Abstract Political institutions such as the European Commission and the Government of Spain have expressed their interest and willingness to lay the foundations for ethical governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). In particular, they have proposed the promotion of reliable Artificial Intelligence through a set of guidelines and strategies. Despite the benefit provided by these political initiatives, it is not possible to fully appreciate a specific educational strategy that contributes to the generation of an ethical AI ecosystem based on trust. In this sense, the main objective of this work is to demonstrate that the teaching of applied ethics in engineering studies constitutes a commitment to professional strengthening, ethical governance and responsible research and innovation. To achieve this objective, first of all, some of the essential aspects that give significant value to the teaching of applied ethics will be detailed, highlighting the social responsibility that universities present in this field. Secondly, a classification of ethics subjects related to engineering in the environment of Spanish public universities will be shown. And, thirdly, a theoretical framework rooted in discursive ethics will be offered, promoting a civic perspective in the educational context of the professions.

Resumen Instituciones políticas como la Comisión Europea y el Gobierno de España han manifestado su interés y predisposición para sentar las bases de una gobernanza ética de la Inteligencia Artificial (IA). En particular, han planteado el impulso de una Inteligencia Artificial confiable a través de un conjunto de directrices y estrategias. A pesar del beneficio que reportan estas iniciativas políticas, no es posible apreciar en su conjunto una estrategia educativa específica que contribuya a la generación de un ecosistema ético de IA fundamentado en la confianza. En ese sentido, el objetivo principal de este trabajo consiste en explicar que la enseñanza de la ética aplicada en los estudios de ingeniería constituye una apuesta para el fortalecimiento profesional, la gobernanza ética y una investigación e innovación responsables. Para alcanzar este objetivo, en primer lugar, serán detallados algunos de los aspectos esenciales que dotan de un valor significativo a la enseñanza de la ética aplicada, subrayando la responsabilidad social que presentan las universidades en este terreno. En segundo lugar, se mostrará una clasificación de las asignaturas de ética relacionadas con la ingeniería en el entorno de las universidades públicas españolas. Y, en tercer lugar, se ofrecerá un marco teórico enraizado en la ética discursiva, promoviendo una mirada cívica en el contexto educativo de las profesiones.

RESUMEN La educación tributaria desarrollada mediante acciones gubernamentales y privadas tiene como objetivo mejorar las habilidades financieras responsables de la población. En este contexto, la investigación se centra en responder a la pregunta de cómo fomentar el cumplimiento fiscal y reducir la evasión del impuesto al valor agregado en Ecuador, en el marco de la economía digital. Se empleó una metodología descriptiva e interpretativa que identificó factores determinantes de la evasión tributaria, como la cultura, la corrupción y la falta de conciencia tributaria, asimismo se examinaron 6 programas de educación tributaria como herramientas clave para fortalecer el cumplimiento fiscal. El estudio concluye que la complejidad inherente al fenómeno tributario destaca la función esencial de las iniciativas educativas fiscales en Latinoamérica. Estos programas se revelan como elementos esenciales para estimular el cumplimiento fiscal y mitigar la evasión, resaltando así su papel fundamental en la configuración de una cultura tributaria sólida en estas regiones.

ABSTRACT Tax education developed through government and private actions aims to improve the responsible financial skills of the population. In this context, the research focuses on answering the question of how to encourage tax compliance and reduce value added tax evasion in Ecuador, within the framework of the digital economy. A descriptive and interpretative methodology was employed that identified determinants of tax evasion, such as culture, corruption and lack of tax awareness, likewise 6 tax education programs were examined as key tools to strengthen tax compliance. The study concludes that the inherent complexity of the tax phenomenon highlights the essential role of tax education initiatives in Latin America. These programs prove to be essential elements to stimulate tax compliance and mitigate evasion, thus highlighting their fundamental role in shaping a strong tax culture in these regions.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most spoken-about topics in the media, academia, government and other platforms. One of the aspects that is often discussed is the ethical implications of AI and approaches to mitigate the risks. Artificial intelligence has an undeniable impact on industries as well as socio-economic structures; however, this article focusses on the impact of AI on three concerns mainly, humanity, spirituality and the environment. This article is an interdisciplinary study of African theological ethics and the philosophy of technology. It discusses the theological implications (doctrinal issues) of emerging technologies, particularly AI. It discusses technology as power which has impacted Africa since the first industrial revolution and emphasises the importance of African ethics in the context of AI in Africa. This article critically discusses ubuntu ethics and its critique. It focuses on AI and its impact on humanity, spirituality and the environment, and proposes a holistic ubuntu AI ethics approach in South Africa. INTRADISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS: This article is an interdisciplinary study of African theological ethics and the philosophy of technology. Ubuntu ethics in this article derives from African Theology and African Philosophy. Ubuntu AI ethics is important for various disciplines such as theology, law, social sciences, computer sciences and information technology (especially designers and developers).

