Global Conference Research Articles

Are We Asking Too Much of OER? A Conversation on OER from OE Global 2023

This paper examines the pervasive discourse of disruption in OER literature by recounting a facilitated conversation hosted at the 2023 Open Education Global conference held in Edmonton, Alberta. This dialogue used Bacchi’s “what is the problem represented to be” (WPR) approach to structure the conversation in four movements. The first movement problematized the concept of OER by discussing the educational challenges OER supposedly addresses, such as the high cost of textbooks. The second movement considered the genealogy, historical development, and philosophical underpinnings of OER. The third movement accounted for the disruptors within the OER movement, exploring what OER have disrupted and discussing if disruption is even a legitimate goal of OER. The fourth and final movement pivoted to examine resistors and forms of resistance to OER, including the protection of intellectual property rights, copyright concerns, and Marcuse’s idea of repressive tolerance. This single conversation generated a small but important piece of social intelligence within a much larger dialogue about open education, open pedagogy, and OER during a time of flux (characterized by intense politicization, the relentless progression of educational technology, the intensification of marketization, and the growing popularity of all-inclusive textbooks). This social intelligence can be used to guide the next transition phase for OER development. While the conversation does not offer tidy solutions or even clear recommendations, it does suggest that the next wave of OER practitioners would always do well to focus on the goals OER can achieve, not what they hope to disrupt.

A paradigm shift in international security as a consequence of the Russia-Ukraine war

This article presents the main features of the historical genesis of the international security paradigm shift from its institutionalisation to the present day. It is shown that such genesis is sinusoidal in nature and related to the well-known 'Kondratiev waves', except that, unlike the latter, it is not economic in nature, but security in nature. In a historical and geopolitical context, five successive shifts in the international security paradigm (Pre-Systemic, Westphalian, Vienna, Versailles, Yalta-Potsdam, Unipolar) are distinguished as a normatively recognised system of international relations of war and peace, based on all countries' adherence to universally recognised principles and norms of international law, as enshrined in relevant international treaties. The main factors of the end of the era of the unipolar world and the growing role of 'fragile' states in the international security environment as potential objects of international military interventions and spaces for the deployment of local conflicts and wars were characterised. It was concluded that the war in Ukraine is a key trigger for a new paradigm shift in international security and the emergence of a new system of international relations, and that the outcome of the Russian-Ukrainian war will determine the 'starting positions' and strong arguments in the hands of the United States of America and its allies against China and its allies during the inevitable new global security conference on the creation of a new world order.

A qualitative study of nurse participation in global health in the English NHS: participation, interest, and barriers to participation

BackgroundNurses contribute to the largest demographic of the healthcare workforce. However, given current global shortages of workforce capacity, this often leads to limited capacity to engage in extracurricular educational developments beyond their immediate role. Consequently, this significantly limits the range of workforce training and development opportunities that are available to them, which could enhance the variety of skills that are brought to the National Health Service (NHS).ObjectiveWe aimed to understand prior, current, and future participation in global health activities such as global health conferences, networks, and placements, among National Health Service (NHS) staff. Furthermore, we investigated the barriers and facilitators to participation in global health activities for nurses in our sample.MethodQualitative and quantitative data was gathered from an online survey conducted in England from July to November 2021. Thematic analysis was used to examine the qualitative data collected from one open-ended question, whereas statistical analysis was used to examine the remaining quantitative data.ResultsMost (84%) nurses in our sample had not participated in a global health activity. Our results highlighted three barriers to participation, including insufficient communication, a lack of awareness, and capacity issues.ConclusionThis study showed that, despite low levels of prior participation, there is a strong desire among surveyed nurses to be involved in global health activities and education. Our findings also suggest that enhanced communication of opportunities available is needed, in addition to organisational support which incorporates strategies to overcome capacity constraints.

