DEVELOPMENT, EQUITY AND POLICY COHERENCE

Coordinators: Dr. Lauri Siitonen & Dr. Harlan Koff

The objective of this working group is to examine the coherence of public policy systems for the promotion of sustainable development. It examines the emergence of regional policy-making and its relationship to the Sustainable Development Goals. The group adopts a comparative regional perspective that examines development challenges faced by stakeholders in different world regions and the interconnectedness of development processes between these regions. It considers how regional integration can contribute to the achievement of sustainability within these contexts. The group is particularly interested in normative policy coherence for development perspectives through which development strategies aim to reinforce key norms in global affairs such as human rights, gender equality and socio-ecological sustainability, amongst others.

MANAGEMENT OF STRATEGIC RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY

Coordinators: Dr. Carmen Maganda and Dr. Edith Kauffer

This Working Group explores the challenges of creating a truly sustainable and equitable society from interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity perspectives. It aims to establish a platform of trans-regional comparative research in order to:

• broaden and integrate the discussion on socio-economic-political analysis concerning the management of strategic resources
• promote better social knowledge of environmental politics and socio-development-environmental problems
• promote environmental rights analysis in a global context

CIVIL SOCIETY, VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, AND STATE POLICIES OF HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

Coordinator: Dr. Claudia Puerta Silva

This Working Group seeks to conduct collaborative/comparative research on the role and incidence of civil society in regional and state policies of health and well-being. This approach considers the social and political maturity of the state, the world context of a supposed democratization and liberalization of access to health and well-being, as well as the recognition of the plurality of concepts which inform these policies and an increase in the expectations and demands citizens manifest before the state.

QUALITY OF DEMOCRACY

Coordinator: Dr. Victoria Graham

This Working Group explores the possibilities for democracy to loosen the stranglehold of poverty, insecurity and weak rule of law that continue to buffet citizens of democratic nations throughout the world. It seeks to support interdisciplinary research that endeavors to understand the factors shaping citizens’ ability to meaningfully engage with or change institutions, and how the quality of democratic institutions changes over time.

THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF RISK AND DISASTERS

Coordinators: Dr. Dora Ramos and Dr. Virginia García Acosta

This Working Group aims to develop and promote research and teaching activities, as well as comparative discussions, on the forms in which conditions of risk and disaster develop in different countries. It also seeks to identify both cultural and social practices associated with risk-disaster reduction, as well as with recovery capabilities in disaster cases associated with both sudden and slow impacts.

COMPARATIVE BORDER AND MIGRATION POLITICS

Coordinator: Dr. Sergio Moldes-Anaya

This Working Group integrates the comparative examination of the contemporary evolution of border regions and migration systems into broader debates on the political, social and economic transformations in world politics that affect (directly or indirectly) to the migratory phenomena by creating a nexus between the border and migration debates (which are often artificially separated) and by linking local and global studies in both fields in order to provide academic responses to the challenges facing contemporary societies in relation to migration as a multidimensional reality. 

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND THE LINK BETWEEN REGIONAL AND GLOBAL GOVERNANCE ARCHITECTURE

Coordinator: Dr. Suzanne Graham

History is replete with examples of bodies or groupings organized by states in a spirit of community for some perceived greater good or purpose. Whether these bodies are motivated by a neorealist desire to preserve a balance of power in a structured political world; a neoliberal institutionalist philosophy to implement international law and moral codes through such bodies; or constructivist insights that reflect bodies born of shared ideas, the commonality is human beings acting on behalf of a state/unit/actor to examine and resolve challenges facing society and humanity. Obvious examples include the European Union, BRICS, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, African Union and the United Nations. Governance architecture and its efficacy, reflects, and depends on, varying measures of commitment from and across regional, or global, members; constitutional arrangements; buy-in and implementation; and belief in an enduring philosophy of purpose.

CONFLICT, VIOLENCE AND CITIZEN SECURITY

Coordinator: Dr. Juan Carlos Velez Rendón

This Working Group promotes academic discussions on conflicts, violence and security policies located in urban, regional, national and international environments with different social, political, cultural and economic contexts.

GENDER WORKING GROUP

Coordinators: Dr. Rosa María Soriano Miras and Dr. Tinuade Ojo

We aim to foster gender equality, from perspective interseccional, and promote inclusive growth across regions recognition of diversity. The primary objective is to integrate gender perspectives into regional policies and initiatives, ensuring that women and marginalised genders actively participate in social, economic, and political spheres. This involves addressing systemic barriers, promoting equal opportunities, and advocating for gender-responsive budgeting and policy-making. The group focuses on creating a comprehensive framework that empowers women and enhances social cohesion by fostering an inclusive environment where all genders can thrive.

Our perspective is grounded in intersectionality, recognising different genders’ diverse experiences and challenges across various socio-economic and cultural contexts. We emphasise collaboration with local communities, governments, and international organisations to develop and implement culturally sensitive and context-specific strategies. By prioritising education, economic empowerment, and sociopolitical participation, RISC-RISE aims to elevate the social status of women and other marginalised genders, thereby contributing to broader regional development and stability. Through continuous monitoring and evaluation, the group ensures that progress towards gender equality is measurable and sustainable, reinforcing the overarching goal of regional integration and social cohesion.