Locus of control, a psychological concept referring to individuals' beliefs about how they can control events affecting them, plays a significant role in shaping Africa's self-perception and personality development. This abstract explores how locus of control influences the African identity and its broader implications. In Africa, the colonial legacy has profoundly impacted the collective psyche, often fostering an external locus of control. Many Africans perceive their circumstances as controlled by external forces such as historical injustices, governmental actions, and socio-economic conditions. This perception can lead to feelings of helplessness and a diminished sense of agency, detrimental to personal and communal development. Cultural factors further complicate the interplay between locus of control and African self-perception. Traditional African values, such as communalism and respect for authority, can sometimes reinforce an external locus of control. However, integrating these values with modern psychological insights can help balance the internal and external loci of control, promoting a healthier self-perception. Addressing the psychological scars of colonialism and fostering a sense of pride and self-worth are crucial steps towards developing a more unified and resilient African identity. By encouraging an internal locus of control, African societies can empower individuals to overcome historical and contemporary challenges, leading to a more positive and proactive self-perception. In conclusion, understanding and addressing the locus of control is essential for improving Africa's self-perception and fostering a more empowered and resilient identity. This requires a multifaceted approach that includes psychological healing, cultural integration, and the promotion of individual agency.

Introduction As climate governance increasingly adopts multilevel approaches, subnational actors play a central role in achieving national and global climate objectives. However, in Nigeria, as in many other developing countries, the role of subnational actors in climate governance remains underexplored. Understanding their institutional readiness is crucial for meeting national climate commitments, including the 2060 net-zero target. This paper presents the first comprehensive assessment of climate awareness, policy, and action across all 36 Nigerian states. Methods Using a mixed-methods design, the study combined document and budget reviews, a national survey of 1,306 respondents from relevant ministries and agencies, and a stakeholder validation workshop with over 600 participants. Indicators examined included climate literacy, policy presence and alignment, budgetary commitments, and inter-agency coordination. Results Findings reveal low climate knowledge among subnational officials, weak public awareness, and limited policy development. Only a handful of states, possess climate policies or action plans, and fewer than 20% have climate-related budget lines. Cross-sectoral collaboration and alignment with national frameworks are also weak. Discussion These gaps expose structural and institutional weaknesses that undermine Nigeria’s multilevel climate governance. Achieving the 2060 net-zero goal requires harmonized subnational frameworks, enhanced capacity-building, and innovative tools—such as performance-based disclosure and rating systems—to incentivize accountability and stimulate stronger state-level climate action. Positioned within debates on multilevel governance, the study highlights Nigeria as a critical test case of how federated system in the Global South can recalibrate institutions to transform symbolic commitments into substantive action.

This article analyzes the urgency of applying the principles of due diligence and public interest in evaluating and imposing administrative sanctions on Mining Business Permits (IUP) in Indonesia. Using normative legal research methods, the study examines statutory regulations, principles of administrative law, and decisions of the Administrative Court (PTUN) to assess the consistency of government actions in mining oversight. The findings indicate that many IUP revocation decisions are overturned because of insufficient data verification, the absence of on-site inspections, and the failure to consider community and environmental impacts. This demonstrates that these two principles are essential prerequisites for ensuring the legality, accountability, and social legitimacy of administrative decision-making. The article recommends strengthening coordination between central and regional governments, enhancing supervisory capacity, and involving local communities as key strategies for improving mining governance and promoting more accountable administrative law enforcement.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reporting has evolved from voluntary disclosure to a strategic component of business practice, shaped by the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda. This study systematically reviews literature published between 2017 and 2025, applying the PRISMA methodology to identify the determinants of CSR reporting across developed and developing economies. Results highlight that in developed countries, disclosure is driven by regulatory enforcement, strong governance, and stakeholder activism, whereas in developing countries it is shaped by institutional fragility and external pressures from NGOs and multinational partners. Common determinants, including firm size, stakeholder expectations, and financial performance, influence CSR across contexts. However, challenges such as symbolic compliance and greenwashing remain prevalent, particularly in less regulated environments. The paper contributes to academic and policy debates by clarifying cross-contextual differences, emphasizing the need for robust governance and verification tools, and offering practical implications for firms, regulators, and investors seeking to enhance reporting quality and sustainability outcomes.

