National Strategic Plan Research Articles

A quasi-randomised controlled trial of online distribution of home-based hepatitis C self-testing for key populations in Malaysia: a study protocol

BackgroundMalaysia has an estimated hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence of 1.9% among its adult population and a history of providing HCV treatment in the public sector. In 2019, Malaysia launched a 5-year national strategic plan for viral hepatitis control and has been expanding HCV testing and treatment to the primary care and community levels, while actively engaging key populations in services for hepatitis care. The Ministry of Health (MoH) is seeking to specifically understand how to better target HCV services at men who have sex with men (MSM); HCV self-testing could increase the uptake of HCV testing among this group.MethodsWe aim to integrate HCV antibody self-testing into an existing online platform used for HIV self-testing, to evaluate the acceptability and impact of an online HCV self-testing programme in Malaysia. This is a non-blinded parallel group quasi-randomised superiority study comparing HCV self-testing via an online distribution model with the standard care, which involves attending a clinic for facility-based HCV antibody testing (control, 2:1). Participants will be randomised to either the HCV self-testing via online distribution arm, in which either an oral fluid- or blood-based HCV self-test kit will be mailed to them, or the control arm, where they will be provided with information about the nearest centre with HCV testing. The primary outcome is the number and proportion of participants who report completion of testing. Secondary outcomes include the number and proportion of participants who (a) receive a positive result and are made aware of their status, (b) are referred to and complete HCV RNA confirmatory testing, and (c) start treatment. Acceptability, feasibility, attitudes around HCV testing, and cost will also be evaluated. The target sample size is 750 participants.DiscussionThis study is one of the first in the world to explore the real-world impact of HCV self-testing on key populations using online platforms and compare this with standard HCV testing services. The outcomes of this study will provide critical evidence about testing uptake, linkage to care, acceptability, and any social harms that may emerge due to HCV self-testing.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04982718

"AMR Dialogues": a public engagement initiative to shape policies and solutions on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Thailand.

Background: The use of antimicrobials in Thailand has been reported as one of the highest in the world in both the human and animal sectors. The objectives of this project are: (1) to improve understanding of the issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among adult Thai communities and (2) to drive change through the national AMR policy to include context-specific and locally-driven solutions. Methods: The project contains two components conducted in parallel: the "AMR Dialogues" public engagement project and the embedded evaluation of the project. We will bring together AMR stakeholders and members of the public through a series of conversation events to co-create an AMR stakeholder map, engagement strategy, and context-specific solutions to reduce the burden of AMR. There will be a combination of regional in-person events ('regional conversations') and national online events ('national conversations') with members of the public and AMR stakeholders. The conversations will follow this sequence: introduce and explore issues related to AMR, brainstorm solutions and finally propose promising/feasible solutions to take forward. Evaluation of the project will be conducted to assess if the AMR Dialogues objectives have been achieved using feedback forms and qualitative methods. Ethics: Approval of the evaluation component of the project has been obtained from the ethics committee of the Thailand Institute for the Development of Human Subject Protection (IHRP2021059) and the Oxford University Tropical Research Ethics Committee (OxTREC 529-21). Dissemination: The results of these conversation events will inform the next Thailand National Strategic Plan on AMR. The learning and outcomes will be disseminated to AMR policy makers, academic audiences, and participants of all the conversation events. Thaiclinicaltrials.org registration: TCTR20210528003 (28/05/2021).

A rapid review of key policies and programs linked with nutrition and health in Ghana

