International Campaign Research Articles

Super-Networks Shaping International Agreements: Comparing the Climate Change and Nuclear Weapons Arenas

Abstract While research on transnational advocacy networks (TANs) is well established in international relations, knowledge gaps remain concerning TAN collaboration across policy fields. To address this gap, this article highlights how super-networks (networks above individual TANs) emerge across issue areas and explores the tactics utilized to achieve their objectives and shape international agreements. We develop an analytical framework that emphasizes the important interplay between political opportunity structures, mobilizing structures, and tactics in understanding how super-networks operate. We apply this framework via a comparative case study approach, analyzing the Inter-Constituency Alliance, whose advocacy brought about the inclusion of human rights language in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, and the International Campaign for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons, whose activities based on humanitarian principles resulted in the 2017 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Contributing new knowledge to TANs research, we identify that super-networks utilize multilevel advocacy activities that draw upon a package approach tactic. Via the package approach, super-networks synthesize multiple voices from different issue areas into one key message grounded in humanitarian framing, thereby enhancing their moral leverage and legitimacy, making it more difficult for states to neglect their concerns.

Monte Carlo Evaluation of Uncertainties of UV Spectra Measured With Brewer Spectroradiometers

AbstractPrecise spectral ultraviolet (UV) measurements are needed to ensure human protection as well as to support scientific research. Quantifying the uncertainty of the UV spectra recorded is crucial to evaluate the quality of the measurements which is needed, in turn, for the assessment of their reliability. However, for double‐monochromator spectroradiometers, the analytical derivation of this uncertainty is a challenging task due to the difficulties involved in propagating individual uncertainties. Under these circumstances, a Monte Carlo simulation is a reliable alternative as it does not require the calculation of partial derivatives and considers both nonlinear effects and correlations in the data. In the present study, the uncertainty of the spectral UV irradiance measured by a Brewer MKIII spectrophotometer is evaluated using a Monte Carlo approach. This instrument belongs to the National Institute of Aerospace Technology and has successfully participated in several international campaigns, which ensures its precise calibration. The average expanded uncertainty (k = 2) of the global UV irradiance measured by this instrument varies between 10% at 300 nm and 7% at 363 nm. At shorter wavelengths, it increases sharply due to thermal and electronic noise as well as wavelength misalignment. The results indicate that a Brewer spectrophotometer is suitable for climatological studies and model validation. Nevertheless, a substantial reduction of these uncertainties might be required for accurately detecting long‐term UV trends. Although the study focused on a Brewer spectrometer, the methodology used for the uncertainty analysis is general and can be adapted to most UV spectroradiometers.

The inner life of the Atlantic Intertropical Convergence Zone

AbstractThe Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is a central component of the atmospheric general circulation, but remarkably little is known about the dynamical and thermodynamical structure of the convergence zone itself. This is true even for the structure of the low‐level convergence that gives the ITCZ its name. Following on from the major international field campaigns in the 1960s and 1970s, we performed extensive atmospheric profiling of the Atlantic ITCZ during a ship‐based measurement campaign aboard the research vessel SONNE in summer 2021. Combining data collected during our north–south crossing of the ITCZ with reanalysis data shows the ITCZ to be a meridionally extended region of intense precipitation, with enhanced surface convergence at its edges rather than in the center. Based on the location of these edges, we construct a composite view of the structure of the Atlantic ITCZ. The ITCZ, far from being simply a region of enhanced deep convection, has a rich inner life, that is, a rich dynamical and thermodynamic structure that changes throughout the course of the year, and has a northern edge that differs systematically from the southern edge.