Saemaul Undong, also called the New Village or Community Movement, was a community-based development programme promoted in the Republic of Korea during President Park's regime in the 1970s. To reduce the urban-rural income gap in a relatively short period of time (the decade of the 1970s), it has brought unprecedented success, as seen in South Korea's overall socioeconomic improvements and decrease of extreme poverty. Based on the movement's contributions, individual research and public discourse have argued for the potential of applying Saemaul Undong's strategies and activities to developing countries. Nevertheless, the movement's weaknesses, such as the government's ignorance of the particular needs of rural populations and the sustenance of dictatorship, imply the necessity for fundamental changes in the goals and policies of Saemaul Undong before it can be utilised for different contexts. This article explores how the limitations of Saemaul Undong should be amended. CONTRIBUTION: This article utilises Emmanuel Levinas' 'Ethics of the Other' as an effective framework that can be used to critique, in particular, the top-down and ambitious approach of the movement and address the significance of responsible leadership that, with hospitality, promotes a just society by being attentive to the suffering of socially vulnerable populations, concerning their dignity, uniqueness, and equality.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 caused unforeseen global burden, although vaccine strategy rapidly stalled transmission and protected those at risk. Many governments made vaccination mandatory for public space access AIM: This study aimed to elucidate perception of Nigerian civil servants towards mandatory COVID-19 vaccination and elicited their recommendations SETTING: This study was conducted in twelve purposively selected states in the six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria. Relevant ministries, departments and agencies were selected within the study sites METHODS: It was a qualitative study that interviewed consenting civil servants. Ethical approval was obtained from the National Health Research Ethics Committee. Interviews were conducted in person, following a pre-test. Data was analysed using NVivo software version 12 RESULTS: Most participants were willing to take the vaccine if their safety was assured. However, enforcement to do so was a hindrance. Most participants commended the government for the effort to curb COVID-19 transmission and create awareness but were displeased with planning and handling of misconceptions. They recommended a more committed approach to vaccine production and funding by the government CONCLUSION: Participants were willing to take the COVID-19 vaccines because the gains of protection outweighed the risks. They suggested a less involuntary approach through reinforcing awareness creation and avoiding threats CONTRIBUTION: There is limited qualitative research on perception of Nigerian civil servants regarding mandatory COVID-19 vaccination. Being the main driving force of Nigeria's public service, their views are invaluable. Findings could contribute to future policies in times of emergency

BACKGROUND: South African private healthcare is funded through medical aids and out-of-pocket payments. Annually, R22 billion is lost to medical fraud, waste and abuse (FWA) threatening the sustainability of healthcare delivery. Healthcare providers are often accused of unethical practices and various forms of FWA AIM: To assess the optometrists' experience of FWA and the strategies to combat FWA METHODS: A quantitative study was conducted amongst optometrists using a structured questionnaire and data was analysed using descriptive statistics RESULTS: Most (75%) respondents were aware of FWA. About 41% of respondents were audited for FWA, of whom two-thirds were Black males. The Preferred provider Negotiators conducted 27% audits, followed by Discovery (16.5%), Government Employees Medical Scheme (7.8%) and Medscheme (5%). Iso Leso and Opticlear networks conducted 3.9% each. About 7.8% were found guilty of FWA, of whom 87.5% were Black practitioners and 12.5% Indian practitioners. Claiming for spectacles but dispensing sunglasses (5.9%) and over-servicing (4%) were highest ranked offences. Common sanctions were claw-back (75%) and indirect payment (37.5%). Practitioners implement identity checks (94%-96%), coding training (89%) and accurate record keeping (93%) as anti-FWA strategies. Excessive codes and lack of standardised tariffs were challenges to fighting FWA CONCLUSION: Optometrists use identity checks, coding and billing training as anti-FWA strategies. Coding and billing complexities are the main sources of FWA cases. Black and Indian practitioners were more likely to be identified for FWA and found guilty than White practitioners CONTRIBUTION: The study highlights the forms of FWA and suggest integration of controls to effectively curb FWA

Abstract The intensification of animal farming is a growing trend worldwide that poses serious environmental and animal rights challenges. In Argentina, it gained public attention for the first time after the government agreed with China to install intensive pig farms in the country in 2020. Although the environmental danger raised the most important concerns among the public, the opposition also came from animal rights advocates. This paper will offer a theoretical analysis of intensive pig farming from animal ethics and animal welfare perspectives. The analysis will include how some of the most recent advances in Argentinean case law, recognizing legal personhood for some animals, could influence the path to animal farm intensification and its regulation. The work is divided into four sections. In the first, a brief discussion of the contributions of animal ethics will be presented. The second section will describe the main concepts involved in animal welfare science. In the third section, the article will describe the life and death of pigs on intensive farms. Finally, the last section will survey Argentinean animal rights case law and animal law, highlighting the contrast between the contradictory trends: animal legal personhood recognition versus animal farming intensification. challenges Argentina 2020 advocates perspectives animals regulation sections presented science Finally trends 202 20 2

