Civil Society Research Articles

The pleasure and power of playful problem solving through storytelling

PurposeBeing “literate” is well established as key to active civic participation, right from the earliest years of life. Young children’s natural curiosity and motivation to understand the world and their places within it through playful explorations offers rich opportunities for learning. Reported here are findings from a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics) project drawing on problem solving, inquiry and reflection through storytelling.Design/methodology/approachResponding to a playful scenario, children 12 months–6 years examined and tested properties of different materials to make a waterproof prototype for a soft toy. Subsequent testing occurred along with a narrative story about themselves and their toys experiencing different rain events.FindingsEvident in the data was the children’s capacity to take up domain-specific language, intentionality in creating their own artifacts and stories, and the development and control of narratives within the play.Originality/valueArgued here is that the arts, particularly making and storytelling, are powerful platforms from which to support young children’s complex knowledge and literacy development for active participation in the world.

The embeddedness of responsible research innovation in Sabadell’s territorial policies: the case of smart specialization in industrial systems

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the integration of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) into Sabadell’s territorial policies, focusing on the development of an inclusive innovative ecosystem. Through various methodologies, the study seeks to enhance territorial specialization in design applied to industry within a sustainable framework. By embedding RRI principles, the objective is to foster a balanced approach that promotes social inclusion, sustainability, and economic growth in Sabadell's innovation landscape.ApproachThe study involves defining the policy and scientific objectives tailored to Sabadell’s territorial needs and reviewing relevant literature on strategies and measures that support policy advancement. A qualitative system analysis was conducted to identify key system elements serving as leverage points for embedding RRI and AIRR (Anticipation, Inclusiveness, Reflexivity, and Responsiveness) dimensions into Sabadell’s innovation ecosystem. This included assessing how each system element influences others, leading to the development of a system grid that highlights the most active and ambivalent elements crucial for advancing the city’s policy objectives. Additionally, stakeholder engagement was emphasized to ensure diverse perspectives were considered, promoting collaboration across sectors. The combination of literature review, system analysis, and impact assessment aims to create a robust, evidence-based framework for embedding RRI principles into Sabadell’s policies, fostering a more inclusive and sustainable innovation environment.FindingsThe qualitative system analysis identified 20 leverage points crucial for advancing Sabadell’s policy focus and embedding RRI/AIRR dimensions in the territory. These elements involve diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, industry leaders, academia, and civil society, ensuring a holistic approach. From these, 14 elements were selected based on their impact potential, forming the core drivers of policy advancement in Sabadell. These drivers will serve as a foundation for future actions aimed at strengthening Sabadell’s policy initiatives and embedding sustainable innovation practices across the territory.OriginalityThis paper contributes to the ongoing discourse on embedding Responsible Research and Innovation into regional policies within a European context. By presenting Sabadell as a case study, it offers a practical model for integrating RRI into territorial strategies to build an inclusive, sustainable innovation ecosystem that enhances industrial specialization while addressing social and environmental challenges. The methodology provides a replicable framework for other regions aiming to align innovation policies with RRI principles.

Political participation and voluntary associations : A hypergraph case study.

Civic organizations, ranging from interest groups to voluntary associations, significantly influence policy formation in representative democracies. This work presents a local case study that examines the relationship between voluntary associations and local political institutions in a village with nearly two thousand residents. Traditionally, sociologists' approaches have focused on individual characteristics such as age, gender, or socio-professional status. In this study, we analyze social interactions between members of organizations modeled through a hypergraph. Specifically, we model interactions as hyperedges that correspond to activities proposed by organizations and involve the individuals who participate in those activities. Our analysis reveals a community-based structure, where members of similar types of organizations tend to interact more frequently. To quantify 'political participation,' we introduce an interaction-based measure that extends degree centrality. We also introduce the 'diversity coefficient' as an extension of degree centrality to capture an individual's ability to participate in activities composed of members from different communities. Among other centrality measures, we find that the diversity coefficient is the most significant factor in explaining political participation among members of associations.

