National Development Strategy Research Articles

Weaving a foundational narrative – place-making and change in an old-industrial town in East Germany

ABSTRACT In light of economic, social and discursive changes, old-industrial towns and regions increasingly apply entrepreneurial strategies to actively shape discourses as part of place-making processes. Foundational narratives play an important role in this regard. They are used by agents to foster cohesion in a local community, to legitimize and anchor their actions and goals and to make sense of complex development processes. Applying the methodology of Critical Narrative Analysis, the present study zooms in such processes of narrative building in Lauchhammer (Germany). Despite having experienced the decline of the most important parts of its industry, local actors still mobilize the industrial past in order to strengthen local identity and attract new businesses and manufacturers. Yet, the paper shows that different agents foreground different aspects of the industrial past and narratives may be contested. At the same time, local, regional and national development strategies are closely interlinked offering ‘opportunity spaces’ for local actors but raising also questions about a potential (de)legitimization of local narratives.

Climate Change Effect in Nigeria Mitigation, Adaptation, Strategies and Way Forward in the World of Internet of Things

This paper delves into the comprehensive impact of climate change in Nigeria, emphasising the critical role of Internet of Things (IoT) technology in formulating mitigation and adaptation strategies. It highlights the significant threats climate change poses to Nigeria's ecological balance, economy, and societal structure, including altered temperature patterns, more frequent extreme weather events, and ramifications for agriculture, water supply, and health. It underscores the urgency for effective responses to protect the nation's welfare and economic integrity. The study showcases the potential of IoT technology as a pivotal tool in crafting innovative responses to climate change challenges. It demonstrates how IoT can bolster Nigeria's resilience through enhanced agricultural methods, better management of water resources, and more efficient energy utilisation. IoT devices' real-time data gathering and analytical prowess facilitate precise environmental monitoring, timely disaster warnings, and resource optimisation. The discussion extends to mitigation tactics like shifting towards renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and sustainable land use, alongside adaptation strategies that include building climate- resilient structures, advocating for water conservation, and applying climate-smart agricultural practices to safeguard food security. Advocating for a cooperative strategy that integrates efforts from the government, private sector, academia, and communities, the paper stresses the importance of incorporating IoT solutions into national climate action and development strategies for a unified and robust approach to climate-related challenges. It concludes with a roadmap for the future, proposing policy reforms, investments in IoT infrastructure, skill development, and heightened public awareness as essential moves towards a sustainable, climate-resilient Nigeria. By strategically deploying IoT technologies, Nigeria can mitigate the detrimental impacts of climate change and tap into new avenues for economic and environmental prosperity.

Analysis of health related event detection in big data for physical education training movement detection.

Physical education and training are essential ways to improve the physical quality of the nation, and China has incorporated "building a healthy China" and "fitness for all" into its national development strategy, integrating a strong sports nation into the Chinese dream. The study of digital recording and automated training in sports is of profound value. Motion capture technology can digitally record the training process in a digital physical education training system. At the same time, accurate modeling and calculation can analyze the training effects and give appropriate guidance and feedback. This study develops a new and improved hierarchical K-means algorithm by combining the known classification algorithm K-means with a hierarchical algorithm. The performance of the old and new algorithms are compared and then applied to physical education training data to produce clustering results and analysis to reduce the model, which is used to reduce the number of parameters in the model and improve the recognition speed. The experimental results demonstrate that the relevant models proposed in this study achieve an average accuracy of 91.27% and 92.26%, respectively, which is better than a single network model and can effectively use big data for health event detection. The empirical results show that the improved model algorithm outperforms the single network model and can detect health events using big data.

Spatio-Temporal Changes of Arable Land and Their Impacts on Grain Output in the Yangtze River Economic Belt from 1980 to 2020

