Abstract: This paper is aimed at proposing an analysis of the Russian geopolitical self-perception in the light of a “culturalist” approach. The paper uses Samuel Huntington’s “model of civilizations” as an interpretative prism, following a multidisciplinary approach which allows to epistemologically validate certain points of the Huntingtonian thesis, and to reject others. This approach does not invalidate the neo-realist theories of international relations regarding the Russian search for a relative increase of power through the use of material factors. If anything, the culturalist perspective must be placed side by side with the neo-realist one in order to better grasp some intangible elements, in particular the attention paid by Moscow to its (former) imperial dimension, the influence exercised by the autocratic tradition on Russia’s international posture, together with the role of geographic space, the ascendency of the Orthodox church, as well as Eurasianist cultural inclinations. Finally, through a critical analysis and a selective review of the academic literature on these issues (as well as of the political texts published by some of the most prominent Russian politicians and intellectuals), the paper aims to demonstrate the self-perceived originality of the Russian model and its difficulty in being placed within the Western political categories. PubDate: Thu, 13 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMT
Abstract: This paper proposes a problematic reconstruction of the relationship between ethnic conflict, racial hatred, and media, focusing on the analysis of information flows and the social construction of the Other, as a public enemy, in war contexts. Through a socio-historical approach, analyzing sources offered by the press and international literature, we will examine the genocide that took place in Rwanda in 1994, where about one million people lost their lives in only 100 days. This case study is still particularly interesting today as an example of a timeless conflict, or rather of a 'forgotten (ethnic) war’This expression refers to those conflicts that have profoundly marked humanity but have not received enough attention from the mass media. This is often the case for economic reasons, intrinsic to the information economy, as well as cultural issues and, to some extent, also because of the dependence of the media on the agenda dictated by politicians, who often choose to promote conflicts when there are special interests at stake.Digital technologies have, however, partially limited the effects of this “forgetting.” Interconnection and digitization processes can sometimes transform the violent past into public memory, into pieces of shared history, so that the same mistakes are never made again. PubDate: Thu, 13 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMT
Abstract: For the last decades interest in leadership skills training is a persistent feature of the design of contents in many educational curricula at different levels. This relevance has been highlighted in an abundant literature on leadership training and in the development of guidelines that some prominent transnational organizations have published as a convenient way to focus that training. This article summarizes the findings of the first part of a research devoted to the study of the approaches of the training in “leadership” and “digital leadership” by three stakeholders: training providers; scholars; and some major transnational organizations. The research aims to clarify the concept adopted, the priorities established and the competencies that have been considered suitable to be transmitted. Through a documentary review of leadership development training programs delivered by national schools of public administration in European Union member countries, this paper examines the perspective adopted to train civil servants in those competencies considered suitable to be transmitted when training for leadership and digital leadership. PubDate: Thu, 13 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMT
Abstract: The goal of this article is to introduce a reflection on leadership in the educational context. Our reasoning will start from the concept of group in its sociological meaning, from Donati (2021) to Goffman (1959) passing through Tuckman’s five stages of group development (1977). In this way, we will argue about the idea of leadership, more in detail on an important element in which the educational leader acts: the culture at all its different levels:, that of the school and then that of the community, which represents a crucial junction for its influence on the way of conceiving educational systems (paragraph 2), the term used to designate the holder of leadership is educational leader, meaning the one who coordinates and manages tasks within an educational context (paragraph 3). The choice that inspires our approach to leadership concept is, from one hand to frame the theme in its transcultural perspective, we believe that any educational context today can only be conceived as an international and global theater, regardless of the origin of the actors and the audience that are there. In addition to people and the objects, the way of formulating concepts of use that have multiform tonalities, origins, and heritages, often far from the context in which they appear and act, they are hybrids. On the other hand, schools often experience internationality and globalization very concretely: they host foreign students and participate in international projects of cooperation with other countries (paragraph 4). In our final remarks, we will affirm and demonstrate that the reflections proposed in this pathway on the topic of leadership are intended to signal the importance of laying the foundation for an international content orientation on which the knowledge of the educational leader is based. Therefore, using the concepts that describe intercultural communication, we assume that sociology can undertake a more incisive analysis of the meaning of multicultural societies. PubDate: Thu, 13 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMT
Abstract: The issue of leadership is one of the most topical. The focus of the research is on identifying the characteristics a person must possess to be a leader, where the term indicates anyone who has a role in coordinating and guiding a group of people. In a globalised world in which production processes are carried out by teams of people, the possibility of identifying people with leadership skills or, better still, of training people to be leaders acquires fundamental importance. The article attempts to identify the intellectual, personality, emotional and relational characteristics of a leader and suggest ways to 'educate' for leadership, highlighting the centrality of psychology in the study, identification and enhancement of these characteristics. PubDate: Thu, 13 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMT
Abstract: The authors try to define a new aspect of the post-soviet space that arise with the war in Ukraine. Starting from a historical analysis, they consider the question of the concept of the security state and its role within new international dynamics, the new globalization, the transformation of the world via social-media and the new possible peace perspectives in the 21st century. PubDate: Thu, 13 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMT
Abstract: The article substantiates the need to form the strategic competence of future teachers in postgraduate education. The authors formulated the concept of “strategic leadership competence of a future teacher” and presented the components and indicators of the competence. The effectiveness of the curriculum “Pedagogical management and management in modern school” developed and implemented in the educational process in forming the competence of strategic leadership of a future teacher is proved. Confirmation is maintained by the presented results of the study, which showed positive dynamics in the level of the researched competence formation. PubDate: Thu, 13 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMT
Abstract: Socio-economic, political, cultural transformations in Kazakhstan place great demands on each person, his knowledge, personal qualities, social skills. In this sense, what we want to highlight is the fact that the role and value of the modern educational system is growing, in which human capital becomes important as it is a criterion for the level of social development, also measuring the standard of living of society. Therefore, in such conditions, the essence of the concept of educational leadership proves its effectiveness.In this regard, the relevance of the above concept is emphasized by the practical value of the accumulated experience of highly developed foreign countries in ensuring high-quality education, focused primarily on the development of leadership qualities of students / teachers / managers, the introduction of innovative ideas into educational practice. The paper is aimed at developing and modernizing curricula for professional development and teacher training in Mongolia, Kazakhstan in order to expand the competencies of target groups in the field of leadership. The results of the project include an interdisciplinary modular program for the master's degree level, which combines pedagogical, sociological, psychological, legal, economic and managerial elements, and a professional development program “Teachers-leaders”. PubDate: Thu, 13 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMT
Abstract: This study aims to investigate the historical evolution of the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR), with a particular focus on the main theories and events that led it to no longer be a voluntary choice but a necessity for the company’s long-term survival. The article will first analyze the main definitions in the literature to determine the aspects that characterize it. Subsequently, using a theoretical approach, a literature review will be performed to describe its historical evolution, starting from its birth during the Industrial Revolution period (1760-1840) up to the present day. The analysis results show that, in the scientific debate, the CSR concept was initially focused on the workers’ well-being and, subsequently, it expanded its scope and significance to include all stakeholders’ categories. Furthermore, it emerged that CSR become a necessity for the companies’ long-term survival, especially in the post-pandemic period. For this reason, companies must develop new business models to face sustainability issues and meet social needs. PubDate: Thu, 19 May 2022 00:00:00 GMT
Abstract: The increase in the elderly population is a phenomenon of growing importance with various repercussions on the economic side, both in terms of costs that society has to bear from a social and health care point of view, and in terms of opportunities for the various economic sectors that can see the third age as a possible market. The change in attitudes towards ageing has led to an increase in the proportion of older people who are actively living in the third age. Travelling, visiting new places and/or spending time away from home, even abroad, are activities that are now part of the lives of older people, at least those with an adequate income level. Consequently, the elderly have become potential users of the tourism sector: this article attempts to outline the dimensions and characteristics of this phenomenon. PubDate: Thu, 19 May 2022 00:00:00 GMT
Abstract: Life-Long Learning seems to be an all-sides studied model. Globalisation, work-market rapid change, and the free circulation of knowledge let researchers discover that there is a new way of designing the LLL process. The multicultural society is a drive of LLL process optimisation. After the Lisbon strategy and seeing the unstoppable path of lifelong learning stress, the requirements for a profound reflection on the role of citizen’s education. The article aims to analyse the intercultural aspect of LLL and how it can be stretched. Particular attention is dedicated to how the EU and RF reply to society and economic challenges through the implementation of the LLL process. The intercultural aspect will comprise a horizontal intercultural aspect and vertical ones. Will be examined the role of the European Commission as well as a promoter of the idea of an inclusive society and the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world. The intercultural approach will be stressed thanks to examining the Soviet Union and Russian Federation’s LLL process. The used methodology is a review of relevant intervention studies and Political Documents and Financing actions for examining the effectiveness of interventions.The analysis of two paths of the LLL process’s implementation and promotion; the analysis of two ways of LLL process organisation will permit an expansive view of the LLL process. Furthermore, the parallel analysis of the LLL process permits us to see how the two ways of social development can be reflected through different actions on LLL policy, starting from formal education and ultimate to third Age Education. In final, it permits us to learn more about how LLL can be a solution to avoid social welfare bankruptcy. PubDate: Thu, 19 May 2022 00:00:00 GMT
