Non-governmental Actors Research Articles

Strategic communication and foreign direct investment (FDI) in the post-Mugabe era: A review of government campaigns and economic impact

This paper explores the role of strategic government communication in attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Zimbabwe in the post-Mugabe era, using a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) methodology. The study investigates how government communication strategies, including diplomatic engagement, national branding, and media outreach, influence investor perceptions and contribute to economic growth. The review identifies key insights, noting that Zimbabwe’s efforts to rebrand itself through campaigns like "Zimbabwe is Open for Business" have enhanced its image internationally and attracted investments, particularly in the mining and infrastructure sectors. However, the study highlights several challenges, including political instability, inconsistent policies, and competition from other African nations, which continue to hinder Zimbabwe's full potential in attracting FDI. The findings suggest that while strategic communication has been effective in improving Zimbabwe’s image, further steps are needed to ensure consistent policy frameworks and address investor concerns regarding security and economic stability. The paper concludes that sustained efforts in refining communication strategies, alongside policy consistency, are essential for Zimbabwe to become a more competitive investment destination. Additionally, future research directions are proposed, including comparative studies with other African nations and an exploration of the role of non-governmental actors and digital platforms in enhancing FDI attraction.

Application Features of the Multipolarity Concept in Describing the Current State of the World Economy

Introduction. Multipolarity is a model of world order in which the international system of checks and balances prevents national governments from unilaterally redefining the political and territorial status quo or isolating individual countries from the global community. The purpose of the study is to reveal the content of the concept of multipolarity in the discourse of the world economy and to determine the impact of the multipolar environment of international relations on the traditional roles of geo-economic actors in the world economic system. Materials and Methods. Publications in Russian and foreign periodicals, as well as specialized monographs and reports of international organizations, have been used as sources of information for the research. The concept of multipolarity has been examined in the context of two different approaches to its interpretation: as an inclusive model of the world order and as a revisionist trend in international politics. The paper reveals the prerequisites for the origins of these different interpretations, characterizes the geo-economic aspects of a multipolar world, and proposes methodological approaches for assessing the competitiveness of states and non-governmental actors in these conditions. Results. One of the key reasons for the growing interest in the concept of multipolarity was the crisis of the multilateral decision-making system in international financial and economic institutions. The accompanying growth of state interference in international market relations has increased the level of uncertainty of real and financial sector companies in their foreign economic activities and compliance with restrictive measures. These processes have actualized the use of methods for analyzing the “influence” and “power” of actors of international relations in the economic context. However, for this purpose they need to be modified taking into account the network nature of interaction of geo-economic actors in the world economic system. Discussion and Conclusion. The results of the work formed a theoretical basis for future research on the economic manifestations of multipolarity, foreign economic policy of countries, fragmentation of the world economy and financial system. Further modernization of the methodology of geo-economic analytics in the applied aspect, including the identification of channels for influencing the strengths and weaknesses of competing actors, taking into account their co-dependencies with other participants of the network, as well as for determining the boundaries of geo-economic blocks and channels of their conjugation, remains a relevant direction.

Urban Refugee Youth's Recommendations for Sexual and Mental Health Promotion: Qualitative Insights From Kampala, Uganda.

Refugee youth in Kampala, Uganda, face a unique sexual reproductive health and mental health risk environment requiring focused interventions. Resource limitations and access barriers complicate the provision of relevant supports. Few studies have engaged refugee youth's recommendations for satisfying their sexual and mental health needs. This cross-sectional, qualitative study aimed to identify urban refugee youth's sexual and mental health promotion preferences. We administered a structured survey to refugee youth in Kampala (n = 54) between July and November 2023 using the qualitative data collection platform, Sensemaker and analyzed survey responses using inductive thematic analysis (ITA). Two themes emerged: health promotion and youth empowerment. Participants proposed sexual and mental health promotion recommendations directed at distinct stakeholder groups including policymakers/service providers and peers. There were several points of overlap between the sexual and mental health promotion recommendations, including calls for counseling services, health education, and employment opportunities. Youth empowerment was a central theme underwriting both sexual and mental health recommendations. By differentiating between recommendations directed at distinct stakeholder groups, this study identified opportunities for non-governmental actors to contribute to promoting the sexual and mental health of refugee youth in Kampala. Participant insights show how engagement with urban refugee youth's health promotion recommendations can empower youth and ensure that service design and delivery is consistent with their knowledge, needs, and preferences.

