Local Government Representatives Research Articles

The local governance of COVID‐19: Lessons learned and ways forward in rural Bangladesh

AbstractThis article investigates how a district administration in Bangladesh managed COVID‐19 pandemic risk governance. Interviews were conducted with civil administrators, local government representatives, and representatives from community‐based organizations and nongovernmental organizations. The findings indicate that, despite limited health facilities, widespread ignorance of the virus, joblessness among wage earners, economic pressure, and a massive outbreak of COVID‐19, the district administration has demonstrated its diligence, professionalism, local knowledge, and promptness in providing optimal public services through coordination and information sharing among all stakeholders. The synergies and coordination between local administration, security forces, and local government representatives were great challenges in implementing nonpharmaceutical polices and support programs.

Changes in the Recruitment of Transylvanian Local Government Representatives (Lord Lieutenants and Prefects) During and After the First World War

The study explores the changes in the Transylvanian Lord Lieutenants’ corps during and after the First World War, using a prosopographical approach. The comparative analysis of the Lord Lieutenants’ and prefects’ corps in 1918-1919 aims to examine the impact of various political and regime changes on the recruitment of these high officials. In the autumn of 1918, one can already talk of a partial change of the elite, since part of the newly appointed Lord Lieutenants had a very different social and family background than their predecessors. When the political status of Transylvania changed, at the end of 1918 and in 1919, it brought further, more radical changes atop the administrative elite: the Hungarian Lord Lieutenants were replaced by Romanian prefects, who did have the necessary qualifications, but who had no prior experience in local government. Keywords: Lord Lieutenant, prefect, elite change, Transylvania, 1918, First World War, recruitment

Totalitarian Flower Pavilion: The Dubious Post-Socialist Legacy of Contemporary Eastern European Cities

More than three decades after the collapse of state socialism in Central and Eastern Europe, local urban processes are still very often associated with that historic period or post-socialist transformation. This article aims to undermine the concept of the post-socialist city itself as reductionist, given the crucial importance of factors that differ from the influence of the pre-1989/91 times. The article confronts the discussion on the applicability of the post-socialist framework with field research conducted in selected Polish and Ukrainian cities, in particular the examples of the Kvity Ukrainy (Flowers of Ukraine) protest movement in Kyiv, Ukraine, and the 2003 spatial planning reform’s results in Krakow, Poland. The analysis is based on interviews with representatives of different actors involved in the policymaking process, such as local government representatives, policy advisors, urban planners, journalists, business circles, and members of grassroots initiatives.

From homeless to home: issues and challenges of housing continuity in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Purpose This paper aims to discuss the issues and challenges related to housing continuity for individuals transitioning from homelessness to securing a place to live in Klang Valley, Malaysia. The aim of the study is to explore the problems and solutions in the context of housing policy, particularly as they pertain to homeless households. The study involves conducting in-depth interviews with various stakeholders involved in helping homeless households find shelter and access to public housing. Design/methodology/approach The research methodology comprises a comprehensive literature review encompassing housing affordability, affordable housing and homelessness both within Malaysia and globally to identify research gaps. One of the key questions highlighted the effectiveness of existing programs aimed at providing short-term shelter and social integration for homeless individuals. Additionally, it highlights one of the primary challenges in this process, which is the tendency of homeless individuals to return to homelessness due to various factors. The data collection uses a qualitative approach and the data are obtained through in-depth interviews with key stakeholders responsible for assisting homeless households in Klang Valley, Malaysia, encompassing federal, state and local government representatives. Purposive sampling ensures diverse stakeholder representation. Interviews are structured semi-structured to maintain consistency while allowing for open-ended discussions on challenges and successes in facilitating homeless individuals' transition to stable housing. Thematic analysis of transcribed interview data focuses on recurring themes related to housing continuity, affordability and homeless households' behavioural patterns. Findings There are five (n = 5) stakeholders consist of local government (Code: R1), ministries (Code: R2; R5) and government agencies (Code: R3; R4). The study revealed that various programs have been implemented to provide short-term shelter and facilitate the integration of homeless individuals into society. Nevertheless, a significant challenge identified was the recurring tendency of homeless households to return to homelessness. This “behavioural direction” was found to be influenced by multiple factors which includes mental health and attitude problem. The findings emphasise the need for collaborative efforts among all stakeholders to address the issues and challenges related to housing continuity in Klang Valley. Originality/value The originality of this research lies in its focus on the specific and under-researched context of Klang Valley, Malaysia, regarding the critical issues of housing affordability and the challenges of housing continuity for homeless households. While housing affordability and affordable housing are widely recognised as global housing policy concerns, this study delves into a localised setting where limited attention has been given to understanding the transitions of homeless individuals to stable housing. The findings provide unique insights into the efforts and challenges faced in Klang Valley, shedding light on the behavioural patterns and factors contributing to recurring homelessness. This paper offers a context-specific perspective that contributes to the broader understanding of housing continuity issues.

