Public Authorities Research Articles

Anxiety, Depression and Resilience among University Staff in Herat, Afghanistan – 2021

AbstractAnxiety and depression are the two most common mental illnesses in the world. Multiple risk factors contributein developing anxiety and depression; the latter leading to suicide. The aim of this study is to identify theprevalence and associated factors of anxiety and depression, and assess their association with the level ofresilience among academic and non-academic staff of Herat University. This cross-sectional study wasconducted between November 1st and December 28th 2021. Sociodemographic data was collected using astructured questionnaire. Data on depression and anxiety was collected using the validated Dari version ofDASS-42 questionnaire. Data on resilience was obtained using the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale(CD-RICS-10). Statistical analyses were performed in IBM SPSS Statistics (version 27). A total of 210university staff including 154 (73.3%) male and 56 (26.7%) female, with a mean age of 37.67 ± 9.62 years wereincluded in the study. Of All participant in this study, 58.6% and 54.8% had anxiety and depression,respectively. There was a significant association between resilience with depression and anxiety. A significantassociation was found between depression, anxiety and resilience with economic status, general healthcondition, concern about food shortage, losing house, and losing job. While no significant association was foundbetween depression, anxiety and resilience with gender, marital status, and losing family member in childhood.The prevalence of mental illnesses is considerably high among Herat University staff. The leadership of HeratUniversity and public health authorities should implement strategies to tackle this important public healthchallenge.

Urbanization Rapidity and Its Impact on Shuklagandaki Municipality

This study examines the trends and causes of urbanization as well as how they affect Nepal's Shuklagandaki Municipality, which is urbanizing quickly. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study incorporates data from both qualitative and quantitative sources. Quantitative information was gathered from field survey and qualitative data were collected from public reports, census records, and government statistics to examine demographic and economic developments in the municipality during the previous 20 years. Through in-depth interviews with important stakeholders, such as public servants, company owners, and community leaders, qualitative data were acquired. Regression analysis and other descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the data analysis process. The results show that throughout the past 20 years, Shuklagandaki Municipality has had notable increase in both demographic and economic metrics. Urban expansion was primarily driven by population increase and economic development; infrastructural improvements, while significant, were secondary. The necessity for planning and policy initiatives that support sustainable growth while attending to the needs and well-being of present and future inhabitants is highlighted by the difficulties and possibilities brought about by the fast urbanization. The article finishes with a summary of the key results, a discussion of the research limitations, and references for future research topics to fill in the gaps in the body of knowledge and address unresolved issues with urban expansion in Shuklagandaki Municipality.

Multifaceted Exploration of Public Awareness, Government Perspectives, and Community Attitudes Toward HIV.

The purpose of this research is to quantify the knowledge of students about HIV, social media contribution, and their satisfaction with the government and society's acceptance of HIV patients. A cross-sectional survey of 579 participants was conducted at Punjab University, University of Peshawar, Karachi University, Baluchistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences University, and Quaid-i-Azam University. Student self-administered surveys included demographics, knowledge, government satisfaction, social media rumors, and PLWHA acceptability. The response rate was 96.5%. The four variables are knowledge, government satisfaction, social media rumors, and HIV patient acceptance. The knowledge score in married males (Beta=-0.075) and married females (Beta=-0.022), government satisfaction in married males (Beta=0.087) and females (-0.412), social media rumors in married males (Beta=-0.125) and married female (Beta=-0.301, and HIV acceptance in society married male -0.301 and married female 0.07. the knowledge and government satisfaction, score showed that males had higher knowledge about HIV than married females. Married women say HIV acceptability in society is strong, whereas men believe social media spreads less misinformation. Similarly, there is a negative correlation between government satisfaction social media rumors (-0.687**) and HIV acceptance in society (-0.687**). HIV acceptance has a strong correlation with knowledge (0.711**) and social media rumors (0.727**). The p<0.001 indicates that there is a significant correlation. Sufficient knowledge and the positive role of social media, effective government contributions to eradicate HIV, and more awareness and knowledge can significantly change the attitude of the community toward PLWHA.

