Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB)
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Energy Transformation in Lithuania
No full textThis open access Brief investigates the issue of energy transformation in small countries without their own fossil resources. Using Lithuania as a case study, the Brief analyses energy transformation from both a municipal and regional perspective, outlining the reasons for pursuing energy transformation, the main constraints that exist, and proposing practical methodologies for assessing local energy potential. The chapters focus on real-world challenges, including political barriers and competence gaps, while also making concrete policy recommendations and offering models for energy transformation in regional areas. Filling a critical gap in the discourse on municipal energy transformation, this Brief will be of interest to scholars, researchers, and policymakers in the fields of energy policy, regional development, and sustainability as well as professionals in municipal governance, energy sector decision-makers, and private sector stakeholders interested in decentralized energy solutions
The Human Right to Democracy in Multilevel Systems at a Time of Democratic Backsliding: Global, Regional and European Union Perspectives
Get PDFThis open access book takes stock of the current situation of the human right to democracy in multilevel systems of government - at a time of renewed struggles with antidemocratic forces (democratic backsliding). It tries to answer three questions: (1) Is there a human right to democracy in contemporary global and regional international law as well as European Union law and what consequences does that have for the States’ governmental structure (top-down perspective on national democracy)? (2) Does the human right to democracy also extend to decision-making at the international and supranational level (bottom-up perspective on international/supranational democracy)? (3) What is the relation between national democracy and international democracy and the corresponding human entitlements (interdependence perspective)? The first part of an answer to these questions derives from the elements of democracy proclaimed by the United Nations as a universal value. The second part results from an investigation of the national and international democratic ingredients of the right of self-determination of peoples, whose recognition and codification is the mainstay of the human rights revolution since 1945. The third part is added by a survey and comparison of the various democratic rights included in the global and regional human rights treaties that constitute the subjective cornerstones of democracy. The fourth part is devoted to analysing the EU as exemplary but imperfect multilevel democracy. In all these parts, the enforcement of democratic entitlements are also discussed. In the fifth part, conclusions will be drawn. The book is addressed to international and EU law experts as well as political scientists
A Digital Europe for Citizens
No full textThis "open access" book presents the Proceedings of the First International Conference “A Digital Europe for Citizens”, which was organised by the Jean Monnet Module DigEUCit, “A Digital Europe for Citizens. Constitutional and Policymaking Challenges” and the CIJ (Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Justice, Faculty of Law, University of Porto). It focuses on three main topics – data governance, digital markets, and digital services – and brings together chapters written by legal experts who address the EU’s accomplishments and future perspectives on the ongoing Digital Revolution, as well as the impact of digitalisation on the EU. Comparisons with other legal systems are also included. Adopting a holistic perspective with a focus on citizens, the book contends that constitutionalism must also be viewed in its role of ensuring democracy, an open and inclusive society, and a fair economy. It pursues an original, cross-sectoral and cutting-edge approach. In addition to discussing fundamental values and principles, the contributing authors address concrete and practical questions that arise from the EU’s policy and legal framework. The aim is to bring constitutionalism to the digital stage and to advance solutions and a proper framework, building on solid foundations. This comprehensive work will be of interest to legal scholars, academics, researchers and practitioners in the areas of European and constitutional law, data protection, competition and consumer law, as well as a larger audience of policymakers and digital entrepreneurs
The Inclusive Circular Economy
No full textThis open access book is a multi-disciplinary effort to address the complex socio-economic issues and the substantial environmental pressure that the expected large-scale migration will exert on cities in the near future. Emerging from a joint research project between China and the Netherlands, the authors herein put forward a vision for cities that the future demands while assessing efforts, recent and ongoing, in this direction. Building on the lessons learned from this research, it also proposes strategies and best practices for future policy aimed at the design and development of circular and inclusive cities
Sustainable Digital Finance
No full textDigital innovation is significantly reshaping the financial services landscape, pioneering new avenues for sustainable access, distribution, and management of financial resources. A myriad of real-world applications, such as enabling digital supply chain finance across agricultural and fashion value chains, and leveraging digital currencies to fuel smart meters in schools in developing nations, are continually emerging. Moreover, the advent of digital investment marketplaces, crowdfunding platforms, token-based financing, new payment infrastructures, digital wallets for waste management, and blockchain-based autonomous decentralized organizations, among others, underline the expansive and inclusive capabilities of digital finance. The potential of digital innovation extends far beyond our current imaginings. In this vein, this book seeks to present visionary, yet practical, perspectives that employ innovative technologies to address overarching sustainability challenges. This is an open access book
Health Systems, Health Services and Inequality in Population Health
