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The application of social sciences has been recognized as valuable to inclusive humanitarian programming that aims to be attentive to the needs and initiatives of affected communities. However, the integration of social science-informed community engagement (CE) approaches in humanitarian action remains episodic, fragmented, and under-resourced. This research article provides insights from a study that reviewed existing and needed capacities for the systematic integration of social sciences for community engagement in humanitarian action. We examined what capacity resources exist and what resources need to be developed for strengthening social science integration into humanitarian programming for improved engagement of affected and at-risk communities in conflict and hazard contexts. A mixed method approach was used, including twenty-two key informant interviews and a focus group discussion with social scientists and humanitarian practitioners, an online survey with 42 respondents, a literature review, and a year-long monthly consultation with social scientists and humanitarian practitioners in a UNICEF-led global technical working group. Results illustrate insights on the value of the "social science lens" in humanitarian action and current usage of different social science disciplines. Challenges found include different understandings (e.g., on standardization), languages and methods used by practitioners and social scientists, and how to integrate the seemingly "slow" processes of social sciences to fit emergency response. Institutional barriers to mainstream community-centered humanitarian action facilitated by the social sciences include top-down decision-making and resourcing, lack of localization, and many siloed, dispersed, and episodic efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The methodology applied for the development of the research process is framed in a conceptual basis associated with the systemic approach of the territory and the landscape units as a tool for their multiscale planning; and the municipal territorial diagnosis that allowed evidencing the potentialities and land and use conflicts associated with the construction and operational- ization of the multipurpose reservoir Topocoro. As a result, a series of strategic guidelines for sustainable development is obtained that serves as the basis for the structuring of a sustainable land management model that allows to organize the municipality of Betulia in macro units and landscape units focused on configuring plot units on sites that do not mainly affect biotic and abiotic mass, contribute to economic reactivation and the improvement of the living conditions of local communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In construction projects, when resources assigned to two or more simultaneous activities share the same workspace, they generate time-space conflicts associated with congestion, safety, and quality issues. The use of building information modeling (BIM) methodologies, particularly four-dimensional (4D) models, offers the possibility to facilitate the identification of these types of conflicts. Existing literature has proposed formal methods for conflict detection; however, these largely focus on automating computational analyses without providing a practical and useful procedure for planners. Moreover, previous research has not evaluated the impact of using formal conflict detection methodologies. To address these gaps, this study proposes and evaluates the use of a formal conflict detection methodology in workspaces based on 4D-BIM. The research methodology includes a first stage that develops and validates the formalized conflict detection methodology through a literature review and interviews with field professionals. The second stage quantifies the impact of using the proposed methodology through an experiment that compares the effectiveness and efficiency of a group of planners in detecting conflicts using 4D-BIM models with and without the proposed methodology. The results demonstrate that the formalized methodology enhances the planning process by increasing the detection of conflicts from 18% to 82%. Additionally, the formalized methodology reduces review time by 23% and enhances user experience. These findings contribute to improving the planning process by managing and reducing time-space conflicts in construction schedules. Consequently, the construction process will become more efficient by averting issues related to productivity, safety, and quality based on the identification of workspace conflicts. Last, the proposed methodology contributes to a better adoption of BIM by providing a structured procedure for using the 4D-BIM model to support planning processes. Practical Applications: This study lays the groundwork for companies aiming to enhance their conflict detection processes and refine planning and conflict management procedures. The practical contributions include achieving greater effectiveness and efficiency in identifying conflicts in workspaces. The proposed formalized methodology enhances productivity, reduces safety-related risks, and prevents quality issues in building projects by managing and mitigating time-space conflicts in construction programs. Additionally, the research contributes to the enrichment of BIM application in construction activity planning. It formalizes the use of BIM through a conflict detection methodology, particularly in the analysis of construction programs and the identification of workspace conflicts. The results further strengthen the application of the BIM methodology by facilitating the design of BIM processes associated with planning, incorporating the methodology proposed in this research. Furthermore, the study encourages the adoption of BIM in construction activity planning by evaluating the positive impact of the proposed formalized methodology, providing evidence for its implementation in organizations and highlighting its potential benefits in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The application of social sciences has been recognized as valuable to inclusive humanitarian programming that aims to be attentive to the needs and initiatives of affected communities. However, the integration of social science-informed community engagement (CE) approaches in humanitarian action remains episodic, fragmented, and under-resourced. This research article provides insights from a study that reviewed existing and needed capacities for the systematic integration of social sciences for community engagement in humanitarian action. We examined what capacity resources exist and what resources need to be developed for strengthening social science integration into humanitarian programming for improved engagement of affected and at-risk communities in conflict and hazard contexts. A mixed method approach was used, including twenty-two key informant interviews and a focus group discussion with social scientists and humanitarian practitioners, an online survey with 42 respondents, a literature review, and a year-long monthly consultation with social scientists and humanitarian practitioners in a UNICEF-led global technical working group. Results illustrate insights on the value of the “social science lens” in humanitarian action and current usage of different social science disciplines. Challenges found include different understandings (e.g., on standardization), languages and methods used by practitioners and social scientists, and how to integrate the seemingly “slow” processes of social sciences to fit emergency response. Institutional barriers to mainstream community-centered humanitarian action facilitated by the social sciences include top-down decision-making and resourcing, lack of localization, and many siloed, dispersed, and episodic efforts.

Abstract East Africa struggles with a profound challenge in ensuring food security amidst the convergence of climate change, economic crises, and conflicts. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the interconnected and compounding effects of these three factors on the region’s food security landscape. It investigates the complex ways in which shifting climatic patterns disrupt agricultural systems, exacerbating food scarcity and amplifying vulnerabilities among marginalized communities. The study also examines the intertwined impact of economic downturns, which diminish access to resources, disrupt supply chains, and deepen food insecurity. Furthermore, the paper scrutinizes the ramifications of persistent conflicts, which not only displace populations but also destabilize agricultural production, aggravating food shortages. To achieve the objective of this, review the authors have collected the relevant documents through search engines of Web of Science, Google, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Science Direct databases. This review found that climate change, economic instability, and conflict are the primary challenges to food security in East Africa. Climate change exacerbates extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and pest infestations, reducing agricultural productivity and economic growth. Economic instability stems from a lack of industrialization, dependence on foreign aid, and significant investment gaps, resulting in persistent poverty and underdevelopment. Additionally, conflict and instability disrupt agricultural activities, displace populations, and restrict access to essential resources, further aggravating food insecurity. The study emphasizes the necessity for coordinated efforts among governments, international organizations, and local communities to navigate these intersecting crises and establish sustainable pathways toward enhanced food security in the region.

