Around the Bloc-Nationalist Leader to Head Bulgarian Ethnic Relations Council
A deputy premier who has described Roma as "ferocious humanoids" is to head a body charged with finding ways to end ethnic discrimination.
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A deputy premier who has described Roma as "ferocious humanoids" is to head a body charged with finding ways to end ethnic discrimination.
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Nowadays, innovations facilitate both economic development and growth in national welfare. In most countries politicians are determined to improve the effectiveness of national innovation policies and to help entrepreneurs to be innovative and competitive, both in the national and the international market. The accountability culture, budget limitations and dedication to spending money as efficiently as possible are among reasons for developing an evaluation of innovation policy. Moreover, evaluations can assist decision-makers with identifying sources of competitive advantage and areas where public expenditure can reduce market fluctuations. The article explores the diversity of methods and approaches to the evaluation of innovation policy and traces their gradual transformation and historical development. Particular attention is paid to the hierarchical structure and temporal perspectives of evaluation as well as to the comparative analysis of different types of evaluation. Various sets of optional evaluation indicators are also examined. It has been concluded that a demand-driven innovation policy and diffusion-oriented measures lead to the use of more advanced and experimental evaluation methods going beyond previous practice. The design of an integral evaluation system is a challenging task due to the increasing complexity of evaluation objects and the impact of numerous factors outside of the evaluation model. Because of the politicians’ particular interest in simple economic indicators and the accepted measures of the short-term impact of innovation policy, a conflict with evaluation experts arises. A systemic analysis and a benchmark approach could be used to mitigate this conflict. Recently, an adaptive learning approach has been considered to be the state-of-the-art method for evaluating innovation policy. In addition to exact measures, it could provide information for the recurrent implementation of successful innovation policy instruments and the cancellation of ineffective ones.
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In the post- war period (since the middle of the XX century), the European territory has been covered by dynamic and very comprehensive changes in all spheres of social life. The paper shows dilemmas through which the EU has passed in terms of determination of the status of religion in this territory. Namely, there were some discussions on whether Christianity as the dominant religion in Europe should be the official religion of the Union or not. The opinions were divided, but the attitude that religious affiliation is a personal thing of each individual prevailed, which means that everyone has the right and freedom to change their religious affiliation. It is certain that the creators of the European model of uniting countries had in mind the significance of religious tolerance and free choice of believers as an essential factor of peaceful and stable development in the territory of the European Union.
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Due to the fact that final date of ISAF (International Security Assistance Forces)operation had been establish for 31 December 2014, it was necessary to train AfghanSecurity Forces that could take over the responsibility for security in Afghanistan afterthe ISAF forces have withdrawn. Taliban began offensive aiming to paralyze thatprocess. Their main goal was to undermine the trust between ISAF and ANSF forces.One of their main activity was to conduct attacks which are often referred to as „Greenon Blue” („GoB”) or „Inside the Wire Threat”. The author tries to define the problem tillthe 2012, present its causes, consequences and countermeasures undertaken to neutralize.
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European Union has from its inception been developing as a sectoral organisation focused on foundation of a common market among the member states. Since its inception in the form of European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), which was followed by European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM), the establishment of free trade zone and the customs union represented the crux of integration process. Against the backdrop of the previously described context, social security and redistribution, including pensions, remained within the area of primary jurisdiction of member states of the communities existing at the time. Irrespective of this distribution of jurisdiction between the European and the national level, pension systems in member states were affected by the European regulations. The reasons for this state of affairs is due to the fact that free movement of labour is considered one of the fundamental rights (in addition to free movement of goods, free provision of services, free business location, as well as free movement of capital) which have been the foundations for the European single market since the inception of integration. Against the backdrop of the previously described context, eligibility for retirement pension required regulation at the European level, in order to ensure that the workers who had exercised the right of free movement, or the right to work in other member states, are not placed in a more unfavorable position due to their mobility compared with the position they would have occupied had they not exercised the previously mentioned right to freedom of movement. This article is aiming to provide an overview of the European legal framework (currently the EU legal framework) for eligibility for retirement pension (paid by the member state) of workers who had exercised their right to free movement and work in a member state whose nationality they do not possess, with a special emphasis on regulations on social security system co-ordination. Consequently, in addition the entitlement of mobile workers to retirement pension, an overview has been provided also of the limits of regulatory autonomy of member states concerning the right to regulate the eligibility for retirement pension within their own pension systems in compliance with the EU laws. The previously mentioned issue is significant also in case of Croatia as the newest member state which hence needs to harmonise its legislation and legal practices with the EU directives. The article comprises of several parts in order to achieve the previously mentioned objective. In the first section, it analyses the primary law of the European Union (primarily the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union) which prescribes the distribution of jurisdiction of the Union and the member states in the area of the pension system and the possibility of regulation of the previously mentioned area by the Union. Subsequently, secondary law of the EU is analysed (focusing on regulations on social security system co-ordination) which comprehensively defines the eligibility for exercising the right to retirement pension of mobile workers in the EU, along with the relevant court reports by the European Court of Justice in this area.
