Prépublications

This study examines the comparative dynamics of green finance for job creation and the role of cultural values in environmental stewardship in South Africa and Germany, two countries with distinct historical trajectories, economic structures, and cultural orientations toward the environment. Despite their divergent pathways, both nations face the fundamental challenge of financing a just transition that creates decent employment while advancing environmental sustainability. The research employs a comparative case study methodology, drawing on policy documents, financial data, empirical studies, and scholarly analyses spanning 2020-2026. Germany has emerged as a global leader in green finance, with its Green Bond Framework and KfW's pioneering role demonstrating how public development banks can catalyze private investment in sustainability. Germany's Green Bond Framework, updated in 2025, reflects a structured approach to mobilizing capital for climate and environmental projects while ensuring transparency and accountability . The framework's allocation and impact reporting requirements, developed in line with ICMA Green Bond Principles, have become a model for other countries. A 2024 study of German banks' lending to SMEs found that while overall exposure to climate transition risks is manageable, with a median loan share to high-emission sectors of 5.2%, there is significant variation with some banks having up to 19% exposure . This concentration risk requires targeted management. Germany's cultural orientation toward environmental stewardship is deeply rooted in the concept of Heimat—a term encompassing homeland, belonging, and the natural environment as integral to identity. The post-war environmental movement, energized by grassroots activism and the Green Party's rise, has…

This study examines the comparative dynamics of family planning programs and cultural acceptance in Niger and Bangladesh, two countries with predominantly Muslim populations yet starkly different trajectories in contraceptive uptake and fertility decline. Despite sharing religious and cultural values that traditionally favor large families, both nations have pursued distinct pathways shaped by program design, community engagement strategies, and approaches to navigating cultural and religious sensitivities. The research employs a comparative case study methodology, drawing on empirical research, program evaluations, policy documents, and scholarly analyses spanning 2020-2026. Niger presents one of the world's most challenging contexts for family planning, with a modern contraceptive prevalence rate of only 11% and a total fertility rate of 6.8 children per woman . Cultural norms strongly favor large families, and contraception is often stigmatized. However, frontline workers like Dr. Abdoulaye Apollinaire are changing attitudes by reframing contraception as "child spacing" rather than pregnancy prevention, a culturally resonant concept that aligns with values of maternal and child health . A study in Matameye found that while 86% of women were aware of family planning services, only 51% utilized them, with barriers including lack of perceived need, spousal opposition, cultural and religious objections, and economic challenges . The Context Matters project (2022-2025) in Dosso and Tahoua is systematically exploring how faith, religion, and culture can be harnessed to promote positive family planning behaviors among youth, recognizing that targets cannot be met without addressing social norms . Bangladesh, by contrast, is widely regarded as an "astonishing success story"…

This study examines the comparative dynamics of renewable energy adoption and community acceptance in Niger and Denmark, two countries representing radically different stages of energy transition. Despite their contrasting contexts, both nations face the fundamental challenge of securing community buy-in for renewable energy projects—a prerequisite for sustainable and just transitions. The research employs a comparative case study methodology, drawing on academic literature, project reports, policy documents, and empirical studies from both countries spanning 2020-2026. Denmark, a global leader in renewable energy with a long history of community-owned energy cooperatives, demonstrates how institutionalized participation, benefit-sharing mechanisms, and sustained dialogue can maintain high levels of public support despite emerging tensions around regulatory barriers and equity concerns. The case of Fejø island illustrates how even in mature renewable energy contexts, communities face obstacles related to spatial planning regulations and the need to balance nature conservation with energy development (Clean energy for EU islands, 2025). Niger presents a fundamentally different landscape, where renewable energy adoption is driven by basic access needs rather than decarbonization imperatives. With only 7% of the rural population having access to electricity, adoption focuses on off-grid solar solutions and clean cooking technologies (EnDev, 2025). Research from Sekoukou reveals persistent reliance on firewood despite solar interventions, driven by affordability barriers, cultural familiarity, and gendered power relations that exclude women from energy decision-making despite their role as primary household energy managers (Sarpong, 2025). The Dar-Es-Salaam Energy Village project demonstrates the transformative potential of community-grounded approaches when they address basic needs—solar-powered water systems…

