Civil Society Research Articles

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND REFORM OF PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT IN THE CONDITIONS OF FULL-SCALE WAR IN UKRAINE

In recent years, the processes of digitalization of public services and business processes in public institutions in Ukraine have been developing at an accelerated pace, which contributes to the implementation of reforms that are due to Ukraine's desire to join the European Union. The EU provides comprehensive assistance, support in expanding infrastructure, and developing new software solutions for public institutions in order to strengthen their potential in preparation for digital transformation. However, the full-scale war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, which was launched by the aggressor country in February 2022, creates many obstacles in the processes of consolidating efforts to modernize the public finance management sector. Such obstacles include: lack of sufficient influence and control from line ministries; full automation of business processes; insufficient level of integration and interaction between structures; incoherence in the development of information technologies in departments; lack of comprehensive policies for information protection and countering cyber threats, which is especially relevant in conditions of full-scale war; lack of consolidated data for prompt and effective decision-making, etc. To solve the outlined problems during the war, we have generalized approaches to the digital transformation of public services taking into account world experience and substantiated the feasibility of its use in domestic practice, in particular in the budget process, in the social sphere. Particular attention is paid to reforming approaches to budget planning, which is aimed at ensuring macroeconomic balance in the state. It is proven that digital transformations as innovative reform processes will increase the efficiency of interaction between state administration and local self-government bodies, with business structures and active members of civil society, and increase the openness and transparency of the activities of government representatives.

Countering the Wave of Democratic Backsliding and the Crisis of Democracy in West Africa

While the early 1990s ushered in a period of democratic transition in African countries, the last decade has witnessed what many observers have called the process of democratic backsliding in many parts of West Africa. This article examines and analyses some of the main causes of democratic retrenchment in the West Africa sub-region and how to address them. The main argument in this article is that various constraints and challenges, such as the increasing return of the military in politics, electoral manipulations, constitutional reforms to benefit incumbents and the lack of economic dividends for citizens, are undermining the democratic progress initially made in the 1990s. Thus, addressing the challenges that lead to military intervention, including poor socioeconomic conditions, would go a long way in stemming the tide of democratic backsliding in West Africa. Additionally, ensuring increasing trust in institutions such as the judiciary, media, electoral management bodies and the electoral system, coupled with an increasing role for civil society organizations in the political environment, would help combat democratic backsliding in the sub-region.

Narratives of Localisation in Times of ‘Crisis’: Local Intermediary Actors and the International Aid Industry in Myanmar

This article adopts a narrative analysis to explore contrasting approaches to ‘localisation’, and links with power struggles in an unequal aid industry. Drawing on qualitative research with aid workers in Myanmar, we analyse how ‘crises’ provide opportunities to challenge dominant narratives, but can also be instrumentalised to reinforce existing power inequalities. We show that the humanitarian ‘crisis’ precipitated by Myanmar’s 2021 coup sharpened differences in localisation narratives, generating increased critique by local actors of unequal international aid systems. Whilst seemingly working towards the same goals, local and international actors in Myanmar often had different definitions of the localisation ‘story’—of challenges with contemporary aid systems, strategies required, and the roles of different characters. In reaction to dominant narratives that tended to depoliticise and disguise systemic inequalities and injustices, an emerging network of Local Intermediary Actors (LIAs) tried to reshape localisation narratives, highlighting deep lines of colonial continuity in international aid systems. While some international actors utilised the ‘crisis’ in Myanmar to legitimise more ‘technical’ and conservative localisation narratives, LIAs engaged in a subtle form of epistemic resistance. This showcased civil society agency in challenging dominant localisation narratives, and revealed opportunities for and barriers to much-needed power shifts in international aid.

Coordinated U.S. Foreign Assistance and Effective Counterterrorism in Africa

The international community can better partner with African countries and more effectively counter and prevent terrorism in Africa by implementing two changes to U.S. strategy. First, by crafting strategies that counter the kinetic and non-kinetic operations of al Qaeda and ISIS affiliated groups that allow for their territorial expansion and control. Second, by better coordinating U.S. foreign aid/development with security assistance and security cooperation efforts and conducting them with the partner country in a way that supports partner civilian and military institutions. At current, U.S. security assistance efforts better connect to and strengthen the military/security apparatus than U.S. development assistance efforts do - this is due to risk averse bureaucracy that ultimately erodes democratic structures and processes rather than strengthening them. Additionally, U.S. tendencies to work directly with civil society organizations may not strengthen civil society pathways to ministries or the relevant offices at the district or national levels. U.S. and other international partners should work through and support a hub where local civil society and local level authorities can engage with and work with the district and national level governments. This strategy will strengthen good governance and democratic institutions. Additionally, terrorism prevention and counterterrorism strategies that directly address and are formed in response to both active kinetic and non-kinetic operations of (al Qaeda and ISIS-affiliated) terrorist groups will better protect civilians as well as implementors of development and security assistance.

