title: Examining participatory development in internationally funded climate adaptation programmes: Insights from the Marshall Islands

authors: Yamaguchi, Yoshiko

subjects: Adaptation

abstract: The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) faces threats from climate change, necessitating urgent and effective adaptation strategies. This research examines participatory development approaches in climate adaptation within the RMI, assessing their effectiveness, inclusivity, and alignment with local needs and cultural knowledge. Despite global recognition of the importance of participatory development, adaptation projects in the RMI remain largely donor-driven, often failing to integrate local perspectives. Existing literature highlights the theoretical benefits of participatory approaches, yet critiques indicate persistent power imbalances between international donors and local stakeholders. This study evaluates how participatory development principles are applied in RMI climate adaptation initiatives, determining the extent to which they empower local communities and enhance project sustainability.

Utilizing a qualitative methodology grounded in narrative inquiry, the research incorporates semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and an interpretive approach to data analysis. Respondents included RMI government officials, NGOs, development partners, and community members engaged in adaptation efforts. A key methodological feature is the use of Bwebwenato, a traditional Marshallese storytelling approach, to ensure culturally relevant data collection and analysis. 

Findings reveal that while participatory rhetoric is prevalent in adaptation discourse, implementation often falls short due to top-down decision-making, rigid funding structures, and limited local autonomy. Although national policies emphasize community involvement, international funding mechanisms frequently dictate project priorities, constraining meaningful local engagement. However, integrating traditional knowledge systems with participatory frameworks presents a viable pathway to more effective and contextually appropriate adaptation solutions. The findings emphasize the need for adaptation strategies that genuinely reflect Marshallese voices, prioritizing equitable stakeholder collaboration. By highlighting gaps in current participatory development practices, the research contributes to discussions on improving climate adaptation governance in the RMI. Its conclusions support advocacy for structural reforms in donor-recipient relationships to enhance the inclusivity and sustainability of adaptation efforts in the RMI and beyond.

text: Examining participatory development in internationally funded climate adaptation programmes: Insights from the Marshall Islands The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) faces threats from climate change, necessitating urgent and effective adaptation strategies. This research examines participatory development approaches in climate adaptation within the RMI, assessing their effectiveness, inclusivity, and alignment with local needs and cultural knowledge. Despite global recognition of the importance of participatory development, adaptation projects in the RMI remain largely donor-driven, often failing to integrate local perspectives. Existing literature highlights the theoretical benefits of participatory approaches, yet critiques indicate persistent power imbalances between international donors and local stakeholders. This study evaluates how participatory development principles are applied in RMI climate adaptation initiatives, determining the extent to which they empower local communities and enhance project sustainability.

Utilizing a qualitative methodology grounded in narrative inquiry, the research incorporates semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and an interpretive approach to data analysis. Respondents included RMI government officials, NGOs, development partners, and community members engaged in adaptation efforts. A key methodological feature is the use of Bwebwenato, a traditional Marshallese storytelling approach, to ensure culturally relevant data collection and analysis. 

Findings reveal that while participatory rhetoric is prevalent in adaptation discourse, implementation often falls short due to top-down decision-making, rigid funding structures, and limited local autonomy. Although national policies emphasize community involvement, international funding mechanisms frequently dictate project priorities, constraining meaningful local engagement. However, integrating traditional knowledge systems with participatory frameworks presents a viable pathway to more effective and contextually appropriate adaptation solutions. The findings emphasize the need for adaptation strategies that genuinely reflect Marshallese voices, prioritizing equitable stakeholder collaboration. By highlighting gaps in current participatory development practices, the research contributes to discussions on improving climate adaptation governance in the RMI. Its conclusions support advocacy for structural reforms in donor-recipient relationships to enhance the inclusivity and sustainability of adaptation efforts in the RMI and beyond.

year: 2025-03

title: ‘Rise of ram raiders’: A foucauldian discourse analysis exploring media representations of collective youth crime in New Zealand media, 2019-2023.