“FORWARD WITH DEMENTIA” CO-DESIGN OF AN ONLINE GUIDE FOR DEMENTIA PATIENTS AND FAMILIES

Objective:Through a co-design process we set out to improve post diagnostic dementia support as part of a wider international programme. A partnership approach was taken with people living with dementia, carers and healthcare professionals.Methods:A scoping review and thematic analysis of existing national and international dementia policies guidelines and campaigns were undertaken to identify gaps and to create a core evidence base. We established co-design local working groups in each of the five partner countries. A series of 20 objective led iterative workshops, four in each country over a period of six months were held. In this way a prototype website was designed, built, populated, and refined. Evidence based English language content was generated and edited collaboratively, core themes were derived from operationalising national Dementia Clinical Guidelines, utilising current evidence, responding to co-designers’ requests and formative research findings. The website was then adapted regionally through translation, links to local information, and including culturally appropriate images, stories and news items. These adapted sites were then user tested and further refined ahead of awareness raising campaigns.Results:We co-designed a dementia friendly accessible resource to support people living with dementia, carers and healthcare professionals for the first 12 months following diagnosis. The workshops determined that the resource should be available online, current, practical, and relevant at a regional and individual level. The need for a practical, empathetic and individually tailored resource was identified. Language, tone, and online accessibility were essential, particularly for people living with dementia. It was important that the content be written and presented specifically and discretely for people recently diagnosed with dementia, for care partners and for healthcare professionals.Conclusion:We set out to improve the dialogue around dementia diagnosis. To empower patients and practitioners through providing information, practical tools, improving awareness of and access to available local supports. Through a person-centred approach with target audience groups together we have developed an online actionable guide Forward with dementia (https://www.forwardwithdementia.org) which supports decision making and to help people find their way forward from a diagnosis of dementia.

Initiative Diplomacy: China’s New Rules for Global Governance, Security and Development

Since 2022, Chinese officials have embarked on an international mobilisation campaign to promote China’s new Global Security Initiative (GSI), Global Development Initiative (GDI) and Global Civilisation Initiative (GCI). The three new initiatives espouse China’s principles of global governance, security and development in order to reinforce the domestic legitimacy of the Chinese Communist Party, reform the global governance system, expand China’s international influence, especially in the developing world, and compete with the United States’ conception of the liberal rules-based international order.

Reducing the Risks of Nuclear War— the Role of Health Professionals

Reducing the Risks of Nuclear War— the Role of Health Professionals

Associations Between Internet and Traditional Media Usage and Users’ Attitudes Toward Wife-Beating in Nigeria

This study quantitatively examines the associations between the Internet and traditional media (e.g., television, radio, newspapers) usage and users’ attitudes toward wife-beating in Nigeria. Data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey involving 13,311 men (aged 15 to 59 years) and 41,821 women (aged 15 to 49 years) were analyzed using multiple logistic regression models. The central question was whether frequent Internet and traditional media users significantly differed in their attitudes toward wife-beating justification compared to individuals who seldom used these media channels in Nigeria. The results showed that Nigerian online media users were substantially less likely to approve of wife-beating compared to their non-users. However, for traditional media usage, only radio usage was significantly associated with a reduced likelihood of wife-beating approval among women. Newspaper usage was associated with a higher level of justification, while television was not significantly related to wife-beating support. This study emphasizes the need for the Nigerian media channels to effectively join the international campaigns seeking to eliminate intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW).

PROBLEMATIC ISSUES IN THE RECOGNITION OF THE HOLODOMOR BY THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA AS GENOCIDE OF THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE

The article analyses the fifteen-year journey of the Republic of Croatia to recognise the Holodomor of 1932-1933 in Ukraine as genocide of the Ukrainian people. It is noted that, unfortunately, the long-term strategic partnership that developed between our countries had little effect on Croatia expressing its attitude to the terrible crime of the communist regime at the official level. In this case, as a rule, the Ukrainian State did not do enough. It is noted that during the presidency of V. Yanukovych in Ukraine, not only practically no attention was paid to the international work on clarifying the issues of the Holodomor, but also V. Yanukovych himself made an illegal statement that recognizing the Holodomor of 1932-1933 as a fact of genocide of Ukrainians is wrong and unfair. This statement not only demonstrated V. Yanukovych's disdain for millions of innocent victims of the Ukrainian genocide, but also crossed out already existing developments, including and in the Republic of Croatia. V. Yanukovych actually committed a crime - he violated the Law of Ukraine “On the Holodomor of 1932-1933 in Ukraine”. It is emphasized that the greatest efforts in informing the Croatian public and the political elite in the Republic of Croatia were made by activists of the Ukrainian diaspora. Due to their efforts, since the beginning of the 1990s, events were regularly held to honor the memory of those who died during the Holodomor. Ukrainian cultural and educational societies published books, brochures, organized exhibitions, supported the international campaign “Unquenchable Candle”, etc. Moreover, the work was carried out in two directions - for the general public of citizens of the Republic of Croatia and for Ukrainians in Croatia. It is emphasized that significant efforts of our diaspora were directed to work with Croatian parliamentarians, on whom the official recognition of the Holodomor as genocide ultimately depended. It is noted that representatives of the Ukrainian Embassy, who were co-organizers of events honoring the victims of the Holodomor, were also actively involved in this work, and worked to spread information about this crime of the communist regime. It is indicated that the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine on February 24, 2022 and the new crimes against humanity committed by Russian soldiers became the decisive argument that convinced the political elite of the Republic of Croatia to recognize the Holodomor as a genocide of the Ukrainian people.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to antibiotic resistance among physicians and nurses in Italian intensive care: A multicenter cross-sectional survey

ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Italian intensive-care physicians and nurses with respect to antibiotic resistance. MethodsA multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted of 20 Italian intensive care units, supported by an online validated questionnaire. ResultsA total of 143 participants took part, mainly nurses (79.7%). Most respondents were between 26 and 45 y old (62.9%), with more than 6 y of service (about 71%). Some 90% of those who took part stated that they were aware of the problem of antibiotic resistance and had easy access to guidelines and information materials on the subject. On the other hand, a high level of disagreement, mostly among nurses, emerged in relation to knowledge of the existence of national plans for the fight against AMR (62.9%) or the presence of international information campaigns (80%). A majority (76%) said they had received no specific training in the past 12 months. Most physicians (70%-90%) showed faith in their ability to prescribe, trusted guidelines, and recognized their role in antibiotic resistance by considering it while prescribing antimicrobial therapy. ConclusionsThe study highlights the need for targeted training interventions, especially for nurses, and the importance of involving all healthcare professionals in the fight against antibiotic resistance.

Vaping harms awareness messaging: exploring young South Australians' responses to vaping prevention campaign materials.

Nicotine vaping products (NVPs) pose health risks associated with nicotine dependence and increased likelihood of tobacco consumption. Despite having a secondary role in smoking cessation, recreational NVP use is increasing among younger people. Vaping prevention campaigns aim to influence views on the health risks of vaping. This study examined perceptions of Australian and international vaping prevention campaigns among 27 young South Australians aged 16-26 years who do and do not use NVPs, to inform targeting and framing of vaping risk messaging. Participants viewed example materials from three vaping prevention campaigns: 'Epidemic', 'Do you know what you're vaping' and 'Unveil what you inhale'. Focus groups and interviews assessed whether materials were easily understood, appropriate, relevant, credible and effective in health communication. Participants indicated that all campaigns would influence their thoughts and actions related to vaping. The 'Do you know what you're vaping' campaign prompted thoughts about uncertainty about individual health risks, though participants did not indicate that this was enough to motivate vaping cessation. Participants considered the 'Unveil' campaign effective, with those who did not vape indicating they would click through to access resources, and those who did vape responding well to the 'challenge' aspect of the messaging. The 'Epidemic' campaign fear appeal did not clearly prompt change in vaping views or behaviours. Campaigns using a challenge approach may generate conversation about vaping harms, while fear appeals can be dismissed by younger audiences. Evidence-based short messages and the presentation of multiple versions of content were considered effective approaches.

La rellevància i la creativitat en la traducció de material turístic multimèdia

The notions of relevance and creativity are two key textual resources when promotional material is translated and, in particular, in the context of tourism. In the first case, relevance as a pragmatic principle helps ensure texts travel through different lands and audiences, posing challenges to translators, or language-and-culture experts, who use their expertise to opt for some content material or for format changes. Likewise, creativity is a highly demanded skill, given the nature of the process of (trans)creating advertising texts, especially audiovisual and multimedia ones, and considering the persuasive dimension of the process that takes place for these texts to cross cultural frontiers.
 In the paper these two principles will be theoretically presented, making special reference to promotional translation and international marketing, and a few real cases from international tourism campaigns will be analysed in order to draw some conclusions about the impact of these two principles for a better production of relevant and creative promotional texts in the field of tourism.