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In the democratic countries with the prevailing social-oriented economy, the social assistance fulfills the basic function in the provision of the living standard of individuals, who are in a pressing social situation and they are not capable of handling that situation on its own and seek for an intervention from the part of the state. V Author thinks of the factors that influence the exercise of the right to benefit from the social welfare services through the legal principles. We pay our attention to the social welfare services provided to the senior citizens and present them via the example of Košice self-governing region, thus from the view of the territorial self-government. In present, it is expected that further development of social welfare services for senior citizens will continue particularly due to the aging population.
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The article presents the restructuring and transformation of the Polish arms industry andits research and development base after the end of the Cold War and the beginning of thesystemic transformation, which results in its consolidation in the form of Polska GrupaZbrojeniowa (Polish Armaments Group). Its chances on an increasingly competitiveEuropean and world arms market were presented. The possibilities and offer of thePolish defense industry and its research and development facilities are also presented.The authors postulate that production of at least some elements of arms purchasedabroad, which our industry is unable to produce on its own, has been transferred toPoland. They also point to the possibility of improving the condition of the Polish armsindustry by raising defense spending to 2.5% of GDP, provided that at least 75% of thenecessary armaments will be produced in the country. The article is ended withconclusions regarding the future of the Polish defense industry.
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Field practice has always held an important place in the education of social workers, especially today,if we look at the modern social trends and problems with which they will, as a professional workers,meet during the professional career. Contemporary concept of dual education allows to students to, at the same time, connect and apply acquired theoretical knowledge and through that they can learn and develop their practical skills continuosly. If we look at the standards which are provided in education for social workers in Serbia, very important thing is that practical training has to comply with plan and program for every year of study, individually. Beside that, students could make a choice where they will work their field practice, in which institution or organization, and it is an example of good practice. This is helpful on the one hand for students and on the other hand for institutions. Through the activities in the context of field practice, students can perceive procedures of professional process, but they can also develop possibilities for critical thinking, reflective approach and learn proffesional behavior. This approach increases the possibilities for the realization of the concept of lifelong learning.Field practice is done in appropriate reference institutions, public autorithies, and also in nongovermental organisations. Some of these organisations are national, and some of them are international. A large number of options makes whole education more interesting how in content, also and methodological.One more important segment which contribute to improving practical learning is also training of mentors who are responsible for students in their organisations. Through this we can provide higher level of quality working with students, especially becuse professional workers in this role have the opportunity to convey their practical knowledge and skills. It is important for students becuse it is a way to empower them for further progress. Bearing in mind these tasks, it’s important that mentors are proffesionals with experience. In that case they could be available for students and their questions, and at the same time mentorship doesn’t interfere with working process.
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Opposition leader Navalny arrested in weekend protests against the four-term Russian president.
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The coordination of diverse social security systems of the Member States is one of the main priorities of the European Union. The dynamism of European integration has contributed to a Europe where the labour market perspective has developed into an individual citizens-based perspective. The article follows the historical development of the social security legal framework and explains the general principles incorporated in these legal instruments. The Union has a long history of the coordination of social security systems which aims at facilitating the free movement of citizens. The first European Economic Community (EEC) regulations on the social security coordination date back to 1958. Over the years, several amendments have been carried out to enlarge the personal and material fields of application. Since 1 January 2011, Regulation (EU) No 1231/2010 extends modernized coordination of social security systems to nationals of non-EU countries (third-country nationals) legally resident in the EU. Modernized coordination rules apply in relation to Switzerland as from 1 April 2012 and in relation to Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein (EEA countries) as from 1 June 2012. The article focuses on the modernization of the Union-wide social security protection — the extension of both personal and material scopes of application.
