Regional Organizations Research Articles

Peran Association of South East Asian Nation (ASEAN) dalam Mengatasi Transnational Human Trafficking di Asia Tenggara

Introduction: ASEAN, as a regional organization in Southeast Asia, aims to maintain security and stability in the ASEAN region, including addressing human trafficking.Purposes of the Research: The purpose of this study is to analyze and understand ASEAN's role in handling Transnational Human Trafficking in Southeast Asia.Methods of the Research: This study uses a normative juridical method with primary, secondary, and tertiary legal materials.Results of the Research: The research findings indicate that ASEAN has institutions such as SOMTC and ASEAN-ACT, and legal instruments such as the ASEAN Declaration Against Human Trafficking in Persons, Particularly Women and Children, APA, and ACTIP. Despite the principle of non-intervention, which can be a hindrance in some aspects of addressing human trafficking, ASEAN, through these institutions and mechanisms, has carried out its role and responsibility to maintain the stability of the Southeast Asian region

ADVOCACY STRATEGY IN OPTIMIZING THE USE OF VILLAGE FUNDS FOR THE STUNTING PREVENTION PROGRAM IN EAST SUMALATA DISTRICT

Stunting is a critical public health issue in North Gorontalo Regency, and efforts to prevent it during the First 1000 Days of Life face significant challenges, particularly due to insufficient allocation of village funds for stunting prevention initiatives. This research aims to explore effective communication and advocacy strategies for securing village fund support for the stunting prevention program focused on the First 1000 Days of Life at the village level in East Sumalata District, North Gorontalo Regency. The study employs a descriptive qualitative approach, utilizing document analysis, observations, interviews, and focus group discussions to examine village fund management and assess the effectiveness of advocacy strategies. The findings indicate that an effective advocacy strategy for securing village fund allocations for the stunting prevention program involves informal communication with a persuasive approach directed at regional leaders. Key elements include presenting accurate target data, referencing relevant regulations, submitting well-prepared activity proposals, and obtaining recommendation letters from local authorities such as the Head of the Office or the Subdistrict Head. Given the sensitivity and limitations of village budget discussions, consistent monitoring of advocacy proposals is essential to ensure program implementation. Support from regional leaders and partner organizations is crucial for successful advocacy efforts.

Impact of regional environmental non-governmental organization density on green innovation and firm value

Impact of regional environmental non-governmental organization density on green innovation and firm value

Do High-Level Visits Reflect Regional Priorities? A Study of U.S. News Media Data

This study examines the representation of regional organization (RO) interests during high-level visits of their member states to the United States using a novel dataset of 1,040 news articles from 1991 to 2023. The data analysis focuses on ASEAN, BRICS, ECOWAS, and GCC and employs sentiment analysis and topic modeling to explore how member states leverage these visits and how U.S. news media frames these events. The analysis of data reveals that member states strategically utilize high-level visits to promote RO agendas and interests, with varying levels of success depending on the RO and the U. S. media’s reception. Furthermore, the analysis reveals a shifting focus from bilateral issues to regional and international concerns over time, underscoring the evolving priorities of RO member states in a globalized world. The findings offer valuable insights into the interplay of national and regional interests during high-level diplomatic visits and the influential role of U.S. news media in shaping public perception.

Brazil and regional fisheries management organizations - What is at stake?

This study compares Brazil's participation in two distinct Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (ICCAT and CCAMLR) from the mid-2000s to 2019 to reveal how domestic governance issues such as substitutability and regulatory capture shape its international negotiation strategies. By contrasting Brazil's active fishing role in ICCAT with its conservation-focused stance in CCAMLR, the study demonstrates how varying domestic interests influence the country’s international engagement and sustainability commitments. By analyzing primary and secondary sources, including government documents, international submissions, and reports from non-governmental organizations, this study offers insights into the complexities of fisheries management in Brazil. The findings reveal that Brazil's contributions to and stance on RFMOs are significantly shaped by internal challenges, including governance instability and insufficient fisheries data, which hinder the formulation of coherent and effective international fishery policies. This study highlights the need for improved governance framework, data reliability, and a balanced approach to environmental and economic objectives to enhance the sustainability of fishery management practices. It provides critical perspectives for policymakers, stakeholders, and researchers concerned with advancing sustainable fisheries governance in Brazil and similar global contexts.

