scholarly journals Destination Assessment and Certification: Challenges and Opportunities

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (13) ◽  
pp. 3691 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Grapentin ◽  
Maureen Ayikoru
Keyword(s):  
Future Development ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Online Surveys ◽  
Key Informants ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Tourism Destinations ◽  
The Way

This study examines recent developments in destination assessment and certification as a basis for identifying challenges and benefits they engender, from tourist and tourism organizations’ perspectives. It uses online surveys and semi-structured interviews to collect primary data from prospective tourists and key informants on destination assessment and certification. The findings highlight the strengths and weaknesses of schemes currently in use, including various factors that might influence their future development. Specifically, the study finds that destination assessment and certification are affected by four key issues, namely, practicability, reliability, visibility, and (un)availability of incentives. It concludes that the manifestation of these issues and their ensuing complexity affect the way in which tourists and tourism destinations engage with destination assessment and certification. This, therefore, delimits the inherent opportunities and constraints within such schemes.

scholarly journals The Pluriversality of Efforts to Reduce Deforestation in Brazil over the Past Decade: An Analysis of Policy Actors’ Perceptions

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1061
Author(s):  
Maria Fernanda Gebara ◽  
Patrícia Gallo ◽  
Alice Brites ◽  
Guilherme Lima ◽  
Tatiane Micheletti
Keyword(s):  
Phase 1 ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Forest Degradation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy Actors ◽  
The Past ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Tropical Landscapes ◽  
Reduce Emissions ◽  
The Way

Brazil offers a complex and unique example of tropical landscapes. The country has considerably decreased deforestation since 2004, but Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) is arguably under question, both as a concept and as a tool to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as deforestation levels have increased over the last five years. This article investigates how different policy actors have perceived REDD+ over time, how they have engaged in REDD+ efforts over the past decade, and how REDD+ implementation in Brazil should move forward accordingly. We analyzed qualitative data from semi-structured interviews and actors’ “stances”, i.e., their positions—with regards to key issues connected to REDD+ governance and its challenges—over three different time periods (Phase 1: 2010–2011, Phase 2: 2015–2016, and Phase 3: 2019), so as to identify the practical implications of these diverse interpretations. We argue that the way actors perceive REDD+ is intimately related to the way they interpret and assign meanings towards it and, in consequence, the way they coordinate REDD+-related practices and efforts. We focus on the link between perceptions and efforts so as to comprehend the relevance that different interpretations have to both the concept and implementation of REDD+ in Brazil. Our analysis concentrates on the potential to improve the coordination and integration of REDD+ implementation and diverse actors’ efforts with regards to REDD+ activities. Results suggest that actors’ perceptions of REDD+ generated a plurality of meanings, highlighting a range of dialectical and ontological interactions that have, in turn, resulted in multiple REDD+ interpretations. Findings highlight that different actors have the same interests when it comes to their organizational efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, suggesting that there is room for a better coordination of efforts towards this end, as well as increased collaboration.

scholarly journals Key informant perspectives on the challenges and opportunities for using routine health data for decision-making in Senegal

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Muhoza ◽  
Haneefa Saleem ◽  
Adama Faye ◽  
Ibrahima Gaye ◽  
Roger Tine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Data Quality ◽  
Data Use ◽  
Routine Data ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Data Systems ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Key Informants ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities

Abstract Background Increasing the performance of routine health information systems (RHIS) is an important policy priority both globally and in Senegal. As RHIS data become increasingly important in driving decision-making in Senegal, it is imperative to understand the factors that determine their use. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 high- and mid-level key informants active in the malaria, tuberculosis and HIV programmatic areas in Senegal. Key informants were employed in the relevant divisions of the Senegal Ministry of Health or nongovernmental / civil society organizations. We asked respondents questions related to the flow, quality and use of RHIS data in their organizations. A framework approach was used to analyze the qualitative data. Results Although the respondents worked at the strategic levels of their respective organizations, they consistently indicated that data quality and data use issues began at the operational level of the health system before the data made its way to the central level. We classify the main identified barriers and facilitators to the use of routine data into six categories and attempt to describe their interrelated nature. We find that data quality is a central and direct determinant of RHIS data use. We report that a number of upstream factors in the Senegal context interact to influence the quality of routine data produced. We identify the sociopolitical, financial and system design determinants of RHIS data collection, dissemination and use. We also discuss the organizational and infrastructural factors that influence the use of RHIS data. Conclusions We recommend specific prescriptive actions with potential to improve RHIS performance in Senegal, the quality of the data produced and their use. These actions include addressing sociopolitical factors that often interrupt RHIS functioning in Senegal, supporting and motivating staff that maintain RHIS data systems as well as ensuring RHIS data completeness and representativeness. We argue for improved coordination between the various stakeholders in order to streamline RHIS data processes and improve transparency. Finally, we recommend the promotion of a sustained culture of data quality assessment and use.

