Non-governmental Actors Research Articles

Environmental NGOs and Protected Area Conservation in Australia: The Political Consequences of Aligning with Private Interests

This article examines the political consequences of environmental nongovernment organization (ENGO) involvement in protected area conservation in Australia. Rapid growth of a nongovernment protected area (NGPA) estate this century has involved a range of individuals, communities, First Nations, and ENGOs, and has been closely tied to government policy and private finance. Although NGPA conservation achievements have been profound, there has been limited examination of what expanded nongovernment involvement, responsibility, and leadership mean for the practice and governance of nature conservation. Thematic analysis of twenty-four key informant interviews and selective gray literature identifies how financing, accountability, and partisan politics are emerging as key domains in shaping an NGPA estate that reflects a closer alignment with capital and market forces. ENGOs are playing a key role in crafting new political conditions for protected area conservation, where their role in neoliberal governance is not just service delivery, but statecraft and agenda setting. ENGOs are increasingly casting protected area conservation as apolitical, and thereby a bipartisan activity, driven by a “pragmatic” agenda that seeks to secure private financing for land ownership and management obligations. Frameworks of accountability to donors shape ENGO practices and conceptions of conservation through exposure to novel market mechanisms. As a result, ENGO operation permits limited space for plural, ideological, and structural debate about protected area conservation, the public interest, and the root causes of ecological crises to which it responds. The embrace of conservation led by nongovernment actors marks a substantive shift from the formative politics of ENGOs in Australia.

Analysis of Selected Public Service Innovation 2022: Variety and Issues

To satisfy society’s demands for effective and efficient public services, the Indonesian government through the Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform encourages the development of innovation in the public sector by organizing Public Service Innovation Competition (KIPP, Kompetisi Inovasi Pelayanan Publik). In 2022, 3.487 innovations were registered to participate in the competition and 99 of the best innovations were selected from various public agencies. The content analysis results show that the types of innovation that won KIPP were dominated by process innovation. Meanwhile the goal of innovation is mostly to increase people’s satisfaction. Most of the innovations cannot be assessed for their outcome because the results of innovation remain at the output level. Half of the KIPP winning innovations have implemented innovation networks by collaboration with other stakeholders, while only 31.31% of innovations have been replicated. Public service innovation is still focused on process innovation and product innovation. In fact, public issues are not only on how individual people may receive services swiftly as possible but also how to empower people to solve more complex social issues. Governments often experience limited resources to address these problems. For this reason, collaboration is needed with non-government actors such as academics, society and the private sector in a network that is able to create innovative solutions. In addition, the government needs to increase the dissemination of worthy replicable innovations by innovation organizers in other regions. With efforts through the establishment of innovation networks and accelerated replication, public service innovations will not only reach short-term impact outcomes but long-term impact, sustainable and effective outcomes in solving public issues.

Institutionalized Social Entrepreneurship in Indonesia: A report on the challenges of state-driven social entrepreneurship promotion within the Five Cities' social assistance program

ABSTRACT The landscape of social entrepreneurship has undergone rapid evolution within business and non-profit sectors in recent years. However, there is a more recent trend in Indonesia, where social entrepreneurship is formally practised in public policy. This new approach represents an initiative related to what we call Institutionalized Social Entrepreneurship (ISE). In this article, we investigate the challenges faced while implementing experimental measures to transform cash transfers into social entrepreneurship programs based on 43 interviews with key stakeholders and end-users spreading over five regions. Our research findings indicate a lack of shared understanding among stakeholders when implementing social entrepreneurship programs. Furthermore, the beneficiaries face difficulties distinguishing between social entrepreneurship programs and regular cash transfers, leading to ineffective program outcomes and significant challenges in achieving community development objectives. This issue is exacerbated by an unbalanced power distribution between government and non-government actors involved in program implementation, which can potentially limit the program’s effectiveness and efficiency. Its unfolding transformation of social assistance and the application of social entrepreneurship in Indonesia highlight a new deal for welfare that responds to uncertain post-pandemic circumstances. This study adds to the literature on social entrepreneurship by highlighting the complexities of the state-society relationship in ISE.

