Search Results (33)

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed major deficiencies in global health governance, including fragmented authority, inequitable resource distribution, and weak compliance mechanisms. Although the WHO Pandemic Agreement (2025) addresses several of these gaps, significant operational and institutional challenges remain. This study aims to develop and empirically validate a Global Governance for Health (GGFH) Framework that strengthens leadership, financing, equity, and legal accountability across global, regional, and national levels. Methods: A three-round Delphi study was conducted. Thirty-one experts from diverse sectors, including public health, international law, economics, environment, and diplomacy, evaluated 32 structured governance statements across seven domains. Experts rated all statements using a 7-point Likert scale. Consensus was determined using a strict threshold median ≥ 6; SD ≤ 1.35; ≥75% agreement. Open-text comments were systematically reviewed through thematic analysis. All statements were systematically mapped to the WHO Pandemic Agreement articles to identify areas lacking operational clarity or enforceability. Results: All seven governance domains achieved consensus by Round 3. High agreement emerged on strengthening WHO leadership, implementing sustainable and equitable financing mechanisms, embedding LMIC representation, establishing legal preparedness and capacity-building, and integrating independent accountability tools. Correlation and interdependence analyses demonstrated that governance goals form an integrated, mutually reinforcing system, with financing, equity, and legal frameworks identified as core enablers of effective treaty implementation. Conclusions: The Delphi process validated a comprehensive and operational Global Governance for Health Framework. The GGFH complements the WHO Pandemic Agreement by addressing its unresolved governance, financing, and equity limitations and offers a structured roadmap to guide global pandemic preparedness and treaty implementation. Full article

Fusion cuisine blends ingredients, cooking techniques, and flavours from different cultures, yet little is known about how it is perceived within the context of gastrodiplomacy. This study explores perceptions of fusion cuisine at a multicultural gastrodiplomacy event held in Kosovo, where the participants first sampled Turkish–Kosovar fusion dishes during tasting sessions and subsequently completed an online questionnaire designed to assess their experience. In this event, participants attended structured tasting activities in Prizren and Pristina, where they sampled dishes combining elements of both culinary traditions, and then completed an online structured questionnaire consisting of 5-point Likert-type items evaluating their fusion cuisine preferences. The study was conducted in Kosovo as part of a unilateral gastrodiplomatic initiative. A total of 451 participants responded to an online questionnaire, which included fusion cuisine preference scores and metaphorical descriptions of their culinary experiences. A key contextual characteristic of this study is that data were collected exclusively during a fusion cuisine event held in Kosovo, with participation from a multinational audience who attended the event. Therefore, the sample reflects diverse cultural backgrounds within a single-location setting. The results indicate that younger, highly educated, and higher-income participants exhibited significantly greater openness to culinary diversity. These findings advance the state of knowledge by demonstrating that public reception of gastrodiplomacy is stratified by socioeconomic factors rather than defined solely by national background. Practically, this implies that effective fusion-based diplomacy requires targeted strategies to bridge demographic gaps and ensure broader social inclusivity, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. Full article

This study examines the impact of free trade zone (FTZ) establishment on regional economic resilience (RER) in China, using provincial-level panel data spanning from 2010 to 2022 and a multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) approach. The empirical results indicate that FTZ implementation significantly enhances regional economic resilience by 3.46%, with the development of green finance acting as a key moderating mechanism that amplifies this positive effect. Heterogeneity analysis uncovers notable disparities across policy cohorts and geographical regions: the first wave of FTZs demonstrates the most pronounced resilience-enhancing impact, whereas later cohorts exhibit weaker or even adverse effects. Coastal regions experience substantial benefits from FTZ policies, in contrast to statistically insignificant outcomes observed in inland areas. These findings suggest that strategically expanding the FTZ network, when paired with tailored implementation mechanisms and the integration of green finance, could serve as a powerful policy tool for post-COVID economic recovery. Importantly, by strengthening economic resilience through institutional openness and green investment, this study offers valuable insights into balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability. It provides empirical evidence to support the optimization of FTZ spatial governance and institutional innovation pathways, thereby contributing to the pursuit of sustainable regional development. Full article

