Development Goals Research Articles

Advancing Sustainability through Higher Education: Student Teachers Integrate Inner Development Goals (IDG) and Future-Oriented Methodologies

Methodologies for future-oriented research are mutually beneficial in highlighting different methodological perspectives and proposals for extending higher-education didactics toward sustainability. This study explores how different augmented-reality applications can enable new ways of teaching and learning. It systematically investigates how student teachers (n = 18) in higher education experienced ongoing realities while designing learning activities for a hybrid conference and interconnecting sustainability knowings via didactic modeling and design thinking. This qualitative study aims to develop a conceptual hybrid framework concerning the implications of student teachers incorporating design thinking and inner transition into their professional work with future-oriented methodologies on didactic modeling for sustainability commitment. With a qualitative approach, data were collected during and after a hackathon-like workshop through student teachers’ reflections, post-workshop surveys, and observation field notes. The thematic analysis shed light on transgressive learning and a transition in sustainability mindset through the activation of inner dimensions. Findings reinforcing sustainability commitment evolved around the following categories: being authentic (intra-personal competence), collaborating co-creatively (interpersonal competence), thinking long-term-oriented (futures-thinking competence on implementing didactics understanding), relating to creative confidence (values-thinking competence as embodied engagement), and acting based on perseverant professional knowledge-driven change (bridging didactics) by connecting theory-loaded empiricism and empirically loaded theory. The results highlight some of the key features of future-oriented methodologies and approaches to future-oriented methodologies, which include collaboration, boundary crossing, and exploration, and show the conditions that can support or hinder methodological development and innovation.

Determinants of Smallholder Farmers’ Decisions to Use Multiple Climate-Smart Agricultural Technologies in North Wello Zone, Northern Ethiopia

Climate change presents significant challenges to agriculture in developing nations, affecting farmers’ livelihoods and food security. In Ethiopia, agriculture is crucial to the economy and the well-being of millions. This study focuses on analyzing the determinants that affect smallholder farmers’ adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) technologies in the North Wello administrative zone, northern Ethiopia. Through multivariate and ordered probit econometric models, data from 411 rural household heads were analyzed. Results reveal the synergy among climate-smart agricultural practices in rainfed farming systems, essential for crafting a comprehensive CSA package within an agroecological framework. The multivariate probit estimation results show that education, membership in local organizations, farm size, tropical livestock unit (TLU), irrigated land ownership, plot number, steep slope, farmland distance to home, and access to a local media source are positive determinants for the decision to use the type and several climate-smart agricultural practices. Lack of credit, large family size, distance from extension services, and proximity to the nearest market were all associated with lower adoption of all CSA technologies. The findings suggest that blanket recommendations for climate-smart agricultural technologies for smallholder farmers can be avoided. The complementarities that exist between CSA technologies may require further investigation into how such complementarities have benefits in terms of improving land productivity and food security and reducing climate-related risks for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia and other contexts. Moreover, by emphasizing an agroecological framework, the study promotes environmentally sustainable and socially equitable agricultural practices that are economically viable, contributing to broader environmental sustainability and development goals.

Infrastructure Development in Ethiopia and Its Impact on Economic Diplomacy With China

Economic Diplomacy between Ethiopia and China: A Focus on Infrastructure Development" explores the intricate dynamics of the economic partnership between Ethiopia and China, specifically emphasizing infrastructure development. This comprehensive analysis examines the alignment of Chinese government policies with Ethiopia's development goals, evaluates key infrastructure agreements and projects supported by China, and assesses the impact of Chinese government involvement on bilateral relations and economic diplomacy.Evidence of strategic alignment between Chinese government policies and Ethiopia's development objectives is observed across sectors such as infrastructure, industrialization, and poverty alleviation. Notable projects like the Eastern Industry Zone, Hawassa Industrial Park, and the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway illustrate coordinated efforts to advance Ethiopia's industrialization agenda and bolster connectivity and regional trade.Moreover, the article delves into broader implications of the partnership, extending beyond individual projects to encompass comprehensive collaboration in transportation, energy, and industrial zones. It underscores China's significant influence and expertise in these sectors, facilitating Ethiopia's emergence as a regional trade hub and alignment with its geopolitical and economic aspirations.Methodologically, the research employs a qualitative approach involving purposive sampling and thematic analysis of primary and secondary data sources. Primary data sources include interviews and discussions with key stakeholders, while secondary sources encompass policy documents, agreements, and scholarly literature. Thematic analysis is utilized to identify recurring themes and patterns, providing insights into the motivations and implications of Chinese involvement in Ethiopian infrastructure development.In conclusion, the study highlights the transformative potential of infrastructure development in enhancing diplomatic relations and projecting economic influence. China's contributions exemplify the evolving landscape of international economic diplomacy, shaping collaborative narratives in the 21st century. The rigorous qualitative methodology employed strengthens the credibility and reliability of the findings, offering deeper insights into the nuances of economic diplomacy between Ethiopia and China.

