Organization Of Economic Cooperation And Development Research Articles

Financial development and tax evasion: International evidence from OECD and non-OECD countries

This study investigates the nexus between financial development and tax evasion across 156 countries from 2000 to 2017. In contrast to previous research focusing solely on banks or financial markets’ development, we employ a more comprehensive financial development index introduced by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2016. This index gauges the progress of financial institutions (FI) and financial markets (FM) in terms of depth, access, and efficiency. Our findings underscore a negative correlation between financial development and tax evasion. Enhanced depth, access, and efficiency in both FI and FM correspond to reduced levels of tax evasion. Nevertheless, disparities emerge between the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and non-OECD countries. While non-OECD countries exhibit negative associations between FI and FM development and tax evasion, in OECD countries, the role of FI assumes greater significance in curtailing tax evasion. Notably, within OECD countries, the depth of FI and FM emerges as the sole influential factor. This contrasts starkly with non-OECD counterparts, where all dimensions − depth, access, and efficiency − negatively influence tax evasion. Our research has noteworthy implications for policymakers in both categories of countries.

Evaluation of Neuroprotective effect of Cassia occidentalis L. against Colchicine Induced Memory Impairment in Wistar Rats

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurological disorder that develops with aging. Objective: In this research, we have examined the anti - Alzheimer’s effect of ethanolic extract from roots of Cassia occidentalis L. on colchicine-induced Alzheimer’s in Wistar rats Methods: Ethanolic extract was obtained and spectroscopic, chromatography analysis was performed. Acute toxicity studies using Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines 423 were performed to examine and make sure that there were no signs of toxic effects. The induction of AD was done using colchicine which leads to symptoms like neurotoxicity, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration. In this experiment, a thorough analysis of body weight, behavioral parameters, locomotor activity, and biochemical evaluation was performed to estimate the medicinal properties of Cassia occidentalis L in treating Alzheimer’s disease. Results: Pharmacognostic analysis showed the presence of vascular bundles, starch grains, fibers, calcium oxalate crystals, elongated parenchyma, and collenchyma mucilage as shown in the supplementary files. Locomotor activity, Escape latency time, Conditioned avoidance response, and Transfer latency were improved with treatment. Interleukin- 6 (IL - 6) levels were reduced significantly in the Colchicine + 200 Cassia mg/kg group (739.2 ± 0.37 pg/ml) than in the Colchicine Group (850.6±0.40 pg/ml). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) was decreased in the Colchicine + 200 Cassia mg/kg Group (1030.93±0.51 pg/ml) than in the Colchicine Group (1455.06±1.25 pg/ml). A significant decrease in total protein level was observed in the Colchicine Group (2.52±0.10 mg/ml), (3.33±0.90 mg/ml) as compared to Colchicine + 200 Cassia mg/kg Group (5.27±0.09 mg/ml, (5.01±0.10 mg/ml) respectively, in the Hippocampus and Entorhinal cortex. The levels of antioxidant enzymes such as Catalase (CAT), Serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), Reduced glutathione (GSH) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. When compared to the Colchicine Group (7.33±0.16 nM/ mg, the MDA level was lower in the Colchicine + 100 Cassia mg/kg Group (3.20±0.01 nM/ mg). The level of CAT in Colchicine + 200 Cassia mg/kg Group (7.01±0.03 μmoles of H2O2/mg of protein) was seen to be increased when compared to Colchicine Group (3.32 ± 0.17 μmoles of H2O2/mg of protein). The level of SOD in Colchicine + 200 Cassia mg/kg Group (7.43±0.02 U mg -1 of protein) was seen to be increased when compared with Colchicine Group (4.55±0.03 U mg -1 of protein). The level of GSH in Colchicine + 200 Cassia mg/kg Group (10.07±0.19 nM/mg -1 of protein) was increased when compared with the Colchicine Group (5.82±0.11nM/mg -1 of protein). Histopathology of the Hippocampus and Entorhinal cortex showed diminished amyloid plaques, and neurodegeneration in the treatment groups Conclusion: The present study showed that ethanolic extract from the roots of Cassia occidentalis L. At 100 and 200 mg/kg doses in Wistar rats improved memory damage, by reducing oxidative stress. Levels of the antioxidant enzymes as CAT, and SOD, GSH were increased and MDA was decreased. The cytokine levels in the serum of Wistar rats of IL-6 level and TNF-α level were reduced significantly. Estimation of total protein level was found to be increased. It restored neuronal degeneration in the Hippocampus, and Entorhinal cortex and reduced oxidative stress. This suggests that the ethanolic extract of Cassia occidentalis L. could be an effective therapeutic treatment for neurodegenerative diseases like AD.

