The global financial crisis and its effects on the international monetary funds

ABSTRACT This paper aims to analyze the innovations introduced in the functions of the International Monetary Fund in the context of the 2008 economic and financial crisis. This promoted an action that aimed to strengthen the surveillance function through the adoption of the Integrated Surveillance. Thus, alongside the traditional conditionality based on an a posteriori implementation of adequate economic policies, a criterion of ex ante conditionality in the precautionary branches was also introduced or based on the economic characteristics of the country to be financed. Concerning traditional conditionality, it will be asked whether the IMF has adopted a less extensive approach than its role.

Health Inequalities amongst Refugees and Migrant Workers in the Midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Report of Two Cases

Malaysia hosts a significant number of refugees, asylum-seekers and migrant workers. Healthcare access for these individuals has always proved a challenge: language barriers, financial constraints and mobility restrictions are some of the frequently cited hurdles. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these existing inequalities, with migrants and refugees bearing the brunt of chronic systemic injustices. Providing equitable healthcare access for all, regardless of their citizenship and social status remains an ethical challenge for healthcare providers, particularly within the framework of a resource-limited healthcare system. Inclusive healthcare and socio-economic policies are necessary to ensure every individual’s equal opportunity to attain good health. The collective experiences of refugees and migrants in the pursuit of healthcare, as highlighted by the two cases described, showcases the importance of equity in healthcare access and the detrimental implications of non-inclusive healthcare and socio-economic policies.

Transforming the Global Plastics Economy: The Role of Economic Policies in the Global Governance of Plastic Pollution

International policy discussions on plastic pollution are entering a new phase, with more than 100 governments calling for the launch of negotiations for a new global plastics agreement in 2022. This article aims to contribute to efforts to identify effective international policy levers to address plastic pollution. It takes stock of the evolution of views and perceptions on this complex and multi-faceted topic—from concerns about marine pollution and waste management towards new strategic directions that involve the entire plastics life-cycle and include climate and health impacts associated with the proliferation of plastics. It also traces the progressive development of responses—from voluntary approaches invovling multiple stakeholders to national and international approaches focused on regulation. The paper is informed by desk research, a literature review and participation by the authors in informal and formal global governance processes on plastic pollution, the environment and development in the United Nations and World Trade Organization between 2019 and 2021. It also draws on empirical findings from a novel and original database on the life-cycle of plastic trade created by the authors. The paper argues that the important focus on downstream dimensions of plastic pollution—and strategies to address them—needs to be complemented by a broad life-cycle and “upstream” perspective that addresses plastic pollution at its source. It highlights the political economy tensions and inconsistencies at hand, observing that while some countries are taking concerted efforts to reduce pollution (including through bans on certain kinds of plastic and plastic products); to promote more circular plastic economies; and to reduce the carbon footprint of plastics (as part of a wider effort to decarbonize their economies), trade and investment in the plastic industry continues to rise. The paper argues that to reduce plastic pollution, emerging global governance efforts must integrate international environmental law and cooperation with a complementary and enabling global framework that addresses the economic, financial, industrial and trade policies needed to drive the necessary transformation of the plastics sector.

Transformation of the Globalization Process

This chapter focuses on the analysis of the globalization process as a phenomenon of the recent decades. The chapter starts with an analysis of the roots of globalization, which are a combination of economic policies and labour-saving technologies. Then the most powerful actor, the transnational company, is introduced, followed by the analysis of their position in the world division of labour. Special attention is given to the changes brought by financial crises, especially the Great Recession. The changing nature of globalization is demonstrated also via the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the end, the author presents possible future scenarios, applying them on the Czech Republic, as a country strongly connected with the world economy and placed in the position of a dependent economy.

Neoliberalism in the Age of Populism

This chapter takes a critical look at the changes in the global economic policies within the new neoliberal paradigm. It highlights the relevant literature, starting with its evolutionary academic understanding, the notion of neoliberalism as an economic development model and a political imposition, and finally, the literature focused on its transformational abilities across sectors and boundaries. Such contribution to knowledge would have implications not just for developing nations but policy makers active within the space. Overall, the chapter provides a disaggregated understanding of the current international structure, particularly in light of the new wave of populist movements.

Trends of Students' Enrollment in Dhankuta Multiple Campus

This paper attempts to explore the students' enrolment trends in Dhankuta Multiple Campus. The discipline of geography has offered in Bachelor's degree level at the Faculties of Education (FoE), and Humanities, and Social Sciences (FoHSS) since 1970. This paper is based on the review of relevant materials collected from the official records of the Dhankuta Multiple Campus. The data covers 25 years (1996-2020) of student enrolment in the Bachelor's first year of both faculties. Students' enrolment data reveals that the student enrolment rate in the FoHSS seems to be the same while fluctuations observed in the FoE. The enrolment rate in the FoE reached its climax in 2005, and it has gradually declined after 2010. The FoE offered a single-subject specialization policy in the Bachelors of Degree Program, phasing out the proficiency certificate level from the university; the declining number of feeder schools offering geography and the state economic policies are responsible factors to deterioration the student enrolment. Therefore, the concerned authorities need to take appropriate steps to increase student enrolment.