International Understanding Research Articles

UFPEL’S INTERNATIONALIZATION AT HOME

This paper builds on the concept of Internationalization at Home (IaH) to describe five initiatives implemented at the Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel) from 2021 to 2022. Aligned with UFPel’s Strategic Plan for Internationalization (2018) and the institutional Language Policy (2020), these initiatives were conceived and implemented by the International Office’s Language Policy Team seeking to create an academic environment that promotes international and intercultural understanding. The work offers an analysis of the challenges and outcomes of these initiatives, drawing on both qualitative and quantitative data. The results highlight the impact of these initiatives in terms of improved language skills, enhanced academic literacy, and the integration of languages into curricula.Keywords: Linguistic Policy, Initiatives, Academic Practices

INTERNATIONALIZATION AS AN INTERDISCIPLINARY CATEGORY: EVOLUTION OF THEORETICAL CONCEPT

Purpose. The aim of the article is to research the evolution of the interdisciplinary scientific category "internationalization", identification of its subject and formal specificity in various spheres of implementation. Methodology of research. The key research methods are dialectical methods of induction and deduction, analysis and synthesis, which made it possible to determine the essence of the category "internationalization", abstracting from the specifics of the sphere; and conceptual identity (forms and subjects of practical implementation) of internationalization in the economy, public administration and social sphere. Findings. It was established that "internationalization" is an interdisciplinary scientific category, the evolution of the theoretical and methodological understanding of which took place in accordance with the deepening and diversification of its practical implementation forms. Internationalization is identified as a diversified process of expanding the activities of subjects beyond national borders, by adapting the endogenous potential to the conditions of the global environment in order to gain access to new opportunities not inherent in the national space. It has been proven that the processes of internationalization in various social spheres are differentiated by forms and subjects, the priority of individual and national interests. Originality. Within the framework of a single study, the conceptual understanding of "internationalization" as an interdisciplinary scientific category was identified, and its essence was identified as a universal process that acquires specific forms, goals and priorities depending on the field of implementation. Practical value. A deep theoretical understanding of internationalization forms the basis for improving the practical mechanisms of its implementation at the local and national levels. Key words: internationalization, scientific category, conceptual essence, definition, public administration, education, business internationalization.

Current research on international Chinese education promotion methods

With the rise of China and its international status, more and more people are interested in and demand for learning Chinese. At the same time, the process of globalization has also led to increasingly frequent exchanges and cooperation among countries, which in turn has promoted the demand for Chinese language education. This study aims to explore the necessity of promoting international Chinese language education and the corresponding promotion methods. First, the importance of promoting international Chinese language education is analyzed, including consolidating the international influence of the Chinese language, assisting national economic development, and enhancing international communication and understanding. Then, the study proposes specific ways to promote international Chinese education, including online publicity and enrollment campaigns, increasing scholarships and preferential policies, cooperating in Chinese language courses, promoting Chinese language examinations and certification systems, and improving the "quality" and "quantity" of international Chinese language teachers. This study can provide references and suggestions for further promoting the development of international Chinese language education.

State Silence as Acceptance: A Presumption and an Exception

Abstract This study considers State silence which may entail acquiescence and can thus contribute inter alia to the formation of historic rights, the identification of customary international law, and the interpretation of treaties over time. Relying on the historical understanding of acquiescence in British and francophone literature, it argues that there are probability and normative justifications for establishing acquiescence as a ‘presumption of acceptance’ in international law, and that these considerations have influenced the modern international law understanding of acquiescence as an exceptional occurrence subject to stringent qualifications.

Community of Interoperability Labs: Pragmatic Approach to Achieving Interoperability.

To achieve interoperability of health data, stakeholders must overcome various socio-technical challenges. The "Mind the GAPS, Fill the GAPS" framework was created by the Asia eHealth Information Network (AeHIN) in 2017 to help countries with their challenges with interoperability. A year later, AeHIN formed the Community of Interoperability Labs (COIL), a group of labs from six countries to share knowledge and resources. Since interoperability requires data exchange between disparate entities, it is imperative to establish a trustworthy space where stakeholders can come together and solve their common problems. The networked learning approach of the COIL makes possible the potential for interoperability within and between countries contributing to national and international understanding.