From Slums to Community: The Urban Turn of Catholicism in Post-War Brussels (1950-1975)

Adding to research on the link between religion and urbanization, this article explores how the notion of poverty influenced the relationship between Catholic actors and the city of Brussels (Belgium). It shows how the dynamics between clerics and urbanization changed on a local level because of the international renewal campaign of the Catholic Church in the 1960s. Before the Second Vatican Council, Catholics saw urban poverty as proof of the secularization process in modern European cities. From the 1960s onward, however, the Catholic clergy in Brussels—as well as in other European cities—started to refute the idea that religion and urbanization were irreconcilable, and instead urged for a positive attitude toward modern cities. By ceasing to associate modern cities with poverty, the Brussels vicariate stimulated its parish priests to engage in an active relationship with the city in order to shape its physical and social environment.

Testing and nonlinear modelling of industrialized light-frame wooden diaphragms including optimized nailing and nonstructural sheathing

This article presents the outcomes of a large project towards the investigation of the lateral performance of full-scale industrialized light-frame wooden diaphragms. 10 full-scale diaphragms of 3.6 m by 2.4 m were tested under in-plane lateral loading (monotonic and cyclic), considering different sheathing, nailing, and framing. Besides, the behavior of bare slabs (without any sheathing), gypsum finishes and the potential benefits of using optimized nailing patterns instead of regularly spaced nailing was also studied. Experimental tests were nonlinearly modeled using the modified Steward hysteresis model (MSTEW) and MCASHEW software. Experimental strength and stiffness results proved to be consistent with those proposed by other international campaigns, and in particular, the design principles of SDPWS fitted well with the obtained results. However, chord tensions were 30 % greater than the ones obtained by principles of engineering mechanics, which might be explained by eccentric tensile load transfer. As expected, the behavior of both sawn lumber and I-joist framed diaphragms was mainly controlled by nailing. In fact, optimized nailing patterns allowed to equal the peak capacity, increase by 20 % stiffness and 75 % ductility with 8 % less nails. Screwed gypsum finishes increased the peak capacity and stiffness by 15 %, and 20 %, respectively. The modelling approach – mainly used only in shear walls in previous investigations – proved its capability of finely reproducing the behavior of all diaphragm configurations. The numerical results were also in good agreement with the prescriptions of the SDPWS standard.

The 2021 mutual phenomena involving the Galilean satellites of Jupiter and the inner satellite Thebe

ABSTRACT Astrometric studies and orbital modelling of planetary moons have contributed significantly to advancing our understanding of their orbital dynamics. These studies require precise positions measured over extended periods. In this paper, we present the results of the 2021 Brazilian Jovian mutual phenomena campaign. The data correspond to eight events between Galilean satellites, in addition to a rare eclipse of Thebe, an inner satellite, totalling nine events. A geometric model along with the DE440/JUP365 ephemerides was used to reproduce the events and simulate the light curves. A Monte Carlo method and chi-squared statistics were used to fit the simulated light curves to the observations. The reflectance model adopted for our simulations was the complete version of the Oren–Nayer model. The average uncertainty of the relative positions of the Galilean satellites was 5 mas (15 km) and for the inner Thebe satellite 32 mas (96 km). The seven mutual events (nine independent observations) here analysed represent an addition of 17 per cent events (10 per cent light curves) with respect to the 2021 international mutual phenomena campaign. Furthermore, our result of Thebe eclipse is only the second measurement published to date. Our results contribute to the ephemeris data base, being fundamental to improving satellite orbits and thus minimizing their uncertainties.

