scholarly journals Telecoupling of the Trade of Donkey-Hides between Botswana and China: Challenges and Opportunities

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1730
Author(s):  
Dimpho Malebogo Matlhola ◽  
Ruishan Chen
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Animal Protection ◽  
Major Threat ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
Rural Livelihood ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
The Media ◽  
Media Reports

International trade has become a major threat to biodiversity in the telecoupled world. The literature on biodiversity loss mostly concentrates on wild species; however, the increasing loss of and demand for domesticated species are overlooked. Donkeys are decreasing in many countries because of economic development, urbanization, and increased demand for donkey hides in China. The donkey population in Africa has rapidly declined recently due to supplying China with donkey hides for the production of highly demanded and legalized traditional medicine, ejiao. As a result, some African countries, including Botswana, banned the export of donkey hides. Animal protection and media continuously reported threats over the extinction of donkeys and exacerbated rural livelihood in developing countries, however, limited literature has investigated the causes and effects of donkey-hide trade and its policy interventions. This paper applies the telecoupling framework and uses the data extracted from the media reports and FAO, to understand the scale and impacts of donkey-hide trade from Botswana to China. We also explore the challenges and opportunities of donkey-hide trade for Botswana, highlighting the mechanisms need to be established to regulate the donkey-hide trade, and also to harness available opportunities if the trade ban is lifted in the future.

ICT Challenges and Opportunities for Institutionalizing Democracy in Ghana

2009 ◽  
pp. 115-133
Author(s):  
Joseph Ofori-Dankwa ◽  
Connie Ofori-Dankwa
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Free Market ◽  
African Continent ◽  
Market System ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Key Points ◽  
Potential Problems ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Ict Revolution

Several African countries have begun to introduce and implement Information and Communication Technology (ICT) policies. In the context of such developing countries, it is important to assess the nature of research focus on the ongoing ICT revolution and its potential to stimulate institutionalization of democracy in Africa. This chapter reviews and integrates literature by scholars focusing on ICT in Africa in general and more specifically on Ghana. The authors incorporate several key points in their discussion. First, they provide a summary of ICT trends and policies in Ghana and their emphasis on helping to institutionalize democracy and its related free market system. Next, they provide a description of some of the major challenges to institutionalizing democracy that scholars writing about ICT in Ghana have identified. In addition, the authors discuss several opportunities for enhancing democracy that scholars writing about ICT in Ghana have highlighted. Finally, they make a few general recommendations for mitigating the potential problems and enhancing the opportunities of the ICT revolution for Ghana as well as the entire African continent.

Exploring the World Trade Organisation's Trade and Environment/Public Health Jurisprudence as a Model for Incorporating a Trade–Labour Linkage into the Organisation's Multilateral Trade Regime: Should African Countries Accept a Policy Shift?

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-65
Author(s):  
Tapiwa V. Warikandwa ◽  
Patrick C. Osode
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
World Trade ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Trade Regime ◽  
Multilateral Trade ◽  
Appellate Body ◽  
The World ◽  
Labour Standards ◽  
The Impact

The incorporation of a trade-labour (standards) linkage into the multilateral trade regime of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has been persistently opposed by developing countries, including those in Africa, on the grounds that it has the potential to weaken their competitive advantage. For that reason, low levels of compliance with core labour standards have been viewed as acceptable by African countries. However, with the impact of WTO agreements growing increasingly broader and deeper for the weaker and vulnerable economies of developing countries, the jurisprudence developed by the WTO Panels and Appellate Body regarding a trade-environment/public health linkage has the potential to address the concerns of developing countries regarding the potential negative effects of a trade-labour linkage. This article argues that the pertinent WTO Panel and Appellate Body decisions could advance the prospects of establishing a linkage of global trade participation to labour standards without any harm befalling developing countries.

Restoration of two great auk (Pinguinus impennis) eggs: Bourman Labrey's egg and the Scarborough egg

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 392-401
Author(s):  
T. R. Birkhead ◽  
G. Axon ◽  
J. R. Middleton
Keyword(s):  
Black Light ◽  
Private Collection ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Media ◽  
Media Reports ◽  
Public Museums ◽  
Private Collections ◽  
Time Of Collection ◽  
Extensive Damage

