Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Social Tourism And Sustainable Policy: A Natural Fit, Or A Forced Relationship?, Kevin Griffin, Jane Stacey

Conference papers

The issue of Social tourism (the title of which is a much contested term) has been on the European agenda for a number of years. In Ireland, while there is a multitude of Social tourism provision there is little or no recognition for it at an official level, with the largest share of provision being at the voluntary / NGO level. At the same time, across Europe a variety of official structures promote 'tourism for all'.

This paper reflects on the various approaches that could be taken to promote Social Tourism and have it recognised as an agenda item for …

An Exploration Of Rpl (Recognition Of Prior Learning) In Companies And Organisations In Ireland Valorisation, Return On Investment, And Emerging Trends, Katherine Collins

Doctoral

This thesis explored the topic of recognition of prior learning (RPL) in companies and organisations in Ireland against a backdrop of global, European, and national policy initiatives on the recognition of all forms of formal, non-formal and informal learning. The immediate context was coloured by shifts in employment, in labour markets, and in education and training policies because of increasing economic difficulties globally, and the greater levels of attention being paid to the role of education and training in the economic and social development of a country. The primary research question for the thesis was: Is there a return on …

Youth Work As A Public Good: Older Teenager's Experiences Of Youth Services In Dulbin, Matt Bowden, Kerri Lanigan

Articles

In the context of consumerism, individualism and the privatisation of young people’s leisure, youth work struggles to attract young people, especially those aged 15 to 9 years. Drawing from a study exploring young people’s perspectives on participation in youth services, it is argued that youth work offers a type of public and civic engagement that is not on offer from consumption-based activities. While certain activities attract young people into youth work, what maintains their participation is the sense of belonging they experience and the opportunity to participate meaningfully in decision making. In this regard the youth work sector needs to …

The Discursive Construction Of Irish Early Childhood Education And Care Policy: A Critical Discourse Analysis, Rachel Kiersey

Doctoral

Conceptual distinctions between care and early childhood education have influenced and reinforced the construction of knowledge about the early childhood education and care (ECEC) policy area. Discursive constructions in policy texts permeate wider society and become embodied in the broad social domain as “truths”, establishing the status quo about how social issues are perceived. Close scrutiny of the knowledge constructed about key concepts within Irish ECEC policy texts between 1998 and 2008 can shed some light on the ideological perspectives shaping the truths about ECEC in Irish society. This research used a critical discourse analysis (CDA) methodology to investigate policy …