Official Development Assistance (ODA) Jepang kepada Indonesia pada Masa Orde Baru (1966-1998)

The History of Japan and Indonesia Relations: Japanese ODA to Indonesia during the New Order Era (1966-1998). Official Development Assistance (ODA) is a foreign aid used by the member nations of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) in the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). ODA is used to contribute to the economic development and prosperity of developing countries. Japan as one of the DAC member countries provides ODA to said developing countries, with a special focus on the Asia region - Indonesia being one of the priority recipients. This research focuses on Japan’s ODA history, and the history of Japanese-Indonesian relations spanning the New Order era from 1966 to 1998. The methodology of research is qualitative, and based on historical data with the aim to explain Japan’s ODA strategies with regards to Indonesia as well as the reason behind it. The resources used to acquire data are primary sources from official websites of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and secondary sources such as books and journals describing Japan’s ODA to Indonesia. The findings of this research indicate the implementation of Japan’s ODA to Indonesia serves several national interests, as well as identifies interdependencies between the countries. Whereas Japan provides ODA to Indonesia with the goal of improving the country’s image on the world stage, as well as promoting mutual economic growth through investment and trade, Indonesia is also dependent on Japan’s ODA for economic growth and infrastructural development - in summary the welfare of the country. In summary both countries benefit from the ODA aid and have developed closer ties thanks to its continuation.

Optimization Of Character Education Through The Project Strengthening Of Profile Pancasila Students At Senior High School Bekasi

Program for International Students Assessment (PISA) 2018, Indonesia is in the fifth highest position out of 78 countries as the country with the most students experiencing bullying with 41.1% of students claiming to have experienced bullying far above the average for member countries of the Organization of Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), which is only 22.7%. Based on this data, the Ministry of Education and Culture has prioritized strengthening character as discussed in the Strategic Plan for the Center for Strengthening Character (Rensra Puspera) (Kemendikbudristek, 2022) for a project to strengthen the profile of Pancasila students with project-based co-curricular activities designed to strengthen efforts to achieve appropriate competency and character. with a Pancasila student profile. The objects in this research were school principals and teachers as well as students using interview techniques. The research method uses a qualitative descriptive approach. The results of the research conducted at SMA Pengkerja Bekasi were 1) understanding P5 by participating in the school mobilization program; 2) the school principal as the policy holder holds IHT or meetings for teachers regarding strengthening P5 so that they can build an educational unit culture that supports the implementation of P5; 3) Designing P5 by forming a team of facilitators, arranging the time allocation for implementing P5 using a block system, determining the objectives of each theme written in the project module; 4) Manage P5 by involving parents and external partners; 5) Assessment by compiling a report card P5.

Evaluation of the neurocognitive and neuroprotective potentials of selected Nigerian medicinal plants in experimental models of dementia

