Constructive Engagement Research Articles

Should the Board Have Control over Shareholder Proposals? Evidence from China

Abstract This Article empirically investigates the impacts of the board’s rejection of shareholder proposals on corporate value and the appropriate approach to regulation. The study utilizes a dataset of such incidents in China, where the board enjoys significant discretion in rejecting proposals due to the inadequacy of legal enforcement mechanisms. The findings provide suggestive evidence that the market reacts negatively to the announcement of proposal rejections, leading to a significant decline in a firm’s stock value. The most adverse effects are associated with rejections of director nomination proposals and blockholder-sponsored proposals. The inclusion of external legal opinions can help alleviate these adverse consequences. Additionally, the research uncovers that while the two stock exchanges in China demonstrate overall competence in identifying harmful rejection decisions, the effectiveness of their regulatory actions via comment letters is hindered by the inherent weakness of the soft law approach. Drawing upon these results, this study posits that the critical value of the shareholder proposal regime lies in providing a low-cost approach for dissident shareholders to replace poorly performing management and facilitating the constructive engagement of large shareholders and the management. Furthermore, it is recommended that China establish an SEC-style review process for board rejection decisions, with the exchanges as the ultimate authority permitting the exclusion of shareholder proposals.

Securities regulation and capital market development in Nigeria: recurring challenges and prospect for solution

PurposeThe purpose of this paper, therefore, is to amplify the imperativeness for a re-oriented regulatory approach that prioritizes constructive engagement with the regulated communities, harnessing the existing pool of savings and retention of market participation.Design/methodology/approachThe paper adopts a doctrinal legal research design with data drawn from primary and secondary sources of law. The primary sources include case laws and statutes, and the secondary sources include book chapters, journal articles and other internet-sourced materials.FindingsThe paper finds that the status quo in Nigeria if left to continue would spell severe economic disaster for Nigeria’s securities administration, but a well-structured realignment of the regulations would boost the country’s securities market effectiveness.Research limitations/implicationsThe research’s conclusions and suggestions might only be applicable to Nigeria’s particular situation with regard to capital market development and securities regulation. Other nations or locations with distinct regulatory systems, market structures and economic situations may not be able to immediately adapt it. When extending the research results outside of the Nigerian environment, caution should be exercised. For regulatory agencies and policymakers, the research offers insightful suggestions. The analysis may pinpoint certain areas where policy changes are required to address reoccurring problems and improve the chances for a healthy capital market.Practical implicationsFor Nigeria’s regulatory frameworks controlling securities to be strengthened, this paper would be crucial. To make sure they are in line with global best practices, this entails examining and revising current laws, rules and standards. A stronger regulatory environment may also result from the implementation of harsher enforcement procedures and consequences for noncompliance. It is also required for creating market infrastructure, fostering market integration and cooperation, facilitating access to capital, monitoring and evaluation. It would also benefit investor education and protection.Social implicationsAddressing these persistent issues and potential remedies in Nigeria’s capital market development and securities regulation would have various advantageous social effects. These include improved market infrastructure, more financial inclusion, improved investment protection for investors and improved market openness and integrity. Such results will help Nigerian society as a whole by fostering economic expansion, job creation, wealth distribution and general social progress.Originality/valueThis paper is the original work of the authors and has not been published anywhere nor submitted to another journal for publication.

Transatlantic strategic convergence on China and the scramble for critical minerals

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the trend of transatlantic strategic convergence and policy coordination in response to Chinese trade practices and technological competition, specifically in the critical minerals sector. Design/methodology/approach The research draws on primary and secondary source material to identify evidence of and examine the drivers, manifestations and prospects for effective US-European efforts to advance the shared aim of reducing vulnerabilities in critical minerals supply chains. Findings The interests of the USA and Europe would be best served by prioritizing their own security, diversification and resilience strategies while seeking areas of common ground and constructive engagement with China. Research limitations/implications The research offers a fresh perspective on the growing alignment and persistent gaps in US and European perspectives on China’s rising influence and assertive behavior. Originality/value The research highlights the vital role of critical minerals in national security, economic competitiveness, technological advancement and sustainable resource management. It underscores the shared recognition on both sides of the Atlantic that securing a stable supply of critical minerals – essential for maintaining strategic capabilities, driving innovation and ensuring long-term economic prosperity – necessitates tighter transatlantic coordination as well as constructive engagement with China.

