This book examines, from a contemporary perspective, one of the most influential document in Anabaptist tradition: the Schleitheim Confession. Van Hoogstraten develops seven constructive readings of the Confession's articles, each of which discuss practices to shape the church community.

Written in the wake of defeat at the Peasants' rising in 1527, the Confession represents the attempt by radical reformers to outline collective, nurturing practices in the wake of external catastrophe. Van Hoogstraten sets loose a lively conversation with this text that illuminates a sense of life and togetherness in trying times. In the of this hands sophisticated and interdisciplinary scholar, the Confession becomes a vital source for constructive theology and ethics in the Anabaptist tradition.

This fresh take on the Confession is sure to be of interest to Anabaptist theologians as well as students of the wider fields of political theology, Continental philosophy and ecclesiology.

This handbook presents and discusses pertinent issues in public health, and required actions in sustainability development in the context of global population health in Asia-Pacific (APAC), making practical suggestions and proposing strategic solutions for the region. It is organised into seven sections that look at sustainable health systems and public health, digital health and technology adoption, ageing populations, the social and built environment and community health, ethics, social responsibility and policies in public health, health improvement and long-term care, and the pandemic and post-pandemic public health. It plays particular attention to the regionally-specific challenge of an increasing ageing population and the rise in disabilities, as well as considering health care in relation to financial and environmental perspectives. Like other regions of the world, APAC is encountering emerging new diseases, amidst growing concerns regarding chronic conditions, while continuously fighting prevalent communicable diseases. With the emergence of the fourth healthcare revolution, 'Health Care 4.0', as well as the smart city movement, digitalisation and technology have been adopted more and more in public health practices to provide timely information, solutions and innovations. The influence of social determinants and environmental factors, natural and built, are impacting population health as a result of globalisation and economic developments. As the world becomes more sophisticated, concerns relating to ethics, social responsibility, law, policies and governance have become more complex, and international relations have become increasingly linked to public health. Inter-country differences have become especially prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of access to medical supplies, travelling restrictions, quarantine requirements, vaccination access, and so on. This contemporary, comprehensive, imperative reference work places APAC in a new paradigm of public health, underpinned by a consensus that pulls together social, cultural and political forces in advocating for a more coherent approach for better outcomes. It is an indispensable reference for scholars, teachers, students, researchers, policymakers and practitioners in the fields of public health and community care.

This book argues that the early classical Upanisads constitute a "field of wildflowers" of insight that later Vedanta has tried to fashion into a proper garden.

These Upanisads (c. 800-300 BCE) are almost always read from the point of view of the later Vedantins, but they do not share in the neatly tailored characteristics of the mature Vedantic philosophies, representing, instead, divergent, variegated and even conflicting narratives. The author focuses on the earliest of these Upanisads: B?hadara?yaka, Chandogya, Aitareya, Taittiriya and Kau?itaki Upani?ads. These Upani?ads are read "as they are," emphasizing aspects of these texts that are often completely overlooked, among them: their Vedic approach to contradiction, their frequent acceptance of means other than gnostic knowledge of or veneration of atman/brahman as a means for liberation, their positing of entities/realities other than atman or brahman as totalistic, and their frequent depiction of the human body or embodied human as a microcosm of or in identity with the universe. In course, the interpretations of the Upani?adic view, the Vedantic view, for each of these Upani?ads, of Sa?karacarya (c. 800 CE) and Ramanujacarya (c. 1100 CE), as primary examples in the range of Upani?adic interpreters, will be examined and often refuted

This book brings together papers from the Social Science International Research Conference (SSIRC) 2025, a global forum hosted by North-West University, South Africa, that brings together scholars, practitioners, and emerging researchers to explore the evolving landscape of social sciences in the age of artificial intelligence.Focusing on the theme "Social Sciences Research in the AI Era: Opportunities, Challenges and Threats," the papers explore contemporary issues across business management, finance, economics, law, human resource management, marketing, education, and emerging technologies.This volume offers valuable perspectives for academics, policymakers, and professionals navigating the intersection of social sciences and technological innovation.

Ethical consumption encompasses a broad spectrum of issues including fair trade, sustainable sourcing, cruelty-free products, and ethical labour practices. Beyond mere transactions, today's consumers seek alignment with values, pushing for sustainability, transparency, and social responsibility.

