Sectoral Dialogue Research Articles

They do their utmost: promise and limits of palliative care in two refugee camps in Rwanda, a qualitative study

ABSTRACT After often gruelling journeys, some refugees arrive at secure locations with severe injury or illness. Others find themselves shortly thereafter facing a life-limiting health condition. Palliative care has been the focus of recent research, and of academic and aid sector dialogue. In this study, we ask: What are experiences and needs of patients and care providers? What opportunities and obstacles exist to enhance or introduce means of reducing suffering for patients facing serious illness and injury in crisis settings? We present findings of a qualitative sub-study within a larger programme of research exploring moral and practical dimensions of palliative care in humanitarian crisis contexts. This paper presents vignettes about palliative care from refugees and care providers in two refugee camps in Rwanda, and is among the first to provide empirical evidence on first-hand experiences of individuals who have fled protracted conflict and face dying far from home. Along with narratives of their experiences, participants provided a range of recommendations from small (micro) interventions that are low cost, but high impact, through to larger (macro) changes at the systems and societal levels of benefit to policy developers and decision-makers.

ЕКОНОМІЧНА ДИПЛОМАТІЯ УКРАЇНИ В СУБРЕГІОНІ ПІВДЕННО-СХІДНОЇ АЗІЇ

It was established that according to the ASEAN Charter there are 3 types of cooperation: Dialogue Partnerships, Sectoral Dialogue Partnerships, Development Partnerships, and there are separate observer and guest statuses. The possibility of non-Southeast Asian countries the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia was studied, and Ukraine’s experience of joining the Treaty since 2017 was analyzed. It was emphasized that although the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia was a symbol of good-neighborly relations between ASEAN countries, it was also considered as a contractual basis for regional cooperation and as a necessary condition for joining ASEAN. A list of appropriate measures to improve the development of economic relations between Ukraine and the ASEAN countries is recommended.

Massive Omission of Consent (MOOC): Ethical Research in Educational Big Data Studies

Ethical reviews of research plans function as a cornerstone of good research practice in order that no harm should come to participants. Ethical concerns have taken on a new salience in a digital world where data can be generated at scale. Big data research has grown rapidly, raising increased ethical concerns. Several intersecting areas of big data research exist within educational research, such as learning analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). In the current study, an investigation was made of peer-reviewed papers on MOOC teaching and learning to determine if they explicitly refer to (a) ethical considerations in their studies, and (b) obtaining formal ethical approval for their research. This investigation was accomplished through a review of MOOC-related, English-language papers available in Scopus database, over the course of a year. The review produced a total of 1,249 articles, of which, 826 articles related to empirical studies involving human participants where full text of the articles could be obtained. The string “ethic” was searched for within these articles, and resulting articles analyzed, which found that a small fraction, 42 articles (5.08%), mention ethics in relation to the study presented in the article, and only 13 articles (1.57%) explicitly mention obtaining formal ethical approval for the research. The findings show a lack of transparency in reporting on and/or engagement with ethical considerations in MOOC teaching and learning research. These findings indicate the need for further stakeholder engagement and sectoral dialogue in relation to ethics education and training for researchers; consideration of ethics in big data studies in education; and norms/policies in academic publishing for authors to report how ethical issues have been considered.

Turning mobile big data insights into public health responses in times of pandemics: Lessons learnt from the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract In low-income countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)—where data is scarce and national statistics offices often under-resourced—aggregated and anonymised mobile operators’ data can provide vital insights for decision-makers to promptly respond to both prevailing and new pandemics, such as COVID-19. Yet, while research on possible applications of mobile big data (MBD) analytics for COVID-19 is growing, there is still little evidence on how such use cases are actually being adopted by governmental authorities and how MBD insights can effectively be turned into informed public health actions in times of crises. This four-part commentary paper aims to bridge such literature gaps, by sharing lessons learnt from the DRC, whereby Congolese public health authorities, through a steep learning curve, have initiated a public–private sector dialogue with local mobile network operators (MNOs) and their ecosystem partners to leverage population mobility insights for COVID-19 policy-making. After having set the scene on the policy relevance of MBD analytics in the context of the DRC in the first section, the paper will then detail four key enablers that contributed, since March 2020, to accelerate Congolese authorities’ uptake of MBD, thus effectively increasing preparedness for future pandemics. Thirdly, we showcase concreate use-cases where “readiness-to-use” has actually translated into actual “usage” and “adoption” for decision-making, while introducing other use cases currently under development. Finally, we explore challenges when harnessing telco big data for decision-making with the ultimate aim to share lessons to replicate the successes and steer the development of MBD for social good in other low-income countries.