Improving agricultural science communication through intentionality

AbstractAlthough communicating research is a key part of public science, current graduate curricula in the agricultural sciences usually have a narrow focus on communication appropriate for presenting to scientific and academic audiences, such as in the form of the dreaded “seminar.” Yet the importance and impact of agriculture extends well beyond research communities, and communicating with other potential audiences is essential for realizing the full impact of research. Because public speaking is among the greatest fears for many people, it is critical to provide students with the tools needed to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, particularly as only a fraction of them will go on to give regular research seminars once they enter the professional world. Better communication can lead to more constructive engagement with the public as well as with policy‐makers, toward improved understanding of the science they are funding and from which they are benefiting. Purposeful instruction in public speaking should help alleviate the common anxieties that student presenters often experience. Here, we summarize general communication strategies that can be incorporated into any graduate agricultural science course to help address this need.

Teacher Professional Learning as an ‎Approach for Enhancing Student Learning in ‎the Sultanate of Oman: A Prospective Study ‎

The study aimed to propose indicators for teacher professional ‎learning (TPL) in the Sultanate of Oman, as well as identify the ‎support that teachers in Omani schools require to efficiently ‎activate the proposed TPL practices and link them to improving ‎student learning. The study utilized the Delphi technique for ‎future studies in two rounds over three weeks with an electronic ‎questionnaire. The sample of experts included 27 male and ‎female experts representingthe general office of the Ministry of ‎Education, educational directorates in the governorates, and the ‎Specialized Institute for Professional Training, in addition to ‎some experts from the school principals and teachers. The ‎results showed that the five main aspects of TPL (Reflection, ‎Experimentation, Collaboration, reach out to the Knowledge ‎Base Inquiry, and Constructive Engagement) included a set of ‎main criteria consisting of several suggested indicators for TPL ‎and in each aspect there are a set of indicators that achieve them. ‎The study concludes that there are four requirements to activate ‎TPL practices in Oman, including consolidating a culture of ‎TPL, stimulating, and enhancing TPL practices, policies, ‎legislation, and mechanisms for activating TPL, and ‎organizational support for TPL. Results are discussed, ‎recommendations‏ ‏and suggestions for future research are ‎presented.‎ ‎(Keywords: Proposed Indicators, Teacher Professional ‎Learning, Delphi, Prospective Study, Oman)‎

China's New Approach to Neighborhood Diplomacy: Analyzing the Economic and Political Relations with Afghanistan in the Post-2014 Period

In recent years, Sino-Afghan relations have seen unprecedented growth, with China actively involving itself in Afghanistan's political transformation due to its longstanding friendly ties with the country. This marks China's efforts to play a proactive role in Afghanistan. The gradual withdrawal of NATO and US forces since 2014 has prompted China to adopt a new geopolitical approach towards the region. The new phase of Afghanistan-China relations has the potential to transform China from a mere observer into a constructive and intervening force in Afghanistan. This article aims to shed light on China's new diplomatic strategy in Afghanistan by examining its characteristics and implications. It is predicated on the belief that constructive engagement with Afghanistan will yield strategic, economic, and security benefits for China, which directly impact its national security risks and economic opportunities.

Evolving Security Landscape of Nepal-China Relations

Nepal-China relations have been cordial for centuries. The relationship is based on the principles of panchasheel, mutual trust and respect. China's overall policy and interests in Nepal revolve around stability, security, economic development and geopolitics. The changes in regime, either the Shah Monarchy or the Federal Democratic Republic Government, have never been the issue in the unremitting mutual relations between the two countries. However, in the republic era, the security landscape of the Nepal-China relationship has been evolved due to Nepal's geostrategic location and its vulnerability, China's growing military and economic power, the US's China containment strategy and use of soft power; and India's concerns about Chinese growing engagement in Nepal have raise various questions and security implications for Nepal- China relations. The researcher has used the qualitative approach to analyze the Nepal-China relation and security dynamics after 2007. It mainly used diplomatic, military and economic aspects of DIME instruments of national power as a framework of analysis. Nepal must comprehend the sensitivity of China and India, along with other regional and international powers, regarding their security concerns and implement prudent policies prioritizing national interests. Given the evolving dynamics of global power relations and advancements in regional and international arenas, Nepal's nonalignment policy must become more productive, ensuring constructive engagement with China, India and extra-regional powers.

