Potential For Sustainable Development Research Articles

AI SOLUTIONS FOR DEVELOPMENTAL ECONOMICS: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES IN FINANCIAL INCLUSION AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION

AI presents immense potential in addressing the complex challenges of developmental economics, particularly in the realms of financial inclusion and poverty alleviation. This abstract explores the opportunities and challenges associated with integrating AI solutions in these critical areas. Financial inclusion, essential for sustainable development, remains hampered by barriers such as limited access to banking services, socioeconomic disparities, and regulatory constraints. AI offers innovative approaches through data analytics and prediction models, enabling tailored financial services, risk assessment, and personalized interventions. However, the implementation of AI solutions poses significant challenges, including concerns regarding data privacy, ethical implications such as algorithmic bias, and accessibility issues in underserved regions. Through case studies and best practices, lessons can be gleaned to inform future initiatives, emphasizing the importance of adaptable policy frameworks, collaboration, and impact assessment. Looking ahead, emerging AI technologies like blockchain and enhanced regulatory measures hold promise, necessitating cross-sector partnerships and a concerted effort to harness AI's transformative potential for sustainable development and inclusive growth. Keywords: Developmental Economics, Financial Inclusion, Poverty Alleviation, AI Solutions, Challenges, Opportunities.

ChatGPT: Literate or intelligent about UN sustainable development goals?

Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, are progressively transforming numerous sectors, demonstrating a capacity to impact human life dramatically. This research seeks to evaluate the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) literacy of ChatGPT, which is crucial for diverse stakeholders involved in SDG-related policies. Experimental outcomes from two widely used Sustainability Assessment tests-the UN SDG Fitness Test and Sustainability Literacy Test (SULITEST) - suggest that ChatGPT exhibits high SDG literacy, yet its comprehensive SDG intelligence needs further exploration. The Fitness Test gauges eight vital competencies across introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels. Accurate mapping of these to the test questions is essential for partial evaluation of SDG intelligence. To assess SDG intelligence, the questions from both tests were mapped to 17 SDGs and eight cross-cutting SDG core competencies, but both test questionnaires were found to be insufficient. SULITEST could satisfactorily map only 5 out of 8 competencies, whereas the Fitness Test managed to map 6 out of 8. Regarding the coverage of the Fitness Test and SULITEST, their mapping to the 17 SDGs, both tests fell short. Most SDGs were underrepresented in both instruments, with certain SDGs not represented at all. Consequently, both tools proved ineffective in assessing SDG intelligence through SDG coverage. The study recommends future versions of ChatGPT to enhance competencies such as collaboration, critical thinking, systems thinking, and others to achieve the SDGs. It concludes that while AI models like ChatGPT hold considerable potential in sustainable development, their usage must be approached carefully, considering current limitations and ethical implications.

Physical and mechanical properties of mycelium-based fiberboards

Mycelium-based fiberboards were evaluated as potential environmentally friendly substitutes for conventional wood-based composites. The goal of this study was to produce and test fiberboards out of yellow pine and poplar fiber mixtures without using any extra adhesive. Pleurotus ostreatus and Ganoderma lucidum fungi were used. The physical and mechanical characteristics of the fiberboards were tested under the influence of two different types of fungi and two different incubation periods. The key findings indicated that the mycelium-based fiberboards had higher water absorption and thickness swelling percentages compared to control boards produced with adhesives. The fiberboards produced from fibers inoculated with Ganoderma lucidum and incubated for 30 days had higher mechanical properties compared to other test fiberboards. This indicated the possibility of utilizing them in specific applications. Although the mycelium-based fiberboards did not fully meet all the EN 622-5 (2009) standard requirements for dry-condition use, the results highlighted their potential in sustainable material development. This study provided useful insights into the utilization of mycelium for the development of mycelium-based fiberboards.

THE MODEL OF STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT OF A RELIGIOUS TOURISM DESTINATION IN FUNCTION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Objective: This study aims to explore the significance and potential of religious tourism in Croatia for sustainable development, highlighting the absence of a strategic approach in managing this tourism sector. The primary goal is to assess the current state of religious tourism, identify challenges, and recommend strategic directions for enhancing religious tourism destinations.
 
 Theoretical Framework: The research is anchored in the theories and models of sustainable development, tourism management, and cultural heritage preservation. These theories provide a comprehensive understanding of how religious tourism can contribute to economic growth, cultural preservation, and community engagement in a sustainable manner.
 
 Method: Employing survey research and analysis of relevant resources, this study systematically examines the current landscape of religious tourism in Croatia. It focuses on stakeholder coordination, promotion strategies, infrastructure development, and cultural heritage preservation efforts.
 