WP6.9 - Essential Surgery Skills Course: A One Week Training Program to Prepare Surgeons for Humanitarian Deployment

Abstract Background Medical students, surgical trainees, and surgical faculty are increasingly interested in incorporating global surgery into their clinical practices and professional careers. However, many concerns remain about the preparation of surgeons for operating in resource-limited settings and their exposure to critical procedures such as cesarean sections, hysterectomies, or fracture reductions. In an attempt to address these concerns, academic institutions have developed advanced professional training programs for the global surgeon. Methods A six-day essential surgery skills conference was created at a large academic institution that provides trainees and surgeons with an overview of common surgical scenarios across orthopedics, urology, obstetrics, gynecology, general surgery, anesthesia and ultrasound in the form of didactics, simulations, and wet labs. Results 11 surgical trainees from four large academic institutions attended the essential surgery skills conference. Trainees attended sessions on point of care ultrasound, regional anesthesia, general anesthesia, hysterectomies, cesarean sections, post-partum hemorrhage, fracture reduction and fixation, ureteral injuries, and humanitarian deployment. A pre and post-test was administered. Improvement was noted in the trainees scores on the post-test in their knowledge of surgical subspecialty care. Trainees also reported feeling better prepared for humanitarian deployment. Conclusion Global surgery conferences can be designed to provide a networking and collaboration forum for improving access to surgical services worldwide. One-week predeparture conferences that discuss essential technical skills and relevant global surgery knowledge may better prepare surgeons to operate in resource-limited settings.

Capacity building for road safety in LMICs: the need for a sustainable local knowledge and research infrastructure

Road crashes continue to be a major cause of death and serious injury for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). At the global level, 90% of traffic fatalities occur in these countries with a dramatic daily amount of 3 260 road deaths, many of whom are children. The first UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011–2020 was designed to develop a massive movement towards a decrease of these numbers. This resulted in many initiatives to introduce the safe system approach in LMICs, i.e. to implement road safety management, make roads, road users, and vehicles safer, and improve post-crash health care. International organisations together with NGOs and universities prepared road safety guides and manuals, gave courses and webinars, introduced auditing and inspection systems, with the overall intention to build capacity in LMICs. Together these actions contributed to a variety of road safety developments in LMICs but the overall results were still modest. At the third Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Stockholm, 2020, and in the Global Status report by the World Health Organization, 2023, the results of all efforts were presented and evaluated. Many countries made progress through road safety management and better legislation addressing risk factors such as speeding, drinking and driving, failing to use seatbelts, and poor infrastructure design. However, the reduction in road deaths strongly lagged behind the original goals. Continued implementation of programs and development of new approaches are needed to make a breakthrough, and to reach the goals of the 2nd Decade of Action, i.e. a 50% reduction in fatalities by 2030, and the same percentage reduction in injuries. The present position paper argues that despite the enormous amount of road safety information, which has been and is ‘sent’ to LMICs, and despite the quality and robustness of international organisations behind these programs, there is a shortfall in the scale of the knowledge and research infrastructure currently existing in LMICs, which is needed to ‘receive and transfer’ this knowledge. In order to develop evidence-based policy, LMICs need research programs that are able to transfer safe system principles to the local context and culture. Several literature overviews illustrate the lack of such research in LMICs, i.e. the limited number of programs at local universities and research institutes. Although recently initiatives have been taken in some countries, the implementation of such programs is urgently needed. Based on this observation we call on international organisations to establish a special program for the development of a sustainable road safety knowledge and research infrastructure in LMICs. Such structural local capacity is a prerequisite to translate international road safety knowledge into local guidelines and to develop an evidence-based road safety policy. Most importantly, this local infrastructure will give countries a national knowledge bank, thus providing them with an urgently needed sustainable road safety memory.

Mapping the Current State of Parliamentary Research: Report from the 3rd Global Conference on Parliamentary Studies

Abstract The report summarizes the topics of a conference on parliamentary research, providing insight into various areas currently researched in the field of parliamentary studies by political and legal scientists.

Education for Sustainable Development: The Use of a Competence-Based Approach in an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Writing Course at a University in Saudi Arabia

Sustainable development and education for sustainable development (ESD) are crucial and interconnected topics under wide discussion today. Young adults need to be educated in how to help bring about change. Thus, the dynamic relationship between school and home is important. In education, use could be made of English language classes, especially since English is a global language that enables access to the literature on sustainability and facilitates discussion in global conferences and meetings. Consequently, English as a foreign language (EFL) undergraduate students could gain confidence from being able to understand and use the terminology of, for example, sustainability. In this paper, the use of competence-based language teaching (CBLT) is proposed as a means of introducing sustainability topics into EFL writing classes at a university in Saudi Arabia. Student competence in sustainable development is therefore considered based on students’ ability to write about suggested sustainable development topics, measured in a survey against five dimensions of ESD that were proposed by Michelsen and Fischer. The results demonstrate that the students possessed competence in sustainable development and intended to participate in its implementation. Thus, recommendations for the stakeholders in the education sector include sustainable development topics as an initial offering in the curricula of various specialties using the CBLT approach.

