Council Members Research Articles

CITY MANAGER VERSUS PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR IN MODERN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: THE CASE OF ROMANIA

Modernizing public administration is a key goal of Governments that have said they have succeeded in recent years. An example is the CUPAR project to promote the function of a public administrator, institutionalized by Law 286/2006 in Romania. Inspired by the American model of the city manager (this is the original name of this function), it is aimed at increasing professionalism in local government and ensuring the separation of political and administrative troops. A city manager is a professional administration and the leader of this team. The personality and his professional interests have a great influence on the area. The role of city managers of all Americans is to help local authorities improve the services provided to citizens. The success or failure of a city manager depends on the development of a close working relationship with the mayor and members of the city council. Often their problems are of priority importance, and the city manager must constantly inform on all issues of interest. The American equivalent of a city manager, so to speak, in the Romanian administrative system is a public administrator.

Higher Costs and Stagnant Revenue Are the New Normal for Health Care Organizations

Summary Interviews from NEJM Catalyst Insights Council members on how their organizations are dealing with higher staffing costs and other cost increases.

Do Women Council Members Allocate More Public Goods? Evidence from Rural India

Do Women Council Members Allocate More Public Goods? Evidence from Rural India

Study of Great Power Dominance of the International Order Behind Veto: Take China as an Example

A resolution to hold the five permanent Security Council members responsible for wielding the veto was passed by the UN General Assembly at its 76th session. Veto power is undoubtedly a vital part of the exercise of the veto power in international affairs at a time when humanity is facing unprecedented change; Moreover, by exercising their veto power in consultation and coordination of international affairs, the major powers are also contributing to the mitigation and stabilization of international affairs, as well as the establishment of a just and rational international order by promoting the development of a multipolar trend. They share a wide range of common interests and responsibilities on many important issues concerning the survival and growth of humanity, such as maintaining world peace and security, combating international drug trafficking and protecting the living environment of refugees, etc. This article will analyze the above aspects while specifically analyzing the role that great powers can play in promoting the multilateral system and contributing to developing countries, taking China as an example. As argued in this paper, the resolution subtly affirms the function of the UN P5, even though it seems to restrict the P5's veto authority. This paper's goal is to investigate the function of the P5 veto from the perspective of both the P5 and third world countries, as well as to discuss what can be done by developing countries to establish themselves as an emerging force after the postwar period when the big powers dominated international affairs.

A Preliminary Review of an Unprecedented Cross-Provincial Water Transfer Plan in Iran: No Clear Vision and Stakeholder Mapping

This review paper investigates unprecedented recent investment and capital spending in cross-provincial water management and transfer infrastructure in Iran. Although numerous cross-provincial water transfer plans have been implemented in the country, the scale, approach, and stakeholders involved in this recent national plan are unprecedented. This notable national plan includes long water transfer pipelines that pass through seven provinces, aiming at transferring desalinated water from the Persian Gulf to the interior. Regarding the scale, there have been a few cases of transferring water at the cross-provincial level, but mostly across two provinces. The approach has also changed in this plan. Long-term efforts to construct dams for electricity or farming with limited geographical impact have been shifted to desalinating water, long-distance pipe-laying, large-scale electric-powered water pumping, and long-distance underground tunnels. Stakeholders have become more diverse, from the council members of a small village to high-level decision makers at the national level. This paper elaborates on these extraordinary alterations by exemplifying a few other contemporary case studies of water transfer plans in Iran. It also examines the fundamental logic, bottlenecks, and future scenarios of this large-scale plan.

Urban Spatial Strategies of the Gulf Cooperation Council: A Comparative Analysis and Lessons Learned

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members have experienced tremendous transformation in their smart cities in recent years. Every GCC nation has its own urban planning authority to manage urban growth and development since its independence from British rule. These planning agencies create strategies, plans, rules, and oversee the building process. The novelty of this research lies in its comprehensive analysis, cross-border comparisons, and the generation of insights that contribute to a deeper understanding of urban planning dynamics and strategies within the Gulf Cooperation Council. The objective of this article is to examine the national spatial strategies (NSS) and vision plans of GCC countries. This study discusses the existing methods, plans, and efforts to accomplish this goal while emphasizing prospective opportunities, problems, and difficulties. We used the SWOT method to evaluate the national vision plans of GCC countries. The analysis identifies successful outcomes that the GCC countries have already achieved in terms of their national spatial strategies. The weakness in the current strategies is oil dependency, which could be strengthened. Potential opportunities in the tourism sector need to be taken full advantage of, and potential threats, like regional tension, need to be managed to prevent the failure of the development of the existing urban system. The primary suggestion entails executing programs outlined by the respective line ministries and ensuring efficient management of urban spatial expansion by municipal authorities. However, the findings could serve as lessons for those at the helm of affairs in GCC countries to collaborate and achieve a comprehensive national strategic plan.