This study falls within SDG Focus Goal 2: Zero Hunger — Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers; Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems; Target 2.5: Maintain the genetic diversity of seeds, cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and their related wild species. This study examines the comparative approaches to rural development programs and their integration with indigenous farming knowledge in Burkina Faso and Nepal, focusing on how each country's development initiatives engage with traditional agricultural practices, community-based knowledge systems, and culturally appropriate technologies. The research analyzes the mechanisms for preserving and revitalizing indigenous knowledge, the role of participatory approaches in development interventions, and the challenges of maintaining traditional practices in contexts of environmental change and modernization. A comparative analysis was conducted examining primary and secondary sources including peer-reviewed research, institutional project documentation, and community-based case studies covering recent developments to 2025-2026. Burkina Faso presents a dynamic landscape where multiple initiatives are actively working to retrieve, validate, and integrate indigenous farming knowledge into contemporary agricultural development. The SUSTLIVES project, funded by the European Union and implemented by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, focuses on neglected and underutilized species (NUS)—crops such as fabirama, moringa, roselle, amaranth, and bambara groundnut that were long dismissed as "poor people's crops" but are now being recognized for their nutritional value,…

This study falls within SDG Focus Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production — Target 12.8: Ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development; Target 12.6: Encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices and sustainability reporting; Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse. This study examines the comparative approaches to marketing campaigns for sustainable consumption in Germany and South Korea, focusing on how each country's cultural values, creative strategies, and regulatory environments shape the communication of sustainability messages. The research analyzes campaign methodologies, consumer engagement techniques, and measurable outcomes across diverse sectors including retail, food, finance, and environmental conservation. A comparative analysis was conducted examining primary and secondary sources including award-winning campaigns, industry reports, and institutional documentation covering recent developments to 2025-2026. Germany presents a landscape where sustainability marketing is characterized by educational clarity, institutional credibility, and integration with established environmental certification systems. Recent data from Kantar's Sustainable Behaviours Ad Tracker reveals that 5.8% of German television advertisements feature sustainable behaviours, positioning Germany among the top five markets globally for sustainability representation in advertising . Campaigns demonstrate sophisticated approaches to communicating complex environmental concepts. The "Beige ist besser" campaign by WEPA, which won the German Brand Award in the inaugural "Circular Brand of the Year" category, successfully transformed the perception of recycled hygiene paper through creative, accessible messaging across multiple channels, proving that "how much enthusiasm a product like toilet paper can generate when attitude and design go hand in hand" .…

This study examines the comparative dynamics of employee engagement and the influence of cultural values in the workplace in Gabon and Japan, two countries with profoundly different cultural heritages yet both grappling with the fundamental challenge of fostering workforce commitment in an era of global transformation. Despite their divergent trajectories, both nations face critical questions about how traditional values intersect with modern organizational practices to shape employee motivation, satisfaction, and performance. The research employs a comparative case study methodology, drawing on empirical studies, survey data, organizational reports, and scholarly analyses spanning 2020-2026. Japan presents a paradox: a nation with a legendary work ethic yet persistently low workforce engagement. Gallup's Japan Spotlight Report reveals that only 7% of Japanese employees are engaged at work, compared to 21% globally, with disengagement costing Japan more than $500 billion annually (HR Leader, 2025; LinkedIn, 2025). Traditional workplace priorities—hierarchy, lifetime employment, and worker loyalty—are becoming obsolete, failing to unlock talent or inspire innovation (HR Leader, 2025). The linguistic challenge is telling: there is no native Japanese word for "engagement" in the HR sense, and translation gaps distort survey results, with employees hesitating to recommend their company due to concern about responsibility if the recommendation backfires (Dale Carnegie Tokyo, 2025). The perfectionism effect further depresses scores—Japanese customers score satisfaction about 30% lower than other markets even when they like products, and employees similarly hesitate to give high scores (Dale Carnegie Tokyo, 2025). Yet change is underway: younger generations are quietly walking away from traditional systems, demanding…

This study falls within SDG Focus Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth — Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men; Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation; Target 8.10: Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services for all. This study examines the comparative approaches to fair trade certification and its impact on smallholder farmers in Colombia and Kenya, focusing on how certification schemes influence economic livelihoods, market access, financial performance, and sustainable farming practices in two of the world's most important agricultural export sectors. The research analyzes the benefits, challenges, and structural dynamics of certification systems, drawing on recent empirical evidence and policy developments from both countries. A comparative analysis was conducted examining primary and secondary sources including peer-reviewed research, institutional reports, government documentation, and news coverage covering the period 2018-2025. Colombia presents a landscape where fair trade certification has become deeply embedded in the coffee sector, with well-established cooperative structures and multiple certification pathways available to smallholder farmers. The Federación Campesina del Cauca (FCC), founded in 1971, represents a vital support network for small-scale coffee producers, sourcing organic Fair Trade coffee from 483 farmers in the Cauca region, over 30% of whom are women . As the first coffee enterprise in Colombia to export with Fair Trade certification, FCC ensures members receive premium prices and provides comprehensive training on organic certification, sustainable…

