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  • NUMBER 10, VOLUME 01, 1st EDITION, DECEMBER 2025
    Vol. 1 No. 10 (2025)

    VII Symposium on Economics and Management of the Lusophone World – Towards a Blue Economy and Sustainability

    It is with immense satisfaction that ALBA - ISFIC Research and Science Journal welcomes and publishes the collection of scientific articles resulting from the VII Symposium on Economics and Management of the Lusophone World, a landmark event held from July 1st to 4th at the beautiful and strategically located University of São Tomé and Príncipe.

    The thematic focus and its urgency

    Under the insightful motto "Blue Economy and Sustainability: Challenges and opportunities for island and developing economies," this symposium, organized by the International Academic Network of the Lusophone World (RIAL), touched a crucial nerve in contemporary global development, especially for Portuguese-speaking nations. The Blue Economy represents a paradigm of sustainable development that balances economic growth, social inclusion, and the preservation of marine and coastal ecosystems. For island and developing countries, many of which are in the Lusophone world, this is not just an option, but a strategic imperative. The theme highlighted the urgent need to:

    • Diversify economies beyond traditional sources.
    • Promote the sustainable management of marine resources (fisheries, aquaculture, coastal tourism).
    • Mitigate the impacts of climate change, such as sea level rise and ocean acidification.

    The contribution of the articles

    The research presented here — the result of a vibrant and multidisciplinary dialogue — offers new perspectives and concrete solutions to the challenges identified. Covering areas from natural resource management, financing for sustainability, public policies for coastal development, to innovation in sectors such as maritime transport and ocean energy, these articles represent a valuable repository of knowledge for policymakers, academics and professionals.

    This publication is a testament to RIAL's commitment to fostering scientific cooperation and the exchange of knowledge among Lusophone countries. This is a call to action so that the conclusions presented here are transformed into effective policies and sustainable practices that benefit communities and protect our shared ocean heritage.

    A look to the future

    ALBA - ISFIC Research and Science Journal is proud to be the platform that amplifies these voices and visions. May this volume not only be a record of a past event, but also a catalyst for future research and collaborations that drive the transition to a fairer and more sustainable Blue Economy throughout the Portuguese-speaking world and beyond.

    Congratulations to all the authors, RIAL, and the University of São Tomé and Príncipe for the success of the symposium and the excellence of the articles that are now reaching readers.

    We wish everyone an inspiring read.

    João Samartinho
    (Secretário Executivo e Associado Honorário da RIAL)

    Rodrigues Zicai Fazenda
    (Associado Honorário da RIAL)

    Rogério Fernandes Romão
    (Tesoreiro e Associado Honorário da RIAL)

  • NUMBER 10, VOLUME 02, 1st EDITION, DECEMBER 2025
    Vol. 2 No. 10 (2026)

    EDITORIAL

    VII Simpósio de Economia e Gestão da Lusofonia: Economia azul e sustentabilidade

    A ALBA - ISFIC Research and Science Journal apresenta com satisfação a compilação de artigos científicos derivados do VII Simpósio de Economia e Gestão da Lusofonia. O evento, de elevada relevância científica e estratégica, decorreu entre 1 e 4 de julho de 2025 na Universidade de São Tomé e Príncipe, sob a égide da Rede Internacional Académica da Lusofonia (RIAL).

     Delimitação temática e relevância estratégica - Sob a temática "Economia Azul e Sustentabilidade: Desafios e oportunidades para economias insulares e em desenvolvimento", o simpósio abordou vetores críticos do desenvolvimento contemporâneo, com particular incidência nas especificidades dos países de língua portuguesa. O paradigma da Economia Azul é aqui compreendido como um modelo de desenvolvimento multidimensional que visa harmonizar o crescimento económico com a equidade social e a integridade ecológica dos ecossistemas marinhos. Para as nações insulares e em desenvolvimento do espaço lusófono, esta abordagem constitui um imperativo estratégico, articulando-se em torno de três eixos fundamentais:

    • Diversificação económica: Superação da dependência de setores tradicionais e exploração de novas cadeias de valor.
    • Gestão de Recursos Marinhos: Promoção da sustentabilidade em áreas como a pesca, aquacultura e o turismo costeiro de baixo impacto.
    • Resiliência climática: Desenvolvimento de mecanismos de mitigação perante a subida do nível médio das águas do mar e a acidificação oceánica.

     Contributos científicos e impacto académico - Os trabalhos de investigação reunidos nesta edição são o resultado de um debate interdisciplinar rigoroso, oferecendo quadros teóricos e soluções empíricas para os desafios supracitados. A diversidade temática das contribuições — que abrangem desde a governança de recursos naturais e financiamento sustentável até à inovação em energias oceánicas e transportes marítimos — configura este volume como um repositório de conhecimento essencial para investigadores, gestores públicos e outros agentes de decisão.

    Esta publicação reafirma o compromisso institucional da RIAL na promoção da cooperação científica e na transferência de conhecimento entre as instituições de ensino superior da Lusofonia. Espera-se que as evidências científicas aqui apresentadas possam fundamentar políticas públicas eficazes e práticas de gestão sustentável.

    Conclusões e perspetivas futuras - A ALBA - ISFIC Research and Science Journal, ao atuar como plataforma de disseminação destes estudos, visa não apenas registar a memória científica do simpósio, mas também servir de catalisador para futuras investigações. O objetivo é que estas reflexões impulsionem a transição para uma Economia Azul mais equitativa e resiliente em todo o espaço lusófono.

