This open access book provides theoretical, empirical and practical solutions to develop competencies needed for digital transformation and changes in work and life in African contexts. It promotes ecosystems in which educational institutions, companies and policymakers aim to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. This book is based on the Finnish African Co-Innovation project DAIA (Digital Academies in Africa (2022-2025), where Finnish and African researchers and companies have worked together.

The book first analyses the scenarios presented in African future-related documents, before introducing solutions and new implementations to address the needs and demands identified. It presents a compilation of chapters that combine expertise from theoretical and empirical research in education, with case studies from specific industrial sectors in South Africa to map future learning ecosystems in Africa.

This open access book explores methods, approaches, techniques, values and ethical issues that create space for innovation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to meet contemporary needs at the regional, local, and global levels. By bringing together teaching, research and work experience from academia and the industry/private sectors, it provides a valuable resource for education providers, researchers, practitioners, teachers, school leaders, policymakers, industrial partners, and company leaders and trainers. This book also serves as a potential textbook in higher education and TVET.

This book explores the portmanteau as a popular language trend. A portmanteau is a lexical blend in which at least one of the two original words is shortened in the process of combination, such as brunch (breakfast + lunch) or motel (motor + hotel). Although portmanteaus have a long history in the English language, they are experiencing a significant proliferation in online communication. The power of the portmanteau lies in its ability to bring concepts together both sonically and n writing. In doing so, portmanteaus carry the associations of their source words through multiple and shifting contexts, making them complex sites of rhetorical inquiry. This book examines the portmanteau form by analyzing a range of contemporary blend words. It theorizes a method of "critical portmanteau decomposition" that illustrates the ways the portmanteau's form contributes to its functioning by forging conceptual associations between its components. These associations become clear when the blend is "decomposed" into its constituent parts: the source words and the extra linguistic contexts surrounding both the source words and the blend as a whole. This complex blending process reflects and constructs conceptual networks that can be easily masked by the form, which is often viewed as playful and innocuous. This is particularly significant when the portmanteau transmits ideology, as the playful form is at odds with its content. Critical portmanteau decomposition takes into account the pieces of the portmanteau, the cognitive process of blending, the connections forged among elements, and the context of the complete word.

By analyzing how protest fused the politics of reading and writing in 1968 West Germany, author Peter Schweppe uncovers the vibrant history of an alternative literary form during a watershed moment of social upheaval. Out of Line interlinks the politics of reading and writing with the verve of Global Sixties' protest, where fringe books, underground newspapers, incendiary flyers, and furtive graffiti galvanized readers and writers alike. The phrase "out of line" scrutinizes the emerging performative relationship between visual and textual media in the late 1960s as it metamorphosed modes of West German literary production, channeled the agenda of the protest movement, and, in doing so, shaped new kinds of textual meaning. Through its engagement with theories of materiality and "things," Out of Line interrogates the dynamic ways that protest readers and writers pushed and broke conventional boundaries. Schweppe's exploration of form discloses how reading and writing out of line implicates a textual and material history of protest and the lessons it offers protest histories to come.

This open access book offers the first thorough analysis of the role of civil defense in NATO security discourse and development over the years, pinpointing critical junctures and historical events. Its novel contribution is the analysis of NATO's adoption and implementation of resilience as policy, a strategic concept, and later as a new body, the resilience committee. It explores how resilience shapes the role of civil defense and becomes a natural part of national defense and international security, and provides new insights into the knowledge of this contested concept and its adaptability once it enters a security discourse.

In terms of policy implications, one of the book's key contributions is its careful examination of the intricate roles ascribed by civil administration, civil society, market actors, and the broader populace. By explicitly addressing the social and political dynamics that have shaped NATO both historically and in the present day, it aims to ignite vital conversations around the implications of military alliances on democracy, accountability, and their influence over the internal political affairs of member states. This sheds light on the interconnectedness of these elements and encourages readers to critically reflect on the power structures at play and their far-reaching effects.

Why has multilateral peacebuilding in conflict-ridden states emerged as a depoliticized practice that rarely engages with local actors and agendas? And why has depoliticization persisted despite continued criticisms? Claiming Impartiality offers an innovative answer to the puzzling persistence of depoliticization in post-war peacebuilding that focuses on the institutional mandates, interests, and practices of those international and bilateral organizations that design and implement most peacebuilding interventions.

