Conclusions: security culture and transnational challenges – ECOWAS in comparative perspective

Drawing upon the various contributions to this special issue, this concluding article reflects upon the ways in which a shared security culture has influenced how the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has responded to transnational challenges. It then attempts to contextualise the ECOWAS approach by providing a brief comparative analysis of how other regional arrangements in Africa and Asia have addressed transnational challenges.     

‘Meeting the Challenge’? The Liberal Democrats' Policy Review of 2005–2006

Even before the 2005 election, the Liberal Democrats' Federal Policy Committee had agreed on the need for a review of party policy, in response both to domestic and international political developments since 2001. Intended to build upon the 2002 policy document 'It's About Freedom', 2005 heralded the launch of a Meeting the Challenge policy review, which provided an unprecedented opportunity for party members at all levels to contribute towards the refinement of Liberal Democrat policies and develop a clearer political narrative. This would enable the party to articulate its principles and goals more effectively in the run-up to the next general election. Through a variety of intra-party channels, conduits and forums, hundreds of responses from party members, and local and regional Liberal Democrat parties, offered analyses and policy suggestions. On various issues, these revealed ongoing debates between the party's ( Orange Book ) 'liberals' and 'social democrats'. The outcome of this intra-party consultation exercise was the 2006 policy document 'Trust in People', which was emphatically endorsed at the party's annual conference. This will now provide the framework for further policy development and clarification during the next two years.     

Performance of the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) in China: Achievements and Challenges as Seen by the Chinese

This paper discusses the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and its achievements and challenges in China, the country obtaining most GEF support. This paper relies on Chinese perceptions, and less on views from the implementing agencies (IAs), the World Bank, UNDP and UNEP. Most attention is given to climate change and biodiversity. The paper asks what has been achieved; how effective has the GEF been? The study concludes that GEF funding has been important for China’s environmental problems. GEF and its IAs have contributed to raised awareness and technology development and have boosted institutional capacity through participation in project activities and training. The main emphasis has been placed on climate change projects and less on biodiversity. Much has been achieved by the GEF in China, but challenges exist. At the international level, the interests and roles of the GEF system, its IAs and recipient countries are not always compatible. GEF projects may suffer as a consequence. Another challenge relates to the seeming difference in effectiveness between World Bank projects and projects of the other IAs. Domestic challenges concern turf battles, problems related to information sharing, and different priorities among actors. The various government institutions’ reluctance to co-operate impacts significantly on the performance of GEF projects in China. The IAs should insist on smoother collaboration, and force the institutions to work together. Moreover, severe problems are apparent regarding financing as well as application procedures. Improvements are under way regarding the GEF application procedures. This will have a limited impact unless the Chinese side simplifies and improves procedures.     

党的先进性建设面临的挑战及应对举措

21世纪党的先进性建设面临巨大挑战,主要表现在以下方面:西方敌对势力的西化分化图谋;西方文化激烈竞争;“中国威胁论”鼓噪声渐高;综合国力竞争日趋激烈;党员自身建设环境面临新的挑战。面对挑战,我们要从以下五方面做好新时期党的先进性建设:用当代最新的马克思主义武装党员;加强党的执政能力建设;建立健全党员先进性建设的长效机制;强化党员自身素质;加强党建的理论研究。     

民营出口企业：机遇、挑战及对策

加入 WTO以后,民营经济特别是外向型民营经济将拥有更多的发展机遇,民营出口企业将成为我国外贸出口发展的生力军。本文拟对民营出口企业的发展现状及对策做一探讨,以期促进外向型民营经济更快更好地发展。     

公安院校刑事诉讼法学教学模式的改革研究

当今世界,科学技术突飞猛进,社会已步入以人为本的知识经济时代。时代的发展使得公安法学教育面临新的机遇和挑战。因此,如何适应新时期社会需要,构建新的的公安法学教育模式,已是公安院校急需探索的一个紧迫课题。     

类型思维:刑法中规范构成要件要素存在的法理根据

理性至上与科学实证主义为刑法中记述性构成要件要素的创建及其普遍化提供了原动力,而同时它们的历史局限性也为规范构成要件要素的产生与存在敞开了大门。法学方法一元论为规范构成要件要素的类型特征与开放结构奠定了认识论基础,而规范构成要件要素的类型结构则是法学方法一元论在刑法中的一种具体体认。对规范构成要件要素具体内涵的把握也必将成为司法实践中的一个重要内容,刑法诠释方法的发达必将成为其发展方向。     

世界贸易组织面临的挑战与改革

世界贸易组织(WTO)自成立以来发展的历程从来都不是一帆风顺的。以WTO为代表的多边贸易体制在发展中面临着诸多严峻挑战,正处于十字路口。由于管辖范围不断向纵深发展、成员日益增多,WTO本身组织结构、决策机制等问题日益突出。西雅图会议的失败给WTO敲响了警钟。WTO应进行及时有效的改革,以崭新的面貌迎接新时代的挑战。     

Methodological and Ethical Challenges in Partnering for Refugee Research: Evidence From Two Australian Studies

In this article we reflect on methodological and ethical challenges encountered while conducting two large, nationally funded studies on refugee resettlement in Australia. We focus on collaborative research partnerships, specifically with “industry partners,” wherein the partners may have different understandings of the research process and different agendas, and with bilingual research assistants. We analyze methodological challenges primarily pertaining to collecting good-quality data in cross-cultural contexts and ethical challenges concerned with ensuring confidentiality in recently arrived, tightly knit communities where community insiders assisted in accessing respondents and collecting data.     

The political economy of infrastructure development in Africa: an assessment of the NEPAD Presidential Infrastructure Champion Initiative (PICI)

Using a political economy approach, this article examines the factors that cause high-profile political leaders on the African continent to champion particular regional infrastructure projects within the framework of the Presidential Infrastructure Champion Initiative (PICI). It also analyses the extent to which the presence of high-stature political champions enhances the prospects for project implementation. The paper argues that the economic and integrative potential of regional infrastructure projects, alongside the presence of high-stature political champions, do not necessarily guarantee implementation. Rather, it is the interplay of diverse economic, institutional and political factors and interests that determines the successful implementation, or otherwise, of the various championed infrastructure projects.