Women in Nepal are empowered through adult functional literacy programs called Non Formal Education (NFE). The NFE classes are held six nights per week using discussion and group socialization processes that develop critical thinking and build self-esteem in a society in which women have few or no legal rights. In these programs, women gain…

This book focuses on grassroots projects and organizations for people, especially women, who have been stigmatized as "Other." An introduction discusses the concept of "Other"; Listening Partners, a short-term project for bringing isolated mothers living in rural poverty into voice; and the leadership tradition. Chapter 1 considers dualism, such…

Almost unnoticed, growing numbers of working poor people are entering politics at the community level in dozens of major cities in Texas and across the United States. These people are unusual because they view politics as a long-term process to build relationships, new institutions, and humane communities. This book tells the story of a new kind…

This paper discusses the genius of the principle of normalization in the development of better services for socially devalued people. It argues that the definition of normalization sets a direction for learning-through-action which is clear and convincing, as well as indefinite and conditional, and rests on a deep appreciation of the everyday…

The Dayton Science Project emerged in 1990 through the Dayton (Ohio) Public Schools superintendent's efforts to redesign the district's K-12 science curriculum via a university-school partnership. Participants learned that partners need each other, shared understanding is crucial, decisions foster conflict, partner meeting should occur in neutral…

Discusses the challenges of implementing school-based conflict-resolution programs, with particular reference to the problems and unique strengths of girls. The Resolving Conflict Creatively program is often well received by young women, but many are hampered by gender expectations that stigmatize girls who act with assertive leadership. (LSR)

Since the 1979 revolution, Iranian women have been expected to fulfill the traditional role of women under Islamic law while contributing to the modern needs of their country. Iranian women have access to a wide range of (gender-segregated) educational opportunities and are drawing on their relatively high levels of educational attainment to…

Stratification and control by a dominant group leave many African American youth feeling powerless, alienated, and angry. A justice-based model of therapy focuses on self-efficacy, personal mastery, competent adaptive behavior, and community-building. The model supports resilience and the group process, and encourages advocating for justice-based…

A week-long program sponsored by the Association of American Indian Physicians brings American Indian high school students to Washington DC to introduce them to careers in health, biomedical research, and policy development. Visits with American Indian government agency personnel, congressional leaders, and physicians show students available…

This article provides an overview of the basic features of the protective behaviors (PBs) approach and suggests that the PBs approach is relative to people with mental retardation, particularly in relation to issues of vulnerability and empowerment. It provides examples of the application of PBs approach in clinical settings. (Contains 7…

To discover corporate America's perceptions on effective leadership qualities for the 21st century, questionnaires were sent to chief executive officers of Mobil, McDonnell Douglas, 3M, Pfitzer, and IBM. Respondents said that integrity, self-esteem, and decision-making ability are essential leadership characteristics. Desired affective qualities…

Reviews "DEC Recommended Practices," a publication of the Division for Exceptional Children; "Empowering At-Risk Families during the Early Childhood Years" (Swick and Groves); "Developing Home-School Partnerships" (Swap); "Parent-Teacher Conferencing in Early Childhood Education" (Lawler); and the video…

In her presentation at the 1994 American Indian Science and Engineering Society Annual Conference, Lillian Roybal Rose describes how racism results in internalized oppression and internalized rage among minority groups. Rose, who is Mexican American and American Indian, healed from racism by letting go of her rage and allowing herself to relate to…

Analyzes teachers' and students' perceptions of how participants became empowered in shared governance schools belonging to the Georgia-based League of Professional Schools. Includes descriptions of principals' related leadership practices. Participants reported increased communication quality and frequency both horizontally and vertically.…

Maintains that, as socioeconomic systems fail to address inequity, the power and wealth of the rich increase at the expense of the poor. Discusses social inequities and violations of human rights in Guatemalan society. Describes a simulation based on Guatemalan textile factories. (CFR)