Using research and development indicators to shape innovation in Mauritius

Research and Development (R&D) measurements are widely used in the formulation of evidence-based policies to boost a country’s innovation performance. This paper showcases how traditional (Expenditure and Number of Researchers) and country specific R&D data were used for the first time in Mauritius to formulate informed policy measures. A national survey covering the financial year 2019/2020 was conducted. Five hundred and fifty-three Researchers (Full Time Equivalence) per million of inhabitants were recorded. Gross Expenditure and Business R&D Expenditures as a percentage of GDP were 0.37% and 0.07% respectively. Highest expenditures for Business, Government and Higher Education sectors were in Engineering & Technology, Agricultural and Natural Sciences respectively, hence demonstrating a lack of synergy between the three sectors. Bibliometric analysis was conducted to evaluate the trend in publication output over the last five years. 6.2% of Mauritian publications were in Ocean Sciences and 21% of international publications were co-authored with a partner from Africa. These call for a realignment of R&D strategies for Mauritius to attain its goals to become a Blue Economy and a regional knowledge hub. Potential policy recommendations include mechanisms to be put in place for enhanced- public/private sector dialogue and targeted Research Funding schemes in relation to country goals.

COVID-19 pandemic in India: through psycho-social lens.

COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented crisis that simultaneously affected different countries and communities across the globe. The large-scale psychosocial impact of the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown, is an experiential reality for many, in India. Despite this impact, a closer look at India’s response to the pandemic shows that the two strands of health and relief measures, continue to occupy centre-stage. The psycho-social aspects of the pandemic unfortunately largely remain undocumented and unaddressed. Using experiences of iCALL, National national level psycho-social counseling counselling service and a field action project of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, the paper throws light on the much-neglected experiential psycho-social dimensions of COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown in India. It describes the stressors experienced by users who approached iCALL and the consequent impact; especially among those who belonged to the vulnerable sections of the society. The nature of stressors as well as the impact reported by iCALL users, clearly points out to a complex interplay among several factors at individual, interpersonal, community and structural levels. The paper then, critically looks at the merits and limitations of the mental health framework that predominated the mental health response during the pandemic with its bio-medical and individualistic undertones; and suggests an alternative framing using a ‘psycho-social’ paradigm that views distress as an interaction between the psychological and social worlds. The paper asserts reciprocal linkages between development and psycho-social distress; highlighting the need to consciously integrate mental health issues into the development response. In the end, it makes an appeal for an inter sectoral dialogue, integrated response and advocacy for investing in mental health and psycho-social infrastructure to effectively respond to the pandemic.

Nature Based Solutions (NBS) for sustainable and resilient cities: experiences from Europe and Brazil

Although Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) is a relatively recent concept, it can provide effective means for cities worldwide to become more sustainable and to enhance urban resilience, thus improving the quality of life of their citizens. Moreover, cost-effective NBS can help improve the urban environment in multiple scales, from buildings to neighbourhoods, from public spaces to peri-urban areas, providing all kinds of co-benefits positively influencing the above-mentioned challenges. Depending on the context and the need, many different stakeholders may be involved in the co-creation of systemic, inclusive and locally attuned NBS supporting social cohesion and urban equality.The learning alliance fostered by the EU-Brazil Sector Dialogue on NBS, is currently working together to identify common research and innovation agendas for cooperation, as well as mapping relevant examples of successful NBS that have been recently implemented or are under development in both Europe and Brazil. The cases selected have been studied and compared with a particular emphasis on their potential for replicability, scalability and adaptation to the local context. In addition, they should address the three pillars of sustainability: environmental, socio-cultural and economic.Therefore, this paper discusses the opportunities offered by NBS (even in periods of economic downturn), but also the limiting factors hindering their wider dissemination. In addition, it will present through a few inspiring case studies from both regions, clear examples of successful implementation of NBS, which could be replicated and scaled in other locations in response to specific local conditions.

Sectoral dialogue and promotion of innovation in Argentina

Sectoral dialogue and promotion of innovation in Argentina

The European Sectoral Social Dialogue: An Uneven Record of Achievement?