Evaluating mental health awareness and attitudes among international students in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic

ObjectivesInternational students in Japan face unique mental health challenges stemming from cultural and linguistic differences, potentially accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, research on the mental health of this demographic is scarce. This study aims to describe their mental health status, awareness of mental health resources, and attitudes toward seeking mental health support. MethodsThis study conducted analyses based on data collected though an online survey at a national university in Japan during October and November 2022. International students were surveyed about their mental health status, awareness, and attitude. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were employed to examine the associations between survey responses and demographic variables. ResultsAmong the 116 surveyed participants, 6.9% reported experiencing poor mental health, 16.4% rated their mental health as fair, and 1.7% expressed uncertainly about their mental health status. Similarly, 4.3% indicated poor physical health, 21.6% rated their physical health as fair, and 0.9% expressed uncertainty about their physical health. Additionally, 16.4% felt that their mental health adversely affected their daily life and academics, and 12.1% believed that their physical health had a similar negative impact. Awareness of mental health resources was notably low, with only 25.9% of students being informed. Furthermore, limited awareness was observed among older students (χ2 = 8.176, p < 0.01), degree-seeking students (χ2 = 4.727, p < 0.05), and those from African countries (χ2 = 4.721, p < 0.05), compared to their counterparts. A total of 10.4% expressed reluctance to pursue informal mental health support, and 9.5% showed similar reservations about seeking formal support. ConclusionThe study underscores the critical need for targeted outreach and the development of accessible, culturally sensitive mental health interventions for international students in Japan. Enhancing awareness and accessibility of mental health resources can contribute to the wellbeing of this demographic, potentially improving academic outcomes and fostering a more inclusive, supportive environment for international students, thereby advancing international collaboration and understanding.

Study on the Communication Strategy of Sports Events under the Perspective of Public Diplomacy

In the context of globalisation, sports events have increasingly become the focus of public diplomacy research in terms of their communication strategies. This paper interviews five groups of people and shares their views on the experience of major international sports events and their outlook for the future, and analyses how sports events can achieve the construction and dissemination of the national image through media communication, social media interaction, cultural display and other means. Research results show that successful communication strategies for sports events can not only attract the attention of global audiences, but also effectively convey the cultural values and national image of the host country. Specifically, cultural exhibitions and tourism promotion activities during the events can enhance the international community's understanding of and interest in the history and culture of the host country, while the extensive use of social media has greatly expanded the scope of the event's dissemination, facilitated direct communication and interaction between the international public and the host country, and deepened mutual understanding and friendship. Therefore, an effective communication strategy for sports events needs to take these factors into consideration and be flexibly adjusted to achieve the best public diplomacy effect.

РОЗВИТОК ДЕРЖАВНО-ПРИВАТНОГО ПАРТНЕРСТВА ДЛЯ УКРАЇНИ З ДОСВІДУ СВІТОВОЇ ПРАКТИКИ

Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is a strategic collaboration between the public and private sectors aimed at jointly addressing socio-economic challenges and achieving specific goals. This type of partnership is becoming increasingly relevant in today's world, where complex social, economic, and environmental challenges require a comprehensive approach to their resolution.PPP can encompass a wide range of areas, including infrastructure, healthcare, education, energy, technology, and many others. It is based on principles of mutual assistance, trust, risk sharing, and responsibility between government and private entities. At the international level, PPP plays a key role in jointly addressing global issues such as climate change, population growth, military conflicts, and poverty. International PPPs serve as a mechanism for leveraging resources and expertise from different countries and international organizations.Such partnerships facilitate more efficient use of resources, exchange of best practices and technologies, and contribute to strengthening international cooperation and understanding among nations. In practice, the partnership between the government and the private sector is focused on attracting investments for financing. Mutual economic interest arises when their strategic goals and tasks intersect. Government structures, along with businesses, aim to achieve global objectives through the application of commercial opportunities and focusing on enterprises to implement economic and social approaches, expand the economic sphere, and develop cooperation in the field of progressive solutions. Private enterprises, through joint cooperation with government authorities, aim to achieve their goals for development and protection of their interests. Ukraine is also actively developing PPP as a tool to improve management efficiency, attract investments, and implement strategic projects. Public-private partnership opens up new opportunities for infrastructure development, enhancing the competitiveness of the economy, and ensuring sustainable socio-economic growth.