Role sets of advisory councils in local policymaking process: the perspective of council members

ABSTRACT The article complements literature on advisory councils, and in particular their involvement in the policymaking process. The author examines the AC roles by referring to the concept of the roles set. In addition to ACs conventional roles of providing opinions and advice, there are other roles, which are classified as roles prescription and roles performed. The first were identified from examining the legal basis of ACs, while the roles performed were discovered by empirical research that was carried out among members of 78 ACs established in 16 Polish cities. It was found that all the ACs that were studied had developed additional roles to the roles that they had been prescribed; and that the fewer roles are prescribed the more other roles the AC generates. It was also observed that the fewer roles ACs play on the basis of statutes, the more roles are transferred to them by local authorities, which shows the important regulatory role of the latter.

Transitions in modes of coastal adaptation: addressing blight, engagement and sustainability

Coastal defences have long provided protection from erosion and flooding to cities, towns and villages. In many parts of the world, continued defence is being questioned due to both environmental, sustainability and economic considerations. This is exemplified in England and Wales, where strategic Shoreline Management Plans envisage realignment of many protected coasts, often with low population densities, over the coming decades. The policy transition from protection to realignment is often resisted by affected communities and can have high political costs. Whilst some preparations for such transitions have been made, the communities affected are often not fully aware of the implications of policy change, and this brings the potential for blight. In this paper, we investigate the challenges of implementing transitions in coastal policy within England and Wales. The analysis is based on data obtained from three workshops held in 2019 that were attended by council members, engineers, planners, scientists and other relevant professionals. Five conditions are found to promote contention: (i) policy actors with competing priorities and different decision making time frames (immediate to decadal to a century); (ii) divergence between regulations and ad hoc political decisions (e.g. in relation to the demand for new housing); (iii) limited or non-existent funding to support policy transition; (iv) community expectation that protection is forever; and (v) a disconnection between people and ongoing coastal change. Our research indicates that transitions can be better supported through: (1) integrated multi-scalar preparedness for coastal change; (2) an accessible evidence base and future vision to nurture political confidence in adaptation; and (3) defined, time-bound and accessible diverse funding streams to achieve transitions. Critically, these generic actions need to be embedded within the local political and planning system to facilitate transition to more sustainable coasts and their communities.

The Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry in the Austrian National Council – Influence and Impact from the Perspective of the Austrian National Council Members

Abstract Committees of inquiry in the Austrian National Council gained a significant upgrade through a reform in 2015: for the first time, a parliamentary minority can now demand the establishment of a committee of inquiry. This reform meant not only a strengthening of control rights, but also an increase in parliamentary investigations in Austria. The aim of this article is to shed light on the parliamentary perspective and to deepen the understanding of investigative committees. In this way, it is to be shown which potentials, but also weaknesses, can be found in the investigative instrument from the MPs’ point of view. A first-time survey of members of committees of inquiry showed that the perceptions of the reform and the democratic benefits differed greatly between the governing party ÖVP and the opposition party SPÖ. The increasing polarisation of the political debate also led to a further divergence in the approval or rejection of the investigative instrument. These developments may not only result in a weakening of the investigative instrument, but also directly challenge parliamentary democracy.

지방의회 후원회제도에 관한 실증분석

This study compares and analyzes the process of change of the supporters association system and the results of the survey on the work of members of the regional councils and members of the National Assembly, and proposes improvement plans for the supporters association system and related laws and regulations suitable for the status of members of the regional councils.
 As a result of the study, it was deduced that it is necessary to adjust the ratio of contributions between members of the National Assembly and local council members to 70:30 by improving the ceiling on donations for local council members in a more forward-looking direction than the current limit of 50/100 of election expenses. Therefore, it is proposed to designate the maximum amount of donations from local council members at 250 million won, which is 30% of the total amount of donations raised by members of the National Assembly, which is 750 million won.
 The reason I thought this was because of the following reasons. First, in the workload analysis of local council members, 70.7% of respondents answered that ‘the workload of local council members is greater than that of national assembly members’. Second, 49.1% of respondents answered that ‘the workload of local council members and National Assembly members is similar’ or ‘the workload of local council members is more than 50% higher’. Therefore, it is based on the fact that it is reasonable to set the size of donations to local council members at 30% of the amount of donations to members of the National Assembly.

