Search Results (43)

Mental health challenges among university students and staff are a pressing concern globally and in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Despite adopting frameworks like the Okanagan Charter to promote health and well-being, there is a lack of empirical research on how campus landscapes contribute to mental health promotion. This is a preliminary study based on a Ph.D. research project aiming to investigate the role of campus landscapes in supporting relaxation and internal recovery through everyday activities. We conducted a comparative multi-case study involving 66 participants from the University of Auckland, Lincoln University, and the University of Otago, exploring how they use and prefer campus landscapes for relaxation. Our findings indicate that ‘enjoying nature’ is the most preferred relaxation activity, with participants engaging both actively and passively with various spaces such as gardens, open lawns, and forested areas. Additionally, in campus settings, the proximity of relaxation spaces appears to be more important than design quality because of the limited time during working hours, which points to the importance of thoughtful campus planning. This study also found that university staff are often overlooked in discussions about healthy universities, despite their significant role in the campus setting. Overall, this study highlights the importance of biophilic design principles in creating health-promoting campus environments and offers initial insights for integrating natural elements into campus planning to enhance mental health and well-being. Full article

Over the last decades, many European educational systems have been reviewing the citizenship education model that they have been developing, trying to deepen the meaning of democratic citizenship practice today or the social demand inspired by the creation of adequate conditions for its exercise. Thus, it is challenging for educational systems to face education for global citizenship, and international organizations have been promoting the development of citizenship education and conducting research in this field. New research and educational practices are expected for global citizenship, and their meaning in our European societies is a point of reference for the study of the different policies that national and supranational institutions promote in this matter. The Council of Europe Charter on Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights Education from 2010 and its counterpart framework from UNESCO in 2015 have actively promoted the idea of citizenship education on a global scale through its Global Citizenship Education Model. The International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) conducted a series of reports on social and civic competencies to investigate the extent to which young people are prepared to assume their role as citizens, which recently has been reviewed by Schulz et al. Based on its main findings and the latest survey by the European EACEA/Eurydice from 2023 that covers 15 member countries of the Eurydice Network, this paper presents a cross-national study of the global citizenship education (GCE) between European Countries that updates recent national information and research developments in this field. Based on the analyzed data and the criteria established by UNESCO, the comparative study allows us to determine the dimensions and trends in global citizenship education in order to address its implications within the European education area. Full article

With growing concerns over energy and heat-related mortality/morbidity rates, enhancing building performances is key to improving the health and well-being of building occupants while reducing CO₂ emissions, in line with the UK Government’s Net-Zero targets. This study investigates the impacts of different retrofitting scenarios on overheating risk and energy performance in social housing for current and future climate conditions. Dynamic thermal simulations were carried out using Design Summer Year (DSY) weather files in DesignBuilder software for selected case study buildings. Winter performance was analysed using the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) index, while summer results were assessed according to the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers Technical Memorandum 59 (CIBSE TM59) guidelines. The findings revealed that bedrooms, especially those facing south, were at high risk of overheating. Factors such as building construction, the number of exposed surfaces, and window area influenced the risks. External wall insulation outperformed internal wall insulation in improving summer comfort. In the winter, Passivhaus standards with natural ventilation ensured thermal comfort across all zones, with a 41–53% reduction in heating energy consumption under current weather conditions. The risk of overheating and associated health issues significantly increased for the future weather scenarios. Further investigation into ventilation strategies, occupant behaviour, and passive design is required to mitigate overheating risks while reducing energy consumption in buildings. Full article

The Doctrine of Christian Discovery is a series of fifteenth-century papal bulls that served as the theological and legal justification for the colonization of the world and the enslavement of the Original Free Nations, starting first on the African continent before spreading across the globe. In the 1800s, these bulls and other documents like The Requerimiento and colonial charters would be codified and enshrined together in U.S. law as the Doctrine of Christian Discovery, becoming the foundation of property law and international law. Also, considering what Peter d’Errico calls Federal Anti-Indian Law, we will trace and document how this framework of domination began with the Catholic crowns of Europe and transformed into the dominion theology found within Christian nationalist theologies today. Our research highlights how the Doctrine became enshrined and encoded within Protestantism and the imagined “secular” of the U.S. and Canada, countries who rhetorically espouse separation of church and state while justifying land theft, treaty violations, and the abuse of Indigenous nations and peoples through the Doctrine. We craft a genealogy of Christian domination by carefully analyzing primary sources, especially the colonial charters. We will conclude by juxtaposing the domination framework and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy’s principles of the Gayanashagowa (Great Law of Peace). Full article

