Libertà di espressione e sorveglianza globale

La presente tesi ha come scopo quello di individuare alcune problematiche relative all’esercizio e alla limitazione del diritto alla libertà di espressione nel contesto delle attività globali di sorveglianza e controllo delle tecnologie dell’informazione e della comunicazione. Tali attività, poste in essere da parte degli Stati e da parte degli operatori privati, sono favorite dal nebuloso rapporto tra norme di fonte pubblica, privata e informatica, e sono invece osteggiate dal ricorso, collettivo e individuale, alle possibilità offerte dalle tecnologie stesse per la conduzione di attività in anonimato e segretezza. La sorveglianza globale nel contesto delle privatizzazioni si serve del codice e dell’autonomia privata, così come la resistenza digitale ricorre alle competenze informatiche e agli spazi di autonomia d’azione dell’individuo. In questo contesto, la garanzia dell’esistenza e dell’esercizio dei diritti fondamentali dell’individuo, tra tutti il diritto alla libertà di espressione e il diritto alla tutela della riservatezza, passa per l’adozione di tecniche e pratiche di autotutela attraverso l’utilizzo di sistemi di cifratura e comunicazioni anonime. L’individuo, in questo conflitto tecnico e sociale, si trova a dover difendere l’esercizio dei propri diritti e finanche l’adempimento ai propri doveri, quando attinenti a particolari figure professionali o sociali, quali avvocati, operatori di giustizia, giornalisti, o anche semplicemente genitori. In conclusione dell’elaborato si propongono alcune riflessioni sulla formazione della cittadinanza e del mondo professionale, da parte dei giuristi delle nuove tecnologie, all’uso cosciente, consapevole e responsabile delle nuove tecnologie dell’informazione, con lo stimolo ad orientare altresì le proprie attività alla tutela e alla promozione dei diritti umani fondamentali, democratici, costituzionali, civili e sociali.

The Next 10 years in the Management of Peripheral Artery Disease: Perspectives from The 'PAD 2009' Conference

OBJECTIVES: To briefly inform on the conclusions from a conference on the next 10 years in the management of peripheral artery disease (PAD). DESIGN OF THE CONFERENCE: International participation, invited presentations and open discussion were based on the following issues: Why is PAD under-recognised? Health economic impact of PAD; funding of PAD research; changes of treatment options? Aspects on clinical trials and regulatory views; and the role of guidelines. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: A relative lack of knowledge about cardiovascular risk and optimal management of PAD patients exists not only among the public, but also in parts of the health-care system. Specialists are required to act for improved information. More specific PAD research is needed for risk management and to apply the best possible evaluation of evidence for treatment strategies. Better strategies for funding are required based on, for example, public/private initiatives. The proportion of endovascular treatments is steadily increasing, more frequently based on observational studies than on randomised controlled trials. The role of guidelines is therefore important to guide the profession in the assessment of most relevant treatment.

Applying erosion damage mapping to asses and quantify off-site effects of soil erosion in Switzerland

In order to fill existing knowledge gaps in the temporal and spatial distribution of soil erosion, its sources and causes, as well as in relation to its off-site impacts, erosion damage mapping of all visible erosion features was carried out at three study sites in Switzerland. The data illustrate that about one-quarter of the cultivated land was affected by water erosion. Observed mean annual soil loss rates are considered rather low (0.7–2.3 t/ha/y) compared to other European countries. However, substantial losses of >70 t/ha were recorded on individual plots. This paper focuses on the spatial aspects of soil erosion, by observing and comparing the study areas in a 1-year period from October 2005 to October 2006. The analyses illustrate that the sites differ considerably in average soil loss rates, but show similar patterns of off-site effects. In about one-third of the damaged plots an external source of surface runoff upslope contributed to the damage (run-on). Similarly, more than 50 per cent of the soil eroded on arable land deposited downslope on adjacent plots, roads, public/private infrastructure, etc., and 20 per cent of it reached open water bodies. Large amounts of eroded soil which deposit off-site, often related to slope depressions, are considered muddy floods and were frequently observed in Switzerland. Mapping, in conclusion, helps to sheds light on some of the important challenges of today, in particular: to comprehensively assess socioeconomic and ecological off-site effects of soil erosion, to attribute off-site impacts to on-site causes, and to raise awareness of all stakeholders involved, in order to improve ongoing discussions on policy formulation and implementation at the national and international levels.