Fiji's participation in the global coconut value chain: opportunities and challenges

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessie Lin
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Institutional Quality ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
The Government

PurposeThis paper explores the institutional challenges and opportunities in Fiji's integration into the global value chain. Fiji is naturally endowed with coconut palms across its many islands. However, the coconut sector remains rudimentary with little value-addition. Coconut products of high-value are now being produced and exported throughout the world. While many coconut producing countries have benefitted from this coconut demand surge, Fiji has been unable to benefit from the international market.Design/methodology/approachThis study utilizes a mixed-methods approach to analyze the challenges and opportunities. First, an analysis is done on a macro-level at the link between institutional quality and Fiji's export of coconut products. Then, primary data is collected with semi-structured interviews with key stakeholder groups in regions of Fiji. The goal is to gain an understanding of the perceived challenges and opportunities from each actor.FindingsThe empirical results show that institutional quality matters for Fiji's coconut exports. Increased scores in the government effectiveness and voice and accountability indicators enhance coconut exports from Fiji, suggesting that domestic institutions play an important role. Interviews with key actors reveal that communications among each stakeholder group are fragmented. The main institutional actors and the producers have different perceptions of the industry's challenges, thus resulting in different ideas on how to address the issues.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited by the data availability of coconut production and trade volume of more specific products. Furthermore, due to the transportation and weather constraints during our visit to Fiji, certain parts of the island were not accessible.Originality/valueThis paper uses a mixed-methods approach to assess a specific case study.

scholarly journals Participation in Communities of Women Scientists in Central America: Implications From the Science Diplomacy Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kleinsy Bonilla ◽  
Johana Cabrera ◽  
Camila Calles-Minero ◽  
Ivonne Torres-Atencio ◽  
Karina Aquino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central America ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Community Building ◽  
Women Scientists ◽  
Women In Science ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Science Diplomacy ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
And Mathematics

The experience of building and participating in women scientists’ communities in Central America is a multi-layered topic worthy of study. Understanding the dynamics of these women’s groups, associations, and other forms of collective participation, could assist in shedding light on why women are typically under-represented in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) research in countries within this region. The objectives of this study are (i) to explore the experiences of participation in communities of women scientists in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Panama, and (ii) to systematize the challenges and opportunities derived from such activities. Additionally, this work elaborates on some best practices from the Science Diplomacy (SD) perspective, which could provide a helpful framework to encourage these types of collective participatory communities. The qualitative research methodology was based on the collection of primary data from semi-structured interviews and responses to an online survey sent out to Central American women scientists. The findings of this study revealed few cases of community building experiences among women scientists within the studied countries. Evidence also showed the emergence of shared patterns in terms of barriers and disincentives to participating in such communities. Meanwhile, data collected from the few existing community groups is used to identify successful incentives and motivations. The analysis of the collected data offered relevant implications for Science Diplomacy. Most respondents referred to the Organization of Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) as one of the main organizations that can impact and further Science Diplomacy. This organization promotes international engagement and networking among women scientists from developing countries across regions and this article shows how this has been used to foster women science community building in Central America. Exploring similar practices in-depth may offer opportunities to overcome traditional barriers and build further gender equality in science in Central America.

Challenges and Prospects of the Criminal Justice System in Handling Child Victims and Alleged Offenders in Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
pp. 0306624X2094466
Author(s):  
Nahom Eyasu ◽  
Sisay Haile ◽  
Yosef Tesfaye
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Child Protection ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Child Victims ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
North West ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Child Friendly

The current study aims to explore the challenges and prospects of the criminal justice system in handling child victims and alleged offenders in Bahir Dar metropolitan city, North West Ethiopia. A qualitative research design was adopted to achieve this goal. Primary data was collected through semi-structured interviews conducted with victimized children ( n = 25) and in-depth interviews conducted with key informants ( n = 15). Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. The general emergent theme— encumbrance and motivation reflected the challenges and opportunities of the criminal justice system in handling child victims and alleged offenders, respectively. The results from the study revealed that the absence of child-friendly police stations, limited overall assessments and psychosocial supports for child victims, slow, tardy and insensitive justice process, and legal system gaps were critical issues at the initial police contact, investigation, and trial stages of the criminal justice system. It appears from this study that the wellbeing and support needs of victims and witnesses are not yet being adequately addressed. In this study, a major challenge identified was the deficit of law enforcement in the criminal justice system as to the detection and investigation of a crime involving child victims. On the other hand, the initiatives to introduce child protection units and child-friendly police stations, provision of support and assistance, and awareness-raising about child-friendly practices among the criminal justice system are the major prospects that have been taken place within the criminal justice system.