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The solution of the poverty problem is one of the most urgent issues to date. The problem of poverty is dealt with in many ways in the work of contemporary scholars of local and foreign authors. In the current stage of economic development, poverty and its consequences are examined as the subject of various theoretical and social disagreements. In our research, the phenomenon of poverty in Russia's socio-economic system undergoing with reforms has been examined and the factors leading to the poverty of the population and the dynamics of living standards are included. Socio-demographic characteristics of poverty in Russia have been analyzed and these characteristics have been shown to be important factors affecting the labor market: health, employment, age and type of settlement. In the last 10 years, different socio-demographic characteristics have been investigated in terms of “income” and “poverty” in the risk of falling into poverty. In the conclusion, what needs to be done to combat poverty in terms of the state's social policy is given place and evaluated.
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The paper attempts to contribute to a better understanding the concept for innovative cities as a concept for territorial development in the era of accelerated technology change and urbanization. In this respect the main policy challenge at both European and national level is development of a new paradigm in support of the policy design at the level of city governance Based on analysis it characterizes innovativeness as a function of government of a city, trying to identify its grassroots and specifics. Along with this, in the paper are summarized conditions for innovative cities creation and development. Four visions for innovative development of cities are presented as well as stages of such development. The study ends with summarizing of the main author?s conclusions and recommendations for modern innovative city management.
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From the viewpoint of current perception and definition of corruption the first half the "long" 19th century represents a milestone. In the process of social modernisation (bureaucratisation, dissolution of corporative structures, spread of literacy etc.) new standards distinguishing between the legitimate co-creation of the public good and the legally and morally disqualifying practices of acquiring personal or group advantages were established. In Hungary during 1780 – 1848 those processes were hindered by a systematic refusing of all changes and reforms streaming from Vienna. Very slow pace of decoupling the private and public spheres due to the prevailing position of nobility in the society caused that the pre-modern corruption practices and various methods of favouritism were persisting as legitimate even during the period of reforms (1825 – 1848). In certain sectors of public sphere they ceased to be performed publicly, that is, without the presence of witnesses (e.g. gift-giving to judges); however, the corruption that was present at the county elections that had become ritualised and institutionalised in the first third of the 19th century could not be eliminated at all. In the Habsburg monarchy existed in parallel two models of administration – Austrian (modern bureaucratic) and Hungarian (pre-modern municipal) – during that period. In the present study the author makes an inquiry into what role the criticism of corruption in the mutual discrediting and delegitimizing of the two models played and which sectors of public administration were perceived in the contemporary Hungarian discourse as those, where occurrence of various types and forms of corruption behaviour was frequent-most. During the period of reforms in the public discourse in Hungary the elections of representatives to the county committees and deputies to the Hungarian diet were most frequently related to corruption. The State made efforts to eliminate the practice of bribing the voters and the scandals occurring at elections, but the Hungarian nobility did not perceive the corruption as a serious problem and defended it (by making reference to England and Switzerland) in the sense that it was a "toll" to be paid when a country was administered by elected politicians and not by politicians nominated by an absolutistic state. In the end of the period of reforms in the 1840s the corruption had become an important tool of political struggle both within the Hungarian society and between Vienna and the reforms-oriented Hungarian nobility. It was used for discrediting and delegitimizing the political system by pointing out its degeneration, obsoleteness, and inefficiency. Similarly to the English, German or French societies the establishing of political corruption as a relevant topic in the public discourse in Hungary was one of the signs of ongoing modernisation.