This study examines the comparative dynamics of entrepreneurship and ethnic business networks in Niger and Malaysia, two countries where ethnic identity profoundly shapes economic participation but with dramatically different outcomes. Despite their shared experience of ethnic diversity as a defining feature of economic life, the role of ethnic networks in fostering entrepreneurship, accessing capital, and navigating markets differs fundamentally between these nations. The research employs a comparative case study methodology, drawing on policy documents, empirical studies, business surveys, and scholarly analyses spanning 2020-2026. Malaysia presents a paradigm of state-led ethnic economic engineering through the New Economic Policy (NEP) and its successors. Since 1971, affirmative action policies have explicitly promoted Bumiputera (ethnic Malay and indigenous) entrepreneurship through preferential access to government contracts, credit, education, and ownership quotas. By 2025, Bumiputera corporate equity ownership had reached approximately 18.6%, up from 2.4% in 1970, though still short of the 30% target (Economic Planning Unit, 2025). Ethnic Chinese and Indian businesses, while facing constraints, have maintained significant economic presence through established networks, particularly in small and medium enterprises. Research documents the dual structure of Malaysian entrepreneurship: Bumiputera firms often depend on government patronage and preferential policies, while Chinese-owned businesses rely more heavily on ethnic networks, family ties, and informal credit systems (Gomez & Saravanamuttu, 2020). The Bumiputera Economic Transformation Roadmap 2030 (2023) continues this trajectory, emphasizing high-impact entrepreneurship, access to financing, and integration into global value chains (Ministry of Entrepreneur Development, 2023). However, critics argue that dependency on state patronage has created a "subsidy…

This study examines the comparative approaches to corporate governance and the integration of Ubuntu philosophy in the Central African Republic and South Africa, two countries with shared cultural heritage but dramatically different economic and institutional trajectories. Despite their common Bantu cultural roots, the role of Ubuntu—the Nguni philosophy emphasizing collective humanity, mutual responsibility, and community solidarity—in shaping corporate governance frameworks differs fundamentally between these nations. The research employs a comparative case study methodology, drawing on policy documents, corporate governance codes, empirical studies, and scholarly analyses spanning 2020-2026. South Africa has developed one of Africa's most sophisticated corporate governance frameworks, with the King Reports (I-IV) establishing principles-based governance that has influenced practice globally. The King IV Report (2016) explicitly references Ubuntu as a philosophical foundation, emphasizing that "good corporate governance is not an end in itself but a means to achieve ethical and effective leadership and sustainable outcomes" (IoDSA, 2016). The report's principles of ethical leadership, corporate citizenship, and stakeholder inclusivity reflect Ubuntu values of interconnectedness and collective responsibility. Research on Ubuntu's integration into South African corporate governance reveals both promise and tension. Studies document how companies have incorporated Ubuntu principles into mission statements, codes of conduct, and stakeholder engagement strategies, particularly in sectors such as banking, telecommunications, and mining where community relationships are critical (Mbigi & Maree, 2020). However, critics argue that Ubuntu remains largely aspirational, with limited impact on actual corporate behavior in a system still dominated by shareholder primacy and global capital markets (West, 2021). The King Committee's…

This study falls within SDG Focus Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions — Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels; Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels; Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms. This study examines the comparative approaches to internal communication and organizational culture in Gabon and Finland, focusing on how each country's cultural values, hierarchical structures, and communication norms shape workplace dynamics, decision-making processes, and institutional effectiveness. The research analyzes the interplay between formal and informal communication channels, the role of hierarchy in organizational relationships, and the impact of cultural assumptions on employee engagement and organizational performance. A comparative analysis was conducted examining primary and secondary sources including academic research, cultural guides, institutional studies, and organizational case studies covering recent decades to 2026. Gabon presents an organizational culture characterized by hierarchical structures, formal communication protocols, and the centrality of personal relationships in professional life. Workplace communication balances formality with the importance of personal connection, with indirect communication often used to maintain harmony and show respect to superiors . Employees address colleagues using formal titles (Monsieur, Madame) until invited to use first names, and communication with superiors requires respectful language and formal channels . Decision-making is typically top-down, with authority concentrated at senior levels and final decisions resting with the most senior person involved . Face-to-face meetings are highly valued for building rapport, and preliminary pleasantries and relationship-building precede core business discussions . The…