This study explores the impact of digitalization on the transparency and accountability of public policy through a qualitative research approach, employing a literature review methodology. Digital tools, such as e-government platforms, open data systems, and emerging technologies like blockchain, have significantly enhanced public sector governance by improving the accessibility, efficiency, and transparency of government operations. This study systematically reviews scholarly articles, government reports, and other relevant publications from 2016 to 2025 to assess the ways in which digitalization contributes to greater citizen engagement and governmental accountability. Key findings from the literature indicate that digital tools are critical in fostering public trust, increasing the visibility of government actions, and promoting accountability through enhanced data accessibility. Furthermore, emerging technologies like blockchain offer substantial promise for improving public sector transparency by ensuring secure and traceable records of government transactions. However, challenges such as the digital divide, unequal access to technology, and the need for digital literacy programs are also identified as barriers to the effective implementation of digital governance. The paper concludes by highlighting the importance of bridging these gaps to maximize the benefits of digitalization and ensure equitable access to governance tools. Recommendations for future research include investigating the long-term impacts of digitalization on policy outcomes, especially in developing countries, and exploring the ethical implications of data use in governance.

This study examines the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI), political accountability, and administrative efficiency as critical pathways toward achieving good governance in the digital era. With governments across the globe increasingly integrating digital technologies into public administration, AI has emerged as a transformative tool capable of enhancing transparency, efficiency, and citizen engagement. The study adopts a qualitative approach, data derived from policy reports, institutional documents, and governance performance indicators. Findings reveal that AI contributes significantly to administrative efficiency by automating decision processes, optimizing resource allocation, and improving service delivery speed and accuracy. Moreover, AI-driven data analytics facilitates greater political accountability by enabling real-time monitoring of government activities, early detection of corruption risks, and evidence-based policymaking. However, challenges such as inadequate digital infrastructure, ethical concerns, data privacy issues, and limited technical capacity hinder effective AI adoption in many developing countries. The study concludes that integrating AI into governance systems requires a balanced policy framework that emphasizes transparency, inclusivity, and ethical oversight. It recommends that governments invest in AI literacy, institutional capacity building, and regulatory reforms to ensure equitable and responsible deployment of AI technologies in governance. By aligning AI innovation with democratic principles and administrative reforms, nations can foster more accountable, efficient, and responsive governance structures capable of addressing 21st-century challenges.

The Curia examined whether an informal letter issued by the government commissioner about ex aequo et bono applications for accommodation support submitted by persons fleeing the war in Ukraine could be the subject of an administrative dispute. The Curia found that these letters qualify as administrative acts and do not fall within the scope of the political question doctrine, therefore these are reviewable by administrative courts. In its judgment, the Curia made important findings on the legal status of government commissioners and on the conditions for classifying an act as a governmental activity.

Waste exists everywhere, despite different rules and laws. The generation and management of waste is a crucial indicator of resilience in the era of climate change. Every citizen has a duty to take responsibility for the creation and disposal of waste. The main organisation in charge for this is the Local Self- Governments in the grass-root level. In order to provide sustainable waste services, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 11 and 12 placed a strong emphasis on the sustainable waste management. The shift from waste to resilience entails not just waste reduction but also seeing refuse as a resource, thereby enabling communities to effectively manage it in the face of diverse problems. In Kerala's Wayanad district, the town of Sultan Bathery is one such example of a community-based waste management strategy incorporating the idea of waste to resilience. It serves as an illustration of how to manage the waste produced by adhering to stringent laws and regulations and turning trash into opportunity. The researcher employed a case study methodology to elucidate the activities, challenges and opportunities associated with trash management in the local context. This study will shed light on the opportunities and problems that Local Self Governments face when it comes to waste management.