ПРИНЦИПЫ СОСТАВЛЕНИЯ МНОГОЯЗЫЧНОГО АВТОМАТИЗИРОВАННОГО СЛОВАРЯ ДИПЛОМАТИЧЕСКИХ ТЕРМИНОЛОГИЙ

In the context of the accelerated development of world relations and the growing importance of diplomacy, it becomes critically important to ensure clear and accurate communication between States and international organizations. Multilingual automated dictionaries of diplomatic terminology are an effective tool to help in achieving this goal. Diplomatic activity plays a fundamental role in the modern world. It ensures international relations, cooperation and conflict resolution between States. The central element of diplomacy is the using of specific terminology, which has many nuances and variations in different languages. In this context, the creation of a multilingual automated dictionary of diplomatic terminology becomes an important means of facilitating international communication and understanding. This article discusses the basic principles of compiling such dictionaries, including the stages of collecting and analyzing of terminology, methods of automated data processing, maintaining relevance, as well as aspects of multilingualism and cultural adaptation.

The ALLIANCE collaboratively explored a human rights-based approach to digital health and social care, ensuring that citizens are protected from exclusions and exacerbated inequalities.&amp;nbsp;

A human rights-based approach to the use of digital technologies in health and care, creating a good practice template to allow people to choose, try and practice digital technologies which supports their health, care and wellbeing as well as having access and control of their data.&#x0D; Creating an international understanding of a human rights-based approach empowers individuals and increases their awareness of the benefits of digital technology in supporting their own health and care. For professionals involved in service design and delivery, the adoption of the principles will make improved services, which are accessible, with a heightened awareness of some of the factors that can widen/exacerbate inequalities.&#x0D; We believe that an adoption of these five principles for a human rights-based approach to digital health and social care will lead to a more equitable, meaningful use of technology, with benefits for citizens as well as policy makers and service providers.&#x0D; We engaged with a range of individuals and stakeholders through online workshops and a survey. We talked to people who used digital services, those who provided services and support workers who engaged with digitally excluded groups. Based on their feedback, we refined the principles:&#x0D; 1.People at the centre&#x0D; 2.Digital where it is best suited&#x0D; 3.Digital choice&#x0D; 4.Digital inclusion not just widening access&#x0D; 5.Access and control of digital data.&#x0D; After developing the five principles, we wanted to extend this beyond theory, to identify practice-based examples where these principles are already at the heart of services. We produced a series of case studies, sharing learning and effectively highlighting the positive impact digital technologies can have on supporting self management, promoting independence and assisting unpaid carers. We also held events where we invited organisations that champion this approach.&#x0D; We work closely with Scottish Government, Digital Health and Care Directorate to ensure a human rights approach is embedded in Scottish policy.&#x0D; The principles support the ethos of the Scottish Approach to Service Design and underpins developments/ progression of services e.g. Scottish Care Technologist&#x0D; Our next steps include launching our Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) Open Badge, offered as a recognition/award to people working in social care for doing further learning and development, on Digital Human Rights Principles. We will continue to map and share good practice as it progresses and develops and strive for it to be imbedded across all industry.&#x0D; We would like delegates to feel inspired by this approach and to share our vision. To come away with an appetite to apply it practically in the design, delivery, and evaluation of their digital services and to want to raise awareness of it.&#x0D; The international appreciation and endorsement of a human rights-based approach to digital health and social care would lead to the creation of accessible, personalised and goal-orientated care.

Improvement path under the dilemma of cultivating foreign-related rule of law talents in local colleges and universities

The cultivation of foreign-related rule of law talents in the new era has become an important topic in the field of higher education in China, and local universities play an important role in building foreign-related rule of law construction and cultivating foreign-related talents in various regions. Cultivating foreign-related legal talents not only requires an international perspective and understanding of international rules, but also needs to be based on the needs of regional economic development and cultivate foreign-related legal talents that are suitable for local development. In order to achieve this goal, the first step is to consolidate people's spiritual foundations, make accurate academic planning, integrate the law and foreign languages, and connect domestic law and international law. We should also coordinate the theory and practice as the center of the scientific construction of the foreign-related curriculum system and set up a high-quality, highly educated, and capable team of foreign-related faculty, so as to integrate the educational resources and provide a strong guarantee for the cultivation of high-quality foreign-related rule of law personnel.

Qualitative exploration of the early experiences of opioid use disorder patients from private clinics after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in five major cities in Ukraine.

