Cultural Harmonization Research Articles

Rethinking science diplomacy and global biosecurity: challenges, emerging practices and the way forward

Abstract The changing organization and nature of biotechnology and bio-innovations have led to the global phenomenon of ‘science at large’. This has given rise to two key trends in global biosecurity governance: the growing role of science diplomacy in addressing biosecurity concerns and the rise of distributed agencies, particularly involving young practitioners from the global South, who are participating in a decentralization of western-dominated biosecurity discourse through Track II science diplomacy. These trends require updated and inclusive regulatory innovations that acknowledge biosecurity and related regulatory-ethical discussions as crucial elements of public diplomacy. There is a particular need to align these efforts with emerging forms of societal funding and to foster novel public–private partnerships in advanced bioscience research. They also call for promoting multitrack science diplomacy by bolstering institutional support for science diplomacy and biosecurity. This could be in the form of dedicated funding, or the establishment of sustained platforms to enable regular mutual learning and interactions between an international group of scientists and policy-makers. These efforts should be complemented by investment to normalize cross-disciplinary and cross-sectoral dialogues, which are essential for building communities among both established and new stakeholders. These dialogues can foster mutual learning, cultural harmonization and the development of joint initiatives to address shared biosecurity concerns. This policy paper advocates for the formal integration of science diplomacy training into university science curriculums, especially at the postgraduate level. This training will equip the next generation of scientists to align scientific visions and enhance biosecurity compliance in an increasingly connected yet ideologically diverse world.

Integration of Chinese and Javanese Ethnicities in Multicultural Life as a Manifestation of Historical and Cultural Harmonization in Surakarta

Integration of Chinese and Javanese Ethnicities in Multicultural Life as a Manifestation of Historical and Cultural Harmonization in Surakarta

Cultural Harmonization in the Midst of Modernity: A Sociological Study of the Mappacci Tradition in Bugis Weddings in Purun Village, Penukal District, Penukal Abab Lematang Ilir Regency (PALI) South Sumatra

Mappacci tradition in the community of Purun Village, Penukal Sub-district is an integral part of social and cultural life that forms identity and togetherness in the community. In a sociological review, this tradition offers valuable insights into social dynamics, social structures, and social interactions in the context of marriage and Bugis family life living in South Sumatra. This article outlines the sociological aspects of the Mappacci tradition, including cultural symbolism, cultural reproduction, social structure and social conflict. First, the analysis of cultural symbolism in Mappacci reveals how symbols such as pacci leaves, pillows and silk sarongs not only have individual meanings, but also illustrate the values, norms and social structures inherent in Bugis society. Secondly, the role of this tradition in cultural reproduction illustrates how marriage practices and the Mappacci ritual help maintain cultural identity and social solidarity within the community of Purun Village, Penukal Sub-district from generation to generation. Furthermore, an analysis of the social structure of Mappacci highlights the importance of family hierarchy, defined social roles, and gender norms in shaping the wedding procession and the implementation of the tradition. Finally, a review of social conflicts identifies potential tensions between customary traditions and modern values, as well as efforts to maintain the relevance of the Mappacci tradition in the face of evolving social dynamics. With these sociological aspects in mind, this article aims to provide a deeper understanding of the role and significance of the Mappacci tradition in the context of Bugis social and cultural life. In addition, the article also underscores the importance of sustaining and preserving cultural traditions to ensure the continuity of a rich cultural identity amidst the ever-changing currents of modernization and globalization.

The Marriage Ceremony of Ngajet Penjor in Mass Marriage System in the Pengotan Traditional Village, Bangli