Intrapersonal psychological empowerment: Assessing measurement invariance of the Brief Sociopolitical Control Scale for youth between LGBQ+ and non-LGBQ+ youth of color.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer, and Questioning+ (LGBQ+) Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) youth experience significant stigmatization and injustice compared to their non-LGBQ+ BIPOC peers. Empowerment, civic engagement, and social connection are protective factors that reduce negative psychological outcomes for these youth. Despite this, validated measures to assess empowerment among LGBQ+ BIPOC youth are scarce. This study evaluated the applicability of the newly revised Brief Sociopolitical Control Scale for Youth (BSPCS-Y) through multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA) to examine configural, metric, and scalar invariances between LGBQ+ and non-LGBQ+ BIPOC youth (N = 1789). Convergent validity was assessed with psychological sense of community and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Results indicated a good model fit for the abbreviated BSPCS-Y, with no significant group differences in metric and scalar invariances. Subscales for leadership competence and policy control were positively associated with psychological sense of community and negatively associated with depression and anxiety symptoms, with stronger effects of psychological sense of community observed in non-LGBQ+ BIPOC youth and more robust associations with reduced depression and anxiety among LGBQ+ BIPOC youth. These findings support the BSPCS-Y as a valid tool for measuring empowerment in diverse BIPOC youth populations.

Peran Masyarakat dalam Pembentukan Peraturan Perundang-Undangan sebagai Pilar Negara Hukum

Community participation in the formation of laws and regulations is an important element in realizing a democratic legal system. Active community involvement in the legislative process is necessary to ensure that the laws produced reflect the needs and aspirations of the wider community. This research aims to examine the importance of community participation in each stage of regulation formation, identify obstacles in its implementation, and formulate strategic steps to increase the effectiveness of this participation. The results of the study show that even though there are legal regulations regarding public participation, their implementation still faces significant challenges, such as a lack of transparency, limited access to information, and a lack of formal mechanisms that support substantial public involvement. To overcome these obstacles, strategic steps are needed, including increasing the transparency of the legislative process, optimizing information technology for public consultation, institutionalizing participation mechanisms, and revising regulations that make community involvement a legal obligation. Collaboration between government, civil society and academics is also an important factor in creating more inclusive and responsive regulations. The conclusion of this research confirms that effective public participation not only strengthens legal legitimacy, but also increases public trust in the legislative system. With integrated steps, community participation can become the main pillar in creating a legal system that is fair, democratic and oriented towards the public interest. Keywords: Community Role; Formation of Legislative Regulations; Democracy.

O Desafio Global do Desenvolvimento: Rumo à Conquista da Agenda 2030

This article aims to analyze the academic literature on the transition of international governance from the late 20th to the early 21st century and how the systems derived from this transition influence the pursuit of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. By exploring the shift from a maximalist to a more minimalist approach in governance regimes, the article examines the impasses faced in the regimes of cooperation for development and climate change and how they impact the possibility of achieving the Agenda 2030. The realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) faces challenges due to the growing influence of the private sector, nationalist policies, and the North-South dichotomy. In this context, the article presents proposals from the literature to overcome contestations and construct an effective international governance regime to achieve the Agenda 2030, involving an expanded role for states and civil society and the pursuit of common ground among global actors. The text emphasizes the importance of holistic coordination and collective global action to attain a more equitable, secure, and sustainable future.

From GIA to the Islamic State (IS): De-radicalization as countering violent extremism strategy in Algeria

Terrorism is not new to Algeria, it had a long history, which dating back to the early 80'. In fact, Islamic extremism in Algeria have indeed existed before the cancellation of the electoral process at the beginning of 1992. Following a series of deadly domestic terrorist attacks in 1990s, the Algerian government started developing robust counterterrorism and deradicalization methods comprising both military and non-military measures (commonly known as hard and soft approaches), to de-radicalize terrorists and insurgents across the country. Besides traditional security, military, and law-enforcement attempts to capture, jail, or eliminate terrorists, the Algerian government also launched a parallel strategy to combat the ideological justifications for violent radicalism and extremism within Algeria including a truce, a reconciliation process, demobilization, rehabilitation and reintegration programs by engaging non-state actors such as civil society, and zawiyyas, as well as investing in development. Today, Algeria, with its combination of a soft and hard approach, provides a successful example of how to neutralize terrorism after having defeated various terrorist groups between 1993 and 2003 and overseen a transition from civil war to peace since then. This paper outlines the Algerian government’s attempts, approaches, and initiatives on combating terrorism and de-radicalization as well as analyzes their strengths and limitations. It sketches how the Algerian government, especially since mid-90', dealt, engaged, overcame, and resolves issues and problems of terrorism and extremism. The purpose of the paper is present facts and information about the Algerian experience at fighting terrorism and Algeria's long struggle in the combat of extremist and terrorist threats. The paper also assesses and analyzes the effectiveness and ineffectiveness, strengths, and weaknesses of the Algerian successive governments policies and approaches of counterterrorism.