Role of Advocacy Efforts in Conservation of Pangolins Species in Kenya

Pangolins, the unique and enigmatic scaly mammals, are facing an existential crisis due to rampant poaching and habitat loss, particularly in Kenya, where four species reside. This study assessed the role of advocacy efforts in conservation of pangolins species in Kenya. Advocacy efforts play a crucial role in the conservation of pangolin species in Kenya by raising awareness, influencing policy changes, and mobilizing resources for conservation initiatives. Pangolins face severe threats due to illegal wildlife trade, habitat loss, and lack of strong legal protections. Effective advocacy can address these challenges through various means. Firstly, advocacy efforts contribute significantly to raising awareness about the plight of pangolins among the public, policymakers, and key stakeholders. By highlighting the ecological importance of pangolins and the threats they face, advocates can generate public support and empathy, leading to increased conservation action. This awareness can also foster behavioral change, such as reducing demand for pangolin products, which is critical in combating illegal trade. Advocacy also plays a pivotal role in influencing policy changes and strengthening legal frameworks for pangolin conservation. Advocates work with policymakers to enact and enforce laws that protect pangolins from poaching, trafficking, and habitat destruction. This includes advocating for stricter penalties for wildlife crimes and advocating for the inclusion of pangolins in international conservation agreements. Furthermore, advocacy efforts help mobilize resources for pangolin conservation projects. By engaging with governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and international donors, advocates can secure funding and support for research, enforcement efforts, and community-based conservation initiatives. This financial backing is essential for implementing effective conservation strategies on the ground. Community engagement is another critical aspect of pangolin conservation advocacy. Advocates work with local communities to promote sustainable livelihoods that reduce dependency on pangolin-related activities, such as bush meat hunting or illegal trade. Empowering communities through education and alternative income-generating projects not only helps protect pangolins but also fosters long-term conservation efforts. In Kenya, advocacy efforts are also focused on addressing broader conservation challenges, such as habitat loss and fragmentation. By advocating for the protection of critical pangolin habitats, such as forests and savannahs, advocates contribute to the overall biodiversity conservation landscape. This holistic approach recognizes the interconnectedness of species conservation and ecosystem health. Advocacy efforts also contribute to international collaboration and knowledge-sharing on pangolin conservation. By participating in global forums, conferences, and campaigns, advocates can leverage international support and expertise to amplify conservation efforts and promote best practices

IEEE Global Communications Conference 2023 (GLOBECOM 2023): 8-12 December 2023, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

IEEE Global Communications Conference 2023 (GLOBECOM 2023): 8-12 December 2023, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

FORMULATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS: CRUCIAL ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGY

In the recent past, the concern for battling climate change seems to have taken the center stage world over and rightfully so. A plenty of global conventions, treaties and conferences highlighting the significance of ensuring the health of our planet, bear evidence to the fact that the threat of climate change is real and needs to be dealt with collective effort. The largest democracy in the world, India, has been and continues to be an active participant in such endeavors. Even the Constitution of India provides provisions on the subject of environment protection. For instance, Article 51A(g) prescribes the fundamental duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment and have compassion for all living creatures. In order to uphold this spirit of the Constitution along with meeting the international commitments, such environment related legislation as The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 etc. have been enacted in India from time to time. However, the implementation of such laws has not been very efficient, with lack of citizen engagement being a major reason. This paper makes an attempt to look at this issue through the lens of Psychology. The aim is to highlight the idea that the solution of dealing with climate change lies in adopting an interdisciplinary approach; and that it can produce effective measures if environmental laws are formulated and implemented in accordance with the principles of Psychology that govern behavior change (Psycho-legal perspective).

