Coproducing spatial information: Exploring government approaches and motivations at the local level

Recent government initiatives like e-government and open government have led to broader adoption of geospatial tools including mapping platforms to access, use, and analyze open data. These advancements open channels for coproduction in the form of sharing information, change notifications, opinions, or requests to government, based on citizen observation and local knowledge. Though current government initiatives have substantial potentials for coproduction, the practical adoption and implementation of such practices vary reflecting the purposes, contexts, and motivations of those involved. This paper aims to understand how local governments are following different approaches to coproduce information with citizens and what motivates local governments in this process. We report findings based on interviews with 11 cities from the USA and Canada, which reveal four main approaches: the collection of new data, observation of changes, collection of opinions, and observation of preferences involving both explicit and implicit processes. Although these four approaches result from interactions between citizens and government, our findings also indicate a key role to be played by technology and partner organizations.

A Bias for Science: Institutions, Pedagogy, and the Reality of Student Choice Across Subjects in China's NCEE Reforms

This paper examines the issue of student choice across subject streams in recent government reforms to China’s National College Entrance Exam (NCEE). Utilizing data from a case study of an urban high school in Beijing, it argues that student choice of subjects across previous streams of science or fine arts runs counter to existing institutional structures at the secondary and higher education level, consideration of pedagogical techniques that differ by streams, and a “bias” for science grounded in sociohistorical concerns of national development.

Post-election shifts will test Uganda opposition unity

Significance The move has attracted fierce criticism from supporters of opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi (better known as ‘Bobi Wine’), who accuse Besigye of trying to cling to the leadership of the opposition, even after Wine’s emergence as his de facto successor. Impacts Protests may initially focus on the government’s handling of the pandemic, or proposed reforms to land tenure and bail eligibility. Recent government crackdowns on civil society may complicate efforts by the Front to enlist their participation in its protest campaign. The Front’s leadership will be dominated by long-time Besigye allies or prominent figures that lost to Wine’s party in the recent polls.

Creating pathways for internationally educated teachers into the teaching profession: Practices, policies and problems in the Australian context

The diversity of teachers is half that of the student population in Australia. Despite government policies to support internationally trained teachers (ITTs), there remain major structural and institutional barriers working against access to the profession: an information gap, the lack of professional advice, the absence of programmes to help teachers gain accreditation and the lack of mentoring or support programmes. This paper focuses on ITTs undertaking volunteer teaching in community languages schools; these are community-run organisations where over 100,000 children across Australia learn their home language. These sites were selected as they represent a key pathway into further study and employment for ITTs. Findings are drawn from online survey ( n=954) and interviews ( n=62) exploring professional strengths, needs and experiences. The key finding is the exclusion and ‘problematisation’ of ITTs, rather than recognition of the social, educational and economic benefits represented by this group. The article explores recent government-funded provision of pathways to teacher accreditation and the extent to which these address the barriers identified. There is a discussion of how such a model may be embedded in mainstream teacher education pathways.

Independent review seeks to tackle obesity and other diet-related diseases

Emeritus Professor Alan Glasper, from the University of Southampton, discusses a recent government-commissioned review on the food system of the UK

TAX CHALLENGES OF DIGITAL ECONOMY IN INDONESIA

<p>E-commerce transactions emerged as a consequences of the new virtual business model that is used by some multinational entities expanding their business operations abroad in the international landscape. This study aims to explore ecommerce taxation in Indonesia including some factors like understandings and tax payer’s opinion of e-commerce taxation and current rule and tax mechanism of ecommerce which are supporting the implementation of e-commerce taxation. Factors studied related to taxation of e-commerce, including mechanism, monitoring system, and e-commerce transaction. Interviews were conducted from the side of fiscus (Directorate General of Taxation) and taxpayers in e-commerce industry. Data collection was used semi-structured interview, observation, and documentation. Data analysis of this research was descriptive method. The result of this study proves that taxation in e-commerce industry has not been implemented in a good manner. Socialization to e-commerce taxpayers should be conducted in more structured and comprehensive ways. Difficulties in the detection of e-commerce transactions bring its own problems, this is the biggest challenges in e-commerce transactions, namely the difficulty of the government to establish a clear and fair e-commerce tax rules. Recent government rule in November 2019 which accommodate economic substance from Unified Approach of OECD gives refreshment to those difficulties.</p>

Should SARS-CoV-2 vaccination for all frontline healthcare staff be compulsory?

Emeritus Professor Alan Glasper, from the University of Southampton, discusses the issues raised by the recent government decision to make vaccination against the virus causing COVID-19 mandatory for care home staff

Central Public Sector Enterprises in India: A Case of Policy and Perception Conundrum

The fact that there is a direct relationship between higher investment and higher economic growth is accepted by all. Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), in this respect, have been vehicles of large-scale investment in the country. A good many of these enterprises are listed on the stock exchanges. Their market capitalisation, however, recorded a significant fall in recent months despite these companies showing good performance on their ‘profit and loss’ accounts. The recent government pronouncements regarding CPSEs are observed to have adversely impacted the market sentiments and consequently their market capitalisation. The article argues that a White Paper on implementation of pending reforms as recommended by the Panel of Experts on Reforms in CPSEs, set up by the Planning Commission earlier, would go a long way in reversing the current trend of fall in market capitalisation of these enterprises.

International Students As Immigrants Transition Challenges And Strengths Of Current And Former Students

Despite recent government policies aimed at attracting international students as immigrants, little research has involved this population directly. This study explores the experiences of international students in their transition to permanent resident. Data gathered from fifteen semi-structured interviews with current and former international students seek to answer: Why do international students decide to remain in Canada after graduating? What challenges do they face during this transition? What strengths do they possess and what strategies do they use to help them become permanent residents? The findings suggest differing levels of need for support services during their transition and the strong impact of individual decisions on integration success. Participants and the author make recommendations for improving the immigration process.

International Students As Immigrants Transition Challenges And Strengths Of Current And Former Students

Despite recent government policies aimed at attracting international students as immigrants, little research has involved this population directly. This study explores the experiences of international students in their transition to permanent resident. Data gathered from fifteen semi-structured interviews with current and former international students seek to answer: Why do international students decide to remain in Canada after graduating? What challenges do they face during this transition? What strengths do they possess and what strategies do they use to help them become permanent residents? The findings suggest differing levels of need for support services during their transition and the strong impact of individual decisions on integration success. Participants and the author make recommendations for improving the immigration process.