Currently, there are a significant number of international treaties aimed at protecting human rights and international humanitarian law, which aim to reduce the suffering of civilians in conflicts. However, in reality, their implementation and effectiveness can vary significantly depending on the political will of countries, the intervention of third-party forces, and the complexity of the conflicts themselves. In particular, international law often faces implementation difficulties and states’ disregard for their obligations. The aggression of authoritarian regimes and massive human rights violations may remain outside the influence of international norms and standards due to the lack of international consolidation or political dependence. Thus, although international treaties are designed to protect human rights, reality shows that their impact may be limited, especially in the context of global conflicts, hybrid confrontations, etc.

Reforms in the education system often cause changes that can lead to anxiety and stress among teachers and other relevant actors. This article focuses on determining the relationship between the degree of anxiety and conflict tendencies among educators, teachers and other employees in the education sector during reform processes in education. The research objective is to understand how anxiety and conflicts manifest and influence each other in the context of change and adaptation within educational institutions. In addition, this research aims to provide a deeper insight into the emotional and interpersonal challenges faced by professionals during the reforms. The methodology of information gathering is based on the creation of questionnaires for respondents which consisted of two parts, a standardized test for the assessment of anxiety in the workplace (APS), and the expression of the respondents’ attitudes on the impact of reform processes on the occurrence of conflicts. The results may provide an insight into the needs of adapting reform processes in order to reduce anxiety and conflicts and improvement in the quality of education. Ultimately, this study aims to contribute to the development of strategies that support educators during periods of significant institutional change.

Through a study of the practices of Koglweogo self-defense groups, this article describes the ordinary violence that plagued rural Burkina Faso prior to the current armed conflict. It focuses on the forms of privatization of coercion by these armed men, particularly those that have been grafted onto economic activities and the governance of populations. Controlling the movement of people and goods, as well as the establishment of a local justice system, were already seen as central and strategic elements in the political tensions that ran through these "bush" areas, now plunged into war with jihadist groups.

The purpose of the study is to quantify the impact of integration and geopolitical factors on trade of the Russian Far East with foreign countries. The estimates obtained on the basis of gravity modeling for 2000–2021 revealed the stimulating influence of integration factors (participation of Russia and trade partner countries in the WTO; Russia’s participation in ‘deep’ trade agreements) and the restraining influence of geopolitical factors (acute political confrontation between Russia and foreign countries; sanctions imposed on the Russian economy) on the Far East’s foreign trade. It was established that the participation of Russia and trade partner countries in the WTO contributed to the increase in foreign trade of the Russian Far East by 58%. The positive indirect influence of the ‘WTO factor’ and the stimulating effect of the global economic environment on foreign trade turnover of the Russian Far East was determined, indicating the ‘sensitivity’ of the macro-region’s open economy to trade liberalization at the global level. It was found that Russia’s creation of ‘deep’ integration formats with the Eurasian Economic Union countries and Vietnam contributed to an increase in the Far East’s trade with them by 141%, but the share of these economies in the macro-region’s foreign trade was small. It was found that the presence of an acute political conflict between Russia and foreign countries reduced the Far East’s trade with these countries by 79%, but due to the small share of these countries in the macro-region’s trade turnover, this effect was almost imperceptible. It was determined that the imposition of sanctions against Russia by a number of Western countries in 2014–2021 led to a 43% reduction in the Far East’s trade turnover with them and could contribute to the accelerated construction of infrastructure for the supply of hydrocarbons to the Chinese market, limiting the opportunities for geographical diversification of the macro-region’s exports

Internal migration caused by the war of russia against Ukraine (with the active phase starting in February 2022) has increased the socio-economic burden on the host communities welcoming internally displaced population from the frontline and occupied territories. On the other hand, it intensifies behavioral reflections of local residents on the integration of internally displaced persons (IDPs). The study aims to identify opportunities, challenges, and prospects for IDPs’ adaptation in host communities (a case study of Lviv oblast, Ukraine). The paper conducted a sociological survey among 2,500 respondents in November 2022–February 2023. The results show that the lack of housing, lack of permanent employment, language contradictions, and forced limited contact with relatives who remain in the combat zone are existential barriers to the integration of IDPs into host communities. The study identified such opportunities for the integration of IDPs into the host society: reducing the risk of depopulation of territories, reducing imbalances in the local labor market in certain sectors of the economy, strengthening social cohesion, developing small businesses, and improving social infrastructure. The respective challenges include increased social tension, competition for jobs and housing, shortage of places in preschool institutions, and disproportionate distribution of budget funds between the local population and IDPs. Conflicts between IDPs and local residents, as well as IDPs and local authorities, require a proactive position of local authorities to initiate psychological support programs and create communication platforms for the exchange of individual experiences and discussion of psychological and emotional issues.

ABSTRACTCities are described as urban heat islands (UHI) due to the intensity of the heat generated by urban activities. Buildings, for example, absorb and emit heat, which contributes to urban heat. Cities contribute to global warming, which, over time, influences climate change. Cities contend with these challenges concurrently through mitigation and adaptation strategies. Through their unintended conflicts and trade-offs, the strategies may impact each other adversely. What are typologies of these trade-offs and conflicts, and how do they influence the effectiveness of UHI management by governments? To answer this research question, this paper used the desktop, case-study and evidence-based research techniques. The paper found and discussed specific conflicts and trade-offs between UHI mitigation and adaptation strategies, as well as effective integration, innovation and evaluation management mechanisms. The findings should provide actionable insights for urban policymakers and planners, on UHI management and long-term climate resilience in cities.

