Emergency Powers of International Organizations

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Kreuder-Sonnen
Keyword(s):  
International Organizations ◽  
Institutional Design ◽  
United Nations Security Council ◽  
World Health ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Ratchet Effect ◽  
Institutional Dynamics ◽  
Emergency Powers ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Legitimacy Crisis

This book explores emergency politics of international organizations (IOs). It studies cases in which, based on justifications of exceptional necessity, IOs expand their authority, increase executive discretion, and interfere with the rights of their rule-addressees. This “IO exceptionalism” is observable in the crisis responses of a diverse set of institutions including the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, and the World Health Organization. Through six in-depth case studies, the book analyzes the institutional dynamics unfolding in the wake of the assumption of emergency powers by IOs. Sometimes, the exceptional competencies become normalized in the IOs’ authority structures (the “ratchet effect”). In other cases, IO emergency powers provoke a backlash that eventually reverses or contains the expansions of authority (the “rollback effect”). To explain these variable outcomes, the book draws on sociological institutionalism to develop a proportionality theory of IO emergency powers. It contends that ratchets and rollbacks are a function of actors’ ability to justify or contest emergency powers as (dis)proportionate. The claim that the distribution of rhetorical power is decisive for the institutional outcome is tested against alternative rational institutionalist explanations that focus on institutional design and the distribution of institutional power among states. The proportionality theory holds across the cases studied in this book and clearly outcompetes the alternative accounts. Against the background of the empirical analysis, the book moreover provides a critical normative reflection on the (anti) constitutional effects of IO exceptionalism and highlights a potential connection between authoritarian traits in global governance and the system’s current legitimacy crisis.

scholarly journals The politics of crisis management by regional and international organizations in fighting against a global pandemic: the member states at a crossroads

2021 ◽  
pp. 002085232098451
Author(s):  
Steven Van Hecke ◽  
Harald Fuhr ◽  
Wouter Wolfs
Keyword(s):  
Crisis Management ◽  
International Organizations ◽  
Governance Structure ◽  
Added Value ◽  
World Health ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Member States ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Turbulent Times ◽  
Health Organization

Despite new challenges like climate change and digitalization, global and regional organizations recently went through turbulent times due to a lack of support from several of their member states. Next to this crisis of multilateralism, the COVID-19 pandemic now seems to question the added value of international organizations for addressing global governance issues more specifically. This article analyses this double challenge that several organizations are facing and compares their ways of managing the crisis by looking at their institutional and political context, their governance structure, and their behaviour during the pandemic until June 2020. More specifically, it will explain the different and fragmented responses of the World Health Organization, the European Union and the International Monetary Fund/World Bank. With the aim of understanding the old and new problems that these international organizations are trying to solve, this article argues that the level of autonomy vis-a-vis the member states is crucial for understanding the politics of crisis management. Points for practitioners As intergovernmental bodies, international organizations require authorization by their member states. Since they also need funding for their operations, different degrees of autonomy also matter for reacting to emerging challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The potential for international organizations is limited, though through proactive and bold initiatives, they can seize the opportunity of the crisis and partly overcome institutional and political constraints.

THE ACTIVIY OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN COVID-19 CRISIS MANAGEMENT

2021 ◽  
pp. 114-127
Author(s):  
Svetlana Cebotari ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
International Organizations ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
World Health ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The North ◽  
Un Security Council ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact

One of the most discussed issues in academia, but also in the discourse of polemologists, political scientists, economists and specialists in other fields is the issue regarding the impact of the COVID-19 virus on international security. Although all the attention of the international community has been focused on the emergence of the COVID-19 virus and its impact on the individual, societal, human and interpersonal relationships, it is worth paying attention to the involvement of international organizations in managing the COVID-19 crisis. This article aims to highlight the role and involvement of international organizations in managing the COVID-19 crisis. The involvement of the United Nations, specifically of the UN Security Council, in the management of issues related to the COVID-19 crisis will be examined. The activity of the World Health Organization, the European Union, the North Atlantic Alliance in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic will also be examined.

scholarly journals Mental healthcare in Hungary: contradictions and possibilities

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 36-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamás Kurimay
Keyword(s):  
Health Spending ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
World Health ◽  
Minority Population ◽  
Official Language ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Uk