This study examines the comparative dynamics of industrial policy and entrepreneurial culture in Ethiopia and Vietnam, two countries with shared histories of state-led development yet distinct trajectories in fostering private sector growth and innovation. Despite their common aspirations for structural transformation, both nations have pursued divergent pathways shaped by foundational policy choices, institutional design, and approaches to cultivating entrepreneurial culture. The research employs a comparative case study methodology, drawing on policy documents, reform initiatives, academic research, and scholarly analyses spanning from the Đổi Mới period (1986) to contemporary developments in 2026. Vietnam stands as a remarkable development success story, transitioning from one of the world's poorest nations to a middle-income economy within a single generation following the 1986 Đổi Mới reforms . The Đổi Mới policy's transition from a state-controlled centralized economy to a market-oriented framework created the foundation for Vietnam's manufacturing-led growth. Recent institutional innovations reflect a sophisticated approach to entrepreneurial ecosystem development. Resolution 68-NQ/TW (May 2025) repositions the private sector as a key engine of the economy, abolishing the "application-permit" mechanism, guaranteeing business freedom in areas not prohibited by law, and cutting at least 30% of administrative procedures . The Startup Nation project, launched in 2025, ambitiously aims to make entrepreneurship accessible to all citizens, targeting the development of 10,000 startups and 1 million one-person enterprises by 2030 . The strategic "quadrant" of Resolutions 57, 59, 66, and 68 has created unprecedented openness for startups and investment, with the value of venture capital investment reaching 1 billion USD…

This study falls within SDG Focus Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth — Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men; Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers; Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. This study examines the comparative approaches to traditional leadership styles and modern human resources management practices in Cameroon and Germany, focusing on how each country's cultural values, historical legacies, and institutional frameworks shape the design and implementation of HR policies. The research analyzes the interplay between indigenous leadership philosophies and contemporary HR practices, the role of cultural norms in employee management, and the challenges and opportunities for integrating traditional and modern approaches in organizational contexts. A comparative analysis was conducted examining primary and secondary sources including peer-reviewed research, case studies, institutional documentation, and expert commentary covering recent developments to 2025-2026. Cameroon presents a complex landscape where traditional leadership philosophies, particularly the Ubuntu concept of "humanness" emphasizing community and collective well-being, fundamentally shape human resources management practices. Recent empirical research based on interviews with HR managers, trade union officials, and top management has delineated four major endogenous organizational HRM phenomena rooted in Sub-Saharan African cultural norms . These socioculturally anchored practices serve as the "glue" between organizational stakeholders, enhance employee experience and well-being, and act as "appropriate caryatids of modern organizational HRM in Africa" . The Ubuntu philosophy, which underscores the community as…

The study falls into SDG focus goal 2: Zero Hunger — Target 2.2: End all forms of malnutrition, including achieving targets on stunting and wasting in children under five years, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women, and older persons; Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters. This study examines the comparative approaches to nutritional interventions and cultural food practices between India and Ethiopia, focusing on the integration of traditional foods (millets in India, home-garden production in Ethiopia), the effectiveness of large-scale programs (ICDS in India, nutrition-sensitive agriculture in Ethiopia), and the role of cultural acceptability in intervention design and outcomes. A comparative policy and program analysis was conducted examining primary and secondary sources including peer-reviewed research on fortified millet interventions in India, home-garden micro-interventions in Ethiopia, systematic reviews of school feeding programs, demographic and health survey data on nutritional inequalities, and policy frameworks covering the period 2010-2026. India's nutritional landscape is characterized by the "South Asian Enigma": despite economic progress, child undernourishment rates exceed those of Ethiopia, a nation with significantly lower per capita income. The ICDS program reaches millions through Anganwadi Centers, yet gaps persist in nutrient adequacy and dietary diversity. Fortified ragi malt interventions demonstrate strong acceptability (sensory scores ≥8.0 on 9-point scale), with milk-based preparations outperforming water-based alternatives. Millets show promise: a…

