scholarly journals Sustainability Indicators: Relevance, Public Policy Support and Challenges

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 173
Author(s):  
Andre C. S. Batalhao ◽  
Denilson Teixeira ◽  
Maria de Fatima Martins ◽  
Hans Michael van Bellen ◽  
Adriana Cristina Ferreira Caldana

Sustainability is a topic that has gained importance in several fields of knowledge, including the public, private and society spheres, based on the discussions that involve the definition of several public policies. Sustainability Indicators (SI) are metrics that seek to measure the level of sustainability and compile information for better decision-making concerning policies, programs, projects and actions related to sustainability. Demonstrated their relevance to public policies the SI appears as an essential tool for evaluating development goals as a sustainable proposal. In this way, this research aimed to discuss the main challenges and methodological limitations found in the use of SI, emphasizing the main fragilities identified in the literature. In methodological terms, the research has exploratory characteristics, supported by the mixed methods approach using a theoretical-empirical analysis, from the available literature on the subject and the methodologies used and the experience of researchers about the topic addressed. The main results demonstrated that Sustainability Indicators are tools that should be used to define, implement, evaluate and monitor public policies at all levels, considering the potentialities/weaknesses and priorities of each context.

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Bonacorsi de Palma

<span>Abstract: The role of the front-line public agents in the implementation of the public policies created by the first-tier is the subject addressed by the author. From the notion of street-level bureaucrats, it seeks to identify the difficulties encountered by such public agents in decision-making and the need for standards that provide for institutes and administrative dynamics that in fact lead to more efficient, impersonal and guaranteeing public action to protect the well-intentioned front-line public agent to fully exercise the discretion he needs in case-by-case action.</span>


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-45
Author(s):  
Jefferson Alexander Rodríguez-Gómez

This article is a product of the research project "Public policies, citizenship and the human rights approach in the Norte de Santander Department" carried out as a public management project - social extension of the Comfanorte Higher Studies Foundation - FESC in the Public Management Specialization Program. The aim was to describe conceptual and methodological elements that would allow the proposal of foundations for the formulation of public policies with a long-term vision and a human rights-based approach for the Norte de Santander Department, with a scope that includes the identification of the problem, the definition of the population, the diagnosis and the action plan. To this end, from the qualitative approach, theoretical foundations were adopted to support the proposal under the protection of interdisciplinary information sources through interviews with public policy experts in the region. Finally, the importance of differential approaches in the formulation of public policy was recognized, since their specificity guarantees in a differential manner the satisfaction of the rights of the different population groups, as well as the transverse and incidental participation of the citizenry as necessary in all phases of the formulation, which is fundamental to the success of public policy.


Author(s):  
Federico VAZ ◽  
Sharon PRENDEVILLE

Described as units developing public policies in a design-oriented manner, Policy Labs are tasked to innovate to gain in policy effectiveness and efficiency. However, as public policymaking is a context-dependent activity, the way in which these novel organisations operate significantly differs. This study discusses the emergence of design approaches for policy innovation. The purpose is to map how Policy Labs in Europe introduce design approaches at distinct stages of the policymaking cycle. For this study, 30 organisations in Europe operating at various levels of government were surveyed. Based on the public policymaking process model, it investigates which design methods are Policy Labs deploying to innovate public policies. The study exposed a gap in the awareness of the utilised methods' nature. It also showed that the use of design methods is of less importance than the introduction of design mindsets for public policy innovation, namely ‘user-centredness’, ‘co-creation’, and ‘exploration’.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1727-1727
Author(s):  
Verónica Mundo-Rosas

Abstract Objectives To analyze the magnitude and distribution of food waste and insecurity in Mexico as a first step in designing public policies to counteract these problems. Methods Based on methodology proposed by Subirats et al. (2008), we analyzed the magnitude and distribution of food waste and insecurity in Mexico. Using scientific evidence and official data, we responded to the following guiding questions: What is the problem? What is the magnitude of the problem? Who are the population groups most affected by the problem and where do they reside? To what extent does coverage under current public policies address these problems? Results Problem: By 2050, the Mexican population will have grown by 22.9 million with respect to 2015. The country's capacity to produce the amount of food required in the future will depend largely on what proportion of the population has the necessary financial resources to acquire the food it needs, and whether food is equitably distributed. Magnitude of the problem: Mexico loses and wastes approximately 34% of the national production of items in the basic food basket while 26.4 million Mexicans lack sufficient income to acquire the quantity and quality of food they need. Those affected the most: From an environmental viewpoint, the larger cities in Mexico constitute the principal production centers of food waste, among other residues. This causes air, land and water pollution at the regional level, as well as serious health problems in the population. From an ethical and nutritional perspective, food waste indirectly affects those experiencing food insecurity. Location of the affected population: In 2012, central Mexico was the largest generator of urban solid waste including organic and, specifically, food residues. Conversely, southern Mexico was the region most affected by food insecurity. Public policy coverage: Despite the magnitude of the problem, several Mexican states have no public policy in place to combat food waste or insecurity. Conclusions The evidence provided by our study contributes to decision making in the formulation of public policies aimed at reducing food loss and waste as well as food insecurity. It also serves to monitor progress towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Funding Sources None.