This study investigated the work-from-home (WFH) experiences of 211 customer and service representatives, along with five team leaders, employed in the five top-ranking Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies in Pampanga, Philippines. It examined the effects of conflicts and technostress on the employee job performance and satisfaction. The study revealed that while quantitative analysis shows that family-work conflict has a negative effect on the job performance, qualitative data suggests that the WFH scheme permits BPO employees to balance their work and family obligations, despite statistical evidence of the opposing results. While quantitative results indicate that technostress, specifically techno-pile and techno-invasion, has a negative effect on job performance and satisfaction, qualitative findings emphasize the importance of computer know-how as well as other factors when measuring BPO employees’ job satisfaction. The divergent findings between quantitative and qualitative data underscore the role of cultural, organizational, and contextual factors in shaping outcomes in WFH environments. This study underlines the difficulties of WFH relations, as well as the importance of employing a diversified approach to identifying and addressing the issues that WFH BPO employees confront. The findings of this research are vital for developing tailored interventions and shaping effective remote work policies in the BPO sector, aiming to mitigate challenges and enhance the overall WFH experience.

The article presents the results of the study of the British newspaper The Times' approaches to covering the military coups in Gabon and Niger in 2023. The research methodology included quantitative and qualitative content analysis and analysis of publications according to the criteria of the concept of constructive journalism. The empirical base consisted of The Times articles for the first 10 months of 2023. The results of the comparative analysis of the texts showed that the publications do not comply with the principles of the concept of constructive journalism and do not take into account the basic methods of positive psychology. Russia is mentioned in most publications in the context of military cooperation in the region, with half of the publications being neutral and the rest negative. In part of the publications negative characteristics are given without arguments, references to documents, to statements of the Russian leadership with the designation of Russia's position. Such publications are characterized by their focus on discrediting cooperation between African countries and Russia. This cooperation is assessed as a way to lead to crisis and deterioration of security in the region. At the same time, journalists express in their publications only their own views and do not provide assessments and opinions of experts of international organizations and citizens of African states.

The analytical review of studies of the anti-crisis role of fiscal federalism during economic, ecological, epidemic challenges and territorial conflicts in 1950–2024 reveals four paradoxes. The first of them indicates the scientific validity of the positive anti-crisis effect of fiscal decentralization. But when crises arise in practice, decentralization turns out to be unclaimed, and preference is given to centralization. The second paradox is related to the nonlinear positive effect of fiscal decentralization on economic growth, natural resources consumption, and carbon emissions. For example, the nonlinear positive effect of decentralization is achieved when the institutional context is improved. The third paradox is the relatively weak methodological elaboration of fiscal federalism during pandemic challenges, although it had the greatest practical relevance compared to more in-depth econometric studies of economic and environmental challenges. The fourth paradox is that fiscal federalism can both resolve the territorial conflict and create the preconditions for its resumption in the future. The peacemaking conditions of fiscal federalism are transparency and stability of inter-budget transfers, as well as insured access of the conflict region to its natural resources.

The growth of geopolitical tension and conflicts in the modern world pose a serious threat to the international security system. It has been established that in recent years conflict at the international level has reached a critical level with the highest risk of nuclear confrontation based on the results of the conducted research. In this regard, issues of constructive resolution of international conflicts, establishment and maintenance of a stable structure of international relations are gaining significant relevance. The purpose of the article is to determine the essence of conflicts with the study of their impact on the state of international security and to build an analytical basis for the formation of systemic decisions aimed at their settlement in the conditions of growing geopolitical tension. Analysis of conceptual approaches, theories and concepts of conflict research has been provided in the course of the research. Classifications and typologies of international conflicts are considered with an emphasis on the main structural elements of the conflict. The formation of an analytical system for supporting strategic decision-making has been proposed in order to solve issues related to the settlement of international conflicts and the effective development of international relations. The proposed system combines four subsystems, namely: the subsystem of forming information databases, the subsystem of determining relationships, the subsystem of modelling and the subsystem of forming strategic decisions. The practical use of the proposed system will make it possible to form analytical information and determine the dominant factors of influence on the socio-economic state and the conflict situation. It is possible to determine the trends in the development of international conflicts and to form strategies for their settlement and increase the efficiency of international relations, taking into account the long-term perspective on the basis of obtaining analytical information.

Background. In demographic processes, a significant place is occupied by such a type of immigration as the return of representatives of the indigenous population to the mother state. Many states, including Kazakhstan, adopt special programs aimed at adapting immigrants to the host society. However, the integration of kandas (fellow countrymen) into Kazakh society is not always painless for both the repatriates themselves and the local population.The aim of the study. To justify the need for a pragmatic approach to immigration in modern Kazakhstan, taking into account new risks and challenges.Materials and methods. The methodology for studying social phenomena and interactions in concept is based on classical approaches: the theory of structural functionalism, symbolic interactionism, conflict theory, the theory of communicative action. To collect primary social information, qualitative and quantitative methods of sociology were used: statistical information analysis, focus groups, interviews, questionnaires.Results. The resettlement of ethnic Kazakhs from farand near-abroad countries and their settlement in Kazakhstan affect the change in the demographic structure of the regional population. On the one hand, mostly young people of active, working age arrive, who can contribute to the economic development of the country. On the other hand, not all immigrants have the working qualifications necessary for a particular region. The conditions of turbulent social processes and complicated geopolitical situation require a pragmatic approach to immigration, which takes into account education, profession and other characteristics of immigrants.Conclusion. Resettlement processes in manpower-surplus areas require special attention from the authorities. It is necessary to look at resettlement processes as a tool for solving socio-economic problems. First of all, these objectives include improving the well-being of the local population living in these regions and reducing risks and challenges for the state.

Talking about contemporary Arabian and African sculpture is worthy of consideration to study because we truly need to discuss "conflicts" as a concept and its impact on creating sculptural works due to these surrounding changes that peoples and societies have been experienced., when we try to monitor the artistic movement of the African and Arabian societies we find out artists have presented a contemporary concepts through their formative visions that draw our attentions especially when it comes to dealing with conflicts as a concept according to the national issues and troubles in their country , so sculpture nowadays has come to express the culture of communities more and more because the world is witnessing lots of crises and pressure which had the greatest effect on the formation of artistic vision to the Arabian and African artists and manifested in their work . Through their sculpture they were able to share their peoples in translating history that included controversial events, and that’s because they didn’t just introduce new art forms but they went deep to the core of it to express their visions and issues in an efficient way. Human topics that considered as a reflection of man's concerns and suffering in Arab and African societies are serve as a panorama to monitor and capture the events through history. That’s why the researcher shaded light on some of the successful examples and how they introduced their artistic visions to become a mixture of their creativities and humanitarian issues, Which created a breakthrough in African and Arabian sculpture and turned it to an important tool to represent the identity and the issues of each society. Art is a human phenomenon reflects the culture of the society and considered a communication tool and related to the core of the culture of this time and become the cultural expressions of the century.