The interpreters of Ainu language in the lands of Ezo in the 17<sup>th</sup> – 18<sup>th</sup> centuries (based on Japanese archive materials)

This article, based on Japanese sources, discusses the question of how the Ainu language interpreters’ guild was formed, what functions translators performed, and how their status changed in the period from the 17th to the 18th centuries. During this time, Japan pursued the policy of self-isolation, and all contacts with the outside world were closely controlled by the government. However, in the places where contact with foreign culture did occur, interpreters were needed. So, there were interpreters of Chinese, Korean, and Dutch languages. In the island of Hokkaido, where trade with the local Ainu took place, the interpreters of Ainu language were needed. In this article, the history of Ainu language interpreters and their first appearance is researched based on Japanese archive materials. The research also focuses on the functions the interpreters performed and their status in Japanese society at the time. There was a separate category of interpreters of the Ainu language in Matsumae, who were involved exclusively in important official events of the Matsumae clan. Their functions and positions in society, as well as the first mentions of Ainu language experts who succeeded in their profession, are also examined in detail. Particular attention is paid to the status and functions of the interpreters of the Ainu language in Ezo at the beginning of the 18th century, when a new basho trading system was introduced in Japan. The subject of the Ezo interpreters’ level of command of the Ainu language is also in the focus of the research. The study mentions the attempts to compile the first dictionaries of the Ainu language and the difficulties that came with it. The author concludes that the functions of interpreters of the Ainu language have undergone tremendous changes. In the 17th century, the services of interpreters were used only for the occasions of trade, as well as ceremonies of welcoming or escorting a ship. By the end of the 18th century, they stood at the forefront of the Japanese control of the Ainu. Their rights and obligations were so extensive that, in fact, they, as representatives of local authorities, completely controlled the Ainu people.

Domesticating Responsibility: Refugee Hosting and the Homes for Ukraine Scheme

AbstractIn March 2022, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the UK government launched its “Homes for Ukraine” private hosting scheme. The British public were urged to support Ukraine by signing up to host people fleeing the war in their own homes. There are many critiques of the scheme, especially the racialised connotations of welcoming Ukrainians while shunning others seeking sanctuary. However, the particular themes of responsibility and responsibilisation stand out. This scheme is the first programme of this scale in the UK, signalling a different approach to accommodating and supporting refugees, away from the realm of government. Is this a retreating state, and who exactly is responsible for supporting Ukrainians as they settle? What does this responsibility entail? Drawing on 58 interviews with hosts, guests, charities, and central and local government representatives, this article forges new contributions to understanding what is at stake in refugee hosting schemes.

The creative economy in the hand of local government: Fragmentation, overlapping meaning, and the absence of intermediary group

The creative economy does not only attract the attention of practitioners for regional economic development but also academics to contribute knowledge in identifying the success or failure of the creative economy (Boǧa & Topcu, 2020). It may produce unique and different findings. This research tried to identify problems in developing a creative economy at the local government level. It is to identify factors that make the creative economy less developed. Informants from local government representatives and entrepreneurs were interviewed to obtain an overview of the creative economy in Ogan Ilir Regency. The findings show three main factors inhibiting the creative economy, namely the fragmentation of creative economy management, the overlapping meaning of the creative economy, and the last is absence of an intermediary group, the creative group. These findings practically contributed knowledge about the constraints of the creative economy that must be immediately resolved by local governments and contribute to the literature on a set of creative economic development.