The “Yangtze River Economic Belt Development Strategy” is one of China’s three major national development strategies. Enhancing the protection and quality of arable land in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YEB) is pivotal for fostering regional growth. In this study, land use data spanning the years 1980 to 2020 in the YEB were extracted from the national land use database maintained by the Resource and Environment Data Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Employing Geographic Information System (GIS) spatial analysis techniques and arable land change metrics, the study delineated the spatiotemporal characteristics of arable land alterations across the YEB for the period. Additionally, using grain output data at the prefecture level from 2011 to 2020, the paper calculated provincial grain output to analyze the impact of arable land changes over the last four decades on grain output. The findings revealed that: (1) From 1980 to 2020, the total arable land area in the YEB decreased by approximately 41,775 square kilometers, with the most significant decrease occurring in the downstream region. (2) From 1980 to 1990, the primary factor contributing to the decrease in arable land area was the expansion of water bodies, while from 1990 to 2020, the principal reason for the reduction in arable land area was the expansion of construction land. (3) From 1980 to 2020, the decrease in arable land area resulted in a net reduction of approximately 25.12 million tons in total grain output, with the largest decline observed in the downstream regions and the smallest decline in the upstream regions. (4) Consistent with the trends in arable land area reduction, the main reason for the decline in grain output from 1980 to 1990 was the expansion of water bodies encroaching upon arable land, whereas from 2000 to 2010, the primary cause of arable land reduction was the expansion of construction land areas. In conclusion, the research suggested that over the past four decades, the primary driver behind the reduction in arable land within the YEB has been the expansion of construction land areas. Particularly noteworthy was the period from 2000 to 2010, during which the impact of arable land reduction on grain output was most pronounced. This period coincided with the rapid economic development and accelerated urbanization process within the YEB.

The impact of the proportion of renewable energy consumption on geopolitical risks in the United States and the United Kingdom

Renewable energy serves as an effective alternative to traditional fossil fuels, reducing reliance on energy imports from specific countries, thereby alleviating geopolitical risks and ensuring national energy security. The development and utilization of renewable energy have profound implications for the global energy consumption structure and geopolitical landscape. This paper utilizes time-series and panel data from 1990 to 2020 to examine the causal relationship between renewable energy consumption and geopolitical risks. Focusing primarily on the United States and the United Kingdom, a multivariate regression model was developed for empirical analysis, with a comparative analysis conducted against other Group of Seven (G7) member countries. Subsequent robustness checks were performed to further validate the model's robustness. Additionally, this study explores the role of military strength as a moderating variable in the relationship between renewable energy and geopolitics. Lastly, a vector autoregression model was constructed to analyze the dynamic relationships between renewable energy and related variables. The findings reveal that (1) consumption of clean renewable energies, such as solar, wind, and tidal energy, significantly reduces geopolitical risks in the United States and the United Kingdom, with differing empirical results for France, Canada, and Japan, interpreted according to their developmental contexts and (2) increased defense expenditure in the US and the UK significantly enhances the positive impact of renewable energy consumption on mitigating geopolitical risks. Utilizing renewable energy not only diversifies national energy options but also reduces reliance on fossil fuels and fosters international cooperation, thereby easing geopolitical tensions. This research enriches the literature on the relationship between renewable energy consumption and national energy security in key global nations and offers theoretical insights for the formulation and implementation of national energy development strategies in the new world development paradigm.

Potential recovery assessment of resources embodied in the organic component of municipal wastewater: The case of Zvishavane Urban, Zimbabwe

Traditionally, wastewater treatment plants are designed for the removal of nutrient rich and bacterial components from water to enable disposal into surface water bodies. However, growing population, depleting resource and the need for sustainability call for the implementation of circular economy practices in all aspects. This paper aims to assess the resource recovery potential from municipal wastewater in Zvishavane Urban, Zimbabwe. The potential for water reclamation, energy and nutrient (nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium) recovery from municipal wastewater treatment was based on wastewater data and material flow analysis using the linear and mathematical relationships between physico-chemical parameters of wastewater and the quantities of resources to be recovered. Data input and analysis was done using the Resource Value Mapping online tool and was presented using descriptive statistics. Findings from the study highlighted that 103 660 m3 of water are available for reuse which will meet 22% of water requirements for local agriculture and landscape/greenspace irrigation in Zvishavane Urban. Further, the results demonstrate that valorisation of sewage sludge could potentially yield 92 940Nm3 of biogas, 1557 tonnes of solid fuel and up to US$ 1 739 142.80 in revenue per annum. In terms of nutrient recovery, the study demonstrated that 11 861 tonness of digestate and 3613 tonnes of compost can be derived from Mabula wastewater treatment plant. In terms of nutrient content, there is potential to recover phosphorous (589 tonnes), nitrogen (663.2 tonnes) and potassium (294 tonnes). Potential revenues from nutrient recovery amounted to US$ 1 413 600. The study demonstrates the resource recovery potential of municipal wastewater streams in Zvishavane, a growing town in a developing country. This knowledge is often missing in studies on circular economy in developing countries. Considering wastewater for resource recovery is well aligned with Zimbabwe's National Development Strategy 1 and international priorities as specified in the Sustainable Development Goals and both local. This paper gives testament that wastewater in Zvishavane urban has significant resources embedded in it which can be recovered. Results from this study are important for planners and decision maker in Zvishavane Urban and Zimbabwe as they provide insight into the benefits of resource recovery. This is a necessary way forward in providing sound wastewater management and mapping pathways towards resource recovery from municipal wastewater within the context of not only Zimbabwe but also other developing countries within the region and beyond.