Issues of assessing the standard of living of the population in the regions of Russia

The article provides an overview of existing methods for assessing the level and quality of life of the population of the regions. A system of indicators has been formed to assess the standard of living, covering the level of poverty, inflation, unemployment, real incomes and food costs in the structure of consumer spending. The methodology was tested on the example of the regions of the Volga Federal District, the study period: 20202022. Regions were grouped according to the value of the integral index of living standards, regions with very high, high, medium, low and very low values of the integral indicator were identified. It is concluded that the standard of living is decreasing against the background of regional differentiation and the need to form a system of measures by public authorities aimed at improving the level and quality of life of the population. The practical significance of the results obtained is that they can be useful for making informed decisions in the field of regional policy and economics.

ОБЕСПЕЧЕНИЕ ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОЙ БЕЗОПАСНОСТИ: ВОЗМОЖНОСТИ МОДЕЛЬНОГО ЗАКОНОДАТЕЛЬСТВА ПАРЛАМЕНТСКОЙ АССАМБЛЕИ ОРГАНИЗАЦИИ ДОГОВОРА О КОЛЛЕКТИВНОЙ БЕЗОПАСНОСТИ

In the context of modern challenges and threats caused primarily by the Russian Federation conducting a special military operation to demilitarize and denazify Ukraine and, as a result, unprecedented sanctions of the collective West against the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, it is important to use the capabilities of the model legislation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Collective Security Treaty Organization in relation to issues of ensuring economic security. The purpose of the legislative activity of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Collective Security Treaty Organization in this area is to develop effective mechanisms to prevent new challenges and threats to collective security. Currently, the scientific discussion undertaken by the author of the article on the issues of ensuring economic security is important for the development of modern scientific concepts and forecasts. The scientific article can be used by representatives of public authorities, as well as employees, graduate students, applicants and students of higher educational institutions in their research and educational activities.

The new private urban governance: Vestiges, ventures and visibility

Despite the growth, prevalence and influence of private urban governance, scholarship that explores the intimate workings of these manifold and mutating forms remains limited. While these private ventures carry forward elements from the past, the landscape of urban governance has nonetheless undergone profound transformation. Over the past few decades, the global expansion and influence of private governing ventures have reshaped how cities are managed, organised and experienced. This special issue on the New Private Urban Governance examines the constantly evolving modalities of private governance (i.e. business improvement districts/areas, condominium/strata corporations, gated communities, POPS and others) in a global context. Organised around new, interrelated themes of vestiges, ventures and visibility, this issue comprises case studies, syntheses of longstanding empirical projects and novel theoretical/conceptual interventions into political and spatial practices, knowledges and technologies of these privately governed realms. Focused on the spatialisation of politics, vestiges reflects the idea that while neoliberal forms of private urban governance continue to proliferate, they rely and build upon, rather than fully replace, earlier, more public governance practices, logics and spaces. Ventures emphasises that the private and market-oriented thrust of urban governance is heavily predicated on the protection and extraction of value and the intensifying financialisation of urban landscapes and life. Visibility highlights how governing technologies render private urban governance visible and in doing so highlight the politics of space. These three themes together expose the workings of the new private urban governance while invigorating further explorations of this complex phenomenon.

Principles Governing the Exercise of Discretionary Powers by Public Authorities: Systematic Structure and Constitutional-Legal Foundation

This study aims to substantiate the need to establish a modern system of principles for the implementation of the discretionary powers of public authorities as a fundamental element of their operational mechanism. This study provides an overview of the principles of the principles governing the exercise of discretionary powers, as outlined in international and national legal frameworks. Key principles such as the rule of law, legality, reasonable restraint, equality, legal certainty, objectivity, impartiality, and proportionality are identified, and their constitutional and legal interpretations are analyzed. Special attention should be given to the importance of constructing a coherent system of principles for exercising discretionary powers. The following classifications are proposed: 1) Fundamental principles: the rule of law and legality is of paramount importance in shaping the legal institution of discretionary powers; 2) General principles: proper use of discretionary powers, equality before the law, objectivity, impartiality, and reasonable timeframes; 3) Special principles: proportionality and constitutional restraint. In addition, the principle of prudentiality is highlighted as a distinct principle, despite its absence in national legislation, as it is applied in the practices of certain authorities. This study concludes that the formal legal establishment and practical application of the aforementioned principles not only share the nature and outcomes of interaction between public authorities but will also provide robust guarantees for the rights, freedoms, and legitimate interests of individuals and organizations, protecting them from abuse and arbitrariness