This study, with its practical implications, is a valuable resource for organisations. It examines the impact of Sustainable Management Accounting (SMA) practices on the implementation and effectiveness of Sustainable Corporate Governance (SCG) within organisations. It also investigates the various dimensions of SMA and explores the mediating roles of the Internal Control System (ICS) in the relationships between SMA and SCG. The empirical data, collected from 512 individuals across India using a purposive sampling technique, represent a diverse cross-section of the population, including shareholders, investors, finance officers, executives, and professionals such as chartered accountants, lawyers, bankers, and company secretaries. The findings of this study are actionable, indicating that SMA has a positive and significant impact on SCG. Furthermore, it was found that SMA is influenced by factors such as the accounting system, reporting method, transparency policy, and stakeholder involvement. Moreover, the results suggest that companies with well-developed sustainable accounting systems have enhanced ICS and corporate governance metrics, which in turn result in improved board oversight and stakeholder engagement. Finally, the outcome of this study not only assists in developing sustainable corporate governance through sustainable accounting management but also contributes to the UN’s sustainable goals through accounting and governance in the corporate culture and approach. Full article

Energy has historically enticed significant interest from foreign investors. Simultaneously, it has perpetually held a pivotal position in any nation’s framework. Consequently, governments have long regarded energy security as a paramount concern, crucial for ensuring national stability. Energy security, simply put, is defined as “the availability of sufficient supplies at affordable prices.” However, a more contemporary perspective also emphasizes the necessity for long-term sustainability in the supply. This perspective adds a new foundational element—sustainability—to the concept of energy security. Stemming from this premise, two phenomena in the energy sector emerge that could impact international foreign direct investment (FDI) flows. Firstly, the transition from hydrocarbons to renewable sources necessitates substantial investment, wherein foreign investments could play a pivotal role. Secondly, there is an increasing trend of States utilizing FDI for strategic objectives. The acquisition of strategic energy infrastructure by foreign entities is now perceived as a risk to the energy supply security of nations. Consequently, several States have bolstered their FDI screening mechanisms to assess potential impacts on supply security, infrastructure operation, and national security in general. These two aforementioned phenomena may sometimes conflict. This article aims to analyze the intricate relationship between energy security, energy transition, and foreign investments. The author posits that an overly broad interpretation of national security and the misuse of screening mechanisms could serve as instruments for shielding the domestic economy, potentially undermining the foreign investment legal framework. Such an approach in the energy sector could have a “chilling effect,” leading to a reduction in FDI and impeding the energy transition or the attainment of other energy-related objectives. At the same time, a deep reform of the international investment regime is required, which should go through a modification of International Investment Agreements (IIAs) clauses but also through a more environmentally friendly approach by investment arbitral tribunals. It appears extremely difficult to find a balance between international investment law and environmental/climate change law. In this context, the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), which has recently undergone a “modernization process,” is assumed to be a test bench. Full article

Language barriers, specifically among refugees, pose significant challenges to delivering quality healthcare in Canada. While the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the emergence and development of innovative alternatives such as telephone-based and video-conferencing medical interpreting services and AI tools, access remains uneven across Canada. This comprehensive analysis highlights the absence of a cohesive national strategy, reflected in diverse funding models employed across provinces and territories, with gaps and disparities in access to medical interpreting services. Advocating for medical interpreting, both as a moral imperative and a prudent investment, this article draws from human rights principles and ethical considerations, justified in national and international guidelines, charters, codes and regulations. Substantiated by a cost-benefit analysis, it emphasizes that medical interpreting enhances healthcare quality and preserves patient autonomy. Additionally, this article illuminates decision-making processes for utilizing interpreting services; recognizing the pivotal roles of clinicians, interpreters, patients and caregivers within the care circle; appreciating intersectional considerations such as gender, culture and age, underscoring the importance of a collaborative approach. Finally, it provides recommendations at provider, organizational and system levels to ensure equitable access to this right and to promote the health and well-being of refugees and other individuals facing language barriers within Canada’s healthcare system. Full article