Justification Strategic Priorities of Investment Development of the Republic of Armenia

The Republic of Armenia requires investments for economic growth and development, including foreign direct investment due to the small capacity of the domestic market. The investment strategy must be consistent with the national development strategy and must be the resource base of the national strategy in terms of realizing the values and interests of the country’s residents. The purpose of the study is to substantiate the strategic priorities of investment development of the Republic of Armenia and to identify priority development sectors that have competitive advantages and investment potential. The methodological basis of the research is the theory of strategy and methodology of strategizing by academician V. L. Kvint. According to the strategy methodology, an analysis of global investment and national trends was carried out, and successful international experience in attracting investments was studied. The experience of Israel is considered, which demonstrates a striking example of improving the investment attractiveness of the country thanks to an effective investment strategy. The strategic priorities of Israel’s investment strategy are highlighted, some of which need to be implemented in the practice of attracting investments in the Republic of Armenia. To substantiate strategic priorities and highlight highly competitive industries, regulations governing the attraction of foreign direct investment in Armenia, the economic state of Armenia were studied, and an OTWS analysis of investment activity was conducted. Based on the results of a comprehensive analysis, the authors propose two groups of strategic priorities: primary strategic priorities and auxiliary priorities that enhance the significance and effectiveness of the former. The study shows that strategic industries with competitive advantages and investment potential for Armenia are the chemical and metallurgical industries, textile and clothing industries, tourism, pharmaceuticals, and agro-industry. An effective investment strategy for the Republic of Armenia is the basis for the country’s further development.

Greenfield investment and job creation in Ghana: a sectorial analysis and geopolitical implications of Chinese investments

Multinational investment has attracted mixed reactions from scholars and policymakers concerning their role and impact on job creation in host countries, particularly in developing economies. Using Ghana as a case study, this paper examines the impact of Greenfield investment on job creation. Proponents of multinational corporations (MNCs) argue that foreign direct investment (FDI) leads to economic growth, creates technological spillover, increases exports, and creates jobs, among other benefits. This has encouraged developing economies to adopt developmental strategies around MNC activities. Although most researchers have analyzed the impact of FDI on job creation, the unanswered question is: Does greenfield investment in Ghana lead to significant job creation in the formal sector? Extant literature considers FDI monolithic, without adequately differentiating between Green and Brownfield investments. Using granular data from the FDI Markets, this research paper fills this gap by empirically analyzing the Greenfield investment by 386 multinational companies in Ghana from 2003 to September 2020. Over the specified year range, these companies engaged in 500 projects across Ghana. Adopting the ordinary least square analysis (OLS), the study demonstrates that Greenfield investment has a statistically significant and positive impact on job creation in Ghana. Out of the 31 sectors, only the following sectors contribute significantly to job creation through Greenfield investment in Ghana: Consumer Products, Food & Beverage, Industrial Equipment, and Non-automotive transport OEM. This paper contributes to a better understanding of how government investment in fixed assets (GCF) such as roads, railways, and industrial buildings in the local economy should be managed efficiently so as not to spur inflation, which correlates negatively with jobs. Finally, this paper analyzes Chinese investments in Ghana, comparing them with U.S. investments, and examining their broader geopolitical implications, which highlights the importance of aligning foreign investments with national development strategies and adhering to international norms and standards.

