Non-governmental Stakeholders Research Articles

The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities: A Changemaker on the Ground

Established in 1992, the High Commissioner on National Minorities of the Organization for Co-operation and Security in Europe has made significant contributions to conflict prevention and management in multi-ethnic societies. In this article, I trace how, over the three decades of its existence, the institution has adopted the notion of “integration with respect for diversity” as the guiding principle of its work. I demonstrate that successive High Commissioners have relied on three main tools in their efforts – mediation and facilitation, advising on legislation and policy making, and capacity building – and illustrate this approach with examples from across the OSCE area before providing two detailed case studies of how the institution has supported Kyrgyzstan and Moldova in the development of their respective national integration strategies. I conclude that the sustainability of positive change that follows from the engagement of the High Commissioner depends significantly on the institution’s ability to build local capacity to manage the process of integration with respect for diversity in the long term and with a wide range of national and international governmental and non-governmental stakeholders.

TRAINING IN HEALTH AND AGING POLICY MID CAREER—REFLECTING ON A POTENTIAL INFLECTION POINT

Abstract The Health and Aging Policy Fellowship (HAPF) trains fellows to understand policymaking with the goal to improve the lives of older people across life domains. Comparatively few mid-career or more senior experts in healthcare or aging have direct experience with federal or state policymaking, or working to inform evidence-based health policy. As a senior physician faculty member at a School of Medicine and School of Public Health, in recent years the author has worked at state and local levels to inform evidence-based health policy. The HAPF offered an opportunity for the author to improve knowledge and understanding of decision-making and policymaking in Washington DC and at the federal level. Fellowship-sponsored training improved fellows’ understanding of health policy and potential effectiveness in federal health policy environments. Trainings through HAPF, the American Political Science Association, and Academy Health provided greater breadth and depth of knowledge on roles of various agencies, executive and congressional policymaking, and understanding factors influencing policymaking. This training enhanced the author’s readiness for fellowship activities in a U.S. Senate office. Exposure to experts in health and aging opened the door to fellows’ participation in efforts to improve opportunities for healthy aging and to advance age-friendly health systems. Work in the U.S. Senate includes exposure to federal, state, non-governmental stakeholders who can work together to influence policy to improve the lives of aging and older people. The author will highlight specific examples of training, policy opportunities, and policy challenges in the context of his fellowship.

OP43 Translating Cell And Gene Therapy HTA Into Practice – Building The Plane As We Fly It

IntroductionAssessing, funding, and implementing cell and gene therapies are usually based on limited evidence. This requires health technology assessment (HTA) agencies to develop new methodologies; payers to accept risk-based funding; industry to consider the right evidence and price; hospitals to consider if they have the necessary requirements; patients to consider their risk appetite for gene therapies; and health departments to consider all the above. Ensuring timely patient access to these therapies is challenging in Australia’s federated health system. To ensure stakeholders are aligned, all must come to the table and share their respective insights, experiences, and expertise to support planning, decision-making, funding, and commissioning of these therapies. It is time to develop a new consultative and decision-making paradigm to expedite HTAs, funding, commissioning, and timely patient access for cell and gene therapies.MethodsAustralian federal, state, and territory government representatives agreed to develop a framework that clarifies processes around information sharing, HTA, funding, commissioning, and monitoring of highly specialized therapies and services (including cell and gene therapies). A draft national framework was developed that addresses assessment, funding, and implementation of high cost, highly specialized therapies and services (e.g., bone marrow transplants). However, it is unclear whether non-government stakeholders have been consulted.ResultsThe framework for assessing, funding, and implementing high cost, highly specialized therapies and services across Australia’s public hospital system is pending endorsement by each of the jurisdictional governments. High-level in nature, the framework’s primary audiences are industry and public hospitals. While not all processes are in place, the framework is forward-looking. A detailed implementation plan is warranted to better inform the roles and requirements of each stakeholder.ConclusionsThe framework allows stakeholders to better understand government processes regarding assessment, funding, and implementation of high-cost therapies and services, thereby fostering a collaborative environment that supports timely patient access. Articulating process details in a follow-up implementation plan is essential to gain the trust of, and input from, industry, clinicians, and patient representatives.