This article explores the critical role of the Geological Survey of Brazil (SGB-CPRM) in advancing national development strategies through the provision of geoscientific data and expertise. It examines how the institution's activities align with and support key public policies in Brazil, including those focused on safe and sustainable mining, mapping and studies of oceans and coastal zones, water security (“water in quantity and quality, forever”), disaster risk reduction, and other crosscutting agendas. Through a comparative analysis of strategic plans from leading global geological surveys, the article underscores Brazil’s technical strengths and strong data production capabilities, while also drawing attention to the lack of a formally established national mineral policy integrated into broader development frameworks. It argues that SGB-CPRM plays a vital role in bridging this policy gap and positioning Brazil to participate effectively in the global transition to a low-carbon economy. The article also describes the Brazil Geological Survey’s contributions under the Multi-Year Plan (PPA), particularly in geological mapping and critic minerals, marine geology, water resources and geohazards. Despite facing budgetary and operational constraints, the institution has continued to make progress through institutional collaboration and technical resilience. SGB-CPRM acts as a strategic partner in the formulation and implementation of public policies, integrating geoscientific information into policy frameworks to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of government actions across various sectors. One of the SGB-CPRM's most tangible contributions lies in its long-standing geological mapping program, which has produced an extensive and systematically updated set of geological maps covering the vast Brazilian territory. These maps—developed over decades and continually updated—are accessible through the institutional repository and constitute a fundamental resource for academic research. While not formally responsible for policy formulation, SGB-CPRM acts as a key articulator, providing critical scenarios and technical insights to both the executive and legislative branches. In addition to the national geological mapping program, a core function of SGB-CPRM is to serve as the central hub for generating Brazil's basic geoscientific data. This foundational information, made available through its public platforms, is indispensable for the creation of evidence-based policies. By ensuring access to reliable and standardized national data, SGB-CPRM empowers government bodies, the private sector, and civil society to make informed decisions. To enhance the effectiveness of these policies, there is a clear need for more participatory committees focused on Brazil's diverse development strategies. Continued investment in its technical capabilities and expanded data dissemination efforts will further solidify SGB-CPRM's pivotal role in supporting Brazil’s national development strategies and contributing to a more resilient and sustainable future.

Nepal is often associated with a series of snow-capped mountains and the revered birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha. However, it cannot be denied that the country welcomes visits from the ‘unknown’ to partake in the infinite spectrum of cultures, languages, and customs. Among these, the Raute—a small and marginalized group of hunter-gatherers—stand out as the last remaining nomadic tribe in Nepal. The Raute, believed to be a part of the Khas Aryas group, have lived a reclusive existence in the forests of the Karnali, Dailekh, and Surkhet provinces for centuries. The issue is further exacerbated by a threat to their civilization and well-being. Their way of life, guided by three core principles—no settlements, no agriculture, and no formal education—is now under significant threat due to the rapid escalation of crony capitalism and modernization. Today, fewer than 150 of them remain as the final vestiges of a 900-year-old folklore of “eccentric nomadic barbarisms”; a derogatory term used by the civil societies. Thus, the government of Nepal considers their way of life as some wildly romantic existence living cheek-by-jowl with nature, yet compels them to give up the norm and gradually conform towards the ‘mainstream’, regardless of how ‘xenophobic’ the nomads feel. This paper examines the complex challenges facing the Raute, including their social, economic, and political dynamics, and critically analyzes the role of the Nepali government and other external actors. It argues that a deeper understanding of the Raute's cultural resilience and their deep-seated xenophobia is essential for developing effective conservation policies that respect their right to self-determination and preserve their unique heritage.

ABSTRACT Bark beetles are small insects that inhabit the bark of trees. When their population increases excessively, they can weaken the trees and cause their death. In México, federal regulations obligate forest landowners to carry out sanitary logging to control bark beetle outbreaks in adherence to official procedures. The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve is located on the border of two states that show a clear contrast in the incidence of reported outbreaks. During 2009–2021, the Michoacán side accounted for an incidence rate of 41 outbreaks/km 2 of forest, while in the Estado de México side, it was 1.5 outbreaks/km 2 . That difference cannot be attributed solely to climate and physiographic conditions. The objective of this work was to identify the technical and administrative procedures followed by local and governmental actors in both states to carry out sanitary logging. We conducted 21 semi‐structured interviews, transcribed and coded using MAXQDA, for an interpretative qualitative analysis. We found that the contrast is mainly contingent on the criteria used to define an active outbreak that necessitates sanitation. In Michoacán, a single tree with bark beetles is enough to get a sanitary logging notification, which authorizes the timber extraction that is then executed by a sawmill. In the Estado de México, an active outbreak is a group of three or more infested trees, and sanitary logging is executed by the forest landowners. These discrepancies highlight legal inadequacies in the management of bark beetles. It is imperative to develop more comprehensive strategies for forest health management, rather than relying solely on sanitary logging, which could be influenced by interests beyond those of conservation.