Adaptive Capacity, Governance and Small Island Developing States: A Case Study of Sargassum Management in the Eastern Caribbean

Governance generally, and appropriate operational institutions specifically, are said to be crucial to increasing human adaptive capacity amidst environmental change. But existing conceptualizations tend to assume a universal model of governance will work for states of all sizes. This article questions this orthodoxy which disregards the lack of clarity on size-relevant institutional design and functioning. We do so by focusing on the role of governance in the adaptive capacity of small island developing states (SIDS) facing a new marine social-ecological threat. We draw on a unique dataset of capacity self-assessments undertaken by thirty-eight key agencies involved in the management of sargassum seaweed influx events in the Eastern Caribbean. We found support for the findings of public administration scholars who show that country size is a contextual factor affecting adaptive capacity beyond the control of managers. The implication is that the ability of SIDS to adapt to new or emergent environmental change is crucially inhibited by size-related governance constraints while solutions that mitigate these effects – informal networks and regional organizations – are not well captured by existing metrics. To ensure assessments of adaptive capacity are contextually appropriate we need a more nuanced appreciation of the impacts of state size on governance outcomes.

Efektivitas E-ABK: Analisis Beban Kerja di Dinas Pendidikan Kota Surabaya

This research examines the effectiveness of E-ABK (Workload Analysis) in the Surabaya City Education Office. The aim of this research is: To find out how effective E-ABK is in the Surabaya City Education Office. The research method in this study uses a qualitative approach with descriptive research. This research wants to discuss the effectiveness of E-ABK (Workload Analysis) in the Surabaya City Education Office which consists of 5 indicators, namely Efficiency, Adequacy, Evenness, Responsiveness and Accuracy. This research uses primary data collection techniques in the form of observation, documentation and interviews, while secondary data uses the results of previous research with different loci. The research results show that the use of E-ABK (Workload Analysis) is in accordance with 5 indicators, namely Efficiency: Based on the data sources obtained, it is very supportive in assisting the process of filling in crew members. ASN employee resources that support the implementation of E-ABK can be said to be efficient if all ASN are able to understand the filling flow and complete it on time. ; Adequacy: The organization of regional apparatus in the Education Service has been carried out in accordance with the applicable mechanism, namely an analysis of workload on the organizational structure. The policy for structuring regional apparatus organizations in the Education Department has met the adequacy criteria. This can be seen from the fact that the organizational structuring policies implemented have met the needs of the city government organization itself. ; Alignment: By equalizing the workload, you can create a fairer and more equitable work environment where all employees can give their best. ; Responsiveness: Increasing responsiveness can increase efficiency, reduce waiting time, increase customer satisfaction, and increase employee morale. ; and Accuracy: The accuracy of the number of employees needed in the Surabaya City Education Department can be seen through the existing number which will later be determined and matched between the existing E-ABK and the existing number of employees currently. The implementation of E-ABK (Workload Analysis) for Employees at the Surabaya City Education Office has been going smoothly. Even though the infrastructure and human resources are available and sufficient, there are still some employees who still do not fully understand how to fill out E-ABK. To increase employee competency, regular outreach and training regarding the use of E-ABK is needed.

The Use of Image‐Based Data and Abundance Modelling Approaches for Predicting the Location of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems in the South Pacific Ocean

ABSTRACTVulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) are typically fragile and slow to recover, thereby making them susceptible to disturbance, including fishing. In the high seas, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) requested regional fishery management organisations (RFMOs) to implement measures to prevent significant adverse impacts on VMEs. Here, we predict spatial abundances of 15 taxa, 13 VME indicator taxa, in the South Pacific RFMO (SPRFMO) area. Models used seafloor imagery data, an important advance on previously developed presence‐only predictions, to provide information on spatial variation in taxa abundance that is crucial for better inferring likely location of VMEs, rather than just distribution of VME indicator taxa. Abundance models varied in predictive power (mean R2 ranged 0.02–0.40). Uncertainty estimates of model predictions were developed to inform future spatial planning processes for conservation and management of VMEs. Using the VME index concept, abundance model outputs and previously published presence‐only model predictions were weighted using vulnerability scores, to explore how modelled outputs could provide spatial estimates of likely VME distribution. Spatial predictions of abundance improved on previous modelling to provide an almost complete suite of abundance models for VME indicator taxa in the western portion of the SPRFMO Convention area. Nevertheless, to improve utility of modelled outputs, we recommend more high‐quality seafloor imagery data be gathered within the SPRFMO Convention area to (1) validate abundance models developed here with independent data from the model area, (2) update models, if necessary, (3) link abundance information to ecosystem function and (4) explore validity of the adapted VME index approach used here.