Multilevel Governance and Indonesia’s Strategy for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

This article critically examined Indonesia’s policies to mitigate and adapt to climate change within the global climate regime and local political dynamics. A qualitative method and a multilevel governance approach were utilized, emphasizing the dispersion of power both vertically among various levels of governance and horizontally among different quasi-governmental and non-governmental organizations and actors. The analysis unveiled that Indonesia’s climate change policies have involved supranational governance facilitated by global-level regimes and institutions. The government has played a strategic role in aligning itself with these global environmental regimes by implementing laws and policy measures to limit greenhouse gas emissions, control deforestation rates, and address forest degradation. Achieving these governance tasks involved active participation from local governments, municipalities, and non-state actors such as businesses and the community.

Political determinants of digital health: beyond the rainbow.

In 2021, the World Health Organization issued its first global strategy on digital technologies and health, calling on member states to develop their own national digital health strategies. However, the normative tools that guide the development of these strategies do not prompt member states to consider how broader political factors, such as law and policy, governance, and civic engagement, could shape health outcomes in the digital age. The digital gender divide, algorithmic biases linked to race, transnational private sector actors, and more must be thoroughly addressed in future digital health strategies. Experiences from the global HIV response have demonstrated that it is possible to do this, by mobilizing diverse government and non-governmental actors to systematically assess and act to strengthen the legal and political environment for health. This essay draws on the HIV response to critically engage with recent literature on the digital determinants of health, proposing an approach to analyzing broader political determinants of health, including commercial determinants of health, and other laws, policies, governance, and civic engagement relevant to digital health strategies. By rendering visible the role of politics, governance, and civic engagement in digital health, strategies can be tools to mobilize broad collaborations and advocacy that creates an enabling environment.

The Role of Public Diplomacy the Indonesia Oscar Selection Committee (Iosc): A Case Study of Indonesia's Film Submission to the Oscars

This paper aims to explore the question: "How does The Indonesia Oscar Selection Committee (IOSC) contribute to public diplomacy?" Public diplomacy is a widely recognized tool in international relations, used to influence foreign audiences. It involves diplomatic actions taken by both government and non-government actors to advance national interests. Numerous mediums can be employed in public diplomacy, including literature, television, brands, festivals, consumer products, and films. In practice, much of the information about a country often comes from non-state actors, such as Indonesia’s film industry. Ideal public diplomacy requires a collaborative effort between governmental and non-governmental entities (Leonard, 2002). This study examines how the film industry, through the activities of the Indonesia Oscar Selection Committee (IOSC), serves as an instrument of public diplomacy. Using Mark Leonard’s public diplomacy theory, the study employs a qualitative descriptive approach, gathering data through interviews and literature review from both primary and secondary sources. The research offers insights into how IOSC’s activities align with Leonard’s public diplomacy framework, identifying potential gaps between theoretical concepts and real-world practices. Ultimately, the study argues that IOSC has significant potential to promote effective public diplomacy, and it underscores the importance of enhancing collaboration between IOSC and the Indonesian government to optimize IOSC’s role in advancing Indonesia’s international image through cinema.

‘The police in every hotel’? Hospitality governance in Antwerp during the long nineteenth century

ABSTRACT This article analyses the various ways in which the commercial hospitality sector of nineteenth-century Antwerp, and by extension Belgium, was governed by rules enforced by a myriad of government and non-government actors. It uses the concept of hospitality governance to look beyond well-trodden themes in migration regulation like settlement and welfare, into the realms of categorisation of migrants and the power dynamics involved in appropriating informal spaces. In the context of nineteenth-century liberalism, changing city-state relations and growing bureaucratic ambitions, the analysis reveals the inherent inequalities of a registration regime which ostensibly had a ‘universal’ character.

Post-intervention gendered impacts and moderating factors of a government cash plus intervention for adolescents in Tanzania.

Post-intervention gendered impacts and moderating factors of a government cash plus intervention for adolescents in Tanzania.

Embedding voices of under-served communities in Health Research Priority Setting in Thailand.

Health research is needed to develop new treatments, diagnostic methods and prevention strategies for many diseases, but resources are limited particularly in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Our proposed project involves in-depth engagement with community advisory boards and existing community groups in healthcare research priority setting in Thailand. We will use Wellcome's "Responsive Dialogues" engagement approach, focusing on "under-served" groups, as their voices are seldom heard in healthcare research priority setting. We estimate that we will engage with 6-8 community groups involving 48-80 participants. Our objectives are firstly, to contribute to the health research agenda setting in Thailand for government, non-governmental actors, academia, and others who conduct health research in the next 5 to 10 years. Secondly, we aim to identify ethical and practical issues related to healthcare research priority setting, specifically in relation to involving under-served communities.

