I center in this paper on personal experiences throughout my life. They include what happened to me in my early years, the times when I entered college, when I obtained advanced degrees and taught sociology, and the years after I retired from teaching. At the same time, I have charted here a lifetime of moving in a developmental or evolutionary direction, granting that I—like the rest of us—have been prey to many setbacks. What I’ve emerged with and have emphasized here is what I call “the East-West strategy” for solving personal and world problems. It combines ideas from ancient times with contemporary knowledge. It is based on one’s making a most difficult transition: movement from a way of life emphasizing hierarchy, narrow specialization and personal conformity to a pattern of behavior stressing democratic equality, interdisciplinary knowledge and personal autonomy and development. Based on such knowledge, I’m convinced that ever more of us can accomplish this transition. Further, I believe that fundamental problems throughout the world—such as climate change and the possibility of World War III as the result of accident or design—call for the rapid development of humanity to avert disaster. I see the East-West strategy as a powerful tool that any and all of us can and should use in these perilous times to move toward solving personal and world problems.

This paper analyzes the delicate role of the school in supporting grief processing during the developmental years, within a sociocultural context that, while exposing individuals to death through media, represses its private elaboration. It examines the different manifestations of grief in childhood and adolescence, highlighting the specific psychological needs of each phase. The school, as an "educating community," is not limited to an emergency response but must adopt a multidimensional and strategic approach. The objective is to transform the educational institution into a genuine hub of resilience, capable not only of supporting the bereaved student but also of educating the entire community on finitude, empathy, and active citizenship.

South Sudan became an independent country in 2011 following many years of struggle against marginalisation in Sudan. However, the independence era has been preoccupied with efforts to establish education systems in the country, including the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system. As the system is being established and strengthened, efforts are also being exerted to convince the youth and communities to embrace skills development, since they believe that a ’degree programme’ is better than a ’certificate or diploma’ obtained through skills training. Secondly, using the gender lens, gender equality is problematic in vocational education as most females prefer soft skills like tailoring and hairdressing (Habler et al., 2020), and hate hard-core skills in trades such as building and construction. Therefore, gender equality is essential in skills training in South Sudan. This article is the first attempt to enlighten stakeholders on the significance of TVET to both male and female students, trainees, parents, and employers, so that the government and stakeholders can encourage the youth to embrace it and improve female participation in skills considered fit only for males. Qualitative desk research methodology and textual analysis have been employed in this research. The social capital (Mikiewicz, 2021) and the feminist theories (Eyayu & Mihrete, 2018) have also been used as the lenses for conceptualising TVET in this research. Generally, previous research indicates that TVET is vital for livelihood, and female participation in skills training is paramount. Skills form the backbone of livelihood and development, and should therefore be developed to promote equal participation in nation- building.

The study set out to explore the effects of positive social interactions on the development of lifelong skills among secondary school students in the North West Region of Cameroon. Positive interactions constitute one of the key indicators of the hidden curriculum within the school milieu. Using A concurrent nested mixed method design, a sample of 3,642 students, 388 teachers, 11 Principals, and 21 Pedagogic Inspectors were randomly, purposefully, and conveniently selected from public, mission, and private schools in four sub-divisions of the North West Region of Cameroon. We collected data using 50 item questionnaires for students, 15 interview guide questions for teachers, Principals, and 35 for Pedagogic Inspectors. Hypotheses were tested using Simple Linear Regression Analysis test. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially, while qualitative data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Findings of the study revealed a moderate significant effect of positive social interactions on the development of lifelong learning skills among secondary school students in the North West Region, which predicts 16.3% of the variations in students’ development of lifelong learning skills (F=58.262, R2=0.163, p=0.001). This study therefore recommends that policy-makers and school administrators should prioritize policies and the organization of environment that intentionally promote positive social interactions to significantly enhance lifelong learning skills.

Language attrition, a subfield of Linguistics, has not received significant scholarly attention in Nigeria, especially when compared to other areas of bilingualism and second language acquisition. While limited research has been conducted, these studies have predominantly focused on the erosion of lexical items, neglecting other critical language domains such as orthography, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. This paper aims to address this gap by investigating the level of orthographic attrition among Yoruba L1 speakers who regularly use English as a second language. The study employs a cross-sectional experimental method for data collection. Loss of orthography competencies were evaluated using Sentence Repetition Tasks (SRTs) in Yoruba, which contained two phrases (Bí ó tilè jé̩ pé and Kò ní í wá) that belonged to the rule of word division in orthography. They were used to test the respondents’ adherence to spelling conventions to 1974 standard orthography. Quantitative analysis technique like independent t-test was used to identify difference in the level of attrition between linguistics and non-linguistics students. The findings show that Eng_L1 & Eng_L2_1_6 both show trend-level significance with p = 0.077 and 0.089, respectively. Also, Yor_L1 (Yoruba as L1) shows trend-level significance (p = 0.079). Similarly, Eng_Frds_Schools was significance (p = 0.041). Among the experimented students who spelt the two phrases correctly and wrongly. In the same vein, Eng_Sibs_Parents was not significant, though p = 0.104 is approaching significance. However, in the second t-test row, p = 0.004 indicates a highly significant difference, confirming that orthographic performance is better in those who spell correctly. Also, for the Eng_Frds_Schools, results showed that statistically significant difference (p = 0.037 and 0.026) was observed, and this showed that students who spoke English with friends at school and spelled correctly had significantly lower attrition. The findings conclude that consistent use of English, particularly among peer-school mates for interactions, contributes significantly to orthographic retention, while early exposure L1 backgrounds also play important but more passive roles.

