title: The promise of digital libraries in developing countries

authors: Witten, Ian H.

abstract: Although knowledge is critical for development, few developing countries are participating in the information revolution. Just as industrialization and globalization have increased the gulf between the haves and have-nots, so information and communications technology is creating a chasm between the knows and know-nots. For dissemination of humanitarian information, traditional publishing and distribution mechanisms have failed tragically. Whereas a U.S. medical library subscribes to about 5,000 journals, the Nairobi University Medical School Library, long regarded as a flagship center in East Africa, receives just 20 journals. In Brazzaville, Congo, the university has only 40 medical books and a dozen journals, all published before 1993. Digital libraries, by decoupling production and distribution costs from intellectual property charges, offer a desperately needed lifeline.

text: The promise of digital libraries in developing countries Although knowledge is critical for development, few developing countries are participating in the information revolution. Just as industrialization and globalization have increased the gulf between the haves and have-nots, so information and communications technology is creating a chasm between the knows and know-nots. For dissemination of humanitarian information, traditional publishing and distribution mechanisms have failed tragically. Whereas a U.S. medical library subscribes to about 5,000 journals, the Nairobi University Medical School Library, long regarded as a flagship center in East Africa, receives just 20 journals. In Brazzaville, Congo, the university has only 40 medical books and a dozen journals, all published before 1993. Digital libraries, by decoupling production and distribution costs from intellectual property charges, offer a desperately needed lifeline.

year: 2001-05-01

title: Islamic headscarves and female circumcision: Unveiling the threat posed by Islam to human rights

authors: Williamson, Myra Elsie Jane Bell

subjects: human rights

abstract: This paper is, in part, a response to the NZPGLeJ Editor-in-Chief Herman Salton’s article,“‘Veiled Threats?’ Islam, Headscarves and Freedom of Religion in France and the United States”, which was published in the first issue of this journal. However, it moves beyond Salton’s article as it seeks to address familiar assumptions regarding the inherent incompatibility of Islam with human rights, particularly women’s rights. By focusing on two distinct issues, the Islamic headscarf and the practice of female circumcision, questions are raised as to whether Islam and human rights, especially women’s rights, are truly incompatible or whether there are other issues at stake. It also discusses the defamation of religions, particularly Islam, and the recent steps taken by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in relation to this issue. The paper concludes by providing some insights into the likely future direction that the headscarf debate may take in New Zealand.

text: Islamic headscarves and female circumcision: Unveiling the threat posed by Islam to human rights This paper is, in part, a response to the NZPGLeJ Editor-in-Chief Herman Salton’s article,“‘Veiled Threats?’ Islam, Headscarves and Freedom of Religion in France and the United States”, which was published in the first issue of this journal. However, it moves beyond Salton’s article as it seeks to address familiar assumptions regarding the inherent incompatibility of Islam with human rights, particularly women’s rights. By focusing on two distinct issues, the Islamic headscarf and the practice of female circumcision, questions are raised as to whether Islam and human rights, especially women’s rights, are truly incompatible or whether there are other issues at stake. It also discusses the defamation of religions, particularly Islam, and the recent steps taken by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in relation to this issue. The paper concludes by providing some insights into the likely future direction that the headscarf debate may take in New Zealand.

year: 2005

title: Maori participation in higher education: Tainui graduates from the University of Waikato, 1992 to 1997

authors: Tiakiwai, Sarah-Jane

abstract: This thesis is an examination of what factors contribute to the success of Maori who participate in higher education. The thesis is informed by the experiences of nine Tainui tribal members who received scholarships from the Tainui Maori Trust Board and who graduated from the University of Waikato between 1992 and 1997. 

The thesis addresses two questions: what factors contributed to the success of Tainui graduates at the University of Waikato? What effect did programmes, policies and initiatives offered by the University of Waikato and the Tainui Maori Trust Board have on the academic success of Tainui graduates at the University of Waikato? 

There are three main components to the thesis: a brief history of the University of Waikato and an examination of three documents (University of Waikato Charter 1991; Paetawhiti, the strategic plan 1993; Academic Audit Unit report 1997) and how they pertain to Maori; a history of the Tainui Maori Trust Board and an examination of the Tainui Education Strategy (1986, 1991), its review (1993) and scholarship programmes; and a study and analysis of the experiences of nine Tainui graduates from the University of Waikato. 

Argued from an eclectic theoretical and methodological position, drawing from indigenous and western theories and research practices that emphasise a kaupapa Maori and tribal approach, the thesis identifies multiple factors that have contributed to the success of the Tainui graduates. These factors include family and parental support, mentoring, the role of finances, institutional support, and identity. 

The thesis finds through examination of the documents, that the policies, initiatives and programmes of the Tainui Maori Trust Board and the University of Waikato have ambiguous and at times conflicting aims and objectives in regard to Maori participation and graduation from higher education. The thesis also finds that the experiences of the graduates reveal that neither the Tainui Maori Trust Board nor policies relating to Maori at the University of Waikato played significant roles in the success of the Tainui graduates. Rather, the thesis finds that the success of the graduates is largely borne by their own efforts, which reflect western notions of success, but which also reinforce their identity as Maori, and as Tainui tribal members. 

The thesis suggests that both the Tainui Maori Trust Board and the University of Waikato review their relationships with their tribal and Maori members (respectively), and recommendations are made to help develop a greater awareness of the contribution that both organisations can make to the success of Maori university students.

text: Maori participation in higher education: Tainui graduates from the University of Waikato, 1992 to 1997 This thesis is an examination of what factors contribute to the success of Maori who participate in higher education. The thesis is informed by the experiences of nine Tainui tribal members who received scholarships from the Tainui Maori Trust Board and who graduated from the University of Waikato between 1992 and 1997. 

The thesis addresses two questions: what factors contributed to the success of Tainui graduates at the University of Waikato? What effect did programmes, policies and initiatives offered by the University of Waikato and the Tainui Maori Trust Board have on the academic success of Tainui graduates at the University of Waikato? 

There are three main components to the thesis: a brief history of the University of Waikato and an examination of three documents (University of Waikato Charter 1991; Paetawhiti, the strategic plan 1993; Academic Audit Unit report 1997) and how they pertain to Maori; a history of the Tainui Maori Trust Board and an examination of the Tainui Education Strategy (1986, 1991), its review (1993) and scholarship programmes; and a study and analysis of the experiences of nine Tainui graduates from the University of Waikato. 

Argued from an eclectic theoretical and methodological position, drawing from indigenous and western theories and research practices that emphasise a kaupapa Maori and tribal approach, the thesis identifies multiple factors that have contributed to the success of the Tainui graduates. These factors include family and parental support, mentoring, the role of finances, institutional support, and identity. 

The thesis finds through examination of the documents, that the policies, initiatives and programmes of the Tainui Maori Trust Board and the University of Waikato have ambiguous and at times conflicting aims and objectives in regard to Maori participation and graduation from higher education. The thesis also finds that the experiences of the graduates reveal that neither the Tainui Maori Trust Board nor policies relating to Maori at the University of Waikato played significant roles in the success of the Tainui graduates. Rather, the thesis finds that the success of the graduates is largely borne by their own efforts, which reflect western notions of success, but which also reinforce their identity as Maori, and as Tainui tribal members. 

The thesis suggests that both the Tainui Maori Trust Board and the University of Waikato review their relationships with their tribal and Maori members (respectively), and recommendations are made to help develop a greater awareness of the contribution that both organisations can make to the success of Maori university students.

year: 2001