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Begin New Search Topic International Affairs Content Type Policy Brief

351. Russia in the Asia-Pacific: Between Integration and Geopolitics

Author:
Paul Richardson
Publication Date:
02-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
East-West Center
Abstract:
For the first time in its history, Russia this year assumed the leadership of a major Asia- Pacific forum—APEC. In September the organization's annual summit will be held in Vladivostok and through this congress Russia hopes to demonstrate to the world, and its own citizens, that the country is once again a power in both Europe and Asia. It is a bold vision, which is bound to Russia's national development strategy and Great Power aspirations. As one Russian diplomat told this author, if Russia really becomes involved in Asia it could change the country and also the world.
Topic:
Foreign Policy, Development, International Affairs, and Power Politics
Political Geography:
Russia, Europe, Asia, and Australia/Pacific

352. Turkey’s New Horizon: Turks Abroad and Related Communities

Author:
Kemal Yurtnaç
Publication Date:
10-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Abstract:
Across the world, there are many countries that have established institutions to serve and engage with their citizens and kin living abroad. Such institutions are called Diaspora Ministry/ Department in some cases, while in others they operate as independent units under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The dissolution of the Soviet Union in the late 1990s paved the way for the birth of a set of new countries that have their nationals or ethnic kin beyond their borders, and consequently increased the need to establish such institutions. The ensuing process of globalization facilitated countries in their efforts to establish closer ties with their citizens and kin communities. Today many countries work to strengthen their public diplomacy efforts, or “soft power,” and expand their sphere of influence through their diasporas.
Topic:
International Relations and International Affairs
Political Geography:
Turkey

353. Transitional Justice and Peace building on the ground: Victims and ex-combatants,

Author:
Chandra Lekha Sriram
Publication Date:
01-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Centre on Human Rights in Conflict
Abstract:
In the wake of violent conflict and mass atrocity, there are many contending demands, including those for peace and stability, and those for accountability and punishment. Much ink has been spilled in debating “justice versus peace”. Two key trends in peacebuilding and transitional justice may clash with one another in particular: the prevalence of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) programs and the increased emphasis on victim-centred approaches to peacebuilding
Topic:
Peace Studies and International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

354. How to Protect and Expand Internet Freedom

Publication Date:
12-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Human Rights First
Abstract:
The rapid development of the Internet presents profound opportunities and challenges for U.S. interests around the world, particularly around the promotion and protection of human rights. The Internet is the steward of our economic, social, and political activity, but clearly the Internet itself is not the advocate for its possibilities: governments are. How the U.S. government organizes itself and collaborates with the businesses in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector to create policies and priorities for the Internet will set the foundation of whether the Information Age will be a success story for human rights.
Topic:
Economics, Human Rights, Science and Technology, International Affairs, and Communications
Political Geography:
United States

355. How to Protect LGBTI Persons around the World from Violence

Publication Date:
12-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Human Rights First
Abstract:
The United States has unique experience fighting violent hate crime and discrimination, and the protection of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people has become a signature human rights initiative of the Obama Administration. In 2009, Congress passed the Matthew Shepherd and James Byrd Hate Crime Prevention Act, with bipartisan support and the endorsement of a wide range of constituencies with differing views on LGBTI equality. The law--and the coalition that supported it--is a model of how to marshal the range of U.S. resources to improve responses to all hate crime, including acts of violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity bias.
Topic:
Crime, Human Rights, International Affairs, Governance, and Law
Political Geography:
United States

356. Financial Development and Economic Growth in the Mediterranean Associated Countries

Author:
Adolfo Barajas and Seyed Reza Yousefi
Publication Date:
09-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
IEMed/EuroMeSCo
Abstract:
Slow growth in the Mediterranean Associated Countries (MEDA) over the past three decades can be partly traced to underperformance by the financial sector. Several countries in the region lack financial depth, and the region as a whole has not fully benefited from the level of banking intermediation on offer, signaling a “quality gap.” Policy should therefore aim to enhance banking competition by removing entry barriers and improving credit information, reduce the role of state banks, further the process of financial reform, and provide a financial infrastructure conducive to bank and financial market development. Moreover, quality of intermediation appears to be related to access, and MEDA countries have also underachieved in terms of providing access to financial services to large segments of the population, in particular, to small and medium-sized enterprises. Efforts to widen access should also lead to improvements in quality and, ultimately, higher longrun growth.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Mediterranean

357. Economic Agendas of Islamic Actors

Author:
Javier Albarracín and Paula Cusi
Publication Date:
09-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
IEMed/EuroMeSCo
Abstract:
The IEMed held a conference on the 3rd and 4th July 2012 in Barcelona, under the title “Emerging New Economic Policy Makers in the Arab Mediterranean: Economic Agendas of Islamic Actors”. The aim of the conference was to engage Islamic economic actors, and get to know their economic proposals better. Members of the Islamic parties of Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt attended, as well as bankers, businessmen and representatives of Islamic economic associations from the region. Experts were also invited from institutions such as the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Commission, the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Central Bank of Spain, and so on. The seminar was split into three parts. The first part analyzed at a national level the economic challenges and necessary reforms in Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. The other two sessions were dedicated to Islamic finance and banking, followed by an analysis of the economic cooperation in the Euro-Mediterranean region and among international Islamic actors.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Spain

358. Euro-Mediterranean Higher Education Area: Enhancing Quality, Promoting Mobility and Employability

Author:
Nick Harris and Javier Albarracín
Publication Date:
09-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
IEMed/EuroMeSCo
Abstract:
This paper results from a European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed)/National Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation of Spain (ANECA) Conference held in Barcelona 23rd May 2011 on enhancing quality, promoting mobility and employability across the Euro-Mediterranean Higher Education Area. At a time when there is considerable change and uncertainty in almost all parts of the Euro-Med region, the conference discussions ranged across the nature and purposes of higher education, particularly in relation to employability and employment, and the benefits of and barriers to mobility for both students and academic staff. It also sought to identify the most effective ways in which the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) could contribute to further developments in higher education, bearing in mind the diversities and uncertainties that currently exist at social, political, and economic levels as well as in educations terms
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Mediterranean

359. Inflection Point: The Australian Defence Force after Afghanistan

Author:
Alan Dupont
Publication Date:
03-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Lowy Institute for International Policy
Abstract:
In every era there are inflection points which require long-established institutions to re-evaluate their goals, strategy, structure and resource allocations to ensure their future health and relevance. The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is no exception.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Australia

360. The 2012 National Elections in Papua New Guinea: Averting Violence

Author:
Scott Flower
Publication Date:
03-2012
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Lowy Institute for International Policy
Abstract:
The 2012 general elections in Papua New Guinea are likely to be marred by violence. The increased financial bounty at stake, the enhanced value of political office, the proliferation of weapons, and pressures on PNG’s Electoral Commission, Defence Force and police combine to highlight security concerns around the elections, particularly in the Highlands provinces.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Papua New Guinea