Integrating Technologies Into Citizenship Training -EpC-: A Case Study With A Technological-Political Focus in the Colombian Context

Objective: the objective of this study was to investigate the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on the pedagogical practices of Education for Citizenship (EpC) in educational institutions in the Nariño department, Colombia, to identify opportunities, tensions, and transformations in the integration of technology into the curriculum. Theoretical Framework: it was based on conceptual frameworks such as the Didactics of Social Sciences mediated by technology, the technopolitical approach, and network society theory. These models highlight how technologies reshape social and educational dynamics, thus promoting critical citizenship skills and learning that is contextualized in both global and local realities. Method: a multiple case study design was adopted, which included the participation of four educational institutions. Data collection was carried out through semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and non-participant observations. These methods allowed for the analysis of teaching practices mediated by ICT and their relationship with the curricular objectives of EpC. The analysis was conducted in phases of selection, prediction, and interpretation, identifying emerging patterns and categories. Results and Discussion: the results show that ICT is a key tool for promoting digital literacy and civic participation, but face limitations such as the digital divide and lack of teacher training. In the discussion, these findings are contextualized in theories such as technopolitics, highlighting how ICT transforms teaching towards more critical and participatory approaches. The identified tensions include the limited instrumentalization of ICT and their underutilized potential to generate profound changes in educational practices.

Implemenation of Child Friendly City Policy in Singkawang City in 2022-2023 Period

This study aims to analyze the implementation of the “Child Friendly City” policy in Singkawang City, which is a strategic initiative to create an environment that is safe, healthy, and supports the development of children as the nation's next generation. Using a qualitative approach, this study collected data through in-depth interviews, direct observation, and analysis of relevant documents to understand the perspectives of various stakeholders, including local government, civil society organizations, educational institutions, and children's communities. The results show that despite strong commitment from the government and cross-sector collaboration, the implementation of this policy still faces various challenges. These challenges include different priorities among actors, budget constraints, and a lack of public understanding of the concept of “Child Friendly City”. In addition, although a non-compliance reporting mechanism is in place, socialization of this mechanism still needs to be improved so that children feel more confident in conveying the problems they face. Thus, this research concludes that the successful implementation of the “Child Friendly City” policy in Singkawang is highly dependent on effective collaboration between all parties, as well as the need for targeted strategies to overcome existing challenges. Hopefully, with a more collaborative and transparent approach, all children, especially those from vulnerable groups, can benefit equally from this policy, thus creating a child-friendly environment and supporting their holistic well-being. This research provides recommendations to improve socialization and education about the policy, strengthen cross-sector collaboration, and increase children's participation in decision-making, in order to achieve the goal of creating Singkawang City as a child-friendly city.

Refugee Resettlement: A Durable Solution at a Crossroads

Abstract The future of refugee resettlement stands at a crossroads. This Special Issue brings together an interdisciplinary and international group of scholars to tackle questions and dilemmas central to the durable solution of third country resettlement. The original articles in this Special Issue engage with the policy and practice of resettlement, taking stock of traditional approaches and future possibilities. Drawing on the experiences and voices of arriving refugees, service providers, and civil society partners, these papers examine key developments in the resettlement landscape over the past ten years. Each article takes on a distinct issue or problem, from racialization and incorporation to private sponsorship and notions of success, and is set against the backdrop of critical socio-political shifts to refugee admissions over the last decade. As a cohesive compilation, this Special Issue addresses entrenched problems and creative solutions in both the policy and practice of refugee resettlement.