As part of the process by the government of Ghana to develop food-based dietary guidelines, a review of policies and programs was commissioned. The review aimed to identify and describe the policy environment, with a focus on identifying the type of existing policies, priorities, and programs related to nutrition and health between 2010 and 2020. The review also tracked the evolution of changes in policies and programs over the same period. Using a systematic rapid scoping review approach, policy and program documents were identified and classified according to relevant nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensensitive sectors, including health, agriculture and food, human development, social protection, and trade. Data from included documents were extracted using an excel extraction tool. The extracted data including policies, programs, objectives, coverage of the policies/programs, intended outcomes, target groups, and agencies responsible for implementing these policies and programs. More than 70 government documents, plus other reports and literature sources describing government policy and programs with relevance for nutrition were identified. Most of these policies and programs were not designed to directly address malnutrition. This is because, the policies and programs neither referenced nutrition objectives, nor nutrition outcomes. However, the existing policies and programs had aspects that can be leveraged (either through redesign or implementation) to contribute to improved nutrition outcomes. A key challenge in the nutrition programming landscape is the non-existence of a comprehensive and costed national nutrition strategic plan to accompany the national nutrition policy. The key nutrition priorities of the Government of Ghana and its partners, as expressed in the documents reviewed included infant and young child feeding, stunting reduction, anemia, and food security. There were key nutrition-related issues which have not been prioritized, although current local and global evidence as well as stakeholder opinion suggests these have already become, or are rapidly becoming important priorities. These include overweight and obesity, diet-related chronic diseases, nutrition of school-age children, and nutrition of the elderly. These nutrition issues, if not appropriately addressed, will continue to exact significant human health, economic, and social costs for Ghana. There is need for a comprehensive nutrition strategy that leverages opportunities across multiple sectors to improve nutrition for today and for the future. Key words: Policy, Nutrition, Ghana, Diet, Programs, Government, Priorities, obesity, anemia, stunting

“AMR Dialogues”: a public engagement initiative to shape policies and solutions on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Thailand

Background: The use of antimicrobials in Thailand has been reported as one of the highest in the world in both the human and animal sectors. The objectives of this project are: (1) to improve understanding of the issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among adult Thai communities and (2) to drive change through the national AMR policy to include context-specific and locally-driven solutions. Methods: The project contains two components conducted in parallel: the “AMR Dialogues” public engagement project and the embedded evaluation of the project. We will bring together AMR stakeholders and members of the public through a series of conversation events to co-create an AMR stakeholder map, engagement strategy, and context-specific solutions to reduce the burden of AMR. There will be a combination of regional in-person events (‘regional conversations’) and national online events (‘national conversations’) with members of the public and AMR stakeholders. The conversations will follow this sequence: introduce and explore issues related to AMR, brainstorm solutions and finally propose promising/feasible solutions to take forward. Evaluation of the project will be conducted to assess if the AMR Dialogues objectives have been achieved using feedback forms and qualitative methods. Ethics: Approval of the evaluation component of the project has been obtained from the ethics committee of the Thailand Institute for the Development of Human Subject Protection (IHRP2021059) and the Oxford University Tropical Research Ethics Committee (OxTREC 529-21). Dissemination: The results of these conversation events will inform the next Thailand National Strategic Plan on AMR. The learning and outcomes will be disseminated to AMR policy makers, academic audiences, and participants of all the conversation events. Thaiclinicaltrials.org registration: TCTR20210528003 (28/05/2021)

National strategic planning of the Russian Federation: the role of foreign economic activity

National competitiveness and sustainability of the Russian Federation is largely dependent on competent strategic planning and forecasting of social and economic process. The current stage of globalization development requires developing strategic documents for foreign economic activity at the federal level, which adds relevance to the study in hand. The article deals with the history of building the strategic planning system in the Russian Federation and presents a review of national strategic documents aimed at improving the foreign economic activity and increasing the export potential of the country. The authors adduce the changes in the list of state programs which are effective from January 1, 2022. They pay special attention to the analysis of the strategies of the Central Black Earth marcoregion areas.

Who are Advisory Services Leaving Out? A Critical Reflection on ‘Hard to Reach’ Farmers

SummaryAlthough the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union has broadened its objectives to integrate social issues, several hard‐to‐reach groups of farmers and workers continue to be ignored by advisory services and associated policies. Connecting with these groups has a strong potential to increase the economic and social cohesion of European agricultures. We interviewed over 1,000 farmers across Europe and identified features of these groups that are often overlooked by advisory services. We critically reflected on the social cohorts omitted from advisory services and how they could be better reached; they include farm labourers, new entrants or ‘career changers’, and later adopters. We clarify the different types of advisors in the advisory landscape, distinguishing between those who are linked to or independent from sales of inputs or technologies. We make concrete recommendations about how to engage advisors with hard‐to‐reach groups, with approaches suited to different national contexts of Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS); thus contributing to the ‘AKIS dimension of National Strategic Plans of the next Common Agricultural Policy, 2023–2027. We argue for the more effective use of advances in the social sciences through a better understanding of advice as social interaction which can bolster the inclusiveness of public policies.