Obstacles in Recovery of Dower in Bangladesh

Dower, a crucial element of marital agreements in Bangladesh and other Muslim societies, refers to the financial or property rights a wife is entitled to from her husband. Moreover, it plays a crucial role to enhance women’s financial security and economic independence, particularly in the event of divorce, widowhood. In Islam, a balanced societal structure is promoted through a clear division of responsibilities: women traditionally manage household affairs, while men are tasked with providing for the family’s financial needs. In Bangladesh, the right to dower is safeguarded by law, recognizing it as a binding obligation on the husband. This article examines the practical challenges in recovering dower within the Bangladeshi context and recommends enhancing awareness among wife and husband regarding their respective religious, legal, and social responsibilities in fulfilling dower obligations. The author presumes that addressing the challenges in recovering dower require multilateral approaches involving collaborations between the government, judicial activism, civil societies, religious institutions and community leaders. Moreover, increasing public awareness, reforming statutory frameworks and advocating for changes in the societal attitude to deprive women from this significant right are all inevitable for mitigating the barriers towards recovery of dower rights of Bangldeshi women.

Problems typical of the business environment in Armenia (Using the example of the agricultural sector)

The business environment is the main guarantor of the economic and social stability of each country. Its development makes it possible to mitigate the economic and social difficulties characteristic of countries with economies in transition, creating stable conditions for further economic growth. Therefore, the development of the business environment affects the improvement of the quality of life in this country. The improvement of the business environment is primarily due to the processes taking place in the economy, the effective management of which contributes to increased business activity and economic development. At the same time, it is necessary to develop management mechanisms that affect the business environment, which, in turn, can lead to an increase in the number of business entities, the introduction of effective economic levers, and the formation of an effective state-business platform. As a tool for managing the business environment, the concept of a business environment administration system is discussed in the article. To increase business activity in the agricultural sector of Armenia, the article estimates the relationship between GDP, food exports, and tax burden using the least squares method and based on statistical data. The results of the model show that food exports have a positive impact on GDP; however, the tax burden has a negative impact. Therefore, this area has many problems associated with the insufficient development of state support mechanisms. The article proposes implementing targeted measures that will form a new platform for effective cooperation between the state, business, and civil society.

Artificial Intelligence and its Impact on Social Policy-Making

This study aims to analyze the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping social policies, focusing on its impacts on poverty, unemployment, education, and healthcare. The research explores the concept, origins, types, and dimensions of AI, as well as the stages of social policymaking. It highlights how AI technologies contribute to building simulation models that support governmental decision-making and enhance civic engagement through interactive platforms that allow citizens to express their opinions and participate in policymaking. Additionally, AI facilitates monitoring and analyzing social trends, enabling governments to respond swiftly to social and economic changes and crises, such as pandemics and natural disasters. The study concludes that AI plays a crucial role in improving transparency, building trust in governments, and offering innovative solutions to social challenges.

Spotlighting Nigeria's New Health Agenda: A Case Study on the Alignment of Global Health Initiatives with National Health Priorities Through the SRMNCAEH+N Lens

Background: Alignment of global health initiatives (GHIs) with national health priorities is crucial for effective and sustainable healthcare interventions and strengthening health systems. Despite widespread recognition of this need, achieving alignment between GHIs and national priorities has proven challenging. The importance of addressing this challenge has led to a growing focus on GHIs alignment, evident in forums such as the Paris Conference in 2015 and the Lusaka Agenda in 2023. As Nigeria embarks on a new mid-term health agenda based on the sector-wide approach (SWAp), understanding the country-level implications of alignment becomes paramount. Method: This study utilized qualitative research methods to examine the issues affecting GHI alignment within the context of the sexual, reproductive, maternal, neonatal, adolescent, elderly, nutrition health plus nutrition (SRMNCAEH+N) program. Through 24 interviews and focus group discussions with key stakeholders including government officials, representatives of global health institutions, civil society actors, health workers, and community members, this research identified and validated six critical issues influencing GHI alignment at the country level. Result: The findings shed light on current practices, challenges, and recommendations, highlighting Nigeria's readiness to implement the new health agenda and SWAp effectively. The research identified and validated six critical issues influencing GHI alignment at the country level through the perspectives of diverse stakeholders. Conclusion: The paper underscores the importance of extensive stakeholder involvement, including communities, in achieving optimal alignment between GHIs and national health priorities. The study's insights into the alignment dimensions of Nigeria’s SRMNCAEH+N program reveal key areas for improvement and collaboration, essential for the successful implementation of Nigeria's new health agenda.