Key issues in policy research for psychosocial risk management and the way forward

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Leka ◽  
T. Cox ◽  
G. Zwetsloot ◽  
A. Jain ◽  
E. Kortum
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Policy Research ◽  
Psychosocial Risk ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
The Way

Analisis Kinerja dan Pengaruh Pelebaran Jalan serta Pembuatan Median Jalan (Studi Kasus Jalan Temanggung Tilung Kota Palangkaraya)

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-60
Author(s):  
Fitri Wulandari ◽  
Nirwana Puspasari ◽  
Noviyanthy Handayani
Keyword(s):  
Data Retrieval ◽  
Service Level ◽  
Traffic Volume ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Volume Data ◽  
Saturation Degree ◽  
The Road ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Road Widening ◽  
The Way

Jalan Temanggung Tilung is a 2/2 UD type road (two undirected two-way lanes) with a road width of 5.5 meters, which is a connecting road between two major roads, namely the RTA road. Milono and the path of G. Obos. Over time, the volume of traffic through these roads increases every year, plus roadside activities that also increase cause congestion at several points of the way. To overcome this problem, the local government carried out road widening to increase the capacity and level of road services. The study was conducted to determine the amount of traffic volume, performance, service level of the Temanggung Tilung road section at peak traffic hours before and after road widening. Data retrieval is done by the direct survey to the field to obtain primary data in the form of geometric road data, two-way traffic volume data, and side obstacle data. Performance analysis refers to the 1997 Indonesian Road Capacity Manual (MKJI) for urban roads. From the results of data processing, before increasing the road (Type 2/2 UD), the traffic volume that passes through the path is 842 pcs/hour and after road widening (Type 4/2 UD) the traffic volume for two directions is 973 pcs/hour, with route A equaling 528 pcs/hour and direction B equaling 445 pcs/hour. Based on the analysis of road performance before road enhancement, the capacity = 2551 pcs/hour, saturation degree = 0.331, and the service level of the two-way road are level B. Based on the analysis of the performance of the way after increasing the way, the direction capacity A = 2686 pcs/hour and direction B = 2674 pcs /hour, saturation degree for direction A = 0.196 and direction B = 0.166, service level for road direction A and direction B increase to level A

Mass Spectrometry for Proteomics and Recent Developments in ESI, MALDI and other Ionization Methodologies

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 267-276
Author(s):  
Qurat ul Ain Farooq ◽  
Noor ul Haq ◽  
Abdul Aziz ◽  
Sara Aimen ◽  
Muhammad Inam ul Haq
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Electrospray Ionization ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Desorption Electrospray Ionization ◽  
High Throughput Analysis ◽  
Enhanced Sensitivity ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
The Way

Background: Mass spectrometry is a tool used in analytical chemistry to identify components in a chemical compound and it is of tremendous importance in the field of biology for high throughput analysis of biomolecules, among which protein is of great interest. Objective: Advancement in proteomics based on mass spectrometry has led the way to quantify multiple protein complexes, and proteins interactions with DNA/RNA or other chemical compounds which is a breakthrough in the field of bioinformatics. Methods: Many new technologies have been introduced in electrospray ionization (ESI) and Matrixassisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) techniques which have enhanced sensitivity, resolution and many other key features for the characterization of proteins. Results: The advent of ambient mass spectrometry and its different versions like Desorption Electrospray Ionization (DESI), DART and ELDI has brought a huge revolution in proteomics research. Different imaging techniques are also introduced in MS to map proteins and other significant biomolecules. These drastic developments have paved the way to analyze large proteins of >200kDa easily. Conclusion: Here, we discuss the recent advancement in mass spectrometry, which is of great importance and it could lead us to further deep analysis of the molecules from different perspectives and further advancement in these techniques will enable us to find better ways for prediction of molecules and their behavioral properties.

Humanitarian Intervention

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Caplan
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Security Council ◽  
Future Development ◽  
Humanitarian Intervention ◽  
Responsibility To Protect ◽  
Real Effect ◽  
General Decline ◽  
Humanitarian Crises ◽  
Un Security Council ◽  
The Way

States – Western ones, at least – have given increased weight to human rights and humanitarian norms as matters of international concern, with the authorization of legally binding enforcement measures to tackle humanitarian crises under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. These concerns were also developed outside the UN Security Council framework, following Tony Blair’s Chicago speech and the contemporaneous NATO action over Kosovo. This gave rise to international commissions and resulted, among other things, in the emergence of the ‘Responsibility to Protect’ (R2P) doctrine. The adoption of this doctrine coincided with a period in which there appeared to be a general decline in mass atrocities. Yet R2P had little real effect – it cannot be shown to have caused the fall in mass atrocities, only to have echoed it. Thus, the promise of R2P and an age of humanitarianism failed to emerge, even if the way was paved for future development.

The Inviolability of Diplomatic Agents in the Context of Employment

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Rodgers
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Fair Trial ◽  
European Convention ◽  
Employment Contracts ◽  
Domestic Servants ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Diplomatic Immunity ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Way

‘Ordinary’ employment contracts—including those of domestic servants—have been deemed to attract diplomatic immunity because they fall within the scope of diplomatic functions. This chapter highlights the potential for conflict between these forms of immunity and the rights of the employees, and reflects on cases in which personal servants of diplomatic agents have challenged both the existence of immunity and the scope of its application. The chapter examines claims that the exercise of diplomatic immunity might violate the right to a fair trial under Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights and the way in which courts have dealt with these issues. The chapter analyses diplomats’ own employment claims and notes that they are usually blocked by the assertion of immunity, but also reflects on more recent developments in which claims had been considered which were incidental to diplomatic employment (eg Nigeria v Ogbonna [2012]).

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