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The research project addresses the complex phenomenon of “street children” in the Albanian contemporary society and polity with a particular focus on discourse and policy approaches for inclusive education. “Street children” face multifaceted deprivation, social, economic, cultural and political exclusion, negative public perceptions and as such are placed at the outer margins of the mainstream society. The research project analyses the conceptual framework on “street children” as embedded in the intervention programs of governmental and non-governmental organizations for inclusive education. Through a qualitative methodology of document analysis, in-depth interviews and critical discourse analysis, the research project explores the ways in which the conceptual framework and discourse on “street children” impacts policy approaches for inclusive education. The research demonstrates that the discourse on “street children” in the public sphere (re) produces and reinforces already existing aspects of social deprivation, marginalization and discrimination of these children and their families. The research shows that there are limited efforts to elaborate the concept of “street children” and that there is confusion in policy regarding the use of the term. In addition, “street children” are seen either as victims of socio-economic hardship and endangered by their presence in the spaces of the “street” or as a possible threat to the rest of the society, i.e. the street criminalises children. The research shows two main policy approaches: (i) correctional or repressive-oriented policy approach that conceives “street children” as a danger to public order whose features differentiate from mainstream childhood and as such invites intervention programmes that tend to “normalise” children as in the case of the National Strategy for Improving the Living Conditions of Roma community; (ii) protective or rehabilitative policy approaches, i.e. emphasising children needs and aiming at protecting and re-integrating them in family and mainstream society as demonstrated in the National Strategy for Children. Recent intervention programmes from non-governmental organisations draw from the conceptualisation of children as social actors and attempt to include children in research and development of intervention programmes. The research suggests that there is a need to link research on the socialisation processes, identity construction and resilience of “street children” in the spaces of the street based on their dynamic lifestyles and perspectives with policy development. This entails a deconstruction of the limits of discourse on “street children” and an in-depth and critical analysis of the concept of “street children” in policy development as well as a conceptualisation of children based on their rights.
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It is the government’s duty to precisely define the objectives of the state’s housing policy, because their correct definition and use of the available instruments will enable mutual influence on other areas of social policy. After the fall of communism, successive governments left the housing sphere in the free market competences, limiting their activity, recognizing the unnecessary state in this area. Only in 2006, the first government housing program was inaugurated, which was limited to a social group with credit standing and living in large urban centres. Another program also covered limited social strata. In 2016, the “Mieszkanie+” program was launched, which in the assumptions of the originators will cover all hitherto discriminated social groups, irrespective of their creditworthiness or place of residence. The adoption of the National Housing Program will allow defining the objectives of the state’s housing policy and will allow for more efficient coordination and synchronization of the activities of state institutions in the housing sphere.
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Although it is the world’s largest recipient of remittances, India lacks information about the investment behavior of its remittance receiving households. Using data from Reserve Bank of India and the Tobit analysis, this paper examines how remittances, different household and migrant characteristics have affected both the propensity to invest and the amount of investment by the remittance receiving households. The findings have significant implications for policy purposes. For example, government programs can create incentives for older migrants to have more remittance transfers. Remittance money used for children’s education could be matched to create robust flow of educational investments.
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Dialysis treatment is often the only hope for patients with renal insufficiency, which is why it is extremely important that the system of providing this type of health care service is organized in an adequate manner. In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, dialysis services are performed exclusively within public health institutions, which are faced with a number of problems, some of which are caused by the healthcare system itself, and the other are the effect of the lack of financial resources. In addition, there are significant differences in the scope and manner of achieving certain rights of dialysis patients in the area of social protection, depending on which canton they live in. Possible solutions to some of these problems are the introduction of new models of providing dialysis services and the development of transplantation medicine. However, without the constitutional reform in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it will be almost impossible to introduce a model of providing dialysis based on the principles of public-private partnership, and for the further development of transplantation medicine it is necessary for BiH to become a member of Eurotransplant, and one of the conditions for that is the state-level legislative framework.
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The review of: - Maull F., Dharma in Hell: The Prison Writings of Fleet Maull. Prison Dharma Network, Boulder 2005, 125 pp. ISBN: 0-9718143-1-7. - Parker J., Social work with refugees and asylum seekers: A rationale for developing practice. “Practice: Social Work in Action”, 2000, 12 (3): 61–76. - McLaine S., Bibliotherapy: Reading for Wellbeing in Old Age. Alzheimer’s Australia Dementia Forum (unpublished paper), 14 August 2012.
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One of the most topical and painful social policy issues in Bulgaria today is the status of people with disabilities, the paths to its legitimization, and the changes that society expects to see in this regard. To design policies that respond to societal expectations, more information is needed, acquired both from existing statistical data and from targeted empirical studies. This article discusses the results from a 2017 survey of health inequality. We analyze and evaluate the differences and inequalities between subcategories of people with disabilities. We underscore that looking at this group of people as a whole masks the specific needs of each subcategory. What’s more, such a one-size-fits-all approach makes it difficult to develop individually tailored social policies in line with the abilities and needs of different people.
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