An Examination of Socio-economic Well- being in Aspirational and Non-aspirational Districts of Assam: A Comparative Analysis of Their Performance

The Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) led by the Government of India (GoI) aims to achieve developmental goals in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The ADP has endeavoured to shift the focus back to development. Post-Independence, India has recorded an upward trend in overall growth and development, but it still has a huge scope for improvement. This initiative of the GoI has generated evidence-based data for guiding policymakers regarding the existing gaps in various developmental parameters. The core approach of ADP has resulted in a data-driven governance system. The performance measurement of districts is vital for tracking and monitoring the progress as well as to compare with the benchmark District. However, measuring the performance of aspirational districts has always been a challenging task for administrators as development is multidimensional in scope and coverage. In this context, this article attempts to compare the performance of the seven aspirational districts with seven non-aspirational districts of Assam. The comparison is done on the basis of economic indicators and human well-being. The aspirational and non-aspirational districts are significantly different in terms of education, health–nutrition and basic infrastructure. The findings of this study advance the way for measuring the progress of a district/state/country in terms of overall development, going beyond the measures of GDP only.

Концепция устойчивого развития в теории левого альтерглобализма: теоретические источники и ограничения

The concept of sustainable development has garnered significant attention in political discourse, particularly within left-wing alterglobalism. This article examines the formation of the concept of sustainable development and its key tenets through the lens of Marxist and neo-Marxist political theory within the framework of left-wing alterglobalism. Special emphasis is placed on the specificity of the left-wing alterglobalism position on issues pertaining to the possibility and necessity of sustainable development worldwide. A historical overview of the development of the concept under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) is provided. It is noted that the current Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a refined version of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which were in effect until 2015. The complexity of implementing the SDGs due to the differing initial levels of states is discussed. The specificity of the theory of sustainable development in left socio-political theory is defined, along with the prospects for its utilization in shaping the paradigm of development in post-capitalist society. Despite its theoretical appeal, the implementation of sustainable development faces numerous challenges, including political resistance, vested interests, and unequal power dynamics among nations. The heterogeneity of states’ development levels complicates efforts to achieve global consensus and cooperation in pursuing sustainability goals. In conclusion, the concept of sustainable development within left-wing alterglobalism offers a compelling vision for addressing the interconnected challenges of environmental degradation, social injustice, and economic inequality. By grounding sustainability efforts in Marxist and neo-Marxist principles, this perspective provides a robust framework for envisioning a post-capitalist society based on democratic governance, social equity, and ecological resilience.

Nexus Between Citizens’ Trust and Good Governance in Public Institutions of South Asia

Public institutions are essential for executing government policies. Citizens’ trust in public institutions is a crucial factor to consider when assessing the state of democracy. Working processes, trends, organisational principles, neutrality, approaches and impartiality are also used to assess an institution’s trustworthiness. Failing to satisfy any of these indicators can create distrust. Good governance is essential for every country to move forward and attain its development goals. For most countries in South Asia, governance is not in a good condition, with government institutions struggling to perform satisfactorily. In this situation, distrust may be fostered among citizens with limited conviction in democracy and diminish the reliability of public institutions. By taking these issues into account, this article uses secondary literature to evaluate the level of trust in the public institutions of South Asian States with a distinct emphasis on good governance.