Following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation on 24 February 2022, over 6,000 patients were at risk of potential disruptions in treatment with medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in Ukraine. Before 2022, privatized MOUD clinics had emerged, partly driven by restrictive governmental policies and practices in state-funded facilities. Nevertheless, scant information exists regarding their operation and the patient's experiences, especially during crises. This study seeks to elucidate the initial lived experiences of patients utilizing private MOUD clinics, integrating these insights with an analysis of the responding health system during war. The findings are derived from 20 qualitative semi-structured interviews conducted between March and June 2022, engaging participants from five major Ukrainian cities: Kharkiv, Kyiv, Odesa, Poltava, and Zaporizhzhya. Employing a rapid analysis procedure, we examined the data through descriptive and analytical summaries aligned with the domains of the data collection instrument. Emergent themes encompassed stress and uncertainty following the invasion's onset, challenges accessing MOUD, and consequent perceptions concerning state-funded versus private clinics. The study identified disruptions in the operation of private MOUD clinics across most cities examined. Issues pertaining to MOUD medication availability were linked to dosage reductions at state-funded clinics or pharmacy medication shortages or closures. Despite varied experiences at different MOUD clinics and cities, most participants continued their treatment. This qualitative exploration provides a perspective on lived experiences with MOUD treatment at private clinics amidst the initial months of the invasion, illuminating how the early days' stress, access challenges, varied responses from private MOUD clinics, and precarious conditions informed or altered preferences regarding MOUD treatment options. Moreover, these findings corroborate previously documented efforts by myriad stakeholders to mitigate war-related disruptions to MOUD delivery. These insights contribute to the international understanding of health system navigation and resilience during major crises, offering valuable lessons for preparedness development.

Towards a greener future: How green technology innovation and energy efficiency are transforming sustainability

Green technology innovation has gained incessant recognition due to rising concerns about environmental sustainability. It has the potential to improve energy efficiency by increasing total factor carbon productivity through mitigating effects. This research probes the asymmetric nexus between green technology innovation and energy efficiency in the top ten green innovator economies (Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, USA, Denmark, Finland, UK, Netherlands, Japan, and Norway). Prior investigations applied panel data approaches to acquire persistent outcomes on the green technology innovation-energy efficiency nexus, even though some countries did not individually demonstrate such a link. Comparatively, this study employs a distinctive 'Quantile-on-Quantile' technique that enables investigators to examine time-series dependence in each country by furnishing an international yet economy-specified understanding of the conjunction between the variables. Estimations disclose that green technology innovation improves energy efficiency in the majority of our selected economies at particular quantiles. It is also demonstrated that the asymmetries between our variables fluctuate among countries, highlighting the need for special care when adopting green innovation, energy efficiency, and sustainable environment policies.

Sustainable development spillover effects among selected Asian countries: Analysis of integrated sustainability perspective

This study aims to investigate how different pillars of sustainable development in Iran interrelate with those in Russia and Saudi Arabia from the perspective of integrated sustainability. For this investigation, it assesses the spillover effects of sustainable development in these countries by estimating their sustainability elasticities. It maps the regional spillover effects between the sustainability of Iran versus those of Russia and Saudi Arabia using SEY model by estimating the elasticities of sustainability with a combination of Simultaneous Equations System, Vector Autoregressive (VAR) model, and Granger causality technique. The results confirm the integrated sustainability perspective in terms of the interconnection of sustainable development spillover effects from Russia and Saudi Arabia to Iran. Most of the estimated coefficients are statistically significant, showing high elasticities of sustainability and considerable spillover effects which confirms the perspective of integrated sustainability with spillover effects as the 4th pillar of sustainability. However, the results reject both weak and strong sustainability perspectives. According to the findings of this study, policy-makers should follow flow-based governance instead of local-based governance. In this approach, strategists should improve the international relationship with other countries, especially Iran, Russia, and Saudi Arabia. Moreover, decision-makers should establish a peaceful and strong connection with other countries via signing international agreements, treaties, and understandings.