Construction and Characterization of Traditional Village Landscape Cultural Genome Atlases: A Case Study in Xupu County, Hunan, China

The Yuan River Basin in Hunan Province, known for its rich history and cultural heritage, is home to traditional village landscapes characterized by distinct cultural genes and regional features. This study focuses on 21 traditional villages in Xupu County, Huaihua, and develops four types of traditional village landscape cultural genome atlases at three hierarchical levels: individual villages, multiple villages, and a specific research area. These atlases include genetic linkage maps, spatial sequence maps, distribution pattern maps, and geographical pattern maps. Using Yangquepo in Zhumucun Village as a case study, we constructed a genetic linkage map for the landscape cultural genome of a single traditional village, based on the arrangement structure of courtyard layouts. Spatial sequence maps were derived from the overall spatial configuration, while distribution pattern maps and geographical pattern maps for the 21 villages were developed using kernel density analysis in ArcGIS 10.8 software. The results reveal that traditional village landscapes in the region possess a diverse cultural genome, marked by distinct regional characteristics and spatial organization patterns.

Central Asia in Regional and Global Policies of Russia and China

From a realist perspective, there is a power competition between China and Russia and the US-led West. Russian rulers felt that the very existence of Russia was seriously threatened by the advancement of the West in an anarchic system, and they reacted by launching military intervention in Georgia and Ukraine. The efforts of Russian rulers to firmly bind Central Asian countries to Russia through bilateral economic and military relations as well as regional organizations have also been shaped by their struggle to preserve Russian existence against the West. China’s efforts to bind regional countries to itself through the SCO and the BRI is a power accumulation reaction given by a state that has emerged as a power pole vis-a-vis the dominant power to the possibility of being prevented from strengthening itself within the system. Russia and China’s efforts to act together in regional initiatives have emerged as an effort of balancing the West. Accordingly, China’s becoming more influential in the region has been managed by the two states with the same concern and this has served the interests of regional countries. In this study, Russia and China’s policies towards regional countries and their approaches in regional organizations have been explained and analyzed from the realist perspective.

India and the African Union’s Engagement Through IAFS: Challenges of Strengthening Partnership

India’s engagement with the African Union has been one of its important partnership agreements with Africa. The India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) kickstarted the engagement with African countries through the African Union overtaking bilateral relations and partnerships with regional organisations. India has since then remained a unique, request and need-based partner of the African Union. The various capacity-building initiatives taken up through IAFS have shown that India has shown serious commitment to India–Africa partnership. The first three IAFS shows that India committed substantial amounts of funds through IAFS. However, in reality, it could only deliver a very small portion due to the slow implementation of projects. Only 4% of Indian grants in 2017–18 were committed to Africa which improved slightly after 2019. Subsequently, over 40% of funds were committed but implementation had been very slow. There is never a third independent party evaluation of these projects for impact assessment or to suggest a solution for implementation issues. Presently, there is an urgent need to hold the next IAFS which has been delayed for a long time now. There is a need to organise review meetings with AU on a regular basis. India made extra-ordinary efforts to get the African Union admitted in G20 at the New Delhi meeting. However, the Indian expansion of Banjul Formula for IAFS, India’s renewed focus on Global South, bureaucracy-driven implementation of partnership projects and insufficient political-level communications with AU leadership throw new challenges.

The Cultural Problems about the Adaptation of Manggarai Students in Malang City

This research is motivated by the cultural complexity between Manggarai students and Java students in Malang city, Indonesia. There are misunderstandings due to the meeting of two different cultures. The research purpose is to find out the adaptation problems of Manggarai students in Malang city. The research method is qualitative with an ethnographic approach, namely emic. The data collection techniques are observation, interview and documentation. The analysis technique uses interpretation with a cultural paradigm. The results showed that the cultural problem of adaptation in the ethnographic point of view is the difficulty of adapting between students from Manggarai (migrants) and students from Java (host culture). The main reason for the difficulty in adapting starts from the language, the situation of feeling like a foreigner so that they feel culture shock with the new culture. Consequences of adaptation problems: limited communication between the two parties, the problem of occurring situations that are not familiar and easily offended due to misunderstanding and suspicion in the use of language. Ethnographic analysis helps adaptation problems through cultural trajectories from the immigrant side by being humble to learn conversations in everyday Javanese. The trajectory is carried out communally with initiatives from regional organizations (Lembor Malang Big Family Association or IKBLM) to build meeting points and familiarity with Javanese students. Research recommendations, different cultures can be crossed with cultural ideas and actions to accept differences starting from migrants and facilitated by decision-making parties.