2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig Forcese

The expression "national security" or its close similes lacks a precise meaning, even in the public policy literature. Nevertheless, the concept appears in over 30 federal statutes. In most instances, the term is undefined, an important oversight in light of the significant powers these statutes accord the government. Under these circumstances, how courts review government invocations of "national security" is of real importance. With some exceptions, courts applying s. 7 of the Charter and standard administrative law doctrines have accorded substantial deference to government national security determinations. When largely deferential substantive review of the ambiguous concept of national security is coupled with the ex parti and in camera context in which these cases are often heard, the net effect is to leave government with a freer hand in national security matters than in other domains of administrative decision making. Several possible responses to this problem are proposed.


Author(s):  
Alfonso CHACÓN MATA

LABURPENA: «Giza Eskubideetan Oinarritutako Ikuspegiaren» irismena azaltzeko asmoa dauka artikulu honek, zer-nolako aldagaiak eta kontzeptuak biltzen dituen ulertze aldera. Horren bilakaeraz eta indarraldiaz arituko gara, bai eta horren modalitate aplikatua nola nabarmentzen den azalduko ere. Horretarako, Nazio Batuen Erakundearen esparruan garatu diren ekarpenak eta gaiaren inguruko doktrina aditua erabiliko ditugu. Administrazio Publikoan duen indarra ezin ukatuzkoa da; izan ere, estatuak eta horri atxikitako erakundeek oso kontuan eduki behar dute politika publikoak norbanakoen eta komunitateen beharrei arreta ematen ari zaien jakiteko balio duela ikuspegi horrek, edota politika publiko horiek kontu emanez gardentasun publikoa eratzen ari diren nahiz edozelako diskriminazioa saihesten ari diren jakiteko balio duela. Azkenik, ikuspegi horrek Giza Eskubideen Gorte Interamerikarraren jurisprudentzia-aurrekari batzuetan duen indarraldia eta eragina aztertuko dira. RESUMEN: El presente artículo tiene la intención de exponer los alcances del «Enfoque Basado en Derechos Humanos», con la finalidad de entender que variables y conceptos involucra. Haremos un recuento de su evolución, vigencia y cómo se evidencia su modalidad aplicada, a través de diferentes aportes desarrollados en el marco de la Organización de Naciones Unidas, así como de la doctrina estudiosa del tema. Su vigencia en la Administración Pública es de primer orden, puesto que el Estado y sus entidades adscritas, deben tener muy en cuenta que el enfoque citado, sirve para conocer si las políticas públicas, están atendiendo necesidades de individuos y comunidades concretas; generando transparencia pública a través de rendición de cuentas, así como evitando cualquier tipo de discriminación. Finalmente, se analizará su vigencia e impacto en algunos antecedentes jurisprudenciales de la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos. ABSTRACT: This article intends to expose the scope of the «Human Rights Based Approach», in order to understand what variables and concepts it involves. We will recount its evolution, validity and how its applied modality is evidenced, through different contributions developed within the framework of the United Nations, as well as the doctrine studious of the subject. Its validity in the Public Administration is of the first order, since the State and its affiliated entities must take into account that the aforementioned approach serves to know if public policies are addressing the needs of specific individuals and communities; Generating public transparency through accountability, as well as avoiding any type of discrimination. Finally, its validity and impact will be analyzed in some jurisprudential antecedents of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.


2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (61) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana María Arroyave Puerta ◽  
Flor Ángela Marulanda Valencia

Nowadays, several mega-trends capture the attention of governments, academia and the public in general given their implications for the quality of life and the development of nations. This work deals with two of them: entrepreneurship and environmental protection, as a result of research aimed at analyzing the processes, actors and results of the “Entrepreneurship for Life” Program led by the Valle de Aburrá Metropolitan Area, executed during the period from 2012 to 2015, in order to contribute to the improvement of public policies on eco-entrepreneurship. The methodology of the Synergy System1, applied by the Colombian Government, was used to appraise public policies. The required information was collected through in-depth interviews with the creator of the program, the entrepreneurs who benefited from it, officials of the entities involved and experts. Then, it was complemented by the analysis of documents such as minutes, reports and other sources. Among other results, it was evident that, although the public policy on environmental entrepreneurship is still incipient, the evaluated Program met the objectives for which it was created.