‘The first step towards racial equality’: The Kuroda-Araya engagement and the dream of a transnational non-white alliance

Abstract In 1934, the much-publicized engagement of Japanese noblewoman Kuroda Masako to Ethiopian nobleman Araya Abebe made headlines worldwide, epitomizing the transnational dream of a racially anti-hierarchical world. Starting from this unrealized wedding, this article showcases the voice of Kuroda Masako, a racially equal imperial feminist who tried to foster her vision of women participating in the empire-building process even in new settings like Ethiopia. By featuring her practices, we are able to understand why they resonated not only in the women’s press but also in a much larger intellectual scene that comprised Pan-Asian and Pan-African activists. Because of such significant resonance across various non-governmental actors worldwide, the Kuroda-Araya engagement became dangerous to state-endorsed agendas in many countries, which were unwilling to countenance an unprecedented alliance between Ethiopia, Japan, and the African American community at the expense of Western and white civilization discourse. As a result, the engagement created a rupture between popular sympathy and the state, eventually resulting in Japan’s official disengagement from Ethiopia well before the Second Italo-Ethiopian War.

Institutional services towards climate action: A case of climate change adaptation of agro-pastoralists in the drylands of Nigeria

ABSTRACT The agro-pastoral sector is highly vulnerable to climate change. Animal growth and milk production are affected by a reduced availability and quality of fodder and forage. Water shortages for livestock also pose a significant threat to the sector’s sustainability. To adapt, farmers depend on supportive environments that recognise the crucial role of institutional services in promoting climate action. This study analysed the effect of access to institutional services on climate change adaptation strategies of agro-pastoralists in the dry zone of Nigeria. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire to elicit information from 360 agro-pastoralist farmers, and a multivariate probit regression model was used for the analysis. The results revealed that crop residue-hay conservation, irrigation, and destocking adaptations were positively influenced by extension services, climate change, and livestock-related information. Destocking is negatively influenced by access to credit, climate change, and livestock-related information. Dissemination of climate change information, provision of credit, and construction of water-efficient irrigation facilities are essential to support agro-pastoralists in adapting to climate challenges. Appropriate institutional services from governmental and non-governmental actors through site-specific support and the creation of an enabling environment will enable agro-pastoralists to adopt water-efficient irrigation and improved pasture preservation practices that will make the sector more resilient to the changing environment.

The right to housing in the digital era: emerging trends in Southern Europe

This paper analyzes the effects of digitalization on the inclusivity of right to housing in Southern Europe. We examine the impact of digital capitalism on the housing market, the use of social networks by social movements to give visibility to housing needs, and the promotion of digital platforms by public authorities to reduce the digital gap and consolidate the right to housing, especially for the most vulnerable people. Drawing on qualitative data collection in Madrid, Bologna, and Athens, key dimensions of discussion include: the impact of digital transformations on the public housing and real estate market, the importance of digital literacy and resources, the role of non-governmental actors in shaping public opinion through digital social networks, and the most impacted social groups by the recent digital acceleration. The impact of digitalization on the right to housing is found to depend on factors such as the population groups, the digital gap, the territorial context, and the type of digital platform.

Enrollment, completion, and early marriage of girl child among bade communities in Guri district of Jigawa State

The education of the female child is a crucial factor in socio-economic growth; however, it is often obstructed by early marriage, especially in rural areas. This research investigates the relationships among school enrollment, completion rates, and the incidence of early marriage among female children in the Bade villages of Guri District, Jigawa State, Nigeria. The study utilizes a mixed-methods approach, collecting quantitative data from school records and questionnaires, as well as qualitative insights from focus group talks with parents, educators, and community leaders. Research indicates that while initial enrollment rates for females are comparatively high, completion rates significantly diminish owing to socio-cultural and economic influences that favor early marriage over schooling. Poverty, cultural norms, and gender-based expectations are recognized as primary factors sustaining this tendency. The research further examines the impact of community awareness initiatives, governmental legislation, and non-governmental (NGO’s) activities in tackling these issues. This study highlights the pressing need for comprehensive measures that amalgamate education, community involvement, and policy implementation to address early marriage and enhance educational results for girls. The study offers practical suggestions that enhance initiatives aimed at empowering girl children and promoting sustainable development in Guri District and beyond.