 Results and Discussion: The investigation reveals a fragmented approach to managing religious tourism, characterized by poor coordination among stakeholders, inadequate promotion, underdeveloped infrastructure, and challenges in cultural heritage preservation. These findings suggest that a more cohesive and strategic approach could significantly bolster sustainable development, enhance economic opportunities in rural locales, and foster cultural heritage appreciation.
 
 Research Implications: The study underscores the necessity for stronger collaboration among religious communities, tourism organizations, and governmental authorities. It advocates for enhanced promotional efforts, infrastructure investments, and robust measures for cultural and religious heritage conservation, offering valuable insights for policymakers, tourism developers, and community leaders.
 
 Originality/Value: This paper contributes original insights into the underexplored domain of religious tourism in Croatia, offering a structured analysis of its current state and potential for sustainable development. Its strategic recommendations provide a foundation for future initiatives to harness religious tourism as a vehicle for economic and cultural sustainability in Croatia.

Wartanian glacial sediments: insights into deglaciation of Polish Lowlands and Highlands border for geotourism

Abstract This paper presents five sites located in the marginal zone of the Wartanian stadial within the Odranian Glaciation (MIS6a) on the border of the Central Polish Uplands and Lowlands, representing different glacial forms and geological structures: terminal moraine hill, undulating moraine hill, sedimentary margin of the ice sheet, kame hill, and outwash plain. This differentiation is also reflected in the petrographic composition of the gravels and the interesting surface microstructures of the Scandinavian erratic boulders. This small study area, with its high geodiversity, which we have identified and investigated, has considerable potential for sustainable development. Geotourism is a tool for this development in a peripheral tourist region, providing both economic benefits for the local population and conservation services for the geoecosystem.

Who Drives Policy Discourse of China’s Energy Transition: Considering Time Series Perspective, Network and Core-Peripheral Analysis

China’s energy transition (CET) is a vital foundation and long-term goal for improving sustainable development potential. Exploring development patterns and core driving actors involved in policy discourse (PD) is effective in suggesting future policy directions by finding the universality and specificity of China in the energy transition process. In this study, we examined the change pattern of CET and the change of keywords for actors involved in policy promotion at a macro level. Text data of over 22 years were collected from Chinese online channels with CET as the subject word. A text mining-based network analysis and core-peripheral analysis were performed by building datasets in units of the five-year plan (FYP). Following network analysis, the pattern of PD in CET process indicated a tendency to gradually converge toward diversified participants and global environmental issues. Core-peripheral analysis results revealed that the actors leading the PD changed from the government to the private sector, and the core issue indicated a shift from a domestic energy issue to an international environmental issue. Based on our analysis results, we suggested three dimensions of direction in CET: integration with digital transformation, expansion of the employment ecosystem, and inducement of balanced regional development.

Cocoa agroforestry in Brazil through a public-private partnership

Historically, Brazil was a significant cocoa producer, primarily in the Amazon region, but since the 1970s, cocoa production became increasingly replaced by extensive livestock farming. What production remained, was halted by a fungal epidemic, resulting in Brazil becoming a net importer of cocoa beans. Thanks to recent sustainable development programmes and the emergence of the bioeconomy, Brazil has since experienced renewed interest in cocoa cultivation, especially in cocoa agroforestry. Initiatives such as Mondelez's Sustainable Cocoa Production project aim to promote sustainable cocoa production, with a focus on environmental regulations and good agricultural practices. The project focuses on two regions, Bahia and Pará. In Bahia, efforts are directed towards rejuvenating cocoa crops in cabruca systems, a traditional agroforestry system where cocoa is cultivated beneath native tree canopies. Small-scale farmers received training and experimental plots demonstrated that proper management practices could control fungal disease and increase cocoa production significantly, generating increased income. In Pará, cocoa agroforestry systems are promoted as an alternative to cattle ranching, which destroyed forests to create, now degraded, pasturelands. While restoration efforts are challenging, agroforestry systems showed promising financial returns compared to cattle ranching. Local farmer organisations also benefitted from workshops and ongoing mentoring regarding their management and business capacities. A failure of the project was that in some instances, agroforestry systems were promoted more as a way to produce cocoa than as an opportunity to diversify, which must be the priority. New due diligence initiatives in Europe have also highlighted the importance of traceability and sustainability in cocoa production, posing new challenges for Brazil’s small-scale farmers. The cocoa agroforestry systems in Bahia and Pará have, nonetheless, shown potential for sustainable local development in Brazil. To ensure their success and sustainability in the long term, there must be continued support systems for farmers and value must be ascribed to the immense product diversity of cocoa agroforestry.