The Republic of Hungary is a landlocked country of 93000 km2 in central Europe; it is bordered by Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia. Its official language is Hungarian. Hungary joined the European Union (EU) in 2004. About 90% of the population of c. 10 million is ethnically Hungarian, with Roma comprising the largest minority population (6–8%). Currently classified as a middle-income country with a gross domestic product (GDP) of $191.7 billion (2007 figure), Hungary's total health spending accounted for 7.4% of GDP in 2007, less than the average of 8.9% among member states of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD, 2009). The proportion of the total health budget for mental health is 5.1%, which is low when compared with, for instance, the UK (England and Wales 13.8%, Scotland 9.5%) (World Health Organization, 2008, p. 118, Fig. 8.1).

scholarly journals In Memoriam Dietrich Hoffmann

2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 254-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Klus ◽  
M Kunze ◽  
Beiträge Editors of
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
International Organizations ◽  
Tobacco Industry ◽  
World Health ◽  
Regulatory Agencies ◽  
International Agency ◽  
The World ◽  
In Memoriam ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
National Governments

AbstractDietrich Hoffmann passed away on April 20, 2011, at his home in Larchmont, New York. He had suffered from Parkinson's disease for more than 20 years. With Dietrich Hoffmann's death the tobacco community lost one of its most prominent scientists, who was familiar with all areas of tobacco research. His work guided and influenced a whole generation of scientists working in the tobacco industry, universities, regulatory agencies, national governments or international organizations, such as the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). It is an obligation of honor for the authors M. Kunze, H. Klus, and the editors of BeiträgezurTabakforschung International publish a short tribute in memory of Dietrich Hoffmann.

scholarly journals Comunicando el Cambio Climático desde un Encuadre de Salud = Communicating Climate Change from a Health Frame

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 99
Author(s):  
José Daniel Cáceres Pinto
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
International Organizations ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
World Health ◽  
Success Story ◽  
Social Actors ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact

Resumen: Organismos internacionales coinciden que el cambio climático representa una amenaza para el ser humano, particularmente para su salud. Entidades como la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) y voces de la comunidad científica han venido advirtiendo sobre los efectos que las distor­siones climáticas están teniendo sobre la propagación de enfermedades cuyos vectores dependen de su entorno. Sectores vitales para el desarrollo social como la distribución del agua, la agricultu­ra, y la sanidad pública se están viendo cada vez más amenazados por la vorágine climatológica. Sin embargo, persiste una indiferencia silenciosa en diferentes segmentos sociales que consideran el Cambio Climático como un problema abstracto o simplemente algo muy sobre sus capacidades de resolución. Desactivar este desafecto, concienciar a la población general y movilizar a la toma de acción han sido unos de los retos que diversos actores sociales han asumido. Uno de los casos de éxito que más llama la atención ha sido el uso de encuadres de salud. El siguiente artículo di­secciona el impacto que el Cambio Climático tiene y presenta el caso sobre el uso de la promoción de la salud en EEUU para concienciar sobre la problemática ambiental.Palabras clave: Salud; Cambio Climático; encuadres; mensaje.Abstract: International organizations agree that climate change poses a threat to the human being, parti­cularly to his health. Entities such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and voices from the scientific community have been warning about the effects the climatic distortions are having on the propagation of illnesses which vectors depend on their surroundings. Vital sectors for social development such as water distribution, agriculture, and public health are progressively seeing themselves more threatened by the climatic maelstrom. Nevertheless, an indifferent silence per­sists in different social segments who consider Climate change as an abstract problem or simply something out of their reach to resolve. Deactivating this disaffection, raising awareness in the ge­neral population and mobilize to take action have been some of the challenges social actors have undertaken. One particular success story that grabs the attention is the use of health frames. The following article dissects the impact that Climate Change has and presents the case of the use of health promotion in the USA to raise awareness about the environmental problem.Keywords: Health; Climate Change; Frames; Message.

scholarly journals Pathways to clean hands: highlights of successful hand hygiene implementation strategies in Europe

2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
A P Magiorakos ◽  
E Leens ◽  
V Drouvot ◽  
L May-Michelangeli ◽  
C Reichardt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Implementation Strategies ◽  
World Health ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Hygiene Practices ◽  
Governmental Support ◽  
Hygiene Compliance ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Healthcare Associated