POSSIBILITIES AND BARRIERS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SUBSTITUTE CARE SYSTEM IN OPINIONS OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKERS – THE FINDINGS OF THE FOCUS GROUP INTERVIEVS

The key aim of this article is a presentation of barriers in implementing of processes of deinstitutionalization of the substitute care system, on the basis of opinions of local government officials and representatives of social organizations. The opinions were gathered in the Focus Group Interviews. This research was proceeded within the scope of a project: „The Pilot Study And Implementation Of Mechanisms And Planes Of Deinstitutionalization Of Social Services.” Additionally, obstacles in the deinstitutionalization activities of the communities in the substitute care area were generally put forward – insofar as it was possible, because of a limited framework of this paper. These activities were realized in the framework of local plans of deinstitutionalization of social services. Plans were prepared by local governments, which have been taking part in the project indicated above.This article circumscribes barriers in implementing of deinstitutionalization of the substitute care system, because in opinions of respondents and makers a success of deinstitutionalization depends on their overcoming. Knowledge about these barriers – both on the basis of opinions and experiences gaining in the course of preparing and implementing local plans - can provide assistance for the others local governments in our country for preparing more effective local plans of deinstitutionalization of social services in the area of substitute care system. And in the broader context - for the realization of one of the project aim, namely to working out of the framework, nationwide guidelines in the range of working out and implementing local plans of deinstitutionalization, among others in the area of subsitute care system. The guidelines will have a form of practical textbook including principles of leading local plans of deinstitutionalization, among others good practices in this extent.

Zone-Based Tourism Planning Using Satellite Imagery


 
 
 
 Tourism planning serves as a strategic approach to mitigate and address the damage incurred by tourist attractions, such as the Tangkolak Bahari Center (TMC) mangrove ecosystem, which has experienced a loss of 2 hectares. The primary objective of this research is to formulate a zone-based tourism plan utilizing PlanetScope Dove-R sensor satellite imagery to provide spatial information specific to its application in December 2022. The methodology encompasses various techniques, including observation, structured interviews with tourists, focus group discussions involving tourism managers and local government representatives, digitization, and delineation. The result of research is Zones within the TMC tourist attractions, comprising Main and Supporting Space Plans, Primary and Secondary Circulation Plans, Avicennia, Rhizopora stylosa, and Sonneratia Conservation Vegetation Plans, as well as Plans for Nature, Conservation, Culinary Activities and Facilities, and Green Planning. Notably, the TMC tourist attraction remains viable, covering an area of 2.73 hectares in the West TMC and 1.79 hectares in the East TMC. It is imperative to underscore the importance of considering the sustainability of the mangrove ecosystem in utilizing these areas.
 
 
 

Conceptualising the empowerment of caregivers raising children with developmental disabilities in Ethiopia: a qualitative study

BackgroundCaregivers of children with developmental disabilities (DDs) in Ethiopia experience stigma and exclusion. Due to limited existing services and substantial barriers to accessing care, they often lack support. Caregiver empowerment could help address injustices that hinder their capacity to support their child as they would like. The aim of this study was to explore the meaning and potential role of empowerment for caregivers raising a child with a DD and how empowerment was situated in relation to other priorities in service development.MethodsThis was a qualitative phenomenological study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in Amharic and English with caregivers of children with a DD (n = 15), clinicians (n = 11), community-based health extension workers (n = 5), representatives of non-governmental organisations working with families with DDs (n = 17), and representatives of local authorities in health, education, and social care (n = 15). Data were analysed thematically.ResultsThree main themes were developed: “Barriers to exercising caregivers’ agency”; “Whose decision is it to initiate empowerment?”; and “Supporting caregivers through support groups”. Caregiver capacity to do what they thought was best for their child was undermined by poverty, a sense of hopelessness, experience of domestic abuse and multiple burdens experienced by those who were single mothers. Caregivers were nonetheless active in seeking to bring about change for their children. Caregivers and professionals considered support groups to be instrumental in facilitating empowerment. Participants reflected that caregiver-focused interventions could contribute to increasing caregivers’ capacity to exercise their agency. A tension existed between a focus on individualistic notions of empowerment from some professionals compared to a focus on recognising expertise by experience identified as vital by caregivers. Power dynamics in the context of external funding of empowerment programmes could paradoxically disempower.ConclusionCaregivers of children with DDs in Ethiopia are disempowered through poverty, stigma, and poor access to information and resources. Shifting power to caregivers and increasing their access to opportunities should be done on their own terms and in response to their prioritised needs.

