Environmental NGO Advocacy and Governance Transformation in Mining Regions: A Systematic Review

This study was conducted to examine the factors that affect the media visibility of environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGO) in China. Specifically, we examine the ways in which environmental advocacy and media use behaviors are related to the level of attention an ENGO receives from news media. Using data derived from a content analysis of 2158 media reports by 171 ENGOs across China and other sources, the results showed that ENGOs that have an official website and use Weibo garner more media attention than those who do not have a website or use Weibo. Most importantly, the results indicate differences between environmental activism and environmental consumerism in facilitating the media visibility of different types of ENGOs. Compared to government-organized ENGOs, grassroots ENGOs benefit more from participating in environmental consumerist advocacy and having an official website. The findings demonstrate the importance of using various strategies to increase organizational visibility in news media and highlighting the differences between using websites, Weibo, and WeChat in facilitating the media visibility of ENGOs in China.

Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations (ENGOs) have been active outside and inside the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) since the 1970s and are considered to have played crucial roles in the negotiations leading to the mining ban and the 1991 Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (Protocol). Compared to this earlier period, relatively little has been written in the academic literature on ENGOs’ work to advance the protection of the Antarctic environment after the Protocol has come into force in 1998. This paper aims to provide a personal snapshot of ENGO activity under its umbrella organization Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC) at the meetings of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting’s (ATCM’s) Committee on Environmental Protection (CEP), mostly for the period from 2006 to 2013. ENGO representatives are typically highly skilled individuals, often passionate about the environmental protection in general and Antarctica in particular. Their year-round work of advocacy and public outreach is brought into sharp focus during the annual CEP meetings. They switch between different roles of watchdog, Jiminy Cricket, partner, technical advisor, court jester and visionary to address different audiences on different issues. Based on a simple consideration of the direct effects of the presence or absence of ENGOs, I conclude that ENGOs’ involvement in Antarctic affairs is indispensable in: (i) prioritizing environmental protection, (ii) raising public awareness of and facilitating public engagement in Antarctic environmental issues; (iii) drawing Treaty Parties’ attention to environmental issues, especially to those that have received little interest; and (iv) raising the ambition of Treaty Parties and the public on standards of environmental protection and in doing so, making them think differently about the relationship between humans and nature.

Research on environmental advocacy has tended to focus on outcomes and achievements rather than the processes through which these are achieved. In addition, minimal research has attended in detail to the complexity of environmental advocacy, or explored measures to through which to enhance advocates’ prospects of success. The environment movement itself has given scarce attention to promoting the skills, abilities and predispositions that contribute to effective advocacy. Indeed, most environmental non-government organisations (ENGOs) in Australia appear to believe that scientific or expert knowledge will be sufficient to influence environmental decision-makers and consequently provide minimal training or education to enhance advocacy. This thesis is a response to these problems. It seeks to develop an understanding of, and model for, activist education and training in the Australian environment movement. The two main bodies of literature that inform the study are social movement and adult education literature. The former provides the context for the study. Social movement theorists present various explanations of how and why environmental activists work for change. These theorists also discuss the organisational structures and modes of operation typically adopted by activists. The second body of literature is utilised in this thesis to provide a synthesis of relevant educational orientations, traditions and practices. Popular, experiential and adult environmental education offer promising strategies for advocacy organisations that seek to enhance activists’ skills and abilities. The research questions posed in this study lie at the convergence of these two bodies of literature. Two empirical studies were undertaken during this inquiry. The first was conducted with the Queensland Conservation Council, an environmental advocacy organisation where the researcher was employed for five years. The study drew on methods and techniques associated with ethnography and action research to identify, implement and evaluate a range of interventions which aimed to educate and train advocates. Three cycles of inquiry generated useful insights into environmental advocacy and identified useful strategies through which advocacy may be enhanced. The second study, a case study based on interviews and observation, explored the Heart Politics movement. The ethnographic research methods utilised in this case study resulted in a rich description and critical appreciation of the strengths and weaknesses of Heart Politics gatherings as activist education. These two studies contributed to the development of a grounded and endogenous theory of education and training for environmental advocacy. This theory is based on a set of observations concerning the provision of activist education: (1) that most activist learning occurs informally and unintentionally through participation in social action such as environmental campaigns; (2) that this learning can be assessed according to a five-category framework and tends to favour specific categories including the development of social action and organisational development skills rather than alternative categories such as political analysis and personal development; (3) that this informal learning can be harnessed and enhanced through strategies which situate learning in the context of action and promote heightened awareness of the learning dimension of social action; and (4) that a key obstacle to education and training in the environment movement is a conspicuous lack of professional development or support for the people involved in facilitating and coordinating activist education activities and programs. These people are often volunteers and infrequently possess qualifications as educators or facilitators but are more likely to be seasoned activists. They tend to work in isolation as activist education activities are sporadic, geographically diffuse and ad hoc. These observations along with other insights acquired through participatory action research and ethnographic inquiry led to a set of conclusions, some of which have already been implemented or initiated during the course of this study. The first conclusion is that strategies to promote the professional development of activist educators may benefit from the development of texts tailored to the tactical orientations and political and other circumstances of Australian environmental advocacy groups. Texts, alone, are considered an inadequate response. The study also concludes that informal networks, formal and informal courses and other strategies to assist collaboration and peer learning among activist educators offer considerable benefits. Other conclusions pertain to the benefits of collaborating with adult educators and tertiary institutions, and professionals, to the relative merits of activist workshops and other forms of delivery, to the opportunities for activist training presented by regular environment movement gatherings and conferences and to the significant merits of promoting and supporting mentorship relationships between novice and experienced activists.