No full textThis open access book shows the scientific and policy-added value of combining health systems, health services and population health research. In doing so the authors create awareness among researchers to look beyond the boundaries of their own discipline and promote cross-disciplinary collaboration. The book also gives an overview of what is known in the scientific literature about the relationships between the structure of health systems, health service provision and utilisation, and inequalities in population health. Health inequalities are unjust and avoidable and, as a focus of health policy in many governments, are widely studied in public health research. But studies of health inequalities too often ignore the role that health systems and health services play in the production of inequalities in population health and, as a consequence, their potential to create or reduce inequalities in health. Studies of inequalities in health often incorporate the social determinants of health. The same societal structures that form the social determinants of health also determine the health system structure and their impact on access to and the provision of health services and the benefits of health service use to patients with different socioeconomic backgrounds. This means that attempts to reduce health inequalities by addressing the social determinants of health must also consider the potential pathway through the health system and the provision of health services. In the final chapter the authors discuss ways of breaking down the barriers between the three approaches. After reading this compact volume, researchers will be more aware of the theoretical and methodological approaches in the three areas and more inclined to look beyond the boundaries of their own discipline. Health Systems, Health Services and Inequality in Population Health is essential reading for researchers in health systems research, health services research and population health research. In addition, the brief is relevant for health policy researchers, health impact researchers, health economists, epidemiologists, public health practitioners and professionals in health services planning and management
Transport Transitions: Advancing Sustainable and Inclusive Mobility
No full textThis is an open access book. It gathers the proceedings of the 10th edition of Transport Research Arena (TRA 2024), held on 15-18 April, 2024, in Dublin, Ireland. Contributions cover a wide range of research findings, methodological aspects, technologies and policy issues that are currently reshaping the transport and mobility system in different parts of Europe. Bridging between academic research, industrial developments, and regulations, this book offers a comprehensive review of the state-of-the art in transportation, with a special emphasis on topics concerning digital transition in transport, and inclusive and sustainable mobility alike. This is the first volume of a 6-volume set
Integrative Forest Management and Silviculture
No full textThis open access book presents the integrative forest management and silvicultural practices developed by the University of Tokyo Hokkaido Forest (UTHF) over the past six decades. Central to the UTHF’s approach is the Stand-based Silvicultural Management System (SSMS), a pioneering framework designed to balance timber production with biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health. The book details the SSMS and its application at the UTHF, which serves as a model for integrative forest management applicable to diverse forest ecosystems worldwide. The focus of the book is on the scientific basis, achievements, and challenges of SSMS in the UTHF. Part I includes this outline of this book and the history of the UTHF′s forest management since 1899. Part II introduces the ecosystem and geographical characteristics of the UTHF, where the SSMS is put into practice. Part III presents the basic principles and practical application of the SSMS. Ecosystem management and ecosystem services of the UTHF at the landscape scale are discussed in Part IV. Part V discusses challenges and opportunities for advancing integrative forest management in a rapidly changing environment. Through case studies and detailed analysis, this book serves as a valuable resource for forestry scientists, practitioners, and policymakers. It offers insights into sustainable forest management in a changing world. By sharing the experiences and lessons learned from the UTHF, the book aims to inspire and guide the advancement of sustainable forestry practices globally. The publication of this book commemorates the 125th anniversary of the University of Tokyo Hokkaido Forest
In fremden Häusern
No full textNach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg erlebte Polen eine radikale Transformation seines Regimes, eine Neuausrichtung seiner Grenzen und eine Umsiedlung der Bevölkerung. Vor dem Hintergrund dieser Ereignisse infolge internationaler Abkommen erzählt das Buch die ambivalente Geschichte von polnischen und polnisch-jüdischen Siedlern aus den im Osten an die Sowjetunion verlorenen Gebieten, die sich nun in den »Heimen« von Deutschen und deutschen Juden in den im Westen annektierten Regionen wiederfanden. Das Nach- und Nebeneinander von nach Westen geflohenen deutschen Siedlern, von Polen, die gerade erst einen erzwungenen Bevölkerungsaustausch erduldet hatten, und von überlebenden polnischen Juden, die widerwillig zu Erben des materiellen und kulturellen Eigentums altehrwürdiger, im Holocaust vernichteter deutsch-jüdischer Gemeinden wurden, wird dabei mit einem besonderem Fokus auf die menschlichen und persönlichen Erfahrungen, die mit den Änderungen der Besitzverhältnisse einhergingen, ungeschönt beschrieben. Aus der Chronologie des Verlusts und der Aneignung von Objekten ergibt sich eine neue Sichtweise auf die Herausbildung der polnischen Nachkriegsgesellschaft
An den Grenzen der Kritik
No full textCriticism has reached its limits: it is omnipresent in the social sciences, but has become predictable and feeble. This study explores post-critical alternatives without abandoning the achievements of critical theories. Building on pragmatic and poststructuralist theories, the book develops a multifaceted plea for relationality, symmetry, and affirmation. It invites readers to redefine pedagogical phenomena and explore social and educational thinking beyond familiar critical discourses.PublishedKritik stößt an ihre Grenzen: Sie ist in den Sozialwissenschaften weit verbreitet, aber vorhersehbar und kraftlos geworden. Diese Studie erkundet post-kritische Alternativen, ohne die Errungenschaften Kritischer Theorien aufzugeben. Aufbauend auf pragmatistischen und poststrukturalistischen Theorieangeboten entfaltet das Buch ein perspektivenreiches Plädoyer für Relationalität, Symmetrie und Affirmation. Es lädt dazu ein, pädagogische Phänomene neu zu beschreiben und sozial- und erziehungswissenschaftliches Denken abseits vertrauter kritischer Sprechweisen zu erkunden