scholarly journals The Bretons in French Politics: Regional Mobilization within and beyond the Central State

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Alistair Cole ◽  
Romain Pasquier
Keyword(s):  
Capacity Building ◽  
National Level ◽  
Central State ◽  
French Politics ◽  
Territorial Identity ◽  
Maximum Benefit ◽  
National Model ◽  
Identity Markers ◽  
Territorial Integration ◽  
French Region

Abstract This article revisits the French region of Brittany on the basis of sustained empirical research over a 25-year period. It identifies the twin use of influence and identity as forming a key part of an accepted and largely diffused territorial repertoire, based on affirming distinctiveness for reasons of vertical linkage, as well as horizontal capacity building. This article explores the different facets of this model of territorial influence. The two twin dimensions concern: first, a well-versed mechanism of lobbying central institutions and actors to defend the Breton interest; second, the use of territorial identity markers to forward the regional cause, relying on social movements and a broad capacity for regional mobilization. Within this overarching context, the Breton case demonstrates an intelligent instrumental use of identity and identity markers, but mainstream Breton forces recognize that this only makes sense in the light of the national level of regulation and structure of opportunities. The logic of this position is to integrate the Brittany region into a national model of territorial integration, while playing up identity markers to secure the maximum benefit for the region.

scholarly journals ICT Capacity Building: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Rwandan Policies from Higher Education Perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 46-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Claude Byungura ◽  
Henrik Hansson ◽  
Kamuzinzi Masengesho ◽  
Thashmee Karunaratne
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Discourse Analysis ◽  
Capacity Building ◽  
Critical Discourse Analysis ◽  
National Level ◽  
Critical Discourse ◽  
Institutional Policies ◽  
Policy Documents ◽  
Ict Infrastructure ◽  
Implementation Level

Abstract With the development of technology in the 21st Century, education systems attempt to integrate technology-based tools to improve experiences in pedagogy and administration. It is becoming increasingly prominent to build human and ICT infrastructure capacities at universities from policy to implementation level. Using a critical discourse analysis, this study investigates the articulation of ICT capacity building strategies from both national and institutional ICT policies in Rwanda, focusing on the higher education. Eleven policy documents were collected and deeply analyzed to understand which claims of ICT capacity building are made. The analysis shows that strategies for building ICT capacities are evidently observed from national level policies and only in two institutional policies (KIST and NUR). Among 25 components of ICT capacity building used, the ones related to human capacity are not plainly described. Additionally, neither national nor institutional policy documents include the creation of financial schemes for students to acquire ICT tools whilst learners are key stakeholders. Although there is some translation of ICT capacity building strategies from national to some institutional policies, planning for motivation and provision of incentives to innovators is not stated in any of the institutional policies and this is a key to effective technology integration.

scholarly journals Spatial planning, metropolitan governance and territorial politics in Europe: Dublin as a case of metro-phobia?

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 365-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niamh Moore-Cherry ◽  
John Tomaney
Keyword(s):  
National Level ◽  
Metropolitan Governance ◽  
Governance Reform ◽  
Central State ◽  
Capital Cities ◽  
Metropolitan Regions ◽  
Government Power ◽  
Territorial Politics ◽  
National Champions ◽  
The City

The growing concentration of production and population in capital cities in Europe is accompanied by metropolitan governance reform with two policy objectives in mind. Firstly, capital cities are promoted as ‘national champions’ in the context of global territorial competition. Secondly, metropolitan regions are characterised by recurrent crises of ‘governability’ as economic, social, environmental and infrastructural interdependencies escape existing jurisdictional scales. However, this process is highly uneven, reflecting the ways in which cities are embedded in their national contexts. Drawing from the literature on varieties of capitalism, and in particular O’Riain’s perspective on the Irish case, we suggest that in an era when cities are claimed to be acting as ‘national champions’, territorial politics need to be more strongly foregrounded in these discussions. Through an in-depth qualitative case-study of Dublin (Ireland), we argue that while government power may be strongly centralised in the city of Dublin, the spatial entity of Dublin is relatively powerless. Despite a number of recommendations since the 1970s, there has been little will or action to meaningfully devolve power to the city-regional level in any way, contrary to comparative European experiences. The paper illustrates how a central state stranglehold over the Dublin metropolitan area is hampering the efficient governance and sustainable development of the city. These governance constraints at the sub-national level with significant planning implications indicate a reluctance to engage with the metropolitan as a particular territorial scale in Ireland – and a profound fixity in the architecture of the state. We term this metro-phobia.

