The costs and benefits of European immigration

In the early 21st century Europe is confronted with an ageing population, stagnating or even declining native populations, high unemployment and in the most key countries also with slow economic growth. At the same time Europe remains one of the prime destinations of international migration. Free movement of people is a means of creating an integrated Europe. Geographic mobility also helps on establishing a more efficient labour market, to the long-term benefit of workers, employers, taxpayers and EU Member States. Thus, our paper quantifies current migration patterns (see pp. 14-15); it recollects theoretical (see pp. 16-27) and empirical arguments (see pp. 28-47) on why immigration is so important, to what extent labour mobility allows individuals to improve their job prospects and employers to recruit people with adequate skills. The paper also discusses what kind of common European policies should be undertaken to optimise benefits of international migration. All our findings might not only avail understanding the economic impact of immigration. But they have policy implications for migrant receiving countries in Europe as well. The aim is to develop a better understanding of how the EU and its Member States could use availability and skills of today's and future immigrant populations in order to cope with economic and demographic challenges. --

Effective patient–clinician interaction to improve treatment outcomes for patients with psychosis: a mixed-methods design

BACKGROUND:At least 100,000 patients with schizophrenia receive care from community mental health teams (CMHTs) in England. These patients have regular meetings with clinicians, who assess them, engage them in treatment and co-ordinate care. As these routine meetings are not commonly guided by research evidence, a new intervention, DIALOG, was previously designed to structure consultations. Using a hand-held computer, clinicians asked patients to rate their satisfaction with eight life domains and three treatment aspects, and to indicate whether or not additional help was needed in each area, with responses being graphically displayed and compared with previous ratings. In a European multicentre trial, the intervention improved patients’ quality of life over a 1-year period. The current programme builds on this research by further developing DIALOG in the UK. RESEARCH QUESTIONS:(1) How can the practical procedure of the intervention be improved, including the software used and the design of the user interface? (2) How can elements of resource-oriented interventions be incorporated into a clinician manual and training programme for a new, more extensive ‘DIALOG+’ intervention? (3) How effective and cost-effective is the new DIALOG+ intervention in improving treatment outcomes for patients with schizophrenia or a related disorder? (4) What are the views of patients and clinicians regarding the new DIALOG+ intervention? METHODS:We produced new software on a tablet computer for CMHTs in the NHS, informed by analysis of videos of DIALOG sessions from the original trial and six focus groups with 18 patients with psychosis. We developed the new ‘DIALOG+’ intervention in consultation with experts, incorporating principles of solution-focused therapy when responding to patients’ ratings and specifying the procedure in a manual and training programme for clinicians. We conducted an exploratory cluster randomised controlled trial with 49 clinicians and 179 patients with psychosis in East London NHS Foundation Trust, comparing DIALOG+ with an active control. Clinicians working as care co-ordinators in CMHTs (along with their patients) were cluster randomised 1 : 1 to either DIALOG+ or treatment as usual plus an active control, to prevent contamination. Intervention and control were to be administered monthly for 6 months, with data collected at baseline and at 3, 6 and 12 months following randomisation. The primary outcome was subjective quality of life as measured on the Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life; secondary outcomes were also measured. We also established the cost-effectiveness of the DIALOG intervention using data from the Client Service Receipt Inventory, which records patients’ retrospective reports of using health- and social-care services, including hospital services, outpatient services and medication, in the 3 months prior to each time point. Data were supplemented by the clinical notes in patients’ medical records to improve accuracy. We conducted an exploratory thematic analysis of 16 video-recorded DIALOG+ sessions and measured adherence in these videos using a specially developed adherence scale. We conducted focus groups with patients (n = 19) and clinicians (n = 19) about their experiences of the intervention, and conducted thematic analyses. We disseminated the findings and made the application (app), manual and training freely available, as well as producing a protocol for a definitive trial. RESULTS:Patients receiving the new intervention showed more favourable quality of life in the DIALOG+ group after 3 months (effect size: Cohen’s d = 0.34), after 6 months (Cohen’s d = 0.29) and after 12 months (Cohen’s d = 0.34). An analysis of video-recorded DIALOG+ sessions showed inconsistent implementation, with adherence to the intervention being a little over half of the possible score. Patients and clinicians from the DIALOG+ arm of the trial reported many positive experiences with the intervention, including better self-expression and improved efficiency of meetings. Difficulties reported with the intervention were addressed by further refining the DIALOG+ manual and training. Cost-effectiveness analyses found a 72% likelihood that the intervention both improved outcomes and saved costs. LIMITATIONS:The research was conducted solely in urban east London, meaning that the results may not be broadly generalisable to other settings. CONCLUSIONS:(1) Although services might consider adopting DIALOG+ based on the existing evidence, a definitive trial appears warranted; (2) applying DIALOG+ to patient groups with other mental disorders may be considered, and to groups with physical health problems; (3) a more flexible use with variable intervals might help to make the intervention even more acceptable and effective; (4) more process evaluation is required to identify what mechanisms precisely are involved in the improvements seen in the intervention group in the trial; and (5) what appears to make DIALOG+ effective is that it is not a separate treatment and not a technology that is administered by a specialist; rather, it changes and utilises the existing therapeutic relationship between patients and clinicians in CMHTs to initiate positive change, helping the patients to improve their quality of life. FUTURE RESEARCH:Future studies should include a definitive trial on DIALOG+ and test the effectiveness of the intervention with other populations, such as people with depression. TRIAL REGISTRATION:Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN34757603. FUNDING:The National Institute for Health Research Programme Grants for Applied Research programme