This study examines the comparative dynamics of industrial policy and entrepreneurial culture in Ethiopia and Vietnam, two countries with shared histories of state-led development yet distinct trajectories in fostering private sector growth and innovation. Despite their common aspirations for structural transformation, both nations have pursued divergent pathways shaped by foundational policy choices, institutional design, and approaches to cultivating entrepreneurial culture. The research employs a comparative case study methodology, drawing on policy documents, reform initiatives, academic research, and scholarly analyses spanning from the Đổi Mới period (1986) to contemporary developments in 2026. Vietnam stands as a remarkable development success story, transitioning from one of the world's poorest nations to a middle-income economy within a single generation following the 1986 Đổi Mới reforms . The Đổi Mới policy's transition from a state-controlled centralized economy to a market-oriented framework created the foundation for Vietnam's manufacturing-led growth. Recent institutional innovations reflect a sophisticated approach to entrepreneurial ecosystem development. Resolution 68-NQ/TW (May 2025) repositions the private sector as a key engine of the economy, abolishing the "application-permit" mechanism, guaranteeing business freedom in areas not prohibited by law, and cutting at least 30% of administrative procedures . The Startup Nation project, launched in 2025, ambitiously aims to make entrepreneurship accessible to all citizens, targeting the development of 10,000 startups and 1 million one-person enterprises by 2030 . The strategic "quadrant" of Resolutions 57, 59, 66, and 68 has created unprecedented openness for startups and investment, with the value of venture capital investment reaching 1 billion USD…

This study examines the comparative dynamics of public sector reform and administrative culture in Ghana and Singapore, two countries with distinct colonial legacies, governance trajectories, and approaches to civil service modernization. Despite their divergent pathways, both nations grapple with fundamental questions about how to build professional, efficient, and responsive public services that can drive national development. The research employs a comparative case study methodology, drawing on policy documents, reform evaluations, academic research, and scholarly analyses spanning multiple decades to 2026. Singapore's public sector is globally renowned for its efficiency, professionalism, and meritocratic culture. The Singapore Administrative Service (elite civil service) has been described as one of the "few, truly effective administrative systems of the postcolonial world" . This success is rooted in foundational choices at independence: the rejection of corruption as a "way of life," the establishment of independent anti-corruption agencies, the commitment to meritocracy in recruitment and promotion, and the creation of elite administrative institutions including the Administrative Service and the Civil Service College . Key features include competitive remuneration ("to pay them well, to keep them honest, and to have a clean and efficient government"), rigorous selection processes attracting top graduates, and a culture of pragmatism and continuous learning. Lee Kuan Yew's philosophy emphasized "making the impossible possible" through a can-do spirit that permeates the public service . Recent initiatives focus on digital transformation and whole-of-government approaches to complex challenges . Ghana presents a different picture characterized by cycles of reform, persistent implementation challenges, and the enduring influence…

This study falls within SDG Focus Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions — Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels; Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels; Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms. This study examines the comparative approaches to political communication in contexts of ethnic diversity in Cameroon and Canada, focusing on how each country's historical legacies, institutional frameworks, and communication strategies shape the management of ethnic and linguistic pluralism. The research analyzes the discursive construction of national unity, the treatment of minority grievances, and the role of media and political institutions in either mitigating or exacerbating identity-based conflicts. A comparative analysis was conducted examining primary and secondary sources including academic research, policy documentation, institutional reports, and contemporary case studies covering recent decades to 2025-2026. Cameroon presents a complex landscape where political communication around ethnic diversity has been fundamentally shaped by the country's bifurcated colonial heritage. With over 230 ethnolinguistic groups and a foundational division between anglophone and francophone territories, the postcolonial state has deployed a "discursive, overhanging and propagandistic system" centered on watchwords such as "national unity," "integration," and "unity in diversity" to neutralize ethno-identity conflict and preserve power . However, this official discourse masks deep tensions. The "anglophone problem," rooted in perceptions of cultural, economic, and political discrimination following the 1972 abandonment of federalism, has since 2016 mutated into a secessionist war that has produced thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands…

Water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials; Target 6.B: Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management. This study examines the comparative approaches to community-led water quality monitoring between Nepal and Kenya, focusing on the adaptation of fit-for-purpose (FFP) laboratory models, the roles of community versus professional actors in monitoring and management, the effectiveness of these approaches in improving water safety, and the implications for achieving SDG 6 targets in rural areas. A comparative policy and program analysis was conducted examining primary and secondary sources including REACH programme research publications, Eawag-Sandec project documentation, case studies of FFP laboratory implementation in both countries, and reports on community engagement and gender dimensions covering the period 2018-2025. Nepal and Kenya have developed distinct community-led water quality monitoring models shaped by different water infrastructure contexts and management traditions. In Nepal, households rely on gravity-fed piped water supplies from spring sources, and water users themselves often engage directly in monitoring and management activities. FFP laboratories in Nepal's Surkhet district have been adapted to local conditions through innovative solutions including off-grid power for filtration and solar-powered incubators where electrical grids are unavailable. Some FFP labs are situated in secondary schools and managed by science teachers who already possess prerequisite experience, creating educational co-benefits. Kenya presents a contrasting model where communities are served primarily by boreholes, and professional service providers (such as FundiFix) handle monitoring and management aspects. FFP labs are embedded within…

