Looks at the role of local government as a provider of healthy environment and as a promoter of economic opportunity. Two South African experts are questioned on the environmental obligations of local government using the book "The Role of Local Government in Environmental Protection" as a basis for the discussion. (LZ)

In most cases, questions of cause and effect cannot be answered by social science methods. However, it is argued that evaluation should not be freed from dealing with missing causal links. It is possible to predict whether a causal question is likely to be measured or assessed. (SLD)

Traces the struggle of southern Mexican communities to resist established outside exploitation and gain control of local rainforest resources. Discusses the role of local politics in resolving the conflict between economic development and conservation adherents and pursuing the goal of sustainable production. (SV)

Outlines four themes: (1) preparation of youth for the world of work and economic development; (2) definition of Wisconsin's Education for Employment program; (3) a call to reform and reframe youth and work policy issues into a coherent whole; and (4) implementation and funding of the full potential of the program. (JOW)

Explores the relationship between Public Library Association (PLA) planning and the themes of literacy, productivity, and democracy that were chosen by the White House Conference on Library and Information Services (WHCLIS). Discussion is based on data collected by the Public Library Data Service (PLDS) that examine current library services in…

Sustainable societies are based on social justice, equity, economic feasibility participation, and peace. Educators can work to promote the political will necessary to bringing about sustainable societies. (SK)

Discusses the current position of women in society and indicates that, although progress has been made, many do not enjoy the fruits of the economic development to which they have contributed. (JOW)

Reviews the history of Canadian rural development, comparing Canadian rural policy with U.S. rural policy. Canada's programs, although sharing some features with U.S. programs, are often delivered in a manner that emphasizes local planning and encourages rural areas to make a long-term commitment to integrating programs into a broader development…

Biological productivity is higher in coastal zones than for the rest of the planet. Discusses issues related to the patterns of human settlement and development of these areas. (MDH)

Describes ski-industry and winter-tourism growth in Appalachia. Sketches ski-resort developments in Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and West Virginia. Describes economic threats to industry, its economic impact on Appalachian states and region, resorts' general qualities, and ski industry's promotional efforts. (TES)

Profiles four Iowans who became agricultural leaders and committed themselves to addressing farmers' needs: Henry Wallace, James R. Howard, Milo Reno, and Ruth Buxton Sayre. Identifies farm organizations with which each was affiliated, such as the Farm Bureau and the Farmers' Union. Summarizes each leader's major accomplishments and political…

Discusses the economic situation in the non-Arab nations of Africa. Presents two opposing views of the efforts of the World Bank at adjusting the financial programs of governments of developing countries. Suggests that perhaps with cooperation the cycle of poverty and disease can be broken in Africa. (DK)

Community clusters allow small towns to combine their efforts to enhance economic development, promote tourism, or share public services. Two successful clusters of communities in Iowa are the Area Community Commonwealth and the North Iowa Rural Area Development. Both clusters participated in Iowa State University's Cooperative Extension Service…

Examines societal and academic factors influencing the development of comparative education since 1945, particularly in the United States. Discusses the dominance of structural functionalism and human capital theory in the 1960s, the recent shift to diverse research orientations and ideologies, and effects of institutional decline and…

Six papers on geographic information systems cover the future of geographic information systems, land information systems modernization in Wisconsin, the Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (TIGER) System of the U.S. Bureau of the Census, satellite remote sensing, geographic information systems and sustainable development,…