Liability for Unconscious Discrimination? A Thought Experiment in the Theory of Employment Discrimination Law

A steadily mounting body of social science research suggests that ascertaining a person’s conscious motives for an action may not always provide a complete explanation of why he did it. The phenomenon of unconscious bias presents a worrisome impediment to the achievement of fair equality in the workplace. There have been numerous deeply insightful articles discussing various aspects of this problem and canvassing its implications for antidiscrimination law. My purpose in this paper is to focus directly on what might be called a more naïve question: should implicit bias be a basis of disparate treatment liability under Title VII? The question might fairly be regarded as naïve insofar as any proposal for such liability would surely be unripe for present implementation, in light of serious issues pertaining to problems of proof in individual cases, not to mention intramural disputes among experts about the proper practical inferences that can be drawn from extant social science research. My interest, however, is more theoretically basic. I want to understand whether and how the notion of unconsciously biased action fits into our operative legal concept of actionable discrimination. To reach that issue, I devise a thought experiment in which I assume, first, that unconscious or implicit bias is real in a sense that I will make explicit, and second, that unconscious discrimination is provable – i.e., that the influence of implicit bias on an agent’s action is something that can, in principle, be proved in individual cases. With these assumptions, I construct an hypothetical test case that squarely raises what I regard to be the hard question for theorizing about unconscious discrimination. Should an employment action give rise to liability when that action was provably affected by the actor’s unconscious bias in respect of a statutorily protected classification, even when the actor consciously acted only on legitimate, nondiscriminatory reasons? The payoff of this thought experiment is not only a clearer picture of the theoretical commitments entailed by liability based on unconscious bias, but also a keener understanding of our currently prevailing notions of actionable discrimination

A red-tipped dawn : teaching and learning about indigeneity and the implications for citizenship education : a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Massey University, Palmerston North, Aotearoa New Zealand

The politics of Indigeneity and reconceptualisations of citizenship education present both challenges and opportunities to those of us engaged in teaching and learning about Indigeneity and citizenship in settler colonial societies. Utilising Kaupapa Māori (Indigenous, decolonising, critical) practitioner ethnography, this project investigated "what is best evidence-based practice in teaching and learning about Indigeneity? and what are the implications for citizenship education?" by examining existing literature and interviewing senior Indigenous, expert Indigeneity educators from Turtle Island (mainland USA and Canada), Hawai’i, Australia and Aotearoa. The findings from these interviews in particular offer significant guidelines for Indigeneity educators into the future: (1) best evidence-based practices in teaching and learning about Indigeneity, including the specific outcomes sought, the challenges that may be encountered with learners, and then curricula and pedagogical considerations to overcome these particular challenges; (2) citizenship as a site of Indigeneity struggles and the subsequent implications of Indigeneity for citizenship education, including what might be some initial curricula elements of transformative citizenship education in settler colonial societies, and; (3) the implications of best evidence-based practices in teaching and learning about Indigeneity for citizenship education generally in the areas of praxis, curricula and pedagogy

Learning from safeguarding adult reviews on self-neglect: addressing the challenge of change