Most of the approximately 75 known eggs of the extinct great auk ( Pinguinus impennis) are in public museums, with a few in private collections. A small number of these eggs has sustained damage, either at the time of collection or subsequently, and two of these eggs are known to have been repaired. The two eggs suffered rather different types of damage and were subsequently restored using different techniques. The first, known as Bourman Labrey's egg, sustained extensive damage sometime prior to the 1840s, when the shell was broken into numerous pieces. This egg was repaired by William Yarrell in the 1840s, and when it was restored again in 2018, it was discovered that Yarrell's restoration had involved the use of an elaborate cardboard armature. This egg is currently in a private collection. The second egg, known as the Scarborough egg, bequeathed to the Scarborough Museum in 1877, was damaged (by unknown causes) and repaired, probably by the then curator at Scarborough, W. J. Clarke, in 1906. This egg was damaged when one or more pieces were broken adjacent to the blowhole at the narrow end (where there was some pre-existing damage). The media reports at the time exaggerated the extent of the damage, suggesting that the egg was broken almost in two. Possible reasons for this exaggeration are discussed. Recent examination using a black light and ultraviolet (UV) revealed that the eggshell had once borne the words, “a Penguin's Egg”, that were subsequently removed by scraping.

International broadcasting: stages of development, specificity and functional structure

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4(13)) ◽  
pp. 51-60
Author(s):  
Ksenia Olegovna NEVMERZHITSKAYA ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Global Media ◽  
False Information ◽  
Broadcast Media ◽  
World Community ◽  
Media Agenda ◽  
International Broadcasting ◽  
The World ◽  
The Media ◽  
Media Reports

The media influence politics by providing intelligence and arena for political statements. Therefore, the danger of spreading false information and deliberate disinformation can have serious consequences. It is impossible to accuse specific media outlets of unfair coverage, but one cannot fail to note the existing resonance in media reports from different countries. Interpretations of the same events are radically different, while a journalist must rely on facts. The world is faced with the problem of global misunderstanding and information discord. Modern international broadcasting plays an important role in shaping the picture of the event for the world community. It is impossible to deny that the information agenda of many foreign broadcast media depends to some extent on a number of reasons: nationality, foreign policy of his state, profitability. Otherwise, the global media would not contradict each other. We want to track how modern foreign broadcasting builds its agenda and what principles it is guided by. Keywords: Broadcasting, media, Media agenda

Diversification propaganda work with foreign audiences

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4(13)) ◽  
pp. 31-50
Author(s):  
Shiyu Zhang ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
International Relations ◽  
Strategic Partnership ◽  
The Past ◽  
Bilateral Relations ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Relationship

Over the past decade, bilateral relations between China and Russia have attracted the attention of the whole world. As neighbors and rapidly developing countries, China and Russia are becoming increasingly important in the international arena. The strategic partnership and interaction between China and Russia occupy a significant place in the politics of both countries. Cooperation is developing dynamically in various fields, primarily in politics. After 2012, a change of government took place in China and Russia, which brought new changes to international relations. Studying the involvement of the media in this process can clarify their impact on international relations, in particular, their role in the relationship between China and Russia.

Mobile to Fuel Explosive Ecommerce Growthin india

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Priya Yadav ◽  
Pranjeet Das ◽  
Ravi Kumar Malhotra
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Electronic Commerce ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Global Markets ◽  
Network Technology ◽  
Mobile Terminals ◽  
Doing Business ◽  
Is Security ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Made In

E-commerce is process of doing business through computer networks. Advances in wireless network technology and the continuously increasing number of users of mobile latter on make an ideal platform for offering various high utilityservices in just a snap of a finger to the mobile users and give pace to the rapid development of E-Commerce in India.E-commerce is considered an excellent alternative for companies to reach new customersbut the fact that has hindered the growth of e-commerce is security. Security is the challenge facing e-commerce today and there is still a lot of advancement made in the field of securityfor increasing the use of e-commerce in developing countries the B2B e-commerce is implemented for improving access to global markets for firms in developing countries. With the special characteristics and constraints of mobile terminals and wireless networks and the context, situations and circumstances that people use their hand-held terminalswhich will ultimately fuel explosive ecommerce growth in India This paper highlights the various key challenges and opportunities which Indian e-commerce industry may face in the upcoming years. And also discuss challenges in electronic commerce transactions.

scholarly journals Personalized Cancer Medicine in the Media: Sensationalism or Realistic Reporting?

