Congo’s elections may become more contentious

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Electronic Voting ◽  
Major Focus ◽  
Electoral Process ◽  
Electoral Fraud ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Civil Society Organisations

Significance Several have already been excluded from the presidential race. Though notoriously divided, opposition leaders are united in believing that the regime is manipulating the electoral process to remain in power. They may nevertheless struggle to form a coherent response. Impacts Electronic voting will be a major focus of opposition and popular concern over electoral fraud. The electoral commission will face technical, logistical and financial obstacles to organising elections on time. The opposition may seek to coordinate with religious and civil society organisations, to leverage their popular legitimacy.

Determinants of health and education equality: evidence from post-Soviet states

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelo Vito Panaro
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Social Policy ◽  
Civil Liberties ◽  
Regime Type ◽  
Social Equality ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Civil Society Organisations ◽  
Regime Types

PurposeThis article examines the determinants of social equality in the education and healthcare sectors in the 15 post-Soviet states. Focussing on regime type and civil society organisations (CSOs), it argues that countries where liberal principles of democracy are achieved or have a stronger civil society deliver a more equitable social policy.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical analysis rests upon a time-series cross-sectional (TSCS) analysis from 1992 to 2019. Data are collected from the Quality of Government (QoG) Dataset 2020 and the Variates of Democracy (V-DEM) Dataset 2020.FindingsThe findings demonstrate that while regime type only partially accounts for social equality, as electoral autocracies do not have more equitable social policy than close regime types and democracy weakly explains equality levels, the strength of CSOs is associated with more equality.Originality/valueThe article challenges dominant approaches that consider electoral democracy to be related to more equal social policy and demonstrates that de-facto free and fair elections do not impinge on social equality, while the strength of liberal and civil liberties and CSOs correlate with more equitable social policy.

COVID-19 alters focus of cyberespionage

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
World Health ◽  
Research Institutions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pharmaceutical Firms ◽  
Civil Society Organisations ◽  
Multilateral Institutions ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

Significance Calls by the UN and civil society organisations for a cyberspace ‘ceasefire’ have made little difference. Impacts Trust in multilateral institutions such as the World Health Organization will be undermined if they suffer cyberattacks. Post-pandemic, China is likely to experience a rise in cyber intrusions from upcoming cyber actors such as Vietnam. Although better prepared than research institutions, large pharmaceutical firms are not immune to cyberespionage.

New laws pose threat to Kyrgyzstan's civil society

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Civil Society ◽  
The United States ◽  
The West ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Activities ◽  
Civil Society Organisations ◽  
Eurasian Economic Union ◽  
Economic Union

Significance The dispute between the United States and Kyrgyzstan revolves around Washington giving imprisoned activist Azimjon Askarov the Human Rights Defender Award in 2014. As Bishkek moves closer to Russia through its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), Kyrgyzstan's civil society is under threat. Impacts Harassment, intimidation and attacks on civil society organisations will become more pervasive. A focus on NGOs which receive foreign funding and engage in vaguely defined political activities and on LGBT groups is increasing. Relations between Kyrgyzstan and the West will be increasingly strained.

New Urban Agenda challenges developing cities

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Population Growth ◽  
Urban Development ◽  
Rapid Population Growth ◽  
World Cities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Civil Society Organisations ◽  
Developing Cities ◽  
Armed Violence ◽  
New Urban Agenda

Subject The UN's New Urban Agenda. Significance The New Urban Agenda, a set of urban development guidelines, was agreed by official representatives from 167 countries at the UN’s Habitat III conference in Quito, Ecuador, on October 20. Although not legally binding, the new document was unanimously agreed not only by governments but also by civil society organisations and international bodies. It sets out ambitious aims for global urbanisation during the next two decades, amid rapid population growth in developing-world cities. Impacts Habitat III wants city halls to improve incentives for PPPs, but also for businesses to share the costs of investments that benefit them. The focus on security and armed violence may increase the urgency to develop municipal crime and terrorism policies. Rapidly urbanising countries will face pressure to address the guidelines in emerging urbanisation plans.

Guinea’s presidential polls will be next battleground

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Presidential Elections ◽  
Strategic Choices ◽  
State Of Emergency ◽  
Electoral Fraud ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Civil Unrest ◽  
Opposition Movement ◽  
The Eu

Significance The twin votes were marred by an opposition boycott, allegations of electoral fraud and apparent state-backed violence. With a COVID-19-related state of emergency now in operation, the Front for the Defence of the Constitution (FNDC), an umbrella civil society and opposition movement which opposed the new constitution, faces difficult strategic choices as it seeks to prevent President Alpha Conde seeking a third term in December’s scheduled presidential elections. Impacts Conde’s likely candidacy will further polarise the country and heighten the risk of civil unrest. In the event of an opposition candidate winning the presidency, the new constitution will almost certainly be repealed. A Conde candidacy and poll-related violence could see the EU issue targeted sanctions against Conde and his allies, including travel bans.