Drawing on and expanding a Bourdieusian field perspective, the book examines international organizations as actors in multiple fields of global governance. Using the case studies of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Timor-Leste, it traces the emergence and transformation of peacebuilding practices by leading international and bilateral organizations during the first two decades of the field's existence. The organizational lens highlights the tensions that exist between the objectives of simultaneously acting as a peacebuilding organization and as a peacekeeping, humanitarian, or development organization whose practices are to varying degrees committed to observing the twin principles of impartiality and neutrality. By thinking through these sometimes contradictory roles, the book offers new insights into how these organizations sideline questions of political agency in favor of expanding their influence into related fields of global governance. Claiming Impartiality discusses the future of peacebuilding and explores avenues for addressing political challenges to peace itself.

This open access book presents a comprehensive exploration of resilient innovation and innovation for resilience within the context of the PR China Belt & Road Initiative (BRI). By integrating insights from diverse stakeholders, it offers a fresh perspective on enhancing resilience through innovation while promoting sustainable practices and advanced innovation solutions for enhancing resilience..
The innovative approach proposes collaborative frameworks that leverage existing initiatives in standardization, research, and international cooperation as foundational elements for building resilience. This book aims to create a network of innovation centers along the BRI, fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Covering a wide range of innovation and resilience related topics, the content includes assessments, regulations, risk management, and the role of critical infrastructures and the society in enhancing resilience. It is designed for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners interested in the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and international cooperation.
Key features of the book include:
1. Collaborative Insights: Contributions from a diverse array of experts and stakeholders, providing a multifaceted view of resilience in innovation.
2. Practical Frameworks: Actionable suggestions for implementing resilient innovation strategies, supported by case studies.
3. Strategic Relevance: Aligns with current global challenges, offering timely insights into the role of innovation in addressing systemic risks and enhancing sustainability.
This book is an essential resource for anyone looking to understand and contribute to the future of resilient innovation both along the Belt & Road Initiative and in a broader international context.

This collection marks the 20th anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT). It focusses on one major component of a growing network of monitoring bodies, that is, the establishment of NPMs (National Preventive Mechanisms) in a European context. The contributors come from different parts of Europe and bring their unique expertise into the book. In their chapters they reflect on questions related to their countries' processes in ratifying OPCAT as well as the establishment and functioning of the NPMs. The book explores the variety of ways in which NPMs implement their mandate in practice, as well as the key opportunities and challenges they encounter in fulfilling their role.

This book offers a unique perspective on reimagining the youth justice system by drawing on diverse international models of justice and applying a scientific lens to core global youth justice issues. Unlike existing works that focus solely on either reimagining the system or addressing global issues, this volume pioneers an exploration of how an evidence-based, reimagined system intersects with and addresses central concepts and topics from a global perspective. Drawing upon contemporary evidence, this book dissects and challenges longstanding presuppositions in youth justice, ranging from the nature of youth offending to responses to it, and highlights the crucial role of scientific insights in shaping these domains.

With a focus on core global issues such as the school-to-prison pipeline, gang culture, the radicalisation of youth, child soldiering, and the distinctive category of child victim-offender overlap, this comprehensive work serves as a vital resource for scholars, students, policymakers, and practitioners alike. By fostering dialogue between empirical evidence, varied justice models, systemic organisational structures, and pressing global issues, this book aims to provoke critical reflection and drive transformative change in the field of youth justice.

This book celebrates the remarkable contributions of Dr Keiko Koda, a leader in second language (L2) acquisition and reading development, who retired from Carnegie Mellon University in 2024. The chapters in this volume explore recent theoretical developments and practical applications in L2 reading research from a cross-linguistic perspective. The book addresses a wide range of issues in L2 reading among diverse learner populations, including young multilingual learners from both low- and middle-income countries and post-industrial nations. It also focuses on various types of learners in different educational settings worldwide, such as foreign language learners, heritage language learners, and dual language learners. Topics covered include meta-analyses, innovative applications of theory in pedagogy, and the design of assessment tools. Collectively, these contributions have the potential to significantly advance both theoretical frameworks and practical approaches in the field. This book is useful for researchers, educators, graduate students, and multilingual education specialists interested in theoretical and practical advancements in second language reading and cross-linguistic transfer.