While the European intersectoral social dialogue has been, according to the Commission’s own admission, dragging its feet for the last few years on account of a lack of commitment on the part of the private sector employers, the sectoral social dialogue is often presented as a more dynamic and successful venture. A dialogue along sectoral lines has been set in motion by employer and labour organisations from a current total of 43 economic sectors of the European economy (from metalworking through road transport to public services and many others).On the strength of its data base containing more than 730 joint texts produced in the context of the sectoral social dialogue, the ETUI set out to verify this claim concerning the dynamism of this process. The findings are that the sectoral dialogue has indeed continued to spread and that it has produced, in the last few years, a large number of agreements of substance. Yet the picture is not all rosy. While the dynamism of some sectors is impressive, others, by contrast, are languishing in a state of lethargy. What is more, some member states have recently displayed reluctance to transpose social dialogue agreements implemented by means of directive, even though provision to this end is contained in the Treaty. Finally – and this feature may already be the consequence of the foregoing – the sectoral social partners have in recent years produced more ‘joint lobbying texts’ addressed to the European institutions than ‘joint agreements’ concluded, for example, in order to improve working conditions, training facilities, or workplace health and safety provision.

Assessing Strategic Partnership Policy

Chapter 1 History of EU-China relations 1 1.1 From the establishment of bilateral relation to the constructive engagement 1 1.2 From the Constructive engagement to the Strategic partnership 5 1.3 Strategic partnership and current framework for cooperation 14 1.4 Three Pillar structure and institutional toolkit for strategic partnership 18 Chapter 2 Three Pillars of Strategic Partnership 22 2.1 I Pillar – Political Dialogue 24 2.1.1 Human Rights 26 2.1.2. Arms embargo 30 2.2 II Pillar – Economic and Sectoral Dialogue 35 2.2.1 EU-China trade 36 2.2.1.1 IPR Protection 38 2.2.1.2 Trade facilitation 42 2.2.1.3 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) 43 2.2.2 Galileo Project 45 2.3 III Pillar – People-to-people dialogue 48 Chapter 3 Assessing the EU-China strategic partnership 56 3.1 Reflexive partnership: Putting the EU on the map 58 3.2 Relational partnerships: Economic first 61 3.3 Structural partnership: enhancing global governance 64 Conclusions: Between the vision and pragmatism

Convergence á La Carte: Selective Adoption of EU Environmental Norms in Ukraine

While the EU’s policies towards non-member states are often discussed within frameworks of ‘high politics’, one of the most important features of the European Neighbourhood Policy is its emphasis on the ‘low politics’ of sectoral dialogue in functionally differentiated policy fields. Examining policy change triggered in Ukraine by the EU’s neighbourhood policy framework, the essay focuses on environmental policy as a typical ‘low politics’ policy field. The results show that in four subfields of environmental policy case-specific constellations of domestic veto players, policy specific conditionality and external capacity-building determine domestic policy change.

Selective Adoption of EU Environmental Norms in Ukraine. Convergence á la Carte

While the EU's policies towards non-member states are often discussed within frameworks of ‘high politics’, one of the most important features of the European Neighbourhood Policy is its emphasis on the ‘low politics’ of sectoral dialogue in functionally differentiated policy fields. Examining policy change triggered in Ukraine by the EU's neighbourhood policy framework, the essay focuses on environmental policy as a typical ‘low politics’ policy field. The results show that in four sub-fields of environmental policy case-specific constellations of domestic veto players, policy-specific conditionality and external capacity building determine domestic policy change.