Transition of Malaria Control to Malaria Elimination in India

India achieved spectacular gains in malaria control during the ‘Eradication Era’ in the 1950s till the mid-1960s. The Global Malaria Eradication Programme of WHO launched in the 1950s was a huge success in India with the incidence dropping from an estimated 75 million cases and 8,00,000 deaths in 1947 to just 49,151 cases and no deaths in 1961 and malaria was thought to be on the verge of eradication. Thus, since the early 1950s, the malaria program in India has produced a number of successes, and has faced some setbacks also which have led to malaria resurgences. Recently, India envisages eliminating malaria by 2030 in line with the Global Technical Strategy (2016-2030). The National Framework for Malaria Elimination was launched in 2016 and National Strategic Plan 2017-2022 in 2017, provide a phased approach to elimination and outline priority areas and activities required to be implemented based on district-level stratification of burden. Malaria program is now moving away from “One Fit Size to All”. States and districts are classified in four categories to eliminate malaria in a phased manner. In 2019, India recorded a 60% reduction in reported cases compared with 2017 and a 46% reduction compared with 2018. India’s progress for drastic reduction of malaria incidences have also mentioned in World Malaria Report 2018, 2019 and 2020. However, there are challenges for the country to sustain the progress made so far and to accelerate further malaria activities to achieve the goal for malaria elimination by 2030. Since the discovery of malaria transmission was made in India by Sir Ronald Ross in 1897, an intensive works was carried on malaria control in India. There were different phases for malaria control in the country to moving from control towards eradication and elimination. The paper gives a brief history of malaria control in India and analyses the present malaria situation.

Gathering policymakers\u2019 perspectives as an essential step in planning and implementing palliative care services at a national level: an example from a resource-limited country

BackgroundDespite increasing recognition of the role played by palliative care (PC) services, the priorities of policymakers in supporting PC remain unclear and have sometimes engendered controversy. There are few studies exploring policymakers’ perspectives towards PC services, with most shedding light on obstacles to PC development. Furthermore, no study has explored policymakers’ perspectives towards providing PC at the national level in resource-limited countries. This study provides a platform for providing PC as part of the Palestinian healthcare system (HCS) by exploring policymakers’ perspectives on PC, an essential step to developing a PC programme.MethodsA descriptive qualitative study design was employed using semi-structured interviews. Participants were those identified as responsible for making executive and legislative decisions about health services (including PC) in the HCS. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.ResultsTwelve decision and policymakers participated in the study. Four categories were generated from the content analysis: (1) the nature of current PC healthcare services, (2) the potential benefits of PC, (3) challenges to providing PC, and (4) considerations in providing PC. The current PC services provided to Palestinian patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families are not comprehensive, and are limited to symptom management. There is a Palestinian national strategic plan for developing PC; however, the development goals are not clearly defined, and the plan’s capabilities are inadequate. Several challenges to the provision of PC were found to relate to issues of education and training, the allocation of funding, and the availability of medications.ConclusionsIntegrating PC into the Palestinian university curricula as a compulsory course and establishing higher degree programmes in PC to overcome the shortage of PC specialists is required. Developing policies aligned with national laws could help enhance health services to patients and their families and resolve several challenges. Cooperating with national and international institutions in seeking funding could boost PC development and medication availability.

The development of a stakeholder-endorsed national strategic plan for advancing pain education across Canadian physiotherapy programs

Background The Canadian Pain Task Force recently advanced an action plan calling for improved entry-level health professional pain education. However, there is little research to inform the collaboration and coordination across stakeholders that is needed for its implementation. Aims This manuscript reports on the development of a stakeholder-generated strategic plan to improve pain education across all Canadian physiotherapy (PT) programs. Methods Participants included representatives from the following stakeholder groups: people living with pain (n = 1); PT students and recent graduates (n = 2); educators and directors from every Canadian PT program (n = 24); and leaders of Canada’s national PT professional association (n = 2). Strategic priorities were developed through three steps (1) stakeholder-generated data was collected and analyzed; (2) a draft strategic plan was developed and refined; and (2) stakeholder endorsement of the final plan was assessed. The project was primarily implemented online, between 2016 and 2018. Results The plan was developed through five iterative versions. Stakeholders unanimously endorsed a plan that included five priorities focusing on uptake of best evidence across (1) national PT governance groups and (2) within individual PT programs; (3) partnering with people living with pain in pain education; (4) advocacy for the PT role in pain management; and (5) advancing pain education research. Conclusion This plan is expected to help Canadian stakeholders work toward national improvements in PT pain education and to serve as a useful template for informing collaboration on entry-level pain education within other professions and across different geographic regions.

