In this article, the author responds to the Modern Language Association's report, "Foreign Languages and Higher Education: New Structures for a Changed World" (2007) by arguing for an explicit and interdisciplinary transformative world language learning approach toward environmental and cultural sustainability and economic and political…

Encourages use of an integrated multidisciplinary approach by environmentalists for program design and problem solving. Suggests that economic and political influences on present day environmental issues be emphasized. Recommends that a collective approach involving teams of specialists or forums be used to solve environmental problems. (ML)

Evidence suggests that living and labor conditions have improved very little among agricultural laborers and are particularly hopeless among migrants. Since the government, food producers, industry, and consumers are all beneficiaries of the present farm system, it is unlikely that farm workers will be able to unionize and control their own…

Quality of work-life issues are described in relation to a changing labor force. Organizational issues affecting work motivation include opportunity and power. An integrated approach is taken to productivity and quality of work life. (JN)

Contemporary demographic, economic, political, and social changes in Europe are influencing cultural and educational processes. International migration, internal migration from rural to urban centers, emergence of the welfare state, professionalization of society, technological advancement, and changes in occupational structure and the situation…

This paper examines the role that comparative analysis and global policy studies can play in explaining the human condition in the contemporary world. It investigates economic well-being, one dimension of the human condition, and examines some of the attributes that represent it and some of the forces that affect it in villages, social groupings,…

Since the late 1970s Americans have adopted a more pessimistic outlook of the future than at any time since World War II. Reasons for this include inflation, unemployment, a low rate of productivity, the flow of U.S. funds to OPEC nations, an unfavorable balance of trade, and the unstable international environment. In view of these factors, some…

Characteristics of population and economic measures as traditional social indicators are compared to more recent quality of life measures to demonstrate that social indicators are value statements at the policy level. Alternative perspectives are illustrated and the importance of assumptions implicit in a given indicator is discussed. (Author/MH)

This paper looks at the often troubled development of the White House Conference on Families and at the views of its director, John Carr, on its appropriate topics and objectives. (SJL)

Recommendations are provided about a new data series that would serve as a measure of the extent and quality of participation of the U.S. population in arts and cultural activities. Eight chapters review and evaluate the state of social statistics and indicators of arts audiences. Chapter 1 defines "indicator,""culture," and…

Discusses the importance of competitiveness to the American economy and examines three areas where federal information policies affect American competitiveness: providing the private sector with technical information; making federal information resources available to industry; and restricting foreign access to those resources. For each area,…

This presidential address discusses realities that may alter political, social, and economic priorities in the future; examines how these realities will affect the lives of people with mental retardation and their families; and addresses ideas for responding to these realities and promoting greater opportunities and quality of life for citizens…

This paper summarizes the discussion from a forum to explore a logical and feasible means by which South Florida could reach its carrying capacity and experience no further growth. The opening presentation explained the relationships among (1) the area's land, water, and natural ecosystems, (2) natural sources of energy and imported fuels, (3)…

Discusses the continual decline in the quality of the environment. Questions why this decline continues, considering the increased awareness of environmental problems by the general public. Concludes that those efforts have not been inadequate, but have been misdirected. Promotes increasing the relationships between economic and ecological…

Suggests that the hospice approach includes several elements that can be utilized to improve the quality of life in nursing homes: a total needs emphasis, increased patient autonomy, open discussion of death, a community ideology, a team orientation, a role blurring of caregivers, and focus on patients and families. (Author)