Iraq has faced escalating water scarcity over the past two decades, driven by climate change, upstream water withdrawals, and prolonged economic instability. These factors have caused deterioration in irrigation systems, inefficient water distribution, and growing social unrest. As per capita water availability falls below critical levels, Iraq is entering a period of acute water stress. This escalating water scarcity directly impacts water and food security, public health, and economic stability. This study aims to develop a general framework combining decision support systems (DSSs) with Integrated Comprehensive Water Management Strategies (ICWMSs) to support water planning, allocation, and response to ongoing water scarcity and reductions in Iraq. Implementing such a system is essential for Iraq to alleviate its continuing severe situation and adequately tackle its worsening water scarcity that has intensified over the years. This integrated approach is fundamental for enhancing planning efficiency, improving operational performance and monitoring, optimizing water allocation, and guiding informed policy decisions under scarcity and uncertainty. The current study highlights various international case studies that show that DSSs integrate real-time data, artificial intelligence, and advanced modeling to provide actionable policies for water management. Implementing such a framework is crucial for Iraq to mitigate this critical situation and effectively address the escalating water scarcity. Furthermore, Iraq’s water management system requires modifications considering present and expected future challenges. This study analyzes the inflows of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers from 1933 to 2022, revealing significant reductions in water flow: a 31% decrease in the Tigris and a 49.5% decline in the Euphrates by 2021. This study highlights the future 7–20% water deficit between 2020 and 2035. Furthermore, this study introduces a flexible, tool-based framework supported by a DSS with the DPSIR model (Driving Forces, Pressures, State, Impacts, and Responses) designed to address and reduce the gap between water availability and increasing demand. This approach proposes a multi-hazard risk matrix to identify and prioritize strategic risks facing Iraq’s water sector. This matrix links each hazard with appropriate DSS-based response measures and supports scenario planning under the ICWMS framework. The proposed framework integrates hydro-meteorological data analysis with hydrological simulation models and long-term investment strategies. It also emphasizes the development of institutional frameworks, the promotion of water diplomacy, and the establishment of transboundary water allocation and operational policy agreements. Efforts to enhance national security and regional stability among riparian countries complement these actions to tackle water scarcity effectively. Simultaneously, this framework offers a practical guideline for water managers to adopt the best management policies without bias or discrimination between stakeholders. By addressing the combined impacts of anthropogenic and climate change, the proposed framework aims to ensure rational water allocation, enhance resilience, and secure Iraq’s water strategies, ensuring sustainability for future generations. Full article

The publication of the Puhui Canon began in 1943, was interrupted in 1955, and was ultimately completed in 1998, spanning three significant historical periods: the Chinese War of Resistance Against Japan, the Chinese Civil War (1945–1949), and the early years of the People’s Republic of China. Its production was shaped by nationalism, Asian Buddhist interactions, warfare, and diplomacy. As the first Chinese Buddhist canon to incorporate Pāli texts, it reflects the legacy of Sino-Sri Lankan Buddhist exchanges since the late Qing dynasty. The Puhui Canon exemplifies a Pan-Asian vision, seeking to bridge Northern (Mahāyāna) and Southern (Theravāda) Buddhist traditions across Asia. Full article

Studying abroad has been emphasised to increase the cultural influence of sending countries and promote international understanding. This study re-examines study abroad as part of the internationalisation of higher education, using concepts of soft power, knowledge diplomacy, public diplomacy, and cultural diplomacy. Specifically, the study highlights the limitations of the conceptual frameworks of ‘nation’ and ‘formal educational opportunities’ in studying abroad, and discusses a perspective on learning that goes beyond the physical space of the university and the formal educational opportunity. Furthermore, this study considers cultural studies and a public pedagogy perspective to examine where and how studying abroad and international learning can occur. Therefore, this research aims to provide a more interdisciplinary perspective on higher education research surrounding the phenomenon of studying abroad, and to examine the academic boundaries that define the field of research on the internationalisation of higher education. The paper concludes that studying abroad and international education should be reconsidered as a ‘medium’ that promotes cross-border learning by understanding culture and social structure. Full article

Based on the information of China’s bilateral energy diplomacy with 43 countries from 2000 to 2023, this study analyzes the impact of different diplomatic forms on China’s crude oil trade. A fixed-effects model is reconstructed to analyze the impact of various aspects of energy diplomacy on China’s crude oil trade based on panel data. These aspects include diplomacy frequency, frequency of visits, first or regular visits by heads of state, changes in diplomatic relationship levels, whether oil or energy is involved in joint public statements, and the nature of diplomacy (bilateral or multilateral). This study provides a reference for strategic decision-making in China’s energy diplomacy and indicates that frequent meetings of heads of state and proactive “going out” strategies in energy diplomacy significantly promote crude oil trade cooperation between two countries and ensure national energy security. Bilateral energy diplomacy is more effective in fostering crude oil trade cooperation with resource countries compared to multilateral diplomacy, with particularly notable effects in neighboring countries and those that belong to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The Chinese government could increase the frequency of energy diplomacy, appropriately increase the frequency of overseas visits, and be more proactive in “going out” for energy diplomacy. There should be a greater focus on bilateral energy diplomacy with key resource countries, including neighboring countries such as Russia and Kazakhstan, as well as BRI countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the UAE, and Indonesia. It is also crucial to enhance the discourse power and influence of China in the global energy governance system. If the outcome documents of diplomatic activities involve crude oil or energy cooperation, they may invite competition from other resource countries or intervention from external forces. It is recommended that the principle of “do more, say less” is upheld. Any sensitive or controversial topics that would cause external interferences should be avoided, and not be included or actively mentioned. Based on practical cooperation with potential partner countries, the entire industry chain of energy investment, trade, technical services, and engineering equipment will be strengthened. Full article

