Non-governmental Groups Research Articles

The Challenges and Opportunities of Environmental Law Enforcement: A Systematic Review

Introduction: The formation of environmental law in many countries worldwide will unavoidably be promoted and coordinated by the non-governmental environmental groups currently in the world. In addition, it will benefit some developing countries where environmental protection is not a priority, environmental laws are not well-established, and oversight is not rigorous enough. Objective of research: This paper aims to explore the challenges and opportunities of environmental law enforcement in many countries in the world. Methods: A systematic review was used in this study. Based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, this study followed the steps of a systematic review of the literature (PRISMA). The final sample of 35 publications was analyzed, considering the year of publication, methods utilized, geographical location, the topic of challenges, and opportunities in enforcing environmental law. Responding to environmental crime is largely the responsibility of government enforcement and regulatory authorities, whether at the national, subnational, or municipal levels. Results and Discussion: The primary reaction agencies in most areas of the world are police, customs and border protection, and environmental regulatory agencies. To assist developing nations in improving environmental legal instruments and supervision; to achieve the ultimate goal of regional and even global environmental law coordination; to train relevant persons, relevant agencies, and other topics in the necessary environmental skills and knowledge; and to transfer and teach environmental knowledge and law within a specified time frame. Conclusion: Although some countries have a thorough legislative structure for environmental protection, local government independence and law enforcement must be improved. The ability of environmental law to serve a purpose is critical in determining whether the measures should be fully implemented.

Quality Improvement Intervention Using Social Prescribing at Discharge in a University Hospital in France: Quasi-Experimental Study.

Social prescription is seen as a public health intervention tool with the potential to mitigate social determinants of health. On one side, social prescription is not yet well developed in France, where social workers usually attend to social needs, and historically, there is a deep divide between the health and social sectors. On the other side, discharge coordination is gaining attention in France as a critical tool to improve the quality of care, assessed indirectly using unplanned rehospitalization rates. This study aims to combine social prescription and discharge coordination to assess the need for social prescription and its effect on unplanned rehospitalization rates. We conducted a quasi-experimental study in two departments of medicine in a French university hospital in a disadvantaged suburb of Paris over 2 years (October 2019-October 2021). A discharge coordinator screened patients for social prescribing needs and provided services on the spot or referred the patient to the appropriate service when needed. The primary outcome was the description of the services delivered by the discharge coordinator and of its process, as well as the characteristics of the patients in terms of social needs. The secondary outcome was the comparison of unplanned rehospitalization rates after data chaining. A total of 223 patients were included in the intervention arm, with recruitment being disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. More than two-thirds of patients (n=154, 69.1%) needed help understanding discharge information. Slightly less than half of the patients (n=98, 43.9%) seen by the discharge coordinator needed social prescribing, encompassing language, housing, health literacy, and financial issues. The social prescribing covered a large range of services, categorized into finding a general practitioner or private sector nurse, including language-matching; referral to a social worker; referral to nongovernmental organization or group activities; support for transportation issues; support for health-related administrative procedures; and support for additional appointments with nonmedical clinicians. All supports were delivered in a highly personalized way. Ethnic data collection was not legally permitted, but for 81% (n=182) of the patients, French was not the mother tongue. After data chaining, rehospitalization rates were compared between 203 patients who received the intervention (n=5, 3.1%) versus 2095 patients who did not (n=51, 2.6%), and there was no statistical difference. First, our study revealed the breadth of patient's unmet social needs in our university hospital, which caters to an area where the immigrant population is high. The study also revealed the complexity of the discharge coordinator's work, who provided highly personalized support and managed to gain trust. Hospital discharge could be used in France as an opportunity in disadvantaged settings. Eventually, indicators other than the rehospitalization rate should be devised to evaluate the effect of social prescribing and discharge coordination.