CZECH REPUBLIC TOWARDS WAR AND INDEPENDENCE OF KOSOVO: MILITARY AND POLITICAL ASPECTS

Abstract. The subject of this work is the analysis of the war in Kosovo and the involvement of the Czech Republic in the conflict and independence of Kosovo. The research includes analysis of the participation of the Czech Republic in the ending of the war in Kosovo, and the participation of Czech politicians in resolving the Kosovo conflict. The aim of this article is to develop an evidence-based comprehensive study of the Czech approach to the conflict in Kosovo by showing and analyzing the key features of the conflict as well as the main issues of Czech participation in it. The key pillar of the approaches is a sovereign state acting in accordance with its national interests and important roles played by individual state agencies as well as by non-state, non-governmental and social actors, but also international organizations.

The Role of Local Government in Improving the Economy and Welfare of the Wamesa Great Tribes Society in West Papua, Through A Sustainable Forest Development Program: in the Perspective of Collaborative Governance in Public Service

The purpose of this study is to analyze and describe the role of local government in improving the economy and welfare of the Wamensa great tribal community in West Papua, through a sustainable customary forest development program in the perspective of Collaborative Governance in Public Service. Collaborative governance is an important process in the Indonesian government today. The government implements Collaborative governance by providing space for other actors to participate, such as the national private, foreign, and public. Collaborative management aims to reduce conflict, facilitate learning, and increase consensus among stakeholders. As a legal administrator, the government should work effectively and efficiently in providing good public services to all citizens. Currently, West Papua still has around 81% of sustainable forest remaining, with a wealth of various types of wild animals with ecosystems in it (mega-biodiversity). Local Government as key in making policies has impacts on improving the economy and people's welfare. This research used a qualitative method with a case study in the customary forest of the Wamesa great tribe in West Papua. The study results showed that there are 3 main indicators to support the success of the Government's role in sustainable forest development, such as; economic, social, and ecological. However, there is a governance Pillar in the paradigm of public administration to show the success of collaborative governance. It required collaborative governance management synergically between government and non-government actors. The aim is to consensus on adaptive solutions through forest resource management. They are concerned with economic, social, and ecological complexities, as a concrete form of the vision and mission of the Regional Government in providing public services, as a portfolio documentation of national development.

Collaborative Strategy in Corruption Prevention and Enforcement in Indonesia

Corruption, as an extraordinary crime, cannot be eradicated by a single party alone. Presidential Regulation No. 54 of 2018 concerning the National Strategy for Prevention of Corruption (Stranas-PK), is an integrated effort by the government to combat corruption in Indonesia. This study is descriptive, using literature to determine how the implementation of Stranas-PK is viewed from the perspective of collaborative governance, using the theory proposed by Emerson & Nabatchi (2015). The results of the analysis show that the implementation of the National Strategy-PK has begun to demonstrate the existence of collaborative governance in some action implementations. However, based on the National Secretariat-PK report and findings from several studies, several obstacles that need to be addressed have been identified. These include: (1) The adjustment of the legal framework, (2) The fulfillment of quality and capacity of resources, (3) The establishment of a model for civil society participation, (4) Increased involvement of non-government actors, (5) Enhanced engagement of K/L/PD (ministries, institutions, and regional governments), and (6) The measurement of the impact of implementation.
 Keywords: anti-corruption, collaborative governance, local government information system, national anti-corruption strategy, corruption prevention

(The Role of Public Relations in the Effectiveness of the Non-governmental Organizations in the Kurdistan Government, e.g., the charitable organizations).