Prevalence, perceptions and associated factors of health insurance enrollment among older persons in selected cash grant communities in Ghana: a cross-sectional mixed method

BackgroundUniversal Health Coverage has been openly recognized in the United Nations health-related Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, though missing under the Millennium Development Goals. Ghana implemented the National Health Insurance Scheme programme in 2004 to improve financial access to healthcare for its citizens. This programme targeting low-income individuals and households includes an Exempt policy for older persons and indigents. Despite population ageing, evidence of the participation and perceptions of older persons in the scheme in cash grant communities is unknown. Hence, this paper examined the prevalence, perceptions and factors associated with health insurance enrollment among older persons in cash grant communities in Ghana.MethodsData were from a cross-sectional household survey of 400 older persons(60 + years) and eight FGDs between 2017 and 2018. For the survey, stratified and simple random sampling techniques were utilised in selecting participants. Purposive and stratified sampling techniques were employed in selecting the focus group discussion participants. Data analyses included descriptive, modified Poisson regression approach tested at a p-value of 0.05 and thematic analysis. Stata and Atlas-ti software were used in data management and analyses.ResultsThe mean age was 73.7 years. 59.3% were females, 56.5% resided in rural communities, while 34.5% had no formal education. Two-thirds were into agriculture. Three-fourth had non-communicable diseases. Health insurance coverage was 60%, and mainly achieved as Exempt by age. Being a female [Adjusted Prevalence Ratio (APR) 1.29, 95%CI:1.00–1.67], having self-rated health status as bad [APR = 1.34, 95%CI:1.09–1.64] and hospital healthcare utilisation [APR = 1.49, 95%CI:1.28–1.75] were positively significantly associated with health insurance enrollment respectively. Occupation in Agriculture reduced insurance enrollment by 20.0%. Cited reasons for poor perceptions of the scheme included technological challenges and unsatisfactory services.ConclusionHealth insurance enrollment among older persons in cash grant communities is still not universal. Addressing identified challenges and integrating the views of older persons into the programme have positive implications for securing universal health coverage by 2030.

Deliberative Governance Principles in Forest Areas Management with Special Purposes

Apart from having educational and development goals, the management of Diponegoro University's Wanadipa Special Purpose Forest Area (KHDTK) also aims to carry out sustainable forest use activities. The management carries out efforts to achieve these goals through a deliberative governance approach, including public consultation. However, the management is not yet satisfied with the results, considering that the community around the forest has not participated well in managing the KHDTK. Therefore, this research aims to analyze deliberative governance in KHDTK forest management by testing three deliberative governance criteria: representation, participation, and deliberation process. This approach is a collaborative effort between managers of Special Purpose Forest Areas (KHDTK) and farming communities around the forest. Mixed research methods were used in this research, with a concurrent embedded model. The qualitative research approach uses key informants as data sources, while quantitative research uses respondents consisting of forest farmers. The results of the research show that KHDTK forest management based on aspects of representation, participation, and deliberation has not run optimally. Therefore, it is recommended that intensive and open communication between KHDTK managers and forest farming communities be improved in KHDT forest management, which will provide benefits to both parties.

Strategi Efektif Pengeluaran Pemerintah : Mengoptimalkan Belanja Negara Dan Pembelian Barang Dan Jasa

Government spending is very important for a country's economy and the welfare of all levels of society. In this way, the government must allocate their funds very wisely for the survival of the country and society. Government spending is the result of various types of income, one of which is taxes. But when governments do not have sufficient financial resources, they will resort to forced efforts to take resources from other countries. One of the goals of the government in issuing their budget is to reduce the number of unemployed. The government also poured funds to maintain political stability. In this way the economy will develop with development goals. Moreover, spending to reduce chaos is not cheap. The purpose of using the literature method in this research is so that readers can understand this research on government spending in depth. This research is based on books and several articles circulating on the internet. The result of government spending is the prosperity of the entire society and country. Because with the release of funds from the government, the country's development will be carried out. Government spending will be used for the sustainability of the country and for the prosperity for society.

Study on the Improvement of China's Carbon Emission Trading System under the Goal of "Double Carbon".