The interorganizational challenge of agricultural reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The case study reported below examines USAID's "Linking Agricultural Markets with Producers" program. This program complemented Bosnia and Herzegovina's overall sustainable agriculture policies. Implementing organizations quickly recognized that sustainability must be achieved not only from an environmental perspective, but in the interorganizational domain as well. Public, private and nonprofit players had to develop the social, economic and political infrastructure required for sustainable agricultural projects to succeed. These institutional changes were at times more difficult than the sustainable agriculture policies and practices they supported. Framed within LAMP's identification of constraints and proposed solutions for agricultural reform, we explored the interorganizational linkages required for success. We identified three distinct types: 1) those within the international community, 2) those within the local community and 3) those between international and local organizations. The case illustrates the institutional and managerial obstacles to and opportunities for implementing sustainable development reforms in transition settings.

Visualisierung und Virtualisierung von Erinnerung: Geschichtspolitik in der medialen Erlebnisgesellschaft. Skizze des Teilprojekts E 11 im Sonderforschungsbereich "Erinnerungskulturen" an der Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen

Erinnerungen sind abhängig von der gesellschaftlichen Organisation ihrer Weitergabe und von den dabei genutzten Medien. Deshalb stehen jetzt vermehrt Einflüsse und Wirkungen auf der Tagesordnung, die neue, computervermittelte Medien auf Erinnerungskulturen haben. Die mnemotechnische Relevanz bildhafter Darstellungen von historischen Ereignissen wird in jüngster Zeit verstärkt analysiert; Visualisierung, vor allem in elektronischen Massenmedien, ist dabei als grundlegende Tendenz einer 'ikonisch' geprägten Öffentlichkeit und (politischen) Kultur herausgestrichen worden. Die Digitalisierung stellt eine neue Dimension dar, die bisher meist nur im Hinblick auf ihre technischen Grundlagen und erhöhte Speicherkapazitäten von Erinnerungs-Informationen thematisiert worden ist. Wenig bearbeitet worden sind ihre dynamischen, multimedialen und interaktiven Dimensionen, die eine neue Qualität der Inszenierung und Fiktionalisierung historischer Ereignisse herstellen. Die bisher erzielten Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass es dabei auch zu einer marktförmigen Strukturierung der Erinnerungskulturen kommt und man etwa unter Gesichtspunkten der Finanzierung von einer (globalen) Wettbewerbssituation im Rahmen von 'public-private-partnerships' ausgehen muss.

Effects of Ownership on Hospital Efficiency in Germany

The objective of our study was to evaluate the efficiency of public, private for-profit, and private non-profit hospitals in Germany. First, bootstrapped data envelopment analysis (DEA) was used to evaluate the efficiency of a panel (n = 1,046) of public, private for-profit, and private non-profit hospitals between 2002 and 2006. This was followed by a second-step truncated linear regression model with bootstrapped DEA efficiency scores as dependent variable. The results show that public hospitals performed significantly better than their private for-profit and non-profit counterparts. In addition, we found a significant positive association between hospital size and efficiency, and that competitive pressure had a significant negative impact on hospital efficiency.

Cut Out By The Middle Man: The Free Speech Implications Of Social Network Blocking and Banning In The EU

This article examines social network users’ legal defences against content removal under the EU and ECHR frameworks, and their implications for the effective exercise of free speech online. A review of the Terms of Use and content moderation policies of two major social network services, Facebook and Twitter, shows that end users are unlikely to have a contractual defence against content removal. Under the EU and ECHR frameworks, they may demand the observance of free speech principles in state-issued blocking orders and their implementation by intermediaries, but cannot invoke this ‘fair balance’ test against the voluntary removal decisions by the social network service. Drawing on practical examples, this article explores the threat to free speech created by this lack of accountability: Firstly, a shift from legislative regulation and formal injunctions to public-private collaborations allows state authorities to influence these ostensibly voluntary policies, thereby circumventing constitutional safeguards. Secondly, even absent state interference, the commercial incentives of social media cannot be guaranteed to coincide with democratic ideals. In light of the blurring of public and private functions in the regulation of social media expression, this article calls for the increased accountability of the social media services towards end users regarding the observance of free speech principles