The Human Trafficking Campaign in Cameroon: Key Actors, Common and Competing Interests

This article examines how the legal framework of human trafficking, as established by the UN Palermo Protocol and shaped by the US Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), gains traction in Cameroon. It focuses on the power dynamics among key actors leading the anti-trafficking campaign in Cameroon and how this affects their efforts to combat trafficking. The actors are broadly classified into two groups: external partners, including the UN, the US, and international organizations, and internal partners, such as the Cameroonian government and local civil society organizations. The study draws on the concept of traveling models and their “aura” as developed by Behrends, Park, and Rottenburg and is based on ethnographic fieldwork conducted in Cameroon between 2016 and 2024. The findings reveal tension between the two core elements of the Palermo Protocol—humanitarian and security considerations—as actors involved in anti-trafficking efforts tend to prioritize one element over the other. This highlights the significance of power dynamics and strategic alliances, with Cameroonian stakeholders often seeking to adapt the framework to local contexts. The article also relates to the special issue’s overarching question of how attempts at increasing equality often contribute to generating durable inequality. It shows how measures aimed at preventing human trafficking, particularly of women, inadvertently lead to them resorting to even riskier migration routes.

Association between social capital and trajectories of cognitive function among Chinese older adults

BackgroundThe association between social capital and trajectories of cognitive function (CF) is still unclear among older adults in mainland China. The present study aims to examine the association using a longitudinal cohort from the Ningxia Healthy Aging Cohort.MethodsFour waves of longitudinal data were abstracted to identify the CF trajectories using the conditional latent class growth model (LCGM). CF was measured using the Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) from 2012 to 2023. Social capital, including social cohesion, social interaction, civic participation, and spiritual capital, was assessed using a series of standard instruments at baseline. Multinomial logistic regression was used to test the association between social capital and each trajectory class.ResultsThree distinct CF trajectories were identified: Stable (72.5%), slow decline (25.8%), and deterioration (1.7%). High spiritual capital was associated with a decreased risk of developing a deterioration trajectory (OR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.14–0.93), while high civic participation (OR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.46–0.81) was associated with a decreased risk of developing a slow decline trajectory. Low CF at baseline was the first important risk factor, followed by age, civic participation, sex, monthly income, spiritual capital, and obesity.ConclusionsThe CF trajectories are heterogeneous among older Chinese adults. Civic participation was associated with a lower risk of a slow decline trajectory, and spiritual capital was slightly associated with a lower risk of a deterioration trajectory. These findings support the development of social-integrated interventions for vulnerable groups.

The Growth of Korea Soka Gakkai International (KSGI) and Its Civic Engagement in the Socio-Historical Context

This paper examines how and why Korea Soka Gakkai International (KSGI) has grown rapidly in the Korean religious market. Although Soka Gakkai was introduced to Korea as a Nichiren Shoshu lay community in the 1960s, KSGI has achieved remarkable growth without the structurally covert and organizationally authoritative control typical of traditional elite Buddhism. This fact is significant in both theory and practice, as lay movements have historically not been very successful in Korean religions. Focusing on the paradoxical affinity between secular civic movements and religious lay movements, this paper explains why and how KSGI had to combine the two movements in a socio-historical context different from that of its Japanese partner, which established a public political party, the Komeito, and formed a coalition government with other parties. As a result, this paper reveals the following findings: first, KSGI’s nonpolitical civic engagement led to a more effective growth strategy tailored to the Korean socio-historical context. Second, the Korean government’s policy of opening up to Japanese culture since the 2000s played a significant role in the growth of KSGI. Third, the spread of civil movements in Korea contributed to enhancing KSGI’s social adaptability and credibility.