This research is called (The Role of Public Relations in the Effectiveness of the Non-governmental Organizations in the Kurdistan Government, e.g., the charitable organizations). The research is a disruptive study where the researcher used a survey forum to gather information from employees of (the Humanitarian League organization, the Barzani Charity Foundation, the Rebaz Foundation and people’s charity organization). The main purpose of this research is to discover the role of public relations and its effectiveness among the non-governmental Organizations in the region. Another reason for this research is to showcase the degree to which the employees in these entities rely on the scientific principles of public relations in conducting their organizations’ activities.This is in addition to discovering those tools that public relations use in initiating non-governmental activities in the Kurdistan region.The problem of this research is the vagueness of the actual role of public relations in activating non-governmental activities. The research was conducted in February, March, and April 2023 it has practical and theoretical aspects of the subject and several conclusions were met. The researcher concluded with the result that Public relations has a significant role in an organization’s performance, Also the employees of these entities especially charitable organizations benefit from all the aspects of public relations in conducting their work.

University-Campus-Based Zero-Carbon Action Plans for Accelerating the Zero-Carbon City Transition

After three decades of global climate initiatives, local governments’ capabilities to implement policies and solutions have not always been effective in making the urban environment more resilient and adaptive to climate change. All the previous climatic initiatives and decisions were mostly carried out by governments or affiliated actors on global or regional scales. However, the lack of notable climate actions at the community level is evident in the current crisis of urban sustainability. To drive a radical change toward a zero-carbon transition at the city scale, massive decarbonization is required at the institutional level (academic/nonacademic campus) of a city. Among all the nongovernmental actors, it is always expected that Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) would take the lead in promoting a resilient and sustainable future for the cities through their education, research, and innovation. HEIs’ multidimensional activity resembles the “small scale model of a city” interacting with different subsystems like education, administration, transport, housing, health, etc. However, the present studies were found to be mostly based on specific regions and developed countries. In addition, the previously developed methods of assessing energy consumption and CO2 emissions at the university level lack adaptability for other countries and urban settings. Following the need for a comprehensive method of evaluating energy consumption and accelerating the zero-carbon practice to a broader scale, a new framework is proposed here for a university campus. It can be implemented regardless of the campus type and geographic and weather conditions. After implementing the evaluation methods on a 753-acre campus of Rajshahi University, the campus typology and natural resources were identified. Following that, the behavior patterns of the users in terms of energy usage and waste generation were also determined. Finally, the results show that 1900.71 tons of CO2 was emitted in the academic year 2022. The per-capita CO2 emission was 0.041 tons of CO2. To boost the zero-carbon city transition, three core parameters of scaling-up methods were taken into consideration to evaluate the benefits of zero-carbon campuses. The scalability of the zero-carbon practices was evaluated based on the ideas of (1) expansion—how educating future generations about the environment can have a long-lasting impact, (2) demonstration—adopting innovative practical and technological solutions to exhibit the benefits of zero-carbon practices to society, and (3) collaboration—building strong alliances with state and nonstate actors of the city to promote sustainability through sharing knowledge, innovation, and technology.

A geopolitics of mud construction: Self-help and the CINVA-Ram machine in Ghana and South Vietnam during the Cold War

In 1951, the Organization of American States established the Centro Interamericano de Vivienda y Planeamiento (CINVA) to provide specialized training to tackle the housing problem. Based on archival documentation examined at the Rockefeller Archive Center and the Central and Historical Archive of the National University of Colombia, this article explores two significant episodes in which the story of one of the Center's most successful outputs connects to the history of the Cold War. It thus contributes to the literature investigating the architecture and related technologies of development aid in the historical context of the Cold War with a precise focus on the role of non-governmental actors. After detailing the history of the CINVA-Ram machine, the pressing machine to produce rammed-earth blocks developed at the Center and later exported to America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, the article explores its deployment in two different fronts of the Cold War: Ghana and South Vietnam. As highlighted in the conclusions, the significance of CINVA-Ram use in these contexts is manyfold. Firstly, its diffusion, although appearing as a successful case of south-to-south cooperation, was in fact possible because of the Rockefeller family-controlled IBEC's involvement. Secondly, it shows the global outreach of the intertwined action of governmental agencies, private companies, and NGOs, when fighting poverty and housing shortage via aided self-help initiatives were complementary strategies to the armed containment of Communism. Finally, it discusses the role played by US governmental and non-governmental actors in advancing US interests through technoscience, highlighting how the battle against poverty in the so-called “Third World” was in this case fought with one of the oldest and simplest construction techniques in the ideological framework of self-help.

