Vol. 3 No. 2 (2022): (October 2022)

This issue has been available online since 31st October 2022 as part of the regular October 2022 edition. It features five articles authored by ten scholars from Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, South Sudan, Thailand, and Indonesia—offering comparative and contextual insights into governance, inclusivity, youth participation, and constitutional development across diverse regions of the Global South.

The issue opens with a cross-country analysis of the impact of corruption and socio-political variables on youth representation in parliaments (SDG 16, Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels; SDG 5, Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership), highlighting barriers to inclusive political participation. Another article explores multi-actor collaboration to improve the economic wellbeing of fishing communities in Karangantu, Indonesia (SDG 14, Target 14.b: Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets; SDG 8, Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all), emphasising the role of participatory local governance.

A policy evaluation of same-sex marriage legislation assesses its influence on public attitudes toward LGBTQ individuals (SDG 10, Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome; SDG 16, Target 16.b: Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies), contributing to discourses on equality and non-discrimination. Meanwhile, a study on South Sudan explores the integration of federalism into its permanent constitution as a means to foster unity in diversity (SDG 16, Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice; SDG 17, Target 17.13: Enhance global macroeconomic stability, including through policy coordination and policy coherence).

The issue concludes with an investigation into the critical factors influencing youth littering behaviour in urban areas (SDG 11, Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse environmental impact of cities; SDG 12, Target 12.8: Ensure people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature), offering practical insights for environmental awareness and behavioural change.

By addressing issues of democratic inclusion, local economic resilience, social equity, and constitutional governance, this issue provides a valuable contribution to advancing responsive and inclusive policymaking in the Global South.