Resumo A intensificação da pecuária é uma tendência crescente em todo o mundo e apresenta sérios desafios ambientais e de direitos dos animais. Na Argentina, ela ganhou a atenção pública pela primeira vez depois que o governo concordou com a China em instalar fazendas intensivas de suínos no país em 2020. Embora o perigo ambiental tenha levantado as preocupações mais importantes entre o público, a oposição também veio dos defensores dos direitos dos animais. Este artigo oferecerá uma análise teórica da suinocultura intensiva a partir das perspectivas da ética e do bem-estar animal. A análise incluirá como alguns dos mais recentes avanços da jurisprudência argentina, reconhecendo a personalidade jurídica de alguns animais, poderiam influenciar o caminho para a intensificação da criação de animais e sua regulamentação. O trabalho está dividido em quatro seções. Na primeira, será apresentada uma breve discussão sobre as contribuições da ética animal. Na segunda, serão descritos os principais conceitos envolvidos na ciência do bem-estar animal. Na terceira seção, o artigo mostrará a vida e a morte dos porcos nas fazendas intensivas. A última seção apresentará um levantamento da jurisprudência argentina sobre os direitos dos animais e da lei de animais e destacará o contraste entre as tendências contraditórias: reconhecimento da personalidade jurídica dos animais versus intensificação da criação de animais. Argentina 2020 público bemestar bem estar animal regulamentação seções segunda contraditórias 202 20 2

Resumen La intensificación de la cría de animales es una tendencia creciente en todo el mundo que plantea graves problemas medioambientales y de violación a los derechos de los animales. En Argentina, atrajo la atención pública por primera vez después de que el gobierno acordara con China la instalación de granjas intensivas de cría de cerdos en el país en 2020. Aunque el peligro medioambiental suscitó la mayor preocupación entre el público, la oposición también provino de los defensores de los derechos de los animales. Este artículo ofrecerá un análisis teórico de la cría intensiva de cerdos desde las perspectivas de la ética y el bienestar animal. El análisis incluirá además una revisión de cómo algunos de los avances más recientes de la jurisprudencia argentina, que reconocen la personalidad jurídica de algunos animales, podrían influir en el camino hacia la intensificación de la cría de animales y su regulación. El trabajo se divide en cuatro secciones. En la primera, se presentará una breve discusión de los aportes de la ética animal. En la segunda, se describirán los principales conceptos implicados en la ciencia del bienestar animal. En la tercera sección, el artículo mostrará la vida y la muerte de los cerdos en granjas intensivas. En la última, se hará un repaso de la jurisprudencia argentina en materia de derechos de los animales y se destacará el contraste entre las tendencias contradictorias: reconocimiento de la personalidad jurídica de los animales frente a intensificación de la cría de animales. Argentina 2020 público animal regulación secciones segunda sección última contradictorias 202 20 2

The ethical regulation in research and its repercussions in Social Work Abstract The article addresses the limits of regulation on research ethics in the country, highlighting the controversy surrounding the current norms and instruments for evaluation, from the perspective of human and social sciences and its repercussion on Social Work. It presents results of exploratory research based on the dialectical method of investigation and exposure, through bibliographic and documentary research. The results demonstrate that there are advances in recognizing the specificities of human and social sciences as a result of the actions of scientific and professional associations in the area. However, they were not enough to overcome the hegemony of the conception of science and ethics originating from biomedical sciences in the current structure, norms and instruments. Given this situation, it is essential to deepen the dialogue between the scientific community and the Brazilian government, to construct other parameters for evaluation, based on comprehensive guidelines and principles on ethics and scientific integrity that serve different areas of knowledge. country evaluation exposure area However structure situation government knowledge

Resumo Este artigo aborda os limites da regulação sobre ética em pesquisa no País, destacando a polêmica em torno das normas e instrumentos para a avaliação vigentes, sob a ótica das ciências humanas e sociais e sua repercussão no Serviço Social. Apresenta resultados de pesquisa exploratória com base no método dialético de investigação e exposição, por meio de pesquisa bibliográfica e documental. Os resultados demonstram que há avanços para reconhecimento das especificidades das ciências humanas e sociais em decorrência da atuação das associações científicas e profissionais da área. Contudo, não foram suficientes para superar a hegemonia da concepção de ciência e ética oriunda das ciências biomédicas na estrutura, normas e instrumentos vigentes. Frente a esse quadro, torna-se fundamental o aprofundamento do diálogo entre comunidade científica e governo brasileiro, para construção de outros parâmetros para avaliação, fundamentados em diretrizes e princípios abrangentes sobre ética e integridade científica que sirvam às diferentes áreas do conhecimento. País vigentes Social exposição documental área Contudo estrutura quadro tornase torna se brasileiro conhecimento