A novel best-worst method and Kendall model integration for optimal selection of digital voting tools to enhance citizen engagement in public decision making

Urban transport system development often involves a central decision-making process by local government representatives or transport company managers. It is imperative to align these decisions with public preferences to ensure public acceptance and long-term sustainability. This study introduces an innovative decision-making model by integrating the Best-Worst Method (BWM) with the Kendall Model (BWM-Kendall) to support the development of urban transport systems. The primary focus is on applying this model for the optimal selection of digital voting tools to enhance citizen engagement in Dublin’s urban transport decision-making process. A detailed case study demonstrates the model’s effectiveness, emphasizing Dublin’s urban transport context. The findings from this study show the BWM-Kendall model can facilitate the formulation of more integrated and sustainable solutions to urban transport challenges, ultimately fostering increased citizen engagement in the decision-making processes related to urban transport development. Furthermore, the evaluation of digital tools involved two distinct groups: experts from academia and industry, adding depth and diversity to the assessment process.

КОМУНІКАЦІЙНІ ІНСТРУМЕНТИ РОБОТИ З ВНУТРІШНЬО ПЕРЕМІЩЕНИМИ ОСОБАМИ В УМОВАХ РОСІЙСЬКО-УКРАЇНСЬКОЇ ВІЙНИ

<p><strong><em>The purpose of the study</em></strong><em> is to identify the problems that complicate the use of communication tools for interaction with internally displaced persons in the context of war.</em></p><p><strong><em>Research methodology.</em></strong><em> The study used general scientific methods of cognition. The current situation with internally displaced persons in different regions of Ukraine and the main problems they face during the war were determined using the method of critical analysis. A comparison method was used to identify the most effective communication tools for working with IDPs. Problems that complicate the use of such tools were identified in the process of synthesizing information. The ways to solve these problems were found by the methods of induction and deduction.</em></p><p><strong><em>Results.</em></strong><em> Modern communication tools are an important component of the integration of IDPs into the life of the territorial community. Their use helps to solve the problems faced by internally displaced persons during the war and ensures effective interaction between all parties involved in this process. At the same time, the use of communication tools is complicated by a number of problems, including: lack of access to the necessary infrastructure; language barriers; low information or digital literacy; financial constraints; social isolation and psychological stress. Solving these problems requires a comprehensive approach, including the implementation of educational programs to improve the information and digital literacy of IDPs, the development of secure Internet platforms for the exchange of useful information, the creation of accessible network infrastructures in remote regions, the development of communication strategies to overcome language barriers, the launch of psychological support programs, and the involvement of communication specialists.</em></p><p><strong><em>Novelty.</em></strong><em> The study for the first time reveals the complex problem of using communication tools to interact with internally displaced persons in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war, and provides specific recommendations for overcoming these problems, taking into account various aspects, from access to infrastructure to psychological support.</em></p><p><strong><em>Practical significance.</em></strong><em> The results of the study can be used by representatives of local authorities to improve communication with internally displaced persons in times of war, facilitating their integration into territorial communities and facilitating the solution of their problems.</em></p><p><strong><em>Key</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong><strong><em>words:</em></strong><em> media, communication, territorial community, social issues, internally displaced persons.</em></p>

AIRPORT AS A FACTOR SHAPING THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC SITUATION IN THE MUNICIPALITY IN A CHANGING REALITY

Airports, as a component of air transport, combine air transport with other modes of transport to strengthen the transportation accessibility of a place in space, attract investors, and stimulate the development of the area. Taking into account that these issues are less exposed in relation to their immediate surroundings, research was undertaken to determine how representatives of the authorities and residents of communes (taking into account the nature of the communes and the size and location of the airport) perceive airports, located within their communes, in the context of their impact on the socio-economic situation in the communes. This was achieved by analysing the communes' strategic documents and data on the operation of communes and airports from 2016 to 2021. These data were obtained from the Civil Aviation Authority, the Central Statistical Office, the International Air Transport Association, and the International Airports Council. In an effort to better understand the relationship between the airport and the commune in which it is located, poll research was carried out using survey and interview techniques. The research focused on 10 airports spread across Poland. A total of 1,200 surveys were conducted among residents of communes, and 10 interviews were conducted with representatives of local governments and the port. To analyse the collected data and present the results, Statistica v.13.3 and R/RStudio software were used.