Cet article dissèque les tensions intercommunautaires entre les peuples Teke et Yaka dans deux provinces de la République Démocratique du Congo qui ont occasionné des centaines de morts, des déplacés et des dégâts matériels importants. Cette crise toujours en cours a détruit l’harmonie qui caractérisait jadis ces deux communautés. Elle remet en question l’unité nationale à l’épreuve des diversités communautaires d’une part et, d’autre part, l’enjeu géopolitique des acteurs politiques souvent accusés d’alimenter des conflits intercommunautaires pour des intérêts politiques. La communication persuasive intervient comme une stratégie permettant aux deux communautés de vivre harmonieusement ensemble.

The purpose of this article is to study psychological characteristics and parents-children interpersonal relationships in the family with a child with intellectual disabilities. Methods of the research. The following theoretical methods of the research were used to solve the tasks formulated in the article: a categorical method, structural and functional methods, the methods of the analysis, systematization, modeling, generalization. The empirical method is a pilot research. The results of the research. Such personal characteristics, as aggression, infantilism, shyness (the result of disrupted relationships between a child and his/her parents) can be attributed to three levels of parent-child interpersonal relationships: Level I – the relationships between parents and a child are characterized as passive-defensive ones, children are in a state of hidden conflict, there is no possibility of establishing emotional intimacy; Level II – there is adaptive atmosphere of emotional incontinence in the family. Children adopt this style and treat their parents in a “mirror” way – it is active-defensive style. Children are confident that their requests and desires will not be satisfied. Accusations are responded to them with aggression. They do not know how to restrain emotional reactions; their behavior is dominated by excitability, conflicts and aggressiveness; Level III – there are the same family characteristics as in the second level, but children are noted to have a weak nervous system. As a result, in response to sharp influences from the side of their parents, physiological disorders arise such reactions, as tic, enuresis, stuttering. Typically, such a child is characterized by obedience, but the possibility of outbursts of aggression towards peers cannot be ruled out. Conclusions. We showed, that the extreme variant of violations of the relationships between parents and children was “maternal deprivation”. This condition is characterized by severe psychological discomfort of the child, occurs in conditions of constant absence of the mother or severe rejection from the side of her attitude to a child. Both in theoretical and experimental studies which deal with the influence of the family situation on the formation of behavioral tendencies and personality traits of children, play the enormous role of the mother. So, in the situation of the absence of the mother or in the situation where the child saw her extremely rarely, the child felt emotional discomfort, cried more often, was stubborn and aggressive.