This book explores the transformative landscape of consumer behaviour and dissects the roots and repercussions of this paradigm shift, illustrating its profound impact on businesses globally. The symbiotic relationship between Artificial Intelligence and ethical marketing is discussed, revealing how AI-driven analytics and personalized messaging empower brands to authentically connect with conscientious consumers. By embracing ethical branding strategies, leveraging AI technologies, and fostering genuine engagement, companies can navigate the intricate terrain of conscious consumption, forging lasting connections and driving positive change.

This book explores the transformative impact of emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, and IoT on global startup ecosystems. It focuses on building, scaling, and sustaining tech ventures while addressing ethical and social considerations.

The book covers topics ranging from tech startups, building and scaling strategies, funding challenges, global case studies, and the future of technology entrepreneurship. It emphasizes ethical innovation and social impact of technology entrepreneurship, areas of growing interest among academics and practitioners.

Readers will gain a holistic understanding of the evolving trends in technology entrepreneurship. The book equips researchers, educators, entrepreneurs, and policymakers with the tools to harness emerging technologies for innovation, addressing both opportunities and challenges in tech-driven ventures.

This open access book examines the role of international law in Central Asian affairs and sheds new light on human rights issues in Central Asian politics. It provides various case studies on Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The book is divided into eight parts: Part I sets the context, and places the subsequent chapters in a broader context of decolonisation and development. Part II offers an overview of the role of international law in Central Asia, its relationship with domestic law, and the role of international organisations in its development in the region. Part III discusses selected issues pertaining to regional security. Part IV discusses some human rights developments in Central Asia, including social and economic, labour, digital, and family rights. Part V is devoted to international criminal law, and offers an overview of Uzbekistan?s experience in combating money laundering. Part VI on international trade and investment law discussed the WTO rules on fisheries subsidies, taxation in Central Asia, and stabilisation clauses in mining contracts. Part VII deals with international legal standards of animal welfare, and discusses several environmental case studies in Central Asia. Finally, Part VIII discusses the role of international law as an academic discipline in the region.

This book explores the dynamic interplay between deep tech and digital entrepreneurship. Using Brazil as the setting, it shows how scientific discoveries and emerging digital opportunities translate into innovation to address societal grand challenges within Brazil's unique context. The authors examine the challenges, opportunities, and innovative strategies of deep-tech and digital startups operating across transformative industries and ecosystems. The first part of the book focuses on the microfoundations, frameworks, and models that shape the success of deep tech ventures, including their capacity to adapt to uncertainty, build innovation readiness, and achieve commercial viability. The second part turns to digital startups and emphasizes their scalability, internationalization, and the essential role of entrepreneurial ecosystems. The book offers practical insights and actionable solutions for entrepreneurs, managers, and policymakers. The book provides a roadmap for entrepreneurs to navigate and harness the disruptive potential of deep tech and digital entrepreneurship in emerging markets and beyond by combining three major concepts: deep tech, digital, and disruptive enterprises.

This book delves into the dynamic interaction between Indonesia's rich cultural diversity and its growing entrepreneurial landscape. As an emerging country deeply rooted in cultural values, these traditions significantly influence social interactions, including within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. This book offers insights into how traditional values, local wisdom, and community-based networks shape business practices in one of the world's most culturally rich countries and explores how Indonesian businesses, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises, as well as emerging startups, navigate both local and global markets. It delves into the cultural impact on business, showcasing local innovations with a global perspective. Through case studies, the book highlights the richness and distinctiveness of Indonesian culture in shaping entrepreneurial activities. It also addresses the sustainability of social and cultural enterprises, alongside the challenges and opportunities that arise from embracing cultural diversity in the business landscape. This book is an essential read for people interested in the intersection of culture, business and innovation in Southeast Asia's largest economy.

This book explores how virtual reality (VR) can be used to examine perceptual differences in neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with autism and ADHD, by introducing a new methodological framework. Through a participatory, person-centric, and arts-based approach, it challenges the dominant deficit-focused research paradigms by centring nonverbal expression, creativity, and lived experience.

The author addresses power imbalances in experimental research and the value of non-verbal and experiential modes of expression, unveiling the role of immersive technologies in creating more inclusive research environments. Drawing on qualitative and quantitative approaches, this volume shows how VR can serve as both a research platform and a therapeutic tool while addressing ethical and accessibility considerations, hence offering strategies for designing VR experiences that are both engaging and safe. A must-read for researchers, educators, and practitioners interested in neurodiversity, human-computer interaction, and immersive technologies, this book bridges a critical gap in the existing literature and offers new pathways for inclusive and ethical research inquiry, disability studies, and STS.