Public sector digitalization, corruption, and sustainability in the developing world: A scoping review

AbstractE‐government presents one of the utmost opportunities and challenges for development and offers solutions to tackle corruption. Corruption generates even erratic impacts in developing and transition economies. Developing and transition economies can dramatically benefit from related technological innovation uptake that would spur public sector transparency and sustainability. The intersections of these areas have not received full academic consideration and appear to be under‐explored. In addition to a review of the existing literature on these topics, this study applies extensive reliance on existing metrics and indexes, including those developed by the World Bank and Transparency International. By accentuating relevant and recent findings, the results of this study can be used for a better conceptualization of national or regional growth and development strategies based on the nexus between corruption and e‐government advances among developing and transition countries.

How do Financial Development and Stability Shape Human Development?

Abstract The crucial role of financial systems in sustainable development has become the center of global and national interest and development strategies, and more developed and stable financial systems are the cornerstone for development finance and achieving the sustainable development goals. This research aims to examine the impact of financial development and stability on human development firstly in a sample of 185 countries worldwide, and secondly in a sample of 21 MENA countries, over the period 1990–2019. This study adopts the Panel Data Econometrics (Fixed Effects and Random Effects Methods) and proxy for human development by exploiting the UNDP’s Human Development Index and its three subindices (Education, Income, and Life expectancy), while it adopts broad money, credit to the domestic private sector, and banking sector deposits (all as a percentage of GDP) to proxy for financial development. Moreover, it represents financial stability by the banking sector Z-score and a dummy variable representing crises. The empirical results reveal the prevailing role of development and stability in the financial systems on human development and its three subcomponents, regardless of the country’s economic development level.

Analysis of the Effect of Digital Financial Inclusion in Promoting Inclusive Growth: Mechanism and Statistical Verification

Abstract As the main goal of economic development, inclusive growth (IG) is an important strategic measure to achieve common prosperity. Whether digital inclusive finance can make use of the advantages of scientific and technological innovation to promote IG is of great significance to promote the fairness, effectiveness, and inclusiveness of global development. Based on the panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2011 to 2021 (excluding Tibet, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan), this article first measures the IG index of China from three dimensions: sustainable economic growth, income distribution, and social equity. Subsequently, the article uses a series of mathematical statistical models to verify the transmission path and mechanism of the influence of digital inclusive finance on IG. The findings are as follows: (1) The level of IG in China shows a decreasing trend from east to middle to west, while the average annual growth rate of IG in the eastern region is obviously lower than that in the central and western regions; (2) digital inclusive finance has a significant promotion effect on IG, and digital inclusive finance in the central and western regions has a more obvious promotion effect on IG; (3) digital inclusive finance can achieve IG by increasing innovation activity and improving the level of human capital. Finally, based on the research conclusions, the article puts forward relevant policy suggestions, which provide reference value for formulating high-quality national development strategies and promoting high-quality economic development.

Cluster Model for Establishing Special Economic Zones in Ukraine under Modern Conditions (Global Experience)

Object: Clusters are a relatively new form of organization, risk and profit sharing, and competitiveness enhance ment for both the global and Ukrainian economies. The potential of the cluster development model is significant, and, most importantly, it has been justified in developed countries worldwide. In particular, global practice confirms that the functioning of the most prosperous economies is supported by advantages in modern production technologies and man agement. Therefore, successful development of any level is possible through the comprehensive application of modern strategic management concepts. Thus, the object of the study is to reveal and substantiate the effectiveness of cluster model in establishing special economic zones in Ukraine. Methods: The paper uses general scientific and special methods, that are: the dialectical method of understanding cluster model for establishing special economic zones; comparative analysis methods; methods of empirical research, methods of statistical and structural analysis; methods of historical and logical analysis; identifying individual parts of an object, methods of system approach, identifying cause-and-effect relationships. Findings: Custers are established on the base of a unique internal environment and infrastructure specific to a par ticular region. This allows leveraging the competitive advantages of enterprises in a specific area through integration. A cluster serves as a stimulus for economic development, and regionalism forms the basis for its sustainable growth. Re gionalism is of great significance in selecting priority investment areas, as it can influence the level of uncertainty risk during the assessment of regional investment projects. Its effectiveness is confirmed by cluster development of the child nutrition project presented in the paper (Ivano-Frankivsk region, Ukraine). Conclusions: Cluster approach makes it possible to use available resources more efficiently. The cluster approach is connected with the policy of capacity-building as well as increasing competition profitability of national economies. There are also some cluster formations on the territory of Ukraine. Сluster is a convenient form of organizing a free economic zone. At the same time, each government develops its own approaches to the creation of clusters and regula tion of their activities, accordingly, organizes the activities of those responsible for the implementation of the national strategy of sustainable competitive development.