Conflict is a fundamental part of life, emerging in many different contexts. As tertiary institutions resumed in-person classes following the pandemic's shift to online learning, student nurses like other students encountered numerous challenges and had to make essential adjustments. This quantitative-descriptive study aimed to identify the conflicts encountered by student nurses as they transitioned from online to face-toface learning and describe the conflict management styles they employ in response. A total of 144 respondents answered a researcher-made survey questionnaire to collect necessary data, which were then analyzed using frequency count, percentage distribution, weighted mean score, and standard deviation. Findings indicated that mostly experienced conflicts were intrapersonal; moreover, collaborative and compromising styles were prominent as their conflict management styles. It can be concluded that the respondents mainly involve internal struggles as their conflicts during the transition between learning modalities, highlighting the need for interventions and training programs, which could also enhance their application of other conflict management styles. Additionally, empirical recommendations are provided for educational institutions, relevant stakeholders, and future researchers to enhance the student body's general well-being and academic success concerning understanding and managing conflicts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The military-industrial complex, military operations, and wars are major contributors to exacerbating both climate change and biodiversity crises. However, their environmental impacts are often shadowed due to national security reasons. The current paper aims to go through the devastating impacts of military operations and wars on climate change and biodiversity loss and challenges that hinder the inclusion of military-related activities into environmental crisis mitigation efforts. The information blind spot induced by concerns about national security reasons jeopardizes the efforts to involve the military-industrial complex and military operations in the global climate and biodiversity agendas. Besides that, many military-related challenges, such as specificity of operational requirements and lifecycles, dependence on fossil fuels, complex supply change, inadequate civilian technologies and innovations, and requirements of structural changes, can hinder emission reduction. Meanwhile, wars and conflicts not only threaten to drain all human and material resources available to tackle environmental problems but also inflict long-lasting destructions, pains, and trauma that can lead to hatred and distrust among nations and parties. With the rising hatred and distrust, global agreement and commitment to address climate change and biodiversity will hardly be achieved. Thus, promoting peace is the humanistic and planetary conscience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses why and how institutional change occurs, incorporating power and resources into the analysis, using the example of the relationship between the central government and local governments in Japan before and after World War II. Institutional change is not the result of "rational" choices made by the institutional designers, but the "unintended consequences" of deviant behavior of the agents under their control that deviates from the guidance of the institutional designers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Specific focus was on Kwitete village in Serengeti District in Mara Region, Tanzania, where the District Council initiated a village land use planning process, but never took it to the end. The abandoned villagers managed to use the half done plan to start implementing it and in a number of ways they succeeded not only to minimize conflicts, but also to reap some economic gains. Specifically, the study aimed to document in-detail the participatory process by which planning and plan implementation went through; and to examine the effectiveness of the plan in reducing conflicts between farmers and herders. Goal and Objectives: The overall objective of this study is to explore experiences of villagers' initiatives in minimizing conflicts between crop growers and herders through participatory village land use planning. Specifically to document in-detail the participatory process by which planning and plan implementation went through; and to examine the effectiveness of the plan in reducing conflicts between farmers and herders. Methodology: The study is an output of a single case strategy on how the villagers went about to manage and implement their village land use plan. On methodological fronts; literature review (files, minutes and letters), transect walks, resource mapping, observation, photographing, Focus Group Discussion, Key Informant interview and household interview for quantifiable data formed the key methods of data collection. Results: The study has revealed that when villagers accept with sincerity to participate in a planning process to solve problems affecting their livelihood, they are likely to carry out the process and use their available resources to ensure success. Village leaders who were in the leadership at the initial planning stage have been more active than those who joined the leadership later. They have been able to mobilize fellow villagers to widen cattle routes, dig a charco dam and construct a cattle dip in accordance with the village land use plan. Widening of the cattle routes and digging a charco dam have helped reduce incidences of conflicts as animals now cannot reach crops easily. Construction of a cattle dip has helped reduce animal diseases. At the centre of success is the leaders' ability to communicate for financial support from different sources and at the same time mobilize their fellow villagers effectively for joint work. They have employed formal and informal governing tools in the process. Formal tools included use of hamlet (Vitongoji) leadership to take leads in getting labour for construction work. Informal tools include the Kurya "Rika"/"Saiga" groups and "Ritongo" to exercise their traditional means of mobilizing their group members and managing communal works; their ability to impose sanctions on offenders and award respect or any traditional objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the multifaceted challenges posed by the current global conflict landscape, emphasizing the interconnectedness of development, security, and peace. Firstly, the article highlights the increase in both state and non-state conflicts, with fatalities nearly doubling from 2021 to 2022. This escalation is marked by significant conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war and the Tigray conflict in Ethiopia, contributing to the deterioration of global security. The analysis also touches on the failure of regional and international organizations such as the African Union, ASEAN, and the United Nations in effectively managing these conflicts and maintaining peace. Secondly, the article delves into the evolving nature of warfare, including the rise of digital attacks and hybrid warfare, which blend conventional and unconventional tactics. This section underscores the need for a new, comprehensive peace architecture to address the array of modern threats, including climate change and pandemics, which extend beyond traditional military concerns. Finally, the article discusses the concerning decline of anti-war movements in the West, particularly in light of recent conflicts like the Ukraine war. This decline is attributed to various factors, including the perception of Western military actions as inherently benevolent and the shift in activism focus to issues like climate change and social justice. The article argues that this decline has profound implications for democratic processes and the global pursuit of peace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Armed conflicts have long been a pervasive challenge, leaving profound scars on societies worldwide. Among the myriad of consequences, armed conflicts have a significant impact on higher education systems, particularly in post-conflict regions. This study aims to examine the challenges and opportunities faced by academic institutions in post-conflict regions concerning the development of higher education. A comprehensive review of existing literature on armed conflicts and higher education was conducted, focusing on case studies from various post-conflict regions worldwide. Qualitative analysis was employed to identify common challenges and opportunities faced by academic institutions in these contexts, drawing on specific examples and empirical evidence. The study revealed that armed conflicts pose significant challenges to higher education systems in post-conflict regions, including the destruction of infrastructure, displacement of students and faculty, disruption of academic programs, and limitations on academic freedom. The findings underscore the importance of addressing the impact of armed conflicts on higher education as part of broader post-conflict reconstruction efforts. Initiatives aimed at rebuilding educational infrastructure, supporting displaced students and scholars, promoting access and inclusion, and fostering peace and reconciliation are essential for the development of academic institutions in post-conflict regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is widely acknowledged that the relationship between education, security, and stability is bidirectional. In times of war, access to quality education becomes compromised, and conversely, the absence of proper education constrains individuals to a life under constant threat, disrupting education provision. War, viewed as a "lifetime and life-wide status," evolves into a self-fulfilling prophecy, both at an individual and collective level, making it challenging to break free from, particularly within the broader context of education provision. Although, scant information exists about how education is maintained during wars, hindering the right to education in such contexts. This study therefore addresses this gap by synthesizing the literature to identify and present 14 educational scenarios and teaching strategies on how education was maintained from different war contexts over time. The findings reveal that education during wars can be digital-based (i.e., facilitated by technology) and non-digital based (without technology). Additionally, various teaching strategies are applied during wars, including inspirational, hands-on and practical, fun-based, among others. Finally, teaching during wars is not limited to teachers only, but it could also involve parents, neighbors, etc. The findings of the literature can help to ensure the right to education in crises like wars and reveal the importance of open education in such crises. They can also contribute to enriching the ongoing theoretical and practical debate on how to maintain education in crises like wars. This can help to better be prepared for future education in crises, which is the focus of several international organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The research focuses on digitization as a mechanism to protect cultural heritage in crisis and conflict situations, emphasizing technologies such as 3D scanning and virtual reality. The application of these methods in projects such as CyArk, Anqa and The Aleppo Project illustrates their potential to protect priceless cultural assets, highlighting the importance of global cooperation and innovation in technology as key factors in protecting cultural heritage for future generations.

This paper examines the challenges of protecting refugees in sub-Saharan Africa. Reviewing available and relevant literature on refugees and their displacement in this region, it argues that people are compelled to flee their homes and seek refuge across international borders due to poverty, instability, conflict, and climate-related emergencies. They are then placed in overcrowded camps, frequently for extended periods. In theory, African refugees can access one of the most progressive protection schemes in the world. In practice, they confront insurmountable obstacles to their human rights, including coerced return, prejudice, arbitrary detention and arrest, limitations on their freedoms of speech and movement, and violations of their social and economic rights. Refugee law, which was created in the language of human rights and applies to people who are already highly vulnerable, disappears from view amid the poor human rights records of many African countries. From an in-depth argument and reflection on the literature, considering the differing voices and arguments, this paper communicates how, given the rise in extremism and political instability in sub-Saharan Africa, regional security is at risk if the inadequate protection given to refugee camps is not addressed.

The general socio-political situation in the region is analyzed, the centrifugal and centripetal forces that determine the very nature of politics in the region through the prism of ethnic and civic forms of identity are considered. The emergence of new points of ethnopolitical and ethno-religious tension, chauvinistic tendencies, and anti-Semitic sentiments demonstrate a fairly high level of conflict potential and the severity of nationalist manifestations in the region. Such conflict behavior is most often provoked from the outside, including through the use of modern information resources, social networks, using manipulative technologies that have an impact on the masses. These processes indicate the existence of socio-cultural and religious grounds for the growth of discriminatory rhetoric and clashes. The study of these problems is an urgent scientific task in the context of transformation and transit of local identity features. The article also analyzes various forms and approaches of identity formation in the North Caucasus, highlights common and special factors, contradictions in the development of general civil attitudes. The national composition is considered, the role of regional actors in the political management and development of the region is highlighted separately. These issues carry elements of novelty and relevance. The work uses specialized political science techniques: the method of analyzing a specific situation - case-study, secondary analysis of sociological research data. Along with private scientific methods and approaches, general scientific methods and approaches are also used in the study: historical and philosophical methods and approaches (dialectics, the principle of historicism), the system integrative method, comparative studies. In conclusion, recommendations are presented aimed at solving the problems of forming the civil identity of the peoples of the North Caucasus, through the transition of ethnic forms of identity to all-Russian ones.