This brief provides a unique overview that weaves a thread across the deep history of the management and symbolism of wild aurochs and domestic cattle in Sudan, where these practices are attested for over 15,000 to 20,000 years. It highlights the central preoccupation with these bovids by societies of the region, from the time of the earliest funerary rituals involving wild aurochs in the late Pleistocene, to the introduction of domestic cattle in the Neolithic, to pre-state societies through the historical period into the present day. It recounts the relationship between humans and the African aurochs, the processes of wild animal management, the prey pathway that provides a possible model for domestication, the introduction of Bos taurus to the African continent, and then the establishment of widespread herding practices, including the introgression of the African aurochs into domesticated cattle populations. Finally, it emphasises the economic and symbolic value of cattle seen through social cults and even a human 'infatuation' with cattle by observing the roles and representations of these animals from different disciplinary perspectives. Its geographic scope covers modern Sudan's territory, extending from Nubia, in the Middle Nile Valley, to the wider Nile Basin, as well as to eastern and western Sudan.

The herding of domestic animals came to shape the societies of North-Eastern Africa during a period of over 10,000 years, up to the present. With focus on cattle, this volume examines the deep history of the origins of pastoralism in Africa and the economic, political, and religious role they came to play over time. Animal herding is the subsistence economy that is best adapted to arid and semi-arid environments, such as those in North-Eastern Africa, with cattle herding playing a prominent role in providing economic needs by serving as a 'walking larder' and 'storage on the hoof' and in ritual through its symbolic role, including the practice of sacrifice. From an economic point of view, cattle can provide meat, milk, blood, skin, sinew, manure, fuel, and labor, and can serve as a currency of exchange and a store of value. From a symbolic point of view, their physical presence in tombs and in movable (figurines) and immovable art (rock engravings and paintings) represents a material demonstration of ostentatious wealth and/or social status that can be converted into political support by building a clientele by means of exchange and redistribution, as well as a manifestation of divinity. Finally, from a ritual point of view, ceremonies related to a cattle cult fix and consolidate social bonds between members of a community.

This handbook offers a timely and unique authoritative contribution to global debates on gender equality and women's empowerment, in alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goal 5. It presents interdisciplinary research on gender, international relations, and civil society across nine Portuguese-speaking countries, with a particular focus on implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1325. Combining conceptual frameworks with case studies, the volume addresses politics, economics, history, peace and security, language, sports, entrepreneurship, and education through an international relations lens. Endorsed by the Association of Portuguese Speaking Universities (AULP), this work stands as a prestigious and globally relevant resource for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners committed to advancing gender-responsive governance.

This book explores how businesses could benefit from responsible innovative practices and leverage technologies to sustain businesses and guides the next generation future; this book covers different technological and business-related issues including ethical use and cultural sensitivity of data used in businesses, managing data privacy and protection, governance standards for digital transformation, executive leadership strategic decisions, business innovation and sustainability, next generation ethical standards, Technology and AI for Human and Talent Management, Responsible Innovation Practices for Green Economy and Sustainability, Emerging Trends, Policies and Practices in the Concept of Society 5.0, etc. This book is authored by leading experts in the field of business sustainability, ethical digitalization, and responsible innovation; the authors diversity reflects quality of research with high level of impact in the research topic. It is written in accessible language that makes it easy for business leaders, researchers, policymakers, and anyone interested in the future of business development to understand the complex concepts and ideas presented in the book. This book provides insight for executive leaders in setting new sustainable practices and strategies towards leveraging responsible innovation with the use of business and technology in different levels of operations to support business sustainability and society 5.0. This book provides different theoretical and practical practices cases studies that could be used as a guideline for policy making and devising innovative directions.

This edited work presents cases that address ethical issues in the field of human resource development (HRD). It helps readers navigate the complex ethical dilemmas they may face in various contexts, such as the workplace, research, publishing, teaching, and more. Each case includes a vignette that sets the scene, thought-provoking discussion questions, and recommendations for further reading related to the topic, providing students with a holistic understanding of how to tackle ethical challenges in HRD. With supplementary resources for instructors on how to use the cases in the classroom, this book will answer the need for practical, real-world cases to equip students and practitioners with the tools needed to resolve ethical issues confidently and competently.