Abstract Objective: To analyze the experiences of international organizations and the Government of Mexico in establishing recommendations to protect the human rights of users of hospital services due to COVID-19, taking into account medical ethics. Materials and methods: This research focused on a qualitative approach, where experiences, perspectives, and approaches to ethics and human rights during the COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed. With this, books, scientific articles, reports and official documents of the organizations and dependencies involved were studied. Results: In the coronavirus pandemic, health systems were forced to seek support from civil society to counter its negative effects on the economy and the protection of human rights. However, today, the task of the health sector continues, since cases of COVID-19 continue to arise, in addition, there are patients who still have sequelae and who must be treated without exclusion. So that timely, acceptable and affordable access to health services with sufficient quality continues to be privileged. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic modified the enjoyment of human rights, including the right to health, for which reason medical work was modified based on the recommendations of international organizations and governments of the three levels. In the care of the health emergency, it was essential to protect human integrity; act with respect, solidarity, empathy and reciprocity; and understanding that everyone should be cared for without discrimination, that is, with inclusion and considering the existence of vulnerable groups, basing care on medical ethics and values.

Resumen Objetivo: Analizar las experiencias de los organismos internacionales y el Gobierno de México en el establecimiento de recomendaciones para proteger los derechos humanos de los usuarios, de los servicios hospitalarios a causa de la COVID-19, tomando en cuenta la ética médica. Materiales y métodos: La presente investigación se centró en un enfoque cualitativo, donde se analizaron las experiencias, perspectivas y enfoques en materia de ética y derechos humanos durante la pandemia COVID-19. Con ello, se estudiaron libros, artículos científicos, informes y documentos oficiales de los organismos y dependencias involucradas. Resultados: En la pandemia por el coronavirus, los sistemas de salud se vieron obligados a buscar apoyo de la sociedad civil para contrarrestar sus efectos negativos en la economía y la protección de los derechos humanos. No obstante, hoy en día, la tarea del sector salud continua, ya que se siguen suscitando casos de COVID-19, además, existen pacientes que aún tienen secuelas y que deben ser atendidos sin exclusión. De modo que se continue privilegiando la accesibilidad oportuna, aceptable y asequible a los servicios de salud con la calidad suficiente. Conclusiones: La pandemia COVID-19 modificó el goce de los derechos humanos, incluyendo el derecho a la salud, por lo que la labor médica se modificó a partir de las recomendaciones de organismos internacionales y los gobiernos de los tres niveles. En la atención de la emergencia sanitaria fue fundamental proteger la integridad humana; actuar con respeto, solidaridad, empatía y reciprocidad; y entendiendo que todos debían ser atendidos sin discriminación, es decir, con inclusión y considerando la existencia de grupos vulnerables, basando la atención en la ética médica y los valores.

RESUMEN INTRODUCCIÓN: Las investigaciones en salud mental suelen ser minoritarias y en general no ocupan un lugar de relevancia en las agendas de investigación en salud pública. No obstante, la problemática se ha impuesto especialmente desde la pandemia por COVID-19, y los organismos gubernamentales de Argentina han elaborado una estrategia de abordaje integral de la salud mental. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar los problemas éticos a considerar en investigaciones de bajo riesgo que empleen un enfoque metodológico cualitativo en sujetos humanos con padecimiento mental y describir los requerimientos éticos para estas investigaciones. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un mapeo de las normativas, códigos, tratados, leyes, reglamentaciones, resoluciones y disposiciones sobre los requisitos éticos para las investigaciones en salud con seres humanos en Argentina. RESULTADOS: Los sujetos con padecimiento mental pueden presentar dificultades para dar su consentimiento libre e informado y pueden encontrarse en una situación de vulnerabilidad, que requiera que se implementen medidas de protección específicas y que los datos obtenidos en este tipo de investigaciones pasen por un proceso de anonimización para evitar la discriminación y estigmatización. DISCUSIÓN: Se presentan una serie de medidas que podrían contribuir a la protección del derecho a la salud mental de los participantes, enfatizando el resguardo de la autonomía, la minimización de riesgos y la anonimización de los datos.

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Mental health research is usually a minority of the studies conducted and does not generally play a key role in public health research agendas. However, mental health problems have gained increased attention especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, and the government agencies in Argentina have developed a strategy for a comprehensive approach to mental health. The objective of this study was to identify the ethical problems to be considered in low-risk research using a qualitative methodological approach with human subjects with mental suffering and to describe ethical requirements for this research. METHODS: A mapping of the norms, codes, treaties, laws, regulations, resolutions and provisions on ethical requirements for health research with human beings in Argentina was carried out. RESULTS: Subjects with mental suffering may have difficulties in giving their free and informed consent and may be in a situation of vulnerability that requires the implementation of specific protection measures and the anonymization of the data collected in this type of research to avoid discrimination and stigmatization. DISCUSSION: A series of measures are recommended that could contribute to the protection of the right to mental health of the participants, emphasizing the safeguard of the autonomy, the minimization of risks and the anonymization of data.