Classical organizational management literature draws clear parallels between organizational culture and climate and effective use of power and influence as key to successful policy implementation of reforms in public sector organizations. On the other hand, the public policy literature, in particular, policy transfer as a strand within policy studies, emphasizes the role of the national context, more specifically, ‘facilitators’ and ‘constraints’ of ‘‘politico-administrative culture” within the national context, as crucial to understanding processes of transfer, convergence, and diffusion of public policy. There is a plethora of studies by Western scholars of public management who have successfully utilized these theoretical underpinnings to study the effectiveness of public service reforms in mature policy environments such as the UK, the US, Australia, New Zealand, and others. However, the public policy and comparative public management literature only offers a limited number of case studies from developing, middle-/upper-middle countries, which rely on concepts of organizational management in addition to narratives on the impact of policy learning from global doctrines, such as Weberianism, New Public Management (NPM), and New Public Governance (NPG), and national politics, on the implementation of administrative reforms in those contexts. Kazakhstan, as a resource-affluent post-Soviet country and a bastion of modernization and ‘open government’ in Central Asia or the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in the post-Soviet era is a case in point. Based on ethnographic research consisting of interviews with elite academics, civil servants, and think-tank activists, as well as reviews of OECD and government strategy reports in Astana, the findings point to a potential abatement of the impact of context constraints such as large power distance and collectivist behavior by context facilitators such as those surrounding the use of ‘trilingualism’ and public diplomacy towards reforms in Kazakhstan particularly in recent years. Full article

This article is a case study that illustrates the complex intersection of art, politics, and diplomacy in the interwar period. Based on Finnish and Soviet archival documents and press publications, it examines the entire process of organising a Finnish art show abroad. The exhibition, held from 28 November to 24 December 1934, in Moscow, was seen as a landmark event, drawing significant attendance and fostering Finnish–Soviet cultural exchange. By analysing various factors contributing to its success, we provide a detailed picture of both artistic and political influences, demonstrating how cultural events can transcend mere aesthetic appreciation to become significant diplomatic tools. Full article

We explored digital diplomacy, an evolving field, focusing on the digital engagement strategies of India and Mongolia from 2012 to 2022 through a quantitative analysis of secondary data sourced from social media platforms. We investigated how these countries utilized digital tools to shape their international relations, highlighting the impact of digital diplomacy on traditional diplomatic practices and the potential for enhancing public diplomacy. By examining parameters such as post frequency and engagement rates, significant differences were determined to suggest strategic improvements for Mongolia. The findings offer the basis for the adoption of digital diplomacy, emphasizing its role in reshaping global interactions in the digital era. Full article

Political leaders value public demonstrations of support from foreign leaders and frequently make concessions in order to obtain them. We model the bargaining dynamics surrounding these exchanges and their impact on the recipient leader’s political survival, with a focus on top-level diplomatic visits as a means of signaling international support. Our model addresses two interrelated questions; first, we consider how symbolic displays of support from one leader to another can be informative even when they are “purchased” with concessions, and second, we derive the equilibrium price and political impact of a visit under different bargaining protocols. The incentive to make a concession in exchange for a visit generally undermines a visit’s signaling value. We identify a diplomatic resource curse, where the existence of opportunities for diplomatic exchange can force leaders into accepting visit-for-concession deals that leave them worse off than if they were diplomatically isolated. Visits never occur when negotiations are fully transparent. Mutually beneficial quid pro quo diplomacy requires opacity in negotiations. Full article

In 1990, three years after Andy Warhol’s death and one year after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) organized the first one-man show of this pop artist in Eastern Europe. The Prints of Andy Warhol, although never shown at the MoMA in New York, traveled to the Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain in Jouy-en-Josas, France, the Národní Galerie in Prague, Czechoslovakia, the Staatliche Kunstsammlung in Dresden, the GDR, the Mücsarnok in Budapest, Hungary, and the Muzeum Narodowe in Warsaw, Poland. The current paper analyzes the cultural–political context of The Prints of Andy Warhol. It first discusses the place of both American pop art and Eastern Europe in MoMA’s International Program (IP) and then explores the organizational challenges, art historical contents, and public reception of the exhibition. The paper concludes by examining the broader impact of The Prints of Andy Warhol on both the growing awareness of American pop art in Eastern Europe and MoMA’s cultural diplomacy in this region after the fall of the Iron Curtain. Full article