Jan Rowiński (1936–2023)

Professor Jan Rowiński died on 2 January 2023 in Piaseczno (near Warsaw). He was a member of the Academic Council of the Centre of East Asian Studies at the University of Gdańsk and of the scholarly bi-annual journal Gdańsk East Asian Studies. Jan Rowiński was a professor of the University of Warsaw. As a scholar and a diplomat, he was concerned with China for most of his professional life. He wrote many scholarly articles and books on the politics, culture, and history of China, and his passion for these subjects inspired generations of undergraduates, doctoral students, and colleagues. Inter alia, he owed his knowledge of China and the Chinese to the experience of the many years he spent there first as a student and later as a diplomat. He was born on 11 May 1936 in Kiełpiny. From 1954 to 1959, he studied at the University of Beijing and at the Institute of Diplomacy in Beijing. From the beginning of his studies in Beijing he devoted his entire professional life to the study of East Asia, especially China. He witnessed the transformations that took place in China, and observed the changes in the structures of power there. China had a considerable influence on his way of life. It is difficult to overestimate his contribution to research into that part of the world. His professional life ran on two tracks: on one hand, in diplomacy; on the other, in the academic world. As an employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs he worked in the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Beijing. Between 1995 and 2001, he was counsellor-minister plenipotentiary and deputy ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the People’s Republic of China. From 1969, he was connected with the Polish Institute of International Affairs, where he held several academic posts, and after completing his habilitation in 1987 was appointed professor there. In 2002, he became professor at the Institute of International Relations of the University of Warsaw in the Faculty of Journalism and Political Science, where he worked until 2013. At the University of Warsaw, he conducted classes on the foreign policies of China and Japan, the history and civilization of East Asia, and international relations in the Asia-Pacific region. He supervised the work of many doctoral students and reviewed doctoral and post-doctoral dissertations. For his achievements, Professor Rowiński was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta and the Gold Cross of Merit.

Peran Subbagian Advokasi Dan Dokumentasi Hukum Sekertariat Jenderal Dalam Penyelesaian Sengketa MPR RI

This journal is motivated by the idea that the role of advocacy in dispute resolution is needed as an advocate who acts as an advisor or defender of cases in court. As one of the people's representative bodies or the legislature of the People's Consultative Assembly consisting of members of the People's Representative Council and Regional Representative Councils elected through general elections, it is certainly not spared from the many disputes or cases submitted by the community who are increasingly critical of existing policies to the court. In dispute resolution, the People's Consultative Assembly requires the role of the legal section, especially the advocacy subdivision and legal documentation to carry out its duties and functions as an advocate. Which plays a role in providing Exepsies, Duplik, Replications, Submitting evidence against claims by legal entities in court to obtain a decision with permanent legal force.

Piercing the veil on the functioning and effectiveness of district health system governance structures: perspectives from a South African province

BackgroundLeadership and governance are critical for achieving universal health coverage (UHC). In South Africa, aspirations for UHC are expressed through the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) system, which underscores the importance of primary health care, delivered through the district health system (DHS). Consequently, the aim of this study was to determine the existence of legislated District Health Councils (DHCs) in Gauteng Province (GP), and the perceptions of council members on the functioning and effectiveness of these structures.MethodsThis was a mixed-methods, cross-sectional study in GP’s five districts. The population of interest was members of existing governance structures who completed an electronic-self-administered questionnaire (SAQ). Using a seven-point Likert scale, the SAQ focuses on members’ perceptions on the functioning and effectiveness of the governance structures. In-depth interviews with the chairpersons of the DHCs and its technical committees complemented the survey. STATA® 13 and thematic analysis were used to analyze the survey data and interviews respectively.ResultsOnly three districts had constituted DHCs. The survey response rate was 73%. The mean score for perceived functioning of the structures was 4.5 (SD = 0.7) and 4.8. (SD = 0.7) for perceived effectiveness. The interviews found that a collaborative district health development approach facilitated governance. In contrast, fraught inter-governmental relations fueled by the complexity of governing across two spheres of government, political differences, and contestations over limited resources constrained DHS governance. Both the survey and interviews identified gaps in accountability to communities.ConclusionIn light of South Africa’s move toward NHI, strengthening DHS governance is imperative. The governance gaps identified need to be addressed to ensure support for the implementation of UHC reforms.