Navigating the Digital Frontier: Transforming Public Governance in the Age of New Public Management

Today, it seems clear that significant changes have taken place in public governance systems in many countries, particularly in the most influential industrial countries, in response to technological developments. With this in mind, this work aims to examine a number of alternative scenarios for change in public governance within states in the digital age, as these changes interact with the legacies of previous public management reform movements. We therefore seek to contribute to a better understanding of the emerging problems of New Public Management (NMP), and to seize the growing opportunities offered by Public Governance in the Digital Age (PGE).

Federal Territory: Constitutional and Legal Regulation Development

This article examines the legal status of federal territories as public law entities in the Russian Federation, which emerged as a result of the 2020 constitutional reform. This article discusses issues related to constitutional terminology, the constitutional-legal status, and legal regulation of federal territories, along with an analysis of the practice implementation of the constitutional provisions governing these territories. The specific features of existing federal territories in the Russian Federation and in foreign countries are also reviewed. The necessity for further development of the novelty introduced by the Constitution of the Russian Federation regarding federal territories is underscored, including a discussion on the unique tax regime applicable to these territories. The article employs several scientific methods, including the comparative-legal method and the formal legal method, with additional methods such as analysis and synthesis also utilized. Conclusion: Despite the short period between the establishment of the first federal territory and the development of its legal framework, several distinctive characteristics have also emerged in Russian legislation. An analysis of Russian constitutional law reveals key features in the exercise of public authority in this new public law entity. When comparing approaches to public authority in other countries, the models of India, Brazil, and Canada were chosen for comparison. It was found that Russia’s form of public authority within federal territories is unique and does not fully align with any of the models seen in these foreign states. However, Russian legislation currently lacks a comprehensive law that regulates federal territories as a whole. At present, the only federal territory established in the Russian Federation is the Sirius federal territory, and its legal status is governed by the federal law “On the Federal Territory ‘Sirius’”. This highlights the need for further development of a broader normative framework that regulates the status of the federal territory. Such a framework would not only solidify the legal status of the Sirius federal territory but also provide for future federal territories yet to be formed

Politico-Administrative Culture and Public Service Reform in Post-Independence Kazakhstan

Classical organizational management literature draws clear parallels between organizational culture and climate and effective use of power and influence as key to successful policy implementation of reforms in public sector organizations. On the other hand, the public policy literature, in particular, policy transfer as a strand within policy studies, emphasizes the role of the national context, more specifically, ‘facilitators’ and ‘constraints’ of ‘‘politico-administrative culture” within the national context, as crucial to understanding processes of transfer, convergence, and diffusion of public policy. There is a plethora of studies by Western scholars of public management who have successfully utilized these theoretical underpinnings to study the effectiveness of public service reforms in mature policy environments such as the UK, the US, Australia, New Zealand, and others. However, the public policy and comparative public management literature only offers a limited number of case studies from developing, middle-/upper-middle countries, which rely on concepts of organizational management in addition to narratives on the impact of policy learning from global doctrines, such as Weberianism, New Public Management (NPM), and New Public Governance (NPG), and national politics, on the implementation of administrative reforms in those contexts. Kazakhstan, as a resource-affluent post-Soviet country and a bastion of modernization and ‘open government’ in Central Asia or the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in the post-Soviet era is a case in point. Based on ethnographic research consisting of interviews with elite academics, civil servants, and think-tank activists, as well as reviews of OECD and government strategy reports in Astana, the findings point to a potential abatement of the impact of context constraints such as large power distance and collectivist behavior by context facilitators such as those surrounding the use of ‘trilingualism’ and public diplomacy towards reforms in Kazakhstan particularly in recent years.

Leveraging Climate Data for Dengue Forecasting in Ba Ria Vung Tau Province, Vietnam: An Advanced Machine Learning Approach.