Enhancing Pakistan’s Agricultural Sector Exports to India

The study aims to identify potentially competitive agricultural products or product clusters for exports to India, probable challenges at the border, behind the border and beyond the border to exploit export opportunities. The study also sets out the defensive strategy to identify vulnerable agricultural product or clusters susceptible to import surges; and suggests recommendation for policy reform to make the vulnerable sector competitive in long run and stave off unfair trade practices during the transition phase. The study employs analytical methodology using the ‘Summary Indicators of Potential’ (SIP) namely ‘Relative Growth Rates of Merchandise Exports and Imports’; ‘Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA)’; ‘Trade Similarity Index’; ‘Trade Specialization Index’; ‘Trade Intensity Index’; ‘Index of Intra-industry Trade’ and ‘Trade Complementarity Index’ at a dis-aggregated 6 digit level of the Harmonized Systems of Product Classification. Stakeholders’ survey questionnaire, Public Sector Dialogue and Consultation process have also been integral part of this research. The major findings of the study are as under: • The comparison of top importing agricultural products by India and Pakistan reveal import basket similarity as both tend to import vegetable oil crudes (Palm-oil, soya bean oil and sunflower oil), oil hydrogenated, cotton lint, sugar, tea, pulses, lentils, rubber and wheat. However, there is dissimilarity of import items also: India tends to import beans (dry), dry and fresh fruits, silk raw, dates and alcohol beverages; whereas, Pakistan tends to import chick peas, areca nuts (betel nut), jute, garlic, ginger, and food preparations items. While comparative analysis of top export products by India and Pakistan reveal that both are close competitors in rice, cotton lint, buffalo meat, sugar, vegetable products, sesame seed and mangoes. • Pakistan has export competitive edge in tangerines, mandarins, potatoes, molasses, dates, goat and sheep meat, frozen vegetables and dried fruits whereas India has export competitive edge in tobacco (unmanufactured), tea, oil of castor beans, coffee (green), chillies and peppers (dry) and oil essentials. Pakistan can export dates, fresh and dry fruits and wool to India. Similarly, India can export tea, garlic, ginger and vegetables especially during seasonal shortages. The study recommends that managed trade liberation in agricultural trade with India is more prudent policy option for Pakistan. Before transition to full trade liberalization in agricultural sector, the study suggests import quota regime (IQ) under the Pakistan Safeguard Ordinance 2002. The quantum of IQ may be fixed on the basis of average value of last five years import figures in each of tariff line in the agriculture sector. Non-transferable import quota may be awarded on first-come first serve basis on payment of 5 %of the value of quota. On exhaustion of Import Quota, MFN bound rate tariff will progressively be applied. For example, a 10 %increase in imports above IQ limits would entail an increase of MFN applied tariff by 10 %and so on. During this transitory protective regime, the study also recommends addressing structural issues in agricultural competitiveness like focusing on agricultural productivity, developing yield improvement and disease resistant varieties, improving irrigation and water usage efficiency and reducing water wastage, controlling water logging and salinity; improving ASC (Agricultural Supply Chain) and reducing the produce wastages during the sowing, harvesting, storage (cool chain) , and improving infrastructure for packaging and preservation and transportation (reefer and containerized cargo). The other policy recommendations include restructuring of the National Tariff Commission; incentives for cluster farming through legislative cover to facilitate the farmers to join a agri-cluster and get support for agricultural/ farming extension services, credit; and to initiate the Trade Adjustment schemes especially for small agricultural farms and farmers who may become noncompetitive due to trade liberalization with India. The research finding support the trade liberalization efforts with India in agricultural sector as counterfactual policy of insulating domestic agriculture from import competition would be poverty and mal-nutrition inducing for Pakistani consumers especially for those in lower two quintiles of population (poorest 40 %) who spend almost 50-70 % of their income on food.

Building European social dialogue: The experience of the education sector

From their personal experience in the European organizations of trade unions and employers in the education sector, the authors discuss the process which resulted in the creation of a Sectoral Dialogue Committee.

PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS IN KENYA¿S HORTICULTURE WITH REFERENCE TO THE NATIONAL TASKFORCE ON HORTICULTURE

The Kenya National Task Force on Horticulture was created in 2004 in response to challenges in the international markets. It is a multi-stakeholder interactive and consensus-building forum with representation from public and private sector stakeholders in the horticulture sub-sector, promoting private-public sector dialogue. The major goal being to assure Kenya’s horticultural produce complies with market requirements and sustains its reputation as a leading grower and exporter of horticultural produce. The taskforce has been involved in activities of capacity building; accreditation of business support facilities; awareness creation, development of common strategies; risk assessment; adoption of international codes of practices and regulations and market diversification. The setting up of the National Taskforce on Horticulture has enabled level platforms between the public and private sectors for discussions related to specific issues such as pesticide residue, interceptions due to pests, early warning systems, pesticide residue monitoring plan, food miles, marketing standards and others have brought common strategies/ understanding to be opened, resulting in positive growths to these sub-sectors. The taskforce advocates for proactiveness rather than reactiveness while recognizing the evolving market requirements; adjusting accordingly thereby ensuring Kenya’s exports remain competitive. Additionally the taskforce calls for consideration of equivalence where countries have systems in place to meet market requirements though not written as provided in a given standard. This basically means that benchmarking of local operations should be facilitated or considered when developing standards. For example, KenyaGAP is benchmarked to GlobalGAP, meaning in essence that a system that is KenyaGAP certified will be equivalent to a GlobalGAP certified system. The taskforce has shared experiences with similar outfits in Ghana, Rwanda and Uganda. The horticultural industry in Tanzania has expressed desire to form a similar taskforce after visiting Kenya. Our experience is that institutional rivalism should be discouraged.