Challenges and Coping Strategies of Widows in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State

Widowhood is embedded with a lot of challenges for women which requires strategies to cope with it. This study investigated the challenges and coping strategies of widows in the Ilorin metropolis. The population for this study consisted of selected widows in Ilorin, Kwara state. The sample consisted of fifty widows randomly selected. The instrument that was used for this study is a researcher-designed questionnaire tagged “Widow Practices Questionnaire (WPQ). In testing the hypotheses, t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistics were used to test the hypotheses generated for the study at a 0.05 level of significance. The study revealed that the widows experience challenges such as endures psychosocial problems after their partner’s demise, endures problems of poor governmental support, experience negative pressure from the family of the demise among others. The coping strategies employed by widows are; widows never depend on the family’s provision to survive since their partner’s demise, embrace grants from religious bodies and government for survival, and cope with gifts and luxuries provided by non-governmental groups for survival among others. Also, there were significant differences in the challenges experienced and coping strategies employed by widows in the Ilorin metropolis based on age and job type; while there were no significant differences in the challenges experienced and coping strategies employed by widows based level of education. Based on the findings of this study, it was recommended that widows should be encouraged and supported by the government and religious bodies. Government and relevant stakeholders should endeavor to create measures and legislation that help protect the widows and preserve their rights as well as access to several benefits and the widows should be encouraged to meet counselors to disclose their problems, so that their challenges can be expertly addressed.

Underutilized Medicinal Plant in Ethiopia: The Case of Aloe Species

Ethiopian aloe species are known for traditional medicine for both human and livestock as well as for the preparation of various cosmetic products such as soap and lotion. The aloe species contributed great economic and social benefits for many local communities. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the use of aloe species in the beauty and wellness industry. Many international companies have started to source aloe from Ethiopia, recognizing its high quality and potency. However, there are concerns about the sustainability of aloe harvesting in Ethiopia. Due to the high demand for aloe products, there has been an increase in over-harvesting without replanting and unsustainable practices. This has led to a decline in some aloe species that hastens the need for better management and conservation efforts. Government and non-government groups should pay attention in order to minimize the damage to the aloe species. Traditional medicine practitioners, research institutes, and universities as well as biodiversity conservation institutes should give attention to the valuable aloe species in the country. As the species are declining from time to time, the devotions of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Labor and Skill, and Biotechnology Institute are essential to ensure the sustainability and proper uses of these valuable plants for future generations.

Menstrual Hygiene Practice among Adolescent Girls in Selective Slum Areas of Dhaka City in Bangladesh

Background: Adolescence is the transition period from childhood to adulthood and is widely recognized as a time of great importance due to its vulnerabilities linked with biological, physical, social, and environmental considerations.Objective: To assess the experience of menstruation and menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent girls in selective slum areas of Dhaka city in Bangladesh.Methods: This cross-sectional, observational study was conducted between June and September of 2023 among 169 adolescent girls. A semi-structured questionnaire was used as tool for data collection through face to face interview. A total of 169 girls aged between 13 and 19 were included in this study.Results: The mean age of the girls was 15.33 years. Most of the girls (71.59%) were in 13-17 years age group. The mean age at menarche was 12.38 year. 136 (80.47%) by the age of 11-14 years and 127 (75.15%) had information on menstruation before menarche from mothers 98 (27.84%). During menstruation, 118(69.82%) were using sanitary pad, 60(50.85%) girls changed pad two times a day. The reuse of cloth material was practiced by only 39(76.47%) girls; among them, only 32(82.05%) girls were using soap (detergent) to clean the cloth material. 34(87.18%) girls were drying their used cloth in sunlight. All participants bathed during menstruation and of which 127(75.15%) girls were using soap to clean the external genitalia. 111(65.68%) discarding sanitary materials in public dustbin. The main cause of choosing cloth as absorbent material over sanitary pad is financial issue for 59% of the girls.Conclusion: The average population of females in urban slums practiced good menstrual hygiene. The findings of this study may aid governmental and non-governmental groups in developing programs to prevent health concerns during menstrual periods by improving education on menstrual hygiene habits.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Vol. 08 No. 01 Jan’24 Page: 79-83

Brazilian forest restoration: Success or better than nothing?