AbstractBackgroundRecent studies have implicated oxidative stress, chronic neuroinflammation, functional cholinergic deficits, and glutamatergic pathway disruptions in the pathophysiology of dementia. However, certain medicinal plants are being used in the management of dementias by the inhabitants of Ibarapa Area of South‐Western Nigeria, hence this study.MethodEthno‐pharmacological survey of medicinal plants used in the management of dementias in Ibarapa Area of Oyo State, South‐Western Nigeria was conducted using semi‐structured questionnaires and open‐ended interviews. Phytochemical, antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐nociceptive, and cholinesterase‐inhibiting screenings were conducted on selected medicinal plants (SMPs) using standard assays. Preliminary cytotoxicity screening of promising crude extracts were determined using brine shrimp lethality assay (BSLA). LD50, acute and sub‐chronic administrations of the SMPs into groups of mice were determined using Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 423 guideline. Haematological, biochemical, and histopathological examinations following single and repeated doses of crude extracts of SMPs into groups of mice were determined using standard assays. Behavioural studies using relevant mouse models were conducted. Mechanistic studies using cell lines are being carried out on the promising SMPs. Data are expressed as mean ± standard error of mean (SEM) and analyzed using one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post‐hoc test (Student‐Newman‐Keuls test).ResultThe ethnomedicinal survey revealed about 105 medicinal plants belonging to more than 50 families being used as memory enhancers in the management of dementias by the inhabitants of Ibarapa Area of Oyo State in south‐Western Nigeria. Phoenix dactylifera, Combretum mucranthum, Parquitena nigrescens, Crinum jagus, Blighia sapida, Entandrophragma utile, Ficus exasperate showed significant antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and anti‐cholinergic activities. Results of BSLA revealed LC50 values of 100 ‐ 1000 ppm for the screened plants. The oral LD50 values of crude methanol extracts of SMPs are 2000 ‐ 5000 mg/kg. Findings from haematological, biochemical, histological and behavioural assays following both single and repeated administrations of the tested SMPs in mice showed that they are safe and possess promising neurobehavioural potentials that warranted further exploration.ConclusionThe SMPs are safe, highly rich in beneficial phytochemicals, exhibited significant antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐cholinesterase, nootropic and neuroprotective potentials thereby suggesting the rationale for their ethnomedicinal use in the management of NNDs.

Toxicity profiling of Burgmansia aurea Lagerh. Leaves using acute and sub-acute toxicity studies in rats.

Toxicity studies in appropriate animal models are an integral and very important component of pre-clinical studies in drug development. Brugmansia aurea lagerh. is used for both medicinal and non-medical purposes, including treating skin infections, different types of physical discomfort, inflammation, cough, hallucinations, and evil protection. This study was designed to detect any hazardous effects of B. aurea on animals and find out its LD50. An acute toxicity study was performed to find out the LD50 value and sub-acute toxicity study was performed to find out the toxicity on repeated dose administration till 28 days. Both studies were performed according to the organization of economic cooperation and development (OECD) 425 and 407 respectively. For the acute oral toxicity study, animals were divided into two groups, group I normal control (NC) and group II received a 2000mg/kg dose of B.aurea leaves extract. In the sub-acute toxicity study, male and female animals were divided into eight groups, I-IV for males and V-VIII for females received control, 100, 200 & 400mg/kg B. aurea leaves extract respectively. Hematological and biochemical markers were estimated at the end of each study. Results revealed that no mortality and morbidity were observed in acute oral as well as sub-acute toxicity studies. Oxidative stress markers were increased significantly in all organs of the treatment groups in both studies. Animals significantly decreased their food and water intake in an acute oral toxicity study. A slight difference in renal function tests was observed in the acute oral toxicity study when compared with the normal control group. No significant change in histopathology was observed in both studies on selected organs. This study concluded that B. aurea can be safely used for pharmacological purposes.

Remote MR scanning – A solution for shortage of skilled radiographers

Rapid medical and technological developments in radiology and demographic changes are leading to a rise in demand for MR examinations. According to the World Health Organization, the number of people aged 60 and over is expected to double between 2000 and 2050 [ [1] WHO: Number of people over 60 years set to double by 2050; major societal changes required [Internet]. [zitiert 25. Mai 2023]. Verfügbar unter: https://www.who.int/news/item/30-09-2015-who-number-of-people-over-60-years-set-to-double-by-2050-major-societal-changes-required. Google Scholar ]. The proportion of elderly people in society is increasing worldwide; sub-Saharan Africa is the only place where 43% of the population is younger than 15 [ [2] Population ages 65 and above, total | Data [Internet]. [zitiert 31. Januar 2023]. Verfügbar unter: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.65UP.TO. Google Scholar ]. The high number of elderly people and the clinical benefit of radiological imaging procedures mean that the number of examinations is rising both rapidly and constantly. At the same time, life expectancy is steadily rising, which means even more demand on radiology services. According to the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), between 2009 and 2019, the number of MR exams in the United States increased by one-third while in Australia, the number of MR examinations more than doubled [ [3] OECD. Health at a Glance 2021: OECD Indicators [Internet]. OECD; 2021 [zitiert 27. März 2023]. (Health at a Glance). Verfügbar unter: https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/social-issues-migration-health/health-at-a-glance-2021_ae3016b9-en. Google Scholar ]. Between 2007 and 2018, the number of MR studies in German hospitals increased by 80%, while worldwide more than 95 million MR examinations are performed each year [ [4] Health care use - Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams - OECD Data [Internet]. theOECD. [zitiert 25. Mai 2023]. Verfügbar unter: http://data.oecd.org/healthcare/magnetic-resonance-imaging-mri-exams.htm. Google Scholar ].

