Partnership Instrument Research Articles

Renewable energy in India: key trends, drivers and prospects

The article examines the features and trends in the development of renewable energy in India in the context of the modern transformation of the global energy economy. The dynamics of growth of installed capacity in the country’s energy sector by type of generation sources has been analyzed, and stable trends in changes in the structure of primary energy consumption have been identified. The main factors for the successful development of key areas of renewable energy have been identified. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of innovative schemes and instruments of public-private partnership in the development of renewable energy. The main government documents that determine the vector and pace of transformation of the Indian energy sector taking into account the global climate agenda are considered. It is concluded that with undeniable successes in the development of renewable energy and favorable conditions for its further growth, in the foreseeable future in India, traditional energy will not lose its significant importance due to the role that it and the infrastructure created for it play in ensuring economic growth and well-being population, sustainable energy supply and energy security of the country in the context of increasing turbulence in the global energy market.

ФОРМИРОВАНИЕ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЙ БЕЗОПАСНОСТИ В КОНТЕКСТЕ РАЗВИТИЯ ТРАНСПОРТНОЙ И ТАМОЖЕННОЙ ИНФРАСТРУКТУРЫ СОЮЗНОГО ГОСУДАРСТВА

The work defines the role of transport and customs infrastructure as elements of integrated macro-regional security in Russia and Belarus. The relevance is conditioned by the request of the Union State for sustainable and effective development of territories, which is being formed in the process of deepening integration and as a part of the transition to new forms and instruments of partnership at the moment. The authors consider the content of infrastructure elements, build links between infrastructure elements and a common logistics system that will ensure the creation of a full-fledged single transport market and common approaches in customs and transport control for the Union State. The article presents the potential for the implementation of programs and pro-jects of the Union State in the logistics sector, analyzes programs that have already been directly implemented in the transport and customs sector (integration of digital resources, unification of legislation, creation of new types of infrastructure with the allocation of positive experience of the Interstate Center for coordinating risk management, as well as for the implementation of analytical functions and monitoring of customs operations). Special attention is paid to the factors influenc-ing the process of forming unified approaches to the development of transport and customs infra-structure. In a practical study, the authors present a cross-section of the opinions of business representatives on the provision of services for the international transportation of goods in terms of their perception (satisfaction) with the elements of transport infrastructure. Insufficient develop-ment of the actual highways and communications, which directly affect the safety of the transportation process, has been revealed at the moment. The authors propose recommendations for the development of infrastructure, based primarily on the principles of convergence of the legal frame-work for its creation and functioning with the requirements of international law, as well as international organizations of which Russia and Belarus are members. In addition, the role of interaction between government representatives, the business community, and the scientific corps in further detailing projects and programs of the Union State was emphasized.

