Suchergebnisse

This report examines the evolution of Mexico's migratory detention system, particularly with respect to legislative changes in 2008 and 2011 that decriminalized migration. Until 2008, irregular migration was a criminal offense, punishable with fines and jail time. In 2008, Mexican policymakers removed the prison sentences attached to irregular migration and turned it into an administrative infraction. This change was solidified in the 2011 Migratory Act. However, despite Mexico's decriminalization of irregular migration, migrants continue to be detained in prison-like detention centers. This report examines Mexico's current detention system and evaluates detention conditions across the country. ; Public Affairs

The threat posed to America's democratic processes by Russia and other foreign adversaries is serious and likely to persist, if not grow, in the future. Russian operations aimed at interfering with or influencing the 2016 U.S. presidential election paired longstanding Soviet and Russian tradecraft with powerful new digital tools. Our governments, both federal and state, are better prepared to address such threats today. U.S. intelligence represents the first line of defense against foreign malign influence by focusing on early detection, appropriate sharing of information, reliable attribution of sponsorship, expert analysis, collaboration with the private sector, and timely communication with stakeholders including the voting public. This report describes the historical context and remaining challenges and recommends steps to improve the IC's performance on this important mission. ; Public Affairs

Evidence indicates that the distribution of performance‐related pay
(PRP) schemes among manual workers is limited and has increased at a
much slower rate than with non‐manual workers. Case study evidence from
firms with manual PRP schemes is used to investigate this. A successful
PRP scheme for manual workers is likely to demand a very careful
introduction. Successful operation of a manual PRP scheme is only likely
if the organizational culture changes at the same time, or if it is part
of a wider process of performance management.

This report reviews the state of secondary education in the United States by first summarizing the development of American high schools from the early 1800s through 2007. The report captures highlights of 21st century reform efforts, including a brief introduction to reform leaders in foundations and government. Following data about high school participation is a review of high school reform issues. The report presents summaries of high school reform models and strategies for improving the delivery of secondary education. It concludes with an overview of federal and state policies that aim to stimulate improvement in high schools and recommendations for continued progress. ; Public Affairs

This report first summarizes the nature and scope of the domestic terrorism threat, including recent trends, the susceptibility of the United States, and the role of social media in the dramatic increase in extremism and extremist violence. In Part One, we summarize the problem: the threat of domestic terrorism is increasing in the U.S. due, in part, to the country's unique cultural susceptibility to the drivers of increased extremism and the particular role of social media and partisan politics. Part Two of the report examines the current policy landscape, options, and debates nationally, within Texas, and within the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). We analyze trends in domestic terrorism legislation, initiatives, and responses, and outline current policy initiatives at each level. Finally, in Part Three we recommend a comprehensive course of action specifically tailored for DPS to better tackle the increased threat of extremism and domestic terrorism. ; Public Affairs

The Technology Transfer, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development project was designed as an opportunity for graduate students to develop skills as "consultants" to assist a variety of institutions, including non-profit organizations, for-profit firms, university research centers, and government agencies in encouraging technology entrepreneurship in Indonesia and Kenya. Students operated within interdisciplinary teams to provide diverse management consulting services on issues of organizational development, technology innovation and transfer, strategy, marketing, finance, human resources, development, fundraising, and sustainability. These two experiments have sought to enable innovative small and medium-sized enterprises and startups as key contributors to socioeconomic development to generate high-value employment and positively affect local communities within Indonesia and Kenya. ; National Instruments ; Public Affairs

This project examines the feasibility of expanding electrical service into rural villages not currently serviced by Nepal's electrical grid. One hypothesis is that renewable energy sources can enhance each village's economy and improve rural Nepal so as to produce local wealth and employment. The operational definition of "development" includes enhanced educational attainment, business development, and an improved quality of life and health. A key question is whether village electrification can be sustainable and cost-effective by providing electricity to light homes, schools, small businesses, health clinics, or pump water for drinking and irxviiogation. This project evaluated the technical and economic options to provide electric power based on different demand scenarios. Any effort to extend electric service to rural villages in Nepal distant from the grid would be based on a choice between grid extension (where that is feasible) versus renewable energy options such as solar, wind, micro-hydro, or biomass. Electric service is feasible only if rural residents can pay through user fees for operating costs as well as capital costs not covered by government subsidies or nongovernmental organization donations or investments. Rural electrification faces challenges beyond cost, such as Nepal's mountainous terrain, available economic resources in each village, demographics, as well as each village's system of local governance. A group of graduate students supported by staff and faculty from Tribhuvan University, Hiroshima University, and The University of Texas at Austin participated in a research project in 2017-2018 to evaluate prospects for electrification of two villages in rural Nepal. Project participants worked with representatives of Nepali government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Students visited two villages, Rakathum and Kothape, which have yet to be connected to Nepal's electric grid. After evaluating the potential for grid extensions or renewable energy options for Kothape and Rakathum, students concluded that micro-hydro and wind micro-grids would not be feasible for those villages due to the absence of a sufficient hydraulic head nearby and prevailing wind speed too weak to sustain power generation, respectively. Study participants observed that the villages, although isolated, already had access to electricity via solar panels to charge cell phones and lights in homes, as well as laptops at the schools. As the villagers in Kothape and Rakathum earn their income primarily from farming, students evaluated the potential benefits from expansion of solar energy projects to supplement irrigation as well as use of biomass/biogas for household purposes. Connection to the existing grid also could be considered, given government initiatives in the area. It is beyond the scope of this project to determine how energy demands in Kothape and Rakathum could best be met, as such decisions will reflect potential subsidies or contributions from the Government of Nepal, non- profit organizations, philanthropic donors, and village residents. ; Public Affairs