The Brazilian scientific community and non-governmental groups have been working to establish forest restoration programs, compensating for deforestation and mitigating losses from biodiversity and ecosystem services. In contrast, the previous Brazilian government moved in an opposite direction, revoking legal acts and providing scope for the rural producers to sustain non-compliance activities according to the legal regulations. Among rural producers, there is a recognized conflict between agricultural production and forest restoration programs, which results in a chaotic condition where the implementation of the environmental laws is impaired. In this context, restoration projects are often practiced without effective integrated territorial planning. This scenario challenges the success of large-scale restoration programs. The Brazilian government needs to effectively adopt sound guidelines already suggested to promote a genuine state of governance, fostering restoration programs, and moving the country's development towards an ecologically planned environment.

The UN Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP) — An ocean science-policy interface standing the test of time

Addressing the wide range of marine pollution problems facing the global ocean requires a continual transfer of credible, relevant and timely scientific information to policy and decision makers in coastal and ocean management. The United Nations GESAMP (Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection) is a long-standing scientific advisory group providing such information on a wide range of marine topics and emerging issues of concern to ten UN Sponsoring Organizations. This paper presents an overview of GESAMPs operation and examples of its current work. The group's scientific output is often cited by national governments, inter-governmental groups, and a range of non-governmental groups. Given the growing concerns about ocean health and the impacts of many stressors in an era of climate change, the development of timely and effective ocean policy and decision making would benefit from wider recognition and application of GESAMPs work.

Inclusive climate resilient transport challenges in Africa

Delivering sustainable and inclusive low-carbon transport is a critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Yet transport infrastructure is vulnerable to the effects of climate change in low-income countries in Africa. This paper explores the status of inclusive mobility and climate-resilient transportation in Africa, focusing on the perceptions and importance amongst key stakeholders, their incorporation into existing practices, and the priority given to making transport more inclusive and climate resilient. A nested scale approach was used that included an online continental survey of 136 respondents from 17 African countries; 2 country-level Focus Group Discussions in Uganda and Zambia; and city-level semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders in Lusaka and Kampala using the Delphi method. In addition, an online spatial questionnaire (Maptionnaire) was used to locate where infrastructure improvements were needed, and two city workshops held in Lusaka and Kampala. Providing more active travel infrastructure was a priority for both government and non-governmental groups. This is not connected to climate resilience but to immediate priorities of road safety and health. Our surveys highlighted that climate resilience and inclusive mobility policies are in place, but poor implementation and lack of transparency were undermining outcomes. Upgrading existing infrastructure was more cost-effective and workable than developing new robust alternatives. Lack of knowledge exchange was limiting agencies efforts to tackle this growing challenge. The paper underscores the need to raise awareness of relevant options to improve the climate resilience of transport infrastructure and expand accessible mobility solutions to tackle issues of inclusion and equity in African cities.

Improved management of waste management by non-governmental groups (KSM) in post-pandemic sustainable waste management in Bogor City

The post-pandemic waste generation problem in Bogor City continues to increase. The waste managed in 2022 reached 96.25% of the total waste. It can manage and reduce as much as 21.52% of generation while the rest are disposed to landfill. Most of the waste reduction was carried out through recycling activities (20.78%), composting (13.36%), TPS3R (temporary reuse, reduce, recycle sites) (5.36%), and waste banks (2,06%). There are 29 TPS3R units, 26 of which are managed by self-help groups (KSM) and the rest by the government. KSMs have an important and dominant role in managing TPS3R, even though they only serve around 5.4% of households. The limitations of landfills demand that waste be reduced at the household level. Proper management of TPS3R by KSM can increase the reduction of waste generation. This study aims to formulate policy recommendations for improving KSM management in waste management and increasing income from waste processing. A GAP analysis used the primary and secondary data from 2022. The results show that it is necessary to improve KSM management, increase the number of KSM and continue the Bogor City Government coaching program to improve KSM’s income.