    Expressamos o nosso reconhecimento aos autores pela qualidade das contribuições, bem como à RIAL e à Universidade de São Tomé e Príncipe pela excelência na organização deste certame científico.

    João Samartinho
    (Secretário Executivo e Associado Honorário da RIAL)

    Rodrigues Zicai Fazenda
    (Associado Honorário da RIAL)

    Rogério Fernandes Romão
    (Tesoreiro e Associado Honorário da RIAL)

  • NUMBER 11, VOLUME 01, 1st EDITION, MARCH 2026
    Vol. 1 No. 11 (2026)

    Pathways to Regional Development – From Economic Integration and Social Governance to Educational and Organizational Transformations

    It is with a profound sense of academic commitment that we present Issue 11, Volume 1, 1st Edition of the ALBA - ISFIC Research and Science Journal. This edition brings together a robust body of multidisciplinary scientific research dissecting critical dynamics of development, governance, justice, education, and human capital management within the context of Southern Africa and Europe, with a particular focus on Mozambique, Angola, and Portugal. Through in-depth empirical methodologies, the collected articles offer indispensable analytical perspectives for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners seeking to understand and respond to the contemporary challenges of today's societies.

    I. Economic Integration and Governance Challenges in SADC
    This edition addresses regional macroeconomics by analyzing the structural, bureaucratic, and digital barriers that limit Angola's competitiveness within the SADC Free Trade Area. Concurrently, a study in Mozambique exposes civic discontent stemming from institutional communication failures in the Municipality of Alto Molócué. As solutions, the authors propose reforms for Angolan economic diversification and greater transparency in local political dialogue.

    II. Human Rights, Justice, and Public Health
    The authors analyze the constraints on gathering evidence in sexual assault crimes based on health and justice data in Mozambique. The absence of strict deadlines for forensic medical examinations causes them to occur well after the critical 72-hour window, resulting in the loss of essential biological traces. This procedural failure and the lack of cross-sectoral coordination foster impunity, demanding integrated and humanized guidelines.

    III. Technological Modernization and Human Capital Management
    Structural transformations in institutional and educational environments in Mozambique also receive special attention. One of the investigations assesses the progress and limitations of Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) in Higher Education at ISFIC between 2021 and 2023. The findings reveal that although digital platforms provided flexible access during the pandemic and post-pandemic periods, the effectiveness of online teaching is severely hindered by technical limitations (network instability) and the persistence of purely expository methodologies. It concludes that a true digital transition requires continuous teacher training and strong institutional support.

    Whether discussing international economic integration, judicial effectiveness in safeguarding human rights, the quality of virtual pedagogy, or talent retention, the common denominator lies in institutional strengthening, procedural transparency, and the continuous capacity building of human capital.

    We invite the scientific community, policymakers, and civil society to explore these critical and inspiring readings.

    Sheyla R. Rodrigues Cassy

  • ISSUE 12, VOLUME 01, 1ST EDITION, SEPTEMBER 2026
    Vol. 1 No. 12 (2026)

    EDITORIAL

    Economic Resilience and New Growth Models for Lusophone Countries in the AI Era

    Number 12, Volume 1, 1st Edition of the ALBA - ISFIC Research and Science Journal marks a pivotal moment in scientific dissemination across the Lusophone space. This issue brings together the articles presented at the VIII International Symposium on Economics and Management of Lusophony, held from June 16 to 18, 2026, at the University of Santiago, Cape Verde, under the theme "Economic resilience and new growth models for Lusophone countries in the AI era." This edition offers a profound and interdisciplinary reflection on how our economies can respond to the challenges and opportunities of the digital transition.

    The Fourth Industrial Revolution mandates an accelerated reconfiguration of productive, organizational, and educational processes. For Portuguese-speaking countries, the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) opens unique prospects for technological leapfrogging, productivity improvements, and the optimization of public and private services. However, it also demands the mitigation of risks associated with digital exclusion, unemployment, and institutional vulnerabilities. The papers collected here address this duality through fundamental pillars:

    • Economics, Management, and Finance: Studies focusing on digital management and technological readiness reveal how AI can redefine the growth of SMEs and large industries in Mozambique, Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, and Portugal. They examine business resilience, internal control effectiveness, public debt sustainability, monetary transmission, and the impact of innovative mechanisms such as debt swaps.

    • Capacity Building, Education, and Employability: The transition to data-intensive economies urgently requires overcoming skills mismatches. Research in this area proposes pedagogical models integrated with AI, strategies to combat unemployment and school dropouts, and human capital management mechanisms tailored to the future market.

    • Social Innovation, Health, and Sustainability: This volume also highlights practical applications of technology in hospital efficiency, precision agriculture, the circular economy, and environmental management. Additionally, it addresses issues of human rights, local governance, and labor relations, reaffirming the ethical and human dimensions of development.

    The scientific production in this volume demonstrates that AI is a powerful lever whose success critically depends on institutional strengthening, transparent governance, and continuous investment in human capital.

    We thank all authors for their scientific rigor, as well as the editorial board and reviewers for their meticulous work. We wish everyone a stimulating and inspiring read.

    The Editorial Team

    Executive Secretary and Honorary Associate of RIAL

    Rodrigues Zicai Fazenda

    Honorary Associate of RIAL

    Rogério F. Romão

    Treasurer and Honorary Associate of RIAL

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