Spatio-Temporal Pattern and Vulnerability Assessment of the Human Settlements along the Beibu Gulf Coast of Guangxi, China

Human settlement development is intricately linked to production and life, and development quality is a partial indicator of the local community’s social, economic, cultural, and environmental progress. Furthermore, the human settlements’ vulnerability affects their sustainable development potential. Due to the “One Belt, One Road” initiative and land and sea corridor development in southwestern China, the Beibu Gulf coast in Guangxi is the sole waterway bridgehead used by China for opening trade with ASEAN. By examining the region’s human settlements and its potential for sustainable development, we established a benchmark for the region’s seaward economy and human settlements to achieve synergistic progress, as well as to enhance regional integration. Based on the systematic evaluation of the quality of human settlements along the Beibu Gulf coast in Guangxi, the vulnerability assessment model of human settlement was adopted to analyse the vulnerability and spatial–temporal patterns of nearby human settlements in 2010–2019, while the multiple linear regression model was used to explore their influencing factors. Our findings indicate that the quality of human settlements in the study area has experienced three distinct stages. In the early stage (2010–2012), we noted an overall year-on-year increase in settlement quality. However, in the middle stage (2013–2016), Fangchenggang and Beihai experienced a decline followed by an increase, while Qinzhou demonstrated a steady growth in settlement quality. Qinzhou continued to experience growth, albeit at a slower rate, while Fangchenggang’s rate of increase surpassed that of Beihai. The human settlements’ high-quality centre shifted between Qinzhou and Fangchenggang in the late stage (2017–2019). Additionally, in recent years, the settlements’ high-quality centre has shifted towards the western part of the region. The habitat’s sensitivity has grown slowly, as has the responsiveness index, but the vulnerability index continues to decline, and it is characterised by a spatial differentiation ranging from low to high values in a centre–east–west direction. The region’s human settlement quality is primarily influenced by economic development. The region’s habitat vulnerability is primarily caused by responsibility, and the primary factors affecting responsibility are regional imbalances in social service development, the population’s welfare, and employment and infrastructure.

The State of Urbanization, Demographic Changes, and Family Dynamics in Africa

Rapid urbanization and population growth in Africa, coupled with the complex interplay between changing demographics, have resulted in significant implications for families. Using secondary sources, this desk review explores macro-level population dynamics and demographic shifts surrounding family size, intergenerational solidarity, housing, care for the elderly, marital relationships, declining marriage rates, and rising divorce rates. It draws from the demographic transition theory to underscore the impact of social and cultural factors on fertility rates and family dynamics. This article further underscores the significance of these dynamics in the context of North African societies and the broader African continent, offering insights into the evolving role of families and their unique challenges. It then discusses the missed opportunities associated with the demographic dividend and youth bulge, and the measures necessary to unlock the region’s full potential for sustainable economic growth and social development. The article concludes with policy recommendations for strategic development planning, investments in human capital, rural development, and research to navigate the complex connections between urbanization, demographics, and family dynamics.

The Impact of (Un)Ethical Survival Mode Duality and Choices of the Educational Elite on the African Renaissance

In postcolonial Africa, education has always been perceived as pivotal for national and continental progress. For many Africans pursuing education abroad, the intent was to contribute to their countries' development upon their return. However, the anticipated positive outcomes have often not materialised. Many faced a dilemma: conform to unethical systems or resist them, leading to either self-imposed exile, pursuing brain-drain channels, or compromising with corrupt systems. Using Edward T. Hall's Cultural Context method, this study analyses novels depicting African realities. It critically explores individual duality and its impact on the African renaissance by emphasising the challenge of reconciling personal ideals and integrity with the harsh realities of political power dynamics. The struggle against corrupt systems hampers postcolonial progress, hindering education's potential for sustainable development. The study confirms that the potential of education cannot materialise as a catalyst for positive change and sustainable development in postcolonial Africa without an ethical transformation.