Optimalisasi Pengelolaan Sampah Plastik Serta Pemberdayaan Masyarakat Dalam Peningkatan Ekonomi Warga Dusun Semingkir Purwokerto

Covid-19 has left many traces on the Indonesian people, the sorrow of losing family, friends and relatives, as well as the consumer behavior of society. Behavior during the pandemic then becomes a new habit for society, where purchases of goods, food or drinks online continue to be made. This has an impact on the increasing amount of household waste, there is a buildup of waste, especially plastic-based waste. Plastic waste is a type of waste that poses a serious threat to the environment because it is not easily decomposed by nature. Destruction of plastic waste through burning also creates new problems in the form of air pollution which increases the risk of cancer. Public awareness of the negative impacts of plastic waste is increasing in big cities and in regions, such as Banyumas Regency, one of which is encouraged by the existence of a non-governmental group that is engaged in utilizing waste, namely the Inyong Waste Bank. Conventional methods in processing waste, product distribution patterns and management that are not optimal have caused the public's interest in getting involved in the Inyong Waste Bank to decrease because the economic value has decreased drastically. There are solutions in the form of increasing capabilities in processing waste using alternative methods, public interest in managing the Inyong Waste Bank, as well as arranging new distribution patterns so that they can increase the economic value of products resulting from periodic training activities with outputs in the form of websites, logo designing and product innovation and promotion training.

Determining the social exclusion levels of international students from different regions using the MAIRCA and TOPSIS method

ABSTRACT This study aims to determine the regions of Turkey in which visiting international students experience the highest levels of social exclusion. Based on non-numerical data and expert opinions, in order to help researchers and policymakers to understand this sector is considered the most significant contribution of this study to the field. According to the results obtained in the study, it was determined that the primary group of students coming from the Latin America region, with those from Asia coming in secondarily, experienced the highest levels of social exclusion. Therefore, universities and NGOs should consider forming groups to reduce the social exclusion of Latin America students. Programmes that help international students from Latin America, Asia, and Africa adjust to culture can also reduce social exclusion. In addition, non-governmental groups and formal institutions introducing geographical awareness into scholarship programme planning would reduce international students' economic exclusion. Housing and transportation costs, in addition to tuition or programme fees, are expensive for students from this region and compound their economic exclusion. Institutional measures to reduce sociocultural exclusion are vital for Asia and Africa students because discrimination against international students from this region requires a culturally-sensitive response that involves cooperation between the university and civic society.

Managing Goals in Collaborative Management: Program Implementation of Membara in Central Mamuju Regency

The purpose of this research is to analyze the implementation of the Berbara policy in the Central Mamuju Regency through a collaborative management approach. A qualitative approach was used to comprehensively explain this phenomenon. Data collection methods included observations, in-depth interviews, and documentation studies. The data sources consist of two primary data points from observation and indepth interview results and secondary data from supporting documents obtained from research results. The data analysis used interactive analyses that are related to each other. The results of the study show that in collaboration management, management objectives include level, origin, originality, relevance, content, and openness. The level of collaboration in the Berbara program is at the optimal level of collaboration. Stakeholders have the same perception and goal, which is to assist the community in providing decent housing for people from a low-income background . The origin of the objectives of the Membara program was the initiation of the Public Housing and Settlement Area office, and its original aims were authentic. The relevance of the Bakara program was achieved through collaboration with various other stakeholders, including non-governmental and community groups.
 Keywords: managing goals, collaboration management, program implementation

The City Government's Role In Begging

The purpose of this study is to ascertain how the Bandung municipal government interacts with homeless persons and to pinpoint the factors that support and impediment this interaction. This study employs a descriptive methodology and is qualitative in nature. The research subjects include the Mayor of Bandung, the Director of the Bandung City Social Service, and the sprawl of the City of Bandung. Based on the results of the data analysis, it is feasible to draw the following conclusion: The 2019 Bandung City Regional Regulation Concerning the Treatment of Vagabonds and the Homeless regulates how the municipal government is to handle gepeng. Social services aid in efforts to rehabilitate society. According to Article 16 of the 2019 Bandung City Regional Regulation, efforts to end homelessness are conducted in four different ways: prevention, repression, social rehabilitation, and reintegration activities. The central government's support, the 2019 Regional Regulation, the existence of non-governmental groups, and community support all contribute to the Bandung City Government's attempts to manage sprawl. Two barriers are the sluggish homeless culture and the cash-on-hand culture.