Strengthening the state institutional communication development system for radicalism management in Indonesia

This paper aims to analyse the rise of radicalism in Indonesia which is at an alarming stage. It needs to be watched out by various parties, especially the government as a policymaker. It is necessary to strengthen communication systems to develop state institutions to overcome radicalism. This paper results from research using descriptive-analytical methods with qualitative approaches and case studies. As a result, in tackling radicalism in Indonesia, State Institutions have synergised but not yet optimally. This is because there are still differences in perceptions between institutions assessing radicalism. Therefore, there needs to be particular terminology, such as the National Strategic Plan, which is made to equalise the perception so that all state institutions can work optimally in tackling radicalism. With the development of the Strategic Plan, state institutions will automatically synergise with all levels of society so that the handling of radicalism can be quickly prevented.

Sub-national tailoring of malaria interventions in Mainland Tanzania: simulation of the impact of strata-specific intervention combinations using modelling

BackgroundTo accelerate progress against malaria in high burden countries, a strategic reorientation of resources at the sub-national level is needed. This paper describes how mathematical modelling was used in mainland Tanzania to support the strategic revision that followed the mid-term review of the 2015–2020 national malaria strategic plan (NMSP) and the epidemiological risk stratification at the council level in 2018.MethodsIntervention mixes, selected by the National Malaria Control Programme, were simulated for each malaria risk strata per council. Intervention mixes included combinations of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITN), indoor residual spraying, larval source management, and intermittent preventive therapies for school children (IPTsc). Effective case management was either based on estimates from the malaria indicator survey in 2016 or set to a hypothetical target of 85%. A previously calibrated mathematical model in OpenMalaria was used to compare intervention impact predictions for prevalence and incidence between 2016 and 2020, or 2022.ResultsFor each malaria risk stratum four to ten intervention mixes were explored. In the low-risk and urban strata, the scenario without a ITN mass campaign in 2019, predicted high increase in prevalence by 2020 and 2022, while in the very-low strata the target prevalence of less than 1% was maintained at low pre-intervention transmission intensity and high case management. In the moderate and high strata, IPTsc in addition to existing vector control was predicted to reduce the incidence by an additional 15% and prevalence by 22%. In the high-risk strata, all interventions together reached a maximum reduction of 76%, with around 70% of that reduction attributable to high case management and ITNs. Overall, the simulated revised NMSP was predicted to achieve a slightly lower prevalence in 2020 compared to the 2015–2020 NMSP (5.3% vs 6.3%).ConclusionModelling supported the choice of intervention per malaria risk strata by providing impact comparisons of various alternative intervention mixes to address specific questions relevant to the country. The use of a council-calibrated model, that reproduces local malaria trends, represents a useful tool for compiling available evidence into a single analytical platform, that complement other evidence, to aid national programmes with decision-making processes.

Variation in Patterns of Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Primary and Secondary Syphilis Diagnosis Rates Among Heterosexually Active Women by Region and Age Group in the United States.

Syphilis rates have increased substantially over the past decade. Women are an important population because of negative sequalae and adverse maternal outcomes including congenital syphilis. We assessed whether racial and ethnic disparities in primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis among heterosexually active women differ by region and age group. We synthesized 4 national surveys to estimate numbers of heterosexually active women in the United States from 2014 to 2018 by region, race and ethnicity, and age group (18-24, 25-29, 30-44, and ≥45 years). We calculated annual P&S syphilis diagnosis rates, assessing disparities with rate differences and rate ratios comparing White, Hispanic, and Black heterosexually active women. Nationally, annual rates were 6.42 and 2.20 times as high among Black and Hispanic than among White heterosexually active women (10.99, 3.77, and 1.71 per 100,000, respectively). Younger women experienced a disproportionate burden of P&S syphilis and the highest disparities. Regionally, the Northeast had the highest Black-White and Hispanic-White disparities using a relative disparity measure (relative rate), and the West had the highest disparities using an absolute disparity measure (rate difference). To meet the racial and ethnic disparity goals of the Sexually Transmitted Infections National Strategic Plan, tailored local interventions that address the social and structural factors associated with disparities are needed for different age groups.

Molecular Techniques as Alternatives of Diagnostic Tools in China as Schistosomiasis Moving towards Elimination.

