Vol 1 Issue 2 November 2014-December 2014

Abstract: This paper focuses on the effects and consequences of urbanization process. The characteristic of Kenya’s urban area is the focus of this paper as it specifically focuses on issues pertaining to transportation, housing, employment and cultural transformation. It further focuses on the ecological theory of Louis Wirth – Urbanism as a Way of Life and as means of explaining the urbanization process. Drawings lessons from other scholars, this paper focuses on strategies for improving the state of urban areas in Kenya. The paper critically suggests the need for creation of centralized business association in various counties, overhaul planning in the urban development process, shift in perceptive thought of urbanization and overall Effective implementation of the slum upgrading programme thus this will improve and upgrade Kenya’s urban areas thus improving the quality of standards.

Abstract: Decentralization is a critical issue to revisit after more than a quarter of a century of governmental attempts [1]. The experimentation with decentralization never seems to come to an end as it still shows major gaps especially at the local level of governance-service delivery. The implementation of decentralized local governance in Ethiopia, which strives to change the government from above nature of the service delivery, proved a complex and difficult task for the African country with  hundreds years of unitary governance and deep entrenched upward accountability structure which intern has made the public to develop strong public suspicion and mistrust towards the governance apparatus and hard to rectify these with two decades of attempts at decentralizing governance structures and service delivery. Providing incentives for the local government offices to adopt new instructions and changing their traditional service delivery practices are quite difficult. Literatures in the area have overlooked one variant of government accountability i.e. social accountability in the local governance, in that, most of the writings has been made on fiscal and political accountability of service provision. The main objective of this study is to investigate the social accountability of local government land administration service delivery in Ethiopia with a particular focus on Saharti- Samre rural woreda, Tigray regional state, as a case study area justified by the fact that the grass-root poor are found in the rural part and land administration, can serve as a showcase for both rural and urban deep service problems seems to be institutionalized. This paper has analyzed whether the study Woreda land administration office is providing for social accountability of its services in its provision. The methodology used was survey design, applied in three purposively selected areas of the Woreda and analyzed using descriptive, and trend analysis methods. Accordingly the study was cross-sectional. Findings have revealed: the FDRE constitution is the overall frame work for social accountability in the local governments and the problems emanate largely from awareness problems on both the service providers and the service users. Among the major policy implications recommended in the paper are the establishments of citizens’ review, public reporting mechanisms, and social forums; as an enabling policy environment for social accountability.

Abstract: The teaching of science and mathematics subjects in the English language in public schools in Malaysia has been in place since the early 2003 as a government policy. As early as 2012, the policy has undergone much criticism from mainstream groups aligned to using the national language (i.e. Malay language) as a knee-jerk reaction to empowering nationalism in a broader sense. Though there has been much debate over the change in policy and significant controversy in the adopting of the national language as a means to invigorate nationalism to greater heights, the long term goals of the country to achieve developed nation status by the year 2020 also needs due consideration.

Abstract: One of the common forms of conflict, especially in underdeveloped and developing countries had occurred on the basis of ethnicity. Northeast India witnessed a number of ethnic conflicts since India's independence. One of the major reasons for ethnic conflicts in the Northeast could be the increasing number of illegal immigration to the region that threatens the identity and the very existence of the local population. A huge influx of immigrants from neighboring countries makes it difficult for the indigenous people to preserve their distinct identity and as a result they began to revolt. So the paper would try to analyze some of the issues related to immigration leading to ethnic conflicts and the measures to resolve those issues so as to transform those conflicts for a peaceful co-existence.

Abstract: In this paper I propose to highlight some of the important problems which have a bearing on India’s role in Sri Lanka. The end of Eelam War has opened a new chapter in India. The India’s role in Sri Lanka is deep and continues to grow after the war. Sri Lanka relationsIndia has long been the country with the greatest influence over Sri Lanka but its policies to encourage the government there towards a sustainable peace are not working. Despite India’s active engagement and unprecedented financial assistance, the Sri Lankan government has failed to make progress on pressing post-war challenges, and also, Sri Lanka is not able to move forward in finding a political solution to the Tamil issue. In this context, India as a concerned neighbour needs to accelerate its role in engaging Sri Lanka constructively with the end of the three-decade civil war.
India’s role in Sri Lanka assumes more significance now than before, with the end of war and devolution of power sharing to the minority of Sri Lanka in crisis. While the LTTE is wiped out militarily and isolated internationally, the existing militarisation in Jaffna with war crime charges at UN and awaiting political solution in a dilemma. The call for India’s greater engagement with Sri Lanka had resurfaced domestically with a demand from Tamil Nadu parties urging India to play a more proactive role pertaining to rebuilding and sustaining peace in post-war Sri Lanka, and in ending assault on Indian fisherman at Palk Strait. On other hand, the fostering of ties between Sri Lanka and Pakistan and China push for more primed hands-on role from the point of view of India’s long-term strategic interest. The post-LTTE scenario with the unsettled humanitarian and political questions, along with the increasing role of external powers in Sri Lankan affairs, demands India’s greater role than before.
This study focuses on the current crisis of India’s role in Sri Lanka after end of internal war in the Island. The fundamental questions of this research are the following: what are the roles plays by India in promoting peace in Sri Lanka after the war? Why India’s peace supporting initiations not work in Sri Lanka? And finally concludes with suggesting overcoming the present crisis.
This research is critical one based one interpretive analysis which has used both quantitative and qualitative data. Here, the stated purpose is examined by studying mainly secondary materials. This secondary data collected from books, reports, journals, news papers, official documents and research articles.