Commentary on "A Tale of Two States"

While both California and Texas have experienced declines in teen birth rates over the past three decades, declines in California have been larger, particularly among Hispanic teens. Differences in state policies may have shaped this disparity, as suggested by Tortolero and her colleagues in their article “A Tale of Two States: What We Learn from California and Texas”. Fundamental differences exist between Texas and California in their approaches to sex education, access to family planning services for teens, and public-private partnerships. However, methodological challenges are present when drawing state comparisons, including the limitations of available public health data and the difficulty of disaggregating state characteristics from state policies. Based on their comparison of state data and policies, Tortolero and her colleagues issue sensible recommendations for reducing the teen birth rate in Texas. History suggests that state policies are most effective when political commitment is linked to scientifically effective approaches. Based on our understanding of the scientific literature, the most effective strategies for reducing rates of teen childbearing in Texas would be providing comprehensive school sexuality education and improving teen access to contraceptive services.

Sustainable investment in land in the Global South: What would it require from a coherence perspective? The case of Sierra Leone

Large scale acquisitions of land in the Global South have signifi-cantly increased since the millennium. It is often the case that foreign investors are involved in such acquisitions, which are commonly aimed at facilitating the export of commodities. These investments in land tend to transform conventional, rather small scale agricultural systems into large scale, industrial agricultural systems. While investment in ag-riculture in the Global South is much needed, large-scale investments in land often goes hand-in-hand with environmental and human rights re-lated challenges. As a consequence, lawyers need to address questions of sovereignty over natural resources (this paper focuses in particular on land resources), to peoples’ right to self-determination, to the responsi-bilities of the home and host states of the investors, including public-private relationships, and the role of international institutions who are involved, as well as relevant jurisprudence. This paper approaches these questions from the perspective of a theory on policy coherence for sus-tainable development.

Securing one's livelihood. Philanthropy in a mixed economy of welfare in the early 20th century

Since the late 19th century different social actors have played an important role in providing social security in Switzerland. Cooperatives, philanthropic organisations, social insurances, and the poor relief of the communes were all part of a "mixed economy of welfare". This article examines how the different actors in this "mixed economy" worked together, and asks what forms of help they supplied. It raises the question of whether a dichotomy between public and private forms of relief can be traced in the Swiss case. Did democratically legitimised processes of redistribution shape the social security system? Or was social security rather funded by private relief programs? The author argues that in the early 20th century, a complex public-private mix structured the Swiss welfare state and the poor often depended on both public and private funding. In this system, financially potent philanthropic organisations successfully contested the legal power of public actors.

Barrio Nirvana : Tensiones entre lo público y lo privado

Abordamos como objeto de estudio el Barrio Nirvana (City Bell, partido de La Plata) con el objetivo de describir las huellas de la dinámica del paisaje como indicadores de sus diferentes etapas históricas, relacionando el concepto de paisaje con la actual configuración territorial del Barrio. Enmarcados en la geografía cultural, recuperamos las perspectivas de Milton Santos, Paul Claval y Mario Margulis, desde la categoría de paisaje. La metodología empleada fue cualitativa e incluyó la observación y registro fotográfico de la zona, conversaciones informales con vecinos residentes del Barrio Nirvana, recopilación de documentos y material periodístico sobre el área. Todo ello nos permitió indagar qué es "público" y qué es "privado" en el barrio, dónde y cómo se establece el "afuera" y el "adentro", y dirimir si su finalidad es ser un paisaje integrador y abierto o si en realidad lo que pretende es alejar a los extraños a través de barreras invisibles

Evolución del mercado de trabajo y de la estructura del empleo en la Provincia de Buenos Aires desde la convertibilidad (1991-2009)