ОЦЕНКА ДЕФИЦИТА СОЦИАЛЬНОЙ ЗАЩИТЫ РАБОТНИКОВ НОВЫХ ФОРМ ЗАНЯТОСТИ В РОССИЙСКОЙ ЭКОНОМИКЕ

The Russian Federation has high level of social protection coverage. However, for the population that is part of the labor force, coverage of key types of social security is provided mainly through social insurance. The inclusion of citizens (as insured) in compulsory social insurance is a subject for payment of insurance premiums in their favor by employers (as insurers). Against the background of the growing involvement of the Russian population in new, non-standard forms of employment, there is an outflow of the employed population from the sphere of labor relations with social guarantees enshrined in labor legislation, into the sphere of civil law relations and even into shadow employment, as a result of which there is a risk of a shortage of social security for the economically active population. The aim of the study to assess the existing deficit of social security in Russia for workers in new forms of employment, that is carried out using legal and sociological approaches. The results of the study indicate a connection between the shortage of social security of the population employed in new forms with the lack of conscious interest among citizens in participating in insurance of possible social risks in the future, as well as the current need to purchase insurance protection at their own expense. During the transformation of the labor market and the active influx of the population into new forms of employment (including through the transition from labor relations to self-employment and entrepreneurship), the absence of a market insurance culture does not automatically lead to a redistribution of responsibility between participants in the social protection system. With a decrease in the number of employers and a consequent decrease in social protection spending, the demand for social insurance services among the population has not yet been formed. In many ways, this is due to the unwillingness of the self-employed population to lose part of their income (forming “deferred consumption”). If we turn to the figures of the average income of the self-employed, their behavior is largely understandable. In these circumstances, the problem of providing social security to the population intersects with the problem of combating poverty and low income. On the other hand, the obligations of the Russian government to provide the population with social security are enshrined in the Constitution of the Russian Federation. The decrease in participants in pension and social insurance programs today leads to a gradual increase in the deficit of the social security budget in the future, in which it will become increasingly difficult to fulfill these obligations. It can be assumed that this is one of the main reasons determining the government’s interest in expanding activity in relation to social protection policy. At the same time, employees of new forms of employment, guided more by the value of “earning now”, do not show significant interest in voluntary insurance programs. In such a situation, it is possible to assume an increase in the gap between the satisfaction/sense of security of workers in new forms of employment and their growing anxiety about the social policy being implemented in the country. To conclude, Russia is currently in a “transitional stage”, when an active search is underway for a balance between legal access to social protection and demand for specific areas of social protection that requires gradual, careful work on the part of the state, with consultations with “new social partners” (for example, digital labor platforms and platform workers), as well as the selfemployed and their associations. In this context, the development of new instruments of social partnership and state regulation of social protection mechanisms for the population involved in new forms of employment seems to be an important and priority task in the near future.

Development of Digital Transformation Instruments and Partnership For MSMEs in Denpasar City

SMEs are a type of industry that is more customer focused and have better opportunities if supported by the use of digitalization transformation and collaboration with partnerships that can provide support for the development of an SME. This research was conducted to analyze the digital transformation and partnership questionnaire in SMEs. Method: The questionnaire will be analyzed using validity and reliability tests, where validity tests include content validity, face validity, Focus Group Discussion and construct validity. The number of respondents in the validity test was 5 respondents and 30 respondents in the reliability test. The results of the questionnaire analysis in the content validity analysis test were declared valid with an items content validity index (1-CVI) value of ≥ 0.78. In the results of face validation, it was found that the statement items in the questionnaire described the construct well. The results obtained after the focus group discussion process were that the majority of panelists agreed on the statements made with a minimum value of 2 which means "easy to understand" and a maximum value of 3 which means "very easy to understand". The number who got a score of 2 (easy to understand) was 25% and the number who got a score of 3 (very easy to understand) was 75%. The reliability test obtained a Cronbach alpha value of 0.940; So according to table 4 above, this value means Very Reliable and suitable to be distributed to respondents. From the results of the table analysis, all question items are reliable. The instruments analyzed in this research, namely the digitalization transformation and partnership instruments, can be categorized as valid and reliable instruments so they can be used as research tools.

Public-private partnership in the management of region’s investment activity

The author’s formulation of the concept of ≪investment activity of the region≫ is proposed in the article, the essential aspects and characteristics of regional investment activity are considered. The mechanism of managing the investment activity of the region and its structure are investigated, the levels of implementation of management actions and directions grouped into five functional modules are determined. The analysis of the tools and methods used in practice to regulate investment activity is carried out. On the basis of foreign experience, the features and advantages of public-private partnership as one of the tools for managing regional investment activity are investigated. In order to activate investment activity at the meso-level, the instruments of public-private partnership suggest ways to improve information, analytical and institutional support for investment activities, as well as the legislative framework with the expansion of the functions of regional authorities to conclude an agreement on public-private partnership.

