Global Stakeholders Research Articles

Stakeholder engagement and decarbonization pathways: Meeting the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic

Climate change is an extremely complex challenge characterized by its systemic nature and deep uncertainties. Thus, finding solutions requires a continuing and constructive dialogue between the research community and a wide range of stakeholders from governments, non-governmental organizations, civil society, international organizations, industry, businesses and financial institutions. The ENGAGE project (https://www.engage-climate.org/) is advancing knowledge co-production through an iterative process of stakeholder engagement with two main streams: (i) stakeholder co-design and assessment of global decarbonization pathways and (ii) stakeholder dialogues on national policies and pathways. Both the global and national stakeholder processes are designed to inform multiple project activities, including: conceptualization of feasibility and assessing the feasibility of decarbonization policies and strategies; decarbonization pathway development using integrated assessment models and considering both feasibility and equity; and assessment of the relative importance of climate change impacts vis-à-vis potential co-benefits. With the start of the COVID-19 pandemic 6 months after the beginning of the project, all of the stakeholder engagement activities had to be organized as online events. Between March 2020 and April 2022, 5 online workshops were organized, two at the global level and 3 at the regional/national level. This paper documents how the challenges of effectively engaging stakeholders in a co-design and dialogue process in an online setting have been met through a process of evaluation and learning that led to the introduction of new approaches and tools to support an inclusive exploration and development of low-carbon transition pathways. We show that a combination of interactive visualizations, open channel surveys and moderated breakout groups are particularly useful tools for online stakeholder engagement. The learning that has taken place through the use of these tools is demonstrated with reference to both the research team (e.g., learning about stakeholders' views on the feasibility of decarbonization pathways) and the stakeholders (e.g., learning about experiences in other countries in dealing with the challenges of decarbonization). The results of using these tools have been used within the project in the design of new decarbonization pathways using integrated assessment models, in the development of a framework for feasibility assessment and in increased attention to socio-economic drivers of change. We conclude that despite several advantages of online engagement, such as the expanded geographical coverage and reduced CO2 emissions, the need to keep online meetings short means that important elements of face-to-face meetings cannot be included. Online activities cannot completely replace physical meetings when dealing with complex issues such as climate change.

The journey to reporting child protection violations in sport: Stakeholder perspectives.

Sport is a context within which human and children's rights should be respected, promoted, and protected. Yet, research and high-profile cases demonstrate that this is not always the case. To understand the existence (or not) of reporting mechanisms for child protection violations in sport, as well as how existing reporting and response systems operate, the authors, with the support of the Centre for Sport and Human Rights, conducted research on current abuse disclosure and reporting pathways in sport. The purpose was two-fold: to describe global child protection systems and reporting mechanisms, and to identify major areas of stakeholder concern, in terms of effective case resolution, healing, and children's experiences along reporting pathways in sport. Two sources of evidence were tapped. First, a rapid evidence assessment consisting of a literature review and an exploratory survey with 112 global stakeholders was conducted. Second, focus group interviews informed by the evidence assessment were held with nine athletes with lived experiences of abuse in youth sport and 13 global human and children's rights experts primarily working outside of sport. Through this emergent research, a 'pathway' or 'journey' to incident reporting in sport was developed, summarized as 5 'Rs': Readiness, Recognition, disclosure and Reporting, Response, and Remedy, which are similar but not identical to existing trauma frameworks. Each stage of the reporting journey appears to be influenced by a range of contextual, organizational, relational, and individual factors. All told, the disclosure of child protection violations in sport is a complex and dynamic process where myriad factors interact to influence outcomes, including healing. Key recommendations include: (a) establishing a global Safety Net Environment in sport practice with varying applications from region to region, (b) building bridges with specific partner organizations to enhance child protection and safeguarding work in sport and (c) bringing safeguarding to unregulated sporting environments.