The study is dedicated to the main guidelines of the foreign policy of the State of Israel in the context of the current transformation of the world order. Before the start of the special military operation, despite a fairly strong strategic alliance with the United States, Israel pursued a pragmatic foreign policy and maintained mutually beneficial bilateral relations with the leading powers of the non-Western world - especially Russia, China and India. However, the sharp escalation of the situation in the Palestinian territories in October 2023 put Israel in front of an existential choice under the conditions of the emerging new bipolarity, and this choice was made in favor of the United States and its NATO allies. Now the official rhetoric in Israel has become consonant with the one that prevailed during the period of the severed relations between Russia and Israel. Nevertheless, in formulating policies where Russian and Israeli positions do not coincide, both sides continue to coordinate all actions within the framework of a joint dialogue. The article focuses on the main issues on which Russia and Israel differ: Ukrainian, Iranian, and Palestinian factors. China and India occupy a special place among Israel’s foreign policy priorities. The importance of these countries for the Jewish state will be increasing due to the inevitable isolationist tendencies in the region, which are growing against the backdrop of the worsening Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The article examines the main trends in Israel’s relations with some Arab countries, China and India.

Abstract Background Several studies deal with the question of what constitutes a "satisfactory death". A smaller number of studies deal with unsatisfactory dying processes. And only a few shed light on unsatisfactory deaths that take place in hospices and palliative care units, which see themselves as places conducive to a "good" death. What also remains largely undiscussed are the ethical aspects that accompany the observation of an unsatisfactory course of death. Method The research was carried out as an exploratory and qualitative study. The data collection and analysis were based on the methods of the "grounded theory". Results Notions of a bad death are articulated here, though hardly by the affected persons and their relatives themselves, but rather by the professionals. Principally, descriptions of unsatisfactory dying processes refer to deficient success in symptom control, whereby the principle of autonomy is of particular importance. The focus here is not only on the needs of patients, but also on the needs of staff. The manifestation of such notions is related to the requirements arising from a practice that apparently evokes a need for accountability in the form of communicative reassurance. Conclusion An idealised definition of "dying well" is in danger of losing sight of the contextual specifics of the practice involved, which can lead to ethically problematic situations.

At the beginning, this paper firstly analyses the duality of borders, as a place of contact and a place of misunderstandings, tensions, and quite often, of open conflicts, and this is done from two points of view: social and security. The first one refers to social foundations of a border, widely accepted as mutual recognition of one's self and others, while the second dimension brings to the forefront the strong analogy between borders and walls. As the first aspect most often relates to wider social engagement, the second is closely tied to security element of border management, or the securing of the phenomenon and reacting to it using a range of repressive "tools". It is the second dimension of the observation of the problem that leads us to the world of contemporary walls in front of (and around) which different relations occur with pronounced (in)security. The focal issue of this paper is the extent to which the current walls are the factor of safety, and to what extent they generate instability. On the basis of the conducted research procedure, this paper concludes that walls reinforce the sovereignty claim of a state, but they cannot be an efficient security measure for the inhabitants of border areas and members of migrant population.

The purpose of the article is to analyze the existing principles of strategic conflict management and propose an algorithm for modeling an effective conflict management strategy in a business organization. The main methods used in developing the strategy model are scientific abstraction, the method of analysis, and synthesis. Scientific abstraction is a process by which a scientific researcher summarizes and presents the main ideas, results, and conclusions of his research. Conflicts must be recognized and resolved quickly and effectively before they affect the long-term functioning and success of the business organization. It goes without saying that the negative effects of the emergence of conflicts, as well as their management, through inappropriate approaches, methods, and strategies should not be underestimated. If this happens, management efficiency may suffer in the long term, which may lead to the liquidation of the business organization in the form in which it was originally organized. The stated principles, approaches, and strategies are reliable tools for effective conflict management in the business organization.

Conflicts in space encountered by participants in the development of spatial plans for special purpose areas of cultural or natural assets are numerous, and the most significant are between protection and development. The relativization of the conflict implies the harmonization, neutralization or minimization of mutually opposing interests and goals in that area. This paper investigates conflicts in the area of the Studenica monastery, a cultural property inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986, as well as in the area of the cultural landscape that surrounds it. In this particular case, conflicts were identified between the protection of cultural heritage on the one hand and the development of transport infrastructure, water management and the exploitation of mineral resources on the other. The task of spatial planning, as carried out for special purpose areas, is the relativization of conflicting interests in space. This paper shows that in relation to conflicting interests in the area of a world heritage site, not everything is contingent on the creation of spatial plans of special purpose areas, but rather on their realization, monitoring and evaluation, as well as on the corresponding capacities in general. The aim of the research presented in this paper is to point out the importance of spatial planning in the relativization of conflicting interests and goals using the example of the world heritage site planning of the Studenica monastery.

Abstract At times of severe social disruption, be that war, conflict, pandemic, or economic downturn, both the availability and consumption of healthy dietary patterns can be adversely affected with any effects often outlasting the initial social disruption. For instance, when the COVID‐19 pandemic hit and lockdown restrictions followed, households were reported to consume unhealthy diets. In some cases, this seemed to be a response to the situation and a coping mechanism. In contrast, in other cases, it was a consequence of limited food availability or access, with some communities finding that fresh foods became difficult to source due to the disruption in global supply chains. The example presented by the impact of conflict in Ukraine, which has also disrupted global food supply chains, at a macrolevel, food systems and at a microlevel, individual and community shows that food choices may respond to different global events in similar ways. Therefore, in this review, a range of events/disruptions are considered, beyond pandemics and wars, including climate disasters (e.g., fire, famine, and floods) that have been shown to impact food supply and consequently, food security. The importance of this can be seen as inadequate and nutritionally poor diets have a concomitant effect on health, which extends beyond the initial period of societal stress and disruption of food supply chains. Hence, the impact of such disruptions on consumer behavior which includes food choice needs to be corroborated. Therefore, this review aims to discuss the impact of such disruptions on consumer behavior and food choices. Additionally, this review provides some practical strategies that can be used to ensure the availability of healthy diets.

