This theoretical paper proposes a novel conceptual framework interrelating Sustainability Competencies (C1) and Pedagogical Strategies (C2) in Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to expedite achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Although Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) has become standard as the impetus behind SDG implementation, the academic imbalance between high-level policy objectives and classroom pedagogical practice remains a prominent challenge of the SDG implementation process. The paper uses a methodical conceptual synthesis of available literature in ESD, key competency models, and organizational theory. The resulting framework formally defines and incorporates five central constructs (C1-C5)—namely Competencies (C1), Pedagogy (C2), Institutional Enablers (C3), Learning Mechanisms (C4), and SDG-aligned impact (C5)—and shows how these constructs are causally and moderately linked. The model presents four testable propositions that can be empirically tested which give a strong foundation upon which ESD integration can have a guideline and assessment. This paper bridges a conceptual gap by connecting two established yet often distinct discourses: competency-based ESD and pedagogical design. Its unique contribution lies in specifying actionable competency–pedagogy matches, clarifying the mechanisms through transformative and organizational learning, and integrating these five constructs into a causal, testable frame (C1–C5).

Keywords: Sustainability competencies, higher education, Sustainable Development Goals, curriculum integration, problem-based learning, university leadership, learning outcomes.

Smallholder farmers are vulnerable to different kind of risk. Microinsurance can play a vital role in protecting their livelihoods. However, in Sri Lanka adoption of microinsurance remains limited. In this study we examine the impact of effectiveness of government insurance schemes, the regulatory framework, and trust on microinsurance demand among Sri Lankan paddy farmers. Data were collected from 382 farmers using an interviewer- dministered questionnaire. Respondents were selected from North Western Province by using a cluster sampling technique combined with proportional allocation. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS SEM) used to analyze the data. According to the findings, trust significantly and directly impacts microinsurance demand. Also, it acts as a mediator between institutional factors and demand for microinsurance. The effectiveness of government insurance schemes positively affects trust as well as microinsurance demand. Although regulatory framework significantly impacts on the trust, it does not have a direct significant impact on microinsurance demand. These results emphasize the significance of effective institutional support in enhancing trust and increasing microinsurance demand among farmers. Accordingly, this study contributes to the existing limited empirical literature on institutional support in promoting microinsurance adoption. Moreover, it suggests future research on additional mediating variables and institutional factors that impact on the participation of microinsurance schemes among diverse farming populations.

Keywords: Government Insurance Scheme, Microinsurance, Paddy Farmers, Regulatory Framework, Trust.

This research aims to present the characteristics of economic fluctuations in Tunisia within a general analytical framework. To this end, we have chosen to use monthly data from 1990 to 2017. The set of variables covers the real, monetary and financial dimensions of the economy. In the modeling section, we employ an approach based on the SVAR model, Granger causality tests and the impulse response functions. The model estimation results suggest that supply and demand shocks predominantly explain cyclical movements in Tunisia. Additionally, the Tunisian economy appears to be less vulnerable to domestic and external shocks. Furthermore, we emphasize the growing importance of external shocks compared to domestic supply shocks. This implies a reduction in the magnitude of exogenous external shocks is implied, which can be achieved through the propagation of shocks between countries. This is an important and favorable factor for business cycle synchronization.

Keywords: Economic Fluctuation, Exogenous Shock, Endogenous Shock, Structural VAR, Tunisia.

Urbanisation is increasing fast with high investment in physical and social infrastructure in Pune Metropolitan Region. The poor people from rural area migrate to Pune region for employment, health facilities. Few small- and large-scale business firms provide an employment opportunities through production process through circular flow of income. Pune district has maximum profitable investment avenue within India. Pune district shifted its base from manufacturing to Information Technology (IT) sector. The IT cluster is major source of revenue earning sector for state government. High skilled youths attracted to IT sector because of employment opportunities and other services. Pune emerged as industrial powerhouse with several IT parks, business parks, technological industries, educational institutions and physical infrastructure. Employment in commercial units and educational institutions is increasing in Pune, but it is only increasing in growth centres such as Chakan, Khadkwasala, Pirangut, Hinjewadi, Talegaon, Sikrapur, but it is not increasing in Malavali growth centre and other rural area. Physical infrastructure is a major constraint in employment opportunities. Therefore, state government and municipal corporations must invest in physical and social infrastructure in Pune Metropolitan Region. The urban centres must be connected through high-speed metro and local trains. The policies such as housing for all, continuous drinking water supply, roads connectivity, quality education will create good impact on development of growth centres and region. Such policies will create sustainable employment opportunities, improve standard of living of people, infrastructure growth. It will automatically accelerate economic growth of district and state.

Keywords: Industrialisation, Growth, Health care.

Adam Smith and David Ricardo argued long ago that free and fair trade makes countries better off. Protectionism, however, is back. Average tariffs on manufactured goods more than doubled between 2024 and 2025, discriminatory trade actions rose to five times their 2015 levels, and global uncertainty indices stayed close to record highs. This paper looks at the shift in two steps. It first revisits the theoretical arguments for and against open markets, to see why protectionism has returned in its present form. It then estimates what the resulting instability costs, using a bivariate linear model of annual world trade growth and GDP growth against global uncertainty measures for 2004 to 2024. Three measures are compared: the Geopolitical Risk Index (GPR), the World Uncertainty Index (WUI) and the World Trade Uncertainty Index (WTU). A one-standard-deviation rise in WUI is associated with a fall of about 3 percentage points in annual trade growth, and the cumulative loss reaches nearly 5 points after three years. GDP growth falls by roughly 1 percentage point. GPR has no statistically significant effect.

Keywords: free trade, protectionism, geopolitical risk, trade policy uncertainty, world trade, regression.