Avoiding the Political Resource Curse: Evidence from a Most-Likely Case

Why do some countries escape the political resource curse while others do not? Most scholars argue that avoiding the claimed anti-democratic effects of natural resources, especially oil, largely depends on the quality of pre-existing political institutions and/or the effectiveness of contemporary resource management institutions. Drawing on the most-likely case of Timor-Leste, one of the world’s most oil-dependent countries that nevertheless successfully consolidated democracy, we challenge these dominant theories and highlight new important factors to consider. We show that Timor-Leste did not avoid the curse because of good pre-existing political institutions, good natural resource governance institutions, or an otherwise favorable environment for democracy. Instead, we find that the ideological beliefs of major political actors, their strong popular legitimacy, the absence of a hegemonic actor among them, as well as the approaches of external actors, have produced a consolidated democracy despite strong incentives for the development of authoritarianism. These findings highlight the importance of ideology and agency, of the composition of independence movements, and of constructive international engagement, in particular at critical historical junctures. In short, even countries facing serious political and economic challenges can avoid the political resource curse, and both scholars and policymakers should consider a broader approach to the phenomenon.

Fostering pre-service teachers’ technology acceptance – does the type of engagement with tool-related information matter?

Pre-service teachers’ often suboptimal use of technology in teaching can be explained by low levels of technology acceptance. The present study aims to investigate how technology acceptance can be promoted. Based on the Technology Acceptance Model by Davis (1986), we hypothesized that encouraging pre-service teachers to constructively engage with rather than passively reading tool-related information should increase their assessments of the tool’s perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, intention to use and actual use in lesson plans. In an experimental study, N = 53 pre-service teachers were either asked to read a blog post about the potential of a mind mapping tool (passive condition) or to work on small tasks covering the same information as the blog post (constructive condition). Finally, all participants were instructed to develop lesson plans. Contrary to our hypothesis, analyses of variance showed that passive engagement had stronger positive effects on technology acceptance than constructive engagement, i.e., reading a blog post significantly increased pre-service teachers’ perceived ease of use (partial η2 = .15) compared to working constructively on open-ended tasks (p < .01). Exploratory analyses indicated that deeper engagement with the tasks in the constructive condition was associated with lower technology acceptance (r = [–.37; –.27], p < .05). Nevertheless, both conditions yielded a significant increase in intention to use over time, indicating that engagement with information about a tool in general can foster pre-service teachers’ technology acceptance.

Health-related quality of life and psychosocial effects of the diagnosis of aortovascular manifestations in Marfan syndrome patients: a qualitative study

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): Barts Charity Background Marfan Syndrome (MFS) is a rare autosomal-dominant connective tissue disorder with serious and life-threatening cardiovascular manifestations. Despite the severity of this life-long condition, there is very little evidence on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and psychosocial effects of living with MFS and no available evidence on the effect of the aortovascular manifestations. Purpose This study is part of a programme of work aiming to identify the HRQoL and the psychosocial factors affecting MFS patients following the diagnosis of an aortovascular manifestation. Methods This single site qualitative exploratory study was designed to identify quality of life issues affected by the aortovascular diagnosis in MFS from patients’ lived experience. Convenience sampling was employed for this study, with an expected sample size of 20 adult participants who had validated diagnosis of MFS using the revised Ghent criteria[1] and diagnosed with aortovascular manifestations. Interviews, lasting up to 1 hour, were conducted using a semi-structured interview schedule. Each interview was audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Data saturation assessment was done using the Guest et al.[2] method. Data analysis was undertaken using the Framework method[3], which follows a seven-stage process Results Twenty interviews were undertaken, transcribed and analysed. Participants ranged from 24 to 71 years old (M = 39.6); were 55% male, were primarily Caucasian (n=17, 85%), and 80% completed secondary and post-secondary education. Majority were employed (n=12, 70%) and 40% had greater than average household income. The results identified that patient reported HRQoL and psychosocial factors affecting MFS patients following aortovascular diagnosis include: social and self-stigma, depression, social and health anxiety, loss of personal efficacy, financial burden, loss of self-esteem, worry in building a relationship or family and vital exhaustion. However, patients also expressed that the diagnosis led to disease acceptance, constructive engagement in coping with the condition and self-acceptance. Conclusion These results assist in better understanding the HRQoL and psychosocial factors that affect patients with MFS. This information can support the development of a patient care pathway that includes HRQoL and psychosocial aspects of care to provide a holistic and comprehensive service for this patient group.

