Stakeholders’ perceptions of forestry in rural areas—Two case studies in Ireland

Ireland has undergone a substantial afforestation programme in the last 20 years, resulting in the forest cover increasing from 4.8% of the land area in 1983 to a current level of 10%. This paper presents the results of a study undertaken to assess stakeholders’ perceptions of forestry in two case study areas in Ireland. The two areas, Shillelagh and Newmarket, were chosen because their demographic characteristics varied as did their history of forestry development. However, the current forest cover is similar in the two areas both in terms of species composition and extent. Qualitative techniques, involving interviews with stakeholders, were used. There were striking differences in the perceptions of forestry in the cases study areas. In Shillelagh, which had a longer history of forest cover and a more urbanized population than Newmarket, forestry was considered part both of the local history and traditional landscape. Forests were valued for their amenity and recreation functions rather than their economic function. In contrast, perceptions of forestry in Newmarket were negative. Forestry was considered to be an isolating agent which was not part of the landscape of the area. The forests were also considered to have negligible amenity value. These negative perceptions in Newmarket seem to be linked to the dominance of Sitka spruce, an exotic conifer, in the forests. Stakeholders expressed the desire that if forestry was to expand further in the area that it would be through the planting of broadleaf species rather than conifers. The fact that these negative perceptions did not emerge in Shillelagh despite it having a similar species composition is attributed to the more gradual rate of afforestation and thus landscape change in the area. The lack of consultation and approach to planning regarding afforestation proposals was identified as a key issue in Newmarket with stakeholders expressing the wish that they should be consulted more when afforestation was planned. Greater community involvement in the planning of afforestation proposals is recommended as a means of improving consultation and to help dispel negative perceptions. The paper concludes by highlighting that perceptions of forestry within an area are dynamic and are influenced by the history of forestry development in that area.     

上海加快发展航运金融服务的问题与对策

航运金融服务作为建设国际航运中心和国际金融中心的纽带,其发展具有极其重要的意义。上海的航运服务和金融服务占据国内优势地位,但与国际知名的航运金融中心相比,仍有较大差距。该文对上海发展航运金融服务方面存在的突出问题进行了分析,作了一些探索研究,提出了可行对策与建议。     

央行领导干部履职审计评价方法探索

本文从近年的工作实际出发,结合人民银行的现状,对领导干部履职审计评价方法进行了初步的探索,设计了领导干部履职审计评价指标体系,该体系比较客观、科学、全面地反映了领导干部履职审计所涉及的内容和评价标准,对今后的履职审计工作具有一定的指导意义。     

优化纳税服务渠道的国际经验及借鉴

纳税服务渠道综合了为纳税人服务的各项资源和具体措施,是税务机关提供纳税服务、提升管理效率的重要依托。本文介绍了国外纳税服务渠道建设的先进经验,分析了我国纳税服务渠道建设存在的问题,并提出了建设以纳税人为导向的整体纳税服务渠道策略的若干建议。     

推进外汇管理体制简约化市场化改革研究

作为金融监管和服务体系的重要组成部分,外汇管理体制改革必须顺应我国经济金融体制改革和外向型经济发展的趋势。当前,随着世界经济一体化进程的推进和我国经济开放度的提高,外汇管理体制改革面临新的任务,迫切需要进行体制创新,以真正实现外汇管理的简约化和市场化。本文从实际出发,提出了推进外汇管理简约化市场化改革的总体思路,论述了近期的主要措施,并对未来的改革进行了展望。     

我国黄金市场监管法律制度研究

本文以世界上主要黄金交易市场美国和英国为研究对象,发掘成熟黄金市场运作及监管的立法经验.在此基础上,结合我国黄金市场发展现状和主要法律监管内容,分析我国黄金市场法律监管制度存在的问题,并提出了相关建议.     

对组建农村商业银行几个问题的研究

“三农”问题一直是国人关注的热点和焦点,也是农村金融改革的考试重点,促使农村经济稳定发展,农民增收,农村产业结构调整和优化,要解决所需要的资金问题,就需要综合考虑农业银行、农业发展银行、农村信用社等金融机构的作用,在更高层次上建立农村商业银行体系,正确处理各类金融机构在这一体系中的关系,使之协调发展。要深化农村信用社改革,在农村的产业开发和产业调整中因地制宜地发挥其作用。     

迪士尼主题公园风光背后的秘密

主题公园是美国传媒巨头华特迪士尼公司（Walt Disney Company）的核心商业模式。去年,迪士尼在全球的11座主题公园为该公司450亿美元的营收贡献了近三分之一,为107亿美元的经营利润贡献了20.7%。新的研究为我们揭开了这一业务模式一些不为人知的秘密。研究显示,一直以来,美国迪士尼公司闪耀的光环,让巴黎迪士尼乐园的星星之火显得相当微不足道。然而现在的巴黎迪士尼公司已经成为表现最佳的兄弟公司。     

能源转向走向成功——访德国副总理兼经济与能源部长Sigmar Gabriel

在能源转向政策实施过程中,供应安全、经济性、环境承载性与气候保护这三个目标同等重要。这是我们定位的"能源政策的目标三角"。记者:为什么像德国这样的工业国家要致力于能源转向,使用可再生能源?Sigmar Gabriel:转向在可见的时间内是德国最重要的经济政策项目之一。实施能源转向政策有几个充分的理由:首先,我们希望作为工业国能退出核能,提高可再生能源的比例。第二,减少对国际石油和天然气进口的依赖。第三,通过它,实现气候保护目标。第四,能源转向带来新技术的发展,从而能连带创造新经济增长行业的新工作岗位。最后另外,德国希望成为其他国家的榜     

一代巨擘褒与贬

作为结构现实主义国际关系理论的创始人和领军人物,肯尼思·沃尔兹的学术思想影响既深且远,却不像表面上那么容易理解。他对传统国际关系理论进行了科学改造,单枪匹马地改变了国际关系学科的面貌,却又坚决反对科学实证主义。他的理论因其高度简约、针对性强以及拒绝具体预测而备受诟病,沃尔兹却不为所动,绝不放松对科学理论的严苛要求。在明智的利益和谨慎的权力等原则指引下,一位貌似崇尚实力的现实主义者却成了现实国际政治中的温和派。