Resumen El presente artículo de reflexión aborda el fenómeno de la polarización, hecho que ha conjugado un sinnúmero de escenarios en los cuales el lenguaje se hace presente, como en todo acontecimiento de la cultura. Los contextos que se toman como puntos de discusión radican en la estructura de los discursos que se han establecido a nivel global, como el caso de Estados Unidos con el concepto de Estados canallas, así como el contexto de los acuerdos de paz en Colombia entre el Gobierno y las FARC; acontecimientos que han marcado, de alguna manera, formas de pensar lo social, lo ético y lo político a partir de sus implicaciones geopolíticas en un periodo específico de la historia. Con base en ello, se toman en cuenta aportes de la filosofía, la sociología y el periodismo para ampliar el contexto de reflexión y discusión, profundizándose en puntos particulares alrededor del tema del lenguaje y el discurso, tal y como se propone desde la teoría psicoanalítica de Freud y Lacan, con el fin de brindar una explicación acerca de los efectos que dichos procesos tienen sobre la subjetividad. Así mismo, se pretende dar cuenta de cómo la constitución subjetiva involucra la identificación con un discurso, lo que puede entenderse como la relación con el otro. Se concluye que, en la polarización, concebida como un fenómeno social enmarcado en una estructura de lenguaje, se juega con los elementos significantes que advierten que ciertas dinámicas pulsionales en diversas posiciones de grupos y colectivos han demarcado formas de hacer lazo en momentos lógicos de una sociedad; igualmente, se establece una reflexión ligada a la ética del bien decir como propuesta frente a los elementos hallados en el análisis del contexto abordado.

Abstract The following article of reflection addresses the phenomenon of polarization, a fact that has combined countless scenarios in which language is present as any other cultural event. The contexts that are taken into account as points of discussion, are perceived in the structure of the discourses that have been established at a global level, such as the case of the United States with the concept of Rogue States, as well as the context of the peace agreements in Colombia between the government and the FARC, events that have somehow marked ways of thinking about the social, the ethical and the political perspective from their geopolitical implications in a specific period of history. From there, contributions from philosophy, sociology and journalism are taken into account in order to expand the context of reflection and discussion, going through specific points around the subject of language and discourse as it is proposed from the psychoanalytic theory of Sigmund Freud and Jacques Lacan, in order to provide an explanation about the effects that these processes have on subjectivity. Likewise, it is intended to account for how the subjective constitution implies identification with a discourse, which can be understood as the relationship to the Other. It is concluded that, in polarization, which is understood as a social phenomenon framed in a language structure, significant elements are played that account for certain drive dynamics in various positions of groups and collectives that have demarcated ways of bonding in logical moments of a society and; Likewise, a reflection linked to the ethics of well-saying is established, as a proposal against the elements found in the analysis of the context addressed.