The security policy community and the consensus on the US–Japan alliance: the role of think tanks, experts and the alliance managers

The article addresses the issue of continuity of the consensus on the US–Japan alliance in the post-Cold War era, by employing the concepts of a security policy community (SPC) that comprises both government office-holders and non-governmental actors focused on the foreign and security policy. The main argument is three-fold; firstly, one of the major forces behind the continuity and enhancement of the security consensus on the US–Japan alliance has been the formation of the transnational SPC that includes members from the US and Japan; secondly, since the end of the Cold War, the SPC has developed a dense network of members, institutions, and practices that supports the advocacy of alliance enhancement as well as community cohesion and nurturing of new members; and thirdly, the think tank- and university-based experts play an increasingly vital role in the formation and dissemination of the security consensus. The article suggests that such arrangements can have both positive and negative consequences and that a proper balance between openness and exclusiveness, expertise and novelty, and continuity and innovation is required in order to maintain a vibrant marketplace of ideas for security policy. The article also indicates that with the transformation of the Indo-Pacific security architecture from the hub and spoke to the networked system, SPC might serve as a model in other US alignments.

Effectiveness of Non-Custodial Reintegration Programmes on Welfare of Returnee Terrorist Fighters in Mombasa, Kenya

A strong and effective non-custodial reintegration process, working in close collaboration with civil society organizations and communities, will facilitate transition back into society for former violent extremist offenders, demonstrate ongoing goodwill, and provide an essential support structure for the returnee terrorist fighters. This study aimed to assess the influence that non-custodial reintegration programs have on the well-being of returned terrorist fighters in Mombasa County, while also taking into consideration the risk that these programs may present if they are not employed appropriately. This understanding contributes to the growing necessity for both governmental and non-governmental actors to contribute to the development and implementation of non-custodial reintegration programs. The study utilized a descriptive research design using quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate the efficacy of non-custodial reintegration programs on the well-being of returnee terrorist fighters in Mombasa County, Kenya. From a sample size of 400 respondents needed for investigation from the target population of Mombasa Count, the study drew data from focus group discussions (FGDs), interviews with key informants, and questionnaires that were physically delivered and electronically disseminated using the Google Forms application. The county was shown to have the highest rates of violent extremism and recidivism in Kenya. From the findings it is evident that for non-custodial reintegration programmes for returnee terrorist fighters to be effective, it is necessary to ensure that community stakeholders and other non-governmental actors have the required legal and policy space and capacity to engage; acknowledge the relative advantages of government and non-governmental stakeholders; and clearly identify the appropriate division of responsibilities between them in supporting non-custodial reintegration programmes and to make this strategy a reality. In conclusion, a strong and effective non-custodial reintegration process, working in close collaboration with civil society organizations and communities facilitates the transition back into society for former violent extremist offenders and thereby providing required support system to the former violent extremist offenders.