The conflicting objectives of the Energy Charter Treaty’s (ECT) protection of fossil fuel investments and climate change mitigation can reveal themselves in investor state dispute settlement (ISDS). As neither the modernization nor the termination of the ECT is likely, ECT arbitration will continue to exist. This article, therefore, examines the reconciling potential of integrative interpretation in climate relevant ECT arbitrations. An integrative interpretation is not only prescribed by the international rules of treaty interpretation, but can also be found in the practice of international dispute settlement. However, international climate law has not yet been taken into account by a single ECT tribunal. Although some hurdles and uncertainties remain in practice, examples of extraneous treaty use, as well as the reasoning of the judgments of recent climate litigation, show that ECT ISDS has the potential to reconcile climate change and energy investment interests in the future. Full article

Various combinations of ship propulsion systems have been developed with low-carbon-emission technologies to meet regulations and policies related to climate change, one of which is the combined gas turbine and steam turbine integrated electric drive system (COGES), which is claimed to be a promising ship propulsion system for the future. The objective of this paper is to perform a techno-economic and environmental assessment of the COGES propulsion system applied to liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers. A propulsion system design for a 7500 m³ LNG carrier was evaluated through the thermodynamics approach of the energy system. Subsequently, carbon emissions and environmental impact analyses were carried out through a life cycle assessment based on the power and fuel input of the system. Afterwards, a techno-economic analysis was carried out by considering the use of boil-off gas for fuel and additional income from carbon emission incentives. The proposed propulsion system design produces 1832 kilowatts of power for a service speed of 12 knots with the total efficiency of the system in the range of 30.1%. The results of the environmental evaluation resulted an overall environmental impact of 10.01 mPts/s. The results of the economic evaluation resulted in a positive net present value and a logical payback period for investment within 8 years of operation. The impact of this result shows that the COGES has a promising technological commercial application as an environmentally friendly propulsion system. Last, for the economy of the propulsion system, the COGES design has a positive net present value, an internal rate return in the range of 12–18%, and a payback period between 6 and 8 years, depending on the charter rate of the LNG carrier. Full article

Since the Software Quality Model was defined as an international standard, many quality assurance teams have used this quality model in a waterfall model for software development and quality control. As more software is delivered as a cloud service, various methodologies have been created with an awareness of the link between development productivity and operations, enabling faster development. However, most development methods are development-oriented with awareness of development progress, and there has been little consideration of methods that achieve quality orientation for continuous quality improvement and monitoring. Therefore, we developed a method to visualize the progress of software quality during development by defining quality goals in the project charter using the quality model defined in international standards, classifying each test by quality characteristics, and clarifying the quality ensured by each test. This was achieved by classifying each test by quality characteristics and clarifying the quality ensured by each test. To use quality characteristics as KPIs, it is necessary to manage test results for each test type and compare them with past build results. This paper explains how to visualize the quality to be assured and the benefits of using quality characteristics as KPIs and proposes a method to achieve rapid and high-quality product development. Full article

This study introduces a brief history of the discovery of and conservation efforts to preserve the Nara Palace Site in Japan, which brought about the recognition of this heritage site as a World Cultural Heritage location by UNESCO in 1996. Accordingly, the 1994 Nara Document on Authenticity plays an important role in contributing to Japanese cultural heritage conservation achievements, with the expansion of cultural diversity and heritage diversity and the concepts of values and authenticity, which proposed a new orientation in terms of awareness and openness to develop a broader vision when identifying architectural heritage values. Against this background, we first discuss the newly proposed concept of so-called “architectural heritage DNA” and its potential structure, providing a simple formula for appraising the authentic values of architectural heritage conservation works. Working within conservation theory, besides the doctrinal study of the 1994 Nara Document on Authenticity, this study also focuses on other important international conventions, such as the 1964 Venice Charter and the 1999 Burra Charter, to clarify the concepts of conservation, restoration, and reconstruction, adding the concept of inheritance between conservation and development, which addresses the lack of international conventions regarding cultural heritage conservation. The viewpoints expressed in this paper are based on the most common concepts of these international conventions but are interpreted in a novel, understandable, practical, and highly applicable approach suited to both the current socio-political situation and future scenarios. Full article