Dengue fever is a persistent public health issue in tropical regions, including Vietnam, where climate variability plays a crucial role in disease transmission dynamics. This study focuses on developing climate-based machine learning models to forecast dengue outbreaks in Ba Ria Vung Tau (BRVT) province, Vietnam, using meteorological data from 2003 to 2022. We utilized four predictive models-Negative Binomial Regression (NBR), Seasonal AutoRegressive Integrated Moving Average with Exogenous Regressors (SARIMAX), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) v2.0.3, and long short-term memory (LSTM)-to predict weekly dengue incidence. Key climate variables, including temperature, humidity, precipitation, and wind speed, were integrated into these models, with lagged variables included to capture delayed climatic effects on dengue transmission. The NBR model demonstrated the best performance in terms of predictive accuracy, achieving the lowest Mean Absolute Error (MAE), compared to other models. The inclusion of lagged climate variables significantly enhanced the model's ability to predict dengue cases. Although effective in capturing seasonal trends, SARIMAX and LSTM models struggled with overfitting and failed to accurately predict short-term outbreaks. XGBoost exhibited moderate predictive power but was sensitive to overfitting, particularly without fine-tuning. Our findings confirm that climate-based machine learning models, particularly the NBR model, offer valuable tools for forecasting dengue outbreaks in BRVT. However, improving the models' ability to predict short-term peaks remains a challenge. The integration of meteorological data into early warning systems is crucial for public health authorities to plan timely and effective interventions. This research contributes to the growing body of literature on climate-based disease forecasting and underscores the need for further model refinement to address the complexities of dengue transmission in highly endemic regions.

Chinese Professional Consumers at 30: The Rise and Impending Fall

Abstract This paper introduces a unique phenomenon with a distinctive Chinese regulatory approach. Since 1994, the Consumer Rights Protection Law has afforded consumers the right to seek punitive damages in instances of fraudulent practices. This has given rise to a special profession with Chinese characteristics: professional consumers. Their status as enigmatic figures is a consequence of the fluctuating stance of public authorities. Thirty years of consistent inconsistency has been a rarity in China’s legislative history. The year 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the enactment of the CRPL, China’s Consumer Rights Protection Law and the birth of its implementing regulation. It is an opportune moment to reassess the regulatory system that enabled this group and reconstruct it for the future. This paper presents a comprehensive regulatory review of the emergence, growth, and projected decline of professional consumers. It examines the reasons for this long-standing regulatory inconsistency through a detailed investigation of China’s legal system. It concludes by projecting two upcoming legal positions. The first is the transformation under the state’s co-governance strategy. The second is the displacement by procuratorial public interest litigation. Although seemingly contradictory, these two positions exemplify a distinctive Chinese approach to the co-governance strategy, which is characterized by the preponderance of public authority.

Communication and information model of the inclusion of digital participation in the evaluation of social processes

The evolution and wide use of modern technologies, tools and methods of communication are an integral part of the modern information society. In particular, current communication and information technologies provide an opportunity to create and extract a digital footprint for an individual or a certain group. In relation to the public authorities’ activities, the digital footprint can be used to analyse the reaction of society to their actions more effectively. By researching the digital footprint of social media actors in a particular region, it is possible to determine how the population treats various decisions and measures taken by the authorities. Due to digital participation, citizens have the opportunity and a tool to facilitate the management process at the stages of decision-making. The digital participation generates a digital footprint, the analysis of which provides feedback on the actions of the authorities. The purpose of the article is to propose a communicative and information model for the inclusion of the digital participation in the evaluation of social processes, consisting of mechanisms and interfaces for obtaining information alongside with mechanisms and interfaces for receiving feedback for evaluating the activities of public authorities in the region. The efficiency of the model has been practically proved by the example of a socially significant event in the Oryol region. Using the example of regional management centres, the expediency of introducing the model for evaluating the activities of public authorities in the region through receiving feedback is shown. This will increase the involvement of citizens in the regulation of social processes in the region and improve the quality of management.

Nepal’s Geostrategic Location: Realist Imperatives on Foreign Policy

Realist imperatives in foreign policy emphasize the pursuit of national interests, power balance, and pragmatic decision-making in an anarchic international system. This study aims to analyze Nepal's foreign policy through a realist perspective, focusing on its historical evolution, challenges, and opportunities. An exploratory research design is employed, using secondary data from peer-reviewed journals, historical records, academic books, policy reports, and governmental publications. The publication period of the sources ranges between 1963 and 2023. The study finds that Nepal’s foreign policy decisions are significantly influenced by its geopolitical position and the need to balance relationships with neighboring powers India and China. The implication of this study is that realist theory provides a valuable framework for understanding how small states like Nepal navigate complex international dynamics to safeguard their national interests.