The EU’s depoliticized approach to deliberative democracy and its implications for climate policy: The case of the Conference on the Future of Europe

ABSTRACT The Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE) was the ‘first transnational, multilingual and interinstitutional exercise of deliberative democracy’ at the EU level, aiming to give citizens the opportunity to shape the Union’s future. This paper critically reflects on how the deliberative process was designed, framed and implemented, and its implications for climate policy. Methodologically, I follow a mixed-method qualitative design, including a document review of the official reports, nine semi-structured interviews with key actors, and observation during two related events. The research findings indicate that depoliticization accompanied the entire process, especially unfolding via the broad and neutral framing of the European Citizens Panels and the scarce presence of civil society during the process. As a result, the resulting proposals are mostly in line with current climate policies, therefore rather serving as a legitimacy tool. In addition, this prevented citizens from developing a holistic understanding of the climate and environmental crises, overlooking its connections with global justice and the political economy, and without opening up the space for contesting the EU’s main discourses and trajectories.

Coping with a crisis: the relationship between citizenship and mental health as experienced by LGBTQ population in Poland

ABSTRACT The rise to power of the Law and Justice party in 2015 brought LGBTQ issues to the forefront of public debate with unprecedented hostility, correlating with a surge in mental health issues among non-heteronormative individuals. Through interviews with LGBTQ participants and mental health professionals, this qualitative study explores this relationship, exposing the systemic roots of minority stress and the state’s failure to provide LGBTQ-inclusive mental health support. This study also reveals how the crisis compelled Polish citizens to develop alternative structures of care, termed by the author as “caring civil society.” The discussed coping mechanisms are not aimed at challenging the status quo, which is the common focus in literature, but at making it liveable. This research ultimately argues that the extent of one’s dissent should be evaluated based on their capacities, for in extremely hostile environments, the very act of valuing one’s life can be an act of resistance.

Impact of Political Ideologies on Civic Engagement in South Korea

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of political ideologies on civic engagement in South Korea. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Political ideologies significantly influence civic engagement in South Korea, where citizens' political leanings often shape their participation in social and political activities. Conservative ideologies are typically associated with formal engagement, such as voting and policy advocacy, while progressive ideologies are linked to grassroots movements and activism on social issues. A key finding is that South Koreans with strong ideological identities are more likely to participate in civic activities, as these beliefs often align with specific causes or political agendas. Furthermore, generational divides play a role; younger progressives tend to engage in digital activism, while older conservatives favor traditional forms of participation. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Civic voluntarism model, social identity theory & theory of planned behavior may be used to anchor future studies on the impact of political ideologies on civic engagement in South Korea. To foster greater civic engagement, practical steps should be taken to encourage participation in ideologically diverse groups. Policymakers should consider reforming electoral systems to ensure that they reflect the diversity of political ideologies within a society.

Deepening the data divide: Marginalised perspectives and non-profit priorities in Australian data sharing reforms

This paper investigates open public data and data sharing reforms in Australia (2018–2022) and their potential role in deepening the ‘data divide’. In the contemporary datafied welfare state, open public data and data sharing are increasingly vexed issues in times of data-driven artificial intelligence (AI). We scrutinise public consultation surrounding the establishment of the Australian Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022 (DAT Act). Through topic modelling and critical discourse analysis, the study examines the representation and concerns of marginalised groups in the reform process. We highlight the overlooked role of non-profits and civil society in the public data ecosystem. The analysis emphasises the significant yet unacknowledged contributions of these organisations in advocating for data equity and justice. We argue that responsible and equitable public data practices do not just depend on administrative and technical procedures for data sharing but are fundamentally entwined with the social and institutional hierarchies in which public data is produced and used. The study calls for greater inclusion and support for civil society organisations to bridge the data divide, contributing to broader debates on the merits and challenges of open data and data sharing practices within a data justice framework.

Collaborative Transdisciplinary Research, Knowledge Sharing and Governance for Disaster Prevention and Mitigation

Considering a range of possible natural and anthropogenic hazards and socio-economic disruptions, the article hypothesis is that the planning of their prevention and mitigation requires transdisciplinary collaboration of science, governance organisations, affected population, and civil society. The literature review enabled identifying types and causes of disruption threats, their scale, governance approaches and recommendations for collaboration in transdisciplinary research, knowledge sharing and governance. Qualitative analysis of the recommendations given in the above studies confirms validity of the above hypothesis. The findings indicate the significance of developing knowledge and skills needed for effective transdisciplinary collaboration. The research value is in providing evidence related to the need for building capacities and capabilities for transdisciplinary collaboration in science, at all levels of governance, and in communities.

