Advisory Practice Research Articles

DIFFERENCES IN INDICATORS OF EXISTENTIAL FULLNESS OF REPRESENTATIVES OF DIFFERENT GENERATIONS

The article presents the results of a study on indicators of existential fulfillment among representatives of different generations. The study was conducted on a sample of representatives of generations who share the same sociocultural space and constitute the most active part of society - generations X, Y and Z. The results of the study made it possible to supplement existing ideas about intergenerational differences and prerequisites for a high level of existential fulfillment. The data obtained will be useful and applicable in the field of practical and theoretical psychology and can be used in advisory practice on problems of personal development, meaning-making, formation of personal maturity and psychological culture of the individual.

Behavioral Biases of Financial Planners: The Case of Retirement Funding Recommendations

We examine whether financial planners display common behavioral biases and whether these biases affect their recommendations for various home equity release options to fund retirement income. First, we show that different factors explain different behavioral biases. Second, we show that different behavioral biases affect financial planners’ comfort level and recommendations for various options to fund extra income during retirement. For instance, female planners, planners with advanced degrees and those from non-bank institutions display less mental accounting bias, while older and high-income planners display lower loss aversion. Specifically, our findings reveal that biases, notably mental accounting and herding, influence planners’ willingness to recommend home equity utilization. Furthermore, these biases significantly affect the ranking of retirement income strategies. Planners exhibiting mental accounting or gambler’s fallacy prioritize selling investments, whereas those with loss aversion lean toward selling and downsizing. Our findings have important implications for financial planning and advising practices as they illuminate the nuanced interplay between planner biases and advisory practices in retirement planning.

A policy model for regulating and standardizing financial advisory services in Nigeria’s capital markets

This paper presents a policy model for regulating and standardizing financial advisory services in Nigeria’s capital markets, addressing the urgent need for structured oversight to enhance market integrity and investor protection. The model proposes a comprehensive regulatory framework that integrates stringent standards for financial advisors, uniform guidelines for service delivery, and robust compliance mechanisms to ensure adherence to best practices. It emphasizes the establishment of a central regulatory body responsible for setting and enforcing standards, alongside a system of periodic audits and performance evaluations to maintain high-quality advisory services. Key components of the proposed policy include the development of a certification process for financial advisors, mandatory training programs, and the implementation of transparent disclosure requirements to aid investors in making informed decisions. The model also advocates for leveraging technological advancements, such as digital platforms for real-time monitoring and data analytics, to streamline regulatory processes and enhance transparency in financial advisory practices. The policy model aims to address existing gaps in regulatory oversight by providing clear guidelines and enforcement mechanisms to prevent conflicts of interest, ensure ethical conduct, and foster investor confidence. By aligning Nigeria’s capital markets with international best practices and integrating technological solutions, the model seeks to create a more resilient and trustworthy financial advisory environment. Expected outcomes include improved service quality, increased investor protection, and enhanced market efficiency. The model’s implementation will contribute to greater market stability and confidence, supporting sustainable growth in Nigeria’s capital markets. This approach not only addresses current regulatory challenges but also positions Nigeria as a leader in financial advisory standards within the global financial community.

JERUSALEM, A HOLY AND CREATIVE CITY: Advisory Practices and the Grounding of Urban Mobilities within the Context of Ethnic Conflict

AbstractThis article assesses how the agency of international advisors can provide policy recommendations that, instead of introducing urban policy initiatives for multicultural encounters, sharpen political and spatial segregation within the context of ethnic conflict. The article explores the variegated nature of neoliberalization and argues that the adoption of strategic planning and creativity discourses enables the development of a sophisticated political rationale for governing ethnic diversity. The analysis focuses on a range of advisory practices—including the role played by Michael Porter at the Harvard Business School and Richard Florida at the Creative Class Group in advising former Jerusalem mayor Nir Barkat—in order to understand the dynamics of grounding imaginaries concerning a neoliberal role for the state and the depoliticization of the public sphere in a disputed city. By surveying official policy documents, journalistic interviews and two reports submitted by Porter and Florida to Barkat, the author examines how the branding of Jerusalem as a creative city involved managerial practices that classified the city's diverse population according to categories of creative and non‐creative labor rather than political subjects. The adoption of such discourses facilitated a novel approach for enhancing the state‐building ethno‐nationalistic project while at the same time reproducing the dynamics of occupation and annexation.