Worldwide the population of older persons is growing. Relatedly, there is an increasing demand for suitable medical care, social security (e.g. government grants), social services and care. In South Africa, the focus of this study, social services to older persons are mainly provided by two social service professional groups, namely social workers and social auxiliary workers. This paper argues that practitioners in the social service professions must have appropriate knowledge and a fitting attitude towards older persons to provide effective gerontological services. This argument is aligned with an international commitment by signatories to the UN Decade of Healthy Aging 2021-2030 to change the way people think, feel and act towards age and ageing in order to ensure the delivery of integrated person-centred gerontological services. In South Africa, older persons are considered a vulnerable group on which social services must focus (cf. Framework for Social Welfare Services, 2013). There is also specific legislation in this regard, namely the Older Persons Act 13 of 2006, as amended. After consultation of various international and national databases, it was confirmed that, in contrast to various surveys among students in the helping professions, there is still a lack of studies that explore and describe professionals' knowledge of and attitude towards older persons. According to the available literature, there is only one study within the South African context that dealt with the attitude of medical practitioners towards older persons (Ntusi & Ferreira, 2004). With this knowledge gap in mind, the research question that this study seeks to answer is as follows: "What are professionals in social service professions' knowledge of and attitude towards older persons?" This study was undertaken within the ambit of the modernisation theory. A cross-sectional survey was implemented with social service professionals in the employ of a private South African welfare organisation with a footprint over five of the nine provinces. The total population of 140 professionals was invited to complete a web-based survey. Sixty-three respondents (N=63) responded to the invitation and answered the questionnaire in full via QualtricsXM, a web-based programme. Section 1 comprised a holistic profile of the respondents. In Section 2, the knowledge of respondents pertaining to older persons and ageing was determined by means of Palmore's First Facts on Aging Quiz in multiple-choice format. Incorrect answers determine positive or negative bias towards ageing. Section 3 determined the respondents'attitudes towards older persons, using Fraboni's Scale of Ageism. The scale measures overall attitude/ageism, and three sub-scales, namely antilocution, avoidance and discrimination. More specifically, this study determined the impact of nine factors (i.e. age, area of childhood residence, growing up with an older person, qualification, completed course in gerontology, working exclusively with older persons, considering working with older persons, province of employment, and task description) on the knowledge and attitudes of respondents by calculating either the independent T-test or the one-way ANOVA. Both scales were found to be valid and reliable within the South African context. After written permission from the management of the welfare organisation, the research ethics committee of the university provided ethical approval for the study. Based on the profile of the respondents, this study mainly offers a glimpse of female persons in their middle years, with an average of 15 years of experience as social workers and practising in family-centred services. The results show that the respondents have poor overall knowledge of ageing with a mean of 9.4 out of 25 (SD=2.6). In answering the quiz, incorrect answers tended toward negative bias towards older persons. Overall the respondents hold positive attitudes toward older persons with a mean of 80.6 out of 145 (SD=11.8) for ageism. Furthermore, the sub-scales antilocution (x=25.2) and avoidance (x=24.9) scored around the midpoint, while discrimination scored high (x=30.4). Three factors were identified as having a statistically significant impact on the respondents' overall knowledge of ageing: "Age group" (p=0.02), "Qualification" (p=0.03) and "Taskdescription" (p=0.03). Furthermore, "Growing up with an older person in the household" had a statistically significant impact on the subscale "positive bias" (p=0.02). In addition, "Currently working exclusively with older persons" showed a statistically significant impact on both the overall attitude/ageism (p=0.04) and antilocution (p=0.04) measured among the respondents. With reference to the factors that showed a statistically significant impact (p<0.05) on respondents' knowledge of ageing and attitudes towards older persons, recommendations for continuing professional development (CPD) are delineated. As per the policy of the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP, 2021), registered social workers must achieve at least 20 CPD points each year (or 40 spread over two years) and registered social auxiliary workers 10 points (20 over two years). The policy of the SACSSP makes provision for a variety of group and individual activities whose award of points varies between two and twenty. All professionals also carry out their tasks under a supervisor. Both CPD and supervision offer a familiar context within which social services to older persons can be dealt with. The field of service of professionals should determine the extent to which the focus on older persons should be. In connection with the aforementioned policy and supervision, some recommendations are offered to improve professionals'knowledge of and attitude towards older persons. For example, expert lectures focusing on different aspects of ageing and the completion of professional online development courses. Attitudes could be addressed during individual supervision and with creative activities such as role plays.

Die bejaardebevolking neem wêreldwyd toe. Gevolglik vergroot die vraag na geskikte mediese sorg, maatskaplike bystand, maatskaplike dienste en versorging. In Suid-Afrika word maatskaplike dienste aan ouer persone hoofsaaklik deur twee maatskaplike diensberoepe gelewer, naamlik maatskaplike werkers en maatskaplike hulpwerkers. Hierdie praktisyns moet oor die nodige kennis van en gepaste houding teenoor ouer persone beskik ten einde effektiewe gerontologiese dienste te lewer. Internasionaal, maar ook in Suid-Afrika, is 'n leemte geïdentifiseer met betrekking tot 'n studie wat praktisyns se kennis van en houding teenoor ouer persone verken en beskryf. Hierdie artikel poog om die volgende navorsingsvraag te beantwoord: "Wat is professionele persone in maatskaplike diensberoepe se kennis van en houding teenoor ouer persone?" 'n Deursnit opnameprosedure is gevolg met praktisyns (N=140) verbonde aan een private welsynsorganisasie. Drie-en-sestig respondente (N=63) het die aanlyn vraelys voltooi. Respondente se kennis van veroudering is verken met Palmore 's First Facts on Aging Quiz in multiple-choice format. Houding teenoor ouer persone is ooreenkomstig Fraboni's Scale of Ageism beskryf. Respondente het swak gevaar in hul oorhoofse kennis van veroudering met 'n gemiddelde punt van 9.4 uit 25 (s=2.6). Met 'n teoretiese reikwydte van 29 tot 145, het ouderdomsdiskriminasie laag gemeet (x=80.6; s=11.8). Voorts is die impak van nege faktore op respondente se gemiddelde kennis van en houding teenoor ouer persone bepaal met behulp van parametriese toetse. Beide voortgesette professionele ontwikkelings-inisiatiewe en supervisie is bekende kontekste in maatskaplike diensberoepe. Aanbevelings word gedoen om praktisyns se kennis van en houding teenoor ouer persone te verbeter met die oog op effektiewe gerontologiese dienste.