Shared governance increases marine protected area effectiveness.

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are widely used to conserve and manage coastal resources. Protected areas are governed by a variety of institutional arrangements, yet little is known concerning the relative performance of different governance approaches. This research draws upon a unique dataset that combines details on the reported International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) governance categories of 217 global MPAs and their ecological outcomes to compare the performance of alternative governance arrangements. We find that MPAs with shared governance arrangements, where management authority is shared among multiple government and non-government actors, are 98% more likely to have higher fish biomass than MPAs governed by state agencies (i.e., primarily government) alone (mean effect size and 95% C.I = 0.32 ± 0.31). We also find higher biomass in older MPAs, those in countries with higher gross domestic product (GDP), and those with a higher proportion of no-take area. With targets to protect 30% of our oceans driving new commitments to expand MPA coverage globally, our results suggest that multi-stakeholder participation and collaboration facilitated by shared and decentralized governance arrangements can play an important role in achieving conservation outcomes.

Child public health indicators for fragile, conflict-affected, and vulnerable settings: A scoping review.

Children and young people are disproportionately vulnerable to harm during crises, yet child public health expertise is limited in humanitarian settings and outcomes and impact data are lacking. This review characterises child public health indicators that are routinely collected, required by donors, and recommended for use in fragile, conflict-affected, and vulnerable (FCV) settings. We conducted database and grey literature searches and collected indicators from technical agencies, partnerships, donors, and nongovernmental organisations providing child public health services in FCV settings. Indicators were included if they were child-specific or disaggregated for ≤18 years. Indicators were coded into domains of health status, health service, social determinants, and health behaviours and analysed for trends in thematic focus and clarity. A total of 668 indicators were included. Routinely collected indicators (N = 152) focused on health status and health services. Donors required only 14 indicators. Technical bodies and academics recommended 502 indicators for routine measurement. Prioritised topics included nutrition, paediatrics, infectious diseases, mortality, and maternal-newborn care. There were notable gaps in indicators for child development and disability. Child protection indicators were not routinely collected, despite being the focus of 39% of recommended indicators. There were overlaps and duplications, varied age disaggregations, and 49% of indicators required interpretation to measure. The review demonstrates that it is feasible to routinely measure child public health outcomes in FCV settings. Recommendations from technical agencies and partnerships are characterised by numerous indicators with duplication, poor definitions, and siloed sector-specific focus. There are gaps in measurement of critical child public health topics. To improve safety and effectiveness of interventions for child public health, consensus is needed on priority topics and a shortlist of quality, standardised indicators that governmental and nongovernmental actors can be reasonably expected to measure. Indicators should be prioritised to support decision-making and include proxy indicators for periods when routine measurement is hampered.

A alfabetização de surdos na Política Nacional de Alfabetização (2019-2022)

ABSTRACT The article is the result of a research aimed at understanding the conception of literacy for deaf children, as evidenced in the Bolsonaro government's education proposals (2019-2022), through the analysis of the National Literacy Policy (PNA) established by Decree No. 9.765, of April 11, 2019. It takes a qualitative documentary research approach. The theoretical framework is based on the historical-cultural conception of knowledge production. It discusses the literacy conception adopted in the Bolsonaro government, based on the analysis of the PNA in dialogue with other governmental and non-governmental actors. It is concluded that the discourse of public managers responsible for deaf education and policy implementation in the Bolsonaro government is contradictory because, while advocating the historic fight for bilingual education, it assumes the proposal of literacy based on the phonic-based method - a hallmark of the Bolsonaro government - for both hearing and deaf children.

Digital diplomacy for peace: a new frontier in international relations

The rise of digital technologies has changed how countries interact, offering new ways to promote peace and solve global conflicts. Digital diplomacy is a modern approach that uses information and communication technologies to improve dialogue, cooperation, and understanding between nations, organizations, and citizens. This article looks at how digital tools and platforms support peacebuilding, especially by connecting different groups, fighting misinformation, and resolving conflicts. Digital diplomacy allows governments and non-governmental actors to communicate in real time, giving marginalized communities a voice and encouraging inclusive participation in peace efforts. By increasing transparency and accountability, it modernizes traditional diplomacy and provides tools to address conflicts early. Digital platforms also play an important role in encouraging cultural exchange and aiding humanitarian initiatives in conflict zones. Despite its potential, digital diplomacy faces serious challenges. Cybersecurity risks, unequal access to digital resources, and the misuse of technology to spread disinformation threaten its success. This paper highlights the need for global agreements, ethical guidelines, and programs to strengthen digital capacity to minimize these risks and ensure that digital diplomacy supports peace rather than creating new tensions. Using real-world examples and theoretical perspectives, this research explains how digital transformation is changing diplomacy in the 21st century. It argues that integrating technology into diplomatic practices is crucial for building long-lasting peace and ensuring global stability. This approach opens new opportunities for innovation and cooperation in international relations.