Climate leadership competencies in public sector organisations in the Pirkanmaa region of Finland

Regions play an important role in concretising climate change mitigation and adaptation action. In this study, we asked those who work in designing and implementing climate strategies in regional public sector organisations in the Pirkanmaa region of Finland, for their views on what is needed for climate leadership in a regional organisation. We characterise the attributes of a climate leader in the context of regional public sector organisations in terms of the resources, processes, challenges and motivations in their work on climate change mitigation and adaptation, and describe the competencies needed for regional climate leadership. This research aims to support education design better to respond to the needs of regional climate actors.

BIMSTEC: BAY OF BENGAL INITIATIVE FOR MULTI-SECTORAL TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION: SWOT ANALYSIS FROM INDIAN PERSPECTIVES

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a regional organization comprising seven member states: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Multi-sectoral cooperation can be seen in the case of BIMSTEC, which is the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation. Thus, this paper aims to analyze a comprehensive SWOT analysis of BIMSTEC based on the Indian perspective. They cover India's strategic considerations related to geopolitics, economic cooperation, energy security, and soft power. Finally, the literature review reveals that the tag is inclined towards the advancement of technology, the need for strong institutional frameworks, and competent ways of eradicating economic imbalance among the member nations. Based on the study, it can be concluded that there are inherent opportunities for cooperation within BIMSTEC, but the issues of geopolitical competition, problems with the organization's management, and political unpredictability should be solved. Finally, the paper provides suggestions to make BIMSTEC a more effective organization with a better institutional basis to support members, inclusive growth for the region's people, better connectivity, optimum use of energy resources, and target environmental conservation. Therefore, India has a significant opportunity to ensure turning BIMSTEC into an active and efficient organization, which will help to provide stability, security, and further developments in the South Asian region in the Bay of Bengal.

Developing a set of core items for assessing preparedness in Italy: a Delphi approach

Abstract Background Effective pandemic management relies on preparedness and several tools are available for evaluation. However, due to differences in regional healthcare organization and structures, these may not accurately evaluate Italy’s capacities. This study, part of a project funded by the Italian Ministry of Health, report on the development of an assessment tool capable of evaluating the preparedness to confront pandemics at the regional level based on the actions outlined by the Italian influenza pandemic plan. Methods A desk research was carried out for preparedness evaluation tools, consulting Public Health Agencies, and Google Scholar and Search. Tools evaluation items were extracted, associated with the Italian plan, and screened for relevance and data availability. Selected items were then subjected to a two-round Delphi procedure involving 18 stakeholders from academia, local health services, and national agencies. The agreement was assessed using a 10-point Likert scale, and defined as a mean score ≥8, and consensus as a score standard deviation (SD) ≤1.5. Items with mean score ≥ 8 and SD > 1.5 after the first round were sent to the second round. Results A total of 6 tools were included in the study, from which 303 evaluation items matched the actions of the plan. After the screening phase, 122 indicators were deemed relevant and potentially available and sent to the Delphi procedure. Eighteen (14.8%) items reached both agreement and consensus in the first round, while another fifteen (12.3%) after the second. The 33 items covered all the domains of the national plan, especially Research and Development (21.1%) and Clinical Governance (15.2%). Conclusions The development of a set of core items that are agile, relevant, and readily available was facilitated by the involvement of stakeholders from different sectors. Moreover, adherence to the Italian pandemic plan should ensure that these items are deeply integrated into the unique context of the Italian regions. Key messages • The Delphi process identified a narrow number of evaluation items with great consensus. • Consensus was searched involving stakeholders from central authorities, local units, and academia.

Regionalism under test: justifying initial regional responses to the global Covid-19 crisis in Latin America

ABSTRACT This article explores the distinctive features of Latin American regionalism by examining its rhetorical justifications during the onset of the COVID-19 crisis. The pandemic offered an exceptional opportunity to witness the professed role of regional organizations in the Global South as bridges between national and international systems: how this role is discursively constructed and the practical limitations it faces in times of disruption. We address different attempts to (self-)justify the relevance of regionalist visions, analyzing how three (inter-)regional organizations of the Americas reacted discursively to the global public health crisis: the Common Market of the South (Mercosur), the Organization of American States (OAS), and the Ibero-American Summits (SEGIB). We examine three features that have traditionally shaped Latin American visions of regionalism: coping with world hegemony; striving for regional autonomy; and expressing transnational solidarity. The findings provide insights for further understanding the legitimation of regional and global governance under conditions of uncertainty.