Harmful Cultural Practices that Violate Women’s Rights in African Polities and Why They have Persisted

Abstract Purpose – This study aims to examine why harmful cultural practices or human rights violations seem to have persisted in African polities despite the existence of relevant national, regional, and international standard practices on human rights. Design/Method of Enquiry – The study adopted qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Qualitative methods were conducted through interviews involving 3 focus groups, 7 university professors, and 1 senior government official from the Ministry of Gender Equality. Other data sources were drawn from secondary information gathered from academic journals, books, and online publications. Quantitative data was used mainly for graphical illustrations as well as to justify the use of statistical information. The 3 countries under study (Namibia, Ethiopia, and Zambia) were selected because of their distinct historical trajectories. For instance, Ethiopia was never colonised by Western powers. Namibia was colonised by Germany and later, by the South African apartheid regime, while Zambia was colonised by Britain. In terms of population size, Ethiopia has around 123 million people; Namibia only has about 2.6 million people while Zambia has around 20 million people. These differences, i.e., the unique political histories and quirky demographic spread helped to gauge whether these dissimilarities provide any statistical significance on the overall study findings. Findings – The study finds that there is a complex relationship between laws governing human rights and traditional norms. However, this tension – far from being destructive – can in fact be beneficial to both universalists and culturalists by potentially generating new ideas that fortify global and local efforts to bring human rights to brighter existence. Crucially, the study notes that by snubbing the opposing views from traditionalists, the universalists -unwittingly- forecloses a vital imperative of knowledge exchange that could illuminate and bring about real transformation on the human rights discourse. The study reveals that sensitisation and constructive engagement with traditional actors is key to the attainment of universal human rights. Furthermore, the study discovers that there is no statistical significance on the net comparable results among the 3 countries studied. The study concludes that change or reform is best attained when such change is driven from within a given constellation. Originality/Value – The juxtaposes examined in this study helps the reader to see human rights in contextual terms. It is ironic, for instance, that vices such as gun culture, gangsterism, raping of women, abductions, aggravated robberies, and drug abuse seem to be a common feature in Western inclined (African) urban areas where universal human rights are preached and embraced, yet such heinous activities are virtually alien in traditional settings where the supposed ‘harmful cultural norms’ are practiced. Thanks to urban criminal activities – they have reinforced and legitimised the dyed-in-the-wool trademark defiance stance of traditionalists. So, by exposing this gap in human rights comprehension, this study helps the reader to grasp human rights with greater definition and drives Plato’s point home on the dynamism of knowledge: that knowledge is an intersection of truth and belief, where knowledge cannot be claimed if something is true but not believed or believed but not true.

Factors that influence pastoralists’ estimation of onset and cessation of rains in Rwenzori region in Western Uganda

There have been improvements in scientific forecast dissemination through radio, internet, and mobile phones in Eastern and Southern Africa, however pastoralists remain unreached. Majority of pastoralists are not using scientific forecasts routinely to estimate rainfall onset and cessation. Indigenous knowledge forecasts (IF) play an important role in pastoralists' decision-making related to rangeland use and climate change adaptation. This study examined the factors that influence the estimation of climatological onset and cessation of rains among pastoralists in Rwenzori region in western Uganda. Data were gathered from 269 pastoralists’ households about socio-economic characteristics and rain onset and cessation estimation. The data was analyzed using the probit model. The results indicate that herd mobility, climate information use (both scientific and indigenous), wealth, education level, social capital and perception of climate variability and change were determinants of rainfall onset estimation. Agricultural extension access, having lactating cows, and perception of climate variability and change increased the likelihood of accurate estimation of rainfall cessation. Investments in weather stations in pastoral areas, constructive engagement of stakeholders in climate services, strengthening the linkage between national agricultural extension and meteorological systems would improve the estimation of rainfall onset and cessation that could result in an improved adaptive capacity of pastoralists. Mainstreaming climate change information in national agricultural extension systems and enhancing climate forecast communication through social capital could reduce the vulnerability of pastoral livelihoods to climate change.