Lawyers Writing History: The Politics of the Past of the United Restitution Organisation (URO) from 1948 to the 1980s

This article explores the Geschichts- and Vergangenheitspolitik, or politics of the past, of the United Restitution Office/Organisation (URO) in the post-war years and asks how it impacted on the early historiography of the Holocaust. I demonstrate that the URO leadership took a conscious decision to publicly downplay the role of its organisation in German reparations to maximise its legal and political clout behind closed doors. While this strategy was beneficial for many of URO's clients, above all in the 1950s and 1960s, this self-marginalisation prevented the organisation from becoming a significant voice in the public debates about German moral guilt and its consequences in the 1970s and 1980s. One reason for this development was generational. The URO was an enterprise driven by a particular cohort of German-Jewish lawyers for whom it provided an opportunity to personally ‘come to terms’ with the interruptions of their pre-1933 careers and the persecution during the Third Reich. In the post-war period, their legal expertise as well as their intimate knowledge of the German language and customs allowed them to act as transnational citizen diplomats, successfully mediating between the different parties and interest groups, governments and non-governmental lobby groups. For most of these Jewish jurists, their practical experience with their German peers, politicians and the administrators of the German Wiedergutmachung led to an increasing scepticism and ultimately disappointment – despite the undisputedly impressive results that they obtained for their clients.

Influenced by Power or Reasons? The Role of Amicus Curiae Briefs in Constitutional Court Decision-Making

In what ways do amicus curiae or friend of the court briefs shape the decisions of constitutional courts outside of the United States? Using a unique data set of more than nine hundred briefs from the Bulgarian Constitutional Court, hearing cases of constitutional review and legal interpretation, we analyze the Court’s propensities to both borrow language from briefs and cite the identity of interested parties. We find that the Court is more inclined to incorporate language from briefs by powerful government actors rather than non-governmental groups. Furthermore, the Court’s alignment with the governing coalition and the type of constitutional review also influence the propensity to borrow language from briefs. However, the Bulgarian Constitutional Court does not appear to favor citing any particular interested party. These results question whether the briefing process in Bulgaria lives up to democratic expectations for including less powerful civil society viewpoints into decision-making. The study is one of the few of its kind to explore how the reasoning found within the brief influences an important national high court outside of the United States.

Fostering recovery through stakeholders-community collaboration in post-earthquake recovery in Nepal

The roles of stakeholders from governmental and non-governmental sectors and groups within the communities have been praised as facilitators for effective response and recovery. However, various stakeholders involved in post-2015 Nepal Earthquakes' recovery initiatives reported challenges in understanding the changing community needs and developing trustable relationships with people resulting in low levels of community engagement. This study examines stakeholders' opportunities and challenges when engaging local people in implementing recovery projects with social capital lenses by analysing interactions between multiple stakeholders and disaster-affected communities. The research used a qualitative method, including 23 semi-structured interviews with representatives from government agencies, NGOs, community organisations and volunteers involved in different initiatives toward post-earthquake recovery. The findings from this study present multiple scenarios of community-stakeholders interactions creating opportunities and barriers for people-centred recovery. Even though gender equity remains a contentious issue, acknowledging the nature of stakeholders’ relationships with disaster-affected communities and their roles in promoting community leadership and inclusion creates trustable connections that enable long-term engagement and build resilience beyond disaster recovery. Understanding these complexities is crucial in undertaking community-based disaster management initiatives, promoting long-term community engagement and fostering resilience beyond disaster recovery.