Manager myopia and green technology innovation

PurposeWith the growing concern of various sectors of society regarding environmental issues and the promotion of sustainable development, green technology innovation is generally considered to be conducive to the long-term development of enterprises. However, because of the existence of agency problems, managers may have shortsighted behaviors. Then how will managers' shortsighted behaviors affect enterprises' green technology innovation?Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses machine learning-based text analysis methods to construct a manager myopia index based on the data from A-share listed companies on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges from 2015 to 2020. We examine the impact of manager myopia on green technology innovation in companies.FindingsOur study finds that manager myopia significantly inhibits green technology innovation in companies. However, when multiple large shareholders coexist and the proportion of institutional investors' holdings is high, it can alleviate the inhibitory effect of manager myopia on green innovation. Heterogeneity tests show that the impact of manager myopia on green technology innovation is relatively significant in non-state-owned and manufacturing companies, as well as in the electricity industry. Robustness tests demonstrate that our conclusions remain valid after using propensity score matching to eliminate endogeneity problems.Originality/valueFrom the perspective of corporate governance, this paper incorporates managers' shortsightedness, multiple large shareholders and institutional investors' shareholding ratios into the same logical framework, analyzes their internal mechanisms, helps improve corporate governance, enhances green innovation capabilities and has strong implications for the implementation of national innovation-driven development strategies and the achievement of “carbon peak” and “carbon neutrality” targets.

Risks, Challenges and Strategies of the Creation of China’s “City of Events”– A Case Study of Hangzhou

From 2007, when Jinjiang proposed to build “China’s first sports city”, to the successful hosting of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, an increasing number of first-tier cities have regarded sports events as an important strategic layout for urban development. The construction of the “city of events” is proposed by the first-tier cities in China based on the national development strategy, serving the demands of the times for urban development, people’s livelihood and well-being, economic growth and window display. Based on literature, expert interviews and case studies, the article analyzes the current situation of Hangzhou as one of the first “city of events” in Zhejiang Province, existing predicaments and potential risks, strategies and paths for risk aversion, and the risks and challenges of Hangzhou in creating a “city of events”. The results show that there are risks such as lack of culture, imbalance of profit and loss, and lack of core strength in the creation of “city of events”, and it is necessary to focus on multi-dimensional efforts such as sports characteristic positioning, professional events and mass sports cultivation to realize the differential order development pattern of sports events integrating urban characteristics, and thus deduce the action logic of the creation of “city of events”. Diverse urban culture determines the difference in the development orientation of sports cities, and the idea of synergy, profit and loss balance, risk avoidance, and facing the future with a more positive outlook is the meaning and inevitable way of the creation of the domestic “city of events”.

Introduction of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Russian Economy: A Practitioner’s View

The article presents the results of a generalization of the practical activities of companies developing and/or implementing artificial intelligence technologies (hereinafter referred to as AI), as well as companies that use these technologies: what scenarios for the use of AI technologies exist and in which industries, what kind of problems organizations implementing AI face, how members of the expert community of the artificial intelligence sphere consider solving these issues and what the state bodies offer. As to the state’s policy regarding the development of artificial intelligence, the article contains information about the factors built in the updated national AI development strategy, reflects the relations between AI technologies and state sovereignty, demonstrates the impact of artificial intelligence on the competitiveness of a company and human creativity. The article also presents the main instructions of the government of the Russian Federation on the development of artificial intelligence, some statistical data on the use of AI in economic and social sectors. It identifies measures to support developers and “implementers” of AI technologies offered by development institutions within the framework of the federal project “Artificial Intelligence” as a part of the national program “Digital Economy of the Russian Federation”. Much attention is paid to the issue of human resourcing in the AI sphere – what kind of specialists companies need, what their level of training should be and what they should be able to do, what requirements are imposed on AI teachers, what leading companies ask applicants for interviews and what the trajectory of “growing” talents in the field of artificial intelligence is. The final part of the article provides recommendations to students on how to prepare for the widespread use of artificial intelligence technologies.