Learner analytics: Hindsight evaluation at course-level

The concept of student engagement is a contentious construct. The task of learner analytics (LA) to meaningfully measure student engagement is therefore complicated both by a lack of agreement over what is being measured and a discomfort or lack of confidence around what collated data might believably indicate. This challenge is made harder by availability, accuracy and reliability of data feeds. The aim of LA would be to collate and share early measures of engagement that can be used predictively to support learners’ experience and outcomes. However, most HEI LA are descriptive and therefore of limited utility. Where the LA available are descriptive, this paper explores how credible such LA might be when used at course level. This study supports an analysis of comprehensive data gathered within and beyond LA for a level 4 cohort in one programme across the 2019-20 academic year. It also draws on data relating to study completion, with the benefit of hindsight giving further insights to the utility of LA data available earlier in students’ journeys. Given the actual outcomes for these 2019 starters, the study cohort’s understanding of ‘engagement’ is then applied to support insights to their own measurable indicators of interaction and actions that might best enable constructive engagement. Meaningful correlations were noted between use of E-resources and student outcomes and the most significant indicators of risk were found to be extensions, fails and non-submissions for assignments in the first semester of level 4 and average grades &lt;39% by the end of level 4. Study recommendations include supporting better and more confident access to literature content and targeting timely interventions at students flagged by the most significant indicators of risk.

Learner analytics: Hindsight evaluation at course-level

The concept of student engagement is a contentious construct. The task of learner analytics (LA) to meaningfully measure student engagement is therefore complicated both by a lack of agreement over what is being measured and a discomfort or lack of confidence around what collated data might believably indicate. This challenge is made harder by availability, accuracy and reliability of data feeds. The aim of LA would be to collate and share early measures of engagement that can be used predictively to support learners’ experience and outcomes. However, most HEI LA are descriptive and therefore of limited utility. Where the LA available are descriptive, this paper explores how credible such LA might be when used at course level. This study supports an analysis of comprehensive data gathered within and beyond LA for a level 4 cohort in one programme across the 2019-20 academic year. It also draws on data relating to study completion, with the benefit of hindsight giving further insights to the utility of LA data available earlier in students’ journeys. Given the actual outcomes for these 2019 starters, the study cohort’s understanding of ‘engagement’ is then applied to support insights to their own measurable indicators of interaction and actions that might best enable constructive engagement. Meaningful correlations were noted between use of E-resources and student outcomes and the most significant indicators of risk were found to be extensions, fails and non-submissions for assignments in the first semester of level 4 and average grades &lt;39% by the end of level 4. Study recommendations include supporting better and more confident access to literature content and targeting timely interventions at students flagged by the most significant indicators of risk.

Are we braver in cyberspace? Social media anonymity enhances moral courage

The literature has established accumulated evidence on the negative consequences of social media anonymity on behaviors online (e.g., cyber-aggression). Yet the potential benefits of social media anonymity have been largely overlooked, especially when it comes to prosociality. In four studies, we examined the facilitating effect of perceived social media anonymity on online moral courage. We first tested and confirmed the relation of perceived social media anonymity to online moral courage in a correlational study (Study 1) and an experimental study (Study 2). We then tested and revealed the mediating role of perceived risk and the moderating role of moral meaningfulness in the relation between perceived anonymity and moral courage (Study 3). We further used social media behavioral data to examine the association between social media anonymity and moral courage in an ecologically valid context (Study 4). Our findings enrich the research of moral psychology and social media studies by providing the first experimental evidence for the prosocial effect of social media anonymity. They further have important implications for website interface design, social activism, as well as intervention programs to promote constructive civil engagement online.

Decolonial Re-existence through Animist Realism: Water Spirits and Shamanic Mantras in Janice Pariat's Boats on Land

Colonialism's deleterious impact on Indigenous epistemologies has engendered an exigent concern in the project of decoloniality, calling for a re-existence of marginalized cosmovisions. To accomplish this, an epistemic delinking from the paradigm of Eurocentric discourses is imperative in the interest of a comprehensive appreciation and recognition of Indigenous knowledge systems. In this vein, the present study employs the literary trope of animist realism to analyze two short stories from the anthology Boats on Land by the Khasi author, Janice Pariat. Her creative writing explores the animist philosophy of the Khasi community who dwell in the humid tropical State of Meghalaya, India. Through an attentive reading of the animist belief in water spirits and shamanic mantra rituals, this paper critiques colonial narratives of Khasi animist worldviews as "satanic", "supernatural", or psycho-pathological aberrations. The paper presents Khasi animist wisdom as a sophisticated and equitable principle of mutual coexistence and respectful relationality between human and more-than-human realms, replete with spiritual, ecological, and cosmological overtones. Indigenous animist epistemologies are indispensable as sustainable alternatives to the knowledge structures of colonial modernity. The present study contributes to the envisioning of a coexistence of Indigenous and Western knowledge systems in the spirit of mutual recognition and constructive engagement within an evolving epistemological landscape in the ongoing decolonial enterprise.