September 2020, China announced to the world that it would achieve carbon peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060, and since then, China has formally stepped into the "dual-carbon" era. Against the background of the "dual-carbon" goal, carbon emissions trading is facing major adjustments in system functions, development goals, development stages, implementation levels, trading rules, scarcity creation, and safeguard mechanisms, as well as major opportunities for market-based development. In this regard, China not only needs to reform and improve the carbon trading system on the basis of the original immature carbon trading system, but also needs to cover more subjects to participate in the carbon emissions trading market, to achieve emission reduction, pollution reduction and synergistic governance through the market mechanism, and to grasp the key opportunity to transform the carbon market from a "policy market" to a "commodity market". The carbon market from "policy market" to "commodity market" to grasp the key opportunity to change, to achieve carbon trading energy saving and emission reduction benefits significantly enhance.

Automated Toilet Cleaner with Minimal Cleaning Resources

Automated Toilet Cleaner with Minimal Cleaning Resources

BRIDGING THE DIVIDE: ADDRESSING SOCIOECONOMIC INEQUALITY IN POST-APARTHEID SOUTH AFRICA WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (2000-2015)

The practice of the apartheid system in South Africa has been widely condemned for perpetuating enduring socio-economic inequality and for its detrimental impacts on the lives of millions of citizens. While many studies have strongly affirmed this assertion, socio-economic inequality continues to arguably engender a long-lasting struggle among the black and colored communities in post-apartheid South Africa. This places a burden on the country’s successive governments to implement long-term policies that can rectify the plight of the people. Consequently, the adoption of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2000 becomes an important reference tool for the African National Congress (ANC)-dominated government, which has initiated and implemented policies to combat inequality in the post-apartheid era. This study examines the roles and measures taken by the ANC government to address racially discriminated economic and social inequality within the framework of the MDGs. Using qualitative research methods, the study explores the background framework of the MDGs and analyzes socio-economic measures implemented by successive ANC governments between 2000 and 2015, focusing on areas such as education, poverty eradication, and healthcare. Primary and secondary sources are utilized to provide insights and support the analysis. The findings reveal that the ANC-dominated government effectively incorporated the frameworks of the MDGs into its formulation and execution of policy measures to eradicatesocial inequality in South Africa. The study concludes that the effective implementation of these measures has yielded considerableprogress, effectively addressing multifaceted issues such as poverty, healthcare, education, and unemployment. This conclusion alignswith the official South African MDG report, which unequivocally highlights the several achievements of MDG targets through policyimplementation from 2000 to 2015.

Persistent inequities in maternal mortality in Latin America and the Caribbean, 1990–2019

BackgroundDespite the resources and personnel mobilized in Latin America and the Caribbean to reduce the maternal mortality ratio (MMR, maternal deaths per 100 000 live births) in women aged 10–54 years by 75% between 2000 and 2015, the region failed to meet the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) due to persistent barriers to access quality reproductive, maternal, and neonatal health services.MethodsUsing 1990–2019 data from the Global Burden of Disease project, we carried out a two-stepwise analysis to (a) identify the differences in the MMR temporal patterns and (b) assess its relationship with selected indicators: government health expenditure (GHE), the GHE as percentage of gross domestic product (GDP), the availability of human resources for health (HRH), the coverage of effective interventions to reduce maternal mortality, and the level of economic development of each country.FindingsIn the descriptive analysis, we observed a heterogeneous overall reduction of MMR in the region between 1990 and 2019 and heterogeneous overall increases in the GHE, GHE/GDP, and HRH availability. The correlation analysis showed a close, negative, and dependent association of the economic development level between the MMR and GHE per capita, the percentage of GHE to GDP, the availability of HRH, and the coverage of SBA. We observed the lowest MMRs when GHE as a percentage of GDP was close to 3% or about US$400 GHE per capita, HRH availability of 6 doctors, nurses, and midwives per 1,000 inhabitants, and skilled birth attendance levels above 90%.ConclusionsWithin the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda, health policies aimed at the effective reduction of maternal mortality should consider allocating more resources as a necessary but not sufficient condition to achieve the goals and should prioritize the implementation of new forms of care with a gender and rights approach, as well as strengthening actions focused on vulnerable groups.