Importance of learning Korean Language

The rise of Korea in last few decades made the world believe in miracles. From being economically weak to a member of the organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 1996, the miracle was named “Miracle on the Han River.” The miracle is not supernatural but definitely makes it stand in the league of world superpower. In the last few decades Korea became the World’s leading producer and exporters of automobiles, ships, mobile phones, cosmetics, textile etc. The name Korea became synonym to quality and excellence.

Evaluation of Euphorbia poissonii pax for the formulation of an -incapacitating agent

This research was designed to explore the biological effects of compounds isolated from Euphorbia poissoni pax for the formulation of an Incapacitating Agent against Albino rat; which will serve as an indigenous weapon for the Nigerian defence system and also as an insecticide. Chloroform extracts of Euphorbia poissoni pax was subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening to ascertain the presence of phenolic compounds, alkaloids, saponins, and terpenoids. Fourier- Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis indicated the presences of some chemical compounds including (4-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-4- methyl-2-pentanone) trimethylsilyl Ether, n-Hexadecanoic acid, Carbonic acid(1R)-(-)-menthylnonyl ester, 13-Octadecenoic acid methyl ester, 1,3,5-triazine, 2-chloro-4,6-bis(mthylthio) and Phthalic acid, 6-ethyloct-3-yl-2-ethylhexyl ester. In the chloroform extract. The LD50 of the plant extract was calculated to be 1733.33 mg/kg, which is within the OECD (Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development) guidelines. The extract exerted a potent biological activity at 1000 mg/kg on applying under pressure on the rat skin and incapacitated the rat for 2 minutes. The extract showed an effective insecticidal effect against cockroaches and beans weevils.

Effect of technostress on Psychological well-being of post-graduate students: A perspective and correlational study of Higher Education Management

Progression in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has changed individuals in innumerable ways. Utilization of innovation can upgrade work environment proficiency, usefulness, and adaptability. However, innovative tools can adversely affect an individual's physiological, Psychological, as well as organizational satisfaction and have likewise prompted higher technostress among technology users. The study aims at examining the association of techno-stressors with the Psychological well-being of postgraduate learners. Using a quantitative research approach, data were collected through an adapted survey questionnaire tool, from 564 postgraduate learners enrolled in MS (Computer Science, Mathematics) and M.Phil. (Education) programs at a private sector University. To analyze the data, a correlation test was run using SPSS 27.0 version. Moreover, the findings revealed that there is a weak association between techno-stressors and the Psychological well-being of learners. Among the five intertwined techno-stressors, techno-insecurity has a moderate effect on the Psychological well-being of learners. Whereas, both male and female respondents were aware of the characteristics of technology and errands. Finally, in instructive settings, the most apparent well-being research initiatives have been taken by the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OCED). However, even in these programs the examination has been done in tertiary settings and is restricted to 15years learners. This study contributes to bridging this gap. Alongside this, the current assemblage of writing adds to the field of literature in the context of Sindh, Pakistan.

A Review on the Application of Nanotechnology in Food Industries

Nanotechnology has the potential to be used in the food business and processing as novel pathogen detection instruments, disease treatment delivery methods, food packaging, and bioactive component distribution to specific areas. Nanotechnology's implementation in food systems will bring new approaches to improving food safety and nutritional value. It sums up the capability of nanoparticles for their utilization in the food business to give purchasers a safe and tainting-free food and to guarantee the customer adequacy of the food with upgraded useful properties. With the increase in shelf life and enhanced quality, the edible packages or thin-film usage can delay the deterioration of food. To regulate the nanomaterials and applications in the food industry a legal basis has been made. The Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recommended the standard test guidelines be used for the hazard assessment of nanomaterials for chemical safety. Finally, nanotechnology supports the change of the existing food processing systems to attest the safety of the products, nurturing a healthy food, and also the food’s nutritive quality to be enhanced. The straightforwardness of security issues and natural effect should be the need while managing the advancement of nanotechnology in food frameworks and hence mandatory testing of nano food varieties is expected before they are delivered to the market.