Використання інструментів державно-приватного партнерства для повоєнного відновлення економіки України

The aim of the article is to identify the opportunities and risks of using instruments of public-private partnership (PPP) for the post-war recovery of Ukraine’s economy, which, given the scale of damage and destruction of enterprises and infrastructure, will require significant investments, human resources, and time. Public-private partnership as a process of interaction between the State and the private sector in order to implement certain projects or programs aimed at developing the economy, infrastructure, science, education, health care and other areas has significant potential for ensuring the post-war recovery. The article identifies the main aspects that determine the importance of PPP for the post-war development of the Ukrainian economy, as well as develops the terminological apparatus of public-private partnership and highlights its key elements as an economic category. The advantages of PPP compared to other instruments of economic recovery after the war, especially in the context of promoting a resilient and rapid recovery, include: speed and efficiency; the possibility of attracting private capital; innovativeness; resource management efficiency; stimulation of competition; international support; potential for market expansion; development of local partnerships; significant social impact, and others. A review of the results of the implementation of public-private partnership projects in various sectors of the economy is carried out. The main challenges and obstacles to the development of public-private partnership are outlined. Among the latter, the most significant are: a high level of corruption and a low level of trust of public institutions in the State bodies; insufficient legal regulation and insufficient level of training employees for effective project management. Particular attention is paid to the risks of the PPP implementation in Ukraine and measures that will allow timely identification and overcoming such risks. It is substantiated that the urgent task for the effective implementation of public-private partnership is to create a favorable environment, providing a key factor in attracting investment, promoting economic growth and improving the life of the population. Prospect for further research in this direction is the development of practical recommendations for improving the instrumentarium for evaluating public-private partnership projects in Ukraine.

АСЕАНОЦЕНТРИЧНЫЕ МНОГОСТОРОННИЕ ДИАЛОГОВЫЕ ФОРМАТЫ: ПРОБЛЕМЫ ВЫРАБОТКИ КОНСОЛИДИРУЮЩЕЙ ПОВЕСТКИ

The article traces the evolution of ASEAN-centric multilateral dialogue venues and initiatives (the ARF, ADMM Plus and EAS) amidst a rise in conflict in relations between Asia-Pacific major actors, including a collapse of inclusive Asia-Pacific development agenda. On tracing the evolution of Asia-Pacific multilateral security dialogue platforms – ARF, ADMM Plus and EAS – and revealing threats to these venues from the project Indo-Pacific region and individually, Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) Agreement, the paper specifies whether these threats can be eliminated by the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) instruments. The author points to a fundamental contradiction to ASEAN’s policy on developing Asia-Pacific multilateral dialogue. While the political-security track of ASEAN’s policy has been inclusive since its beginning, subsequent ASEAN economic-centered efforts conspicuously lack inclusivity as a basic feature of ASEAN’s projects As a result, regional macro-factors undermine ASEAN’s policy aimed at developing a consolidating agenda in dialogue with extra-regional partners.

Transnational urban circularity, green transition and innovative city development projects, funded through the JPI Urban Europe and the DUT Partnership instruments

The applied research for the development of the quality of urban life around Europe has been and continues to be a priority funding area of the European Commission. JPI Urban Europe is one of the instruments through which financial support has been granted in urban innovation, in order to ensure the green transition of city components from polluting elements to ecological ones, respectively from linear models of consumption, exploitation and operation to circular urban systems. A particularity of this programme is the transnational approach to the projects, which is reflected both in the diversity of the location of the study cases, the types of partners involved (private, institutional, non-governmental) but also in the way in which the funding is granted, through common budgets of the national development funding agencies, which are sometimes doubled by non-reimbursable monetary assistance from the European Union. The article chronologically summarizes the JPI Urban Europe calls, from the first competition (2012) upto 2023, namely the launch of a new and successor funding formula, integrated in Horizon Europe – the DUT Partnership (Driving Urban Transitions) and the relevant funded projects. The winning applications covered the topics imposed by the programme, from circularity and urban transition, to climate neutrality, energy-positive neighborhoods, sustainable urban accessibility and sustainable cities in general, examples of how cities face current challenges such as increasing the density of housing in the urban environment, increasing costs of execution and operation of infrastructure, including construction, mitigating the effects of climate change, migration, etc. Among the conclusions and innovations resulting from the implemented projects, the following are standing out: the increase in the understanding and capacity of citizens to support the transition to a more resilient and efficient urban environment in terms of consumption, in participatory, innovative ways and through transnational communities, but also the synergies between specialists, urban users, administration and investors. All these have led to new concepts such as the 15-minute cities or novel solutions for circular urban economies.