517 Ethnic Diversity in the English Urology Workforce and BAUS Leadership 2009-2020: A Retrospective Analysis

Abstract Aim Little is known about the ethnic composition of the national urology workforce. To assess the impact of existing strategies to promote equitable progression, with respect to ethnicity, in the English urology workforce and British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) leadership between 2009 and 2020. Method A Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request was made to NHS Digital regarding demographic data of clinicians working in urology in England between 2009 and 2020. Data was collected on urology consultants, specialist registrars, specialty, and associate specialist (SAS) doctors over this period. The ethnicities of British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) Trustees and Council Members were determined over the same period, by review of public profiles. Statistical analysis was performed using the Cochran-Armitage test. Results The proportion of consultant urologists identified as White decreased from 65.5% to 53.6%, p<.0001), while the proportion of Asian/Asian British consultants increased (26.9% to 36.6%, p<.0001). There was a significant increase in Black/Black British trainees (3.0% to 11.0%, p<0.0001) but a decrease in the proportion of Asian/Asian British trainees. There was a non-significant decrease in the proportion of White urologists occupying BAUS leadership positions (80.6% to 67.6%, p = 0.5). Conclusions Trends towards increased ethnic diversity was seen across all groups, especially consultants. More limited change was observed in the urology leadership, suggesting both a time lag and that there is further work to be done in addressing barriers to progression in the highest echelons of urology leadership in the UK.

‘Broadening’ and ‘deepening’ collective security in times of health crisis: the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond

Since the end of the Cold War, the UN’s collective security model has been questioned as to whether it has been well equipped to respond to the changing landscape of global security. By using the UN Security Council’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study, this paper traces the discursive contestations of the traditional understanding of the UN Charter-based collective security model. It examines what meanings the member states collectively attach to public health crises, how they frame the COVID-19 pandemic, and, finally how they consider the role of the Security Council in responding to non-military emergencies. An analysis of the debates by the Council members suggest that there is a slow normative change in the recognition of health security as an indivisible aspect of peace. We argue that the pandemic has created a normative environment for the Council’s members to rethink ‘broadening’ and ‘deepening’ collective security beyond military conflicts to emphasize the Council’s role in addressing health issues, structural inequalities, and other human security threats.

Increasing competitiveness and assistance in culinary business legality for Islamic council members

This community service aims to: 1) increase partners' awareness of the value of business legal ownership through education and outreach; 2) increase partners' understanding of food safety as a prerequisite for obtaining P-IRT; and 3) help partners obtain legality digitally. The service method involves socialization, training, and assistance. The results of this activity are increased knowledge, understanding and awareness of partners to have business legality, increased knowledge and skills of partners in food processing that is hygienic, nutritious and safe for consumption. In addition, partners are also working on PIRT permits and Halal certificates. Thus, the competitiveness of the culinary business will increase through wider and safer marketing for consumers.

The Role of Regional Bawaslu as a Supervisor in the Prevention and Hndling of Election Administration Violations in the City of Sukabumi

Background. General elections are held simultaneously, including the election of members of the House of Representatives, members of the Regional Representative Council, President and Vice President, and to elect members of the Regional People's Representative Council, where in each process towards general elections there are several stages that need to be carried out by election participants. Purpose. In the general election stages, there are often negligence committed by election participants, one of which is election administration violations, election administration violations are violations committed by election participants or election organizers during the election stages. Method. In this research, the author uses normative juridical research methods that are qualitative in nature. Results. Based on the findings made by the Sukabumi City Bawaslu, there were 19 findings of administrative violations in Sukabumi City committed by 2019 election participants, including 16 violations of campaign props and 3 violations of campaigns without notification letters to the police. From the findings by the Sukabumi City Bawaslu related to administrative violations, the Sukabumi City Bawaslu is authorized to receive, examine, review, decide reports from the public or findings by the Election Supervisor related to alleged election administration violations. From the alleged violation of election administration, the settlement uses a fast event in accordance with Article 40 of Perbawaslu No. 8 of 2022. From the many findings of alleged election administration violations, Bawaslu of Sukabumi City made several prevention efforts including appeals, Bawaslu of Sukabumi City delivered appeals to the community, election officials, and election officials. Conclusion. Socialization, namely the implementation of the initialization of election rules and regulations and coordination to the community, election participants, and local government agencies, as well as law enforcement agencies conducting cooperation with coordination with law enforcement agencies related to elections.