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 741
Author(s):  
Katherine Hicks-Courant ◽  
Jenny Shen ◽  
Angela Stroupe ◽  
Angel Cronin ◽  
Elizabeth F. Bair ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personalized Medicine ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Federal Drug Administration ◽  
Personalized Cancer Medicine ◽  
The Media ◽  
Cancer Medicine ◽  
Media Reports ◽  
Personalized Cancer ◽  
Standard Tests

Background: Given that media coverage can shape healthcare expectations, it is essential that we understand how the media frames “personalized medicine” (PM) in oncology, and whether information about unproven technologies is widely disseminated. Methods: We conducted a content analysis of 396 news reports related to cancer and PM published between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 2011. Two coders independently coded all the reports using a pre-defined framework. Determination of coverage of “standard” and “non-standard” therapies and tests was made by comparing the media print/broadcast date to the date of Federal Drug Administration approval or incorporation into clinical guidelines. Results: Although the term “personalized medicine” appeared in all reports, it was clearly defined only 27% of the time. Stories more frequently reported PM benefits than challenges (96% vs. 48%, p < 0.001). Commonly reported benefits included improved treatment (89%), prediction of side effects (30%), disease risk prediction (33%), and lower cost (19%). Commonly reported challenges included high cost (28%), potential for discrimination (29%), and concerns over privacy and regulation (21%). Coverage of inherited DNA testing was more common than coverage of tumor testing (79% vs. 25%, p < 0.001). Media reports of standard tests and treatments were common; however, 8% included information about non-standard technologies, such as experimental medications and gene therapy. Conclusion: Confusion about personalized cancer medicine may be exacerbated by media reports that fail to clearly define the term. While most media stories reported on standard tests and treatments, an emphasis on the benefits of PM may lead to unrealistic expectations for cancer genomic care.

scholarly journals Adapting to context: Creative strategies of video streaming services in Nigeria

2021 ◽  
pp. 135485652110173
Author(s):  
Godwin Iretomiwa Simon
Keyword(s):  
Video On Demand ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Media Industry ◽  
Operational Environment ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Innovative Strategies ◽  
African Context ◽  
The Media ◽  
Streaming Services

This article examines the contextual challenges that characterize the video on demand (VOD) market in Africa. It provides critical analysis of the creative strategies employed by Nigeria-based streaming services to navigate the peculiar business environment on the continent. This research is on the background of the poor Internet infrastructure and economic divides in many African countries including Nigeria. Streaming services operating in these markets must understand a context where Internet access is complicated on the levels of availability and/or affordability, including significant lack of confidence in e-payment facilities. All these, together with epileptic power supply and poor standard of living, indicate that streaming services must innovate to capture subscribers within the continent. Despite the harsh operational environment, streaming services in Nigeria have continued to increase in number within the past 5 years. This is attributed to the transnational reach of the streaming services as they are patronized by Africans in diaspora across the globe, while they also enjoy popularity within African countries. This article specifically focuses on the innovative strategies employed by Nigerian streaming services to operate within their African markets in the context of their peculiar challenges. In so doing, it extends extant scholarship about Internet-distributed video using the African context. This article is situated within the Media Industry Studies framework and draws from semi-structured interviews with 7 streaming executives in Nigeria and 10 creative professionals in the Nigerian Video Film Industry (Nollywood). It also relies on desk research of press reports, industry publications, as well as the interfaces of streaming portals. This article underscores the necessity of contextualized research with the digital turn in video distribution. Through contextualized analysis of VOD market realities in a less studied terrain like Africa, it aligns with scholarly call to expand theories of Internet-distributed video to marginal contexts.

scholarly journals Virtual pollination trade uncovers global dependence on biodiversity of developing countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. eabe6636
Author(s):  
F. D. S. Silva ◽  
L. G. Carvalheiro ◽  
J. Aguirre-Gutiérrez ◽  
M. Lucotte ◽  
K. Guidoni-Martins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Ecosystem Health ◽  
Trade Flow ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Consumption Patterns ◽  
Online Tool ◽  
Mutual Dependence ◽  
Development Level

Nations’ food consumption patterns are increasingly globalized and trade dependent. Natural resources used for agriculture (e.g., water, pollinators) are hence being virtually exchanged across countries. Inspired by the virtual water concept, we, herein, propose the concept of virtual biotic pollination flow as an indicator of countries’ mutual dependence on biodiversity-based ecosystem services and provide an online tool to visualize trade flow. Using information on 55 pollinator-dependent crop markets (2001–2015), we show that countries with higher development level demand high levels of biodiversity-based services to sustain their consumption patterns. Such patterns are supported by importation of virtual biotic pollination (up to 40% of national imports of pollinator-dependent crops) from developing countries, stimulating cropland expansion. Quantifying virtual pollination flow can help develop new global socioeconomic policies to meet the interconnected challenges of biodiversity loss, ecosystem health, and social justice.

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