Agrarianizing climate accords & discord: food, agriculture & agrarian movements at UNFCCC Conference of the Parties

ABSTRACT How do agrarian justice movements factor into the UNFCCC annual global climate Conference of the Parties (COP)? How have they appeared and erupted, been excluded, appropriated, and barely allowed – over the years, and, in particular, at the 2022 COP27 and 2023 COP28? This paper asks and begins to answer these overlooked questions. In the heads-of-state negotiations, transnational agrifood, land, and labour issues do not take centre stage explicitly, but retain their power as irrefutable crises; agri-food topics finally commanded prominence as crux to climate governance – yet ripe for corporate capture . In the accords themselves, agrarian mobilizations again serve as the backdrop, marginalized via scalar and developmental discourses, epistemic devaluation, and political economies of agro-corporate dominance. In the actual conference, land-based, campesina/peasant/farmworker coalitions participate through the channels of Approved NGO Observer Organizations. Indigenous nations, at the heart of agrarian movements garner limited recognition of their outsized efficacy at agro/biodiversity stewardship and thus climate justice and survival. Yet, from these contested peripheries, agrarian struggles nevertheless manage to command attention, forge transnational coalitions, and, against great odds, set key terms for the COP talks themselves. Drawing on collaborative event ethnography and policy analysis, this paper traces the contours of this improbable – yet, from the long durée vantage: foreseeable – dynamic of agrarian coalition power expanding from the marginalized majority, at COP27, COP28, and beyond.

Responsible extractivism and other tales. LinkedIn, feel good, and the politics of responsible mining on social media

This article uses LinkedIn posts of responsible cobalt service providers to address the role of social media as a tool for corporate social responsibility. I argue that through written narrative, photographic practices, and knowledge production, these small companies assert their dominance on an industry that partly defines the transition to greener consumption. However, a close analysis of the discourses propagated via these mediums suggests that white supremacist, racist, and (post)colonial conceptions of African miners are reiterated and reproduced, largely preventing improvements in Congolese artisanal cobalt mines. Through invisibilization, fetishization, saviorism, and business development, these LinkedIn tales negate miners’ agencies. I illuminate a dual use of contrast in photographic content in the contrasting professionalization of white and African actors and using technical visual ratio and tones to legitimize and magnify their intended actions. Finally, I analyze the information grabbing through the control over information production and dissemination, with self-organized online events and participation in global and regional conferences as a system of othering of Congolese voices in favor of ‘feel good’ activities of service providers.’

Shaping global health promotion: a comprehensive analysis of the 10 Global Conferences on Health Promotion Conferences (1986‒2021)

ObjectiveThis study analyzed how the 10 Global Conferences on Health Promotion have played a significant role in shaping and promoting a worldwide consensus and actions on health promotion, effectively addressing diverse health challenges that evolved over different periods. MethodsThe textual analysis method was used in this study and text encoding was conducted to systematically examine the declarations and reports presented by the 10 Global Conferences on Health Promotion held during 1986‒2021. We summarized the themes and key achievements, and key vocabulary in the conference declarations was extracted and analyzed to construct the global health promotion consensus and actions. ResultsThe fundamental principles of the conferences are to foster consensus and initiate actions in the realm of health promotion on a global scale. The primary purpose and goal are to promote health from regional to global. Significantly, our findings highlight a transition in the primary actors driving health promotion. It underscores a shift in health promotion from being driven primarily by organizations like the World Health Organization, governments, and international bodies, to a more inclusive approach involving non-governmental organizations and the general public. This development implies that health promotion has evolved into a collective global endeavor, demanding the proactive involvement of various stakeholders, and forging new alliances in public health. Meanwhile, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has further shaped the landscape of health promotion, underscoring the need for intensified focus on areas including disease prevention, health education, and the integration of digital health technologies, and emphasizing the importance of a multidimensional, responsive approach in public health initiatives. ConclusionsSustained collaboration and innovative strategies are pivotal to advancing health promotion globally. Countries, together with public and private entities, should intensify cooperation. Multisectoral collaboration among partners such as healthcare, education, social security, and the industry is vital for health promotion and achieving global health goals.

Global Surgical Frontiers

Our annual global health conference returns this year

Salient discourses in international society: When and how have United Nations global conferences acted as catalysts?

Salient discourses in international society: When and how have United Nations global conferences acted as catalysts?