India has experienced periodic famines and droughts that have necessitated food imports. In 1950, the nation was experiencing a shortage of food grains due to the rapidly expanding population, which was placing increasing strain on the agricultural sector. The Green Revolution has contributed to a greater sense of self-assurance in our ability to produce food grains and maintain a balance between population growth and agricultural output. The output of rice and wheat, two important crops, has increased significantly as a result of the Green Revolution, which is its most notable achievement. The first Green Revolution had both positive and negative impacts on society and the environment. Despite the enormous amount of agricultural output, there are concerns regarding the nation’s level of food security. Emerging countries, such as India, have experienced gains in food production worldwide. Several notable negative repercussions of the Green Revolution emerged in the years that followed. Before the Green Revolution, its benefits and drawbacks were not the subject of any independent research. Following the Green Revolution, government activities caused the output of wheat and rice to quadruple, while local rice types and millets experienced a decline in productivity. Consequently, several local crops have perished and are no longer cultivated.

Through five studies, this research examined how objectively measured societal freedom and individual perceptions of it are related to reduced belief in conspiracy theories. Study 1 (N = 6353 participants from 36 countries) examined the negative relationship between societal freedom (as measured by the Human Freedom Index) and generic conspiracy beliefs. Study 2 (N = 44,458 participants from 52 countries) focused on interest group‐related COVID‐19 conspiracy beliefs– a measure not explicitly referring to government actors. Moving to the individual level, Study 3 (N = 278) examined relationships between perceived societal freedom and various conspiracy beliefs, while Study 4 (N = 246) experimentally tested whether manipulating perceptions of societal freedom affected belief in generic conspiracist beliefs as well as those related to vaccines and financial crises. Results indicated that both greater societal freedom and higher perceived societal freedom are associated with lower levels of conspiracy beliefs. In Study 5 (N = 592), we examined the psychological mechanisms mediating the relationship between perceived societal freedom and conspiracy beliefs and found the significant indirect effect via political anger. These findings contribute to a broader understanding of how macro‐level conditions can be incorporated into efforts to reduce the prevalence of conspiracy theories.

The article is devoted to defining the role of openness and transparency of government bodies in the mechanism of preventing corruption in Ukraine during martial law. The main regulatory and legal acts establishing the principles of openness and transparency of public authorities, as well as measures for their implementation, are identified. The importance of systematic disclosure and provision of information about their activities by the relevant authorities is emphasised, as well as active information and awareness-raising among the population about their rights under the law. Attention is drawn to the need to use modern digital technologies to improve mechanisms for interaction between state institutions and the public. The author notes that thanks to the active digitalisation of the country over the past 10 years, numerous electronic resources have been created that can significantly reduce the level of corrupt practices in Ukraine and increase citizens’ trust in public administration. The possibilities of some information services, such as DoZorro and the Unified State Register of Persons Who Have Committed Corruption or Corruption- Related Offences, are analysed. The article examines the peculiarities of implementing the principle of openness and transparency of public authorities during martial law in Ukraine. It outlines the challenges faced by the state after the large-scale invasion by the Russian Federation. These included: the temporary suspension of the work of registries under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine; the temporary abolition of the mandatory submission of electronic declarations by declarants until the termination or abolition of martial law; and the limited ability of specially authorised bodies in the field of preventing and combating corruption to exercise their powers. Conclusions are drawn that in order to build a modern democratic Ukraine based on the rule of law, it is necessary to adhere to the principles of openness and transparency in the activities of state authorities and local self-government bodies. Only under these conditions can significant progress be made in reducing corruption and forming a civil society that is resistant to corruption.

ABSTRACT Policy networks connect policy actors across spaces and organizations to advance policy agendas. While much is known about forms of network governance, there is still a lack of research to date on how networks work across online and offline spaces, and the ways that this hybridity of networking arrangements may be influencing policy agendas. In the field of climate communication and education, a range of actors are involved in the network governance of United Nations policy programs through both online and offline networks. In this paper, we examine policy actors’ online and offline hybrid network governance activity. We compare social network analysis of Twitter/X data with broader network ethnography analysis to consider how the focused inclusion of online spaces in network analysis can contribute to a different understanding of the role and functionality of actors in network governance. This paper highlights the value of integrating network ethnography and social network analysis to understand hybrid network governance and actor dynamics in global education policy.