Firm–civil society organizational collaborations in the context of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives; development of collaboration typology

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 359-375
Author(s):  
Som Sekhar Bhattacharyya ◽  
Surabhi Verma
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Civil Society ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Stakeholder Engagement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Civil Society Organisations ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Six Elements ◽  
Contextual Domain ◽  
Corporate Social

PurposeBusiness firms operate in society not only for market gains but also for generating positive social externalities. Civil society organisations (CSO) have helped society to develop across various spheres of influence. The concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) ushered in an era wherein both business economic objectives as well as socio-environmental responsibilities of firms were prioritized simultaneously. The path of firms and CSOs intersected through CSR. In this work, the authors develop a typology on firm–CSO collaboration regarding CSR initiatives.Design/methodology/approachThe authors through a twin approach of systematic literature review (SLR) with qualitative study developed a categorization of collaborations between a firm and a CSO in the context of CSR engagements. Apart from the SLR, the authors undertook two focus group discussions (FGD) with CSR experts (engaged in firm–CSO collaboration). This was done with a semi-structured discussion agenda frame. The data were content analysed for thematic aspects. Thus, both SLR as well as FGD outputs were considered for the study results.FindingsThe authors found six elements in firm–CSO collaboration and seven archetypes of collaboration. The six elements were CSR action elements (CSRAE) consisting of CSR agenda (CSRA), CSR resources (CSRR), CSR capabilities (CSRC), CSR Pprocess (CSRP), CSR monitoring (CSRM) and CSR stakeholder engagement (CSRSE). The seven typologies were CSO as auditor , outsourcing of CSR , CSO-driven CSR, joint CSR, support to CSO for CSR ,guided support to CSO and coordinated CSR.Research limitations/implicationsDoty and Glick, (1994) had undertaken a seminal work on theory building based upon the unique method of application of typologies. Doty and Glick, (1994) elucidated how application of typologies could through a typology study enhance the scope and level for understanding and modelling in a contextual domain involving theory. This study was a step in this direction in the context of firm–CSO collaboration in the context of CSR initiatives.Practical implicationsThis study would help managers from both CSOs and business firms to comprehend in which sphere they were required to collaborate like in resource /capabilities deployment or in designing CSR agendas or CSR process or CSR monitoring or in stakeholder engagement during CSR management. This typology would enable managers to comprehend what would be the most suitable form of collaboration between a firm and a CSO for a specific CSR engagement.Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies that theorizes regarding firm–CSO collaboration in the context of CSR initiatives both in terms of the collaboration building block elements as well as typology presented.

Organised crime in Western Balkans Six at the onset of coronavirus

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (9/10) ◽  
pp. 807-820
Author(s):  
Saša Djordjević ◽  
Bojan Dobovšek
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Alcohol Problems ◽  
Economic Crime ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Western Balkans ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Civil Society Organisations ◽  
Persons Living With Hiv ◽  
Trafficking In Human Beings

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the consequences of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) into crime-fighting and present new criminal landscapes in the Western Balkans Six (WB6) (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia) at the beginning of the pandemic crisis.Design/methodology/approachThe paper builds on the content analysis of legal acts, strategic documents, academic articles, media reporting, official documents, four semi-structured interviews with civil society organisations, two consultations with police officers and two consultations with civil society organisations.FindingsIn the first nine weeks of the spread of COVID-19, the WB6 experienced a small rise in the price of marijuana. The same applied to stimulant drugs like ecstasy and amphetamines. However, very little heroin was available. Prices of protective face masks, disinfectants and medicinal alcohol skyrocketed due to attempts at price gouging. There were cases of scams using mobile and digital technologies, as well as burglaries of newspaper or cigarette kiosks, shops, pharmacies and exchange offices. It was difficult to determine whether the smuggling of and trafficking in human beings experienced a decline or increase. No cases of sexual exploitation for providing online services were noted, although the number of calls made to organisations that assist in the area of human trafficking increased. People with drug and alcohol problems, persons living with HIV, those susceptible to stress, citizens with mental health problems, pensioners, the poor, the homeless and recently released prisoners were the biggest potential victims of crime at the onset of the crisis brought by the pandemic.Research limitations/implicationsThe research findings are limited to specific forms of crime (illicit drug trade, economic crime, fraud, scams, theft, smuggling of and trafficking in human beings) in the WB6 and based on findings from four interviews and four consultations, together with available secondary data.Originality/valueThis is the first overview of criminal activities occurring in the WB6 during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

