Background: Concepts such as participation and environment may differ across cultures. Consequently, to use a measure like the Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth (PEM-CY) in other than the original English-speaking contexts, cultural adaptation needs to be assured. The aim of this study was to cross-culturally translate and adapt the PEM-CY into German as it is used in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Methods: Fifteen parents of children and adolescents with disabilities from three German speaking countries participated in three rounds of think-aloud interviews. We followed the procedure of cultural equivalence guidelines including two additional steps. Data was analyzed by content analysis using semantic, idiomatic, experiential and conceptual equivalence. Results: Results show adaptations mainly focused on experiential and conceptual equivalence, with conceptual equivalence being the most challenging to reach. Examples of experiential equivalence included adapting the examples of activities in the PEM-CY to reflect those typical in German speaking countries. Conceptual equivalence mainly addressed aspects of “involvement” and “environment” of children and adolescents and was reached through adaptations such as enhanced instructions and structures, and additional definitions. Conclusions: This study presents a cross-cultural translation and adaptation process to develop a German version of the PEM-CY that is suitable for Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Using a modified cultural adaptation process, a culturally adapted version of PEM-CY (German) is now available for research, practice and further validation.
With regard to the increasing global competition for highly-skilled labour, the group of mobile international students is becoming more and more prominent in the considerations of national policy-makers. One concrete idea is to develop policies in order to bind international students and foreign knowledge workers and make them valuable contributors to the country, economically but also in terms of social and cultural aspects. The Dutch government has put this issue on the agenda and emphasized their interest in binding international talent to the Netherlands. Therefore, it is crucial to learn about the factors, which are decisive in staying and going and which are particularly appealing or unappealing about the Netherlands. In order to contribute to this process, a study was done among international students, alumni, and staff at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. This study's findings have been validated and enriched by the results of a broader survey which has been conducted among the talented international students participating in the Nuffic NL4Talents conference of 4 February 2013 in The Hague. This study suggests that two principal reasons are relevant in residence decisions: career perspective and personal factors, such as having a Dutch partner or circle of friends. Additionally, a number of further factors seems to influence whether internationals want to stay in the Netherlands. All these factors are classified in four groups: those related to the Netherlands in general, to the region/city of residence, personal aspects and aspects related to the university. With regard to the Netherlands, appealing factors appear to be the standard of living, the socio-political environment in the Netherlands and the supposedly welcoming Dutch culture. There are, however, people - in particular those who cannot fully enjoy all rights of the EU citizenship - who feel underprivileged in terms of administrative procedures and in their everyday life in the Netherlands. When it comes to the regional aspects in The Hague, appealing factors are apparently the clean and safe environment to live as well as the availability of several offers for leisure time, including an attractive cultural agenda. Here, the housing situation - more precisely the cost and quality of accommodation - appears as a rather unappealing aspect. In terms of personal considerations, the family-friendly environment in the Netherlands has been rated as particularly appealing. Also having a Dutch partner or Dutch friends may encourage international students to stay and work in the Netherlands. The findings suggest, however, that international students are more embedded in an international circle of friends than linked with the locals. Only few respondents felt being actively excluded from Dutch circles, but a majority agrees that it is difficult to establish bonds with the local population. At the same time, it has been raised that international students voluntarily live in their expat bubble. Lastly, the university experience can contribute to retaining international students. Here, appealing factors were the international study environment which makes the foreign student feel at home, as well as the level and focus of education at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. By contrast, critical views have been raised in relation to a suggested lack of career counselling and support in learning the Dutch language at university. Based on these findings, the report concludes with some recommendations which might serve as a springboard to develop strategies to bind international talent. As the discussion of findings shows, the insights of this study can be validated by insights of a related study that has recently been conducted by Agentschap NL and the advice of the Social and Economic Council of the Netherlands. Based on the findings, the report concludes with a number of recommendations outlining how national, regional, local authorities as well as universities can help to retain more international talent in the Netherlands.
In the Netherlands, the Agri-Food and Water Top Sectors aim at climate neutral food systems that close loops in the food value chains from farm to fork, based on efficiency of natural resource management, optimum use of food, a reduced use of natural resources and less environmental pressure, and optimum use of residue streams. It is also in their ambitions to promote and market Dutch circular solutions in foreign countries, such as emergent economies. The transition to a circular economy in the food chain in emergent economies requires a radical transformation, in which an integrated approach is required. In this regard, Indonesia strives for green development representing an advantageous market opportunity for Dutch SME’s offering circular innovations on the food value chain. The consortium in this project would like to explore the opportunities for applying integrated approaches contributing to the transition to a circular economy in the food chain of emerging countries, in this case Indonesia, that could open market opportunities in the agri-food sector. The integrated approach includes innovations on effective use of natural resources (e.g., soil and water), innovations on ‘reshaping’ local organization and governance, and innovations on food/streams value chains.