Features of the use of debt financial instruments of public-private partnership in domestic and foreign practice

Introduction. Financial cooperation of the state with subjects of entrepreneurial activity is carried out with the help of appropriate tools that contribute to the creation of a favorable investment environment for the implementation of socially important infrastructure projects. At the same time, an important place is occupied by debt financial instruments, which make it possible to ensure the fulfillment of obligations undertaken by partners. The purpose of the paper is to highlight domestic and foreign practice and issues of using debt financial instruments in the process of implementing public-private partnership projects. Results. The results of the study show that when financing public-private partnership projects, partnership participants seek to attract cheap and long-term debt financial instruments. Therefore, the most accessible and profitable financial instrument used in the process of financing public-private partnership projects are bank credit resources. However, small banks do not have the ability to independently finance these projects. In such a case, an effective tool is syndicated lending, the participants of which can become not only large banks, but also small ones with a different share of lending. It was established that an alternative to bank lending is the issuance of debt securities - infrastructure bonds, the use of which makes it possible to reduce the burden on budgets of various levels and attract extra-budgetary sources of financial resources. Conclusion. Effectiveness of using debt financial instruments needs to solve problems on the debt capital market, in particular regarding the legislative regulation of their formation, circulation and use in the sphere of public-private partnership, ensuring investment attractiveness, transparency and openness. Prospects for further research in this direction are the search for ways to improve the financial tools for the development of public-private partnerships, taking into account the best achievements of world experience.

Stimulating financing innovative activity

Purpose: The aim of the study is to analyze investment activities in Ukraine to determine effective mechanisms and incentives for financing innovative activities.
 Design / Method / Research approach. In the national economy of Ukraine, effective models of financing innovative activities, favorable for enterprises that introduce innovations, have not been created. Carrying out innovative activity, which is highly risky and does not always enable to plan profit amount, requires the use of financing flexible forms. Currently, there is no solution to individual issues of strengthening the positive impact of state financial policy on the innovation development in industry, funding sources optimization for innovation. In this regard, it is necessary to clarify the scientific provisions on the substantiation of mechanisms for stimulating the innovative activities financing as an important element of the national economy development state regulation.
 Research results. The trends of innovative activity in terms of its financing sources have been analyzed. The problems of organizing the industrial enterprise financing have been highlighted. Prospective ways of solving the problem of financing innovative activities volume increasing and structure improving have been presented. It is necessary to transform the depreciation, budgetary and taxation, credit, technical and technological, foreign trade policy.
 Theoretical value of research. It is proposed to modernize the methodological foundations for the targeted comprehensive programs development, implemented in the innovation sphere, which should consider the possibilities of using the appropriate instruments inherent in different areas of public financial policy, primarily budgetary and taxation.
 Practical value of research. In order to stimulate innovative activities financing, it is necessary to introduce public-private partnership instruments. Various instruments can be used to solve the problem: direct government funding, government guarantees provision, joint (with a private partner) entrepreneurship (with or without a creation) on the basis of an open transparent tender. Further stimulation of conscientious venture business is advisable.
 Originality / Value of research. The research is an original result of scientific work carried out by the author's team.
 Research Limitations / Future Research. It is advisable to stimulate a conscientious venture business, which inherently tends to the implementation of innovative activities. The tools for the administration of intellectual property recognized by the world practice should be introduced.
 Type of article: theoretical.