Uncertainties in the Contemporary Political Landscape of West Africa amidst Global and Regional Challenges

Purpose: This paper analyzes the political instability in West Africa, exploring how historical legacies, military coups, and insurgent violence contribute to this instability. It also examines the role of external geopolitical influences and the limitations faced by regional organizations like ECOWAS in fostering stability. Materials and Methods: The research adopts a historical and analytical approach, examining the colonial legacies, recent military coups in countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, and the rise of armed insurgent groups. It also investigates the external influences of powers like Russia and China, alongside regional efforts by ECOWAS to manage the political situation. Findings: The research highlights that the persistence of military coups and insurgent violence is deeply rooted in the colonial past and exacerbated by weak democratic institutions. The resurgence of military coups underscores the fragility of governance in the region, while the proliferation of armed groups intensifies security threats. External geopolitical actors such as Russia and China have reshaped political alliances in the region, complicating ECOWAS' efforts to foster cooperation. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: To achieve lasting political stability, West Africa needs to strengthen its democratic institutions, promote regional cooperation, and develop more effective strategies to counteract both internal security threats and external geopolitical influences. ECOWAS must enhance its capacity to mediate conflicts and unify states amidst growing geopolitical divides.

A Comparative Analysis of Policy Responses to Development Gaps in ASEAN: Examining the Effectiveness of Macroeconomic and Regional Integration Strategies

Abstract: Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) integration was originally developed to respond more effectively to political and economic pressures from outside and collective bargaining power with a unified regional organisation. However, the significant disparity in development levels among ASEAN member States posed a challenge to that goal and to the sustainable economic development of ASEAN. This paper will analyse all aspects of the existing disparity in the level of development of ASEAN member countries and the reasons behind it. It will also present and analyse existing policies and mechanisms in ASEAN that address the imbalance in the level of development. To analyse the challenges for ASEAN to address the issue of imbalance in the level of development in the light of the effectiveness of the current ASEAN response to the imbalance in the level of development and the objective and realistic context of the ASEAN member States in terms of the comparison between the countries with high level of development and the countries with low level of development. ASEAN's macro-control policies, influenced by the system, do pay attention to the key factors affecting high and low levels of development, but ASEAN lacks targeted response programmes for countries and regions with complex political contexts.

Digital processes in the GCC countries in the first third of the 21ST century: industry features and the need to align industry gaps

The countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Persian Gulf (GCC), like many other countries of the world, today live in the realities of digital development and implement the achievements of world science and technology in various spheres and sectors of their economy and life in general. The purpose of the article is to identify the existing level of digitalization in the GCC countries in regional and sectoral aspects. The article shows that in the process of digitalization in the region and individual countries, the needs of digitalization of the national economy have been formed to support sustainable socio-economic development and solve a number of other tasks, for example, environmental, energy, etc. At the same time, specific threats have formed, among which in this article the author identifies industry digital gaps. The author concludes that during the period under study (2000–2023), the GCC identified industry leaders and outsiders in the process of digitalization. The author refers to the first extractive industries, oil refining, construction, as well as the service sector. The prospects for the development of digital systems in the GCC countries are assessed by the author as generally positive, but in the GCC it is important to eliminate digital gaps in the sectoral structure of the economy at the regional and country levels. To do this, according to the author, it is necessary to use legal, organizational, financial and other measures in the GCC countries, including the intensification of international cooperation in the digital sphere in the region and beyond. The study was conducted on the basis of reports from regional and international organizations (UNCTAD, IMF, League of Arab States, Arab Monetary Fund, etc.)

Measuring the climate security nexus: The Integrated Climate Security Framework

International, regional, and national organizations, alongside policymakers, are increasingly acknowledging the crucial connection between climate, peace, and security. However, there remains a notable gap in research methodologies capable of fully grasping the intricate dynamics of this relationship. This paper introduces the Integrated Climate Security Framework (ICSF), a comprehensive mixed-methods approach designed to unravel the complexities of climate-human security-conflict connections across various scales. By integrating traditional and innovative research methods, the ICSF aims to provide cutting-edge, policy-relevant insights to address five main measurement challenges of the climate security nexus: multiple pathways; context specificity; non-linearity; multiple actors and scales, and multiple geographic and time scales. By drawing on diverse epistemological perspectives and engaging directly with local communities, the framework offers a comprehensive evaluation of the complex social-ecological dynamics at play. Using Kenya as a case study—a country where climate and security risks frequently intersect and amplify each other—we demonstrate the comprehensive insights the framework offers to address the complex challenges at the nexus of climate, human security, and conflict.