El artículo aborda la evolución del mercado de trabajo y de la estructura del empleo en la provincia de Buenos Aires durante el período 1991-2009. El análisis recurre a la articulación de una multiplicidad de fuentes de información para dar cuenta de los diferentes aspectos de los fenómenos laborales. A partir de la Encuesta Permanente de Hogares, se analizan los indicadores básicos de los mercados de trabajo urbanos en los principales aglomerados de la provincia y se lleva a cabo una caracterización de sus respectivas estructuras de empleo, considerando dimensiones tales como la categoría ocupacional, la composición público-privado, la condición de registro del empleo (registrado y no registrado) y el sector de actividad. Por otra parte, a nivel del total provincial, se analiza la evolución el empleo privado registrado y su composición sectorial. Para este tipo de análisis se utilizan datos procedentes de los registros administrativos que surgen de las declaraciones juradas de personal en relación de dependencia que realizan mensualmente los contribuyentes ante la AFIP. Estos datos permiten tratamientos muy desagregados de la información, de suma importancia para el análisis sectorial detallado. También a nivel del total provincial, se caracteriza al empleo público en sus distintos niveles de gobierno (nacional, provincial y municipal) a partir de fuentes presupuestarias y de otras, menos difundidas, elaboradas por distintos organismos públicos. El artículo ofrece análisis descriptivos de las variables mencionadas y un pormenorizado detalle metodológico respecto de las fuentes y el tratamiento de la información.

Redes para la promoción del desarrollo territorial en el cinturón hortícola platense : Reflexiones y aportes

En el cinturón hortícola platense áun conjunto de instituciones del sector público y privado, establecen redes de diálogo, en la que los sujetos interaccionan, en el marco de procesos de desarrollo regional. El trabajo tiene como objetivo, conocer yá analizar las redes de diálogo que contribuyen al desarrollo regional. Se utilizó una metodología de tipo cualitativa. Los resultados muestran la mayor densidad en las relaciones que se establecen desde distintas instituciones del sector público, para la ejecución de políticas. Asimismo, se visualiza el protagonismo e influencia que desde el sector privado, tienen los vendedores de insumos.

Barrio Nirvana : Tensiones entre lo público y lo privado

Abordamos como objeto de estudio el Barrio Nirvana (City Bell, partido de La Plata) con el objetivo de describir las huellas de la dinámica del paisaje como indicadores de sus diferentes etapas históricas, relacionando el concepto de paisaje con la actual configuración territorial del Barrio. Enmarcados en la geografía cultural, recuperamos las perspectivas de Milton Santos, Paul Claval y Mario Margulis, desde la categoría de paisaje. La metodología empleada fue cualitativa e incluyó la observación y registro fotográfico de la zona, conversaciones informales con vecinos residentes del Barrio Nirvana, recopilación de documentos y material periodístico sobre el área. Todo ello nos permitió indagar qué es "público" y qué es "privado" en el barrio, dónde y cómo se establece el "afuera" y el "adentro", y dirimir si su finalidad es ser un paisaje integrador y abierto o si en realidad lo que pretende es alejar a los extraños a través de barreras invisibles

Evolución del mercado de trabajo y de la estructura del empleo en la Provincia de Buenos Aires desde la convertibilidad (1991-2009)

El artículo aborda la evolución del mercado de trabajo y de la estructura del empleo en la provincia de Buenos Aires durante el período 1991-2009. El análisis recurre a la articulación de una multiplicidad de fuentes de información para dar cuenta de los diferentes aspectos de los fenómenos laborales. A partir de la Encuesta Permanente de Hogares, se analizan los indicadores básicos de los mercados de trabajo urbanos en los principales aglomerados de la provincia y se lleva a cabo una caracterización de sus respectivas estructuras de empleo, considerando dimensiones tales como la categoría ocupacional, la composición público-privado, la condición de registro del empleo (registrado y no registrado) y el sector de actividad. Por otra parte, a nivel del total provincial, se analiza la evolución el empleo privado registrado y su composición sectorial. Para este tipo de análisis se utilizan datos procedentes de los registros administrativos que surgen de las declaraciones juradas de personal en relación de dependencia que realizan mensualmente los contribuyentes ante la AFIP. Estos datos permiten tratamientos muy desagregados de la información, de suma importancia para el análisis sectorial detallado. También a nivel del total provincial, se caracteriza al empleo público en sus distintos niveles de gobierno (nacional, provincial y municipal) a partir de fuentes presupuestarias y de otras, menos difundidas, elaboradas por distintos organismos públicos. El artículo ofrece análisis descriptivos de las variables mencionadas y un pormenorizado detalle metodológico respecto de las fuentes y el tratamiento de la información.