The Role of Civil Initiatives in Urban Adaptation of Industrial Heritage in Türkiye: Yedikule Gasworks and Serotonin Events

This article aims to evaluate the processes of the urban adaptation process of industrial heritage sites through the evaluation and transformation of Yedikule Gasworks. The research aims to assess the role of governmental and non-governmental key actors, initiatives, and community-based organizations (CBOs), such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs), in promoting the importance of industrial heritage as cultural heritage in Türkiye. The research seeks to understand how industrial areas, fostered by artist-driven approaches to conservation and participation, defined as Seretonin events, mediate the reintegration of industrial areas into the city. This research aims to evaluate the urban regeneration processes of industrial heritage sites through case studies, taking into account the historical, cultural, urban, and social values of these sites. The research has been centered on exploring the role of participation and the approaches employed in the urban adaptation process, with a particular emphasis on the socio-cultural impacts. Additionally, it considers the contributions of civil society initiatives, volunteer communities, and interdisciplinary artistic endeavors in this transformation. In essence, the study aims to contribute to the ongoing debate surrounding the preservation of cultural heritage and its adaptation as new public spaces within urban environments. To this purpose, the adaptation process of the Yedikule Gasworks is investigated, with particular attention paid to the effects of an interdisciplinary approach to the preservation of industrial heritage. Additionally, case studies are presented that examine the challenges and opportunities associated with reintegrating industrial heritage sites into urban areas.

INTERNATIONAL CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS: ESTABLISHMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND FEATURES OF FUNCTIONING

The article is dedicated to the study of the peculiarities of charity development and the functioning of international charitable organizations that have acquired the status of an international entity. Such non-governmental actors are able to respond adaptively and act more quickly and locally on the world stage to address the most pressing issues, providing assistance and support to the most vulnerable categories and in the most critical geopolitical spaces. With the help of an interdisciplinary approach, it was possible to identify the historical background of the origin of the phenomenon of selfless human activity, a systematic political and legal analysis of international and domestic legislation helped to identify the peculiarities of the functioning of international charitable organizations in the United States, Europe and Ukraine, and a generalization of the obtained results crystallized the foundations and features of their direct involvement in problem areas.The difference between international non-governmental organizations and international charitable organizations was proved. The author identifies the main sources of funding for such structures through grants, donations from individuals and legal entities, international organizations and governments. It is established that the tasks of establishing and operating international charitable organizations are implemented in three areas of activity, including non-refundable assistance, administration of response and recovery projects, lobbying and actualization of the problem for the world community through influence on the political establishment and public opinion.

Improving Regional Welfare Through Stakeholder Management

The Floating Market holds significant potential to attract tourists, making it essential to integrate a welfare-oriented approach into its management to ensure contributions to regional development. Effective governance and collaboration among stakeholders, including local governments and non-governmental actors, are crucial for balancing tourism growth with sustainability. This study explores the roles of stakeholders in managing Floating Market resources, identifies key challenges, and offers insights for promoting local engagement and enhancing regional welfare through targeted policies. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, the research employs purposive sampling to conduct in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, including Floating Market management, workers, local residents, and representatives from the West Bandung Regency (KBB) Tourism and Culture Agency. Data analysis, using Social Network Analysis (SNA) and stakeholder mapping, identifies roles, relationships, and influence within tourism management. The results highlight critical issues affecting regional welfare, such as a lack of transparency in recruitment, limited training opportunities for workers, low wages, and environmental challenges like traffic congestion and waste management. The study suggests strategies to address these issues, including creating inclusive recruitment processes, implementing routine professional development programs, establishing fair wages, integrating health and employment insurance, improving infrastructure, and promoting sustainable practices. Another key strategy is to enhance the use of local products in the market, supporting local agriculture. Additionally, fostering open communication between management and locals is vital to ensure equitable distribution of tourism benefits. Effective stakeholder management can enhance the socio-economic impacts of tourism, benefiting both the Floating Market and the broader West Bandung Regency.