Optimizing renewable-based energy supply options for power generation in Ethiopia

Ethiopia unveiled homegrown economic reform agenda aimed to achieve a lower-middle status by 2030 and sustain its economic growth to achieve medium-middle and higher-middle status by 2040 and 2050 respectively. In this study, we evaluated the optimal renewable energy mix for power generation and associated investment costs for the country to progressively achieve upper-middle-income countries by 2050. Two economic scenarios: business as usual and Ethiopia’s homegrown reform agenda scenario were considered. The study used an Open Source energy Modeling System. The model results suggest: if projected power demand increases as anticipated in the homegrown reform agenda scenario, Ethiopia requires to expand the installed power capacity to 31.22GW, 112.45GW and 334.27GW to cover the current unmet and achieve lower, medium and higher middle-income status by 2030, 2040 and 2050 respectively. The Ethiopian energy mix continues to be dominated by hydropower and starts gradually shifting to solar and wind energy development towards 2050 as a least-cost energy supply option. The results also indicate Ethiopia needs to invest about 70 billion US$ on power plant investments for the period 2021–2030 to achieve the lower-middle-income electricity per capita consumption target by 2030 and staggering cumulative investment in the order of 750 billion US$ from 2031 to 2050 inclusive to achieve upper-middle-income electricity consumption rates by 2050. Ethiopia has enough renewable energy potential to achieve its economic target. Investment and financial sourcing remain a priority challenge. The findings could be useful in supporting decision-making concerning socio-economic development and investment pathways in the country.

Italy's presidential vote carries significant risks

Significance One of the front-runners to replace Mattarella is Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who recently gave a strong indication that he intends to run. However, if Draghi is elected president, there does not appear to be an alternative government which could guarantee political stability and make progress on Italy’s crucial reform agenda. Impacts A situation where there is no strong alternative to Draghi’s leadership may boost the electoral appeal of the far-right Brothers of Italy. The return of political instability would diminish Italy’s leverage in the EU regarding important issues such as foreign and fiscal policy. Unless the right-wing parties perform poorly, it is unlikely that Draghi would be elected as prime minister after the next election.

The OSCE in the Era of a Threat to the European Security ‒ Challenges and Prospects

The article analyses the fundamental research “Multilateralism in Transition: Challenges and Opportunities for the OSCE”, prepared by a team of Swiss experts under the leadership of the renowned Swiss diplomat Thomas Greminger (the Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the OSCE, the UN and the International Organizations in Vienna). The fact that T. Greminger served as Secretary General of the OSCE from 2017 to 2020 gives added value to the research. This created a unique opportunity to combine in the research his vast experience, personal impressions from the observance of the “internal kitchen” of the Organization and his analyses of the main directions of the work of the OSCE. The research focuses on the central problems of the OSCE’s activities- preservation of the European security, prevention and regulation of conflicts, new challenges to the European security, strategic partnership of the OSCE with major international organizations, introduction of modern technologies to the operational activities of the Organization, reformation and modernization of the OSCE’ s management system and operational functions. Special attention is payed to the revitalization of the OSCE Structured Dialogue ‒ the main platform for discussions of the most important politico-military problems and confidence-building measures, exchange of information on current perceptions of threat, military capacity, de-escalation measures, best practices for the prevention and improved management of military incidents. The book contains a positive assessment of the concept of cooperative actions aimed at a collective response to the new challenges to the European security: climate change and environment destruction, impact of technology on the societies, illegal migration, pandemics, cross- border organised crime, cyber threats, nuclear security. The authors of the book consider that the collective security initiative could stimulate trust, convergence of interests of participating states and finally would improve European security through cooperation. They also bring to attention the problems of the longstanding reform of the OSCE through presentation of the ten-point reform agenda, including management reform of the OSCE Secretariat, reform of the budget cycle, information security and automating work processes. leveraging partnerships with international and regional organizations.

Vaccine policy in Austria and Germany should work

Significance It comes after Austria became the first European country to announce it would make vaccinations mandatory for the adult population. Both countries have among the lowest vaccination rates in Western Europe, which has resulted in soaring infection rates, hospitalisations, and the re-introduction of lockdown restrictions. Impacts Germany and Austria are likely to experience protests over the coming weeks in opposition to vaccination policy. More European countries could consider implementing mandatory vaccines amid concerns over the new Omicron COVID-19 variant. Persistently high COVID-19 infections would slow down the German government’s social and economic reform agenda. Slower euro-area growth as a result of new lockdown measures could see the ECB extend its loose monetary policies.