This study examines the extent and determinants of climate risk disclosure among publicly listed firms in emerging markets, with a specific focus on financial reporting aligned with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). Using a purposive sample of 100 firms from environmentally sensitive sectors across Nigeria, India, Brazil, and South Africa, the study applies content analysis to annual and sustainability reports from 2019 to 2023. A disclosure index was developed based on 20 TCFD indicators across governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics/targets. Descriptive results reveal that while 76% of firms disclosed climate-related governance structures and 68% reported board oversight, only 35% provided scenario analysis and 47% reported specific climate-related metrics and targets. The average overall disclosure score across firms was 58.2%, indicating moderate but uneven transparency. Correlation analysis showed significant positive relationships between disclosure levels and firm size (r = 0.52), board size (r = 0.39), and foreign ownership (r = 0.44), while profitability had a weaker association (r = 0.28). Multiple regression results confirmed that firm size (β = 0.462, p < 0.001), foreign ownership (β = 0.399, p = 0.001), board size (β = 0.321, p = 0.003), and profitability (β = 0.213, p = 0.019) were all significant predictors of disclosure. The model explained 48% of the variance in disclosure scores (Adjusted R² = 0.45). A robust regression model yielded consistent results, affirming the reliability of the findings. The study concludes that while climate risk disclosure in emerging markets is gaining traction, significant gaps persist, particularly in forward-looking disclosures. Internal governance structures, external ownership dynamics, and firm capacity play key roles in shaping reporting behavior. The paper recommends the adoption of stronger regulatory frameworks, enhanced ESG governance, and targeted support for smaller firms to foster climate transparency and resilience in emerging economies.

The increasing global attention on sustainable finance has underscored the need for innovative approaches to address environmental risks in the banking sector. This study examines peace accounting as a predictor of environmental risk management in Nigerian banks, using a quantitative research design with secondary data drawn from the annual reports and sustainability disclosures of selected Nigerian commercial banks between 2018 and 2023. The data were analyzed using regression analysis to establish the relationship between peace accounting indicators (social responsibility spending, green financing, and environmental reporting practices) and environmental risk management outcomes. The findings reveal that peace accounting significantly predicts environmental risk management in Nigerian banks (β = 0.67, R² = 0.58, p < 0.01), indicating that institutions with stronger peace accounting frameworks were more effective in mitigating ecological risks, aligning their operations with environmental sustainability, and improving stakeholder trust. Specifically, banks with higher investments in sustainability-related disclosures and green financing projects demonstrated stronger compliance with environmental risk regulations compared to those with weaker peace accounting structures. These results suggest that peace accounting goes beyond conventional financial accountability by integrating ethical, social, and ecological considerations into decision-making, thereby strengthening environmental resilience in the Nigerian banking sector. The study contributes to existing scholarship by linking peace-oriented accounting practices to environmental risk mitigation and offers practical insights for regulators, policymakers, and financial institutions.

The gaming industry in Indonesia continues to grow, but many local developers still face obstacles in effective promotional strategies to reach a wide audience. Traditional promotional media such as posters or brochures are considered less attractive to the digital generation that is more responsive to dynamic visual content. This research offers a solution in the form of designing 2D animated infographics as a more interactive and communicative promotional media strategy. The research method is carried out through the stages of needs analysis, storyboarding, illustration design, and animation process by referring to the principles of user-centered design (UCD). The implementation results show that 2D animated infographics are able to convey information in a concise, clear, and interesting manner, thus increasing audience interest in games made in Indonesia. Audience testing showed an 80% increase in interest in trying the product after watching the animation, compared to static media. In addition, the animation was proven to strengthen the product's visual identity and support consistent branding. The conclusion of this research is that 2D animated infographics are not only effective in increasing brand awareness and market appeal, but also have great potential to become a strategic promotional medium that can strengthen the position of local games in the global arena.