Building Global Consensus on Nutrition Metrics to Support Food System Transformation: A Dairy Case Study

A new assessment, conducted by nutrition and environmental scientists within the dairy sector, underscores the need to improve the characterization and reporting of nutrition and health outcomes in the context of food system transformation. To date, global stakeholders have more narrowly prioritized the environmental aspects of sustainable food production and diets. The urgent next step is to draw from established nutrition/health-focused frameworks to align global stakeholders around a consistent set of metrics and indicators that are measurable and evidence-based and accurately reflect benefits and harms to public nutrition and health.

Transforming agroforestry in contested landscapes: A win-win solution to trade-offs in ecosystem services in Nepal.

Trade-offs in ecosystem services (ES) is increasingly becoming a pressing issue in sustainability science, to deal with supply constraints of landscape and divergence in demand from local and global stakeholders. Agroforestry is a well acknowledged and established management practice to minimize the trade-offs, and to sustainably manage the contested landscapes while satisfying the growing demands of both local and global ecosystem beneficiaries. However, various facets of agroforestry, its management modality, institutional arrangements, and implementation outcomes are inadequately understood. This paper aims to scrutinize major agroforestry practices through the methods of systematic review of literature, government policies, and project reports. Taking a case of Nepal, this paper presents agroforestry transition from forest-based agroforestry (i.e., shifting cultivation) to farm-based integrated approach to agroforestry in Nepal. This paper reveals that integrated agro-forestry approach is crucial in creating win-win scenarios among various stakeholders by minimizing trade-offs and maximizing synergies among ES, especially food, fibre, and other ES (i.e., biodiversity, soil functioning, water, and climate regulation). Analysing socio-economic, ecological, and institutional factors that are affecting agroforestry for the last fifty years, we further suggest an integrated model of agroforestry which is replicable in other countries with similar socio-economic status, practicing subsistence farming system. The findings of the paper are crucial in awakening scholars, policy makers and landscape managers for up-scaling and out-scaling of integrated approach to agroforestry for ecosystem management and attainment of various sustainable development goals such as, no poverty (#1), zero hunger (#2), climate action (#13), and life on land (#15).

DESENVOLVENDO CAPACIDADE DINÂMICA EM ESTRATÉGIAS SOCIAIS

ABSTRACT This paper aims to understand how firms develop a dynamic capability to implement social strategies and manage pressures from local and global stakeholders. A multiple case study was conducted with four Brazilian multinationals in the pulp and paper industry. These firms develop dynamic capabilities to adapt to a changing environment by monitoring it and learning from their stakeholders, nurturing mutually beneficial relationships and partnerships with other organizations, and constantly adopting or influencing social strategies. This paper’s findings extend the literature that converges social strategies and dynamic capabilities by presenting evidence that these firms are developing and deploying a dynamic capability to implement social strategies. The findings also show that firms can develop complex and dynamic capabilities to manage stakeholder demands at local and global levels. Finally, this paper contributes to the dynamic capability and social strategy literature by demonstrating that such capability is critical in managing multiple stakeholders.

Risky Business: Critical Reflections on the Sources of Information for Risk Analysis Under the German Supply Chain Law and Some Ramifications for Global South Stakeholders

Like other mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence (mHRDD) laws, the German Supply Chain Law, the Lieferkettensorgfaltsplichtengesetz (LkSG), imposes a number of due diligence obligations on covered companies geared towards protection of human rights and the environment in the value chains of Transnational Corporations (TNCs). More specifically, as per Section 4(1) in-scope companies are expected to establish an effective and appropriate risk management system that will enable them to comply with their due diligence obligations. As part of establishing such a risk management system companies must “conduct an appropriate risk analysis…to identify the human rights and environment-related risks in its own business area and at its direct suppliers” (Sec 5. (1) LkSG). This contribution argues that a proper risk analysis is the cornerstone of an effective risk management system, and ultimately of compliance with due diligence obligations. It is therefore necessary to interrogate how covered companies carry out such risk analysis, and crucially, what sources of information they use for this purpose, as well as how they secure such information. Using the CSR Risk Check tool as an exemplar this contribution will critically analyze the pitfalls of carrying out risk analysis in ways that continue to entrench asymmetrical relations between Global North and Global South actors.