Investigating the Levels of Civic Engagement and Callous Traits Moderated by Coping Skills in Response to War-Related Media Exposure

This study examines the impact of war-related media exposure on civic engagement (CE) and callous traits (CT), with a focus on the moderating effects of coping strategies. Utilising a sample predominantly composed of university students and a sample of 132 individuals, the research employed validated scales to measure the key variables. While the hypotheses posited that higher exposure to war-related content would influence CE and CT, the findings were not statistically significant. The results suggest that factors such as media literacy, psychological resilience, and the type of media consumed may play critical roles in shaping these outcomes. Additionally, the study highlights the complexities of indirect media exposure and its limited impact on psychological traits in this demographic. Despite the non-significant findings, this research contributes to the understanding of media’s psychological effects and underscores the importance of considering individual differences and contextual factors. Future research is recommended to explore these relationships in more diverse populations and through longitudinal designs.

Food security status in rural areas of Chókwè district

Food security (FS) is achieved when all people have access, by socially acceptable means, to the consumption of food in sufficient quantity and adequate quality, and can lead a productive and healthy life. In Mozambique, food insecurity is still a problem that concerns the central government and civil society. This study aimed to describe the status of FS in rural areas of Chókwè district and was carried out through a cross-sectional study based on a dietary survey with a population sample of 217 households (AFs), and assessed using the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale (EBIA) and categorised into 4 levels: security; mild insecurity, moderate insecurity and severe insecurity. The data was analysed using SPSS version 21 statistical software, with 95% confidence intervals. 22.2% of the AFs was living in a situation of mild food insecurity (IAL) and moderate food insecurity (IAM) and 55.6% in severe food insecurity (IAG). More than 70% of AFs ran out of food before they could buy more, 53.8% experienced going periods of the day or the whole day without food, 59.8% were in the situation where the adult skipped a meal, 47% experienced the situation where the child went a whole day without eating and 51.3% lost weight due to lack of food. As a survival strategy among both adults and young people, 67.5% had to reduce the amount of food consumed. The rural areas of Chókwè district are in a situation of food insecurity segmented into IAG, IAM and IAL.

Health mediation intervention at the base of a social housing complex in Seine-Saint-Denis, France: a mixed-methods, realistic evaluation protocol.

Health mediation, similar to health navigation in the United States or Canada, is known by various terms worldwide. In France, health mediation has historically been implemented by civil society organizations to support hard-to-reach populations. Health mediation is increasingly considered by health authorities as a valuable tool for health promotion to reduce health inequalities. However, systematic evaluations of its effects are scarce, making it difficult for decision-makers to generalize health mediation as a health policy. Our study aims to bridge this gap, by framing a research protocol to evaluate a health mediation intervention. The intervention consists of setting up a biweekly mobile booth using an 'outreach' approach at the base of a social housing complex in 12 neighborhoods of Seine-Saint-Denis with marked indicators of social deprivation. We chose a realistic evaluation approach and a mixed-methods methodology, which is the best fit for assessing complex interventions such as the one we aim to assess. Realistic evaluation is a relatively new approach, and sharing studies based on this type of epistemological and methodological approach is required. This study aims to contribute to the reflection on and the production of standard tools to ensure that the use of this evaluation approach is improved.