The adoption and implementation of local government planning policy to manage hot food takeaways near schools in England: A qualitative process evaluation

IntroductionAccess to hot food takeaways, particularly near schools, is of growing concern for policymakers seeking to reduce childhood obesity globally. In England, United Kingdom (UK), local government jurisdictions are implementing planning policies to reduce access by restricting or denying planning permission for new takeaway outlets near schools. We used a qualitative approach to explore local government officers’ perspectives on the barriers to and facilitators of the adoption, implementation, and perceived effectiveness of these policies. MethodsIn 2021–2022, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 29 local planning (‘planners’) and public health government officers from 15 different local authorities across England who adopted a policy to restrict new takeaways. Data were analysed thematically. ResultsParticipants explained that they mostly thought the policies facilitated the refusal of applications for new takeaways near schools. However, participants speculated that businesses identified alternative opportunities to operate including functioning as ‘restaurants’ or within other locations. Effective working relationships between planners and public health officers were important for adoption and implementation, although planning and public health agendas did not always align and there were tensions between economic development and health improvement goals. The policy was adapted to suit local needs and priorities; in some cases, the policy was not used in areas where economic growth was prioritised. Clarity in policy wording and establishing a formal process for implementing policies including a designated individual responsible for checking and reviewing takeaway applications helped ensure consistency and confidence in policy implementation. ConclusionAlthough sometimes challenging, the policies were commonly described as feasible to implement. However, they may not completely prevent new takeaways opening, particularly where takeaways are relied upon to enhance local economies or where takeaway businesses find alternative ways to operate. Nevertheless, the policies can serve to shift the balance of power that currently favours commercial interests over public health priorities.

Extending Statutory Protection to Action Short of Dismissal for Participating in Industrial Action: The Supreme Court on the Right to Strike in Secretary of State for Business and Trade v Mercer

ABSTRACT The Supreme Court in Mercer v Secretary of State for Business and Trade found there was a violation of the right to strike, under article 11 ECHR, when there is no legal protection against detriment short of dismissal for taking part in industrial action. Section 146 Trade Union Labour Relations Consolidation Act (‘TULRCA’) 1992, as currently construed, does not cover this situation. While the Supreme Court agreed with the Court of Appeal that it would not be appropriate to use section 3 Human Rights Act (‘HRA’) 1998 to re-interpret section 146 TULRCA in a Convention-compliant way; unlike the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court issued a rare declaration of incompatibility under section 4 HRA. It is suggested in this note that Mercer is significant for two main reasons. First and foremost, Mercer is significant for the Supreme Court’s recognition of, and finding of, a violation of, the right to strike. Second, Mercer contributes to the wider debate about the interplay between sections 3 and 4 HRA. The final part of the note reflects on the Supreme Court’s interpretation of Strasbourg case law whereby the Court in Mercer found article 11 ECHR requires stricter protection in this respect for public authority workers.

Innovating Through Public–Private Partnership

The article titled Innovating through Public-Private Partnership, explores the potential of public-private partnerships (PPP) as a means to foster innovation, economic stabilization, and sustainable community development. It highlights how the collaboration between public administration authorities and private or non-governmental sectors can address pressing societal challenges, including global warming, healthcare modernization, and technological advancements. The research outlines the essential components of PPPs, including financial models, management frameworks, and project evaluation criteria, with a particular focus on innovation-driven initiatives. Various stages of establishing a successful PPP are examined, from project conceptualization and partner selection to implementation and performance monitoring. Furthermore, the paper delves into the importance of funding methods and risk management, demonstrating how a well-structured PPP can combine public and private resources to deliver public goods effectively. The article also provides insights into sector-specific innovation strategies, such as digitalization and renewable energy projects. The case for renewable energy production through PPPs, involving solar and wind energy, is highlighted as a sustainable development model that strengthens collaboration between public and private sectors. By analyzing a five-year history of PPP projects in Europe and providing forecasts for the future, the paper underscores the growing relevance of PPPs in achieving long-term goals for economic and infrastructural development. The study concludes with recommendations for fostering a conducive environment for PPPs, such as legislative reform, the creation of national databases, and investment in education and training to enhance the success and innovation potential of PPPs.