Impact, Utilization and Applications of Digital Media for Government in Rural Settings. A Comparative US-Romania Research

This paper aims to answer the call for studies o Interaction between citizens and government has traditionally taken place in community settings, government meetings, special town hall meetings, written correspondence in letters, emails, or texts, or via a phone call to a government representative. With digital media, citizens can instantly interact with the government. The mobile component of digital media will continue to be important in this interaction. This research operates with the assumption that digital media expresses a paradigmatic shift regarding how to govern and how to communicate. Digital media clearly is transforming the way governments think, plan, and carry out their policies but more importantly, how they communicate public policy. Our research intends to understand how local government institutions in rural settings use digital media and other communication channels to communicate with their citizens. The research employs a comparative perspective by investigating rural communities from the US and Romania. This was achieved by undertaking a content analysis of local government’s websites and social media platforms, as well as collecting primary data through interviews with representatives of local government, to assess the ways they use digital media, traditional media, and other communication tools, and whether they viewed them as effective strategies.

Peran Perangkat Desa Dalam Hal Penyelesaian Sengketa Keperdataan Di Negeri Rumahkay Kecamatan Amalatu Kabupaten Seram Bagian Barat

Introduction: Civil dispute resolution at the village level is important for maintaining peace and justice in local communities. Village officials, as representatives of local government, play a central role in addressing the civil issues of village communities.Purposes of Devotion: To provide understanding and knowledge to the community, especially the importance of the role of village officials in resolving community disputes. Method of Devotion: The devotion method used is the counseling and mentoring method for the Negeri Rumahkay Community, especially in providing knowledge of the importance of the role of village officials in resolving disputes between communities.Results of the Devotion: Village apparatuses serve a vital role in securing peace and justice in the village community through their efforts in resolving civil disputes through various means of out-of-court dispute resolution.

Perceptions of key stakeholders on taxes on tobacco and alcohol products in Nepal

BackgroundNon-communicable diseases (NCDs) are on the rise in Nepal. Consumption of alcohol and tobacco products remains high. Taxes on these products are significantly below the rate recommended by the WHO....

Барон умер — да здравствует баронет! (Политическая медиация на границе пустого и наполненного пространства)

Based on a series of expeditions to the northern area of the Irkutsk region, the article examines the process of the formation of a special kind of quasi-political actors, denoted in the text by the term “taiga baronet”. These actors emerge under the conditions when, as a result of the “optimization” of the structures responsible for collecting information about social space, the latter, from the point of view of authorities, becomes “empty”. Along with the array of interpretable markers of the filled space, a number of operators capable of interpreting them decreases and at the end disappears. As a result, the government turns out to be blind, physically deprived of the ability to perform managerial functions. At the same time, having become invisible to the eye of the authorities, this space retains itself as an administratively and politically structured territory, in which representatives of local authorities are forced to carry out the activities prescribed to them and legally assigned to them. Due to the “blindness” of the authorities, this activity inevitably turns into an imitation. The problem, however, is that the space that the authorities perceive as “empty” still have residents, for whom this space remains both social and “filled,” and who continue to expect from government institutions that they provide a certain amount of public goods. Thus, a conflict arises, manifested in complaints, appeals to law enforcement agencies and higher authorities, which poses a threat to the favorable picture drawn in the reports. It is the need to somehow neutralize this threat that gives rise to the need for an agent who is not bound by the restrictions associated with the authorities’ view and is able to focus on the “here and now” situation, without universal standards. This agent not only assumes a number of functions of the local government, but also acts as a universal mediator between the “empty” and “filled” space, between the local community and the state structure.