As the need for long-term care expands, evaluating the roles of its primary providers-the state, the market, and the family-becomes increasingly essential. This book first examines recent research on the contributions of families and the marketplace to long-term care. Noting the decreasing involvement of families and the limitations of market-based solutions, it then shifts focus to studies that explore public policy development aimed at supporting elderly individuals without family assistance or adequate resources. These policies aim to create a comprehensive support system by utilizing both market mechanisms and family resources to meet the needs of the dependent elderly.

The book also provides a comparative analysis of how various countries, especially in Europe and North America, address disability and dependence in their long-term care systems, offering insights into diverse strategies and solutions. This cross-country perspective identifies effective practices and highlights areas requiring further development in social insurance and support frameworks. Through this exploration, the book seeks to deepen understanding of the influence of social norms and family solidarity on long-term care provision, emphasizing how these elements can be integrated into more resilient public policy structures.

This book provides an in-depth and timely analysis of a relevant and controversial issue: the relationship between European Union values and international law. It examines whether and to what extent the EU succeeds in influencing international law by upholding and promoting its values (listed in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union) globally, as explicitly provided for in Article 3(5) and in Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union, through its international agreements. In particular, the book focuses on the free trade agreements concluded by the Union with States and other regional organisations. The reason for this choice is based on the assumption that this is the area where the EU can make the most effective use of its soft power, which derives from its commercial strength and namely from the attractiveness of the access to its internal market. What makes this volume unique is its approach to the topic, tracing the historical and philosophical foundations of European values, both from a historical perspective and through comparative legal analysis. This solid foundation enables the reader to gain an in-depth understanding of the values that the Union seeks to promote in the wider world. Thus, the analysis looks at how selected core values-such as democracy and the rule of law, peace and security, human rights and minority protection, sustainable development, data protection, dispute settlement, and respect for international law-are incorporated and promoted through EU free trade agreements. It investigates both the impact of individual agreements on the domestic legal orders of partner States and the cumulative effect of EU FTAs on the broader development of international law, questioning whether they contribute to shaping a rules-based multilateral order aligned with EU normative commitment. This reflection is particularly relevant and necessary in today's international context, which is marked by crises that challenge the very notion of a global order based on common principles and values.

This book offers a valuable resource for practitioners and academics, particularly those interested in international law, EU law, international trade law, as well as history of law, constitutional law, comparative law and international relations. In addition, the book contains policy recommendations, which makes it particularly useful for decision-makers and policy advisors.

This book explores how trust, media, and democracy are deeply connected in times of digital change and political uncertainty. It shows how trust in democratic institutions and government is built, challenged, and contested through old and new media. The early chapters introduce key ideas about social and political trust and explain why trust and distrust both matter for democracy. It then examines the role of news media and journalism as mediators of trust, before turning to major contemporary challenges such as digitalisation, political polarisation, populism, and the spread of misinformation. Drawing on comparative research from across Europe, including the Covid-19 pandemic, later chapters analyse how citizens judge governments, experts, and media institutions. The book concludes by proposing a model of "enlightened trust" that highlights the importance of critical publics, media responsibility, and democratic debate. It will be of interest to readers searching for insights on trust, media, democracy, and the future of journalism and the public sphere.

This book offers a compelling archaeological exploration of China's millennia-old civilization. It masterfully synthesizes material evidence with classical texts such as The Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), anchored by 15 iconic cultural artifacts. These range from the Jiahu bone flute (a testament to the sophistication of early Chinese musical systems) and the Liangzhu jade cong (a symbol of early political hierarchy and ritual authority) to the Four-Ram Square zun (a masterpiece of Shang Dynasty bronze craftsmanship) and the astronomical lacquer box from the tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng.

Adopting a rigorous interdisciplinary approach spanning archaeology, history, astronomy, metallurgy, and ritual studies, Peng Lin illuminates the technical ingenuity, cultural traditions, and social structures of ancient China, while highlighting the unity in diversity that shaped the evolution of Chinese civilization. Far from a static exhibition of relics, the book employs a "dual evidence" approach-cross-checking unearthed materials against received texts-to challenge fragmented interpretations of the past. Essential reading for university liberal arts curricula, it offers scholars and general readers alike a nuanced yet accessible lens on the nexus between material culture and the origins of Chinese civilization.