A Methodological Framework to Enhance Potential Spatial Planning to Support Agroecological Transition at the Scale of Local Territories

Agroecological transition requires research and actions at the scale of local territories, in which agricultural activities interact with the environment and natural resources depending on a territory’s spatial configuration. To support the agroecological transition, there is an urgent need to design and implement new spatial configurations. For this, local public authorities in France can be considered as an interesting level of governance, because of their skills in spatial planning and their interest in agriculture, to ensure the ecological transition of their territory. However, new methodological frameworks need to be developed to support the design of new spatial configurations of territories, by constructing representations of the territory that consider both agricultural and socio-environmental issues, and by involving agricultural and non-agricultural stakeholders so that both can project themselves into the new spatial configurations. We developed a new methodological framework at the interface between landscape agronomy and landscape architects’ approaches, and experimented with applying this framework in the Urban Community of Dunkirk (UCD), which was performing a spatial planning approach called a Landscape Plan and proposing to create an Agricultural Park. The results show that the implementation of the methodological framework enabled the construction of a spatially explicit and place-based representation including the spatial issues of farming systems. These representations enable a local authority’s stakeholders to enhance their knowledge of the agricultural issues and consider changes in the spatial configuration of the Agricultural Park. In the discussion, we question the adaptation of the framework in rural territory and highlight the limitations of local authorities as the level of governance at which to address the agroecological transition at the territorial scale.

Artificial intelligence in public service and governance in Nigeria

Purpose: This study explores the current state of artificial intelligence implementation in Nigeria’s public service and the potential benefits, challenges, and strategic steps needed to harness AI for improved governance and service delivery. Methods: The research design was qualitative. The data were collected using secondary data collection, in which a thorough literature review of academic articles, books, and reports related to AI was consulted. This study applied a thematic research approach to clarify the underlying issues, beliefs, and experiences related to artificial intelligence in governance and public services. The study was also anchored to content analysis. Results: The findings revealed that AI application in Nigeria’s public service is still in its early stages, with promising developments in areas such as e-governance, healthcare, banking sector, real estate business, and law enforcement/security outfits. There is a need for the government in Nigeria to invest significantly in infrastructural advancement and human capital development, which in turn will close the skill gaps, infrastructural deficits, and lapses that crop up from the unawareness of Artificial Intelligence in the technological advancement of Nigeria. Limitations: This study examined the current state of AI in Nigeria's public services and governance by identifying the key barriers that affect the adoption and implementation of AI. The study made progressive recommendations that integrated the application of artificial intelligence in public services and governance in Nigeria. Contributions: This study provides a comprehensive understanding of how AI can be adopted in Nigeria’s unique environment. Findings: This study did not receive any funding from any agency or organization.

Power and Controversy: Controversy surrounding Material Challenges at a Public Library

This case study investigates material challenges in a public library system, a growing concern in the United States due to the politicization of topics like gender, sexuality, and race. Material challenges involve requests to remove or restrict library materials, with reported cases skyrocketing to 1,247 in 2023. These challenges not only create public controversy but also highlight disagreements within public library governance. In most cases, governance involves librarians, a board of trustees, and community members, but little research has explored disagreements among these actors. This study examines a specific public library system experiencing controversy around material challenges, focusing on the distribution and exercise of power among different actors. Data was collected through interviews, recordings, and documents, and analyzed using thematic coding, a meta-network framework, and a chronology of disagreement events. The study identifies legal authority, rights, and networks as the main resources mobilized in the controversy. Legal authority shapes the issues of disagreement, while rights and networks are used to counter this authority and influence the controversy's continuation. A model of resource mobilization in public governance controversy is proposed, highlighting the unequal distribution of legal authority due to a governance schema based on majoritarianism. Actors without legal authority use other resources to challenge this, which eventually continues the controversy. The study suggests that leveling legal authority could mitigate public controversy and contributes to understanding public library governance during disputes. It offers insights for library practitioners and community members on resolving such controversies effectively.