Mass weddings in Pengotan Bangli Traditional Village are usually held twice a year, on sasih Kapat and Kadasa. Among the systems of mass marriages is Ngajet Penjor marriage which is held after every pujawali at the Puseh-Bale Agung Temple. The research was conducted with the aim of analyzing the function and meaning of Ngajet Penjor wedding ceremony in mass marriage system in the Pengotan Traditional Village. Data were collected by interview and document study. Data analysis was carried out through the following steps data reduction, display data, conclusions; and verification. The Ngajet Penjor wedding ceremony is held on sasih Kadasa after pujawali at the Puseh-Bale Agung, after penjor ceremony is removed which is used during pujawali. This wedding ceremony took place at Bale Agung Temple which was attended by a number of pairs of bride and groom. The Ngajet Penjor wedding ceremony in mass marriage system functions as a purification and validation of status, as a request to be able to think positively, creatively, innovatively and productively; it also functions socially, fosters cooperation and promotes unity; cost efficiency, and preservation of ancestral culture. The Ngajet Penjor wedding ceremony has a constructive meaning, namely the meeting between Purusa (groom) and Pradana (bride) in a family relationship (husband and wife); evaluative meaning, namely the willingness to establish a legal husband-wife sacred relationship; cognitive meaning, namely fostering social and cultural harmonization, kinship relations due to marriage in accordance with traditional provisions; expressive meaning, namely marriage to create a happy family physically and mentally.

Islamic Educational Values in Cultural Harmonization in Places of Worship

<p><em>Understanding of religion is often not in line with the culture that has taken root in society. This often triggers conflicts in an area. Understanding ethnicity and religious understanding also often triggers ethnic conflicts that lead to criminal behavior such as the tragedy of the dispute between ethnic Dayaks and ethnic Madurese in Central Kalimantan in 2001. The purpose of this study is to find forms of cultural and religious interaction at the Pusaka Mosque in the District of Banua Legacy during the religious and cultural Dayak Ma'anyan people who settled in the district of Banua Lawas until the entry of Islam in the Tabalong district and found a form of harmonization symbolized at the Heritage Mosque and religious activities carried out by local residents and pilgrims who came. This research uses a qualitative method with James P. Spradley' s ethnography research type and data collection by observation is not involved as well as in-depth interviews of findings from interviews that have the potential to be explored further. The results showed that the Pusaka Mosque in Banua Lawas sub-district was a very beautiful reflection of tolerance as indicated by the construction of the mosque above the pesantren (place of worship) of the Dayak Ma'anyan people who first settled in the area. Its construction was inseparable from the participation of the Dayak Maanyan tribes who had just converted to Islam and who still guarded the religion of their Kaharingan ancestors. This research contributes to the issues of religious harmonization and moderation that are being put forward by the government to bring about tolerance, efforts to deradicalize and overcome the disintegration of the nation.</em></p>

The Spirit of Tolerance from the Village: A Phenomenological Study of Multicultural Community in Balun, Gilimanuk, and Lingsar

This study aims to describe the management of tolerance in the culture of a multicultural society. The culture the society studied is the culture of the multicultural society in Indonesia. This research is based on by a hypothetical idea that the village community wisely manages the diversity of local wisdom. The research objects selected were the society of the villages that are Balun-Lamongan, Gilimanuk-Jembrana), and Lingsar-West Lombok. This study uses a phenomenological perspective, with data collection techniques: interviews and observations. From this research, there are three findings. First, the attitude and spirit of tolerance in the multicultural society in the three villages studied have been cultivated in the form of local wisdom values ​​and become the cultural pattern of the society. Second, the communities in the three villages studied showed that their societies had more advanced experience in cultural harmonization in understanding the diversity of socio-cultural realities. Third, the people in the three villages studied used local wisdom in managing diversity which they did not understand as an obstacle, but as a potential to maintain the socio-cultural cohesion of the society.

Internationalization of Multinational Companies and Cognitive Differences Across Cultures: A Neuroeconomic Perspective.

From a classical perspective, multinational companies (MNCs) operate based on market determinants, but recent economic discussions emphasize the central role of the human cognitive system in the decision-making process, thereby giving birth to interdisciplinary fields such as behavioral economics and neuroeconomics. While neuroeconomics is still considered an emerging field, hitherto scant studies have investigated the reflection of cultural experiences on the nervous system. Moreover, the interpretation of cultural diversity in the decision-making process, especially from a neuroeconomic perspective, has not been explored. In response, this study, aperspective research in nature, endeavors to research the neural responses to cultural diversity by contextualizing the neuroeconomic discussion within an MNC framework as one of the best multicultural settings. This study demonstrates that the internationalization process of MNCs is established on the cultural identity and integration of the executive. Through a neuroscientific lens, our findings prove that culture is a fundamental determinant of the cognitive makeup; therefore, cultural diversity in MNCs influences their decision-making process. Moreover, the performance of MNCs is driven by cultural harmonization at the executive level. Finally, the study reveals that the novel field of neuroeconomics is instrumental in identifying cultural intuitions on brain cells and the implications on economic decisions even at a corporate level. The main contribution of this study is the initiation of a multidisciplinary merge of the sociocultural and economic as well as neuroscientific fields, as a research center for MNCs’ decision-making processes.