The main thesis of the research defended is that the occurrence of conflicts in wine-growing enterprises is inevitable, which requires the strategic management of these conflicts by studying and controlling the main sources of conflicts. The main sources of conflicts in the wine-growing enterprises are the motivation of the staff, the ethics and morals of the company employees, the style of management, the limitation of resources, the effectiveness of communications, water organizational form, the group dynamics of the teams, the system of stimulating the staff and the system of control in the enterprise. The purpose of the article is to investigate the interaction between leadership style and staff motivation as a source of conflict in winemaking enterprises. The purpose of the chosen methodical approach is to collect information about the sources of conflicts in wine-growing enterprises, through logical synthesis and analysis to reveal the objective factors that affect the process of conflict management and to present a model for analysis and prevention of the conflicts in this type of business organizations.

Ethiopia has been riddled with conflicts of varying nature and magnitude, some of which have threatened its very survival. It was to stem this scourge of conflicts that ethnic-based federalism was adopted in 1991. Sadly, the federal dispensation has not worked well in terms of preventing conflicts as various forms of local conflicts engulfed most parts of the country. In the existing sources, these conflicts are often characterized as ‘ethnic’, despite the real issues being resources, territory, power, etc. The article investigated the conflict in Wolkait, one of the conflict hotspots since 1975. The findings gleaned from pertinent data, both primary and secondary, show that the conflict has its roots in the formation of the TPLF in 1975 with its ‘Greater Tigray Manifesto’. As stated in its manifesto, the TPLF sought to establish an independent ‘Republic of Greater Tigray’ by annexing territories from Amhara (Wolkait and Telemt from Gondar and Raya from Wollo), and Eritrea’s port of Assab. Upon state power capture in 1991, the TPLF championed ethnic federalism as a politico-legal strategy to redraw the previous administrative boundaries and legitimize the annexation of Wolkait, Telemt, and Raya. Annexation of Wolkait outside of any constitutional-legal framework was meant to help the TPLF further political and economic motives: vengeance against the Amhara, a springboard for further territorial annexations, a site of resettlement of Tigrayans, and a foundation for the establishment of ‘The Republic of Greater Tigray’.

AbstractGlobal food insecurity is projected to increase in distant years, which is challenging to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, viz. zero hunger in 2030. However, recent reports and studies suggest that climate variabilities and conflicts are the main hurdles developing and less developed nations face to overcome food insecurity and hunger. This undertaking assesses the effect of climate change and conflicts (external and internal conflicts) on food security in Somalia. To this end, the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model, and time-varying Granger causality are utilized with annual data spanning 1985–2016. The empirical results show that average temperature and internal conflicts significantly hamper food security whereas rainfall and external conflicts are statistically insignificant in the long run. Besides, the time-varying Granger causality reveals that annual rainfall and temperature uniformly cause food security in two episodes (i.e. 1990–1992 and 2011–2012). Notably, Somalia experienced severe droughts which later led to a famine in 1992 and 2011. Similarly, both internal and external conflicts Granger cause food security in two similar episodes (i.e. 1990–1991 and 2010–2015). Our study underscores the importance of de-escalating the prolonged conflicts in Somalia and the need for designing policies that improve water availability to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.

AbstractThis study explores conflicts stemming from the intersection of cultural practices, beliefs, and international human rights standards within coastal communities. Through rigorous focus group discussions, it examines the interplay between culture and human rights, identifying colonial legacies, economic disparities, and environmental challenges as primary sources of tension. Concrete examples, such as disputes over fishing access and clashes with regulatory frameworks, underscore the pressing need for resolution. Emphasising the importance of inclusive approaches, the study advocates for strategies that honour cultural diversity while upholding universal human rights principles. It calls for comprehensive measures, including community dialogue, cultural sensitivity training, and the integration of customary laws, alongside education and awareness initiatives and effective policy implementation. Additionally, the study recommends the establishment of robust mediation mechanisms and partnerships with local and international stakeholders to facilitate conflict resolution and capacity-building efforts. Through collaborative efforts with coastal communities, these actions pave the way for a more equitable, inclusive, and rights-respecting future.