Is there any recovery power for economic growth from green finance? Evidence from OECD member countries

This paper investigates the dynamic interactions between green finance, economic growth, and green energy consumption for the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) members. The econometric analysis is conducted on annual data gathered throughout 2010–2020 using different estimation techniques of the Vector Autoregressive model, causality, and co-integration approaches. The main results confirmed a positive bi-directional relationship between GDP and green energy consumption. In addition, there is a two-way relationship between the volume of green bond issuance and the use of green energy in OECD countries. The recommended practical policy recommendations are establishing a unified green bonds market among OECD member states, prioritizing green projects to support the issued green bonds, improving the financial system, and financing rural electrification and electric vehicle transition by green bonds.

Acute and sub-acute oral toxicity of the methanol extract of Adansonia digitata fruit pulp.

Most rural and urban-based communities in Africa rely on traditional remedies for their primary healthcare. One probable reason for this is the assumption that they are free of harmful side effects and toxicity, compared to orthodox drugs. However, very few plants have been thoroughly evaluated for their toxic effects. Adansonia digitata (A. digitata) also known as (Baobab) is a member of the Malvaceae family. Almost all components of the tree are utilized in traditional African medicine. The present study evaluated the potential toxicity of methanol extract from the fruit pulp of Adansonia digitata through acute and sub-acute oral administration in rats. The acute oral toxicity study was done according to Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines no 425 using a limit dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight (BW). Sub-acute oral toxicity using (250, 500, and, 1000 mg/kg BW) was performed by daily administration for 28 days according to the OECD guideline 407. The acute toxicity study revealed no lethal effects and behavioral signs of toxicity at the tested dose indicating that LD is greater than 2000mg/kg. In the sub-acute study, no significant difference was observed in the body weight, organ weight, liver, and kidney parameters in all treated groups compared to the control. A non-significant decrease in packed cell volume (PCV) was observed across the groups. Also, a significant increase in the white blood cell count and a decrease in the lymphocyte count occurred in the group treated with 250 mg/kg BW. These results show that methanol extract of Adansonia digitata fruit pulp is generally safe on short-term use but can cause changes in haematological parameters on long-term use.

Phytochemical and toxicological evaluation of Zephyranthes citrina

Drugs obtained from medicinal plants have always played a pivotal role in the field of medicine and to identify novel compounds. Safety profiling of plant extracts is of utmost importance during the discovery of new biologically active compounds and the determination of their efficacy. It is imperative to conduct toxicity studies before exploring the pharmacological properties and perspectives of any plant. The present work aims to provide a detailed insight into the phytochemical and toxicological profiling of methanolic extract of Zephyranthes citrina (MEZ). Guidelines to perform subacute toxicity study (407) and acute toxicity study (425) provided by the organization of economic cooperation and development (OECD) were followed. A single orally administered dose of 2000 mg/kg to albino mice was used for acute oral toxicity testing. In the subacute toxicity study, MEZ in doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg was administered orally, consecutive for 28 days. Results of each parameter were compared to the control group. In both studies, the weight of animals and their selected organs showed consistency with that of the control group. No major toxicity or organ damage was recorded except for some minor alterations in a few parameters such as in the acute study, leukocyte count was increased and decreased platelet count, while in the subacute study platelet count increased in all doses. In the acute toxicity profile liver enzymes Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), as well as, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were found to be slightly raised while alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was decreased. In subacute toxicity profiling, AST and ALT were not affected by any dose while ALP was decreased only at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg. Uric acid was raised at a dose of 100 mg/kg. In acute toxicity, at 2000 mg/kg, creatinine and uric acid increased while urea levels decreased. Therefore, it is concluded that the LD50 of MEZ is more than 2000 mg/kg and the toxicity profile of MEZ was generally found to be safe.

Harnessing Semi-Supervised Machine Learning to Automatically Predict Bioactivities of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs).

Many per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) pose significant health hazards due to their bioactive and persistent bioaccumulative properties. However, assessing the bioactivities of PFASs is both time-consuming and costly due to the sheer number and expense of in vivo and in vitro biological experiments. To this end, we harnessed new unsupervised/semi-supervised machine learning models to automatically predict bioactivities of PFASs in various human biological targets, including enzymes, genes, proteins, and cell lines. Our semi-supervised metric learning models were used to predict the bioactivity of PFASs found in the recent Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report list, which contains 4730 PFASs used in a broad range of industries and consumers. Our work provides the first semi-supervised machine learning study of structure-activity relationships for predicting possible bioactivities in a variety of PFAS species.