Abstract: Article 27 of the Italian Constitution reads as follows: “Criminal responsibility is personal. The accused is not considered guilty until the final sentence. The penalties cannot consist of treatments contrary to the sense of humanity and must aim at the re-education of the offender. The death penalty is not allowed” (our translation).Fundamentally important is the international legislation on the rights of detained persons, which is based on the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” (1948), stating in Article 5: “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”. This proposition is the cornerstone that affected all future directives concerning the protection of detained people.In Italy, the office for external penal execution, as a peripheral branch of the Ministry of Justice, is called to contribute, in addition to social security, to the reintegration and rehabilitation of sentenced persons. Obviously, this can only be possible through collaboration and sharing with the apparatuses and bodies of society, with particular reference to the role of the Third sector.Therefore, one of the main roles of the social workers of Italian Ministry of Justice is to guatantee the involvement of civil society, the promotion of a culture of solidarity and reintegration within the community to which the detainee belongs, reconstructing a sense of communityship and the broken citizen bond. PubDate: Thu, 19 May 2022 00:00:00 GMT
Abstract: Environmental migration owes its existence to pull factors, i.e. disastrous environmental factors that push people to migrate to other lands. In this article the definition of environmental migration is reversed, since in Russian internal migration towards the Kuban’ region and, in particular, towards the city of Krasnodar, pull factors are transformed into push factors, giving rise to migration in which the climate is an attractive pole, around which other migratory causes are placed. The migratory flows directed towards the city of Krasnodar are a great resource of demographic rebirth, the motor of regional and city life, the growing stimulus towards rapid urban development and the transformative and generative force of infinite territorial images, endlessly created by each migrant present on the territory under examination. PubDate: Thu, 19 May 2022 00:00:00 GMT
Abstract: Through this contribution of a geopolitical approach, the author intends to propose an updated and accurate framework on the relations between China and Africa as well as some critical reflections on various geopolitical and geo-economic aspects concerning the intense development of the diversified economic relations between China and the different African States.China’s foreign economic policy in Africa has laid solid foundations through the implementation of the various Sino-African Cooperation Forums that have taken place since 2000 and that have seen an increasing involvement of the Chinese government in the process.This paper intends to make a brief reflection on China’s visible economic and geopolitical interest in the African Continent as a whole. The analysis that follows traces the main stages in the history of relations between China and Africa, emphasizing the increased importance of the Sino-African forums that led to what is now known as Chinese neo-colonization. In addition, the case studies of the Silk Road and the Rare Lands are highlighted. Finally, some of the social impacts of the Chinese presence in Africa are also examined such as the construction of new cities for the Chinese migrant population and the teaching of the Chinese language (Mandarin) in schools in some African Countries. PubDate: Thu, 19 May 2022 00:00:00 GMT
Abstract: Even before the Covid-19 pandemic crisis, the massive use of the digital in everyday life, in the absence of intercultural - media skills, seemed to have fuelled violence, misinformation, ethnocentrisms, prejudices towards the Other (Urry 2000; Appadurai 2005; Couldry 2015; Ziccardi 2016; Europol 2016; SWG 2017, Vox 2018).However, social and digital technology can also be re-thought as a civic and moral space (Silverstone, 2009) able to overcome conflict and polarisation, as a strategic medium to improve social policies and the management of migration flows, actively involving host institutions and communities (Buoncompagni, D’Ambrosi 2020).The panorama of humanitarian aid, in particular, i.e. that typology of interventions aimed at helping populations affected by war events or natural disasters, is completely changing in the way of operating within the world of international migration precisely thanks to the digital infrastructure (IOM 2018). Apps, virtual itinerant maps and self-narratives via social networks, sharing GPS coordinates of the safest routes among migrants, increasing numbers of socially engaged indigenous citizens enrolled in online platforms, are just a few examples of how digital media are acquiring a fundamental role within the migration network in hospitality and aid actions (Brunwasser 2015; Buoncompagni 2021. Only by developing the art of solidarity and the ability to communicate and cooperate globally, opening up to the Other, can the “different” relate effectively and productively in digital society (Chen 2005; Bennet 2015).Pitirim A. Sorokin himself, a still prominent figure of 20th century sociology, stated that historical and techno-cultural changes have not always produced positive results within societies, but at times also negative (or more precisely ‘destructive’) ones: individualism, antagonism, excess of technology and rationality, and in particular the fall of the bonds of solidarity towards the different and the loss of the feeling of belonging (Cimagalli 2010; Marletti 2018; Perrotta 2016).But the sociologist also stressed how altruism could be one of the indispensable ingredients of social life. No society can exist without an “altruistic and creative love” that has as its aim the “altruisation” of individuals and social institutions: a complex process/project capable of encompassing the emotional, supra-rational and spiritual aspects of human relationships (including online), starting from the idea that all men can recognise themselves in certain moral principles, eternal and universal (Mangone, 2020).And such a condition could be re-created/supported also through digital tools and exist in online environments, thus trying to extend, on a theoretical level, Sorokin’s attempt to make sociology (also digital, in this case) a “science of altruism” in the post-pandemic era of global interconnectedness. PubDate: Thu, 19 May 2022 00:00:00 GMT