This book offers an original guide to teaching English grammar to secondary multilingual learners through school genres and crosslinguistic classroom practice. It brings a descriptive approach to English grammar into secondary classrooms, showing how grammar choices shape meaning, clarity, cohesion, stance, and audience understanding. Part I introduces key resources in English grammar, including word classes, phrases, clauses, information packaging, and cohesion. Part II applies these resources to descriptive, narrative, expository, argumentative, persuasive, procedural, reflective, dialogue, monologue, and digital genres. The chapters use mentor passages, annotation routines, classroom tasks, feedback prompts, and teacher resources to support purposeful grammar teaching. Rather than treating grammar as error correction, the book frames learner language as evidence for inquiry and revision. It helps pre-service and in-service teachers connect descriptive grammar, crosslinguistic awareness, and inclusive language pedagogy to everyday classroom decisions.

With the ongoing development of immersive technologies, growing degrees of design flexibility, and integrated communicative tools, the metaverse presents new possibilities for facilitating language learning opportunities through meaningful social interactions. As the metaverse is still emerging, the edited volume identifies the key elements of metaverse-based language learning and teaching by placing them in the context of established theories and practices in second language acquisition. It also presents metaverse platforms and tools, and provides examples of how they might be used in the field of English Language Education.

The volume is divided into four parts (Foundations, Practical Applications, Socio-Emotional, Ethical and Sustainable Dimensions, and Future Directions), consisting of 13 internationally contributed chapters that address various aspects of the metaverse-based language teaching and learning. The volume provides valuable insights for language educators, researchers, and learners, and aims to enrich the language learning and teaching landscape in an increasingly digital world.

Islampolitik: The Role of Islam in Modern-State Building examines the interrelationship between Islam and state-building in global modernity. Synthesizing scholarship from the fields of sociology, political science, history, religious studies, Middle East, and Islamic studies, this book brings together theories from both below (subjectivities) and above (governance) into one comprehensive resource.

Islampolitik investigates how modern states draw on religion, specifically Islam, when creating templates for subjectivity formation of individuals and communities as part of their broader governance strategies. The book provides a needed challenge to the long-held perception amongst scholars of governance and modernity: namely that Islam is a source of pre-modern rationales creating obstacles to modern governance and state maintenance processes. The book provides empirical insights into the connection between global modernity and modern frames for identity construction.

This book examines ways in which political ideologies, legal frameworks, religious customs, and cultural institutions are employed by gendered power hierarchies to shape the daily lives of women and other marginalised groups in the Global South. It draws attention to the profoundly established, frequently unseen patriarchal structures that interact with caste, class, race, and religion. The book addresses the fundamental question: How do the political, religious, cultural, and legal systems of power interact to uphold or challenge gender inequality in the Global South? Drawing from critical political theory, cultural studies, and postcolonial feminism, the book is firmly rooted in the intersectionality theoretical framework. It explores the ways in which gendered power marginalises women and gender minorities while also facilitating acts of agency and resistance across a variety of geographical areas, most notably South Asia, Africa, and Oceania. The book is divided into four parts: Gendered Power and Political Participation; Cultural and Institutional Patriarchy; Resistance, Right-Wing Populism, and Gendered Narratives; and, Voice, Violence, and Visibility. Examples of case studies include the role of women in right-wing populist governments, the way gender is reinterpreted in Bhutanese and Dalit literature, the Loya Jirga and other traditional governing systems, and feminist interventions in law and diplomacy. The book argues that comprehending and altering gendered systems requires an intricate, intersectional lens. Scholars, students, and practitioners operating at the nexus of gender, politics, and postcolonial studies will benefit from this transdisciplinary resource.

This book provides a groundbreaking analytical framework to decode the paradoxes at the heart of China's financial system. It investigates why heavy-handed government intervention persisted alongside stellar economic growth, and why the very policies that fueled the "China miracle" are now generating significant financial risks and inefficiencies.

Moving beyond mere description, the analysis adopts a historic perspective to answer four pivotal questions: Why did China maintain repressive financial policies? Why didn't these policies stifle growth? What caused the recent surge in financial risks? And what are the essential next steps for reform? The book uniquely characterizes China's reform path as one of "asymmetric market reform," driven by pragmatism rather than theoretical ideals.

The scope spans from the foundational reforms of the state-owned banks and markets to the latest revolution in digital finance. It demystifies how technologies like mobile payments and Big-Tech lending are promoting inclusion while creating new regulatory challenges. The book is tailored for academics, policymakers, financial professionals, and students seeking a sophisticated understanding of China's financial trajectory.