Abstract 817: Establishing a niche to improve Africa’s contribution to cancer research

Abstract Africa has been a key source of scientific discoveries to the global community, especially in areas of scientific experiments and implementation. However, Africans are underrepresented in their contribution to global science and within the African countries, access to adequate funding and infrastructure to do high quality science is limited. These inequities contribute to the 10/90 gap in which only an estimated 10% of global health research funding is used to address health problems in Africa. Thus, it is not surprising that today, Africa contributes just about 2 percent of world research output, 1.3 percent of research spending, and 0.1 percent of all patents. To bridge the aforementioned gaps, mitigate the effect of brain drain and structural constraints and improve support for the next generation scientists, the Nigerian Government recently established the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT). It is worthy to note that cancer incidence and mortality rates in Africa are increasing 1.1 million new cases, with 711,000 deaths reported in 2020. This indicate a mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) of 0.64. These cancer challenges in Africa necessitates a concerted approach towards effective cancer control and management. Here, we show in detail how the NICRAT support improving science while integrating with Nigerian national development plans and strategies. We also show how the NICRAT is establishing a mechanism for domestic funding, while fostering national and international collaborations for African scientists and encouraging women into careers in cancer research. Currently, the NICRAT’s key task also includes centralizing cancer control efforts, mobilizing funding from different sources for cancer research, and coordinating cancer treatment activities across Nigeria. In addition, the institute facilitates collaboration between researchers, healthcare providers, and patients, and provides guidance for cancer policy formulation and implementation. The establishment of NICRAT by Nigeria’s government as well as similar centers elsewhere in Africa may improve active participation of African scientists in scientific practice, discourse, and decision making and spotlight their intellectual contributions towards solving science-associated global problems. Citation Format: Usman A. Malami, Sani A. Malami, Uchechukwu E. Nwokwu, Usman W. Mohammed, Faruk Mohammed. Establishing a niche to improve Africa’s contribution to cancer research [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 817.

Countermeasures for the Planning and Construction of Villages and Towns in the View of Rural Revitalization

In recent years, the state has put rural revitalization in an important position of the national development strategy, emphasizing that rural revitalization must be realized in order to solve the problems of agriculture, rural areas and farmers and improve rural economic income. Under the rural revitalization strategy, in order to restore the overall vitality of villages and towns, we must give priority to the development of agricultural and rural areas. However, due to the restriction of the dual structure of urban and rural areas, the planning and construction of villages and towns are faced with many problems, such as the absence of the main body of village planning and construction management, the crisis of abandoning cultivated land for other purposes, poor living conditions and even destruction. This paper emphasizes practical village planning, pays attention to the construction of ecological civilization and the principle of construction and development according to local conditions, constructs a diversified development space, and provides effective assistance for the implementation of the strategy of rural revitalization, as well as the development of practical rural planning.

Evaluation of environmental impact assessment and mitigation strategies for Gulpur hydropower project, Kotli, Pakistan

AbstractEnvironmental Impact Assessment (EIA) became mandatory in Pakistan in 1983 with the passage of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Ordinance. The Sustainable Development Goals were incorporated into Pakistan's national development strategy, making it the first country in history to do so. The study is based on evaluating the mitigation strategies and environmental impact assessment at the Gulpur Hydropower Project (HPP), Kotli, AJK, which uses the Poonch River's water resources to generate power and has a design capacity of 100 MW using the EIA documentation of Gulpur HPP. In addition to making additional observations and reviewing the literature, the study looked at Mira Power Limited's EIA reports. The possible effects, as well as the Government's and MPL's mitigating actions, were examined by the authors. EIA procedures at the Gulpur HPP considered several laws, including the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency, AJK Wildlife Ordinance of 2013, the Land Acquisition Act of 1894, and Laws Regulating Flow Releases for Hydropower Projects. Projects using hydropower in delicate areas carry a high risk. Given the thorough analysis of the hazards in this instance, it is evident that the EIA had a significant impact on the project's design. The authors concluded that there are no negative environmental effects of the construction of hydropower projects in the concerned area and that all potential effects and compensation were handled legally and efficiently. The study suggested that all hydropower projects in Pakistan undertake environmental impact assessments.