SMEs' regional diversification: dynamic patterns and home market institutional determinants

PurposeThe authors seek to advance the understanding of small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) internationalization at the regional level and examine the role of home market institutions in this process.Design/methodology/approachThe authors analyze hypotheses with data from SMEs in five country markets and from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor. A cluster analysis establishes the regional diversification patterns (based on regional diversification scope, speed and rhythm) and a multinomial regression tests the effect of home market institutions on their adoption.FindingsThe results offer a refined picture of SME regional diversification by revealing three patterns: intra-regionally focused firms, late inter-region diversifiers and early inter-region diversifiers. They also suggest that the adoption of these patterns is determined by SMEs' home market institutions.Originality/valueThe authors develop a nuanced understanding of SME internationalization by building upon and expanding the regionalization rationale in the internationalization patterns literature. Additionally, the authors address the acknowledged, yet rarely investigated, country-level determinants of internationalization patterns.

Improving international medical graduates' understanding of the UK appraisal system: an interventional study

International medical graduates (IMGs) face countless challenges when migrating to a new healthcare system, of which understanding the UK appraisal and revalidation system is one. We investigated whether provision of educational material on appraisals would improve IMGs' confidence in their understanding of the UK appraisal system. A prospective pre-post interventional study aimed at IMGs was carried out between 25 February 2022 and 9 March 2022. A mixed-methods survey was undertaken pre (n=519) and post (n=63) intervention. The pre-interventional survey highlighted IMGs' lack of experience and knowledge of the General Medical Council (GMC) appraisal and revalidation process. Postinterventional responses showed a significantly higher confidence rating in IMGs' understanding of the UK appraisal process (p<0.001). Utilising simple educational tools can be beneficial for IMGs to gain confidence in navigating appraisals and help bridge the attainment gap when entering a new healthcare system. Barriers, such as lack of knowledge, can be easily rectified without the need for significant investment.

The Pugwash scientists' conferences, Cyrus Eaton and the clash of internationalisms, 1954-1961.

This paper examines the contest between Canadian American industrialist Cyrus Eaton and the Pugwash scientists' leadership for influence over the early Pugwash scientists' conferences. Eaton's activism has generally been dismissed in the historical literature as ineffective, naive and too uncritical of the Soviet Union. This paper argues that he was genuinely committed to international peace and security, that Eaton shared with Pugwash scientists a belief in the importance of intellectuals to global unity, and that he worked to bring about greater international peace and understanding through both his personal activism and his own conferences held in the town of Pugwash. Eaton, however, favoured a broader push for peace, which included participation by a wider range of intellectuals and a call for rapprochement with the Soviet Union. These differences between Eaton and the Pugwash scientists, I argue, were more than simply about approach: they represented different internationalist visions and manifested in different conceptualizations for the Pugwash scientists' conferences. Eaton hoped to incorporate non-scientists and humanism into the conferences, and integrate them into his own broader conference programme at his Thinkers' Lodge at Pugwash. The scientists, however, wanted to keep their conferences as distinctly scientists' events, tied to science and its authority.

The multiple frontiers in the study of extracellular vesicles produced by fungi

The production of extracellular vesicles (EVs) by fungi has been recognized for about a decade. Here we discuss the roles played by fungal EVs in biofilm formation, antifungal resistance, and release of immunogens with vaccine potential. We also explore their significance in promoting international collaboration and understanding of fungal biology.

Empowering Future Chemists: IChO and IUPAC Work together to Inspire New Chemistry Vocations

Abstract The 55th edition of the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) was held from 16-25 July 2023 in Zurich, Switzerland. The alpine country hosted the competition for the first time, bringing together 350 students from 89 different countries. Despite the competitive spirit, the friendship among all participants was the main characteristic of this international event. The IChO is an annual competition for some of the most talented secondary school chemistry students. Participating countries send a team of four students who compete in two separate exams, a practical laboratory exam and a written theoretical exam. The mission of the IChO is to promote friendly relations between young people from different countries, encouraging cooperation and international understanding. Indeed, the IChO 2023 had a very fitting motto: “Let’s find solutions together!”

한국 사회과 교육과정에 나타난 글로벌교육의 전개

This study examined the development of global education in South Korean social studies curriculum. It analyzed the curriculum changes from the post-liberation era to 2022, focusing on each period to understand the transformations in global education reflected in the national curriculum. The research investigated the stages of introducing global education for international understanding, its establishment for nationalistic globalization, the leap towards global citizenship education, and the inclusion of global education in the latest curriculum reflecting the concept of global competence. Through this analysis, I aimed to review how the perspective of global education has been reflected, maintained, transformed, and developed in South Korean social studies curriculum. Based on the findings, I suggested the direction of global education in schools in the future.