Novel mixed-method, inclusive protocol involving global key stakeholders, including carers as experts, to co-develop relevant Caregiver-Reported Outcome Domains (CRODs) in skin disease

IntroductionIchthyoses comprise a heterogenous group of rare genetic skin disorders that involves the entire skin surface, often with additional syndromic features, and pose many clinical challenges. Without curative intervention, the...

Burden of traumatic spinal cord injury in Africa: a scoping review protocol

AbstractTrauma accounts for about 90% of spinal cord injuries worldwide. Traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) is recognized as a neurotrauma of global health priority due to the preventability of the injuries and the specialized and expensive medical and surgical care they necessitate. This study protocol guides the comprehensive and exhaustive review of the literature concerning the epidemiology, management and outcomes of TSCIs in Africa. This protocol follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols guidelines. The search strategy was performed primarily on PubMed and OVID Embase. A secondary literature search was carried out on African Journal Online and Google Scholar. All observational studies on the prevalence/incidence, presentation, management and outcomes of TSCIs in African countries were included. The following study types were excluded: literature reviews, meta-analyses, case reports, abstract-only articles, conference proceedings, randomized control trials and letters to the editor. Our outcomes include incidence of TSCIs in Africa, mechanisms of injury, different imaging and treatment modalities offered (e.g. conservative vs. operative intervention), clinical outcomes following TSCIs in Africa and challenges regarding the management of TSCIs in African surgical centres. This study aims to provide region-specific data that will guide and inform local practices regarding TSCIs. It will also map out areas that need more research and areas amenable to intervention by global health stakeholders.

National digital health legislation: lessons and recommendations

Abstract All Member States of the United Nations have committed to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC), but several policy and system challenges remain unaddressed. Technology innovation and digital health have the potential to find equitable, sustainable and rights-based solutions to many of these issues, but must be coupled with effective and appropriate national legislation. In the backdrop of today's global digital health landscape, this manuscript explores the urgent need for the national legislation on digital health and recommends a way forward for legislators to meaningfully address this need. It also presents direction for global and national stakeholders to coordinate their efforts towards supporting countries to enable meaningful digital health transformations. The recommendations below are informed by perspectives from international organizations, national parliaments, policy think tanks and civil society.

An actionable definition and criteria for “sustainable chemistry” based on literature review and a global multisectoral stakeholder working group

Sustainable chemistry is the development and application of chemicals, chemical processes, and products that benefit current and future generations without harmful impacts to humans or ecosystems.

Research Partnerships and Guidance in Academic Global Ophthalmology.

Research Partnerships and Guidance in Academic Global Ophthalmology.

HOSPITALITY GREEN BUSINESS PRACTICES

Hilton hotel chain operated in 103 countries, has a long experience in hospitality business globally. It creates international initiatives in its responsible business practices, based on the characteristics of the regions where it is located. Hilton hotel chain located in Bali has an obligation to contribute to the sustainability of the Balinese culture, nature, lifestyle and local economy development. It has practiced green tourism business models, recognized and certified by independent certification bodies. Green tourism business practices driven by the needs of clients, global and local stakeholders, global conventions, national laws and local regulations. The study examined how Hilton Hotel Chain in Bali integrates local genius and values into green tourism business practices that is by nature a global quest. This research aims at adopting green tourism business practices into curriculum, learning and teaching process. At the end, graduates of tourism colleges will possess two types of competencies, core professional and green competencies. This research deploys four methods; direct observation, focus group discussion, general stadium on green tourism business practices and questionnaire. The expected result of the research is a curriculum design integrating green tourism business practices, the application of the curriculum will result in Green Integrated Learning model.