Gift or bribe? The characteristics and the role of gift policies in the prevention of corruption

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the current trends in corruption and investigate the characteristics of corporate gift policies and their role in preventing bribery.Design/methodology/approachThis is a descriptive study based on primary data from a recent sample of Canadian companies’ codes of conduct and secondary data from recent corruption surveys published by non-governmental organisations.FindingsThis study shows that 25% of all private and public corruption cases generate financial damages of more than US$1m per case and that 50% of all investigated fraud cases are corruption cases (ACFE, 2022). Furthermore, the Western Europe and EU region is perceived as least corrupt, whereas Sub-Saharan Africa is perceived as the most corrupt region (Transparency International, 2022). However, bribery is fairly common in nine EU countries where 10% or more of public service users bribed public officials to influence their decisions (Transparency International, 2021). Results from primary data show that 9.3% of firms put a total ban on gifts given to governmental officials, whereas 35.2% require a superior’s approval and only 5.5% state a dollar limit for the gift. Results also show that not a single firm prohibits the giving of gifts to non-governmental stakeholders or the receiving of gifts from any type of stakeholder. This paper argues that gifts can bias the recipient’s judgement and improperly influence future business decisions based on the gift’s subjective value, nature and context.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper extends previous research by examining the characteristics of corporate gift policies. It also helps organisations improve their gift policies in an effort to reduce corruption.Originality/valueIt is the first paper to investigate the characteristics of corporate gift policies and their role in preventing corruption.

Should we embrace “Big Sister”? Smart speakers as a means to combat intimate partner violence

It is estimated that one in three women experience intimate partner violence (IPV) across the course of their life. The popular uptake of “smart speakers” powered by sophisticated AI means that surveillance of the domestic environment is increasingly possible. Correspondingly, there are various proposals to use smart speakers to detect or report IPV. In this paper, we clarify what might be possible when it comes to combatting IPV using existing or near-term technology and also begin the project of evaluating this project both ethically and politically. We argue that the ethical landscape looks different depending on whether one is considering the decision to develop the technology or the decision to use it once it has been developed. If activists and governments wish to avoid the privatisation of responses to IPV, ubiquitous surveillance of domestic spaces, increasing the risk posed to members of minority communities by police responses to IPV, and the danger that more powerful smart speakers will be co-opted by men to control and abuse women, then they should resist the development of this technology rather than wait until these systems are developed. If it is judged that the moral urgency of IPV justifies exploring what might be possible by developing this technology, even in the face of these risks, then it will be imperative that victim-survivors from a range of demographics, as well as government and non-government stakeholders, are engaged in shaping this technology and the legislation and policies needed to regulate it.

Understanding the sociocultural valuation of ecosystem services in urban parks: a Colombian study case

AbstractThe significance of urban ecosystem services on the perception of parks among the public is profound. Parks are valued for their functional benefits, the experiences they provide, and their relationship with green spaces. To better understand the sociocultural values associated with five urban parks in Tunja (Boyacá, Colombia), in this case study, we interviewed three types of stakeholders: decision-makers, social leaders, and park users. We employed semi-structured interviews to identify the perception and orientation values of different stakeholders. According to the results, stakeholders recognize 18 ecosystem services as the most important, with cultural ecosystem services having the highest perception value. We found that socio-cultural values are influenced more by the characteristics of the parks than their size, and socio-demographic aspects of stakeholders such as age, level of education, and gender had no significant effect. We conclude that people value urban parks for the benefits associated with trees and the emotional connections they develop with them over time, assigning intangible value to city parks. However, we also identified discrepancies in values between governmental and non-governmental stakeholders that may adversely affect decision-making and policy formulation. This information can be valuable to urban planners who seek to assess and integrate measures that promote green spaces in cities to achieve sustainability.

Curbing the COVID-19 digital infodemic: strategies and tools.

A problematic manifestation of the COVID-19 pandemic is a related digital 'infodemic' with widespread dissemination of rumors, conspiracy theories, and other misinformation about the impact of the crisis on aspects of political and socio-economic life. Those spreading the misleading information did so through social media. In response, public, private and non-government stakeholders around the world have proposed a wide range of e-government policy approaches to combat this new digital phenomenon. For this Viewpoint I identified, analyzed, and classified the most interesting strategies, platforms, and tools proposed or already used by public decision-makers to combat the spread of false information related to the pandemic in a digital society.

Developing capacity for post-typhoon disaster waste management in Lautoka, Fiji, and Makati, Philippines

In recent years, Asia and the Pacific have been ravaged by strong typhoons that caused widespread destruction. The powerful winds from these typhoons ripped off roofs, windows, doors and walls from houses, and destroyed trees and other vegetation, leaving a vast amount of wooden, metallic, plastic, and glass debris and waste scattered across a wide area. Proper management of disaster waste is a critical task during the initial phase of disaster recovery. It is essential for coastal cities that are frequently affected by typhoons to have adequate capacity for post-disaster waste management. This capacity development project aimed to contribute to this end by providing appropriate knowledge and training to government and non-government stakeholders. The project was implemented in Lautoka City, Fiji and Makati City, Philippines, with the support of four prominent universities. In total, six training sessions were conducted under the project. The primary outputs of this project are the disaster waste management contingency plans of the two participating cities. The project team disseminated information about the capacity development project through the project website and through presentations in academic conferences, webinars, workshops, training, non-academic conferences, and radio guest appearances.