Pendekatan Indonesia dan Amerika Serikat Terhadap Proses Demokratisasi Myanmar

Pendekatan Indonesia dan Amerika Serikat Terhadap Proses Demokratisasi Myanmar

Interactivity and Ecomedia in the Digital Age

Interactivity is a fundamental aspect of contemporary digital media and communication, playing a crucial role in the synergistic relationship between filmic representation and video games. This paper examines the interplay between Jeta Amata's eco-film Black November and the video game Niger Delta Commando, focusing on the narratives, themes, and imaginary worlds that define their relationship. In the context of Nigeria's Niger Delta challenges, these media forms provide alternative approaches for addressing environmental issues while maintaining relevance and competing for attention in the entertainment landscape. Nigeria's rapidly growing video game industry holds significant potential for entertainment and economic development. This study acknowledges the integral part played by film in influencing the development of video games, as both mediums share aspects such as camera techniques, narrative structures, visual representation technologies, special effects, and thematic concerns. In this case, Niger Delta Commando allows players to determine the narrative through interactivity, offering a unique and innovative way to address the Niger Delta's environmental challenges. Adopting a dual analytical and descriptive methodology, this paper explores the interrelatedness of the narratives linking Black November and Niger Delta Commando, reconciling leading arguments in ecomedia, and assessing the Nigerian narrative's notions of interactivity, immersion, and environment. The analysis also considers the environmental impacts of media product life cycles and addresses the differential experiences of affected populations. The eco-film Black November is recreated in the interactive video game medium Niger Delta Commando, emphasizing the military action storyline and visual style reminiscent of the Niger Delta region's activist struggles. However, the video game primarily adopts an action-thriller plot without addressing the underlying factors contributing to violence in the region or the environmental degradation detailed in Black November. Media products, including films and video games, have demonstrated their utility as tools for engaging with and analyzing human concerns. With video games becoming increasingly popular and accepted as an artistic medium, adaptations like Niger Delta Commando can provide more immersive representations of environmental issues. The paper proposes that future video games addressing the Niger Delta region should feature complex and nuanced intersections reflecting the region's ecological challenges, moving beyond violence and towards a more constructive engagement with the environment.

Indonesia’s Approach towards Myanmar’s Crisis: Understanding the Different Perspectives of the Democracy Process in Indonesia and Myanmar and the Role of the Military

The recent military coup in Myanmar has shocked ASEAN countries, causing some to question ASEAN’s trajectory and approach to addressing the democratization issue. ASEAN countries have taken different approaches, as reflected in the UN General Assembly’s call to halt arms sales to Myanmar. Meanwhile, Indonesia, the world’s third-largest democracy, the largest democracy in Southeast Asia, and an ASEAN founding member, has taken the lead. Indonesia brought the issue to the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting on 24 April 2021, resulting in a five-point consensus. However, it demonstrated no actual progress so far. Many scholars, democracy activists, and foreign policy observers consider Indonesia’s role since its success in reforming its military and turning it into a professional after having political domination. Thus, this paper examined different perspectives on how Indonesia encourages democracy in the region. Recent development depicts that Indonesia has subtly challenged the traditional non-interference policy approach. This paper enables Indonesia to maintain ASEAN’s constructive engagement. Indonesia must become a role model as the champion for a civilian rule that will not make Myanmar’s military weaker, less prosperous, or no longer be appreciated as the glue of the country—but vice versa. This paper also recommends intensifying the Indonesian military to military engagement with Myanmar.

What we mean by public missiology

In 2014 and 2015 a panel of missiologists assembled at the American Society of Missiology (ASM) to discuss ideas, concepts, and practices in support of the proposed 2016 ASM annual meeting under the heading “Missiology and Public Life: Mission’s Constructive Engagement with Societies, Change and Conflict.” In these panels, subsequent ASM panel discussions (2017–19), and in two issues of the journal Missiology devoted to the topic (April 2016, January 2017), the concept of public missiology emerged, and from this grew an informal seven-member study group of colleagues to clarify what might be meant by “public missiology” and define its scope. The following summarizes our study group’s conceptualization of public missiology and reflects our thinking to date. We suggest approaching missiological theory and practice from a new direction, one that focuses upon public life and emerging public orders as its object of analysis under the conditions of a rapidly changing world-historical order. This fresh approach to mission studies makes, we believe, an important contribution to ensuring mission’s vitality for the next several decades or for the next half-century.