Energy Management System of Luminosity Controlled Smart City Using IoT

INTRODUCTION: With the escalating rates of urbanization, there is a pressing need for enhanced urban services. The concept of smart cities, leveraging digital technologies, offers a promising solution to elevate urban living. The integration of Internet-of-Things (IoT) in urban infrastructure, particularly on highways, opens avenues for novel services and cross-domain applications through Information and Communication Technologies. However, the efficient functioning of an IoT-enabled smart city necessitates careful energy resource management.
 OBJECTIVES: Propose a Highway Lighting System (HWLS) integrating IoT technologies to enhance urban services, focusing on significant energy savings and real-time environmental parameter monitoring.
 METHODS: To achieve the objective of enhancing urban services through the proposed Highway Lighting System (HWLS), the system was designed and implemented by integrating cutting-edge sensors, communication links, and the Blynk IoT app. The deployment involved incorporating IoT technologies for real-time monitoring of air quality, air moisture, and soil moisture, alongside a fault identification system using GSM and GPS modules.
 RESULTS: The proposed HWLS demonstrates significant energy savings, consuming only 37.6% of the original power consumption. The incorporation of IoT technologies facilitates real-time monitoring of environmental parameters, enabling informed decision-making for urban service optimization. The fault-finding system, utilizing GSM and GPS modules, enhances the reliability of the lighting system.
 CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the Highway Lighting System (HWLS) represents a novel approach to smart city infrastructure, particularly in the context of urban lighting. The integration of IoT technologies not only contributes to energy savings but also enhances the overall efficiency of urban services. The proposed system's ability to monitor environmental parameters and identify faults demonstrates its potential for sustainable urban development and improved quality of life.

Manure derived hydrochar reduced phosphorus loss risk via an alteration of phosphorus fractions and diversified microbial community in rice paddy soil

Phosphorus (P) loss caused by the irrational use of manure organic fertilizer has become a worldwide environmental problem, which has caused a potential threat to water safety and intensified agricultural non-point source pollution. Hydrothermal carbonization is method with a low-energy consumption and high efficiency to deal with environmental problems. Application of pig manure-derived hydrochar (PMH) to soil exhibited potential of sustainable development compared with the pristine pig manure (PM). However, the effects of PMH on the distribution of P among the fractions/forms and the interaction between microorganisms and P forms and its relevance to the potential loss of P in paddy fields has not been clarified. Therefore, in this study, a soil column experiment was conducted using the untreated soil (control), and the PM, PMH1 (PMH derived at 180 °C), and PMH2 (PMH derived at 260 °C) treated soils (at the dose of 0.05 %) and rice was cultivated to investigate the effects of PM and PMH on the P fractions, mobilization, ad potential loss via the induced changes on soil microbial community after a complete growing season of rice. The trend of P utilization was evaluated by P speciation via continuous extraction and 31P NMR. The addition of PMH reduced the proportion of residual P in soil by 23.8–26.3 %, and increased the proportion of HCl-P and orthophosphate by 116.2–158.6 % and 6.1–6.8 % compared to PM. The abundance of gcd gene developed after the application of PMH2, which enhanced the mobile forms of soil P utilization via secreting gluconic acid. The network diagram analysis concluded that the changes in various P forms were mainly related to Proteobacteria, Bacteroides, Firmicutes and Acidobacteria. The results illustrated that PMH mitigate the potential risk of P loss more than PM by altering P fractions and affecting soil microbial community.

Restoration of the economic potential of sustainable development of the territorial units of Ukraine in the conditions of overcoming economic security threats

Restoration of the economic potential of sustainable development of the territorial units of Ukraine in the conditions of overcoming economic security threats

ARCHITECTURE OF CONCEPTS OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN THE EDUCATION SERVICES MARKET

INTRODUCTION. The social responsibility of higher education institutions in the market of educational services is becoming increasingly important as educational institutions have an impact on the social, economic, and environmental environment. Understanding the significance of this issue is crucial for the development of a sustainable society.
 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS: The comprehensive utilization of the concepts of the green university, smart university, university promoting a healthy lifestyle, management of social and cultural diversity, management of historical and cultural heritage, the university's third mission, socially-oriented university, and university as a stakeholder organization contributes to enhancing the social responsibility of higher education institutions in the market of educational services.
 THE AIM of this article is to investigate the impact of the comprehensive utilization of social responsibility concepts in the market of educational services on universities, with the goal of exploring their potential for sustainable development and fostering a harmonious social environment.
 METHODS. This research employed analytical methods and a review of literature and scientific publications to gather and analyze information on the concepts of social responsibility in higher education institutions.
 FINDINGS. The findings of the research indicate that the comprehensive utilization of the concepts of the green university, smart university, university promoting a healthy lifestyle, management of social and cultural diversity, management of historical and cultural heritage, the university's third mission, socially-oriented university, and university as a stakeholder organization contributes to enhancing the social responsibility of higher education institutions in the market of educational services.
 CONCLUSION. The comprehensive utilization of social responsibility concepts in higher education institutions holds significant potential for improving social and economic sustainability. Implementing these concepts facilitates the creation of a balanced environment where universities actively engage in societal life and foster the harmonious development of individuals.
 KEYWORDS: social responsibility; green university; smart university; university promoting a healthy lifestyle; diversity management; heritage management; university's third mission; socially-oriented university; stakeholder organization.