Interest in the governance of big data is growing exponentially. However, finding the right balance between making large volumes of data accessible, and safeguarding privacy, preventing data misuse, determining authorship and protecting intellectual property remain challenging. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), research ethics committees (RECs) play an important role in reviewing data-intense research protocols. However, this regulatory role must be embedded in a context of robust governance. There is currently a paucity of published literature on how big data are regulated in SSA and if the capacity to review protocols is sufficient. The aim of this study was to provide a broad overview of REC members' awareness and perceptions of big data governance in SSA. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from April to July 2022. We invited 300 REC members to participate in our online survey via Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap). A total of 140 REC members, representing 34 SSA countries, completed the online survey. Awareness of data governance laws, policies and guidelines was variable across the subcontinent. A quarter of respondents (25%) indicated that national regulations on the trans-border flow of research data are inadequate. Institutional policies on research data protection were also regarded as being inadequate. Most respondents (64%) believed that they lacked experience in reviewing data-intense protocols. Data governance and regulation in SSA need to be strengthened at both national and institutional levels. There is a strong need for capacity development in the review of data-intense research protocols on the subcontinent. SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first empirical survey in SSA in which awareness and perspectives of REC members have been explored specifically relating to the review of data-intense research protocols. Big data have raised new ethics and legal challenges, and this survey provides a broad overview of these challenges in SSA. Our study confirms that knowledge and awareness of legislative frameworks and ethics guidance in SSA vary considerably where big data are concerned. The research results could be useful for a range of stakeholders, including RECs, data scientists, researchers, research and academic institutions, government decision-makers and artificial intelligence (AI) coders.

Resumo A ubiquidade das tecnologias da informação e comunicação (TICs) impacta cada vez mais no cotidiano da sociedade, inclusive da Administração Pública. Desse modo, surge o problema acerca da necessidade de se efetivamente implantar e aprimorar uma cultura da proteção de dados na Administração Pública. O trabalho é dividido em três partes: (i) no primeiro momento, é estudada a existência de novos paradigmas em decorrência da evolução tecnológica, posto que a digitalização levou a um mundo “phygital” (ou “figital”, em português, que resulta da junção do “físico” com “digital”), no contexto da sociedade da informação; (ii), após, analisa-se a transformação digital da Administração Pública e da evolução do governo eletrônico para o governo digital, que é o modelo mais evoluído e marcado pelo uso das TICs não apenas como um instrumento, mas também para aproximar a população da Administração Pública, bem como a realização dos direitos fundamentais, especialmente os sociais; (iii) por fim, trata-se da cultura de dados na Administração Pública, com destaque para a desigualdade na inclusão digital, que existe tanto na sociedade quanto na Administração Pública, que impacta na mentalidade e cultura de dados na Administração Pública, bem como a preocupação com o tratamento e compartilhamento indevido dos dados dos cidadãos coletados no âmbito do governo digital. Assim, em estudo realizado mediante pesquisa bibliográfica e com o emprego do método dedutivo, entende-se que, para que sejam atendidos os direitos fundamentais no governo digital, deve haver atenção especial ao direito fundamental à proteção de dados, com constante atenção à segurança dos dados e capacitação dos agentes públicos, com reforço da ética no manejo dos dados pessoais, para que não ocorram vazamentos e nem compartilhamentos ilegais e indevidos.

Abstract The ubiquity of information and communication technologies (ICTs) increasingly impacts society's daily life, including Public Administration. Thus, the problem arises about the need to effectively implement and improve a culture of data protection in Public Administration. The work is divided into three parts: (i) at first, it’s studied the existence of new paradigms as a result of technological evolution is studied, since digitalization has led to a “phygital” world (or “figital”, in Portuguese, which results the combination of “physical” and “digital”), in the context of the information society; (ii) then, is analyzed the digital transformation of Public Administration and the evolution of electronic government to digital government, which is the most evolved model and marked by the use of ICTs not only as an instrument, but also to bring the population closer together Public Administration, as well as the realization of fundamental rights, specially social ones; (iii) finally, the work deals with the culture of data in Public Administration, with emphasis on inequality in digital inclusion, which exists both in society and in Public Administration, which impacts on the mentality and culture of data in Public Administration, as well as the concern with the undue treatment and sharing of citizens' data collected in the scope of the digital government. Thus, in a study carried out through bibliographical research and using the deductive method, it is understood that, in order for fundamental rights to be met in the digital government, there must be special attention to the fundamental right to data protection, with constant attention to data security. data and training of public agents, with reinforcement of ethics in the handling of personal data, so that leaks and illegal and undue sharing do not occur.