ОБОСОБЛЕНИЕ ИМУЩЕСТВА БЕЗ СОЗДАНИЯ ЮРИДИЧЕСКОГО ЛИЦА. ПРОСТОЕ ТОВАРИЩЕСТВО И ИНВЕСТИЦИОННОЕ ТОВАРИЩЕСТВО

The article provides an overview of some legal institutions, which can be applied for the purpose of asset shielding. The advantages and disadvantages of using contractual instruments of a simple partnership, an investment partnership are studied. Types of partnership are examined in conceptual framework of asset partioning doctrine, when legal entity is not established. The protective properties are associated with existence of fiduciary responsibilities. The protective effect is based on the limitation of owner’s discretion and coordination of property management.

DISCUSSION ISSUES OF THE ESSENCE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS OF PUBLICPRIVATE PARTNERSHIP AND PROBLEMS OF ITS USE IN UKRAINE

Introduction. Financial participation of state or local authorities in public-private partnership projects is carried out with the help of appropriate tools that allow to create a favorable environment for attracting private sector investment for the implementation of socially important infrastructure projects. However, the financial tools used by the partners in the domestic practice are characterized by low financial attractiveness to investors due to the long period of implementation, limited profitability and high risks in the financial market. Therefore, the use of innovative financial tools for the development of public-private partnership is relevant. The purpose of the article is to generalize scientific approaches to determining the essence of financial instruments of public-private partnership and to identify problems of their effective use in Ukraine. Results. The multifaceted interpretation of the definition of "financial instruments" allowed to form an author's interpretation of this concept, which means the means of moving financial resources from one entity to another to implement the priorities of financial policy of the state and business structures. The types and components of financial instruments of public-private partnership are singled out, as well as the problems of their use in domestic practice due to the restrictive nature of the action and gaps in the legislation are identified. Conclusions. In domestic practice, it is necessary to improve existing and develop new financial instruments aimed at improving the innovation and investment climate in the field of public-private partnership. At the same time, it is important to strengthen state support for the development of financial instruments of this partnership, which should focus on increasing the capitalization of PPP projects.

Ceuta y Melilla en la nueva relación de Vecindad y de Cooperación transfronteriza con Marruecos iniciada en 2022

After a reference to the international legal framework for cross-border cooperation between (regional and local) territorial entities in the Council of Europe (Spain - France, Portugal, and United Kingdom around Gibraltar), we will analyze how cross-border co-operation carried out by Spanish/Moroccan territorial entities (specifically, between Ceuta and Melilla and the provinces of Tetouan and Nador, respectively), pose a certain degree of difficulty, as it is an issue included in the different frameworks of existing relations between the European Union (EU) and Morocco. These are: the EU Regional/Cohesion Policy through the INTERREG III A Spain-Morocco programme (since 1994) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF); The Barcelona Process or Euro-Mediterranean Partnership - Union for the Mediterranean and its financial instrument, the MEDA Programme; the European Neighbourhood Policy – ENP (2004, revised in 2011 and 2015) and the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument – ENPI (in force since January 1st. 2007)), replaced by the European Neighborhood Instrument (in force since March 16, 2014) for the period 2014-2020 and merged into the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) - Global Europe for the period 2021-2027. We will consider how territorial claims have limited the possibilities of cross-border cooperation between Spain and Morocco within the framework of the ENP, and we will make some proposals for promoting the cross-border cooperation between the Spanish Autonomous Cities and the Moroccan provinces of Tetouan and Nador in the «new stage of the partnership between Spain and Morocco» started at the beginning of 2022.

Cross-Border Cooperation within the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument “Ukraine-Romania-Moldova”