Mapping groundwater resilience to climate change and human development in Asian cities

In recent years, Asia and the Pacific have been ravaged by strong typhoons that caused widespread destruction. The powerful winds from these typhoons ripped off roofs, windows, doors and walls from houses, and destroyed trees and other vegetation, leaving a vast amount of wooden, metallic, plastic, and glass debris and waste scattered across a wide area. Proper management of disaster waste is a critical task during the initial phase of disaster recovery. It is essential for coastal cities that are frequently affected by typhoons to have adequate capacity for post-disaster waste management. This capacity development project aimed to contribute to this end by providing appropriate knowledge and training to government and non-government stakeholders. The project was implemented in Lautoka City, Fiji and Makati City, Philippines, with the support of four prominent universities. In total, six training sessions were conducted under the project. The primary outputs of this project are the disaster waste management contingency plans of the two participating cities. The project team disseminated information about the capacity development project through the project website and through presentations in academic conferences, webinars, workshops, training, non-academic conferences, and radio guest appearances.

Development and piloting of a primary school-based salt reduction programme: Formative work and a process evaluation in rural and urban Malawi.

Excess salt intake is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Promoting salt reduction as part of routine school-health programming may be a pragmatic way to address this risk factor early in the life course but has not been tested in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Here we describe the formative work with stakeholders and process evaluation of pilot work to develop a school-based salt reduction programme for children aged 11-14 years, in preparation for a cluster-randomised trial in rural/urban Malawi. Collection of observational data and documentary evidence (meeting minutes/field notes) from the earliest key stakeholder engagement with Malawi Ministries of Health, Education, Local Government and Rural Development and Malawi Institute of Education, and non-governmental stakeholders; and a series of semi-structured interviews and focus groups (with head teachers (n = 2); teachers (n = 4); parents (n = 30); and learners (n = 40)). Data was analysed thematically and conceptualised through a Normalization Process Theory lens. Formative work illustrated a range of administrative, technical, and practical issues faced during development of the programme; including allocation of stakeholder roles and responsibilities, harmonisation with pre-existing strategies and competing priorities, resources required for programme development, and design of effective teaching materials. While participants were positive about the programme, the process evaluation identified features to be refined including perceived challenges to participation, recommended adaptations to the content and delivery of lessons, and concerns related to quantity/quality of learning resources provided. This study demonstrates the importance of comprehensive, sustained, and participatory stakeholder engagement in the development of a novel school health programme in SSA; and highlights the factors that were critical to successfully achieving this. We also demonstrate the value of detailed process evaluation in informing development of the programme to ensure that it was feasible and relevant to the context prior to evaluation through a cluster-randomised trial.

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.

Participatory action research to address lack of safe water, a community-nominated health priority in rural South Africa.

Despite international evidence supporting community participation in health for improved health outcomes and more responsive and equitable health systems there is little practical evidence on how to do this. This work sought to understand the process involved in collective implementation of a health-related local action plan developed by multiple stakeholders. Communities, government departments and non-government stakeholders convened in three iterative phases of a participatory action research (PAR) learning cycle. Stakeholders were involved in problem identification, development, and implementation of a local action plan, reflection on action, and reiteration of the process. Participants engaged in reflective exercises, exploring how factors such as power and interest impacted success or failure. The local action plan was partially successful, with three out of seven action items achieved. High levels of both power and interest were key factors in the achievement of action items. For the achieved items, stakeholders reported that continuous interactions with one another created a shift in both power and interest through ownership of implementation processes. Participants who possessed significant power and influence were able to leverage resources and connections to overcome obstacles and barriers to progress the plan. Lack of financial support, shifting priorities and insufficient buy-in from stakeholders hindered implementation. The process offered new ways of thinking and stakeholders were supported to generate local evidence for action and learning. The process also enabled exploration of how different stakeholders with different levels of power and interest coalesce to design, plan, and act on evidence. Creation of safe spaces was achievable, meanwhile changing stakeholders' level of power and interest was possible but challenging. This study suggests that when researchers, service providers and communities are connected as legitimate participants in a learning platform with access to information and decision-making, a shift in power and interest may be feasible.