Background: Several studies deal with the question of what constitutes a "satisfactory death". A smaller number of studies deal with unsatisfactory dying processes. And only a few shed light on unsatisfactory deaths that take place in hospices and palliative care units, which see themselves as places conducive to a "good" death. What also remains largely undiscussed are the ethical aspects that accompany the observation of an unsatisfactory course of death. Method: The research was carried out as an exploratory and qualitative study. The data collection and analysis were based on the methods of the "grounded theory". Results: Notions of a bad death are articulated here, though hardly by the affected persons and their relatives themselves, but rather by the professionals. Principally, descriptions of unsatisfactory dying processes refer to deficient success in symptom control, whereby the principle of autonomy is of particular importance. The focus here is not only on the needs of patients, but also on the needs of staff. The manifestation of such notions is related to the requirements arising from a practice that apparently evokes a need for accountability in the form of communicative reassurance. Conclusion: An idealised definition of "dying well" is in danger of losing sight of the contextual specifics of the practice involved, which can lead to ethically problematic situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Conflicts, akin to other crises, disrupt lives and healthcare infrastructure, disproportionately affecting vulnerable individuals. The ongoing Sudanese conflict, initiated on April 15, 2023, between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Force (RSF), triggers significant population displacement, healthcare facility closures, and a scarcity of medical resources. Amid the intense conflict in Khartoum, reports of deceased individuals in the streets heighten concerns about public health, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. This crisis compounds the challenges faced by Sudan's already fragile healthcare system, impacting over 5 million displaced individuals, including those reliant on life‐saving hemodialysis sessions. This commentary aims to illuminate the challenges confronting kidney dialysis patients in war‐torn Sudan, emphasizing the impact on the Al‐Goled hemodialysis center. Methodology: This commentary relies on reports from the American Society of Nephrology (ASN), European Renal Association (ERA), and The International Society of Nephrology (ISN), along with recent journal articles discussing the consequences of ongoing conflicts. Personal observations in Al‐Goled contribute to the insights, and data from the Al‐Goled hemodialysis center in Sudan illuminate the struggles faced by kidney dialysis patients during the conflict, presented as a case study. Results: Kidney dialysis patients, crucial for regular hemodialysis sessions, confront severe challenges due to the overwhelming conflict. With an estimated 8000 kidney failure patients in Sudan, disruptions in healthcare services, targeted attacks on medical staff, and a shortage of resources exacerbate their plight. The Al‐Goled hemodialysis center, initially designed for 30 daily sessions, experiences a surge in demand, accommodating 85 patients daily—an alarming 183% increase. Limited resources, machine malfunctions, and a shortage of medications contribute to the loss of 13 patients' lives. Conclusions: The conflict in Sudan disproportionately impacts kidney dialysis patients, causing disruptions in essential healthcare services. The surge in demand at the Al‐Goled center underscores the broader impact on healthcare institutions nationwide. Local efforts to source medical supplies face bureaucratic hurdles and complex exportation procedures, impeding support for kidney patients. Patients, once receiving 3 weekly sessions, now struggle to secure even one, jeopardizing their well‐being. Urgent international intervention is needed to cease the conflict and ensure the safety of healthcare facilities, especially for vulnerable populations like kidney dialysis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explores development conflicts within Kopaonik National Park (NP) arising from the prioritization of winter tourism, particularly skiing activities and the associated infrastructure. This emphasis has led to the marginalization of the unique natural heritage that warranted the park's establishment in 1981, presenting an unusual case of exploiting and jeopardizing significant Balkan natural heritage. Tourist facilities situated in protection zones II and III interface with natural reserves in protection zone I, escalating conflicts and spatial impacts and raising concerns about the preservation of reserves and the park's original purpose. Kopaonik Mountain, inherently suited for winter tourism, faces the challenge of accommodating a ski center within its exceptional natural heritage. Legal and planning activities support winter tourism without adequately defining its compatibility with the park's natural heritage. Through an in-depth analysis of legal documents, plans, projects, and studies, this paper highlights conflicts, especially with natural heritage, expressing concerns for the park's future. The Spatial Plan of the Special Purpose Area of National Park Kopaonik, as a highly important strategic document, leans toward winter activities, prompting a critical review. The paper concludes with suggestions to alleviate winter tourism's negative impacts and proposes sustainable practices within the realm of protected natural heritage and other human activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pastoral communities living in the arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya raise livestock herds within highly patchy environments, and experience chronic food insecurity and inter-ethnic conflicts linked to resource access. For these primarily rural communities, livestock are a source of calories and income and are therefore crucial to achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) associated with food security (SDG 2). Achieving sustainable improvements in household well-being in this region is contingent on understanding how diverse policy decisions complement or undermine the ability of pastoral households to raise livestock. Of near-term relevance is the question of reconciling food security with biodiversity conservation goals (SDG 15) across Kenya's drylands, which are also known for their exceptional biodiversity. World over, protected areas are associated with diverse impacts on local communities. However, spatial variation in how these areas contribute to pastoral food security and household wellbeing across Kenya remain poorly understood. Using our newly developed model SPIRALL, we examined spatial variation in changes in household well-being that result when pastoral households across Kenya lose access to neighboring protected areas. SPIRALL is a country-scale, agent-based pastoral household decision-making model. We joined SPIRALL to L-Range, a model that simulates rangeland ecosystem functioning. The resulting coupled model simulates reciprocal interactions between pastoral households and the environment in Kenya and can be used as a scenario analysis tool to understand impacts of broadly defined policies on food security. Our scenario-based analysis showed that loss of protected-area access caused increases in rates of hunger, debt, and trans-boundary movements, particularly among non-sedentary and agropastoral households. These effects were spatially heterogeneous and influenced by county size and proximity to protected areas. We conclude by outlining the policy-implications result of the interactions between SDG 2 and SDG 15 in Kenya. We also highlight additional uses and avenues for improvement for SPIRALL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Livestock grazing and biodiversity conservation have been the subject of much debate. While intensive grazing has been linked to biodiversity loss, moderate levels of grazing can be beneficial to wildlife. Livestock farming plays a role in nutrient cycles and can contribute to the creation and maintenance of suitable conditions for certain wild species. A case study in Spain found a positive relationship between livestock presence and diversity indexes. The study found that the presence of livestock had both positive and negative effects on wildlife, including changes in grazing intensity, species composition, and biodiversity. The article emphasizes the need for balanced approaches that consider both livestock profitability and conservation goals, and highlights the importance of cooperation among stakeholders to achieve sustainable outcomes for both livestock production and biodiversity conservation. [Extracted from the article]

This document explores the coexistence of wildlife and livestock and the conflicts that can arise from their interactions. It acknowledges the positive contributions of livestock grazing to ecosystem health and habitat management, but also highlights the potential for conflicts such as shared infections, competition for resources, fencing, and the presence of predators. The document suggests various interventions, including zoning and land use planning, diversifying livelihoods, and implementing biosafety measures. It emphasizes the importance of addressing inequality and promoting co-management and interdisciplinary approaches. The document concludes by emphasizing the need for further research in order to balance food security and ecosystem services while minimizing negative impacts. [Extracted from the article]

Conflicts are frequent within the complex professional environment of the construction industry. If claims cannot be overcome amicably, they result in disputes that lead to litigation. Identification of the causes of these claims and their impact on the duration, cost, and quality of the final project is expected to facilitate the prevention of unsuccessful performance of construction contracts. The novelty of this study is that after codifying the most common causes of construction contract claims derived from the extant literature, they are further investigated in terms of their probability of occurrence and the perceived impact they have on the project completion time, its total cost, and quality. Based on calculated relative importance indices from expert opinion, this paper proposes probability and severity of impact values for 39 common causes of claims in the construction industry. These can be applied to calculate their risk values for stakeholders in public construction contracts to plan mitigation measures for contractual claims. The findings show that the top five highest risk causes of contractual claims in the Greek construction industry are changes in quantities, work, or scope, design quality deficiencies or errors, payment delays, delays in work progress, and the financial failure of the contractor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]