‘A Culmination of Many Factors’: Opportunities, Arenas, and Challenges to Malaysia’s Dominant Regime

ABSTRACT The victory of the opposition Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition in the 2018 Malaysian election was a political earthquake, as it saw the end of over 60 years of rule by the dominant Barisan Nasional (BN) regime. Victory for the coalition resulted from a number of factors, as opponents came together to craft a strategy that was able to overcome an extensive system of social control that the BN regime had built and reinforced during its time in power. The aim of the paper is to examine how civil society and political actors were able to craft a coalition that was sufficiently robust to challenge the dominant position of the BN regime. In doing so, the findings point to the role and impact of civil society in a context of weakening elite control. Drawing on interviews conducted with civil society actors shortly after the election, the paper identifies the key actors involved, how they formulated claims, and the importance of connecting the protest and electoral arenas to achieve their ends.

Miss You Like Hell: Exploring the Impacts of Socially Conscious Musical Theatre on Audience Attitudes

In fall 2023, Arizona State University’s Musical Theatre and Opera program produced the Arizona premiere of the musical Miss You Like Hell by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Quiara Alegría Hudes (In the Heights, Water by the Spoonful) and singer/songwriter Erin McKeown. Miss You Like Hell is a contemporary musical about an undocumented Mexican-American woman named Beatriz who is trying to gain legal citizenship. She and her teenage daughter, Olivia, travel the United States, from Philadelphia to Los Angeles, as they mend their fractured relationship. This paper details a research study surrounding this 2023 production of Miss You Like Hell as part of the author’s graduate study. The research study consisted of pre-show and post-show audience surveys and post-show talkbacks to measure the musical’s impact on audience attitudes toward immigration reform and interest in civic engagement around the issue. This study asked a critical question: How can theatre-makers and artist-activists utilize musical theatre to build community, impact attitudes, and increase civic engagement around social issues like immigration reform? This case study on Miss You Like Hell is an example of the impact of socially conscious musicals on audience attitudes. In this context, a socially conscious musical is defined as a musical that directly engages with a sociopolitical or social justice issue. The author concludes with a consideration of the research limitations and an invitation to future scholars to conduct further research at the intersection of musical theatre and social justice.

Factors enabling or impeding the institutionalization of climate change mitigation in municipalities: findings from a survey in Germany

ABSTRACT This paper investigates factors that enable or impede the strategic and organizational institutionalization of climate change mitigation (CCM) in municipalities in Germany. Institutionalization refers to the formalization of CCM and involves its integration into the strategies and administrative structures of municipal governments and their administrations. Empirically, we distinguish three indicators to measure strategic institutionalization, i.e. adopting a CCM plan, setting a CCM target, and compiling an inventory of CO2 emissions. To measure organizational institutionalization, we use two indicators, i.e. dedicating a budget to CCM and creating a unit dedicated to CCM. The econometric analyzes are based on an original sample of 550 municipalities with 5,000–500,000 inhabitants combined with secondary data from external databases. The findings suggest that municipalities are more likely to institutionalize CCM if they frequently exchange climate-related information with other municipalities, civil society actors, and companies (relational factor), have higher shares of votes for the Green party (political factor), and are more urbanized (structural factor). In general, similar factors are associated with the strategic and organizational institutionalization of CCM. Observed differences pertain to some structural factors. For strategic, but not for organizational institutionalization, we find some evidence that an expected higher level of environmental awareness among the local civil society is conducive.

Decision-making under epistemic, strategic and institutional uncertainty during COVID-19: findings from a six-country empirical study

BackgroundUncertainty is defined as limited knowledge or lack of predictability about past, present or future events. The COVID-19 pandemic management was significantly impacted by uncertainty, as the gaps between existing information and the necessary knowledge hindered decision-making. Current uncertainty literature primarily focuses on natural disasters, leaving a gap in understanding decision-making under uncertainty in times of public health emergencies. Analysing strategies for making decisions under uncertainty during the pandemic is crucial for future pandemic preparedness.MethodsUsing a comparative research design, we study the strategies governments used to make decisions under uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected data through desk reviews, stakeholder interviews and focus group discussions with stakeholders from government, academia and civil society from six purposefully selected countries: Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, Bangladesh, Jordan and the UK.ResultsRegardless of political, geographic and economic context, all six countries adopted common strategies to make decisions under three types of uncertainties. Decision-making under epistemic uncertainty involved seeking expert advice and collecting evidence from other countries and international organisations. Decision-making under strategic uncertainty involved coordination, collaboration and communication. Decision-making under institutional uncertainty involved using or adapting pre-existing experiences, structures and relationships and establishing new institutions and processes.ConclusionsWe contribute to the theory and practice of public health crisis decision-making by presenting a unified national-level applied decision-making framework for events involving uncertainty. We provide practical guidance for approaches to enhance decision-making in future health crises that could also be used for other emergencies.