The eco-innovative technologies, human capital, and energy pricing: Evidence of sustainable energy transition in developed economies

A sustainable energy transition is crucial in attaining sustainable development goals (SDGs-2030). Human capital, technological innovation, and energy pricing have been used to make sustainable energy transitions in highly developed economies like the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). This study attempted to probe the impact of these factors on aggregated and disaggregated energy sources. For this purpose, this research work employed a dataset of all OECD nations between 1991 and 2019. The study applied to mean group (MG), dynamic fixed effect (DFE), and pooled mean group (PMG) to evaluate the short and long-run factors of these variables. In addition, the augmented mean group (AMG) and Dynamic Common Correlated Effects (DCCE) with cross-sectional Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag (CS-ARDL) were utilized to validate the long-run results' robustness. Finally, we applied panel quantiles regression (PQR). The outcomes of the empirical investigation confirm that the GDP growth rate in OECD contributes positively to renewable energy factors and negatively to non-renewable energy factors. Energy pricing, human capital, and technological innovations are the leading tools for the OECD to discourage fossil energy intake and motivate to increase green and clean energy consumption.

Development of an adverse outcome pathway network for breast cancer: a comprehensive representation of the pathogenesis, complexity and diversity of the disease.

Adverse outcome pathways (AOPs), introduced in modern toxicology, intend to provide an evidence-based representation of toxicological effects and facilitate safety assessment of chemicals not solely based on laboratory animal in vivo experiments. However, some toxicological processes are too complicated to represent in one AOP. Therefore, AOP networks are developed that help understanding and predicting toxicological processes where complex exposure scenarios interact and lead to the emergence of the adverse outcome. In this study, we present an AOP network for breast cancer, developed after an in-depth survey of relevant scientific literature. Several molecular initiating events (MIE) were identified and various key events that link the MIEs with breast cancer were described. The AOP was developed according to Organization of Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) guidance, weight of evidence was assessed through the Bradford Hill criteria and confidence was tested by the OECD key questions. The AOP network provides a straightforward understanding of the disease onset and progression at different biological levels. It can be used to pinpoint knowledge gaps, identify novel therapeutic targets and act as a stepping stone for the development of novel in vitro test methods for hazard identification and risk assessment of newly developed chemicals and drugs.

An effective pandemic treaty requires accountability

An effective pandemic treaty requires accountability

A Framework for Comparative Assessment of Indigenous Land Governance

Indigenous peoples are increasingly important players in the management and use of land and natural landscapes, bound in spiritual and traditional practices that endure and pre-date colonisation. This also extends to the aspirations that Indigenous traditional owners may have to generate income from land and to sustain business and employment opportunities that enable reinvestment in local communities. The paper draws from a study undertaken while the authors were at the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) that involved 13 countries. It presents a framework to compare Indigenous land governance, to activate economic development opportunities across different legal and institutional contexts. The three-part typology allows us to assess the level of autonomy granted to Indigenous groups by law and identify key governance and regulatory instruments that they can employ to protect their cultural practices and activate commercial potential from land and waters. Varying autonomy levels can co-exist within a same country, since Indigenous groups may have different rights, aspirations, and capabilities. The typology allows us to conduct comparative analyses around progress and learnings that can support the self-determination of Indigenous peoples and promote regional well-being.

Causal effect of tourist visa exemption schemes on international tourist arrivals

This study assessed the causal impact of tourist visa exemption schemes on international tourist arrivals to Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member countries through propensity score matching. We also consider other factors on international tourism demand outlined in the literature; these factors may affect international tourist arrivals. The results revealed that the average treatment effect on the number of international tourist arrivals does not necessarily increase when the number of visa-exempt countries increases in the long term without comprehensive tourism policy planning. In addition, the average treatment effect becomes large when bilateral trade has a high-quality vertical pattern for OECD home countries. Tourist decision-making for tourism destinations is not solely based on visa policy; tourism service quality is also critical. The empirical results can provide OECD member countries with different perspectives on international tourism marketing strategies.