Nature of Reintegration Programmes for Returnee Terrorist Fighters in Mombasa County, Kenya

Terrorism is a global threat to peace, security, and prosperity. It also puts conflict resolution strategies to the test. The rise of global terrorism has led to the emergence of numerous extremist groups, which have attracted individuals from various regions, including Mombasa, Kenya. As these individuals return from engaging in terrorist activities, effective reintegration programs play a crucial role in countering further radicalization and promoting societal stability. The study sought to explore the nature of non-custodial reintegration programmes on returnee terrorist fighters in Mombasa. Because of the increasing acceptance and adoption of non-custodial reintegration strategies for returnee terrorist fighters in several countries, there is a growing recognition of the importance of both governmental and non-governmental actors contributing to the development and implementation of the programs. Kenya is no stranger to returning terrorist fighters and the threat they pose to peace and security. The research methodology used for this study combined qualitative and quantitative methods. A sample size of 400 respondents was needed for investigation from the target population of Mombasa County. The County was shown to have the highest rates of violent extremism and recidivism in Kenya. Primary data was collected using questionnaires. Interviews and focus groups discussion with key informants, gave participants insight into the viewpoints and experiences of various participants in the reintegration process. A desk examination of the literature was used to gather secondary data for the investigation. The study findings revealed that Kenya is combining classic counter-terrorist measures such as arrests, detentions, and movement restrictions with policies and programs for prevention, intervention, and reintegration. Factors such as psychological trauma, socioeconomic reintegration, and community acceptance are identified as critical elements that influence the effectiveness of these programs. Religious leaders, community organizations, and government agencies facilitate successful reintegration processes. The study recommends non-custodial reintegration for returnee terrorist fighters to be the best strategy that would provide a perfect opportunity for enhancing community resilience in fighting radicalization leading to terrorism in Kenya.

Food Is Medicine Movement—Key Actions Inside and Outside the Government

This JAMA Forum discusses the key food is medicine (FIM) actions being taken by the federal government and individual state governments and key nongovernmental actions that are advancing FIM.

Exploring approaches to equal and effective participation of governance actors in trans-local city food networks

This study examines how trans-local city food networks approach participation within their internal governance arrangements. For this purpose, we investigate eleven trans-local city food networks that work on up- and/or out-scaling of sustainable local food system initiatives. The results show that approaches to participation vary, especially when it comes to inclusion, distributive – and collective agency. The analysis suggests that while non-governmental actors are included in many networks, their opportunities for effective participation are limited in comparison with local policymakers. Additionally an improved cooperation and alignment between trans-local city food networks would avoid duplication of efforts. By reflecting on their own approach trans-local city food networks could actively look for other networks that can reinforce or complement their own work.

Defining environmental justice communities: Evaluating digital infrastructure in Southeastern states for Justice40 benefits allocation

Evaluating the impact of the Justice40 Initiative requires clearly defining and publicly disclosing both the “benefits” of the clean energy transition and the “disadvantaged communities” who should receive these benefits. Robust digital infrastructure at the state level is necessary to ensure that federal clean energy and climate funding intended for disadvantaged communities reaches those communities. This paper evaluates the digital environmental infrastructure capabilities of southeastern U.S. states (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia) using accessibility, timeliness, methodology, and usefulness metrics drawn from the open government data and environmental data justice literature. The results of this evaluation are compared to each state's environmental justice policies. Southeastern states' environmental digital infrastructure tends to exclude qualitative information, data collected by non-governmental actors, and multi-media information. The states that have developed clear definitions and mapping tools relating to EJ communities (Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia) tend to score well across the evaluation metrics. Policy recommendations to advance environmental justice policy in southeastern states include developing EJ mapping tools, advocating for a Justice40 oversight committee at the state level, defining EJ communities, and ensuring transparency in reporting the expenditures of federal funds.

DIPLOMASI PENDIDIKAN SABAH BRIDGE DALAM MEMENUHI HAK PENDIDIKAN BAGI ANAK PEKERJA MIGRAN INDONESIA DI SABAH, MALAYSIA

This research was conducted to describe the role of Sabah Bridge in conducting educational diplomacy in fulfilling the educational rights of Indonesian migrant workers' children through educational diplomacy. Qualitative research methods, literature studies, interview techniques, and educational diplomacy theory involving non-government actors were carried out. The results of the study show that there are three results from Sabah Bridge's educational diplomacy with related parties: (1) the Indonesian government built the Kota Kinabalu Indonesian school in Malaysia; (2) immigration cooperation between the two countries to facilitate documents needed by PMI children; and (3) Sabah Bridge and the Government of Indonesia provide repatriation scholarships to continue higher education in Indonesia. This research confirms that through diplomacy non-state actors can contribute to the national interests of their countries

