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SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

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Abstract: This article initially analyses the theoretical possibility that the terms «rule of law» and «human rights» in the Treaty on European Union (TEU) can be analysed from the perspective of the Economic Analysis of Law (EAL). It then focuses on the economic principles underlying decision-making to appreciate, under that perspective, the choices made by States, both at the national and international level (which could also include the commitment to the SDGs). From there, the study is oriented more towards SDG 16 proposing, summarily, to denominate with the terms «horizontal» and «vertical» two different basic perceptions on its three main areas (peace, justice, and strong institutions) and tentatively uncovering their possible impacts on the rule of law and the rights and freedoms of specific groups (e.g., LGBTQIA+ community, immigrants, refugees, etc.). It is suggested that, while the «horizontal perception» presents a socially inclusive role, the «vertical perception» tends to be more exclusionary. Seeking congruence with the above, it is also suggested that a biased perception of SDG 16 (associated with the «vertical» vision) could help authoritarian States in the exaltation of their nationalism, without forgetting that international public order, often wielded as an expression of national sovereignty, can serve as a «defensive shield» against alleged «attempts to alter» the fundamental values of the State and of the Christian roots of their societies. Simultaneously, observation of everyday political life seems to suggest that public order can be altered to the liking of populist political parties. The result seems to reveal a growing dichotomy between values (European vs. national), public orders (European, albeit incipient vs. international and domestic), and types of democracy (liberal vs. illiberal). As incidental and illustrative examples, the authoritarian drifts in Hungary and Poland are included in the study.

Abstract: The inclusion of peace as a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 16) in the United Nations' Agenda 2030 underscores the interrelationships between peace, economic development, durable security, and promoting human rights. Within this context, tourism has been heralded by scholars and practitioners as a means to alleviate negative prejudice and improve human relations. Yet the existing research on tourism as peacebuilding shows little supportive evidence of tourism's contributory role to peace, and instead forwards numerous claims that tourism inhibits peacebuilding by exacerbating economic, political, and socio‐cultural inequalities between opposing groups. This study examines the role of tourism as a potential vehicle for justice that may bridge the gap between tourism and sustainable peace. More precisely, it considers tourism as an agent of justice addressing economic, political, and social inequalities between opposing groups through distributive, procedural, and restorative justice‐related activities. Its analysis and findings offer insights that contribute to peace‐through‐tourism theory and practice while enhancing understanding of tourism's contribution to the UN's sustainable development goals.

Abstract: Based on international public policy as an extension of national sovereignty, governments with authoritarian deviations are reforming their constitutions, criminal laws, etc. with the aim of preserving the inalienable values of their States and the Christian roots of their societies (traditional marriage and family model). For this purpose, basing on the vertical conception of SDG 16 (in which the areas of peace and justice are subordinated to the area of strong institutions), they seek to strengthen the state by gradually annulling its “disintegrating factors”: Muslim immigrants and refugees, members of the LGBTI community, leftist politicians, independent journalists and the EU itself (values, legislation and its incipient public policy). The research analyzes this problem affecting the family and its rights .

Abstract: We examine entrepreneurial ventures in a post-conflict context to identify practices that are helpful for companies operating in conflict zones while contributing to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16)—Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. Using emancipatory entrepreneuring as our theoretical lens, we analyze entrepreneurial ventures where ex-combatants seek to create economic opportunities and challenge the status quo of violence, poverty, and inequality in their rural communities. We develop four qualitative case studies of ex-combatant entrepreneurship to identify the activities that enable them to grow their businesses while promoting peace. We identify actor distance and entrepreneurial stage as key dimensions for defining a matrix of relationship arrangements that facilitate venture success and peacebuilding efforts. We conclude with a summary of our contributions and implications for research and practice.

Abstract: This article submits that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will serve as a complementary protection process to the ASEAN architecture on human rights. SDG 16—peace, justice and inclusive institutions—is especially pertinent to the advancement of human rights protection in Southeast Asia and is fundamental to the achievement of all other SDG goals. The lynchpin of this complementarity is the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), which must bridge all parts of the architecture. Complementarity stems from several factors. The SDGs, notably goal 16, created bridges with human rights obligations. ASEAN members resoundingly endorsed the SDGs, including SDG 16, which operates as a dialogue process that states are comfortable with. The SDGs fit with the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, which emphasizes strengthening democracy, good governance, and the rule of law, the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and combating corruption to raise the standard of living within the region—all elements of SDG 16. ASEAN institutions under the ASEAN Charter are equipped to undertake preventive diplomacy to head off conflicts, a fundamental aim of SDG 16. The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights can lead on refining the eclectic SDG 16 indicators to better align them with international standards. SDG 16 commits all ASEAN states to creating national human rights institutions. The elaboration of Voluntary National Reports under the SDG monitoring process bears the potential for encouraging participation by stakeholders, especially civil society. Though a potential pitfall, securitization of the rule of law component of SDG 16 is consistent with ASEAN’s modus operandi. This article seeks to contribute to the nascent literature on the SDGs and SDG 16 in particular.

Abstract: Globally agreed goals such as the 17 Sustainable Development Goals are an aspiration of where countries would like to be developmentally by 2030. Breaking these goals down into 169 targets with associated measures of progress speak to hopes for change. But how well do these global SDGs, translated into national goals and targets respond to country specific circumstances and in particular the challenges faced by countries characterised more by conflict, political and economy instability and illicit economies than ‘sustainable development’? Taking the case of Afghanistan, this viewpoint questions the relevance of the national SDG 16 as it is currently framed to address the fractured political and geographical nature of Afghanistan‘s landscape, the challenges that the country faces and the normative assumptions about progress. The SDG 16 ignores the conundrums posed by Afghanistan's illicit drug borderland economies, implicitly subscribing to the view that this is simply a counter-narcotic issue. Such a view fails to address the transformative dimensions of the opium poppy economy that could be harnessed to SDG goals.

Abstract: This paper makes a case for Gram Panchayats (or local self-governments) in rural Haryana to prevent violence and abuse against women in cross-regional marriages, and to promote inclusiveness. By using the notion of decentralization as the framework, the results of this research are based on a qualitative fieldwork conducted over two months in the Mahendragarh district, which included visits to seven villages, and interviews with women and village leaders. This paper attempts to answer the following research question: In what ways can strong local self-governments improve the social conditions for women and their children in cross-regional marriages in rural Haryana? Gram Panchayats are tasked with implementing Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which calls for developing inclusive and peaceful communities, ensuring that everyone has access to justice, and creating effective, inclusive institutions at all levels. The findings reveal that women, particularly those in cross-region marriages, are excluded from participating in Gram Panchayats, which have the potential to be the go-to institution for women in need of help. Women’s participation at all levels will increase the transparency and accountability of Gram Panchayats.

Abstract: The Constitution of Nepal considers the rule of law and justice as a significant component to realize democracy and development. [...] This article discusses Nepal’s progress on the global goal for access to justice and rule of law which is encapsulated in the Goal 16 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and focuses on how justice reform approaches better support achieving the goal.

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