Challenges facing Saudi public sector leaders during change

Organization change management has a poor success record and confronts leaders with many challenges, including employee resistance. The Saudi public sector is undergoing widespread changes under the government’s reform agenda, Vision 2030. However, there is little research on organizational change in the Arab world; what exists locks depth and pays little attention to leaders’ roles. This paper explores the challenges facing Saudi public sector leaders and the response strategies adopted in two public sector organizations undergoing a recent change. Qualitative data were collected by unstructured interviews with six department leaders and 21 subordinates involved in change implementation. Challenges faced included the hierarchical organizational and sectoral structure, bureaucracy, high power distance, constraints on leaders’ autonomy, the gender-sensitive national culture, and employee resistance. Leaders employed a variety of strategies to cope with and mitigate these challenges, to achieve change success, notably, improving communication to explain the change, provide clarity and alleviate concerns. Leaders also become less authoritarian and more employee-focused, applying flexibility, providing opportunities for employee participation, and using various motivational strategies to gain employee commitment and improve productivity limitations of the study are the small convergence sample reflecting one project in one sector and the inability to follow change progress over time. The insight afforded by rich qualitative data on experienced challenges and leader behavior enables implications to be drawn for motivational strategies and communication with other public sector organizations involved in change projects.

An Exploratory Case Study of Citizenship Education in the Social Studies Curriculum of the Solomon Islands

<p>This exploratory case study stems from the belief that teaching appropriate values to develop good and active citizens will improve the chaotic situation of the Solomon Islands. However, while this intention seems commendable, little thought has been given to the nature of Citizenship Education needed in a Solomon Islands context. A concern therefore, is that the curriculum reform agenda will ignore or marginalise the conceptualisation and contextual understanding of Citizenship Education to the extent that the Social Studies curriculum might not end up reflecting a contextually balanced approach to citizenship. In substantiating the concern, this case study research explores the perspectives of education stakeholders in the Solomon Islands on Citizenship Education in the Social Studies curriculum. The study examines the knowledge, values, and skills of Citizenship Education that are relevant and contextual to Solomon Islands. It investigates more fully the linkages between the Social Studies curriculum and Citizenship Education. The study scrutinises the conceptualisations of Citizenship Education in a Solomon Islands context and their implications on the curriculum. The research also explores the extent to which the Social Studies curriculum educates students about themselves, their diverse neighbours, and how to live as good and active citizens in a complex and dynamic national social environment. Using a case study involving 21 Solomon Islands participants (education officials, teachers and students), the study recommends the inclusion of contextually relevant values of rights and responsibilities, moral and social values, national identity and social cohesion in the Social Studies curriculum. Recommendations for further research are also offered.</p>

An Exploratory Case Study of Citizenship Education in the Social Studies Curriculum of the Solomon Islands

<p>This exploratory case study stems from the belief that teaching appropriate values to develop good and active citizens will improve the chaotic situation of the Solomon Islands. However, while this intention seems commendable, little thought has been given to the nature of Citizenship Education needed in a Solomon Islands context. A concern therefore, is that the curriculum reform agenda will ignore or marginalise the conceptualisation and contextual understanding of Citizenship Education to the extent that the Social Studies curriculum might not end up reflecting a contextually balanced approach to citizenship. In substantiating the concern, this case study research explores the perspectives of education stakeholders in the Solomon Islands on Citizenship Education in the Social Studies curriculum. The study examines the knowledge, values, and skills of Citizenship Education that are relevant and contextual to Solomon Islands. It investigates more fully the linkages between the Social Studies curriculum and Citizenship Education. The study scrutinises the conceptualisations of Citizenship Education in a Solomon Islands context and their implications on the curriculum. The research also explores the extent to which the Social Studies curriculum educates students about themselves, their diverse neighbours, and how to live as good and active citizens in a complex and dynamic national social environment. Using a case study involving 21 Solomon Islands participants (education officials, teachers and students), the study recommends the inclusion of contextually relevant values of rights and responsibilities, moral and social values, national identity and social cohesion in the Social Studies curriculum. Recommendations for further research are also offered.</p>

Uzbek leader opts for efficient authoritarianism

Significance He also announced a constitutional reform process, without elaborating. Mirzioyev was returned to office on October 24 in a carefully choreographed competition without genuine opponents. Since coming to power in 2016, he has pursued an ambitious reform agenda, but this is confined to economic and administrative changes designed to create a more prosperous society that supports the old political system. Impacts Mirzioyev will build Uzbekistan's reputation as an impartial mediator with the Afghan Taliban. Uzbekistan will capitalise on friendlier ties with all its Central Asian neighbours. Moscow will continue courting Uzbek accession to its regional economic and security blocs.