This paper analyses the internal dimension of digital social networks within the public sector to provide empirical evidence about the interactions of employees in digital innovation communities and the dynamics of open and collaborative innovation. Digital communities of innovation have become the space for public sector employees to be creative, co-produce with other colleagues, and create public value [1]. This paper discusses how these interactions occur, and what factors have an impact on their density. To do this, we investigate the interactions within a digital network community (NovaGob), using Social Network Analysis (SNA). The results, though not confirmatory, show evidence of the importance of power of certain public employees in stimulating participation within these collaboration communities. In the same way, the paper shows how their interest in cooperating, and his previous experience in these digital communities influence the density of interactions. This article concludes with the discussion of the implications and proposals for further research about digital social media platforms using SNA.*

Forest management aimed at maximizing forestry resources and empowering local communities is the focal point of production-oriented forest management. The Wana Tekat Mandiri Farmer Group Association oversees community forests, which are primarily intended to empower local residents. However, illegal logging conducted by external parties poses a significant challenge, undermining the support of these groups for regional government initiatives in guiding the Farmer Group Association in the Boalemo District. This research adopts a descriptive qualitative approach, utilizing methods such as observation, interviews, and documentation. Findings reveal that the community development and empowerment strategy in utilizing community forests has been effectively implemented, with coaching playing a pivotal role. The coaching strategy primarily focuses on developing skills, knowledge, and attitudes to enhance the community's capacity. It is anticipated that this coaching approach will positively impact community empowerment.

Background: An ageing prison population with complex health needs combined with punitive sentencing practices means palliative care for incarcerated individuals is increasingly important. However, there is limited evidence regarding the models of care delivery in high-income countries, and their associated challenges and benefits. Aim: To develop a typology of models of palliative care provision for incarcerated individuals, synthesise evidence of their outcomes and describe facilitators of and challenges in delivering different models of palliative and end-of-life care in prisons. Design: Scoping review following Arksey and O’Malley, with narrative synthesis. The protocol was registered prospectively (reviewregistry1260). Data sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, the Social Sciences Citation Index and grey literature were searched on 15th March 2023. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used for quality appraisal. Results: A total of 16,865 records were screened; 22 peer-reviewed articles and 18 grey literature sources met the inclusion criteria. Three models were identified: Embedded Hospice, Outsourcing Care and Community Collaboration. The Embedded Hospice model shows potential benefits for patients and prisons. Outsourcing Care may miss opportunities for comprehensive care. Collaborative Care relies on proactive prison-community relationships that could be formalised for improvement. Psychosocial and bereavement needs of those dying in prison and their caregivers lack sufficient documentation. Conclusion: Further research is needed to evaluate prison hospice costs and examine how prison hospices impact compassionate release usage. Beyond the USA, policies might formalise care pathways and recognise best practices. Further investigation to address psychosocial needs of people in prison with life-limiting illnesses and post-death bereavement support is required.

Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting (FGM/C) is an act of gender-based violence (GBV) and a global public health issue with well-documented adverse outcomes. With the rise in global migration, there is an increasing prevalence of FGM/C among Arab diaspora living in the West and Global South. What remains unclear is how to reduce the practice. This study was designed to identify interventions exerting an effect on reducing the practice of FGM/C. A systematic review of peer-reviewed articles was conducted on interventions targeting individuals and/or the broader community to prevent FGM/C within the Arab League and its diaspora, up to December 2021. Databases searched included PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINAHL, BIOSIS, ASSIA and Scopus. Quality assessment used the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) 2018. Twelve of 896 studies met the inclusion criteria. Eight interventions relied entirely on education with short-term gains but unchanged practices. Three interventions used social marketing and mixed media. Only one study took a multi-sectoral approach. At a macro level, opportunities to reduce or to end the practice of FGM/C exist through legislation, policy, a public health approach grounded in gender equality and human rights. Using multi-sectoral actions that consider the social context and challenge social norms at macro, meso and micro levels appears more effective than individual-level interventions. Promoting advocacy and developing supportive environments to reduce GBV, enhance gender equality and empower communities is crucial for interventions to succeed and achieve the Sustainable Development Goal target of FGM/C abandonment by 2030.

ABSTRACTThe link between environmental frames and policy outcomes in China is explored. Environmental nongovernment organizations’ (ENGOs) issue interpretation and presentation affect environmental policy changes. The notion of ‘frame alignment’ is introduced, and it is argued that it can serve to link ENGOs’ advocacy needs and frame resonance among different stakeholders, thus successfully promoting advocacy. Based on in-depth interviews and analysis of news reports over a span of 10 years, it is found that where ENGOs are able to align their issue frames with those of the central state and media, the resulting frame resonance smooths policy change. In contrast, where ENGOs adopt conflict frames critical of state authorities, the absence of alignment leads to a slim chance of policy change. The findings shed light on why some ENGOs successfully create linkage and achieve their desired outcomes while others fail to do so.

This article discusses the community empowerment efforts through coin collection fundraising in the village of Ngronggot, Ngronggot sub-district, Nganjuk regency. The purpose of this community empowerment program is to increase community participation and involvement in the development process, as well as to encourage the development of the village economy. The program involves a coin collection fundraising campaign, where community members are encouraged to save their spare change in a designated container. The collected funds are then used to support various community development initiatives, such as improving infrastructure and providing education and health services. The success of this program is attributed to the strong community participation and collaboration between various stakeholders, including local government officials, community leaders, and residents. The program has also helped to build a sense of unity and cooperation among community members, which has contributed to the overall development of the village. Overall, the coin collection fundraising program has been a successful strategy for community empowerment in Ngronggot village, demonstrating the importance of community involvement and collaboration in promoting sustainable development.

This study explores the implementation of digital community marketing strategies as a means to strengthen customer engagement in the era of interactive platforms. The research highlights how digital communities serve as powerful ecosystems that enable brands to build trust, foster participation, and create meaningful relationships with consumers. Through the use of social media, online forums, and other interactive tools, companies can shift from transactional marketing to engagement-driven communication. The study employs a qualitative-descriptive approach by analyzing various case studies of successful digital community initiatives across industries. The findings reveal that active interaction, personalized content, and community empowerment are key drivers of customer loyalty and advocacy in the digital age. Ultimately, this research emphasizes that sustainable marketing success depends on the brand’s ability to nurture a sense of belonging and co-creation within its digital community.

Increasingly development theorists and practitioners view NGOs as catalysts of sustainable development. NGOs have been regarded as champions of democratisation and promoters of new ways of engaging in politics, with considerable influence on the development of civil society and new partnerships in environmental and social advocacy. This article analyses the ways in which Costa Rican environmental NGOs (ENGOs) engage in politics, by focusing on their perceptions of their roles in environmental governance and in representation of civil society. The results of this study suggest that the ENGOs' ways of engaging in politics differ little from traditional forms of governance, while their conceptions of engaging in politics without being political are novel. While most ENGOs had no clear conception of the stakeholders whom they were supposed to be representing, the notion of representativeness is complex and should be revisited.