Underwater cultural heritage (UCH) is a diverse and valuable resource that includes shipwrecks, sunken cities, and other submerged archaeological sites. It is an important part of human history and culture and can significantly benefit society. However, various factors often neglect and threaten UCH, including climate change, pollution, and human activities. Several factors, including technological advances, the development of international law, and the growing awareness of the importance of cultural heritage, have influenced the evolution of the concept of UCH. In the early days of underwater archaeology, the focus was on recovering artifacts and treasures from shipwrecks. However, over time, there has been a shift towards a more holistic approach to the management of UCH, which emphasizes the importance of in situ preservation and the involvement of local communities. This review provides a chronological analysis of the evolution of the concept of UCH over the past 70 years and examines the main international conventions and charters developed to protect UCH. The review also discusses the relationship between UCH and marine protected areas (MPAs), the marine environment, and the coastal landscape. Full article

The cultural theory of heritage assets that was consolidated throughout the 20th century, and is still in force today, lies in the modulation of the concept of authenticity. It is a nomadic, controversial concept that has adapted to the spirit of the times. This review of the concept, drawing on international reference texts and charters in the field of heritage, allows us to specify a working process that facilitates its consideration in characterisation processes. To do so, case studies of significant cultural assets in terms of scale and complexity will be presented as resources. Through the implementation of the Theory of Value, the keys will be provided: criteria and methodology for intervening in heritage. This journey will be reflected more slowly in the study of the Palace of San Telmo (Seville, 17th–21st century). This is a building with a controversial material history, in which a series of attributions of value have been transmitted that correlate both with the theory of the conservation of cultural assets and with social appreciation and the criteria. This is the way to materially undertake a reflection on the authenticity of this heritage. This study provides the keys to intervening, conserving the values identified, and recognising authenticity as a reality that is constructed through the process and through the passage of time. A methodology that allows us to consider the capacity to continue and replace heritage as a project strategy in which what is yet to come can take place. Full article

The public is increasingly questioning equestrianism’s social license to operate. While the focus historically centered on horseracing, increased scrutiny is now being placed on how dressage, showjumping, and eventing are addressing equine management and welfare concerns. Nominated equestrian federation and equestrian organization experts (n = 104) directly involved in international and/or national-level horse sports took part in a four-stage, iterative Delphi to obtain consensus on what factors should be considered essential to manage sporthorse health and welfare. Five core domains were agreed as essential: training management, competition management, young horse management, health status and veterinary management, and the horse–human relationship. Two further domains: stable and environmental management, and welfare assessment were rated as important but not essential, as most respondents felt that these areas were already managed well. Participants felt increased education and guidance combined with further policy development and regulation are needed to support stakeholders to optimize sporthorse management. An appetite to engage with research to generate evidence that promotes sporthorse welfare was evident. The development of a sporthorse welfare charter and evidence-based guidelines to inform the management and monitoring of sporthorses’ health and welfare are recommended to provide horses with a good life and to safeguard the future of equestrian sports. Full article

Romanian cities are facing two opposing patterns of urban development that are common worldwide: a significant number of small cities are undergoing a process of shrinkage, while large cities are experiencing dense urban sprawl. This study examines the framework of the current legislation and urban codes that impact the growth of Romanian cities. The aim is to establish a critical analysis of the current urban codes of residential areas in Romania and to create a framework for an integrated neighbourhood tool of analysis for Romanian residential areas, using urban form as a starting point. This direction starts from the fact that international documents such as the “New Leipzig Charter” recommend a resilient and environmentally friendly approach to urban development, while current Romanian normative documents on resilience and sustainability focus mostly on buildings, ignoring a broader vision that includes the urban scale of the neighbourhood or city while considering the multidisciplinary requirement for understanding urban morphology and phenomena. Existing urban legislation in Romania is characterised by several deficiencies resulting from the fragmentation of outdated regulatory bodies in the field of urban planning. Furthermore, this study has demonstrated that urban indicators can serve as a versatile tool for the assessment and enhancement of residential areas in the country. Full article