Demographic Change and Border Security Governance of Nepal: An Analysis of Perceptions

Demographic changes in Nepal have significant implications for national security, particularly border security. The shifting populations, internal migration from rural to urban areas, and cross-border movements have given rise to various challenges like illegal border crossings, human trafficking, smuggling, and other activities that jeopardize security and stability. Despite several efforts, border security continues to be a pressing issue, and there is a lack of understanding of how locallevel elected representatives perceive the implications of demographic change on border security. This research primarily aims to analyze the perception of threat among locally elected representatives concerning the root causes of demographic change at their respective local levels. It also seeks to examine their perception of how demographic change affects border security governance and identify the security threats perceived due to such changes. Moreover, the study aims to determine the perceived role of responsible authorities or agencies in mitigating the security risks associated with demographic change. To achieve these objectives, the research follows an analytical approach, gathering perceptions from elected representatives of various local governments. It uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze their views on border security issues arising from changing demographics in Nepal. The focus areas are the Nepalese territories connected to neighboring countries China and India. The primary data source for the research is local-level government representatives, and the analysis involves thematic exploration of qualitative interviews and quantitative examination of population trends. However, it's important to note that the findings may have limited generalizability, as they are based solely on the perceptions of elected representatives. The study does not include perspectives from security forces or other agencies. The selected areas for the study include regions in Nepal experiencing frequent population decrease, such as Bhotekoshi rural municipality and Jugal rural municipality of Sindhupalchowk district, as well as areas with frequent population increase, including Rajdevi Municipality and Gaur Municipality of Rautahat, Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City of Banke, and Bhajani Municipality and Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City of Kailali District. The study sheds light on the main drivers of demographic change, such as the pursuit of better health, education, employment, and quality of life, and their long-term impact on national and border security. By engaging local-level elected representatives and employing an analytical approach, this research aims to fill the existing research gap and provide valuable information to policymakers for effectively addressing border security challenges arising from demographic change in Nepal.

Use of the Extension for Community Health Outcomes (ECHO) model for public health emergency response in Alaska

ABSTRACT Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is a telehealth and virtual mentoring model. It is a scalable platform to create peer communities where professionals can gain knowledge, skills, and relevant information to their work and clinical practice. Key informant interviews of Alaska public health leaders, clinical providers, ECHO staff, and local government representatives were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and utility of the Project ECHO for COVID-19 response. Project ECHO session attendance and evaluation data were also reviewed. A combined total of 41,255 attendees participated in a COVID-19 response ECHO July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2022. Eight key informant interviews were conducted with individuals involved in leading or coordinating COVID-19 response efforts. Key informants identified four themes impacting the effectiveness of the Project ECHO model in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic: (1) Engagement, (2) Amplification, (3) Adaptability, and (4) Trust. In a rapidly changing pandemic, the ECHO model provided adaptive and effective virtual spaces where Alaskan providers, communities, elected officials, educators, and other stakeholders were able to receive tailored and up-to-date information on mitigation, treatment, and other concerns exacerbated by COVID-19.

Youth views on the role of local government and universities in the development of deoccupied territories

This study examines young people’s perspectives on local government bodies’ and universities’ roles in revitalizing de-occupied territories. A mixed-methods approach was deployed to examine their roles in returning and retaining young people in these areas. An initial quantitative survey was conducted among 1,180 young individuals from Berdyansk and its district (a temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine), focusing on the prospects of their return after de-occupation. A subsequent “Youth of Berdyansk” forum assembled roughly 300 participants, including university and local government representatives, to further explore youth perceptions. Findings revealed that 52.8% of respondents envision their future in the de-occupied region. Local government bodies and universities were seen as crucial for the region’s development and restoration by 92% and 86% of respondents, respectively. Moreover, 69% recognized the potential of partnerships between these institutions to enhance the territories’ appeal. Most respondents indicated readiness to participate in creating recovery strategies (41% absolute readiness, 38% with certain guarantees), though views on youth-centric strategies were mixed (80% agreement, 13% disagreement). The study concludes that local government bodies and universities are critical in the territories’ recovery and development, necessitating explicit engagement and focusing on young people’s needs for effective outcomes.