The global community is becoming increasingly fragile, plagued with intensifying armed violence, fracturing democratic governance processes, diminishing commitments and actions to protect basic human rights, and raging climate crises. Amid these complexities, children and youth are disproportionately impacted, and all signs point to increased precarity of their rights. Young people affected by armed violence are particularly suffering, thus understanding their rights and needs during and post conflict is essential to building effective peace and security. This research features the peace perspectives of 50 children and youth, all impacted by armed violence, and demonstrates the power of listening to young people’s visions for peace. The key findings illustrate the importance of interpersonal peace, learning peacebuilding skills, and the essential role that children and youth play in building peace in their homes, schools, and communities. Recommendations for meaningful child engagement in the development of a Children, Peace, and Security Agenda are featured.

The article examines the features of ensuring and protecting human rights under martial law. The problem is posed by the fact that martial law provides for temporary restrictions on certain rights and freedoms, but such restrictions must remain lawful, proportionate and comply with national legislation, the European Convention on Human Rights and international standards. It is noted that ensuring human rights under martial law is based on a combination of the norms of national constitutional law, international human rights law and international humanitarian law. The article analyzes the mechanisms of national and international protection of human rights, including the institutions of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Commissioner for Human Rights, courts and international bodies, such as the ECHR, the ICC and the UN. The experience of other states is studied and it is proved that effective protection of human rights in wartime is possible only if the independence of the judiciary, transparency of government actions and the active participation of the Ombudsman institution are maintained. Particular attention is paid to the rights to life, liberty, security of person, privacy, freedom of expression and property, as well as the principles of proportionality, temporality and inviolability of the essence of the legal status of a person. The risks of excessive restriction of rights under the pretext of national security, the use of digital registers to monitor citizens and restrictions on access to justice in occupied or frontline regions are considered. The need to comply with international standards for the protection of civilians in armed conflicts, which are enshrined in the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols, is emphasized. The importance of an integrated approach combining legal, institutional and international mechanisms is emphasized to ensure real protection of human rights during martial law, prevent abuse of emergency powers and build a sustainable post-war justice system. It is determined that the institutional architecture of human rights protection in wartime is characterized by multi-level interaction, where national bodies perform the primary function of ensuring rights and freedoms, and international structures perform the function of control, monitoring and holding accountable for their violations.

ABSTRACT This qualitative study aimed to draft a set of indicators and actions for subnational level governments to address childhood stunting. It spans three domains: law, policy, and finance. Sub-domains include food control, political economy, agriculture and food systems, education, nutrition, water, sanitation and environment, health, social protection, and finance and governance. Provincial officials, responsible for child wellness policies, were interviewed in the Western Cape (n = 7) and Gauteng (n = 8), South Africa, and Bulawayo (n = 10), Zimbabwe. Findings revealed that data needed to populate the indicators and identify actions were mostly available, but not always easily accessible. Findings further suggest that a well-developed set of indicators and actions can inform advocacy, improve data collection, enhance monitoring, inform policy, and drive governance improvements for stunting reduction. The set of indicators and actions offer potential, with further development, to track political commitment, and advance multisectoral actions to address childhood stunting at subnational level.

Emerging technologies present risks that can spur demand for assurances about the assessment and management of these risks. These ex ante or ex post assurances can be tightly scoped risk audits or broader impact assessments that evidence risks have been considered and managed with a degree of care and diligence. The article comparatively examines the supply of assurances about the risks of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Using the lens of regulatory intermediaries and novel datasets, it characterizes and assesses the field of assurance actors in AI risk governance, focusing on how generalist and specialist assurance actors are practicing and advocating for specific types of intermediations.

The American Revolution was a complex process, the military and political events of which are well documented. This article focuses on the socioeconomic aspects of the process in which the 13 American colonies broke away from the British Empire. By this point, the colonies had reached a level of development comparable to that of the mother country. The population grew through immigration from Europe of people seeking to free themselves from feudal and religious restrictions, as well as through the mass importing of servants (white slaves under contracts) and slaves from Africa. The colonies had significant differences in the structure of their economies and traded industrial goods with the mother country. In the South, a highly developed plantation agriculture based on slave labour remained until the Civil War. The colonists’ love of freedom and the unsuccessful actions of the British government caused a conflict that resulted in the former adopting the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The armed actions of the American rebels under the leadership of George Washington were supported by the French crown, initially through secret deliveries of arms and equipment. France’s entry into the war against Britain and the fighting between the two European powers on the North American continent played an important role in the victory of the rebel forces in 1781. The creation of a new state based on democracy and free enterprise led to rapid economic development, although slavery remained in place for several more generations.