Evolution of policy for the treatment of substance use disorders in Qatar

There is a marked paucity of published evidence on the extent and nature of substance use disorders in the State of Qatar. This is mirrored by a dearth of information on the policy for the treatment of substance use disorders in the public domain. Between 2007 and 2017, substance use disorders have risen from the third to leading cause of disability in Qatar. More recently, Qatar has shifted from applying a punitive only paradigm in managing substance use problems to recognizing the role of treatment and care for people with substance use disorders. Recently published official documents in Qatar define addiction as a disease and as a chronic condition where people with substance use disorders should be treated as patients who need care and assistance. This shifts the onus of providing, and developing services, for individuals with substance use disorders with healthcare providers rather than purely with the criminal justice system. Following cabinet approval, the recently established Permanent Committee for Addiction Treatment headed by the Minister of Public Health, signals the need to institutionalize systems and structures to upscale demand reduction programmes in the country. This article is a descriptive examination of the shifts in substance abuse treatment policy in Qatar, the major factors influencing this evolution, and will utilise some of the policy science theories to describe and analyse policy outcomes. The article will also frame the substance use problem in Qatar for the first time, based on documents published by various government organisations.

Foundations of Theory in PRC History: Mass Communications Research, Political Culture, and the Values Paradigm

This article describes the US origins of the field of PRC history. It argues that research on PRC history is widely derived from an approach to knowledge that predates area studies: the theory that societies can be controlled and changed through the transformation of human cognition—referred to as “public opinion,” “values,” “culture,” “political culture,” “tradition,” or “belief”—by nonviolent means. The author calls this approach to knowledge the values paradigm. A separate, but related argument is that this paradigm has proven more important than the availability or content of new sources in determining how PRC history has been written. The aim behind these arguments is twofold: to highlight the intellectual debt (or burden) that links PRC history, via area studies, to policy science; and to elucidate other ways of guiding research in place of the increasingly exhausted values paradigm–based approach. The conclusions they lead to are that historical and social scientific explanations of political change in China have become intellectually dependent on the abstraction of mass consciousness, and that this abstraction has been used to obscure the endemic violence of Maoism.

REKONSTRUKSI PENDEKATAN COMPLIANCE RISK MANAGEMENT DI MASA PANDEMI DALAM UPAYA PENGUATAN PENERIMAAN PAJAK

The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a problematic impact on the revenue budget of many countries, including Indonesia. However, when most tax revenues had decreased, personal income tax (PIT) in Indonesia increased. Based on this fact and using a qualitative approach, our study aims to document and analyze a Compliance Risk Management (CRM) approach used to monitor taxpayer compliance in Indonesia. This study analyzes the CRM policy using policy science methods modified according to the CRM implementation and administration scope. Our analysis was carried out primarily by linking the CRM implementation policy with the Covid-19 situation. This study concludes that tax authorities should consider implementing policy strategies under international best practices by adjusting to the current pandemic situation in Indonesia without sticking to each phase. Based on the available alternatives, the Indonesian tax authority needs to consider reconstructing its interaction with taxpayers. The orientation is to provide a stimulus for taxpayers and stay to control their level of compliance.

Mechanisms for addressing the influence of corporations on public health

Introduction Manufacturers, such as producers of cigarettes, drugs or ultra-processed foods, influence health policy, research and practice. This influence is one of the main barriers against the implementation of public health policies around the world. Our goal was to identify existing mechanisms to limit this influence. Methods We conducted a scoping review in 2019. We searched five scientific databases: Web of Science Core Collection; BIOSIS; MEDLINE; Base; Scopus. Twenty-eight institutions and networks related to our research objective were also contacted to identify additional mechanisms and examples. In addition, we identified mechanisms and examples drawn from our collective experience. We have classified the mechanisms into two groups: those of international organizations and governments; those for universities, the media and civil society. Results Thirty-one publications were included in our review, including eight scientific articles. Nine mechanisms focused on several industries; while the other documents targeted specific industries. We identified 49 mechanisms that could help limit corporate influence in health policy, science and practice. For 41 of these mechanisms, we found examples, around the world, where they have been implemented. The main objectives of the mechanisms identified were to manage conflicts of interest and ethical issues, while increasing the transparency of public-private interactions. Mechanisms for governments (n = 17) and universities (n = 13) were most frequently identified, with fewer examples existing to protect the media and civil society. Discussion The development, implementation and monitoring of these mechanisms are essential to protect public health from industrial influence. Key messages We found 49 mechanisms that could help limit corporate influence in health policy, science and practice. There are fewer mechanisms to protect the media and civil society, than to protect governments and universities.

Science Diplomacy for Climate Action and Sustainable Development in Latin America and the Caribbean: How Important Is the Early Career Perspective to New Governance?

Science diplomacy and science–policy interfaces are tools that science has to address the biggest challenges that the world faces today. The scientific community needs to develop the capacity to bring this scientific knowledge to society and decision-makers for the purposes of new governance of the Earth System and thus a more resilient society. Climate change is one of the most challenging issues the world is currently facing, and the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region is highly vulnerable to its consequences, as it is expected to exacerbate environmental, social, and economic problems in the LAC region. In this context, and as an emergency call to address the climate crisis with the latest available science in the region, this paper collects a series of examples of the progress, best practices, gaps, challenges, and solutions. We do so from the perspective of Early Careers Researchers (ECRs) and undergraduate and graduate students, highlighting what we are doing to engage scientists in society–policy–science interaction for the sustainable development agenda and climate action in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Perspectives of Academicians on Academic Jealousy

The aim of this research is to determine the reasons for academic jealousy experienced in universities and to reveal possible solutions to reduce academic jealousy. This research has been carried out in the framework of the qualitative research approach. The study group of this research consists of 8 academicians working at xxx University for the 2020-2021 education year. A semi-structured interview form has been used as a data collection tool in the research. Academicians’ perceptions of academic jealousy are defined under two headings as individual jealousy and institutional jealousy. The participants’ thoughts on the causes of academic jealousy are incompetence, inner failure, competition, and personal reasons. To reduce academic jealousy, the participants have offered the following solutions: policy-science culture, encouragement-cooperation, primary school education, competence, and sanction. The researchers have concluded that unless academic jealousy ends up or reduce, universities will lose high-quality academicians as time goes by.

Legitimacy of the Communist Party of Vietnam’s Leadership Role in Developing Public Policies

The leadership role of the ruling political party in the state and society is an important issue in each political regime. In Vietnam, the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) takes a leadership role in the state and society (including the public policy that is seen as a product of the process of performing that role), which is both historical and constitutionalized. From the interdisciplinary approach of politics and public policy science, this article analyzes and discusses the legitimacy of the CPV’s leardership role in the state’s pulic policy system, which has rarely been duscussed in the two above-named scientific areas. By analyzing the CPV’s objectives, mission and nature, this article shows the legitimacy of the party’s leardership role in the public policy system through 3 main aspects: (i) History - political belief; (ii) Political-legal basis; and (iii) The capacity, prestige and morality of the Party and party members. Therefrom, the article affirms that the Party’s leading role in the public policy is inevitable, necessary, both principled and lofty, as well as a way to further strengthen the people and society’s belief in the continuing of the Party’s leadership mission in the current period.