Human safety and security for sustainable and inclusive settlements

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by all member states of the United Nations (UN) in 2015. One year later, Habitat III, the first UN global summit to adopt the sustainable development agenda, took place in Quito, Ecuador. Habitat III served as a forum for discussing the planning and management of human settlements for promoting sustainability. Global stakeholders are increasingly acknowledging that Agenda 2030 must embrace people-centred approaches to address the interconnectivity of today’s challenges in order to deliver its transformative promise to human settlements. To this end, human safety and security, which is concerned with whether people live in conflict or peace, provides an effective programming framework for promoting inclusive and sustainable human settlements. This paper explores the nexus between human security and the sustainable development of human settlements. Drawing on a broad range of literature, the paper begins by considering the conceptual basis of sustainable development through the lens of inclusivity. This is followed by a detailed explanation of why human security is central to promoting the sustainability of settlements. The paper also offers some insight into measuring and modelling human security for the purpose of sustainable settlement programming. The paper concludes by offering some thoughts about why statutory public safety stakeholders should work with communities and civil society in order to secure and sustain positive gains for human settlements.

Key decision-making factors for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine program introduction in low-and-middle-income-countries: Global and national stakeholder perspectives

ABSTRACT Low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) experience a high burden of cervical cancer. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine prevents high-risk strains of HPV that cause cervical cancer; however, the integration of HPV vaccines into national immunization programs within many LMICs has been suboptimal. Our study evaluated key factors that drive the decision-making process for the implementation of HPV vaccine programs in LMICs. Stakeholder analysis and semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with national and global stakeholders. Interview data were analyzed through qualitative descriptive methods. Findings from our study revealed the decision-making process for HPV vaccines requires the involvement of multiple institutions and stakeholders from national and global levels, with decision-making being a country-specific process. Partner considerations, locally driven processes, availability of data, and infrastructure and resource considerations were found to be critical factors in the decision-making process. Future programs should evaluate the best approaches for investing in initiatives to enhance coordination, ensure vaccine introduction is locally driven, increase the availability of data needed for decision-making, and equip countries with the necessary resources to guide country decision-making in the face of increasingly complex decision-making environments.

ADSA® Presidential Report

ADSA® Presidential Report

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and COVID-19 Pandemic in Africa: Special Focus on Control Strategies.

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a group of twenty (20) chronic, communicable, infectious diseases endemic to the tropics and sub-tropics climate countries, which are intimately associated with poverty, poor sanitation, limited clean water, and healthcare delivery; and dwellers live in proximity to pathogens and diseases vectors. The pathogens are protozoans, bacteria, helminths, fungi, and viruses. NTDs currently affect about one billion people globally, out of which 500 million are Africans living in rural settlements with low political voice and support. In recent years, NTDs have received little research recognition, development, and funding because more research efforts by global health stakeholders are focused on recognized diseases like cancers, hepatitis, tuberculosis, Acquired Immune-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and malaria that affects most developed countries. The emergence of the viral novel COVID-19 will exacerbate the burden of NTDs on disadvantaged communities as global health efforts are again focused on COVID-19 clearance in terms of research and development to find a drug/vaccine amidst other investigations on recognized infections. This development can result in high death tolls due to NTDs if control measures are not prioritized now. This perspective addresses the need for NTDs control amidst COVID-19 clearance efforts to mitigate another viral health crisis in Africa.