From international developments to local practice: Germany's evaluation and dialogue process towards Water Safety Plan implementation

The third edition of the WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality establishes a ‘Framework for Safe Drinking-water’ that promotes a risk assessment and risk management approach called Water Safety Plan (WSP). In Germany, the discussion on the WSP approach started with significant scepticism by various stakeholders questioning its added value in light of the high quality and service level of water supply. In response, the Federal Ministry of Health, the Federal Environment Agency and the DVGW Association for Gas and Water jointly took the leadership for initiating a sectoral dialogue process involving water suppliers and local public health offices, including a series of WSP pilot projects to evaluate WSP feasibility, benefits and expected challenges for scaling-up. As the regulatory system in Germany makes explicit reference to ‘generally acknowledged codes of good practice’ the paper also examines how far the suite of established DVGW technical and managerial standards already supports WSP implementation. The evaluation process confirmed an added value of the WSP approach under Germany's national conditions, clearly providing an impetus for safeguarding a high quality and service level of drinking-water supply. Various activities to support scale-up implementation of a WSP-type approach have been initiated, including the preparation of step-by-step guidance in German (i.e. DVGW Guidelines W 1001), information campaigns to broadly raise awareness amongst all stakeholders in water supply, and capacity building initiatives.

Sectoral social dialogue at EU level - recent results and implementation challenges

This article deals with recent developments in EU social dialogue, namely so-called ‘new generation texts’, which are non-binding legally, but ‘implementation-oriented’. Aspects of their follow-up, implementation and multi-level characteristics are therefore discussed. Findings from two sectoral dialogues indicate that follow-up procedures can vary considerably. Furthermore, the implementation or impact of such ‘new generation texts’ seem hard to prove. It is argued that characteristics of national industrial relations systems are insufficient to explain implementation results, since both the interests and attitudes of the actors involved and the specific topic of a given ‘new generation text’ must be taken into account. The main difficulty is found to be the lack of adequate implementation structures due to missing inter- and intraorganizational ‘level linkage’.

The consideration of health in strategic environmental assessment (SEA)

Following the requirements of the European Directive 2001/42/EC on strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and the Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment (Kiev, 2003) to the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo, 1991), health is one of the aspects to be considered in SEA. In this paper, results of an evaluation of eight SEAs from Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom (England and Wales) regarding the consideration of health are presented. This includes SEAs for five spatial plans, as well as one SEA for each, a transport, a waste management and an economic development plan. It is found that while all SEAs cover important physical and natural aspects that are related to health, social and behavioural aspects are considered to a much smaller extent. Based on the results, facilitating factors and barriers for health inclusive SEA are identified. Overall, good baseline data can be seen as an important starting point for effective health inclusive SEA, while an effective monitoring system is crucial for effective implementation of the measures and recommendations brought forward in health inclusive SEA. Crucially, health authorities/health experts need to engage more with SEA, as this provides a key platform for cross sectoral dialogue on a range of issues. SEA presents the health sector with an opportunity to influence the policy and decision-making process to improve people's health and well-being.

China's Regional Policy and the Influence of the EU Assistance

The EU has an interest in determining the form of internal reforms in China, as well as a lot of experience and know-how to share. Due to this fact it tries to support the process of Chinese transformation, in the form of various sectoral dialogues with China as well as by implementation of many projects financed by the EU. The aim of this paper is to analyse the EU policy towards China in the context of Chinese regional policy that struggles with growing inequalities between provinces. It examines the EU assistance programmes for China as well as sectoral dialogue concerning regional policy to answer the question whether the EU regional policy, with its 20 years of experience, could possibly be the pattern form China. Firstly, a short outlook has been given on regional inequalities in China. Secondly, the EU assistance programmes and sectoral dialogue have been analysed. Finally, the major research problem - what are the limitations of the EU's assistance influence on China - has been investigated.

Private-Public Sector Dialogue

Public-private sector dialogue (PPD) is now seen as an important vehicle to promote the private sector, leading to economic development and eradication of poverty. The methodological underpinning of PPD goes back to UNIDO's Strategic Management for Industrial Development. Most of the international aid organizations now assist developing countries to establish mechanisms for such dialogues. PPD must not be seen as an ultimate aim, but as a vehicle for development as well as for good governance. This paper discusses the ways and means of institutionalizing PPD, emphasizing that such institutionalizing will have to be carried out within the politico-economic set-up of each country.