Under the current conditions of expanding globalization, the role of cross-border cooperation in the life of regions and communities is growing and new opportunities are opening up to intensify economic activity in peripheral areas and increase their competitiveness. Cross-border cooperation is aimed at overcoming the negative aspects of the existence of borders and the consequences that have arisen in the border areas due to their location on the national outskirts of states and aims to improve living conditions. Among the main goals of such cooperation are: overcoming existing stereotypes and prejudices on both sides of the border; removing political and administrative barriers between neighboring nations; creation of economic, social and cultural infrastructure, subject to the formation of joint bodies, economic entities, centers, etc. The article describes the main aspects of cross-border cooperation between Romania, Moldova and Ukraine. Romania is an important partner for the countries of Eastern Europe and, as one of the youngest EU countries, has considerable experience that could help partner countries to carry out effective socio- economic reforms and fight corruption. Ukraine-Romania- Moldova cross-border cooperation is part of the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument and plays an important role in developing mutually beneficial relations between states, addressing socio-economic, environmental and security issues, and is an effective means of Ukraine’s European integration. The Joint Action Plan “Ukraine-Romania- Moldova” 2007–2013 of the European Instrument has significantly affected the revival of cross-border cooperation between Ukraine, Romania, Moldova, especially the cooperation of local and regional authorities, communities and civil society institutions. During the program, more than 140 projects were implemented, which contributed to the development of transport infrastructure in border areas, energy networks, water and waste management, funded projects for cooperation between universities, research institutes and local authorities. There are positive dynamics of cross-border cooperation between Ukraine and Romania, in particular, important infrastructure projects are being implemented under the “Joint Black Sea Basin Joint Operational Program 2014–2020” and EU Joint Operational Program Romania-Ukraine 2014–2020”.

Using Public-Private Partnership Tools to Reduce the Negative Environmental Impact of Meat Processing Plants

The issues of reducing the negative environmental impact of meat processing enterprises on the environment are considered. Various types of pollution are analyzed, and the most dangerous sources of pollution are identified. On the basis of the studied references, it is concluded that the solution of the problems of environmental pollution by meat processing enterprises is possible only if economic conditions are created that make environmental projects in the studied sphere of production profitable from an economic point of view. Introduction of modern technologies for processing of raw meat requires significant costs and motivation of all participants associated with production of meat products. In order to solve the problems listed above, it is offered to use tools of public-private partnership in the meat industry in implementation of environmental projects. Particular emphasis is placed on encouraging private investors from the state to reduce the environmental burden on the environment on the basis of various preferential programs and subsidies. The offered instruments of public-private partnership made it possible to achieve an optimal combination between the environmental and economic interests of all participants in the environmental protection process. It is offered to use various forms, such as concession, delegation of management, concession, and etc. as instruments of public-private partnership. It is noted that use of public-private partnerships in projects for environmental protection in the meat processing industry will minimize environmental risks, as well as reduce risks for investors. Use of public-private partnerships will also allow attracting additional sources of financing, ensuring information accessibility of production technologies and motivating meat processors to introduce resource-saving production technologies, which will ultimately affect environmental well-being.

Правовые последствия Брекзита для регионов Великобритании и теоретические основы правовых механизмов предотвращения сецессии

Introduction. The article shows that as the number of ethno-national conflicts increases in almost all parts of the world, secession processes are becoming more and more popular. At the same time, the legal and political mechanisms for preventing secession may differ radically depending on national characteristics. But even those mechanisms that have shown their effectiveness for a long period under certain (crisis) conditions stop working, forcing states to look for new tools to prevent secession of their regions. The purpose and objectives of the study. The purpose of the study is to study the experience of preventing secession of the national regions of the UK in the process of leaving the EU. It is argued that the strict instruments of limiting the autonomy of the re-gions were not only ineffective, but increased the risk of the collapse of the country. The task of analyzing changes in the regional policy of the United Kingdom in the Brexit process is set. Methodology. The methodo-logical model of A. Liphart, the classical approach of A.V. Daisi to the definition of parliamentary sovereignty is used. General scientific methods of generalization and system analysis are also used. The results of the study. It is proved that tough tools to prevent secession in the crisis conditions of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU proved ineffective and, on the contrary, stimulated separatist sentiments in the national regions of the country. Conclusion. It is concluded that only the use of flexible forms of interaction and the formation of new partner-ship instruments allowed to avoid secession of regions. This required the development of new legal and political instruments of interaction and cooperation between the central government and local elites.