The high optical brightness of the BlueWalker 3 satellite

Large constellations of bright artificial satellites in low Earth orbit pose significant challenges to ground-based astronomy1. Current orbiting constellation satellites have brightnesses between apparent magnitudes 4 and 6, whereas in the near-infrared Ks band, they can reach magnitude 2 (ref. 2). Satellite operators, astronomers and other users of the night sky are working on brightness mitigation strategies3,4. Radio emissions induce further potential risk to ground-based radio telescopes that also need to be evaluated. Here we report the outcome of an international optical observation campaign of a prototype constellation satellite, AST SpaceMobile’s BlueWalker 3. BlueWalker 3 features a 64.3 m2 phased-array antenna as well as a launch vehicle adaptor (LVA)5. The peak brightness of the satellite reached an apparent magnitude of 0.4. This made the new satellite one of the brightest objects in the night sky. Additionally, the LVA reached an apparent V-band magnitude of 5.5, four times brighter than the current International Astronomical Union recommendation of magnitude 7 (refs. 3,6); it jettisoned on 10 November 2022 (Universal Time), and its orbital ephemeris was not publicly released until 4 days later. The expected build-out of constellations with hundreds of thousands of new bright objects1 will make active satellite tracking and avoidance strategies a necessity for ground-based telescopes.

RENEWABLE ENERGY AND PUBLIC HEALTH: GLOBAL PRACTICES FOR SYNERGY PROVIDING

One of the sustainable development goals the UN General Assembly developed in 2015 is the movement towards affordable and clean energy (Goal 7). It aims to modernise energy systems, increase energy efficiency, and ensure cheap, uninterrupted, and universally available electricity by 2030. Clean energy has a positive effect on the state of the environment and reduces the "carbon footprint" and negative human impact on the environment. Intermediate results from implementing renewable energy positively impact people's health and better access to medical services. The article examines global practices of preserving public health through renewable ("green") energy. The influence of fossil fuels and non-ecological energy sources on the population's health was analysed, and successful cases of implementing "green" energy to improve the population's health were studied. Methods of promotion of enterprises working in this field are analysed. The analysis showed that while there are challenges to implementing renewable energy sources, the benefits far outweigh the costs. Promising directions in this field include increasing the efficiency of existing energy sources and intensively implementing renewable and environmentally friendly ones. It is essential to develop and invest in the infrastructure of renewable energy sources and to inform communities about the benefits of switching to renewable energy sources to preserve the population's health. The paper emphasised that the large-scale development of the renewable energy sector of Ukraine will be possible based on the state of clear national strategies, setting ambitious goals, conducting international communication campaigns, the introduction of new market mechanisms for stimulating increasing the use of biomass in electricity and heat generation, promoting the development of local energy initiatives, etc.

Estimating forced labour: from a legal category to a statistical category for international political campaigns

ABSTRACT This article contributes from a sociology of knowledge perspective to the ongoing sociological debate about statistics produced by international organisations taking the Global Estimates of Forced Labour published by the International Labour Organization (ILO) as a case of international quantification. We ask: what stages of negotiation were involved in the transformation of a legal category into a statistical category of forced labour oriented towards political action? The analysis combines the historical reconstruction of the political and organisational processes behind the production of the estimates with the study of the measurement framework of forced labour. The qualitative case study is based on semi-structured expert interviews and ILO documents. Our results highlight the processes by which a legal category was made practicable for statistical work and thereby point to the specific arrangements and connections between law, statistics, and policy within international organisations. As we argue, the estimates have provided consistency to a fragile social construct that originated in the imperial context of the interwar period, and that was turned into a ‘visible’ social and global phenomenon of the twenty-first century.

Environmentally Friendly Strategies for Controlling the European Grapevine Moth, Lobesia botrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Terlemezyan, H., M. Sargsyan, H. Harutyunyan, S. Sargsyan and N. Zarikian. 2023. Environmentally Friendly Strategies for Controlling the European Grapevine Moth, Lobesia botrana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 41(3): 272-277. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-041.3.272277 The European grapevine moth, Lobesia botrana (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a palearctic pest, has been the target of an international control campaign. Agricultural production areas in Armenia were identified as lacking effective control in 2019- 2020. The results of using a mixture of bacterial and chemical insecticides (BTTER-55 + Coragen, BTTER-94 + Coragen) were effective in controlling this pest. Coragen combined with sublethal concentration of bacterial insecticides (BTTER-55 + Coragen, BTTER-94 + Coragen) showed high biological efficiency against young larvae of grapevine moth under vineyard conditions. It has been proven also that, Coragen together with the applied insecticides that fell on the soil after spraying were less dangerous ecologically since they reduced the number of soil-living ammonifiers for only a short period (1-2 months). In addition, results obtained confirmed that the bacterial insecticides BTTER-55 and BTTER-94 differed in morphological and physiological features, particularly in the size of vegetative cells and spores formed by them, as well as in the size of insecticidal crystalline bodies, colonies shape and assimilation of carbon and nitrogen sources. Keywords: Armenia, European grapevine moth, insecticide, Invasive pests, Plant protection.