This study examines the comparative dynamics of South-South cooperation and cultural exchange in Brazil and India, two rising powers with distinct approaches to engagement with the Global South. Despite their shared status as influential developing nations and their leadership within BRICS, both countries have pursued divergent pathways shaped by historical trajectories, diplomatic philosophies, and institutional designs. The research employs a comparative case study methodology, drawing on policy documents, cooperation agreements, academic research, and scholarly analyses spanning multiple decades to 2026. Brazil has emerged as a distinctive voice in South-South cooperation, emphasizing horizontal partnerships, non-intervention, and the sharing of domestic policy successes. Under Presidents Lula da Silva and Dilma Rousseff, Brazil positioned itself as a "development partner" rather than traditional donor, leveraging technical expertise in agriculture, health, and social protection. The flagship program, Mais Médicos (More Doctors), exemplified Brazil's approach—inviting Cuban doctors to serve in underserved areas while building local health capacity . Brazil's cooperation emphasized "structural" projects transferring Brazilian policies in conditional cash transfers, family farming support, and social welfare . However, this approach faced challenges: limited institutionalization left programs vulnerable to political shifts, as evidenced by the Bolsonaro administration's dismantling of South-South cooperation infrastructure . Cultural exchange through the Instituto Guimarães Rosa (formerly Centro Cultural Brasileiro) network promotes Portuguese language, Brazilian music, dance, and literature across Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean . Yet Brazil's South-South cooperation has been criticized as driven by commercial interests and a desire for global influence rather than genuine solidarity . India presents a…

This study examines the comparative dynamics of community participation in rural infrastructure projects in Niger and Nepal, two landlocked nations facing profound development challenges yet demonstrating distinctive approaches to engaging communities in infrastructure development. Despite their divergent geographical and cultural contexts, both countries grapple with the fundamental question of how to meaningfully involve local populations in projects that shape their daily lives—from water systems and roads to public spaces and digital infrastructure. The research employs a comparative case study methodology, drawing on project reports, policy documents, empirical studies, and scholarly analyses spanning 2020-2026. Niger's approach to community participation is shaped by its Sahelian context, extreme poverty, and the imperative of building resilience in fragile, conflict-affected regions. The NGO Garkua's integrated participatory community approach, developed since 2016, empowers communities through village action plans and committees that enable local implementation even when external actors cannot access conflict zones. This approach recognizes communities as partners rather than beneficiaries, with village committees meeting at commune level to form "communal community involvement platforms" that coordinate development actions (Alliance Sahel, 2025). The AdaptWAP project's well construction in Manga Koira village exemplifies participatory infrastructure development—community members were actively involved in planning and construction phases, ensuring the infrastructure met their specific needs for drinking water and livestock watering (OSS, 2024). The Karadjé Market improvement in Niamey, part of a global UN-Habitat initiative, demonstrated how small interventions like display tables, co-designed with informal vendors, can enhance hygiene and working conditions while fostering community ownership (HealthBridge, 2024). However, challenges persist:…

This study falls within SDG Focus Goal 13: Climate Action — Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning; Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning; Target 13.A: Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100 billion annually by 2020 from all sources to address the needs of developing countries. This study examines reforestation policies and sacred groves in Brazil and Indonesia, two countries with the world's largest tropical forests that have experienced high rates of deforestation but have also implemented significant reforestation programs and have rich traditions of sacred natural sites. The research analyzes how each country's reforestation policies address climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and community livelihoods, the role of sacred groves and traditional forest management in forest conservation, the integration (or lack thereof) of traditional knowledge with state-led reforestation, and the lessons for other countries seeking to reduce deforestation and restore degraded lands. A comparative analysis was conducted examining primary and secondary sources including government reports, satellite data (PRODES, INPE), academic research, ethnographic studies, and policy documentation covering recent decades to 2025. Brazil presents a context where reforestation policies have evolved significantly, with the Amazon rainforest as a global climate priority. Key features include the Legal Amazon deforestation monitoring (PRODES) providing annual deforestation rates since 1988, enabling evidence-based policy. The Action Plan for the Prevention…