Pathways to change: The transformative potential of human rights and sustainable development in and through education

The international human rights framework and United Nations’ Agenda 2030 with its Sustainable Development Goals are two closely linked frameworks. Agenda 2030 has galvanized much interest and action within the education sector around Education for Sustainable Development. The human rights framework, with its calls for Human Rights Education, provides a legal imperative for embedding these pedagogies in education. This article argues that for the education sector, unifying actions and embracing the two pedagogies of Education for Sustainable Development and Human Rights Education can form a foundation for a new social contract for education. For these frameworks to meet their potential in education, they must be embedded at both curricular and institutional levels. We will need robust and committed governance at national and institutional levels for these approaches to achieve their transformational potential.

African Governments and Reliance on the Western Powers for Addressing Global Challenges: Challenges and Opportunities

African continent has long been grappling with a multitude of global challenges, ranging from economic disparities and environmental degradation to health crises and political instability. It is a known fact that Africa has relied on Western countries and international organizations to provide aid, support and solutions to these pressing issues. These issues and more were among the things this paper tried to examine. Some pertinent research questions were raised in the paper which are; what are the reasons for Africa’s dependence on the West in tackling global issues as was the case during the global pandemic of the Covid-19? Does Africa have the potentials for self-sufficiency and sustainable development? Furthermore, the paper adopted a qualitative design with a mixed method approach. It used the dependency theory as a theoretical framework to analyze the paper. The paper found out that Africa is still affected by the effects of colonialism which has made the continent to still suffer from identity imperialism as a result forced merging of different nationalities. The paper also discovered that Africa has potentials for sustainable development as a result of the efforts made by African governments and regional bodies for sustainable development. Finally, the paper recommended that Africa should develop its traditional technologies while forging cooperation with the West.

Social and hygienic aspects of preserving the labor potential of the Russian Federation grain complex sustainable development

An analysis of the social and hygienic aspects of preserving labor potential as an important component of the sustainable development of the Russian grain complex was carried out. Based on social and hygienic studies, an assessment of the factors of maintaining labor potential during the operation of agricultural machinery is given. It has been established that technical and ergonomic imperfections, moral and physical aging of agricultural machinery create harmful working conditions, the chronic impact of which leads to the development of occupational diseases among agricultural machine operators (vibration disease, radiculopathy of the lumbosacral level, sensorineural hearing loss), as well as the development and severity of the course of general diseases (arterial hypertension, respiratory diseases). The interviewed machine operators (95%) associated the deterioration of their health with the negative impact of production factors (r=0.9, p<0.005) and social and living conditions that affect the prestige of agricultural work and the formation of personnel shortages. Technical re-equipment, development of rural infrastructure, ensuring safe working conditions, maintaining health, increasing the social well-being of workers are the main resources for the sustainable development of the agroindustrial complex of the Russian economy.

Comparative analysis of alfalfa cultivation with and without herbicide use to gain insights into the potential for sustainable system development

Comparative analysis of alfalfa cultivation with and without herbicide use to gain insights into the potential for sustainable system development

Ecological aspects of development of modular real estate construction industry in modern conditions

In the context of the rapid development of the construction industry and the growing attention to sustainability, modular construction is a promising method that deserves the attention of researchers. The aim of the study is to reveal the environmental aspects of modular construction, make a comparative analysis with traditional methods and highlight the prospects for the development of this technology. The article uses a comprehensive methodological approach, including the analysis of the life cycle of the building, comparative analysis of materials and methods of modular and traditional construction. The result of the study is that modular construction contributes to the reduction of the overall environmental load by reducing energy costs, emissions and efficient use of resources. Which leads to the following conclusion: modular construction represents a significant potential for sustainable development in the construction industry. The results of the study can serve as a basis for the development of strategies for the implementation of this technology taking into account environmental performance. The scientific novelty lies in exploring the environmental benefits of modular construction in more detail, providing relevant data and analysis, which makes the work an important contribution to the field of sustainable construction and stimulates further research in this area.

The influence of the use of recycled rubber in concrete on its selected properties

The paper deals with the area of the use of recycled materials with regard to the potential of sustainable development of the construction industry. The need for recycling and new solutions in materials engineering is constantly growing. Potential sources of recycled raw materials also include rubber recyclate, where two mixtures with different proportions of recycled rubber are compared within the proposed experimental program. The researched mixtures reflect the need for local resources, which also reflects the needs of the circular economy. The experimental program is focused on typical mechanical properties, which are supplemented by specialized tests. Among the results of the experimental program is that with significant proportions of rubber granulate, not only the mechanical properties are affected, but also the durability is significantly affected with regard to the action of the external environment.