Municipal Public Policies and SDGS: Challenges and Opportunities In Promoting Social Inclusion and Reducing Inequalities

Objectives: Analyze the challenges and opportunities in implementing municipal public policies aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on social inclusion and reducing inequalities in Brazil. Theoretical Framework: The SDGs represent a global agenda crucial for sustainable development, especially in countries with high social inequality like Brazil. The effectiveness of municipal public policies depends on several factors, including financial resources, technical training, social participation, and intergovernmental coordination. Method: Qualitative bibliographic review of articles published in the last 10 years in Portuguese, seeking the most recent discussions on implementing the SDGs at the municipal level in the Brazilian context. The databases used were Scielo, CAPES Periodicals, and Google Scholar. Results and Discussion: Municipalities face challenges such as scarcity of resources, lack of local indicators, and lack of coordination between government levels. However, good practices such as productive inclusion programs and inter-municipal consortia demonstrate the transformative potential of these policies. Research Implications: Institutional strengthening, technical training, and diversification of funding are essential for the effective implementation of the SDGs. Social participation ensures that policies meet the needs of the population. Originality/Value: The study deepens the debate on the role of municipal public policies in promoting sustainable development in Brazil, considering the context of social inclusion and reducing inequalities, offering insights for public managers, civil society organizations, and funders.

Proxy means test for targeting welfare benefits in Jamaica

AbstractMotivationThe proxy means test (PMT) has become the predominant targeting mechanism for social assistance schemes in many low‐ and lower‐middle income countries, including Jamaica. It has many powerful advocates amid claims that it can accurately and cost‐effectively target the poor. However, recently, there have been concerns expressed by beneficiary groups, government stakeholders, and civil society on the selection of households for benefits under Jamaica's Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH).PurposeAn evaluation of PATH suggests that it covers only about 71% of households ranked in the poorest quintiles, while 23% of programme beneficiaries are from households considered to be non‐poor (ranked in the top two quintiles). This study introduces innovations to the current PMT model with the objective of improving targeting of the poor for social protection benefits.Approach and methodsWe draw on data collected by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) regarding the PATH programme to show that an application of the poverty‐weighted least squares regression estimation method improves coverage of households ranked in the poorest quintiles. Poverty‐weighted least squares places higher weights on the squared errors of poor households, which avoids the tendency of least squares regression to increase the predicted consumption of the poor.FindingsUsing data compiled by the STATIN through the annual Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions, we showed that the construction of a national model estimated using poverty‐weighted least squares, and adjusting predicted consumption to the lower limit of the 95% confidence interval, improves coverage of the poorest households from 71% to over 85%. Achieving this high rate of coverage among the poor came at a cost, in the form of high coverage among the non‐poor and, particularly, an increase in inclusion errors.Policy implicationsWe believe these results demonstrate that in certain contexts it is possible to improve upon the Basic PMT model and meet the goals the PMT was intended to achieve, efficiently directing social assistance to the poor, minimizing leakage to the non‐poor, and maintaining integrity in the overall social assistance mechanism.

Predictors of online and offline activism in hybrid regime society - Serbian study.

In Serbia, categorized as a hybrid or semi-authoritarian system by Freedom House, exploring activism is crucial. Two cross-sectional studies were conducted to examine predictors of online and offline civic activism in a society favouring punitive measures and limiting open dialogue. The first study involved 1107 participants (65.1% female, 33.2% male and 1.6% in other categories; Mage = 28.15 years), while the second included 2306 individuals (67.5% female, 30.2% male and 2.3% in other categories; Mage = 28.1 years). We modelled the relationship between predictor variables and a dependent variable at different quantiles of the distribution (25th, 50th, 75th and quantile marked with theoretical middle points of online and activism scales) using quantile regression. Results highlighted perceived policy control, social generativity and conscientiousness as key predictors across different levels of both online and offline activism. Personality traits like extroversion, neuroticism and honesty have different effects on online versus offline activism, suggesting different motivations. Additionally, future-oriented people participate more offline. The quantile regression, analysing coefficients at different points in the distribution, offered valuable insights into manifestations of activism. These findings are discussed highlighting the complex dynamic of different factors in shaping civic engagement in Serbia's challenging sociopolitical landscape.