Towards leaving no one behind in North Macedonia: a mixed methods assessment of barriers to effective coverage with health services

BackgroundThe Government of North Macedonia’s Primary Health Care reform is committed to leaving no one behind on the path to Universal health Coverage (UHC). During mid-2022 to March 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) collaborated with the Government and other national stakeholders for an assessment of barriers to effective coverage with health services experienced by adult citizens, with a specific focus on rural areas and subpopulations in situations of vulnerability.MethodsThis study constituted the piloting of a draft forthcoming WHO handbook on assessing barriers for health services, grounded in the Tanahashi framework for effective coverage with health services. In North Macedonia, the convergent parallel mixed methods study involved four sources. These were: a nationally representative Computer Assisted Telephone Interview Survey (1,139 respondents); 24 key informant interviews with representatives from government, professional associations, non-governmental and civil society organizations, and development partners; 12 focus groups in four regions with adults from vulnerable/high risk groups in rural areas and small urban settlements and an additional focus group with persons with disabilities; and a literature review. Instrument design was underpinned by the Tanahashi framework, which also orientated data triangulation and deductive analysis. The research team synergistically incorporated emerging themes in an inductive way. A key component of the assessment was participatory design of the study protocol with inputs from national stakeholders as well as participatory deliberation of the results and the ways forward.ResultsDespite considerable progress towards UHC in North Macedonia, the assessment elucidated remaining challenges. These included: insufficient numbers of health workers, in general and particularly in the more disadvantaged regions of the country; inadequate number of outpatient medicines covered by health insurance; distance and transportation obstacles, including indirect travel costs, particularly in rural areas; adverse gender norms and relations for both women and men inhibiting timely treatment seeking; perceived discrimination by providers on multiple grounds; bottlenecks including waiting times to get appointments for specialist referrals; and lack of patient adherence, due several factors including costs of medicines and health products.ConclusionsThe outputs from this study of barriers to effective coverage with health services for adult citizens of North Macedonia are feeding into the ongoing Primary Health Care reform, and provide evidence for equity-related actions in the forthcoming National Development Strategy.

Future Trends of Wushu and Education Process for Sport University China

Background and Aim: Under the auspices of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and an array of state policies, this research aims to scrutinize the role of Wushu culture within the national development strategy of the new era. These policies include the "Five-Year Plan for Chinese Wushu Development," "Opinions on Implementing the Inheritance and Development Project of Excellent Traditional Chinese Culture," and "Outline for the Construction of a Sports Power" Amidst the strong emphasis by General Secretary Xi Jinping on cultural construction and the promotion of traditional culture, this research elaborates on the pivotal role sport university China serves in the exploration and dissemination of Wushu culture. The central objective of this study is to undertake an in-depth exploration of the historical evolution of Chinese Wushu culture and to critically examine its current state and potential future trajectories within the milieu of Chinese sports universities. The study aims to provide valuable insights for education policy-makers, practitioners, and researchers and is expected to make a substantial academic contribution to the discourse on Wushu culture and its pedagogy. Materials and Methods: The research methods combined quantitative and qualitative means with mixed methods. To collect the data, a literature review, expert interviews, and questionnaires were used in this study. In addition, the views and suggestions of 19 experts on the future development of the wushu culture curriculum were collected through the Ethnographic Delphi Futures Research method. Use descriptive statistics to analyze the data (average, standard deviation) collected by mixing methods; in addition to quantitative analysis, we will also qualify the data collected from expert interviews and open questionnaires. Results Experts affirm the importance of enhancing traditional cultural education, emphasizing the central role of the concepts of physical and mental health and wellness in wushu instruction. They believe that employing modern educational technology and utilizing a combination of online and offline teaching methods allow students to gain a deeper understanding and mastery of wushu course content. Interdisciplinary collaboration is seen as a new trend in the future of wushu education. It is advocated to actively explore new resource allocation models such as public-private partnerships and cross-sector collaborations, leveraging resources from various sectors of society to collectively advance the development of wushu education. Suggest: Establish specialized courses focusing on wushu culture: Innovate and expand course content: Employ diversified instructional designs: Develop a scientifically sound and rational course evaluation mechanism: Prioritize the transmission of wushu philosophy and culture: Promote the integration of wushu with other academic disciplines: Strengthen the internationalization of wushu education and promotion. Conclusion: Enhancing traditional wushu education involves the creation of specialized courses, diversified instructional methods, and a strong emphasis on wushu culture and philosophy. Collaborative resource allocation and internationalization efforts further contribute to the continued development and promotion of this ancient martial art.