Theoretical contributions towards rethinking corporate social responsibility

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 288-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria João Santos
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Global Perspective ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Actors ◽  
Civil Society Organisations ◽  
Local Actors ◽  
Definition Of

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose incorporating another theoretical perspective enabling corporate social responsibility (CSR) to be approached more structurally and with correspondingly broader impacts. Despite CSR being associated with competitive advantage and providing recognised sustainability related benefits, it is argued that the individual CSR results of each company and community acting separately remain insufficient not only in terms of individual competitiveness but also in terms of achieving a global and systemic improvement. Design/methodology/approach – It is from this perspective that the clusters concept and the territorial social responsibility (SR) concept are advanced as susceptible to bringing important insights for advancing SR. This article seeks to reflect on the potential of SR networks for strengthening competitiveness and bringing about sustainable development. Based upon a theoretical review of the CSR literature, limitations are discussed before setting out alternative action strategies for the construction of networks focusing upon generating territorial dynamics within the logic of global sustainability. Findings – The idea of CSR clusters and territorial SR presupposes groupings of companies located in the same territory and engaged in some degree of interaction with other local actors to optimise practices contributing towards sustained regional development in an integrated and global perspective. The definition of social goals shared by different actors structured within a network thus improves the design and implementation of actions that extend beyond a micro-scale of action, with significant benefits accruing to local communities. Analysis of these forms of social innovation, based on integrated CSR networks, constitutes the central objective of the present research. Research limitations/implications – This theoretical perspective is, in turn, based upon the assumption that only the consideration of a wider and more extensive conception of CSR, which aligns and guides various social actors (companies, civil society organisations and local authorities) and seeks to nurture integrated SR networks, will be able to drive development characterised by significant higher levels of sustainability. Practical implications – These concepts (SR clusters and territorial SR) presuppose groupings of companies located in the same territory and engaged in some degree of interaction with other local actors are able to optimise practices contributing towards sustained regional development from an integrated and global perspective. The definition of social goals shared by different actors structured within a network thus improves the design and implementation of actions that extend beyond a micro-scale of action, with significant benefits accruing to local communities. Social implications – Considering a larger scope of intervention, connecting different social actors (companies, civil society organisations and local authorities) and working for the construction of a development model based on the concept of sustainability constitute the relevance of clusters to CSR and the SR of territories. Originality/value – This article highlights the position that SR, to have any effective and widespread impact, has to extend beyond isolated actions uncoordinated with overall territorial development. The challenge involves establishing a connection between the business level and civil society organisations in which each acts within their own spheres and with their respective specific competences and skills whilst able to ensure cooperation and engagement in actions focussed upon improving the quality of life of the host community and bringing about cluster development in overall terms. This theoretical perspective is, in turn, based upon the assumption that only the consideration of a wider and more extensive conception of CSR, which aligns and guides various social actors (companies, civil society organisations and local authorities) and seeks to nurture integrated SR networks, will be able to drive development characterised by significantly higher levels of sustainability.

France’s robust terrorist response comes with risks

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Terrorism Risk ◽  
Civil Society Organisations ◽  
Radical Islam ◽  
Terrorist Groups ◽  
Muslim Majority ◽  
Immigration And Asylum ◽  
The Eu ◽  
Charlie Hebdo

Significance The French government has responded by closing mosques viewed as suspicious and investigating civil society organisations suspected of fostering radicalisation. President Emmanuel Macron -- who recently said that Islam is in crisis -- has firmly defended France’s secular tradition and the publication by Charlie Hebdo of a controversial Prophet Mohammed cartoon. Impacts Macron’s robust stance on radical Islam threatens to weaken his relations with leaders in Muslim-majority countries. Terrorist groups and extremists will feel energised by recent attacks and emboldened to carry out further attacks. The rising terrorism risk across the EU will make member states even less willing to cooperate on immigration and asylum reform.

China’s civil society groups put the Party in a bind

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
The State ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Civil Society Organisations ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Higher Educational ◽  
Higher Educational Attainment

Significance Yet research before and after the outbreak suggests Chinese citizens are less optimistic that the state can manage national disasters and emergencies alone. Despite the state’s systematic undermining of civil society organisations (CSOs), citizens increasingly trust them and believe their assistance is needed during national crises. Impacts The growth of CSO-led volunteering and charity initiatives will increase citizens' baseline trust in CSOs. Higher educational attainment will increase citizens’ risk perception and capacity to assess the state’s response to national crises. A growing sense that the state has not managed risks effectively makes citizens more open to turning to CSOs at times of crisis.

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