2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (7) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Cléber Ranieri Ribas de Almeida

O artigo se propõe elaborar uma exegese do livro O Aberto: o Homem e o Animal, de Giorgio Agamben, de maneira a expor o argumento central da obra bem como situar o autor na Filosofia Política contemporânea. Para Agamben, o aberto não se situa unicamente numa analítica fenomenológico-existencial do ser: politicamente, o lugar privilegiado de movimentação desse conceito situa-se especificamente na biofilosofia dos graus do orgânico. A definição desses graus torna-se cada vez mais imprecisa à medida em que se propõe distinguir o limite entre o que é o animal e o que é o humano. A inovação de Agamben na abordagem dessa questão, portanto, está no modo como ele politiza o tema do aberto e o situa numa zona estratégica entre a zoologia e as políticas do homem. A entificação do tema, o aberto, não é para o autor um índice de conspurcação cientificista; é, antes, um índice de incessante politização, isto é, realocação conceitual, modulação disciplinar e institucionalização jurídica. Agamben não quer apenas uma ciência da política, mas também uma política da ciência, entendendo a ciência como lugar soberano de mobilização, manipulação e controle dos corpos. Numa palavra, a ciência, especificamente, a biofilosofia e as ciências do homem, são legisladoras da decisão pública acerca do que é homem. E quem decide o que é o homem, decide ex ante, qual política e qual moral deve dispor sobre a ordem pública.Abstract: This paper aims to do an exegesis of Giorgio Agamben´s book The Open: the Man and the Animal, in order to expose its central point as well as to contextualize the author in Contemporary Political Philosophy. According to Agamben the open is not situated only in a phenomenological-existential analytics of being: politically the privileged place of that concept is specifically on the biophilosophy of organic grades. The definition of those grades becomes more and more imprecise as long as it aims to distinguish the limit between the man and the animal. The innovation of Agamben is the way how he politizes the subject of open and places it on a strategic zone between the zoology and the politics of man. Agamen does not want only a science of the political, but alson a politics of science by understanding the science as a sovereign place of mobilization, manipulation, and control of bodies. In a word, the science, especially the biophilosophy and the human sciences, are legislators of public decision about what man is. And who decides what the man is, do it ex ante which politics and which moral should rule over the public order. Keywords: Agamben, mankind, animal, biophilosophy.


Author(s):  
JOAN MULLEN

While crowding has been a persistent feature of the American prison since its invention in the nineteenth century, the last decade of crisis has brought more outspoken media investigations of prison conditions, higher levels of political and managerial turmoil, and a judiciary increasingly willing to bring the conditions of confinement under the scope of Eighth Amendment review. With the added incentive of severe budget constraints, liberals and conservatives alike now question whether this is any way to do business. Although crowding cannot be defined by quantitative measures alone, many institutions have far exceeded their limits of density according to minimum standards promulgated by the corrections profession. Some fall far below any reasonable standard of human decency. The results are costly, dangerous, and offensive to the public interest. Breaking the cycle of recurrent crisis requires considered efforts to address the decentralized, discretionary nature of sentence decision making and to link sentencing policies to the resources available to the corrections function. The demand to match policy with resources is simply a call for more rational policymaking. To ask for less is to allow the future of corrections to resemble its troubled past.


Author(s):  
L. Bently ◽  
B. Sherman ◽  
D. Gangjee ◽  
P. Johnson

This chapter examines the ‘absolute’ grounds for refusing to register a trade mark as set out in section 3 of the Trade Marks Act 1994, Article 3 of the Trade Marks Directive, and Article 7 of the European Union Trade Mark Regulation (EUTMR). It first looks at the reasons for denying an application for trade mark registration before analysing the absolute grounds for refusal, which can be grouped into three general categories: whether the sign falls within the statutory definition of a trade mark found in sections 1(1) and 3(1)(a) and (2) of the Trade Marks Act 1994; whether trade marks are non-distinctive, descriptive, and generic; and whether trade marks are contrary to public policy or morality, likely to deceive the public, prohibited by law, or if the application was made in bad faith. Provisions for specially protected emblems are also considered.


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