Abstract: The pandemic crisis has coincided with a time of global economic crisis. The education system has suffered from this double impact: the simultaneous closure of schools and universities and a significant worsening of the business and productivity system. Digitalisation in the education process started in the far past, but it has become a priority with the pandemic. The use of digital tools in the educational process ensured that the latter did not come to a complete standstill during the pandemic. Although digitalisation is seen as a possible solution to the problems facing schools, it can also be seen as a factor in widening the gap between rich and developing countries. The article proposes a reflection about education during the pandemic and the digitalisation process of schools in all its facets and at alle education level. PubDate: Thu, 19 May 2022 00:00:00 GMT
Abstract: This paper, which covers the period of the 2004 Annan Plan and its rejection to date, places the Cyprus Problem in an International Relations theoretic framework. It searches for a “foreign policy outcome,” essentially a decision by the leaders of the Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot communities, to politically reunite these two communities under the auspices of the UN. The paper provides a synthesis of the neo-liberal and the neoclassical realist paradigms, aiming to better interpret the existing experience and to shed light on the prospect of a future solution to the problem. The strategic environment for the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is ‘permissive’ because the message sent by the international system for reunification does not require the use of hard power. The leaders of the two communities play a key role, although the strategic political culture in small states such as the TRNC is not developed and state-society relations are underdeveloped. Also, the civil society at large can play a role in influencing the leaders' images regarding the reunification opportunity. PubDate: Tue, 26 Oct 2021 00:00:00 GMT
Abstract: The aim of the paper is to talk about the risk management system especially today in pandemic time. The authors would like to analyze the issue of risk management in an economic and healthcare context. taking into account that there are strong relationships between society and health such as the question of social responsibility and organization, social responsibility and social impact and social responsibility and competitiveness. The correlation between economy and health is highlighted in the healthcare sector, where the risk profile is in fact considered complex and extremely dynamic. PubDate: Tue, 26 Oct 2021 00:00:00 GMT
Abstract: The article summarises the scientific debate on the strengths and weaknesses of the strategies adopted by the European Union to promote gender equality in academia and the adoption of a gender perspective in research.The article focuses on introducing gender mainstreaming, promoting gender equality and structural change in research performing and financing organisations, and adopting gender action/equality plans. The discussion is structured around textual analysis of relevant EU acts, scientific literature, reports of EU funded research projects, communication and support actions. The authors discuss the critics of the various initiative and advance some considerations about what could support individuals and groups interested in promoting positive changes towards gender equality, diversity and inclusion in the academic field. The article relevance is linked to the innovation promoted by Horizon Europe, that requires all public institutions applying for Eu funding to have a Gender equality plan, and the risks that previous mistakes can be repeated hindering the process towards gender equality as in the recent past. PubDate: Tue, 26 Oct 2021 00:00:00 GMT
Abstract: The current pandemic crisis is unique in its kind, becoming a global cataclysm with a multilateral impact and an extended spread over time. Affecting all aspects of human activity, this crisis has inevitably affected the higher education system, and its consequences are manifesting both locally and internationally. The purpose of this paper was to establish the influence of crisis on the economic situation of higher education institutions. After studying of different institutions reports, analytical presentations of authors from different countries, as well as the author's communication with colleagues from different educational institutions during online academic meetings, it became possible to compile a complex picture of economic consequences of the COVID-19 crisis on higher education system. The research results showed an extremely uneven spread of the economic effects of the pandemic crisis. Thus, the least COVID-19 crisis has affected universities in industrially developed countries and the disastrous impact will manifested in developing countries. In addition, a dependence of evolution of economic situation of educational institutions of a complex of important factors was detected. It is about of change in living standard of the population, the capacity of the local authorities to manage the consequences of the pandemic, the changes in higher education policies, presiding students to do higher education, managerial ability to manage the economic and financial status of higher education institutions and others. Likewise, certain ways of solving economic problems have been outlined. PubDate: Tue, 26 Oct 2021 00:00:00 GMT
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