Addressing climate change requires innovative, collective action and robust international collaboration. Through joint efforts, nations can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, pioneer sustainable technologies, and implement effective adaptation measures. Science diplomacy and knowledge sharing hold the potential to bolster global stability and peace by directly confronting climate change challenges. Therefore, it becomes imperative to evaluate a country’s alignment of its scientific knowledge system (SKS) with international guidelines. This study delineates the global scientific discourse on climate change and juxtaposes the alignment between an individual nation’s research endeavors and United Nations resolutions concerning climate change and sustainable development. Our methodology integrates data extraction from scientific research databases with advanced textual analysis tools, highlighting this study’s unique focus on the intersection of climate change and UN resolutions. To deliver an empirical analysis, we leveraged complex network theory and advanced text-processing techniques. Our findings demonstrate the trajectory of global scientific output related to these themes, segmented by countries and coupled with CO₂ emissions data, key disciplines, and collaboration networks. These insights are instrumental for leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders, highlighting areas of convergence and divergence in national research initiatives essential for achieving global climate goals. Such knowledge is strategically useful for crafting purpose-driven public policies and honoring enduring multilateral pledges to address the climate crisis proactively. Full article

The end of the Cold War and the emergence of a new global security and economic environment (Defence budgets’ decline, imminent threats from the Gulf War and NATO’s quest for a new identity), provided a window of opportunity for establishing and designing the EU’s security institution. Thus, what was initially considered farfetched after the 1992 Maastricht Treaty, entered a new phase, which included perception transformation, to be gradually incorporated into daily discourse. Hence, the 2003 “European Security Strategy”, the 2010 “Internal Security Strategy”, and later the 2016 “Global Strategy” reflect Member States’ perception of transformation and their belief that the EU needs a Common Security and Defence Strategy approach. Given these documents that indicate determination for notable integration and institutional restructuring, this analysis delves into the impact of Europeanisation concerning the implementation of institutional reforms and the CSDP. More specifically, this analysis probes the constraints of Europeanisation concerning the EU’s real operational dynamics, especially in light of the Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean Sea security challenges. These challenges are examined in relation to Türkiye’s revisionist public diplomacy, public policies, and the militarization of its foreign policy (including ongoing negotiations centered on migratory flows, assertions, and constructed narratives over Greek and Cypriot islands and seas). The situation has become more pronounced following the identification of gas and oil reserves in the area in 2010. This analysis has a two-fold focus: Firstly, to investigate Europeanisation impact on the operational implementation of CSDP (Common Security and Defence Policy) in time of crisis, and secondly, to evaluate the behavior of Türkiye within the Europeanisation framework, as proposed by Radaelli and Violakis. Full article

Governments face challenges in resolving complex health and social policy conflicts, such as the community water fluoridation (CWF) impasse in Calgary. Track Two diplomacy, informal dialogues facilitated by an impartial third party, is proposed to address these issues amid epistemic conflict and declining public trust in fellow citizens, science, and government. This study examined Track Two diplomacy’s application in Calgary’s CWF policy conflict. Collaborating with policymakers and community partners, the research team explored a Track Two–CWF process and conducted 21 semi-structured interviews with policymakers, scholars, practitioners, observers, and civil society representatives. Data interpretation explored contextual factors, conflict transformation potential, and design features for a Track Two process. A conflict map revealed factors contributing to impasse: the polarizing nature of a binary policy question on fluoridation; disciplinary silos; failed public engagement; societal populism; societal lack of disposition to dialogue; individual factors (adverse impact of conflict on stakeholders, adherence to extreme positions, issue fatigue, apathy, and lack of humility); together with policy-making factors (perceived lack of leadership, lack of forum to dialogue, polarization and silos). Participants suggested reframing the issue as nonbinary, involving a skilled facilitator, convening academics, and considering multiple dialogue tracks for a Track Two process. The first theory of change would focus on personal attitudes, relationships, and culture. Participants expressed cautious optimism about Track Two diplomacy’s potential. Track Two diplomacy offers a promising approach to reframe intractable public health policy conflicts by moving stakeholders from adversarial positions to jointly assessing and solving problems. Further empirical evidence is needed to test the suggested process. Full article