Prevalence and factors associated with unintended pregnancy among adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa, a multilevel analysis

BackgroundUnintended pregnancy predisposes women to unsafe abortion, malnutrition, mental illness, and even death. Though adolescent girls and young women are at higher risk of unintended pregnancy, there is a paucity of evidence in its burden and associated factors in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with unintended pregnancy among adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa.MethodThis study was a secondary data analysis of 36 sub-Saharan African countries with a total weighted sample of 17,797 adolescent girls and young women. A multilevel logistic regression model was fitted and, the Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was reported to assess the association between the independent variables and unintended pregnancy in Sub-Saharan Africa.ResultThe pooled prevalence of unintended pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa was 30.01 with 95% CI (29.38–30.74). In multivariable multilevel logistic regression analysis, adolescent girls, and young women with higher education (AOR = 0.71 95%CI 0.52–0.97), those who know modern contraceptive methods (AOR = 0.86 95%CI 0.75–0.98), and traditional contraceptive methods (AOR = 0.90, 95%CI 0.59–0.95), married (AOR = 0.80, 95%CI 0.73–0.88), those from female-headed households (AOR = 0.86,95%CI 0.78–0.94), had lower odds of unintended pregnancy. Whereas adolescent girls and young women from Central Africa (AOR = 2.09,95%CI 1.23–3.55), southern Africa (AOR = 5.23, 95%CI 2.71–10.09), and Eastern Africa (AOR = 1.07,95%CI 1.07–2.66) had higher odds of unintended pregnancy.ConclusionPrevalence of unintended pregnancy in Sub-Saharan Africa is high. Therefore, educating adolescent girls and young women, and improving their knowledge about family planning services is vital. It is also better for the government of countries in sub-Saharan Africa and other global and local stakeholders to work hard to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including family planning, education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs to reduce unintended pregnancy.

Global investments to optimise the health and wellbeing of children with disabilities: a call to action

On Nov 20, 2022, we celebrate World Children's Day and the theme this year is inclusion, for every child. However, children with disabilities have received little attention from global health and development stakeholders.

Corporate philanthropy by foreign multinationals in developing countries in Asia: do local consumers truly matter?

ABSTRACT This study examines the underexplored issue of whether or not activities of corporate philanthropy (CP) by foreign multinationals, which have been shown to positively influence global stakeholders, can also influence local consumers in developing countries in Asia. We survey how consumers in Myanmar and Vietnam perceive Chinese and Korean multinationals and their CP activities. The results indicate that CP has a fairly limited influence on purchase intentions of local consumers in these markets. The study found only indirect effects through corporate image for firms from China (unfavourable origin), However, neither direct nor indirect effects on purchase intentions were observed for Korean firms (favourable origin). Our findings suggest that, unlike in developed countries, local consumers may not be key stakeholders to consider in planning corporate-sponsored philanthropic activities in developing Asia.

Safety assurance for automated driving systems that can adapt using machine learning: A qualitative interview study

Introduction: Automated Driving Systems (ADSs) present significant unresolved challenges for traditional safety assurance frameworks. These frameworks did not envisage, nor readily support, automated driving without the active involvement of a human driver, or support safety-critical systems using Machine Learning (ML) to modify their driving functionality during in-service operation. Method: An in-depth qualitative interview study was conducted as part of a broader research project on safety assurance of ADSs that can adapt using ML. The objective was to capture and analyze feedback from leading global experts, from both regulatory and industry stakeholders, with the key objectives of identifying themes that could assist with the development of a safety assurance framework for ADSs, and providing a sense of the level of support and feasibility for various safety assurance concepts relevant to ADSs. Results: Ten themes were identified from an analysis of the interview data. Several themes support a whole-of-life safety assurance approach for ADSs, with strong support for ADS developers to be required to produce a Safety Case, and for ADS operators to maintain a Safety Management Plan throughout an ADSs operational life. There was also strong support for in-service ML-enabled changes to be allowed within pre-approved system boundaries, although there were mixed views on whether human oversight of such changes should be required. Across all themes identified, there was support for progressing reform within current regulatory frameworks, without requiring wholesale changes to current frameworks. The feasibility of some themes was identified as presenting challenges, particularly with the ability for regulators to develop and maintain an appropriate level of knowledge, capability and capacity, and with the ability to effectively articulate and pre-approve boundaries within which in-service changes can occur without additional regulatory approval. Conclusions: Further research on the individual themes and findings would be beneficial to support more informed reform decisions.