A theoretical framework for standardized financial advisory services in pension management in Nigeria

Nigeria’s pension management sector is undergoing significant reforms aimed at improving the efficiency and reliability of pension services. Despite these efforts, inconsistencies and gaps in financial advisory services remain a challenge, impacting the effectiveness of pension management. This paper presents a theoretical framework for standardizing financial advisory services specifically within Nigeria's pension sector. The framework aims to address critical issues by proposing a structured approach to enhance service quality, ensure compliance with regulatory standards, and improve client outcomes. The framework encompasses several core components: a regulatory framework for oversight, certification and training requirements for advisors, and standardized advisory practices. The regulatory framework advocates for the establishment of a central regulatory body to enforce compliance, develop comprehensive guidelines, and oversee the implementation of best practices. It emphasizes the need for a robust certification process and continuous professional development for financial advisors to ensure high standards of service. Certification and training are integral to the framework, focusing on establishing uniform qualifications and training programs for advisors, as well as implementing continuous education requirements. Standardized advisory practices are designed to ensure consistency in financial planning, risk assessment, and reporting procedures, which are crucial for effective pension management. The framework also highlights the role of technology in enhancing service delivery, including digital tools for better client management and data analytics for improved compliance monitoring. By integrating these elements, the proposed model aims to enhance transparency, reduce errors, and foster greater trust among pension scheme members. The expected outcomes include improved quality and consistency in financial advisory services, greater adherence to regulatory standards, and enhanced client satisfaction and protection. This theoretical framework provides a foundation for policy development and implementation strategies, with the goal of creating a more reliable and effective pension management system in Nigeria.

A digital financial advisory standardization framework for client success in Nigeria

The growing complexity of Nigeria's financial landscape necessitates a more structured and standardized approach to financial advisory services. This paper proposes a Digital Financial Advisory Standardization Framework aimed at improving client success in wealth management and financial planning. The framework focuses on enhancing consistency, transparency, and accessibility through technology-driven solutions. By integrating digital tools such as artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics, the framework enables financial advisors to deliver personalized, data-driven recommendations. It also introduces standardized risk assessment and portfolio management processes, ensuring that clients receive tailored advice based on uniform best practices. The lack of standardization in Nigeria's financial advisory sector has led to inconsistencies in service quality, limiting consumer trust and market participation. This framework addresses these gaps by promoting regulatory compliance, professional ethics, and continuous advisor education. Additionally, the integration of digital platforms expands access to underserved populations, particularly in rural areas, enabling financial inclusion. By providing a centralized system for managing client information, monitoring compliance, and streamlining advisory operations, the framework improves both advisor efficiency and client outcomes. This standardized approach is expected to result in increased client satisfaction, higher investment participation, and improved financial literacy. Moreover, the framework fosters long-term wealth creation by promoting informed decision-making and reducing exposure to fraudulent schemes. The model ultimately supports economic growth by aligning financial advisory practices with global standards and improving the overall trust in Nigeria's financial system.

Roles for advisory science in the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES)

What role should science take when providing advice in support of policy and politics? Should a provider of science-based advice have its own position on the issues it provides advise on? Or should it be as impartial as possible from the value and policy context of the advice? This theme, long debated, gained new attention in fisheries and marine governance. Starting from theoretical concepts and stylised models, this study attends to a theory-practice gap by investigating concrete advisory practices. We analyse roles that the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) takes when producing and delivering science-based advice. ICES is an interesting case because its long history as advice provider offered it unique opportunities to consolidate and refine its advisory role. Published by the Advisory Committee in ICES, the 2021 “Guide to ICES advisory framework and principles” describes the overarching framework to ICES advice and the principles it builds on. Based on this guide, we analyse the forms of science-policy interactions and roles that ICES takes as advisor, how these roles are enabled, and the challenges they involve. We find that ICES takes different roles vis-à-vis policy and society for different contexts in which it provides advice. Our analysis of ICES’ advice portfolio provides lessons on how different advice products can be developed through structured processes in a way that helps to bridge the boundary between science and policy and support the enactment of what ICES sees as appropriate advisory roles.