Abstract   Purpose – One purpose is to update the core data set of self-neglect safeguarding adult reviews and accompanying thematic analysis. A second purpose is to address the challenge of change, exploring the necessary components beyond an action plan to ensure that findings and recommendations are embedded in policy and practice.   Design/methodology/approach – Further published reviews are added to the core data set from the web sites of Safeguarding Adults Boards. Thematic analysis is updated using the four domains employed previously. The repetitive nature of the findings prompts questions about how to embed policy and practice change, to ensure impactful use of learning from SARs. A framework for taking forward an action plan derived from SAR findings and recommendations is presented.   Findings – Familiar, even repetitive findings emerge once again from the thematic analysis. This level of analysis enables an understanding of both local geography and the national legal, policy and financial climate within which it sits. Such learning is valuable in itself, contributing to the evidence-base of what good practice with adults who self-neglect looks like. However, to avoid the accusation that lessons are not learned, something more than a straightforward action plan to implement the recommendations is necessary. A framework is conceptualised for a strategic and longer-term approach to embedding policy and practice change.   Research limitations/implications – There is still no national database of reviews commissioned by SABs so the data set reported here might be incomplete. The Care Act 2014 does not require publication of reports but only a summary of findings and recommendations in SAB annual reports. This makes learning for service improvement challenging. Reading the reviews reported here enables conclusions to be reached about issues to address locally and nationally to transform adult safeguarding policy and practice.   Practical implications – Answering the question “how to create sustainable change” is a significant challenge for safeguarding adult reviews. A framework is presented here, drawn from research on change management and learning from the review process itself. The critique of serious case reviews challenges those now engaged in safeguarding adult reviews to reflect on how transformational change can be achieved to improve the quality of adult safeguarding policy and practice.   Originality/value – The paper extends the thematic analysis of available reviews that focus on work with adults who self-neglect, further building on the evidence base for practice. The paper also contributes new perspectives to the process of following up safeguarding adult reviews by using the findings and recommendations systematically within a framework designed to embed change in policy and practice.     Keywords: Safeguarding adult reviews, change, self-neglect, action plans   Paper type: Research pape

Ocean Wilderness In Theory And Practice

Thesis (Ph.D.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2012Wilderness preservation has been an important focus of resource conservation since the dwindling number of wild places was perceived by some as losing a valued part of our collective natural and cultural heritage. While wilderness preservation efforts have been almost entirely focused on the land, recently there has been growing interest in "ocean wilderness." However, implementation has been constrained by the lack of a common vision of how "wilderness" is applied to the ocean, and how such areas should be managed and preserved. The purpose of this work was to identify and evaluate potential definitions of ocean wilderness and the values and qualities such areas possess, and to determine how they might be effectively identified and managed to preserve their wilderness character. This research focused on articulating a robust definition for "wilderness waters," within the context of how wilderness is currently conceived and articulated in law and policy, as well as evaluating how such areas might be most appropriately identified and managed. Extensive inventories were conducted of existing ocean wilderness areas, focused on North America, to determine what currently exists, how these areas are managed, and how future ocean wilderness designations should be prioritized. A survey was conducted, targeting resource managers and scientists, to identify preferences and perceptions of ocean wilderness and its potential stewardship. The survey results suggested that coastal waters possessed considerable values and qualities of wilderness, particularly areas adjacent to existing designated wilderness, that certain human uses might be appropriately permitted, and that there was much support for expanding the area of coastal waters designated as wilderness. The research also suggested that the North American Arctic might offer many opportunities for preserving ocean wilderness, in close collaboration with the Indigenous communities in this region. A number of recommendations were offered including that priority should be given to evaluating and designating areas adjacent to designated coastal wilderness areas, that the existing legal and policy framework in North America can be effectively used to expand the "wilderness waters" system, and that more work needs to be done to build the constituencies of support essential to accomplish this task

Copyright and the internet : closing the gates on the public domain

Can copyright survive in the digital era? Indeed, should copyright survive in the digital era? The development of information technologies in general, and the Internet in particular has held out the potential of unrivalled exchange of information, ideas and creative works. Perfect digital copies of all manner of works can, at a keystroke, be sent around the world to be received, enjoyed and used by millions. But that same potential has brought a threat, notably for the entertainment industries (intermediaries) whose livelihood depends on receiving a financial reward for making their works available to consumers. How then should the promise of such digital dissemination be reconciled with the threat for these intermediaries fearful of seeing their content distributed beyond their control? The answer has been to develop a raft of measures giving these intermediaries the power to control both access to and use of the underlying work. But what of the law of copyright? For hundreds of years that law has ensured that those same intermediaries can control dissemination of these works, but only to a limited extent. The borders on that power have been found in the limits that have been ascribed to the property right in a creative work. Thus intermediaries cannot exert control over onward dissemination of a tangible object containing the work, at least within prescribed territories and regions; the length of time for which protection can be claimed is limited; ideas contained within a work are left free; a work must be original before it attracts protection; copyright in a work is infringed only if a substantial part is copied, and a substantial part can be lawfully copied within defined circumstances. Together these parts beyond ownership are termed as being in the public domain. The precise boundaries of this public domain might be difficult to describe, but the intent within the overall framework is clear. It is not only the interests of the current author and the intermediary that are served by the law of copyright. The public interest is also satisfied in that a variety of new works can be created for consumption, advancement of knowledge and information. Critically, the public domain is essential in this process. No works are created without some reference to, and taking from, what pre-exists. This public domain thus ensures that would-be authors have a variety of sources on which to draw in creating anew. It is this element of the copyright framework that appears to have been ignored in the recent legislative process. This study traces the legislative efforts made affecting copyright in the digital era and highlight8 the measures taken to satisfy the demands of the intermediaries. It goes on to consider the public domain, what it is, what it is used for in the non-digitised world, and how it is and will be affected by recent developments. It will be argued that conditions for both access to and use of the public domain alter dramatically, critically to the detriment of the would-be author. Given the 'new' legislative framework seems set to govern this area in the foreseeable future, the discussion looks at ways in which the existence of the public domain might be encouraged for the benefit of would-be authors. Copyright should survive in the digital era, and many would argue that it does. But sadly it would appear that one facet of the balance that has been nurtured by the law, the public domain, will be left to be developed by self regulatory mechanisms, rather than being guarded by the legislature