This research critically examines the patterns and dynamics of gross human rights violations perpetrated against civilian populations within the context of the ongoing Anglophone Crisis in the Manyu Division, South West Region Cameroon. Framed within International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and Human Security Theory, and applying the Civilian Targeting in Armed Conflict perspective, the research scrutinizes how both state and non-state armed actors deliberately target, coerce, and exploit civilians in ways that violate the protections guaranteed under the Geneva Conventions. The study situates these abuses within the broader context of asymmetric warfare, where violations are often strategically motivated to achieve political, military, or economic objectives. Using a qualitative, analytical methodology, data was drawn from semi-direct interviews conducted from the months of march to may 2025 with affected civilians in Manyu Division and supplemented with secondary sources including published works, reports, and archival materials. These findings reveal, that civilian targeting is shaped by a combination of structural and strategic drivers. Structurally, state fragility and weak rule of law, civilian perceived neutrality, civil disobedience and the role of informants contribute to heightened risks. Strategically, operational efficiency, propaganda and narrative control, economic cohesion through the sale of basic commodities, and punitive retaliation against expression of opinions further sustain the cycle of violence. In practices, armed actors employ economic and manipulative socio-operational tactics such as ransom demands, the use of vigilante groups, exploitation of personal relationships (dating and courtship) as well as direct physical violence and psychological warfare through intimidation and deterrence. This act has resulted in mass displacement, destruction of properties, loss of livelihood and severe humanitarian security and socio-economic consequences. By focusing on a relatively under researched conflicts in central Africa, the study contributes to existing scholarships in two significant ways: it broadens the empirical base of civilian targeting literature by providing evidence from Manyu Division, and it refines theoretical models by showing how socio-political factors such as vigilante involvement, informants dynamics and personal relationships interacts with broader military strategies to intensify civilian harms. This study concludes that the ongoing violations constitute serious breaches of IHL and calls upon the international community to act decisively, through diplomacy, enforcement of legal norms and cohesive measures to end hostilities and strengthen civilian protection mechanisms in the region.

Xie Xunchu is a representative of the first generation of Chinese psychologists, and his contribution in translation is mainly reflected in his outstanding work in translating early psychological textbooks in China. Based on an in-depth analysis of his translation works, this paper summarizes his flexible strategies for translating psychological terminology, from the inception period of the psychological discipline to its subsequent development. The study finds that Xie primarily adopted a reader-oriented translation strategy during the Republican period of China, shifting focus towards greater informational equivalence with the source text after 1949, thereby ensuring the scholarship and accuracy of the translated textbooks.

In today’s hyper-connected digital era, cybercrime has emerged as a critical threat that not only inflicts losses on individuals but also endangers social stability, economic resilience, and national security. The rising intensity and sophistication of cyberattacks demand adaptive legal mechanisms, particularly through the application of digital forensics. This paper highlights the strategic role of IT forensics in cyber law enforcement by integrating technical expertise with professional ethics to ensure the validity of digital evidence while safeguarding human rights in judicial processes. Using a normative juridical and literature-based approach, the study explores the practical functions of digital forensics, regulatory challenges in Indonesia, and the urgent need for ethical standards in handling electronic evidence. The findings reveal that professionalism and ethical compliance are essential foundations for building a trustworthy and accountable digital justice system. This study contributes to the development of legal policy, the formulation of interdisciplinary curricula in law and technology, and the professionalization of law enforcement agencies in the cyber domain.

The functioning of color terminology in texts of the Altai and Tuva peoples reveals ethno-linguistic patterns: the most stable linguistic expressions and archaic representations of color are documented in the epic oral traditions of these peoples and serve as an integral background for the complete representation of the linguistic worldview. If a specific color designation can denote one lexicosemantic group with one meaning, for example, the colory blue with words meaning 'sky' and 'sea', and an animal having a celestial or marine origin, lexemes with the meaning 'light', 'dark', 'red' demonstrate rather wide valency properties and semantic potential: ak örgöö ‘white palace’, ak ai as ‘ ‘white light, ak koböng ‘white cotton’, ak kiyis ‘white felt’, ak mal ‘white cow’, altyn kol ‘golden hands’, kara suu ‘black water*’ → ‘mountain spring’¹, kara buka ‘black bull’, kara kulak ‘black lion’, kыyzыl kan ‘red blood’. In oral folklore, highly recurrent and symbolically charged color terms are black, white, gold, and red. The "older" or more archaic a color is, the more multifaceted it manifests in its symbolic functions. Secondary colors (e.g., green and mixed pair colors) are more "realistic" in meaning, symbolically less charged, and restricted to fewer lexical items. Written monuments from the ancient Turkic era reflect rare occurrences of color terminology, with a limited set; these generally correspond to the basic colors: white, black, red, and less frequently – blue-green. The analysis of color terminology was conducted based on the Altai heroic epic "Maadai-Kara" and Tuvan tales "Boktu-Kirish," "The Fearless Khan-Khuluk," "Haimer-ool and the Bull-sized Wolf," considered masterpieces of the golden foundation of the epic heritage. These are a rich linguistic source for new research and directions. Methodological Basis. The methodological basis of this work comprises the ways and principles for studying the symbolism of color, realized using a linguocultural approach. The foundation for this direction in modern linguistics is based on the works of D.S. Likhachev and received further development from the works of A.A. Potemkin, A. Vezhbeevsky, A.N. Afanasyev, A.P. Vasil'evich, L.L. Gabysheva, N.L. Zhukovskaya, and other scientists researching language, thought, and culture as interconnected phenomena forming the core of any concept within the linguistic worldview. Research Methods. The work employs the following research methods: descriptive, comparative-associative (comparative-associative?), structural-semantic, and the approach of cultural phone interpretation.