is evaluated in the LGCM framework. A simulation study was conducted to address these issues under various conditions including sample size, effect size of mediated effect, number of measurement occasions, and R ₂ of measured variables. In general, the results showed that relatively large samples were needed to accurately estimate the mediated effects and to have adequate statistical power, when testing mediation in the LGCM framework. Guidelines for designing studies to examine longitudinal mediation and ways to improve the accuracy of the estimates and statistical power were discussed.     

Estimation of Controlled Direct Effects in the Presence of Exposure-Induced Confounding and Latent Variables

Estimation of the direct effect of an exposure on an outcome requires adjustment for confounders of the exposure–outcome and mediator–outcome relationships. When some of the latter confounders have been affected by the exposure, then standard regression adjustment is prone to possibly severe bias. The use of inverse probability weighting under so-called marginal structural models has recently been suggested as a solution in the psychological literature. In this article, we show how progress can alternatively be made via G-estimation. We show that this estimation method can be easily embedded within the structural equation modeling framework and could in particular be used for estimating direct effects in the presence of latent variables. Moreover, by avoiding inverse probability weighting, it accommodates the typical problem of unstable weights in the alternative estimation approaches based on marginal structural models. We illustrate the approach both by simulations and by the analysis of a longitudinal study in individiduals who ended a romantic relationship. In this example we explore whether the effect of attachment anxiety during the relationship on mental distress 2 years after the breakup is mediated by rumination or not.     

法律程序与制约

法律程序是法理学中的一个重要部分,明确其概念、体系及本质对其他程序法的研究具有重要意义,但是我国目前对法律程序的关注却比较少。故应当在强调法律程序在法理学中重要地位的基础上,构建法律程序的完整理论体系,并明确法律程序的本质在于制约。而刑事诉讼法作为法律程序的一种,其本质也是制约,深入理解刑事诉讼的制约本质有助于解决我国刑事程序长期以来只重视惩罚犯罪而忽视保障人权的问题。     

论能动司法下法院调解的程序规制

随着我国经济的迅速发展,法院以更加积极的姿态探索纠纷解决方式,在运用多元化手段解决纠纷的同时注重自身能动性,作为中国土生土长的诉讼调解制度在汲取了传统纠纷的解决理念基础上,顺应时代的召唤积极探索,一时引起了广泛关注和研讨。调解本身的特性决定了调解活动无法如审判活动般规范,但既是程序就一定有度,发现法院调解中的程序问题、论证调解程序化的必要性并进一步提出程序化措施,在司法能动提出的背景下显得非常必要。     

论人民调解员的职业化

人民调解员职业化的基本内涵是人民调解员应当具备一定的职业资质与技能,专门从事调解工作并从当地政府获得相应报酬。纠纷类型不断翻新、纠纷复杂化,对人民调解员职业化提出要求并提供了契机。人民调解员职业化是人民调解制度自身发展完善的内在要求,也是社会管理创新的重要内容。在确保人民调解员人民性的前提下,有条件的法律院校培养专业化的人民调解员,司法行政部门建立科学合理的人民调解员职称评审制度,并建立健全相应的财政保障制度是人民调解员职业化的可行路径.     

论孔子对铸刑鼎的两种不同态度

公元前509年,晋国将制定的刑法条文浇铸公布在刑鼎上,这件事引起了的孔子的强烈不满和猛烈抨击。而对早于晋国铸刑书的郑国,孔子却采取了完全相反的态度。之所以如此,与当时的不同的对象、形势、与思想基础紧密相关。     

风险刑法及其理论前题与批判

风险社会的提出近年来引起热议,风险社会所勾勒出现代社会的灾难性图景促使刑法学界试图提出风险刑法来应对风险的侵袭.但是综合风险刑法的观点,其对风险社会的理解出现谬误,导致风险刑法失去理论根据.需要通过对风险社会理论的阐释,分析风险刑法在理论构建时对风险社会理解的层次谬误,对其以来的理论前提进行“证伪”才能揭示风险刑法的“伪命题”实质.     

唐代保辜制度对当代刑事和解制度的启示

保辜制度是我国古代一项极具特色的法律制度,在唐代臻于成熟。保辜制度的目的在于确定伤害行为与结果的因果关系,具有对受害人进行保护、对加害人赋予悔改机会以平稳修复社会关系的深层内涵,从某种意义上其与当代的刑事和解制度的目的有着一定的相通性,对于完善我国的刑事和解制度具有积极意义。借鉴唐代保辜制度理念,可以从扩大适用范围、增加审查起诉阶段观察期、加大司法机关参与力度、实行执行阶段保证人制度等方面完善我国刑事和解制度。     

经济快速发展地区刑事案件的发案态势及结构的调查研究———以惠州市为例

以2001 年—2004 年惠州市公、检、法等机关的有关统计为基础, 对各类刑事案件的发案情况及结构进行调查研究, 在一定程度上揭示该类地区违法犯罪的构成、性质、特点及发展趋势。为该类地区实现社会经济新的全面发展, 构建和谐社会提供重要的参考依据。