Government policy interventions during COVID-19 pandemic and economic performance

This paper examines the impacts of government policy interventions during COVID-19 pandemic on economic performance. The study pooled daily data from 108 countries across 5 regions based on World Bank classification from March 22, 2020 to July 31, 2020. These regions are East Asia and Pacific; Europe and Central Asia; Latin America and the Caribbean; Middle East and North Africa as well as sub-Saharan Africa. The study employs Autoregressive Distributed Lagged (ARDL) model. This study uses STATA 15.0 to estimate error correction-based Pooled Mean Group (PMG), Mean Group (MG) and Dynamic Fixed Effect (DFE) model for analyzing dynamic heterogeneous panel data. The empirical result from each region of the World is as follows: (1) Result from PMG on East Asia and Pacific region reveals that government policy of debt/contract relief towards cushioning the effects of COVID-19 pandemic has positive impact on economic performance in the short run while none of the government policy measure is statistically significant in the long run. (2) Result from MG on Europe and Central Asia shows that in both the long run and the short run, number of confirmed cases and school closure policy have negative impacts on economic performance and statistically significant at 1 percent level while in the long run, international travel control and public information campaign have negative and positive impacts on economic performance in the region respectively. Both International travel control and public information campaign are statistically significant at 1 percent and 10 percent levels respectively. (3) Result from PMG on Latin America and the Caribbean shows that the number of confirmed cases and debt/contract relief are statistically significant and have negative and positive impacts on economic performance respectively in the short run. The former is statistically significant at 5 percent level while the latter is statistically significant at 10 percent level. In the long run however, only international travel control imposed by government is significant at 5 percent level and has negative impact on economic performance in the region. (4) Result from PMG on Middle East and North Africa shows that only number of confirmed cases is significant and has positive impact on economic performance at 10 percent level in the short run. No robust impacts is found in the long run. (5) Result from PMG on sub-Saharan African region shows that number of confirmed cases has positive impact, which is statistically significant at 10 percent level on economic performance while in the long run, income support package has negative impact on economic performance at 5 percent level of significance. The study therefore, concludes that, the relative economic potency and effectiveness of government interventionist policy measures towards putting COVID-19 pandemic under control vary across regions of the world. Economically, Europe and Central Asia is the region that is worst hit by the pandemic when compared with other regions.

‘Sovereign Democracy’: Russian Response to Western Democracy Promotion in the Post-Soviet Space

Russia became apprehensive after the outbreak of Colour Revolutions in three former Soviet republics. Post-revolution, Russia’s foreign policy in general and its outlook toward the West in particular transformed significantly. Russian response to Western democracy promotion became more pronounced. Against this backdrop, the concept of Sovereign Democracy has to be understood. It aims to not only defend the Russian regime from Western meddling but also undertake a vigorous international campaign to assert its great power status. This article deals with the meaning and rationale of Sovereign Democracy as a response to Western democracy promotion in a nuanced way. The study attempts to deal with the following research questions: How does Russia perceive and react to Colour Revolutions? How Sovereign Democracy enables Russia to restructure its foreign policy to challenge the Western democracy-promotion agenda in the post-Soviet space? How do the political institutions and historical narratives of anti-Westernism allow Russia to respond to Colour Revolutions? Lastly, whether Putin is able to reshape public opinion in Russia not only in favor of having an alternative model of democracy against the dominant Western one but also a favorable public opinion to justify Russian actions in Georgia, Ukraine, and Syria.