This second part of a two-volume work offers a comprehensive exploration of China's ambitious "Made in China 2025" initiative and its broader geopolitical implications. By examining China's strategic shift from a low-cost manufacturing hub to a high-tech powerhouse, chapters provide a critical assessment of the initiative's progress and its impact on global economic dynamics.

In this volume, authors explore the idea that through the MIC 2025 initiative, China seeks not only to reduce structural dependencies on advanced economies but also to redefine the institutional logic governing.

Through expert contributions, readers will gain insights into the challenges and opportunities presented by China's industrial strategies, including the semiconductor "chips war" and the new global bipolarity centered around technology and innovation.

This volume is essential for scholars and practitioners in international political economy, Chinese studies, and global economic governance. It offers a nuanced understanding of China's evolving role on the global stage, making it a valuable resource for graduate-level courses and research institutions focused on contemporary China. With its interdisciplinary approach, the book provides a holistic view of China's rise and its implications for the future of global economic and strategic competition.

This book brings together scholars working in eleven different classical traditions - Greek, Chinese, Latin, Hebrew, Sanskrit, Arabic, Pali, Hittite, Egyptian, Japanese and Sumerian - to investigate how major texts in these traditions conceptualized, mapped and categorized the sentiments, attitudes and states we think of as emotion. This volume is distinctive in its focus on foundational questions concerning the categorization and conceptualization of emotion. It is also unique in its degree of collaboration among scholars working in different disciplines and in a vast range of ancient traditions. This book aims to build on the resources of these traditions to make an intervention in how we might think about emotions today.

This book offers an accessible introduction to financial stability and macroprudential policy with a particular focus on Europe. Covering economic, institutional and regulatory aspects, it is an essential read for professionals and scholars alike.

The first part explores the macroprudential mandate, emphasising the importance of monitoring the entire financial system. The second part introduces the fundamentals of macroprudential supervision and addresses various risk types and their assessment. The third part examines macroprudential policy in detail, covering the key players, institutions and tools used to enhance financial stability.

Ideal for professionals working in supervisory authorities, commercial banks and central banks, as well as for students of economics and supervisory studies, this book provides a solid foundation for understanding financial system stability and macroprudential policy.

What explains the varying ideological profiles of social democratic parties in contemporary Western Europe? And why have some still accepted austerity after the Great Recession? This book argues that the answer lies primarily in structural conditions: the context-specific configurations of external constraints - economic globalisation, regional economic integration in the Eurozone, and sovereign debt - that shape the political room available to social democrats when defining their electoral programmes. Drawing on empirical evidence from 20 Western European countries between 1990 and 2019, and combining cross-national quantitative analysis with in-depth qualitative evidence on party rhetoric, the book develops and rigorously probes a configurational structural explanation for ideological differences within the social democratic party family. The findings carry urgent implications: where external constraints are most pressing, genuine ideological renewal may be structurally precluded. A must-read for scholars and practitioners concerned with the future of centre-left politics and the state of representative democracy.

With a keen attention to how culture and elite conflict shape politics, The Great Separation upends deterministic understandings of the Chinese Cultural Revolution and the market reforms that followed. This ambitious posthumous volume by sociologist Xiaohong Xu turns the existing scholarship on China's "neoliberalism" on its head by demonstrating that the effort to separate mass politics from economic policy had its origins well before the Reform and Opening-up era.

Over the course of the Cultural Revolution, unfolding factional dynamics and interpretive struggles enabled Chairman Mao and his radical colleagues to mobilize workers to advance their own political goals while neutralizing the masses' economic demands, symbolically separating the political from the economic. This set the stage for a more thoroughgoing depoliticization of the economy after 1989, when China faced challenges from students and workers whose economic grievances had rapidly morphed into political demands for democracy. The result was what Xu calls ordoeconomism: an ideology that valorizes economic development, rejects mass politics, and views the state as the apolitical guardian of the economy. As Xu demonstrates, while ordoeconomism may share some affinities with neoliberalism, it is a distinctively Chinese approach that must be understood on its own terms.

This edited book explores the evolving relationship between fintech, regulation, and sustainable development from a global perspective. It provides comparative analyses of regulatory approaches in the EU, Germany, Tuerkiye, and selected emerging markets, assessing how fintech innovations, such as digital payments, equity crowdfunding, and green finance-support financial inclusion and sustainability goals. Combining policy analysis with empirical insights, the volume serves as a practical guide for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to navigate the complex intersection of technological innovation and responsible regulation.