Niccolò Machiavelli het oor 'n tydperk van vyf eeue 'n onverdiend negatiewe staatkundige reputasie as 'n siniese, immorele, magsugtige, wreedaardige en opportunistiese politieke Renaissance-intellektueel gekry. Hy het naamlik gedurende en ná sy betrokkenheid as senior beampte en adviseur in die regering van die Florentynse Republiek 'n besonder sterk premie geplaas op 'n regeerbenadering van "die doel heilig die middele", wat dikwels as oneties beskou word. Sy standpunte is vir baie lank geïsoleerd beoordeel van die komplekse omstandighede waarin hy geleef en gewerk het. Al hoe meer resente kommentaar op en beoordelings van sy werk erken egter dat hy hierdie slegte reputasie verwerf het omdat hy onder die baie moeilike omstandighede van sy tyd en ter wille van sy eie oorlewing en ambisie sy lojaliteit moes bewys aan die wrede outoritêre heersers onder wie hy geleef en gewerk het. Hy het inderwaarheid konsekwent probeer om fundamentele demokratiese regeer-kundebeginsels en -doelwitte, soos stabiliteit, responsiwiteit, openbare deelname, burgerlike tevredenheid en volhoubaarheid, na te streef en te bevorder, maar moes dit op meestal implisiete wyse doen, nie eksplisiet nie. In die lig van resente navorsingsbevindings en gevolgtrekkings beoordeel hierdie artikel sy rol as Renaissance-denker, diplomaat, strateeg en beplanner in 'n meer positiewe lig. Hy was 'n rigtinggewende grondlegger van die demokratiese magspolitieke denkskool in die politieke wetenskap.

This article reassesses Niccolò Machiavelli's contribution to political governance theory and practice. At the height of the Renaissance, Machiavelli was one of the most influential intellectuals. He was also a consummate and influential senior strategist, diplomat, negotiator and public official in the "democratic" Florentine Republic from 1494 to 1512. He gained extensive governance experience before the republican government was toppled in a coup by a member of its former absolutist Medici rulers, and he was arrested as a traitor, tortured and exiled from Florence. He remained in exile until his death in 1527. Machiavelli lived and worked in turbulent times. The period was characterised by violent and brutal competition for power, status and resources among mostly still feudal city states, manipulated by an increasingly influential politically interventionist and corrupt Roman Catholic Church dominated for centuries by the powerful Medici family. Machiavelli had a cynical view of human interactions. He regarded life as a series of overlapping games that people play for different purposes in different contexts. Politics consist of a series of power games played between competing rulers, between a ruler and his subjects, and between different individuals and groups in society to promote their respective self-interests. Machiavelli completed his first book (Il Principe ["the prince"]) in 1513 for the primary purpose ofwinning favour from the new Medici dictator and probably also for his own survival. In it he advised Lorenzo de Medici that political history had proven that power politics requires a ruler to fluctuate between good and evil actions in order to maintain and consolidate his hold on power in the long term. He therefore recommended that Medici should not flinch from using deflection, disinformation, lies and other "unethical" means to achieve stable, sustainable good governance goals that satisfy the interests of both the ruler and his subjects. He even condoned merciless action (when necessary) against rebels who undermine and destabilise the ruler's control over society, because the masses only obey their rulers out of fear or contentedness and not necessarily out of loyalty. However, in his later publications he explained at great length how a responsive republican government, supported by a strong military capacity, can be the most stable and successful form of government, because it creates an equilibrium between citizen contentment and fear in society. Machiavelli gave ambiguous and mixed signals about the interventionist political role of the Catholic Church. He was sometimes very critical of this institution, which he regarded as a corrupt and self-serving manipulator of Renaissance politics, and yet, in other instances he put forward more sympathetic views about the potentially constructive and supportive role of religion in promoting good governance. From a modern democratic perspective, such seemingly contradictory statements afforded him the very negative reputation of being unethical, but, at the same time, have led to continuing speculation about the real motives for his enigmatic views. Over the last five centuries Machiavelli has therefore become highly controversial because of his allegedly "immoral" advice to the Medici dictators, who ended his career in Florence. The latest assessments of his work and of the rationality, cogency, coherence and logic of his arguments, however, increasingly indicate that for his time he was in essence a committed "democrat". He seems to have deliberately followed a very subtle and sometimes ambiguous writing style to survive personally in an antagonistic political climate and to regain his former job as a senior political official and counsellor in the Florentine government. For this purpose, he had to commit himself to accepting the cruel, authoritarian nature of the power politics of the prevailing Renaissance political and governance practices in order to try to effect an improvement in the democratic responsiveness, stability and sustainabillty of those systems. He therefore followed a deliberate strategy to try, on the one hand, to appease authoritarian rulers 'power ambitions but, on the other, to explain how their reign could be stabilised and be maintained more sustainably through more responsive good governance practices. His advice therefore reflects the subtle ironies and apparent contradictions of the political game that he decided to play and to advance. What Machiavelli really wanted to achieve with his writings - and what his relevance to and influence on contemporary democratic politics are - has in fact been significantly underrated and needs to be reassessed in view of new research findings and conclusions.