CULTURAL DISTORTION AND HARMONISATION ON INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS: THE PANACEA FOR SUCCESS

The purpose of this paper was to study and unravel the implications of cultural distortion on businesses, gains and gradual harmonization of culture across national boundaries globally. Despite the national and political boundaries around the world, the activities involving cross-border operations have always persisted, but have had a dramatic growth since the Second World War. Successful business operations globally depend largely on the understanding of the cultural differences of countries which enormously have the tendencies of affecting the degree of business relationship. It is very obvious that every institution across nations of the world is deeply attached to societies with diverse cultures such as language difference, different tradition of trust, individualists and collectivists tendencies which globalization concept intends to harmonise and be accepted by the local market around the world. As a consequence, it is very imperative to strive for gradual harmonization of culture. This however implies making suitable changes on the differences among national norms, traditions, values, beliefs and rituals of different nations in order to achieve uniformity. KEY WORDS: Culture, Cultural Distortion, Cultural Harmonization, Globalization

Harmonization of Culture and Religion: Comparison of Baduy and Nahdlatul Ulama Traditions

This study discussed the harmonious life of the Baduy people, a group of indigenous group who still maintain and preserve Pikukuh or traditional taboos that guide activities based on Sundanese Wiwitan teachings. Meanwhile, Nahdhatul Ulama is a religious and cultural identity embraced by most Muslims in the archipelago by preserving traditionalism. Baduy and Nahdlatul Ulama, society and group teachings, uphold the harmonious balance between humans and their gods in the context of life that preserves culture and upholds religion. Baduy preserves local traditions that are not only a reference for the behavior of community groups. However, it is also a source of inspiration for each community to live a compact, albeit different, life. Meanwhile, Nahdhatul Ulama's works are influenced by the social environment in which Islam can be accepted and developed. Finally, culture and religion continue to exist in harmony because they are mutually supportive parts.

Fungsi dan Nilai Tradisi Hajat Lembur di Tatar Karang Priangan Tasikmalaya Jawa Barat

The purpose of this research is to determine the function and traditional values of hajat lembur in the life tatar Karang Priangan society. The research method used is an ethnographic study. The result shows that the transfer of knowledge on how to care for nature and how humans communicate with the universe, namely the harmonization of culture and religion, become a collective identity in this ethics of life. Hajat lembur tradition is a media culture and local wisdom in controlling the people’s lives. The external perception which is not in harmony with the traditions is thought to be one of the causes of disharmony. It is concluded that the tradition of hajat lembur in tatar Karang Priangan is a reality of the transfer of knowledge which is structured by considering local ethics and aesthetics. Keywords: hajat lembur, tatar Karang Priangan, transfer of knowledge, local wisdom

An Analysis of Conflict between Pashto and Dari Languages of Afghanistan

Since the establishment of Afghanistan State, Dari (dialect of Persian) has remained its dominant and official language. However, in twentieth century, some measures were taken for the development of Pashto language followed by declaration of Pashto as official language in 1936. For the first time a dialect of Persian spoken in Afghanistan was officially renamed as Dari in the 1964 Constitution of Afghanistan. In this constitution as well as in the current constitution of 2004 both of the languages were declared as official languages. Since the emergence of Pashto as official language, a rivalry and linguistic divergence created between the two languages and their respective ethnic groups. As a result of this rivalry an ethnic and linguistic consciousness emerged which led to discussions about language planning policies.
 This research article discovers historical evolution and reasons for this linguistic divergence and its implications on future nation building in Afghanistan. It also explores historical development of status, planning and policies regarding these two languages for better understanding of the linguistic divergence and rivalry. Furthermore, the study proposes options for accommodation of different languages through cultural harmonization and multiculturalism. 