A conceptual model for financial advisory standardization: Bridging the financial literacy gap in Nigeria

This paper presents a conceptual model aimed at standardizing financial advisory practices in Nigeria, with the goal of bridging the financial literacy gap that affects a significant portion of the population. The model proposes a structured framework for financial advisory services that integrates key elements of financial education, regulatory oversight, and practitioner qualifications. By emphasizing the importance of standardized practices, the model seeks to enhance the quality of financial advice provided to Nigerian consumers and promote better financial decision-making. The framework is based on a multi-dimensional approach, incorporating principles of financial literacy, ethical standards, and client-centered advisory practices. It highlights the need for comprehensive financial education programs that address the specific needs and challenges faced by different demographic groups in Nigeria. These programs are designed to improve financial literacy levels and empower individuals with the knowledge required to make informed financial decisions. Key components of the model include the establishment of certification and training requirements for financial advisors, the implementation of regulatory guidelines to ensure ethical conduct, and the creation of a standardized assessment tool to evaluate the effectiveness of advisory services. The model also emphasizes the role of technology in enhancing accessibility to financial advice, advocating for the development of digital platforms that facilitate remote advisory services and educational resources. The proposed model aims to address existing disparities in financial knowledge and advisory quality by providing a uniform standard for financial advisory practices across Nigeria. By bridging the financial literacy gap, the model is expected to contribute to improved financial outcomes for individuals and enhance overall economic stability.

A regulatory model for standardizing financial advisory services in Nigeria

The rapid growth of financial advisory services in Nigeria has increased the need for a robust regulatory framework to ensure consistency, transparency, and consumer protection. Currently, the sector lacks standardized guidelines, leading to variations in service quality, conflicting advisory practices, and risks to investors. This paper proposes a regulatory model aimed at standardizing financial advisory services in Nigeria, addressing critical challenges such as the lack of uniform certification requirements, inconsistent service quality, and inadequate consumer protection mechanisms. The proposed model focuses on five key components: regulatory oversight, certification and training, ethical standards, consumer protection, and technology integration. It advocates for the establishment of a dedicated regulatory body or a specialized unit within existing financial regulatory institutions to oversee financial advisory services. A mandatory certification process will ensure that only qualified individuals provide financial advice, while ethical guidelines will promote professionalism and integrity. The model also emphasizes the need for consumer protection through mechanisms like dispute resolution channels and transparency in fees and services. Additionally, the integration of digital tools and technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain, is suggested to enhance compliance monitoring and service delivery. By standardizing the sector, the proposed regulatory model aims to foster investor confidence, ensure the sustainability of the financial advisory industry, and contribute to Nigeria’s broader financial inclusion goals. It also draws insights from international best practices, highlighting how other emerging economies have successfully regulated similar sectors. This paper provides practical recommendations for policymakers and industry stakeholders on the effective implementation of this model, outlining potential challenges and suggesting solutions to ensure widespread adoption.