The Role of Memes in Shaping Political Discourse on Social Media

The article explores the role of memes in shaping political discourse on social media platforms, examining their influence on public opinion, political behavior, and the dynamics of ideological polarization. With the rapid proliferation of meme culture across platforms such as Twitter (X), Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, memes have emerged as potent tools for political communication, serving as vehicles for political expression and instruments for reinforcing ideological divides. By analyzing political memes’ circulation, engagement, and sentiment, this study reveals how memes predominantly circulate within political echo chambers, fostering increased engagement within ideologically homogenous groups while limiting exposure to opposing viewpoints. Additionally, the emotional resonance of memes and their viral potential contribute significantly to their effectiveness in influencing political opinions and mobilizing support for political movements. However, the study also highlights concerns regarding the spread of misinformation and the role of memes in exacerbating political polarization. The findings suggest that memes facilitate political participation and awareness and challenge democratic discourse by amplifying divisiveness. The article calls for further research into the long-term effects of meme-driven political communication on voter behavior, civic engagement, and democratic processes.

Informal intercultural communication in the Arctic region

The specifics of the situation in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) give rise to the need to update the intercultural policy, which can serve as a response to the challenges of ethnic diversity. The issue is discussed in the framework of cultural sustainability of the Arctic development. The potential of intercultural communication for increasing sustainability in the context of changes in the Arctic region is considered. The solution to this problem will indicate the key role that informal intercultural communication should play in the context of civil society in the education and integration of citizens living in an international environment. The topic of the article corresponds to the priority area of research in the ethno-social and ethno-cultural development of the northern (Arctic) territories, as well as in the field of preservation and development of cultures of the North-East of the Russian Federation in the context of globalization processes. The implementation of the main concepts of this article is of great importance for solving various socio-cultural problems of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), including those related to education, interethnic relations and integration. The results of the study will help to identify ways and prerequisites for the effective use of informal intercultural communication. This kind of communication will be aimed at the integration of migrants into society, as well as promote more profound and extended intercultural interaction with the indigenous residents of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).

Inter-Sector Collaboration in Implementation Poverty Alleviation Program Through Corporate Social Responsibility in Indonesia

To effectively align corporate social responsibility (CSR) with poverty reduction agendas, companies need to be more inclusive and collaborative with other actors. Cross-sector partnerships in CSR implementation have emerged as a new approach and practice, as promoted by public administration scholars. Key actors in partnerships may come from government, civil society represented by non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and corporations. However, designing successful and effective partnerships that are relevant to cross-sector dynamics and political contexts has proven to be a challenge, especially in developing countries and new democracies, such as Indonesia. This paper provides the main characteristics of effective cross-sector partnerships derived from examining three case studies in Indonesia and Tanzania. Both represent cross-sector partnerships with varying scope and depth. In this paper, one can observe and extract the main characteristics of effective partnerships based on the three case studies, each with its described model. In particular, the characteristics used to assess the effectiveness of the model include ownership, alignment and synchronization, accountability, reduced dependency, resource sharing, along with representation and legitimacy.

Sociology of innovation: past and prospects

ABSTRACT The sociology of innovation is considered as a component of various research subfields within the social sciences, primarily falling under the umbrella of science and technology studies (STS). This research aims to explore the possibility, in the current era of global societal challenges caused by technologically and socially disruptive innovations, of reconceptualizing the sociology of innovation as an independent research subdiscipline within sociology, becoming an essential factor for social betterment. Within this framework, the research initially delineates how innovation has evolved into one of the key determinants of society. Drawing upon the integrative literature approach, this study subsequently explores the theoretical foundations of the sociology of innovation and its historical embeddedness in neighbouring disciplines, up to the current theories of socio-technical transformation. Drawing on Burawoy's concepts of public sociology serving the interests of civil society, the remaining sections highlight future perspectives of the sociology of innovation, attempting to establish analytical distinctiveness of its research subject and functions from other subdisciplines.