Overview of the ten global conferences on health promotion and implications for future work

Since 1986, the WHO has held ten global health promotion conferences covering various health promotion issues and sustainable development worldwide. These sessions have formed a series of consensus and actions that guide promoting health globally. This study analyzed the declarations, reports, and news materials from the ten conferences that studied health promotion action areas, focal topics, actor networks, partnership relationships, and other significant outcomes. It also explored how these conferences contributed to the construction and advancement of global health promotion consensus and actions. The first Global Conference on Health Promotion identified the concept of health promotion and five key action areas, laying the foundation for subsequent conferences and health promotion actions. Over the years, the ten conferences continuously expanded the essence of health promotion, developed partnership relationships, formulated public health promotion policies, and called for health promotion actions. This process culminated in the formation of global consensus and collective actions. The latter conferences have gained significant attention and influence. The conferences offer valuable insights for future global health promotion endeavors and provide global perspectives and pathways for the development of Healthy China.

How can gender considerations be better integrated into animal health emergency preparedness and response?

Global and national authorities have not historically approached animal health emergencies through a gendered lens. Yet these events almost certainly have gendered dimensions, such as differential engagement of women or men depending on their culturally accepted or assigned roles for animal care; risk of exposure to zoonoses; and access to emergency resources during response and recovery. Despite the role that gender seems to play with respect to animal health emergencies, little research has been conducted to better understand such dynamics, and little policy has been promulgated to address it in a way that optimizes response while ensuring equitable outcomes. This piece summarizes 3 key themes that emerged from a panel discussion on gender and animal health emergencies at the World Organisation for Animal Health Global Conference on Emergency Management in April 2023. These themes were differential gendered exposure to pathogens; a lack of equitable gender representation in animal health decision-making; and enhancement of pathways for recognizing gender in national and international actions in preparing for, detecting, and responding to animal health emergencies. Beyond increasing opportunities for women to engage in leadership, the animal health and veterinary communities will benefit from connecting practitioners with gender experts to develop more integrative approaches to emergency preparedness and management. Animal health professionals should also advocate for further research to elucidate gender-specific dynamics in human populations in the context of animal emergencies and the promulgation of evidence-based policies. Such transformative efforts will lead to better outcomes for all people who depend on and provide care for animals.

Assessing the Accessibility, Engagement, and Value of the Virtual Global Spine Conference as an Educational Platform for Spine: A Three-Year Review

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic ushered a paradigm shift in medical education, accelerating the transition to virtual learning in select cases. The Virtual Global Spine Conference (VGSC), launched at the height of the pandemic, is a testament to this evolution, providing an independent educational series for spine care professionals worldwide. This study assesses VGSC’s three-year performance, focusing on accessibility, engagement, and educational value. MethodologyThrough retrospective data analysis from April 2020 to August 2023, we examined our social media metrics to measure VGSC's reach and impact. ResultsOver the study period, VGSC's webinars successfully attracted 2,337 unique participants, maintaining an average attendance of 47 individuals per session. The YouTube channel demonstrated significant growth, amassing over 2,693 subscribers and releasing 168 videos. These videos collectively garnered 112,208 views and 15,823.3 hours of watch time. Viewer demographics reveal a predominant age group of 35-44 years, representing 56.81% of the audience, closely followed by the 25-34 age group at 40.2%. Male participants constituted 78.95% of the subscriber base.Geographically, the viewership primarily originates from the United States, with India, Canada, South Korea, and the United Kingdom also contributing substantial audience numbers. The VGSC's presence on the 'X account' has grown to 2,882 followers, significantly enlarging the digital community and fostering increased engagement. ConclusionThe Virtual Global Spine Conference has demonstrated significant value as a virtual educational tool in spine education. Its diverse content and ease of access will likely enable it to drive value well into the post-pandemic years. Maintaining and expanding engagement, beyond North America in particular, remains a priority.

5th Global Conference on Myositis (GCOM).

5th Global Conference on Myositis (GCOM).

REKOVER study protocol: a pRospective patient treatment rEgistry of tramadol and dexKetoprofen trometamol oral fixed-dose combination (SKUDEXA) in mOderate to seVere acutE pain in Real-world setting in Asia

IntroductionSatisfactory management of acute pain remains a major medical challenge despite the availability of multiple therapeutic options including the fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs. Tramadol and dexketoprofen trometamol (TRAM/DKP) 75/25 mg...