A model for wealth management through standardized financial advisory practices in Nigeria

This paper proposes a model for wealth management through standardized financial advisory practices in Nigeria, aimed at improving financial literacy, investment decisions, and long-term wealth creation. In the context of Nigeria’s evolving financial sector, the need for a standardized approach to financial advisory services has become essential to bridge gaps in wealth management and improve the financial well-being of individuals and institutions. The model focuses on establishing a framework that standardizes financial advisory services, ensuring consistency, transparency, and accountability across the financial services industry. Key components include developing regulatory guidelines for financial advisors, implementing standardized tools for risk assessment and portfolio management, and promoting adherence to ethical practices. This framework also emphasizes the importance of financial literacy as a foundational element in wealth management. By improving public knowledge on investment options, risk tolerance, and long-term financial planning, individuals can make more informed decisions, reducing exposure to fraudulent schemes and unregulated advisors. Additionally, the model proposes the development of a national certification program for financial advisors to ensure high standards of practice. Another aspect of the model involves leveraging technology to provide personalized financial solutions. Digital platforms, powered by artificial intelligence, will offer customized investment strategies tailored to individual financial goals and risk profiles. These platforms will also improve accessibility to advisory services, especially for underserved populations. The expected outcomes of this model include a more resilient financial services industry, increased consumer trust in financial advisory services, and broader participation in investment activities. In the long term, standardized financial advisory practices will lead to better wealth distribution and economic growth in Nigeria. In conclusion, the proposed model for wealth management through standardized financial advisory practices provides a comprehensive solution to enhance financial decision-making and wealth creation in Nigeria, fostering sustainable economic development.

“Are You a TA Practitioner, Then?” – Identity Constructions in Post-Normal Science

:Technology assessment (TA) is a paradigmatic case for the manifold and, at times, ambiguous processes of identity formation of researchers in inter- and transdisciplinary settings. TA combines the natural, technical, and social sciences and follows the multiple missions of scientific analysis, public outreach, and policy advice. However, despite this diversity, it also constitutes a genuine community with its own discourses, conferences, and publications. To which extent “being a TA practitioner” also provides for a genuine scholarly identity is still unclear. Building on interviews with technology assessment practitioners at an academic TA institute, we ask what inter/trans/disciplinary identification patterns emerge in this field. Our analysis shows that TA practitioners adopt multiple identities, from “enthusiastic TA practitioner” to “strong interdisciplinarian” or “disciplinarian” – with distinct identity troubles inherent in all these options. We find that generational affiliation plays a vital role in identity formation. It relates to different primary orientations (towards research or advisory practices), inter/disciplinary backgrounds, contracting modes, and lengths of time spent at the TA institute. We conclude firstly, that disciplinary categories figure strongly in transdisciplinary identities; secondly, that the relation of chronos and identity warrants more substantial consideration: as time spent at a transdisciplinary institute as or as perceived options for “futuring one’s identity”; thirdly, that our understanding of academic generations could profit from a more sociological conception; and, fourthly, that TA’s multidisciplinary setup and threefold orientation towards science, society, and policy result in multiplying possible identities and thus making it difficult to form a stable community.

Effect of Water Intake on Constipation and Bowel Movement


 Backgrounds: Only 7.5% of colorectal cancer occurred by inheritance; the rest were habit-related and prominently associated with unhealthy eating. Nigerians are showing rising cases of colon diseases that are co-morbid with chronic constipation. Researchers suggested that constipation is associated with colon cancer.
 Objective: To determine if hydration is associated with bowel movement (BM), the purpose is to reduce the risk of constipation and all diseases associated with constipation and dehydration.
 Study Design: This was an experimental Study.
 Place and Duration of Study: Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. Data was collected from June 9 - 22, 2021.
 Methods: A novel pilot experimental cohort study supported by traditional medicine theory, logic, and deduction principles were used for the investigation. Sampling was based on available volunteers, and the sample size n (n= 10) was 10. P value set at p = .05 at 95% confidence interval. The cohort group of 10 participants was treated with 500ml, 1000 ml, and 2000 ml of water for three days, each. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistics, ANOVA analysis, and Tukey HSD.
 Results: Showed a significant (P=.05) relationship between water intake and Bowel Movement and time taken to move the bowel. In three days mean bowel movement for 500 ml, 1000 ml, and 2000 ml, Day 2 against Day 3 mean was 0.800*, P-value was <.001 for the 1000ml treatment, which showed a relationship. Low water consumption over time each day increased the constipation.The outcome can be beneficial to the general public and healthcare advisory practice.
 Conclusion: There is a relationship between water intake, constipation, and bowel movement, and optimum water consumption may likely reduce chronic constipation, which is a risk factor for colon cancer and other diseases, including Parkinson disease.
 