Schistosomiasis japonica caused by the trematode flukes of Schistosoma japonicum was one of the most grievous infectious diseases in China in the mid-20th century, while its elimination has been placed on the agenda of the national strategic plan of healthy China 2030 after 70 years of continuous control campaigns. Diagnostic tools play a pivotal role in warfare against schistosomiasis but must adapt to the endemic status and objectives of activities. With the decrease of prevalence and infection intensity of schistosomiasis in human beings and livestock, optimal methodologies with high sensitivity and absolute specificity are needed for the detection of asymptomatic cases or light infections, as well as disease surveillance to verify elimination. In comparison with the parasitological methods with relatively low sensitivity and serological techniques lacking specificity, which both had been widely used in previous control stages, the molecular detection methods based on the amplification of promising genes of the schistosome genome may pick up the baton to assist the eventual aim of elimination. In this article, we reviewed the developed molecular methods for detecting S. japonicum infection and their application in schistosomiasis japonica diagnosis. Concurrently, we also analyzed the chances and challenges of molecular tools to the field application process in China.

Barriers to scaling up hepatitis C treatment in Malaysia: a qualitative study with key stakeholders

BackgroundWhile the availability of generic direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) opens the door for large-scale treatment, the care for people living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Malaysia is shifting toward a tripartite partnership between the public health system, correctional settings and civil society organizations (CSOs). This study aimed to explore the barriers to scaling up HCV treatment in Malaysia from the perspective of key stakeholders.MethodsEighteen focus-group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 180 individuals, who actively engaged in coordinating, executing or supporting the implementation of the national strategic plan for HCV. An analytical framework was adapted to guide the data collection and thematic analysis. It covered four key aspects of HCV treatment: geographical accessibility, availability, affordability and acceptability.ResultsMovement restrictions in times of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreaks and being marginalized translated into barriers to treatment access in people living with HCV. Barriers to treatment initiation in health and correctional settings included limited staffing and capacity; disruption in material supply; silos mentality and unintegrated systems; logistical challenges for laboratory tests; and insufficient knowledge of care providers. Although no-cost health services were in place, concerns over transportation costs and productivity loss also continued to suppress the treatment uptake. Limited disease awareness, along with the disease-related stigma, further lowered the treatment acceptability.ConclusionsThis study disclosed a series of supply- and demand-side barriers to expanding the treatment coverage among people living with HCV in Malaysia. The findings call for strengthening inter-organizational collaborations to overcome the barriers.

Cervical cancer elimination: Readiness to achieve interim targets in Sri Lanka 2021 – 2030

Cervical cancer is highly preventable and curable cancer. In 2020, World Health Organization has declared a global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem. The study's goal is to create a National Strategic Plan (NSP) to achieve the interim goal of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem. There was an identification of the vision, mission, goal, strategic objectives, and strategic directions. The National Cancer Control Programme developed the initial draught of the NSP based on a set of guiding principles, national and international policies, and the global strategy. Feedback was obtained via a series of hybrid meetings from stakeholders and the content was finalized. With the goal to reach interim targets for elimination of cervical cancer by 2030, the NSP was developed as a guiding document for Sri Lanka’s response to elimination of cervical cancer. This document has laid down seven strategic objectives, several strategic directions and major activities to achieve 90-70-90 targets of elimination. It ensured the strengthening of existing strategies for cervical cancer care and identified the new strategies. The NSP was developed to reach the interim targets of cervical cancer elimination in Sri Lanka by 2030.

The Pendulum Has Swung: How Do We Ensure a Life Course Approach to Immunisation in Australia?

Rather than concentrating primarily on children and adolescents, there has been a shift in the discourse around immunisation to encompass a whole-of-life approach. Despite this acknowledgement and ongoing high burdens of vaccine preventable diseases in adults, coverage for some adult risk groups remains sub-optimal. This study aimed to explore key informant's and stakeholder's perceptions of factors impacting provision of immunisation programs for Australian adults and to identify strategies to promote acceptance and uptake. Semi-structured telephone interviews were undertaken with people involved in adult immunisation program delivery, advocacy, policy or research between September 2020 and June 2021. Transcripts were inductively analysed, with the resulting themes categorised into the five influences on vaccination gaps that have informed program planning in other countries: Access, Affordability, Awareness, Acceptance and Activation. Participants spoke of improvements in the provision of vaccines to adults, however, ongoing challenges persisted. Participants agreed that the focus or emphasis of policies and the promotion/communication strategies has been on childhood vaccination in Australia, however there is a sense that the “pendulum has swung.” These included understanding of eligibility amongst the Australian population and the reluctance of some health providers to dedicate time to exploring immunisation needs with adult patients. In comparison to the childhood vaccination program, there has been a lack of data available on coverage for adult vaccines on the national immunisation program. This has contributed to the ongoing challenges of identifying and promoting certain vaccines. At a government level, questions were raised about why the Australian government has never set an aspirational target for adult vaccination (i.e., influenza or pneumococcal) coverage. While significant improvements have been made in adult immunisation uptake, there are still gaps across the program. While the system remains under stress because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is not appropriate to implement any additional programs. There needs to be strong commitment to establish the value of adult vaccination in the eyes of community members, policy makers and healthcare professionals. Having a national adult immunisation strategic plan would help advance action.