scholarly journals Implementation of health and health-related sustainable development goals: progress, challenges and opportunities – a systematic literature review

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (8) ◽  
pp. e002273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wafa Aftab ◽  
Fahad Javaid Siddiqui ◽  
Hana Tasic ◽  
Shagufta Perveen ◽  
Sameen Siddiqi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Capacity Building ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
National Level ◽  
National Development ◽  
Institutional Development ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Development Goals

IntroductionWhile health is one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), many other ‘health-related’ goals comprise determinants of health. Integrated implementation across SDGs is needed for the achievement of Agenda 2030. While existing literature is rich in normative recommendations about potentially useful approaches, evidence of implementation strategies being adopted by countries is limited.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review with qualitative synthesis of findings using peer reviewed and grey literature from key databases. We included publications examining implementation of health and health-related SDGs (HHSDGs) at national or subnational level published between June 2013 and July 2019.ResultsOf the 32 included publications, 24 provided information at the national level while eight provided information for multiple countries or regions. Our findings indicate that high-level political commitment is evident in most countries and HHSDGs are being aligned with existing national development strategies and plans. A multisectoral, integrated approach is being adopted in institutional setups but evidence on effectiveness of these approaches is limited. Funding constraints are a major challenge for many countries. HHSDGs are generally being financed from within existing funded plans and, in some instances, through SDG-specific budgeting and tracking; additional funding is being mobilised by increasing domestic taxation and subsidisation, and by collaborating with development partners and private sector. Equity is being promoted by improving health service access through universal health coverage and social insurance schemes, especially for disadvantaged populations. Governments are collaborating with development partners and UN agencies for support in planning, institutional development and capacity building. However, evidence on equity promotion, capacity building initiatives and implementation approaches at subnational level is limited. Lack of coordination among various levels of government emerges as a key challenge.Conclusionstrengthening implementation of multisectoral work, capacity building, financial sustainability and data availability are key considerations to accelerate implementation of HHSDGs.

scholarly journals Air Protection in the Slovak Republic in the Light of the EU Legislation

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-18
Author(s):  
Barbara Pavlíková
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Slovak Republic ◽  
National Level ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Central State ◽  
Member States ◽  
Vertical Division ◽  
Considerable Impact

Abstract (EN) Environmental protection belongs in accordance with the Article 4 par. 2 letter e) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union between joint powers of the European Union and the Member States. In terms of vertical division of powers, this means that Member States and the Union engage in this field while respecting the principle of subsidiarity and proportionality. The European Union adopts in the field of protection of the single components of the environment mainly framework programs and directives, aimed at defining the general objectives, while the choice of tools to achieve them is usually left to the discretion of Member States. Given that the directive which is the most common act of secondary legislation in this area can be transposed into national law only in the form of generally binding legal act, its objectives at the national level are contained in national laws. Specific conditions are then further laid down by the decree of the responsible department - in the case of environmental protection particularly the Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic, in cooperation with other central State administration authorities. The contribution focuses primarily on the legal regulation of one of the components of the environment - air, which is an important factor influencing the quality of life of the population, but the rules defined in this area also have considerable impact on the economy of the country. The work provides a comparison of Slovak legal acts and rules enshrined in primary and secondary EU law, as well as its non-binding acts.

scholarly journals Awareness, Education and Capacity Building of Stakeholders for Successful Implementation of Access and Benefit Sharing Regime

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-45
Author(s):  
Sabiha Alam ◽  
Hasrat Arjjumend
Keyword(s):  
Capacity Building ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
National Level ◽  
Benefit Sharing ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Awareness Campaign ◽  
Access And Benefit Sharing ◽  
Nagoya Protocol ◽  
Indigenous Organizations ◽  
Awareness Raising