STATE LEGAL REGULATION OF CIVIL AVIATION SYSTEM OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

The article considered a number of issues of the current state of the system of state-legal regulation of civil aviation in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The author studied the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization, the advisory practice of the ICAO, the norms of the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of the use of airspace and aviation activities, as well as the legislation of the EAEU member states in this area. Based on the identified problems, taking into account the best foreign experience and the trend of harmonizing the legislation of the EAEU member states, recommendations were developed on the development of state administration in the civil aviation system of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Current Trends in the Manifestation of Socio-Psychological Distress in Adolescents

The subject of the study is the content of the main socio-psychological difficulties and problems that encourage modern adolescents to seek psychological help and are manifestations of socio-psychological distress. The study was conducted on the basis of an analysis of the content of requests for advisory practice for the period 2012-2022. The city center of psychological, pedagogical, medical and social assistance of Yaroslavl. All requests for psychological help were classified by the authors into several groups: communicative problems (reflecting the specifics of relations with the adolescent's society); problems arising in the development of general educational and universal actions; psycho-emotional difficulties and crises (including experiencing eating disorders, suicidal disorders, autoaggression, traumatic experience) and destructive behavior (antisociality, aggression and dependent behavior). A mathematical analysis of the dynamics of appeals of each type was carried out. As a result of the conducted research, conclusions were formulated about the content of the main difficulties and problems that are relevant for modern adolescents and are the subject of an appeal to a psychologist. These include difficulties in relationships with others, the development of a tendency to autoaggression, eating disorders and an increase in a number of problems associated with psychoemotional difficulties, violence. In conclusion, the types of innovative activities of the center for improving the communicative, psycho-emotional and behavioral aspects of the socio-psychological well-being of adolescents are described. The novelty of the described research consists in the development and testing of a system of programs to reduce the socio-psychological distress of adolescents. A special place in them is occupied by programs of work with parents.

Government research institutes in the Italian policy advisory system

In a Napoleonic country such as Italy, ministerial cabinets have traditionally served as central advisors in the politicised policy advisory system (PAS), while evidence-based policy-making has usually been marginal. Nevertheless, recent developments in political systems have pushed for the pluralisation of the Napoleonic PAS toward a stronger demand for scientific and expert advice. Against this backdrop, the role of government research institutes (GRIs) as advisors represents an interesting change that could potentially fuel the development of an evidence-based approach in a period of changing advisory practices. We investigate these developments through a case study concerning 20 Italian GRIs that are engaged as influential advisors or recruited to support implementation through policy work. We obtained evidence through document analysis, in-depth interviews, and a questionnaire administered to the 20 GRIs. The overall picture displays a shift in conceiving policy advice in the political system and opens the door to innovation. Points for practitioners Evidence-based policy making is expanding also in countries with scarce policy capacities. Government research institutes may be asked to perform different policy works, including evidence-based advice and also implementation tasks. The financial autonomy and reputation of the government research institute matter for their advisory role. Policy advice is described as the result of the matching between a contingent political demand and the offer of expert knowledge.

Policy Styles and Epistemic Policies in the Regulation of Health Claims. A Comparison of Europe, the United States, and Japan

ABSTRACT I analyse epistemic and non-epistemic factors involved in expert advisory practices and decision-making relating to the regulation of health claims in the US, EU, and Japan. I consider the changes that have taken place, historically, in regulatory policies in all three cases in order to confirm the hypothesis that not only epistemic, but also non-epistemic factors and values determine the methodological decisions on which expert assessments are based for the authorization of health claims. I found that the current European, US, and Japanese assessment systems are based on different kinds of what have been termed ‘epistemic policies’ and that these policies and other characteristics shape what might be identified as differing ‘policy styles’ in the regulation of health claims.