Defining the Objectives of a National Energy Policy for Transport

This paper examines the objectives and the main elements of a national energy policy for transport based on the experience of such plans in the six Mediterranean EU-member countries. These plans define the energy and Green House Gas emission reduction objectives in the field of Transport which are adopted by each country and provide a guideline for future transport policies. They are strategic energy management plans which have to be aligned with the overall energy plans of the country that define the objectives for reducing the total energy consumption and developing new renewable sources of energy. Furthermore, the paper refers to the potential energy savings and the use of alternative fuels in Transport for the case of other Mediterranean region countries and defines the main pillars of a national strategic plan for energy policy for the Transport sector.

Polyolefin Catalyst Research: A Product-Driven Industrial Perspective.

This account narrates polyolefin catalyst research at the Research Institute Interdisciplinary Research Center for Refining & Advanced Chemicals (IRCRAC). We particularly address catalyst performance and kinetic evaluation, novelty in supported metallocene catalysts, the apparently absurd residual catalyst structure and solid-state electronic environment, illustration of supported metallocene catalyst active site distribution thru model and experiment, preparation of spheroidal MgCl2 support, and catalytic synthesis of energy-saving drag reducing UHMW polymers using local petrochemical feedstock. Each area has been assessed from the product development perspective. Our PO catalyst research aligns with Saudi Arab's Vision 2030 National Strategic Plan (NSP). We also present a circular research concept which shows how product-driven research with a commercial driving force can significantly advance fundamental PO catalyst chemistry to valuable applications for Saudi Arabia. Finally, we focus on establishing spinoffs using local raw materials. We highlight the role, to be played by researchers, R&D management, and potential investors, to develop the appropriate innovation diffusion culture. The critical need is to understand why an innovation will fail to be marketed. We particularly stress the importance of conducive sociology (environment), psychology (mental state), and mindset (preparedness to make and accept changes) that precede innovation and technology.

The Potential of SEA in Fostering European Agriculture Policy and Strategies—Challenges and Opportunities

Agriculture presents one of the central global pressures on biodiversity and climate. In the EU, the Green Deal, the Farm to Fork, and the Biodiversity Strategy 2030 set ambitious environmental targets, acknowledging the key role of agriculture for their achievement. It is, therefore, crucial to integrate such targets in the European Commission’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The CAP 2023–2027 will be implemented through the national CAP Strategic Plans, subject to Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). This presents an unprecedented opportunity to steer agriculture towards sustainability. This paper aims to elaborate the role of SEA in CAP Strategic Plans by identifying the links between the strategies mentioned above and SEA, learnings from previous SEA experience in Rural development programs, and collecting experts and stakeholders’ views on the topic. We maintain that SEA of CAP Plans should adopt a strategic approach rather than an impact-based one. Relying on the Critical Decision Factors, we exemplify how this approach can be applied to the key objective of reducing mineral fertilizers and chemical pesticides. We show how SEA could be pivotal in this regard and identify three enabling Critical Decision Factors: knowledge transfer, governance, and the need to bring industries into the forum.

السودان و صراع المصالح الدولية : رؤية استراتيجية

massive and varied natural resources which are available in strategic quantities, beside the strategic geographical location , in a way to study the impact of this situation on the National security.
 
 The objective of stduy is to determine strategic vision in order to achieve the National strategic interests and the best way to deal with International interests conflict.
 
 The most important findings of the study are : ■ The necessity of the national strategic planning as an important factor to achieve the strategic power needed to manage the international interests conflict.
 
 ■ The necessity of developing a National mechanism to take Care of state strategic plan