Studies in Social Science & Humanities

Extension of Human History with Spiritual, Intellectual and Technological Resources

2026-07-07T07:35:57+00:00

The Creator created the earth in the image and likeness of the man Adam. Through Adam’s knowledge of good and evil, evil was then spread among the nations. Nations create human history on earth. The Book of Revelation in the New Testament presents a global picture of the end of human history. The book offers a symbolic representation of the end of pernicious humanity’s life on a sinful earth. Sinful humanity multiplies evil on a sinful earth. The world is in evil. Nations are unable to globally monitor spiritual processes to assess the escalation of human evil to the critical point of ending its life on earth. The spiritual activation of peaceful life by nations through good and righteous deeds contributes to the prolongation of human history. Advanced spiritual researchers of living nature are able to objectively perceive and monitor events in the surrounding space and subjectively assess the negative spiritual state of humanity. The UN Security Council and spiritual leaders can make the topic of the spiritual state of humanity a topic of discussion with the goal of calling on state leaders to neutralize negative global actions that influence the prolongation of human history. Globally, it is necessary to harmonize the lives of peoples with nature, focusing on the Creator’s organization of a coordinated interaction between flora and fauna. In material life, humanity, using international technological swarm of interstate intelligent artificial assistants, can help find the best solution for organizing the global optimal use of resources in the interests of all humanity, without harming nature, taking into account the beneficial needs of humans, the peaceful life of peoples and the continuation of human history.

Weaving Memory, Weaving Family: Familism, Continuing Bonds, and Material Heritage in Francisco Arcellana’s The Mats

2026-07-30T09:28:52+00:00

In this paper, the author focuses on the Reading of Francisco Arcellana’s story The Mats (1938) as an expression of Filipino familism, ancestral memory, and the significance of material objects in the family’s everyday life. Drawing on scholarship in Filipino cultural psychology, the sociology of grief, and material culture analysis, the author argues that the sleeping mats given to family members by Mr. Jaime Angeles serve as both heirlooms passed down from one generation to another and a means of establishing relationships with the deceased. Looking through Arcellana’s story, the author shows that it portrays Filipino culture as one based on the importance of family ties, highlighting the process of maintaining family connections through naming, gifting, and creating, which functions as a classic example of an early Philippine short story in English.

A Legal Appraisal of the Role of Non-Governmental Organizations in Forest Conservation Within the CEMAC Region

2026-08-03T09:56:32+00:00

This article examines the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in forest conservation within the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) region, comprising Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Chad, and the Central African Republic. The research employs a doctrinal legal research methodology combined with qualitative case study analysis. Primary legal instruments examined include Cameroon’s Law No. 2024/008 of July 24, 2024 on the forestry and wildlife regime, the Republic of Congo’s Law No. 33-2020 of July 8, 2020 on the forestry code, and regional CEMAC decisions, particularly Decision No. 06/24-UEAC-225-CM-41 of February 23, 2024 on the progressive prohibition of tropical timber exports in log form. Secondary sources include NGO reports, academic literature, policy documents, and institutional materials from organisations such as the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), the Network of Protected Areas of Central Africa (RAPAC), the Environment and Rural Development Foundation (ERuDeF), and the Network of Indigenous and Local Populations for the Sustainable Management of Forest Ecosystems in Central Africa (REPALEAC). The study finds that NGOs in the CEMAC region perform multifaceted roles encompassing advocacy and policy influence, protected area management, community engagement and capacity building, research and monitoring, and litigation and enforcement. However, these organizations face significant challenges including limited financial resources, constrained legal mandates, operational insecurity, insufficient coordination with state institutions, and restrictive regulatory environments. The research further reveals that recent legal developments—particularly the adoption of Cameroon’s new forestry law after sixteen years of legislative revision and the CEMAC Council of Ministers’ decision to progressively ban log exports by 2028—have created both opportunities and challenges for NGO engagement in forest governance. The article recommends enhanced legal recognition of NGO roles in forest governance frameworks, establishment of sustainable funding mechanisms including the operationalisation of the proposed CEMAC solidarity fund for climate change, strengthened coordination mechanisms between NGOs and state institutions, capacity building for local and indigenous NGOs, improved access to environmental information and justice, and the inclusion of civil society in the implementation of regional forest policy decisions.

Usability Evaluation of Electronic Information Resources in Academic Libraries in Erode District

2026-08-03T09:59:24+00:00

This research assesses the usability of electronic information resources (EIRs) by the academic libraries of Tamil Nadu’s Erode District. The mixed-methods research was adopted, where a survey of 200 users (teachers and students) was followed by usability testing and interviewing. Descriptive statistics revealed that access to e-journals, e-books, and databases is made available in most institutions, and the most popular medium used is the mobile device. Chi-square analysis revealed significant correlations between training and effective use of resources, and student status and frequency of use. Regression analysis revealed perceived usefulness, ease of use, and training to be predictors of satisfaction by the users. Despite high accessibility of resources, barriers such as delays in navigation, login issues, and poor training reduce effective use. The research concludes that student libraries should provide extended training to users, make access mechanisms easier, and have regular usability testing in a bid to optimize the utilization of EIRs for learning, teaching, and research.