Теоретико-методичні основи стратегічного планування розвитку регіонів України

The article generalizes the theoretical and methodological bases of strategic planning for the development of regions of Ukraine and develops a mechanism for strategic planning (SP) for the development of territories. It is determined that strategic planning for the development of regions is a very important instrument of the State-based regulation, which helps to maintain all the necessary economic proportions, ensures the scheduled functioning of all parts of the economic system of society. For the Ukrainian economy, strategic planning is very relevant and important, as it allows predicting the processes of privatization and demonopolization, the formation of various forms of asset ownership, the consequences of technological renewal of production and much more. As the economy stabilizes, the possibilities of identifying trends and regularities of regional development spread, the degree of predictability of changes and behavior of various economic entities increases. It is noted that in modern regional management there is a shortage in scientific support of development conceptions, targeted planning of the regional economy. Insufficiently developed are technologies for the formation of scenarios for socioeconomic development, as well as instruments of public-private partnership. The issues of applied nature concerning the use in practice of strategic planning and the mechanism for forming a strategy for the socioeconomic development of the region require further theoretical and methodological development. It is concluded that the existing problems of increasing the efficiency of strategic planning for the development of Ukrainian regions can be solved on the basis of the introduction of an effective mechanism, which remains in its infancy today. The proposed mechanism of strategic planning for the development of territories will allow both in theory and in practice to improve the quality of life of the population, will affect the reduction of mortality rates, increase the level of ecological safety, promote the development of priority industries, and generally increase the competitiveness of regional economic systems

СТРАТЕГІЧНЕ ПАРТНЕРСТВО ЯК ПЕРЕДУМОВА РОЗВИТКУ ЗОВНІШНЬОЕКОНОМІЧНИХ ЗВ’ЯЗКІВ МІЖ ДЕРЖАВАМИ

The article presents an investigation of the strategic partnership phenomenon as an instrument of foreign policy and international relations і and an important part of bilateral and multilateral relations between states. The history of the origin of the term, origins and principles of formation of this form of international legal cooperation is considered. The author’s approach includes the explication of the criteria and functions of strategic partnerships in international relations and certain factors that should be taken into account when referring to the format of relations as strategic between countries. The history of application of the strategic partnership instrument in the practice of Ukrainian foreign policy is studied: stages, current state, opinions of the expert community and regulatory framework. Much attention is paid to the analysis of world experience in the application of this tool in the practice of modern international relations. Forms of strategic partnership based on practice are considered. Potential approaches to the use of the instrument of strategic partnership in the system of interstate relations of Ukraine are considered. Given the growing importance of this instrument of foreign policy, Ukraine should clearly outline the basic approaches to forming a network of strategic partnership. The adoption of the National Security Strategy (September 2020) and the Foreign Policy Strategy of Ukraine (August 2021) was significant for Ukraine's foreign policy. These documents for the first time at the official level defined the list of strategic partners of Ukraine. The main goal of the strategic partnership is to solve economic problems. After the beginning of the Russian aggression, another sphere of cooperation within the strategic partnership became important – defense and security, which according to domestic experts should become decisive. It is most clearly stipulated in the Ukraine-US Strategic Partnership Charter of November 10, 2021. Emphasis is placed on the fact that strategic partnership relations do not always have only positive consequences. Among the risks: potential conflicts that may be due to changes in strategic interests, cultural differences, non-compliance by participants with the basic principles of partnership along with equality. The conflict between Ukraine and Russia is an illustrative example, which was one of the first to be declared a strategic partner of our country. Thus, finding strategic partners is an ambiguous process. On the one hand, a clear long-term strategy is needed, and on the other hand, the ability to assess and respond to changing circumstances in partner countries and in the international arena.

Higher education institutions, PRME and partnerships for the goals: retrofit labeling or driving force for change?