Climate change, water resources, and wastewater reuse in Cyprus

This study aims to gain a deeper understanding of climate change and wastewater usage in Cyprus. Focusing on water resources, the study was done in Cyprus. The significance of selecting Cyprus as our case study arises from the fact that it is not only one of the Mediterranean Sea countries worldwide with water resource concerns but also faces a serious danger of drought in the next years. Documentary analysis and summation of what numerous sources mentioned regarding the freshwater situation in Cyprus were used to collect data. The objective of this research was to understand the water resources available in Cyprus and the quality of fresh water, then to examine the practices and mechanisms of freshwater resource management in Cyprus, and finally to investigate the challenges faced by various water resources in Cyprus and the various means to overcome them. The initial objective was to determine the different water resources in Cyprus. Second, we analyzed the many strategies employed to manage these resources and the diverse management structures in Cyprus. In light of the foregoing, this study's main objective was to understand climate change and wastewater utilization better. Thus, linking formal and informal institutions in the management of these water resources, as well as the issues and solutions they face in dealing with salt water. Water conservation is not an individual concern. All parties are involved, including the government, non-governmental groups, local inhabitants, and all stakeholders, with differing opinions.

Achieving health through diet: a joint event of the Sabri Ülker Foundation and The Nutrition Society of UK and Ireland, May 2022

AbstractOptimum nutrition plays a major role in the achievement and maintenance of good health. The Nutrition Society of the UK and Ireland and the Sabri Ülker Foundation, a charity based in Türkiye and focused on improving public health, combined forces to highlight this important subject. A hybrid conference was held in Istanbul, with over 4000 delegates from sixty-two countries joining the proceedings live online in addition to those attending in person. The primary purpose was to inspire healthcare professionals and nutrition policy makers to better consider the role of nutrition in their interactions with patients and the public at large to reduce the prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. The event provided an opportunity to share and learn from different approaches in the UK, Türkiye and Finland, highlighting initiatives to strengthen research in the nutritional sciences and translation of that research into nutrition policy. The presenters provided evidence of the links between nutrition and disease risk and emphasised the importance of minimising risk and implementing early treatment of diet-related disease. Suggestions were made including improving health literacy and strengthening policies to improve the quality of food production and dietary behaviour. A multidisciplinary approach is needed whereby Governments, the food industry, non-governmental groups and consumer groups collaborate to develop evidence-based recommendations and appropriate joined-up policies that do not widen inequalities. This summary of the proceedings will serve as a gateway for those seeking to access additional information on nutrition and health across the globe.

Basics of sustainable development: the example of environmental education

In order to preserve the resources of our planet, improve social welfare, and build a sustainable future for future generations, sustainable development is a crucial idea. An illustration of this idea is environmental education, which seeks to further these objectives by raising people’s knowledge of the environment. People who get environmental education are better able to adapt to their natural surroundings. Important topics covered in this course include protecting the environment, using natural resources sustainably, and increasing public understanding of environmental concerns. Adults and children of various ages are involved in this process. Numerous initiatives funded by academic institutions, government agencies, non-governmental groups, and schools may provide environmental education. Through these activities, participants may learn how to comprehend and address environmental issues while also getting the chance to experience the natural world. One of the main tenets of sustainable development is this kind of education, since individuals who are more environmentally conscious tend to manage natural resources more effectively, become more aware of environmental issues, and build stronger foundations for a sustainable future. Consequently, attaining sustainable development objectives depends in large part on environmental education. People are better equipped to comprehend and safeguard the environment and make more thoughtful choices for a sustainable future as a result of this education. In order to protect the health of our world and future generations, this is imperative.

Networking Actors in Private Public Management Tourism Development Partnership

The management of public-private partnership tourism development should put a substantial focus on networking the many stakeholders that are participating in the project. There are many different types of participants that might be connected via a network. Some examples include the government, the private sector, local communities, and non-governmental groups. Actors need to share information and work together in order to successfully network, which is why public-private partnerships are so important to tourism industry growth. Networking players may be able to aid in increasing the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the project by raising the amount of coordination and collaboration that happens among the numerous stakeholders participating in the project. Actor networking may also help to reduce disagreements and encourage community participation in project planning and implementation, both of which are desirable results.