UNDRIP rights to guide the governance of the Northern Low-impact Shipping Corridors initiative

Canada's governance of Arctic shipping activities is characterized by a collaborative framework that involves various stakeholders, including different governments and departments at various levels, as well as non-governmental stakeholders, such as industry partners, Indigenous organizations, and community members. Especially with Canada’s commitment to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), the need to consider how Inuit rights can guide Arctic shipping governance has become paramount. The Northern Low-Impact Shipping Corridors initiative is Canada’s comprehensive governance initiative for Arctic shipping activities, that considers the need to engage Inuit. However, few studies have focused on how Inuit rights, which are affirmed in the UNDRIP, can reshape, and guide the development and governance of the Corridors initiative. The objective of this article is to fill this knowledge gap, regarding the integration of Inuit rights into Arctic shipping governance. It starts with an overview of the impacts of Arctic shipping on Inuit communities, followed by an analysis of interactions between UNDRIP rights and shipping governance. The article draws upon existing literature on UNDRIP and Arctic shipping to identify several critical UNDRIP rights that are applicable to Arctic shipping governance. Using the Corridors initiative as a case study, this article examines the potential implications of several UNDRIP rights in terms of Inuit participation in decision-making and the governance of the corridors.

Assessing the implementation of physical activity-promoting public policies in the Republic of Ireland: a study using the Physical Activity Environment Policy Index (PA-EPI)

BackgroundGovernment policy can promote physical activity (PA) as part of a multilevel systems-based approach. The Physical Activity Environment Policy Index (PA-EPI) is a monitoring framework which assesses the implementation of government policy by drawing on the experience of national stakeholders. This study is the first to assess the extent of policy implementation in the Republic of Ireland using the PA-EPI tool, and to provide information on how policy implementation can be improved, with the intention of maximizing its impact on population levels of PA.MethodsThis mixed-methods research study, comprising eight steps, was carried out in 2022. Information documenting the evidence for implementation of PA policy, across all 45 PA-EPI indicators, was collected via systematic document analysis, and validated via survey and interview with government officials. Thirty-two nongovernment stakeholders rated this evidence on a five-point Likert scale. Aggregated scores were reviewed by stakeholders who collectively identified and prioritized critical implementation gaps.ResultsOf the 45 PA-EPI indicators, one received an implementation rating of ‘none/very little’, 25 received a rating of ‘low’ and 19 received a ‘medium’ rating. No indicator was rated as fully implemented. The indicators that received the highest level of implementation related to sustained mass media campaigns promoting PA and PA monitoring. Ten priority recommendations were developed.ConclusionsThis study reveals substantial implementation gaps for PA policy in the Republic of Ireland. It provides recommendations for policy action to address these gaps. In time, studies utilizing the PA-EPI will enable cross-country comparison and benchmarking of PA policy implementation, incentivizing improved PA policy creation and implementation.

Seroprevalence of Tuberculosis in Captive Asian Elephants in Nepal

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious zoonotic disease, characterized by the development of tubercles resulting in caseation and calcification in the lungs. In elephants, causative agents Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis result in chronic weight loss, anorexia, and weakness with occasional dyspnea or coughing. TB has been a major threat to elephants in Nepal. To date, 17 elephants have died in Nepal due to TB alone. Therefore, this study was undertaken to screen the TB seropositive elephants in Nepal. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of tuberculosis (TB) in captive Asian elephants in four protected areas of Nepal from 22 November 2015 to 17 April 2016. The serum samples were examined for tubercle bacillus antibodies by DPP Vet TB Assay. Out of 92 elephants, 10.87% of elephants were found reactive to the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. There was a non-significant difference in seroprevalence of TB in captive Asian elephants for the sex, age, and location (P>0.05). In a follow-up study, we found that 4 TB seropositive elephants from our study died due to TB and displayed granulomatous tuberculosis lesions with the caseous mass in the lungs on post-mortem examination. Government and non-government stakeholders should jointly formulate effective plans and policies to eradicate tuberculosis from elephants in Nepal.

Uniqueness, complexities, and research issues of logistics and trade facilitation in Greater Bay Area of China

The Greater Bay Area (GBA) is to become a major innovation and technology hub of global impact. Such a transformation is to take place in the midst of a policy-driven economy in GBA’s Mainland region and a market-driven economy in Hong Kong and Macau. In this paper, we examine the uniqueness and complexities of logistics and trade facilitation in GBA. This study establishes a discourse in GBA’s logistics and trade facilitation between government and non-government stakeholders. Based on the discourse, we provide a conceptual context on the unique aspects of GBA, pinpointing critical issues such as the coexistence of differing institutional systems and interplay between state planning and market economy. A major objective of the paper is to identify and conceptualize unique logistics and trade features of GBA development, and to highlight opportunities for academic and policy research.