PurposeThis paper aims to propose a framework to map partnerships as practiced in higher education institutions (HEIs) and trace the current mode of engagement between HEIs and their partners. This paper reflects on the alignment between current practices and what is understood in the literature as “true” partnerships. We are interested in the different modes of engagement that are labeled by the HEIs as partnerships and consider the plasticity of the term. The interest is in how the term is operationalized by HEIs and how variations in approach can be accounted for while still maintaining some stability and common understanding of the term partnership.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on extant literature in the field of cross-sector partnerships, a three-dimensional framework is proposed to map partnerships as practiced in HEIs. Furthermore, this paper draws on insights gained from the partnership stories of 13 leading principles of responsible management education (PRME) signatories to evidence examples of how this framework can help us to categorize the different types of engagement that the HEIs call partnerships. These case stories were gathered in the fall of 2019, based on a brief inquiry form sent to the 39 PRME signatories who were part of the PRME Champions Cycle 2018–2019.FindingsThis paper sees cases where faculty drive interaction on sustainable development goal-related issues with external stakeholders, but where the impact of these interactions seems to reside within the main business of the HEI (teaching and research). In contrast, much partnering work addresses broader social impacts. Of particular, interest in partnerships that seek to address a specific local issue, first and foremost and doing so in such a way as to apply the unique resources of the HEI working in multi-stakeholder networks. This paper also notes important variation between individual faculty-driven initiatives and initiatives where the school provides a strategic framework to support these efforts.Research limitations/implicationsBy focusing on the academic sector and its stakeholder partnerships, this paper contributes to the literature on cross-sector partnerships. In particular, the specifics of this context and the importance of, for example, academic freedom have been under-researched in this field. Furthermore, the framework presented is novel in that it helps us to grasp the nuances of external university partnerships that can form out of individual, programmatic and other institutional levels.Practical implicationsFrom a practice perspective, the framework offers a useable tool for HEI partnership managers to position themselves and their activities and reflect more on how they organize external partnerships. Further, this tool offers a more precise framework for the discussion on partnerships within the PRME to sharpen the partnership instrument and bring more clarity about what is meant by the partnership for the goals.Originality/valueThe paper offers a novel partnership portfolio framework that contributes both to theory and practice. The framework aids in mapping the locus of benefits/outcomes and the material and affective commitments made by the HEI to bring these collaborations about. In dimensionalizing partnerships in this way, this paper can conceptualize a balanced portfolio in an HEI’s partnerships for the goals.

Russia-Africa Business Dialogue at SPIEF 2021: Trends, Problems and Prospects for Russian-African Cooperation

More than a year and a half has passed since the first Summit and the Russia-Africa Economic Forum. The crisis of “Western-style” globalization, accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic, has adjusted the formation of the Russian business strategy in the African direction. The most important areas of Russian-African cooperation in the near future are healthcare, ensuring food security, infrastructure projects, including digitalization, education and science. With what results will Russia and Africa approach the next Summit, planned for 2022? Which business strategy will meet both Russian and African interests? What Russian investment projects are already being implemented on the African continent? How are the new mechanism and tools of the Russian-African partnership formed? These and other issues on the Russian-African agenda were discussed at the Russia-Africa business dialogue, which was held on June 3, 2021 as part of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. This was the first major Russian African event in full-time format after the historic Russia-Africa Summit and Economic Forum, which was successfully held in Sochi on October 23-24, 2019. The participants in the discussion concluded that Africa needs Russia to achieve the ambitious goals of the Agenda 2063, but Russia also needs Africa to implement the new development strategy of the Russian Federation, which focuses on increasing non-resource exports and technological breakthrough. The African fast-growing market, formed by the youngest population in the world, is showing an increased demand for modern Russian goods and technologies, primarily in such areas as healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, resource development, and digital products. To intensify cooperation, it is necessary to use the entire set of instruments of public-private partnership, to utilize the information resource at full capacity, and to develop cooperation in the field of science and education. The main thing for us now is to bring our cooperation, including in the economic sphere, to a fundamentally new level that meets the interests of our peoples. Both Russia and Africa have a lot to learn from each other, and our economic strategies can be successfully implemented if we combine our efforts.