The suitability of the GERDyzer instrument in pH-test-proven laryngopharyngeal reflux patients.

The use of validated patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments for the treatment outcome measure of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is crucial given the lack of objective markers. However, current symptom-based PRO instruments can only partially capture the impact of LPR. The GERD Analyzer (GERDyzer), an existing disease-specific PRO instrument, which measures multidimensional health-related quality of life (HRQL) affected by the illness rather than by any specific symptoms, has been validated in patients with erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration PRO guidance, we cross-culturally adapted the GERDyzer instrument into Chinese, and examined the qualitative and quantitative psychometric properties of the Chinese version GERDyzer in pH-test-proven LPR patients.The GERDyzer comprises 10 dimensions of HRQL, including general well-being, pain/discomfort, physical health, diet, energy, activities, leisure activities, social life, mood, and sleep. To examine the content validity, we recruited 26 pH-test-proven LPR participants to conduct 4 focus group meetings for direct patient input on clinical manifestations and HRQL impacts. We also tested the quantitative psychometric properties, including reliability, validity, and responsiveness in 100 pH-test-proven LPR patients.Saturation of concept elicitation was achieved from the 4 focus groups, and a strong conceptual match was evident between the GERDyzer contents and responses from the focus group participants. Cognitive debriefing assessment showed that the Chinese version GERDyzer was adequate for use by patients as it demonstrated linguistic validation and cultural harmonization. Quantitative psychometric properties showed evidence of high internal consistency (Cronbach α: 0.96), good to excellent test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.84-0.98). Confirmatory factor analysis supported a 2-factor structure. Convergent validity was confirmed by moderate correlation assessments referencing the Reflux Symptoms Index and the Reflux Questionnaire. The discriminant validity was supported by the ability to discriminate moderate-to-severe disease from mild disease. The responsiveness was also high in participants with and without typical GERD symptoms (effect sizes 1.20 and 1.21, respectively).In conclusion, the Chinese version GERDyzer instrument is a reliable, valid, and responsive instrument for assessing HRQL in Taiwanese patients with LPR.

Буква и дух российской Конституции: 20-летний опыт гармонизации в свете конституционного правосудия

Based on 20-­year­-old experience of the constitutional development of Russia and the generalization of practice of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation in the article there revealed the interrelation between external, formal-­legal and internal, sacred principles of the Constitution of the Russian Federation of 1993 and its spirit. In accordance with the methodology of world outlook and legal pluralism, a combination of legal positivism and natural law in the Constitution, and with regard to the legal and doctrinal nature of decisions of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, there revealed the role of constitutional justice as an institution of social and cultural harmonization of its letter and spirit, the formation of a «live» (court) constitutionalism.

Transnational regulatory governance and global electronic commerce

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the impact of Global Electronic Commerce (GEC) on transnational regulatory governance and to suggest a novel way of understanding its implications for national and transnational governance structures.Design/methodology/approachThe paper has two components. The first part endeavours to establish a basis from which to observe regulatory governance of GEC and, in doing so, suggests a framework that draws together the relevant elements of transnational GEC governance. The second part examines the central determinants in shaping a functioning framework for GEC, namely, copyrights, data privacy protection and jurisdiction.FindingsThe findings are twofold. Owing to limitations deriving from institutional structural divergences; variations in cultural, political and commercial interests; and the relative power of non‐state actors, the cases first indicate how GEC has made multilateral negotiations between states more complex. Second, given the complexity of cross‐border governance and the variation in interests across its regulatory subsectors, GEC calls for an increasing degree of cultural harmonization across all regulatory subsectors.Originality/valueIn the absence of major views or paradigms, a novel approach to understanding the regulatory governance of GEC between states is a welcome addition to the study of transnational governance. Such an approach seeks to elucidate the impact of GEC on the development of transnational regulatory mechanisms, on the one hand, and the transformations that the governance of GEC imposes on transnational negotiation processes, on the other hand. It also seeks to understand how these underpinnings affect formation of holistic governance structures for GEC.