Tata Kelola Kolaboratif Pengembangan Pariwisata Likupang Kabupaten Minahasa Utara

The development of tourism destinations is a series of multi-sectoral and multi-actor developments, therefore cross-sectoral collaborative governance is needed to achieve common goals, as well as have an impact on the community's economy and regional development. This research focuses on answering questions (1) why is cross-sectoral cooperation between the government and non-government actors in the development of Likupang tourism not yet optimal?; and (2) what is the collaborative governance model for Likupang tourism development?. A qualitative approach with a case study method was used in research that took loci in Likupang, North Minahasa Regency. Primary data were obtained by in-depth interviews with eight key informants. The development of Likupang tourism involves government and non-government actors. Likupang's collaborative governance model for tourism development, focuses on the collaboration process as the core of the partnership. How the collaboration takes place, who are the participants, the division of duties and authorities, as well as the procedures for monitoring, evaluating, and reporting must be clear and understandable to all parties. Institutional legality can clarify the division of duties so that each party will contribute to the achievement of partnership targets.

Institutional Creation as a Local Governance Response to Syrian Refugees: The Case of Turkish Municipalities

External shocks constitute ideal moments for exploring the creation of new institutions as well as changes within existing ones. This paper treats the influx of Syrian refugees into Turkish urban centers as a critical juncture and investigates the changes in the local governance bodies as a result. Based on interviews and focus group discussions with administrative and nongovernmental actors involved in the local response to refugees, we explore the factors that contributed to the emergence of new institutions within municipalities and their institutionalization as bodies able to resist changes of municipal mayors across elections. We investigate how the newly created institutions matter for refugee policy response in looking at various host cities before and after the 2019 local elections. We argue that actual change in the way institutions operate takes place in municipalities (and their respective departments within) that have managed to institutionalize their refugee response through innovative and sustainable policy initiatives that can spill over to areas of policymaking other than refugee response, which invest in building capacity and multilevel partnerships.

Assessing Palestinian public diplomacy: Realities, challenges and opportunities

In light of the crucial role public diplomacy plays in shaping perspectives around the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, this research paper assesses the Palestinian public diplomacy practised by both governmental and non-governmental actors. The article firstly showcases public diplomacy in context and its importance for Palestinians. Then, the article sheds light on the most common characteristics of the Palestinian public diplomacy programmes. Finally, the paper discusses the drawbacks and challenges of improving public diplomacy, and suggests practical steps to improve Palestine’s stand in the international realm.

A checklist of Nylanderia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae) from Hong Kong and Macao SARs, with an illustrated identification key for species in Southeast China and Taiwan.

Species of the ant genus Nylanderia constitute some of the most common ground dwelling Formicinae in tropical and subtropical areas. The genus includes numerous species introduced into new regions, especially within urban or disturbed environments. Here, we review the Nylanderia species found within Hong Kong and Macao, which are both highly urbanized regions and of critical importance to Southern China's policy-makers and non-governmental actors concerned with the regional spread of non-native species. A total of 11 species and 2 morphospecies are recorded in Hong Kong and 6 species and 2 morphospecies are recorded in Macao. We also provide a list of new records for the genus in Hong Kong and Macao, along with taxonomic accounts for all the species recorded. Additionally, the present work provides an illustrated identification key for the species of Nylanderia occurring in Southeast Mainland China and Taiwan. We briefly discuss the possible biogeographical implications of our findings, providing additional support to the exotic status of N. bourbonica in continental Southeast Asia. Lastly, we give our perspective on the ramifications of local inaccessibility to type specimens to current taxonomic practices.