To popularize the concept of access and benefit sharing (ABS) and Nagoya Protocol, mass awareness and education are crucial. The present awareness/educational efforts of concerned government authorities in most of the cases are inadequate. Moreover, an intensive awareness campaign is necessary to educate the Indigenous people and local communities (ILCs) and other concerned stakeholders. An opinion survey of Indigenous organizations and competent national authorities of 12 Asian countries had been conducted to understand the field implications of relevant provisions of Nagoya Protocol. While some countries are found committed, it was found that there is lot to be learnt for all the countries regarding awareness-raising about Nagoya Protocol and ABS. Similarly, the capacity building of different layers of stakeholders is given some priorities by many Parties at national level. Capacity building efforts are being undertaken at regional level as well, e.g. South-East Asia level, Africa level, Western Europe level, etc. It has been noticed that in certain pockets the ILCs are active players in the capacity building efforts, while in other countries they are just passive recipients of such efforts. Still there is a long way to go for the successful implementation of ABS regimes globally.

scholarly journals Gestión del agua en Azuay: base de la organización rural y la trascendencia hacia la incidencia nacional

2018 ◽  
pp. 71-88
Author(s):  
Paola Viviana Pila
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
National Level ◽  
Community Identity ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Community Characteristics ◽  
Cultural Economic ◽  
Territorial Identity ◽  
Political Processes ◽  
The Social

Este artículo tiene como objetivo analizar cómo la organización social para la gestión del agua de consumo humano ha conservado la identidad comunitaria del territorio rural en el Azuay y ha sido la base para que esta organización rural localizada trascienda hacia el nivel nacional a través de sus líderes y sus discursos. Se parte del concepto de territorio como producto de la acción de los seres humanos y sus dinámicas que devienen en procesos sociales, culturales, económicos y políticos que adquieren dimensiones simbólicas tales como la identidad territorial y la concepción de lo comunitario. La metodología usada para el levantamiento y análisis de la información fue cualitativa, lo que permitió analizar los discursos de los sujetos y sus significados con base en entrevistas y grupos focales, generando evidencia de que la gestión del agua evolucionó desde un estado tradicional aislado, hasta un estado de organización local con incidencia nacional. Esto ha permitido llevar las características de lo comunitario hacia la organización de tercer grado. Se puede decir que la gestión del agua puede ser la base del mantenimiento de la organización rural, sin que ello implique ubicarse únicamente en dicha esfera, sino trascender hacia la presencia organizativa y política nacional. Abstract The aim of this article is to analyze how the social organization for management of water intended for human consumption has maintained the community identity of the rural territory in Azuay and has been as well the basis for the transcendence of this rural organization to the national level through the presence of community leaders and their discourse. The article assumes the territory as a result of human actions carried out through dynamics that become social, cultural, economic and political processes and acquire symbolic dimensions such as territorial identity and the conception of the community. The qualitative methodology that has been used for the gathering and analysis of information, made it possible to examine the discourses of the subjects and their meanings based on interviews and focal groups, generating evidence that water management has evolved from a traditional isolated state to a state of local organization with nationwide significance. This has made it possible to bring the community characteristics to a third-grade organization. As a conclusion, we propose that water management not only may be the basis for the maintenance of rural organization, which shall not imply remaining in this area, but also is able to transcend to the national political and organizational presence.

scholarly journals WHO Response to COVID-19 and Technical Support in Uzbekistan: Capacity-building Focus

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (S1) ◽  
pp. 25-26
Author(s):  
Nazokat Kasymova
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Capacity Building ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
International Organizations ◽  
National Level ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Medical Institutions ◽  
Joint Approach ◽  
National Governments

The main aim of the present paper is to summarize the WHO efforts on capacity building (or capacity development of health care specialists and medical institutions to improve and retain the skills, knowledge, tools and competencies) both globally and at the national level in Uzbekistan. The joint approach of national governments, international organizations, health care providers and civil society is necessary to assure the effectiveness and quality of the response to the COVID-19 epidemic.

scholarly journals PROMOTING INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION THROUGH TRAINING AND EDUCATION IN SPACE TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS AND ADVANCES AMONG BIMSTEC COUNTRIES – A GOVERNMENT OF INDIA INITIATIVE