This article examines the potentials and limitations of the concept of “chemosociality” (Shapiro and Kirksey, Cultural Anthropology 32:481–493, 2017) through a case study of Emerald, an environmental NGO addressing pollution in China’s chemical industry. Based on fieldwork and online research conducted since 2016, the article explores how chemosociality provides a lens to move beyond binary views of a homogeneous frontline community battling against toxic industries. However, it argues that chemosociality alone is insufficient to account for the unevenness of community engagement in environmental advocacy. Drawing on Bradley’s concept of biosolidarity (Bradley, Anthropology & Medicine 28:543–557, 2021), the article introduces chemosolidarity and ecosolidarity to highlight Emerald’s efforts to foster public participation. While Emerald’s attempts to cultivate chemosolidarity were unsuccessful, they nurtured ecosolidarity, grounded in a shared appreciation of nature. This example underscores the need to differentiate between sociality and solidarity and to pay attention to affective rather than effective participation to gain a more nuanced understanding of environmental justice and the complexities of toxicity and environmental advocacy.

This article examines the framing strategy in the digital campaign “Stop Judi Ya Guys” conducted by Mobile Legends influencers in response to the spread of online gambling in the digital space of young people. The urgency of this study lies in the massive normalization of online gambling in digital entertainment media and the weak digital literacy of the younger generation, which allows the infiltration of deviant values through gaming and live streaming platforms. This research employs a qualitative method with a virtual ethnographic approach to explore the construction of narratives and public responses to the campaign. Data collection techniques include observing digital content on YouTube, conducting in-depth interviews with influencers, their followers, and digital communication experts. Data analysis uses the Miles, Huberman, and Saldana model, which includes data reduction, data presentation, and verification. Data validity was tested through source triangulation and expert triangulation to ensure consistency between the campaign narrative and the digital actions that occurred. The results of the study indicate that the representation of online gambling occurs subtly through symbols, game features, and digital forums, forming a normalization process that is difficult to recognize. Conversely, the digital campaign by influencers uses an organic, contextual, and participatory approach to build a moral counter-narrative. The discussion emphasizes the importance of framing and innovation diffusion as social intervention strategies within digital communities. In conclusion, the strength of digital campaigns lies in integrating values into the daily digital lives of audiences through familiar, emotional, and participatory communication styles.

With the rapid growth of economy and development of urbanization and industrialization in China, environmental degradation is worse. Although the Chinese government has adopted a whole array of measures to strengthen environmental protection, the government has faced challenges in effectiveness and efficiency of environmental governance. Hence, it is necessary to make greater efforts to improve institutional innovation in environmental management, so as to meet the environmental challenges.

This study aims to comprehensively analyze the urgency and integration model of Pancasila values in the concept of green constitution and environmental law in order to realize a sustainable and just green economy in Indonesia. In the midst of a global and national environmental crisis that threatens sustainable development and human values, a firm legal foundation is needed and rooted in the nation’s philosophy. The research method used is normative juridical with a special emphasis on philosophical analysis to explore the relevance of Pancasila values, supported by legislative and conceptual approaches. The results of the analysis show that the 1945 Constitution, especially Article 28H paragraph (1) and Article 33 paragraph (3) & (4), has the potential as a green constitution with the spirit of Pancasila, which mandates environmental protection and natural resource management for the greatest possible prosperity of the people in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. The implementation of the principles of sustainability in Law No. 32 of 2009 concerning Environmental Protection and Management (PPLH Law) and other sectoral regulations needs to be strengthened and harmonized to overcome the potential for disharmony with regulations that are still exploitatively oriented. Furthermore, environmental law based on the green constitution and Pancasila values plays a central role in ensuring that the realization of the green economy runs in line with the principles of environmental justice, including distributive justice, procedural, and intergenerational and intragenerational justice. This study concludes that the internalization of Pancasila values—godliness, humanity, unity, peoplehood, and social justice—in every aspect of environmental law and policy is a prerequisite for achieving green development that is not only ecologically and economically effective, but also just, inclusive, and reflects the identity of the Indonesian nation.