RACE IN SPACE: TOWARD COOPERATION OR COMPETITION?

Over the past sixty-four years, the world has progressed from the first man in space to landing on the moon, to permanent human presence on manned space stations. Mankind is now poised to explore even further. As the Augustine Commission wrote, ―The human exploration of space is historically intertwined with the recent evolution of America‘s international relationships.” Because of this global dimension, the competition of the 1960s space race and the cooperation on the International Space Station (ISS) were analyzed for lessons for the future. According to Launius, “Mirror image…

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ARM CONFLICT IN 21ST CENTURY : THE RIGHTS OF VICTIMS AND LEVELS OF RESPONSIBILITY

In International Human Rights Law(IHRL), victims have been defined as persons who, individually or collectively, have suffered harm, including physical or mental injury, emotional suffering, economic loss or substantial impairment of their fundamental rights, through acts or omissions that are in violation of criminal laws operative within Member States, including those laws proscribing criminal abuse of power. Offences in contravention of the laws of war are considered criminal offences and therefore, those who have suffered as a result of any offences conducted in the course of an armed conflict as…

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A FRAMEWORK FOR UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACTS OF ILLEGAL AGRO-CONVERSION AND NATIONAL OBJECTIVES FOR FOREST AND LAND AND TYPOLOGY OF ILLEGALITIES

Governments establish a legislative framework – policies, laws, and regulations – in order to best manage their resources. This framework should be developed to incorporate “good governance” principles, including: participatory and equitable policies and laws; transparent and efficient processes, reinforced by monitoring and evaluation; effective implementation that achieves policy objectives, including through enforcement where necessary; and accountability, including anti‐fraud and anti‐corruption mechanisms; all underlain by the application of the rule of law. A country’s legislative framework should advance four primary and legitimate objectives of the state with respect to its…

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CHALLENGES TO YOUTH ENGAGEMENT: PREJUDICE, MYTH, AND REALITY

When young people are engaged in community decisions that affect them, better decisions are made and everyone benefits. When communities involve youth in ways that are meaningful, they tap new energy, knowledge and leadership. And yet, too often, young people do not participate in civic activities-especially the traditional, public decision making process of governments. There are many prejudices regarding the interests and capacity of youth. These beliefs contribute to feelings of alienation and disempowerment, predispose youth engagement efforts to failure, and can lead directly to individual harm. Individuals are hurt…

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MONUMENTAL TRIUMPH AND OUTCOMES FROM THE CLIMATE CHANGE REGIME

The adoption of the 2015 Paris Agreement has been widely celebrated as a ‘monumental triumph’ (UN News 2015). It enshrines a ‘new logic’ of global cooperation, representing a decisive shift away from the top-down regulatory approach that had previously underpinned the international climate change regime. This shift can best be understood in light of the historical evolution of the legal and institutional framework for global collaborative climate action. This policy brief provides a comprehensive overview of the development of the global climate change regime. It documents how climate change –initially…

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