Hand hygiene is the most effective way to stop the spread of microorganisms and to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAI). The World Health Organization launched the First Global Patient Safety Challenge - Clean Care is Safer Care - in 2005 with the goal to prevent HAI globally. This year, on 5 May, the WHO’s initiative SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands, which focuses on increasing awareness of and improving compliance with hand hygiene practices, celebrated its second global day. In this article, four Member States of the European Union describe strategies that were implemented as part of their national hand hygiene campaigns and were found to be noteworthy. The strategies were: governmental support, the use of indicators for hand hygiene benchmarking, developing national surveillance systems for auditing alcohol-based hand rub consumption, ensuring seamless coordination of processes between health regions in countries with regionalised healthcare systems, implementing the WHO's My Five Moments for Hand Hygiene, and auditing of hand hygiene compliance.

Patient Safety Concerns among Emergency Medical Staff and Patients

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-52
Author(s):  
Pi-Fang Hsu ◽  
Wen-Chun Tsai ◽  
Chia-Wen Tsai
Keyword(s):  
Patient Safety ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Medical Staff ◽  
World Health ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
Perceptions And Attitudes ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

Recently, much of the world, including the World Health Organization, the European Union and many North American countries, have emphasized patient safety. Around the same time, Taiwan’s Department of Health (DOH) devoted a significant amount of resources to better the quality of medical treatment for their patients. This study explores perceptions of and attitudes towards patient safety among medical staff and patients in emergency departments. Analysis results indicate that medical staff and patients significantly differ in perceptions and attitudes. Results of this study provide a valuable reference for governmental authorities and hospital managers in formulating policies aimed at clarifying perceptions and attitudes regarding patient safety among medical staff and patients in emergency departments.

Genetic Material and Sequence Data to Protect Global Health in the Light of Pandemic Outbreaks: Mapping the Legal Landscape under European and International Law

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 232-241
Author(s):  
Claudia Seitz
Keyword(s):  
Global Health ◽  
International Law ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Influenza Pandemic ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
World Health ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Corona Virus ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Eu

Abstract The current pandemic outbreak of corona virus SARS-CoV-2 shows the need for comprehensive European cooperation in drug development and the importance of genetic material and sequence data in research concerning this unknown disease. As corona virus SARS-CoV-2 is spreading across Europe and worldwide, national authorities and the European Union (EU) institutions do their utmost to address the pandemic and accelerate innovation to protect global health. In order to be prepared and to be able to respond immediately to serious epidemic and pandemic diseases, the EU has already adopted the Decision No (EU) 1082/2013 on serious cross-border threats to health. The World Health Organization (WHO) has established a global system to collect genetic material and information to protect a global influenza pandemic outbreak. The article describes the current legal landscape under EU and international law.

scholarly journals PRESIDENTIAL SYMPOSIUM: EDUCATION NETWORKS: STRENGTHENING GERONTOLOGY AND GERIATRICS THROUGH CONNECTIVITY

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S421-S422
Author(s):  
Judith L Howe ◽  
Kathryn Hyer
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Education ◽  
International Organizations ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Scientific Meeting ◽  
World Health ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
The Third ◽  
The World ◽  
Competency Based ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract The AGHE Presidential Symposium, related to the theme of the annual scientific meeting, underscores the importance of networks, collaborations and partnerships in advancing education in gerontology and geriatrics. AGHE has been at the forefront of many innovative programs since it was founded in 1974, contributing to the growth of the field and the recognition of education as one pillar of the field of gerontology and geriatrics, along with research, policy and practice. This symposium highlights three ongoing initiatives that promote connections and collaborations. The first paper discusses the Age-Friendly University (AFU) network which is made of institutions around the globe who have committed themselves to becoming more age-friendly in their programs and policies. AGHE endorses the AFU principles and invites its members and affiliates to call upon their institutions become part of this pioneering initiative. The AFU initiative is one of several international activities that AGHE, global leaders in education on aging, has engaged in. The second paper describes international networking activities such as collaborations with international organizations including the World Health Organization and connecting international and US students. In the third paper, initiatives to connect disciplines and professions through competency-based education and curricula are discussed. For instance, the Gerontology Competencies for Undergraduate and Graduate Education and the Program of Merit promote competency-based gerontology education across disciplines and professions.

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