authors: Ali, Aliyah

subjects: Youth

abstract: Over the past several years, there has been media commotion about the term ram raids and the escalation it has brought to youth crimes. Whilst there have been media claims towards increasing youth crime numbers and speculation from mainstream media about ram raiders’ involvement in crime; the statistical evidence seems to state otherwise. The media is a powerful institution that can lead to constructing discourses that can influence the attitudes of the general public and in turn lead to various policy changes. Ram raiders are presented in the media through predominantly negative narratives and have increased discussions in regard to controlling the youth from ram-raiding behaviour. There currently is no research that directly examines the discourses of youth ram raiders in New Zealand media. Therefore, this thesis will use a Foucauldian discursive approach to analyse the representation of the term ram raiders in newspaper articles in New Zealand media, and the consequences that arise as a result of such discourses. The results showed that there were three discourses identified: the criminal discourse, the outsiders discourse, and the moral panic discourse, alongside a competing discourse of youth as victims. The criminal discourse was identified as the dominant discourse which emphasises youth committing ram raids as an individualised issue. The outsiders discourse was supported by the criminal discourse and linked ram raiders to gang members and ethnic minorities further creating an us vs them rhetoric. Moral panic was a discourse that emphasised the power held by the media as the publications reached an extensive audience presenting ram raiders as criminals and outsiders creating a moral panic in public. A competing discourse was identified with ram raiders being presented as the victims shown to be a necessary addition to the conversation. It provided an alternative perspective that challenged the dominant discourse to allow for a well-rounded representation of the ram raiders. Further discursive practices represented the positionality of public and political figures leading to the punishment of young people participating in ram raids.

text: ‘Rise of ram raiders’: A foucauldian discourse analysis exploring media representations of collective youth crime in New Zealand media, 2019-2023. Over the past several years, there has been media commotion about the term ram raids and the escalation it has brought to youth crimes. Whilst there have been media claims towards increasing youth crime numbers and speculation from mainstream media about ram raiders’ involvement in crime; the statistical evidence seems to state otherwise. The media is a powerful institution that can lead to constructing discourses that can influence the attitudes of the general public and in turn lead to various policy changes. Ram raiders are presented in the media through predominantly negative narratives and have increased discussions in regard to controlling the youth from ram-raiding behaviour. There currently is no research that directly examines the discourses of youth ram raiders in New Zealand media. Therefore, this thesis will use a Foucauldian discursive approach to analyse the representation of the term ram raiders in newspaper articles in New Zealand media, and the consequences that arise as a result of such discourses. The results showed that there were three discourses identified: the criminal discourse, the outsiders discourse, and the moral panic discourse, alongside a competing discourse of youth as victims. The criminal discourse was identified as the dominant discourse which emphasises youth committing ram raids as an individualised issue. The outsiders discourse was supported by the criminal discourse and linked ram raiders to gang members and ethnic minorities further creating an us vs them rhetoric. Moral panic was a discourse that emphasised the power held by the media as the publications reached an extensive audience presenting ram raiders as criminals and outsiders creating a moral panic in public. A competing discourse was identified with ram raiders being presented as the victims shown to be a necessary addition to the conversation. It provided an alternative perspective that challenged the dominant discourse to allow for a well-rounded representation of the ram raiders. Further discursive practices represented the positionality of public and political figures leading to the punishment of young people participating in ram raids.

year: 2024

title: Is there a lack of science resources and specialists for kaiako at Kura reo o Waikato?

authors: Hopkins, Aareka

subjects: Kura kaupapa

abstract: The New Zealand debates on culture and science education for Maaori are grounded in the concern for the under-achievement of tauira in science. In 1995, a lack of subject experts, specialists and resources to implement the Ministry of Education’s science curriculum was identified. I investigated the concept of a mobile science laboratory to provide subject experts, specialists and resources to Kura Reo o Tainui as a way of improving and enhancing tauira literacy and engagement in puutaiao. This study used a semi-structured survey to elicit the whakaaro and perceptions of kaiako puutaiao from four Wharekura, three Kura Kaupapa Maaori, and three Rumaki Total Immersion classes in Waikato-Tainui, using registered participants in the inaugural Kura Reo o Tainui Waananga in 2008 to select survey participants.

text: Is there a lack of science resources and specialists for kaiako at Kura reo o Waikato? The New Zealand debates on culture and science education for Maaori are grounded in the concern for the under-achievement of tauira in science. In 1995, a lack of subject experts, specialists and resources to implement the Ministry of Education’s science curriculum was identified. I investigated the concept of a mobile science laboratory to provide subject experts, specialists and resources to Kura Reo o Tainui as a way of improving and enhancing tauira literacy and engagement in puutaiao. This study used a semi-structured survey to elicit the whakaaro and perceptions of kaiako puutaiao from four Wharekura, three Kura Kaupapa Maaori, and three Rumaki Total Immersion classes in Waikato-Tainui, using registered participants in the inaugural Kura Reo o Tainui Waananga in 2008 to select survey participants.

year: 2010-08