Climate Literacy in the Age of Global Climate Change: A Critical Inquiry into Shaping Climate –Literate Society for a Sustainable Future

Climate Change is a multidimensional challenge in the twenty-first century. The challenges venting out of the consequences of climate change are mainly due to a lack of information and knowledge to combat it. It is important to build a climate-literate society to address and combat the consequences of ecological catastrophe. There is a need for cutting-edge knowledge on understanding the nuances of critical components of climate science, which is the need of the hour. Henceforth, climate literacy is an understanding of anthropogenic impact driven by human activities that have led to planetary crisis; cultivating ecological skills and thought processes, with a pragmatic vision of providing a tool to build a sustainable world in the era of climate change world. The role of educators and academic institutions in nurturing environmental stewardship becomes a vital for taking a step forward to a sustainable future in the cocoon of sustainable development goals. This paper will explore and address the vision of cultivating climate literacy as a framework for sustainable development and addressing climate resilience in the age of global climate change. The aim of the study is to identify the efficacy of Climate Change Education (CCE) initiatives and to trace few of the best practices and methods for developing a climate-literate society. As we introspect into the future outcome of the present study, it will envision climate literate society and decision-making processes at individual, institutional, and governmental levels for promoting sustainability and millennium development goals. Thus, it calls for action, emphasising the urgency of humanising climate literacy to empower current and future generations to contribute meaningfully to the global environmental sustainability and resilience effort.

The design and operationalization of the teacher competence management framework: The method and practical tools to identify and close teacher competence gaps for the teaching of 21st century skills

The aim of the Framework for Teacher Competence Management is to provide school leadership with an empirically tested protocol on how to determine teachers’ professional development needs for teaching 21st century skills. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were applied to collect and analyze data through three cycles of design-based implementation research over a period of three years, from 2017 to 2019, and by collaborating with staff from 15 schools. The Framework for Teacher Competence Management was developed through adapting a competence management model from the business environment to the school setting. The framework includes three steps: Competence identification, assessment and development; school developmental goals and education reform priorities; and the action and information flows between teachers and school leadership team members. The Framework for Teacher Competence Management has been operationalized through the design and validation of a method to identify teachers’ professional development needs and competence assessment tools, such as performance level descriptors, knowledge tests, and self-assessment questionnaires. The research outlines significant differences in teacher performance within a single school, emphasizing the necessity of gathering school-based evidence for planning more personalized professional development solutions to address professional development needs for different teacher groups.

English and Swedish year-one teachers’ number-related learning goals: the influence of intended and received curricula

In this paper, drawing on semi-structured interviews with generalist teachers of year-one children in England and Sweden, we examine comparatively the influence of the intended curriculum (teachers in both countries work within mandated national curricula) and the received curriculum (the collectively assumed efficacious practices and goals handed down from one generation of teachers to the next) on teachers’ expressed number-related learning goals. Analyses, framed by a literature-derived and curriculum-independent set of eight forms of number-related competence each implicated in later mathematical learning, identified both similarities and differences in the two groups’ expressed goals. Key similarities concerned expectations that all children should become additively competent, supported by supplementary goals concerning systematic counting, number bonds, the number line and an appropriate mathematical terminology. Key differences concerned English teachers’ strongly-expressed emphasis on place value and a desire for children to learn to multiply. Overall, the strongly-framed English curriculum appears to influence teachers’ goals more than the weakly-framed Swedish, while Swedish teachers seem to draw on a received curriculum more closely aligned with the literature-derived developmental goals than the English. Finally, when set against the literature-derived and curriculum-independent developmental goals, the English curriculum, unlike the Swedish, expects year-one children to learn much age-inappropriate material.

Navigating challenges and opportunities: AI's contribution to Pakistan's sustainable development goals agenda - a narrative review.

Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs) were introduced by the United Nations to ensure the sustainable progress of mankind through various domains. Pakistan, a low-middle-income country, faces many challenges in achieving SDGs. Artificial Intelligence is a rapidly evolving technology presenting significant importance in achieving SDGs. Therefore, this narrative review aimed to evaluate the artificial intelligence technologies that have been utilized globally and nationally which can be implemented in Pakistan focusing on Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) of SDGs. AI has been utilized primarily in high-income countries aiming to improve healthcare, thereby progressing towards achieving different targets of Goal 3 of SDGs. Pakistan lacks such initiatives with modest to no improvement across different SDGs. Therefore, Pakistan can adapt initiatives undertaken by resourceful countries to achieve its own SDGs.

A Cross-sectional study to assess the mental health problems during menstrual cycle among adolescent girls in the rural area of Wardha District

Introduction It is essential to improve global public health and to achieve sustainable developmental goals. Mental health problems are common during menstruation in adolescent girls. Menstrual problems affect academic performance, personal lives, and social lives. Menstrual problems are both affective and somatic. This study is undertaken to study the Impact of Menstruation on the Mental Health of young adolescent girls. The participants ‘ ages range from 15 to 19 years. Adolescent coping method ds Mental health, psychological well-being, and spiritual well-being were assessed. Menstrual-phase respondents exhibited increased psychological traits as a measure of adolescent girls’ coping with mental difficulties. Objectives To evaluate menstruation-related knowledge, attitude, sources of information, and psychological well-being To determine the mental health problems during the menstrual cycle. To find out the association between sociodemographic variables and mental health problems during menstrual cycle Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in a rural area of the Wardha district. This study used a descriptive cross-sectional research design. A sample of 364 individuals was selected using random sampling. The inclusion criteria were adolescent girls aged 15–19 years who attained menstruation. Exclusion criteria: Girls younger than 15 years and above 19 years, as well as those who were hesitant and uncomfortable asking for information to participate in the study, were excluded. Outcomes Adolescent girls experienced menstruation-related psychosocial issues that are not uncommon. Menstrual distress, burden, stigma, lack of counselling services, lack of preparation menarche, lack of easy access to clean resources, vacy concerns when changing pads are necessary, lack of facilities for disposing sanitary napkins, and inadequate psychological and social support. Most girls experienced stress, mood swings, and restlessness during their menstrual cycle. These findings are consistent with past studies that found that the majority of girls were agitated during menstruation. Approximately 25% of them felt ashamed and guilty about their pubertal changes, and experienced menarche in fear, shyness, and sadness. On the first day of menstruation, girls report psychological problems such as anxiety, trouble concentrating, sadness, irritability, and excitement7. Approximately two-thirds of teenagers in the current study were unaware that menarche occurred earlier.

Celebrity and influencer philanthropy: Debating MrBeast and China

AbstractThis article examines the philanthropy/marketing interface with reference to celebrity philanthropy, focusing on the American YouTube star, MrBeast, and the Chinese government regulation of celebrities and social media influencers. Celebrity nowadays can refer to film and music stars with international broadcast media visibility and to people who create their own fame through social media and appeals to niche markets/audiences (social media influencers). While the United States of America has historically used tax incentives to encourage elite philanthropy as a matter of individual choice, the Chinese government is regulating the cultural industries to promote and direct celebrity and influencer philanthropy towards government‐endorsed development goals. Comparing debates about MrBeast philanthropy with the operation of philanthropy in China highlights different ideas about celebrity/influencer philanthropy and the role it can play in supporting public welfare.

Importance of Horticulture in Adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture in Ethiopia Short Systematic Review

This review is assessed in Debre Berhan university and the review mainly focused on the role of Horticulture in insuring climate smart agriculture in Ethiopia. Agriculture is the backbone of Ethiopian economy. Even though agriculture is the backbone of the economy of the country climate variability, change, and related extreme events are adversely affecting agricultural production by resulting in increased variability in precipitation, an increase in temperature and emission of greenhouse gases. Therefore, to bring solution Climate-smart agriculture which is an agriculture that sustainably increases productivity, enhances resilience of livelihoods and ecosystems, reduces and/or removes greenhouse gases emissions and enhances achievement of national food security and development goals is the primary solution. The principle of Horticulture (urban and per-urban agriculture, silviculture, agro forestry of perennial woody fruits with a variety of vegetables) is again has a wonderful capacity to adopt this climate smart agriculture.