2020 ◽  
Vol XLIII-B5-2020 ◽  
pp. 29-34
Author(s):  
P. L. N. Raju ◽  
D. Chutia ◽  
N. Nishant ◽  
J. Goswami ◽  
R. Anil Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Capacity Building ◽  
National Level ◽  
Earth Observation ◽  
Knowledge Network ◽  
International Level ◽  
Space Technology ◽  
Joint Research ◽  
Space Applications ◽  
Use Of Space ◽  
North East

Abstract. India is one of the top space-faring nations in the world, which not only to build satellites and launches them using indigenously developed launch vehicles but also spearheads the use of space technology for many applications at the national and international level. Training, education and capacity building (TECB) are important components in promoting the use of space technology, thereby benefitting the society. North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) is one of many institutions under the umbrella of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Department of Space (DOS) which is responsible for promoting TECB at National level. ISRO / DOS also supports TECB at an International level through many initiatives such as IIRS – ITC JEP, UN-CSSTEAP, CEOS, UNSPIDER, UN-FAO, WMO, Commonwealth, and BIMSTEC etc. NESAC established in 2000, initiated capacity building and spearheaded Outreach programs from 2019 in the North East Region of India. Prime Minister of India announced in the plenary meeting of BIMSTEC(Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit at Kathmandu, Nepal in August 2018, recognizing NESAC to conduct space technology training programs of two weeks and 3 months for BIMSTEC Countries every year for the next five years with full financial support from Government of India. The first two week training program on “capacity building on the earth observation applications and research” was successfully conducted for 24 participants, four participants each representing Bangladesh, Bhutan, Thailand, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. The participants are from User Departments, Science and Technology Ministries, Space Organizations and Academia and Research Institutions. The training benefitted the participants from state of the art training facilities and experienced faculties from NESAC/ISRO/Academia from across India. The summary of feedback from the participants (excellent – 57%, good – 40%, average – 2.6% and poor – 0.4%) indicates that the course is very much useful as it has enhanced their knowledge in earth observation, geospatial analysis capabilities that will be put into use on their return. The training and capacity building has opened new vistas of cooperation and possible collaboration between BIMSTEC countries ranging from availing satellite data, expansion and access to data sharing portals, creating knowledge network to promote young researchers and expert sharing within the region, further to expand the capacity building by initiating distance learning programs, taking up joint research and application projects, etc. The rich experience of conducting a unique program, one of its kind and detailed feedback and possible expansion of BIMSTEC programs in the future is presented in the paper.

scholarly journals Health technology assessment capacity at national level in sub-Saharan Africa: an initial survey of stakeholders

F1000Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 364
Author(s):  
Samantha A. Hollingworth ◽  
Francis Ruiz ◽  
Mohamed Gad ◽  
Kalipso Chalkidou
Keyword(s):  
Health Technology Assessment ◽  
Capacity Building ◽  
Technology Assessment ◽  
Guideline Development ◽  
National Level ◽  
Health Technology ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Service Improvement ◽  
Training Support ◽  
Sub Saharan

Background: Health technology assessment (HTA) is an effective tool to support priority setting (PS) in health. Stakeholder groups need to understand HTA appropriate to their role and to interpret and critique the evidence produced. We aimed to rapidly assess current health system priorities and policy areas of demand for HTA in Sub-Saharan Africa, and identify key gaps in data and skills to inform targeted capacity building. Methods: We revised an existing survey, delivered it to 357 participants, then analysed responses and explored key themes. Results: There were 51 respondents (14%) across 14 countries. HTA was considered an important and valuable PS tool with a key role in the design of health benefits packages, clinical guideline development, and service improvement. Medicines were identified as a technology type that would especially benefit from the application of HTA. Using HTA to address safety issues (e.g. low-quality medicines) and value for money concerns was particularly highlighted. The perceived availability and accessibility of suitable local data to support HTA varied widely but was mostly considered inadequate and limited. Respondents also noted a need for training support in research methodology and data gathering. Conclusions: While important in raising awareness of HTA as a tool for PS, this study had a low response rate, and that respondents were self-selected. A more refined survey will be developed to support engagement strategies and capacity building.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document