Intellectual Stimulation and the Growth of Intra-Regional Trade in the East African Community

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of intellectual stimulation of the Council of Ministers on the perceived growth of Intra-Regional Trade in the EAC. The study adopted positivism research philosophy and descriptive correlational research design and was anchored on the transformational leadership theory. Targeting senior trade officers in partner states of EAC, stratified sampling was applied to identify a few sample units. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire that contained both open ended and closed ended questions. Data collected was coded, cleaned and analysed using SPSS version 20 to obtain both descriptive and inferential statsitics. Results show a positive and significаnt influence of intellectual stimulation on the growth of intra-regional trade in the EAC; R2=.409, F(1,121) = 83.782, p<.05; β =.755, t(4.292)=10.351, p<.05. The findings point to the fact that increased intellectual stimulation in terms of encouraging risk taking, creative innovation and communication by the council, will have significant influence positive effect on the growth of intra-regional trade in the EAC. In this regard, council members of the EAC should strategically demonstrate intellectual stimulation by encouraging officer within their dockens to be risk tekers, while enhancing innovation and bolster appropriate communication.

Social Mapping of the Fisheries Community in Bojongsoang, Bandung Regency

Social mapping or social mapping is a comprehensive and systematic approach used to gather data and information about the various aspects of a specific area. It involves understanding the social, cultural, and environmental characteristics of the community residing in that area. The process of social mapping was carried out in the Bojongsoang District, encompassing the sub-districts of Tegalluar, Lengkong, Cipagalo, Buahbatu, Bojongsoang, and Bojongsari, situated in the Bandung Regency. This comprehensive study was conducted over a period spanning from December 2022 to June 2023. The research methodology employed in this study involves a qualitative descriptive analysis conducted through a survey. The survey includes direct field observations and interviews with randomly selected respondents who are engaged in tilapia aquaculture. The study involved a total of 45 tilapia farmers and 7 policy stakeholders from each village. The characteristics of respondents who are fish farmers in the Bojongsoang District can be differentiated based on social and economic factors. Approximately 96% of the respondents chose tilapia farming as their main livelihood. Men play a primary role in running the tilapia farming business, while women are also involved in some aspects. The majority of the population adheres to the Islamic religion and belongs to the Sundanese ethnic group. There are kinship ties between the local community and the owners of tilapia farming land. Social stratification exists with the highest positions held by the district head (Camat), members of the regional legislative council (DPRD), and religious scholars (ulama). Meanwhile, community leaders and elders occupy the middle position, while the general population holds the lowest position. Based on the research, the author's recommendations include the need for land use management for tilapia farming practitioners in Bojongsoang and the importance of policy evaluation for stakeholders in the area.

STATE OWNED ENTERPRISES: 05 YEARS OF THE NEW CORPORATE GOVERNANCE RULES

ABSTRACTObjective: This article intends to address the new Brazilian regulatory environment created by the SOEs Law (Law No. 13,303, of June 30, 2016) which created new corporate governance rules in state-owned enterprises for the election of directors, officers and fiscal council members, with the purpose of protecting the public companies, the mixed joint-stock corporation and its subsidiaries ("state-owned") against any possible (and unfortunately common) political-partisan interference in the appointment of the members of these top-level management positions in the SOEs. The article will also present cases of progress, setbacks, and the future of this new Brazilian legal norm.Methodology: Review of the bibliography and analysis of judicial and administrative precedents involving the application of new corporate governance rules for state-owned enterprises.Results: It is possible to conclude that the new corporate governance rules were created by Law No. 13,303, of June 30, 2016 with the purpose of protecting the state-owned enterprises (SOEs) against any possible (and unfortunately common) political-partisan interference in the appointment of the members of the top-level management positions in the SOEs.Contributions: From the results found, it is possible to verify: (a) One of the most relevant aspects of the Law No. 13,303, of June 30, 2016 was the creation of academic background, professional experience and professionalization for the top-level management of state-owned enterprises, as usual in the private sector. (b) that the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM) determined the application of the new corporate governance rules for state-owned enterprises; (c) the Judiciary, especially the Federal Supreme Court (STF), can make a relevant contribution if it decides to apply these new rules of governance corporate in order to mitigate political-partisan interference in the appointment of the members of these top-level management positions in the state-owned enterprises (SOEs).