Agents Of Change

An incisive argument for the relevance of political philosophy and its possibility of effecting change. The appeal of political philosophy is that it will answer questions about justice for the sake of political action. But contemporary political philosophy struggles to live up to this promise. Since the death of John Rawls, political philosophers have become absorbed in methodological debates, leading to an impasse between two unattractive tendencies: utopians argue that philosophy should focus uncompromisingly on abstract questions of justice, while pragmatists argue that we should concern ourselves only with local efforts to ameliorate injustice. Agents of Change shows a way forward. Ben Laurence argues that we can combine utopian justice and the pragmatic response to injustice in a political philosophy that unifies theory and practice in pursuit of change. Political philosophy, on this view, is not a purely normative theory disconnected from practice. Rather, political philosophy is itself a practiceÑan exercise of practical reason issuing in action. Laurence contends that this exercise begins in ordinary life with the confrontation with injustice. Philosophy draws ideas about justice from this encounter to be pursued through political action. Laurence shows that the task of political philosophy is not complete until it asks the question ÒWhat is to be done?Ó and deliberates actionable answers.

While governments around the world struggle to maintain service levels amid fiscal crises, social innovators are improving citizen outcomes by changing the system from within. The authors offer compelling stories, lively illustrations, and insightful interpretations on how innovators, social entrepreneurs, and change agents are dealing effectively with powerful opponents, bureaucratic hurdles, and the challenges of securing resources and support.

Agents of Change is a compilation of thought-provoking insights, opinions, personal stories, and suggested actions for change in the K-12 education system in Pakistan.

"If education is to be the learning profession, then we must walk the walk of learners. The bottom line is not perfection, constant success, and high test scores. The bottom line is creating a culture in which learning, innovation, and collaboration are the norms-a learning culture. When adults in schools create such environments, children will thrive." -Lucy West and Antonia Cameron How can teacher leaders cultivate an adult learning environment that will upgrade teaching capacity system-wide, and ultimately improve student learning in every classroom? Lucy West and Toni Cameron turn decades of experience designing and implementing coaching initiatives into a practical resource for transforming school culture and inspiring true learning at every level. Agents of Change provides coaches, administrators, and teacher leaders with specific techniques, tools, and strategies for working with individual classroom teachers to plan and co-teach lessons, reflect on them afterwards, and find evidence of student learning. Lucy and Toni argue that when we infuse rich learning conversations into the professional discourse via coaching, study lessons, and regular meeting times for professionals to work collaboratively, we're able to examine what it takes on a day to day basis to reach every student in our classrooms. The transformative potential of content coaching to improve both teacher and student learning on a school-wide level has never been more clear. Purchase includes free access to an online video case study. Read a sample chapter

In this engaging and well crafted book, Change Agents in Science Education situates the science educator in dynamic social, political, and cultural environments where individuals are engaged in science for change. A wide range of educational contexts are described in the book, including urban school settings in the U. S., slum communities in Mumbai, India, an agricultural community in Benin, Africa, a children's educational television program production company in the U. S. In each context, powerful examples of how science was enacted to transform ways of thinking and doing are demonstrated. Each contributor shares experiences with science, and the challenges, triumphs and lessons learned which need to be considered and addressed as part of the role of the science educator. Change, it is argued, needs to be facilitated on a variety of levels in order for learning to take place. Science educators working in a wide range of settings, community-based educational groups, and students and researchers interested in formal and informal science education, will benefit from the perspectives provided in this book.

In September 1999, St. Antony's College, Oxford, hosted a conference on how the intelligence services of the world should respond to the changes in world politics that have flowed from the collapse of the Soviet Union. No less important was their discussion of how the revolution in information technology is challenging the time-honored methods used by the intelligence community. This book reproduces the papers delivered and offers an edited account of the discussion. The conference involved senior intelligence officers from six different countries, among them a former Director of the CIA, the Deputy Chief of the British SIS, the head of the KGB's Illegals Directorate and their counterparts from Italy, Sweden, and France.

"Developing Change Agents examines the role of academia in creating the next generation of sustainability leaders. Delving into strategies to transform higher education, this volume empowers universities to develop change agents who can scale solutions to meet the wicked environmental, social, and political challenges of the present and future. Developing Change Agents advances a revolutionary perspective on the way academia functions from the administrative hierarchies to faculty, and the classroom and to deep engagement in the communities where the solutions must be co-created. This book works to find a transdisciplinary, effective method of tackling the world’s issues with reference to emotional intelligence, diversity, community, and reward structures and supports a tailored, reflexive approach based upon each university’s diverse and unique students, faculty, programs, and communities"--University of Minnesota Libraries website.

"LEE AND MILLER STRIKE SPACE OPERA GOLD." ¾Robin Wayne Bailey Once a brilliant First-in Scout, Val Con yos'Phelium was "recruited" by the mysterious Liaden Department of Interior and brainwashed into an Agent of Change¾a ruthless covert operative who kills without remorse. Fleeing the scene of his latest murderous mission, he finds himself saving the life of ex-mercenary Miri Robertson, a tough Terran on the run from a team of interplanetary assassins. Thrown together by circumstances, Val Con and Miri struggle to elude their enemies and stay alive without slaying each other¾or surrendering to the unexpected passion that flares between them. At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management). "I was mesmerized, auued, and totally entertained. I am hooked by the Liaden world. Brauo!" ¾Mary Balogh "Full of action, exotic characters, plenty of plot, and even a touch of romance. OUTSTANDING." ¾Booklist "You may never care about a cast of characters more or await their return with more anticipation." ¾SF Site