Towards a Practice of Collaborative Sustainable Innovation Design: Foresight Enhancement and the DesignShop Process

This study proposes that the DesignShop process, a well-established innovation method in which the author is an experienced practitioner, might serve as the foundation for a practice of Collaborative Sustainable Innovation Design. By simultaneously exploring the DesignShop methodology and enhancing the Strategic Foresight aspects of DesignShop, 3 questions are addressed: In what ways might the DesignShop process be made more effective by the integration of alternative futures based strategic foresight?; In the context of the broad field of innovation design, what is different or unique about the DesignShop approach?, and; How might the DesignShop process be used to develop a collaborative approach to foresight? A literature review explores contemporary perspectives on complexity and wickedness, strategic foresight, and two different methodological context lenses: that of Innovation Methods, and; Dialogic Organizational Design and Large Group Interventions. A detailed summary of the DesignShop approach is provided. The research questions are explored through a real-world case study DesignShop engagement. A series of conjectures describing what makes DesignShop work, and what makes it different from the methods in parallel niches, are proposed. A proof-of-concept exploration of the integration of enhanced foresight into DesignShop is also explored, and a model for DesignShop-based collaborative foresight is proposed. The research might contribute to innovation design and foresight discourses in several ways, including: improved Strategic Foresight through the use of DesignShop techniques; improved innovation design, especially that of DesignShop practitioners; the opportunity to bring DesignShop to the attention of scholars, which may be of particularly significant value, and; to help lay a foundation for best-of-breed practices of innovation design

Implications of the emerging SARS-CoV-2 variant VOC 202012/01

Updated Dec. 22, 2020A new variant strain of SARS-CoV-2 that contains a series of mutations has been described in the United Kingdom (UK) and become highly prevalent in London and southeast England. Based on these mutations, this variant strain has been predicted to potentially be more rapidly transmissible than other circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2. Although a variant may predominate in a geographic area, that fact alone does not mean that the variant is more infectious. Scientists are working to learn more about this variant to better understand how easily it might be transmitted and whether currently authorized vaccines will protect people against it. At this time, there is no evidence that this variant causes more severe illness or increased risk of death. Information regarding the virologic, epidemiologic, and clinical characteristics of the variant are rapidly emerging. CDC, in collaboration with other public health agencies, is monitoring the situation closely. CDC will communicate new information as it becomes available.Executive summary -- Does this variant have a name? -- Why has this variant been in the news recently? -- Why has this variant emerged in the UK? -- Have we seen this variant in the United States? -- What do we know already about variants containing N501Y? -- What about the other mutations in this variant of SARS-CoV-2? -- What implications could the emergence of new variants have? -- Is this new variant related to the newly emergent variant in South Africa? -- What is CDC doing to track emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2?2020882

Assessing Impact, Evaluating Adaptability: A Decade of Radio La Benevolencija in Rwanda, Burundi and the DRC

For the past decade, Radio La Benevolencija (RLB) has worked in Rwanda, Burundi, and the DRC to provide citizens with tools for recognizing and resisting manipulation to violence and healing trauma. Until now, however, its numerous programs, projects, and contributions had not been synthesized, and its findings had not been evaluated as whole. The Center for Global Communication Studies at the Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania conducted an evaluation of RLB’s past ten years of work in the Great Lakes Region. In addition to understanding the aggregate impact of RLB’s programs, this meta-evaluation seeks to investigate what RLB’s work offers to others engaged in this field. We therefore seek to understand the adaptability of RLB’s methodology to other countries and contexts and how the RLB model might be used a prototype for future interventions.https://repository.upenn.edu/cgcs_monitoringandeval_videos/1000/thumbnail.jp