The work is the talk: Collaboration and power in tertiary language advisory practice

The field of workplace communication has grown in the past 20 years to encompass the negotiation of identities and the role of power in collaboration. Nonetheless, identity struggles at work remain an underexplored phenomenon, particularly for emerging or marginalised professional groups such as tertiary language and learning advisors (TLAs) in higher education. In this article, we explore how challenges encountered in collaboration between TLAs and content specialist academics (CSs) in an Australian tertiary setting can impact the negotiation of professional identities as well as the success of the work. We draw on transcripts of meeting talk from two novice TLAs as they negotiate collaborative work with one CS in a postgraduate subject, and we use critical discourse analysis to demonstrate how power discursively manifests in the meetings. The study sheds new light on the complexities of collaborative work, manifested through interactions, in hierarchical professional environments.

Government Communication Strategies Through Social Media During 'COVID-19' Pandemic

The emerging Coronavirus 'COVID-19' pandemic impact the performance and communication practices of governments around the world. The pandemic imposed a new reality, as all government sectors witnessed a complete transformation in the work systems and practices in a way that the world had never seen before. Because of social distancing, changing lifestyle and quality of life, and adopting a remote work system, the importance of using communication and information technology (ICT), especially social networks and smart applications, has increased in communicating with different stakeholders and accomplishing various tasks and goals. Therefore, governments shift towards the digital era with all their tools and apply them effectively to achieve the strategic goals and serve the state's vision through its governmental institutions in various fields. In this context, various government institutions in the UAE, including police institutions, have relied on social media and digital communication platforms, in their response to this pandemic. Recently, the police institutions rely on social media networks as a basic communication tool due to its effectiveness in disseminating information quickly and easily, its interactivity with the target audience, its role in awareness during pandemic, its role in stop rumors, spreading the security culture, spreading the spirit of citizenship and belonging, and other goals of Government communication. From this standpoint, this study mainly aimed at analyzing government communication practices of the Ajman Police during the pandemic in its various stages, through its official account on Instagram. The study relied on the survey method, and uses a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the content of the official account during the period from (mid-February to mid-June 2020), as that period witnessed the initial wave of the pandemic. The results of the analytical study showed the effectiveness of the digital practices of the Ajman Police official account on "Instagram" through a diversity of goals, which were appropriate to the circumstances under the 'COVID–19' pandemic. The "Ajman Police" was keen to apply the social responsibility role towards the whole society through informative and advisory practices to raise public awareness to stop the dissemination of the pandemic. The posts also motivated its followers to use digital services through the smart application, by explaining how to use it with pictures and videos, additionally, the posts focused on reassuring the public by highlighting the Ajman Police capabilities and its excellent readiness in dealing with this pandemic. The researchers summarized many recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of government communication practices, especially in the security sector, including the following: Paying attention to studies and periodic reports on followers’ interaction through social media to take the appropriate communication decisions and to design appropriate policy and plan for publications on official account through social media. Finally, the researchers suggested six effective government communication concepts in their model, to enhance the government communication practices through social media networks, which consists of: (corporate identity, content management team, content management, interactivity, integration, continuous development).