Stakeholder perceptions on scaling-up community-led interventions for prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in Bangladesh: a qualitative study

BackgroundEngaging communities is an important component of multisectoral action to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in low- and middle-income countries. We conducted research with non-communicable disease stakeholders in Bangladesh to understand how a community-led intervention which was shown to reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes in rural Bangladesh could be scaled-up.MethodsWe purposively sampled any actor who could have an interest in the intervention, or that could affect or be affected by the intervention. We interviewed central level stakeholders from donor agencies, national health policy levels, public, non-governmental, and research sectors to identify scale-up mechanisms. We interviewed community health workers, policy makers, and non-governmental stakeholders, to explore the feasibility and acceptability of implementing the suggested mechanisms. We discussed scale-up options in focus groups with community members who had attended a community-led intervention. We iteratively developed our data collection tools based on our analysis and re-interviewed some participants. We analysed the data deductively using a stakeholder analysis framework, and inductively from codes identified in the data.ResultsDespite interest in addressing NCDs, there was a lack of a clear community engagement strategy at the government level, and most interventions have been implemented by non-governmental organisations. Many felt the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare should lead on community engagement, and NCD screening and referral has been added to the responsibilities of community health workers and health volunteers. Yet there remains a focus on reproductive health and NCD diagnosis and referral instead of prevention at the community level. There is potential to engage health volunteers in community-led interventions, but their present focus on engaging women for reproductive health does not fit with community needs for NCD prevention.ConclusionsResearch highlighted the need for a preventative community engagement strategy to address NCDs, and the potential to utilise existing cadres to scale-up community-led interventions. It will be important to work with key stakeholders to address gender issues and ensure flexibility and responsiveness to community concerns. We indicate areas for further implementation research to develop scaled-up models of community-led interventions to address NCDs.

Missions and mission-oriented innovation policy for sustainability: A review and critical reflection

The concept of ‘sustainability missions’ has recently received increasing attention in the academic literature. Broadly defined as a collective ambition to strengthen systemic preparedness and adaptive capacity for various policy challenges, the concept of sustainability missions invites critical reflection due to its rise in usage and popularity. In this spirit, we discuss five challenges that limit the ability of the missions concept to guide progress on meaningful change. First, much of the academic literature takes the concept for granted by using it as a descriptor or normative goal, without the skeptical perspective that would challenge the perpetuation of old ways of thinking about societal problems. Second, the concept is policy-centric and thus tends to endorse a top-down approach to complex problems that otherwise elude centralization. Third, scholarly treatment of the concept often undervalues the role of non-government stakeholders like businesses and communities. Fourth, the literature often fails to acknowledge that sustainability missions involve picking industrial ‘winners’ – a strategy with historically mixed results. Finally, scholars frequently neglect the unpredictability of sustainability mission implementation, a risk magnified in the case of totalizing goals like economic or social-systemic transformation. These five limitations, among others, work against the stated goals of sustainability missions and hinder theoretical development. This article describes a way forward for research and practice utilizing the concept.

Threat or necessity: an analysis of the development of International Baccalaureate education in Shanghai

ABSTRACT With the global expansion of International Baccalaureate (IB), tensions have emerged between IB and the national education systems. This poses challenges to international education governance in many countries. In mainland China, IB programmes have rapidly become more prevalent since their introduction in 1991. However, new policies have imposed censorship and restrictions on international programmes regarding international education as a potential threat to China’s educational sovereignty, cultural identity, and educational equity. Shanghai has the highest number of IB schools and the strictest policies in mainland China. To understand China’s international education policy governance, this study traces the policy evolution of Shanghai’s IB education through document analysis and interviews. Furthermore, this study examines the responses, perceptions, and demands of non-governmental stakeholders regarding current restrictive policies. Results show that the development of IB education in Shanghai has undergone three stages of policy transformation: support, regulation, and restriction. Against this policy transformation, non-governmental stakeholders believe that IB education is a “necessity”. Therefore, this study suggests that IB education governance in China should incorporate the elements of network governance.

From Participatory Governance to Collaborative Governance for Disaster-Tourism

This article aims to explain the need for changing the model from participatory governance to collaborative governance in disaster tourism management. This research utilized a descriptive qualitative approach. The findings revealed that sustainable tourism development is crucial and must receive careful attention within a comprehensive national development framework. In the current era, the government cannot carry out tourism development independently given the limited capacity and provide sufficient space for increasingly active private and public participation. Sustainable tourism development can be performed through a collaborative governance model involving various stakeholders. The development of a collaborative model can be conducted through the comprehensive participation stage of non-government stakeholders. With maximum participation, there will be a solid network to create partnerships as the final form of collaboration.