Trends in SEN identification: contexts, causes and consequences

SummaryThis policy seminar addressed these current issues and questions: i. Are there shifts from an interactive to within‐child model of identification? And if so, what are the factors that are contributing to this? ii. What are the changing relationships between parents, schools and LAs and their influence on identification practice? And iii. What kind of identification and assessment framework do we need for the future?The first speaker Jo Hutchinson, from the Education Policy Institute, presented on ‘How fairly and effectively special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are identified?’ in which she summarised her interim findings about school attainment and inclusion questions. One of her key findings was that about four in ten children have some interaction with the SEND system over the course of their schooling. This is a lot more than the commonly held assumptions about SEN incidence (one in five or six). Further analysis indicated that factors that best predicted the identification of SEN Support in primary schools were measures of deprivation and prior attainment. There were moderate effects for absences, ethnicity, looked after child status and child in need status. Lesser but still significant factors were sex, months of birth, EAL status and school mobility. The communication language and literacy scale of the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile was the best predictor of being identified with SEND at the SEN Support level. Also, analysis showed that most of variation in SEN Support identification was predicted by school variations, indicating that individual effects were halved once school factors were taken into account. Analyses for secondary and SEN at the EHC Plan level were still be completed.Dr Sami Timimi, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, presented on ‘the social construction of autism’. In his presentation, he deconstructs the ‘common sense’ understanding of autism to argue that it is a construct that lacks a coherent basis in science and can result in therapeutically unhelpful dynamics. In presenting a historical background to psychiatric diagnosis, he argues that there is no such thing as a psychiatric diagnosis of autism. Part of this argument is that concepts like ASD do not even work well as a descriptive classification as they operate as ‘thin descriptions’, overlooking what matters about individual people. He concluded his presentation by pointing out that an ASD diagnosis can be a ticket to services but also a reason to exclude from services and that it can disempower parents and teachers by accident.The third presenter Neil McKay, a consultant and trainer, presented on ‘dyslexia – definitions and identification’. Though he started by acknowledging the problems with the IQ discrepancy diagnosis of dyslexia, he took a particular perspective on the ‘dyslexia debate’ based on his teaching and advisory practice. He questioned whether a dyslexia diagnosis unlocks provision at the expense of others, arguing that all children with a reading difficulty regardless of IQ should be encouraged to seek intervention. His central point was that Elliott and Grigorenko (who question dyslexia) rely on a narrow view of reading by concentrating on accuracy. This is the basis for the argument that, because dyslexic and non‐dyslexic poor readers show almost identical patterns of difficulty, dyslexia does not exist. McKay’s position is to focus on ‘unexpected difficulties’ by interpreting unexpected difficulties as being about comprehension, a position which derives from practitioners’ experience of children with ‘unexpectedly good’ comprehension despite poor‐reading accuracy. He advocates the Scottish HMIE concept of dyslexia as ‘marked differences in certain areas, especially with regard to oral versus text‐based skills’. From this stance, he concludes that high‐quality teaching based on validated synthetic phonic approaches empowers most learners, regardless of label, to learn to read. But, it is the unexpected gap between reading accuracy and higher order comprehension and thinking skills that often typifies the dyslexic learner.In the group discussions, there were common themes about an increase in prevalence of several conditions, with some questions about whether this was due to getting better at diagnosing particular types of need and/or that only by a focus on a within‐child model of identification would parents be taken seriously. Several groups believed that the role of parental expectations was central to this increased prevalence and the growing tensions between parents, schools and authorities. The kind of identification and assessment framework that was supported in several groups involved these features: multidisciplinary, collaborative, independent from budget holders, transparent, one aiming to build parental trust in the system and one that is values driven. There was some concern about whether there was proper scrutiny of environmental factors, and if not, whether this can lead to adopting a reduced within‐child model and a sense of learned helplessness in schools. A graduated response was endorsed by some as an appropriate model for an identification framework.

Counselling and Ethical Theories

The multiplication of counseling interventions, therapeutic models, advisory practices, couching expertise or “think tanks” is a characteristic of the increasing social awareness to the need for control or to the observation of learning in psychological and social contexts. Such trends put under a special focus the contribution of Science and Technology to the best design of the self-observation of organizations. Appropriate answers to specific ethical issues resulting from conflict or stress in the interpenetration of psychic (actions, perceptions and beliefs) and communicative schemes (decision-making sequences, interactional patterns and communicative themes) are also today’s concerns. In my paper, I propose a redefinition of second-order Ethics (after Heinz von Foerster’s Second-Order Cybernetics). Second-order Ethics proves to be a valid answer to the needs for an ethical theory able to address the theme of responsibility in personal processes where learning to learn is crucial and also a good tool to face concrete situations requiring therapeutic intervention or counselling in learning organisations.