Russian nationalists on the Kremlin’s policy in Ukraine

Author(s): Katarzyna Chawryło (Jarzyńska) / Language(s): English

On the Day of National Unity, celebrated in Russia every 4 November, members of nationalist movements organise a so-called Russian March in Moscow. In 2014 the nationalists took part in three competing marches, which illustrated the divisions present in these circles. The reason for these divisions is a difference of opinions on the policy pursued by Russia towards Ukraine. The pro-Russian, Russia-inspired protests in south-eastern Ukraine organised under the slogan of ‘defending’ the Russians living there (the ‘Russian Spring’) and the annexation of Crimea were received enthusiastically by the nationalists and contributed to a consolidation of these circles around the Kremlin which lasted for several months. In spite of this, opinions on the Russian government’s current policy towards the so-called Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics have been varied. The most radical groups have demanded that military support be offered, and that the ‘confederation’ of these republics, the so-called ‘Novorossiya’, should be officially recognised. They consider the Kremlin’s policy to have been too soft, and see the signing of the peace agreements in Minsk as a betrayal of the interests of the Russians. For the remaining representatives of nationalist circles, who are not so numerous and are less visible in the public sphere, finding a solution for Russia’s domestic problems remains a priority. Some of them oppose the very notion of Russia’s involvement in the conflict.

Patriarch Kirill’s game over Ukraine

Author(s): Katarzyna Jarzyńska / Language(s): English

The protests on Kyiv’s Maidan which commenced in November 2013, followed by the conflict in Ukraine’s eastern regions, have redefined the political and social relations between Russia and Ukraine, and have added complexity to the dependences between the Orthodox Churches operating in the two countries. The Kremlin’s policy has put the Russian Orthodox Church–Moscow Patriarchate (ROC) in an awkward position. The ROC is Russia’s largest religious organisation, which also exercises symbolic sovereignty over Ukraine’s most numerous Orthodox community, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church–Moscow Patriarchate (UOC–MP), which since 13 August has had a new leader, Metropolitan Onufry.

The crisis in Iraq and the twists and turns of Turkish Middle East policy

Author(s): Krzysztof Strachota / Language(s): English

The spectacular offensive by Islamic radicals in Iraq this June has led the country to the verge of collapse, and is another scene of the deep crisis in the Middle East, in which Turkey is entangled. The immediate consequence of this is a severe crisis of prestige after the kidnapping by terrorists of Turkish diplomats and Ankara’s inability to resolve the situation; in the long term consequences include escalation of the Kurdish problem, and a further increase in threats to the security of Turkey itself as well as the fundamental principles of its foreign policy. Both Ankara's options and its political will to actively respond to the crisis are extremely limited.Yet again in recent years, the current crisis, the broader situation in the Middle East, and finally the position of Turkey in the region elude unambiguous assessments and forecasts – these are prevented by the scale and growth of the reappraisals and tensions in the region. The only undoubted fact is that Turkey is strategically and irreversibly entangled in the Middle East’s problems, which are an important factor affecting the transformation of the state which the ruling AKP is implementing; and in the near future, this state of affairs will only deepen.

Crimean Tatars after Russia’s annexation of the Crimean Peninsula

Author(s): Tadeusz A. Olszański / Language(s): English

After Russia’s annexation of Crimea, Crimean Tatars face the necessity of working out a modus vivendi to cope with the difficult situation which now confronts them. On the one hand, the desire to remain in their homeland, which they regained after exile in Soviet times, is an imperative encouraging them to accept the status quo, while on the other, the fear of Russia and the strong relations of Crimean Tatar elites with Kyiv would favour opposing the present state of affairs. Another fact pointing in favour of an agreement with Moscow is that Kyiv has not attempted to defend Crimea and has not been active in demanding its return to Ukraine, which has undermined Kyiv’s authority in the eyes of the Tatars. Therefore, the leaders of the Mejlis of Crimean Tatars (the national self-government) act carefully, trying to avoid actions which could be seen as provocative and thus liable to incite retribution. It could be expected that this course of action will continue, although it faces ever greater difficulties in the context of the Russian authorities’ adoption of a strongly anti-Tatar policy, which is likely to evoke more radical attitudes among the Crimean Tatars.

Gagauzia: growing separatism in Moldova?

Author(s): Kamil Całus / Language(s): English

On 2 February, the regional authorities in Gagauzia - an autonomous region of the Republic of Moldova - carried out two simultaneous referenda. In the first, local residents were asked to declare their support for the country’s integration either with the EU or with the Moscow-led Customs Union (CU); the second referendum sought their opinion on the draft law "On the deferred status of the Autonomous Region of Gagauzia". Under the proposed legislation, if Moldova were to lose its sovereignty (for example, through the unification of Moldova and Romania, or even as some politicians have argued, through Moldova’s further integration with the EU), the autonomous region would automatically become the independent Republic of Gagauzia. As expected, the outcome of the vote has shown overwhelming support for both the CU and for the draft law. According to the figures released by Gagauzia’s Central Electoral Commission, 98.5% of the voters supported Moldova’s integration with the Customs Union, while 98% voted in favour of the ‘deferred independence’ bill. Support for closer integration with the EU was marginal, reaching just over 2%. Despite the one-sided outcome of the referendum, there is no reliable evidence to suggest that the ballot was rigged. It should also be noted that voter turnout was very high, reaching about 70%. Representatives of the Moldovan Central Electoral Commission, however, believe that the figure may have been artificially inflated by excluding many of the voters currently residing abroad from the count.

Euro 2012 – Ukraine’s wasted opportunity?

Author(s): Sławomir Matuszak,Tadeusz A. Olszański / Language(s): English

Ukraine saw hosting the European Football Championship as an important project in terms of image-building and modernisation from the very beginning. The country’s government assumed, during the presidency of Viktor Yushchenko and Viktor Yanukovych alike, that Euro 2012 would provide a major impulse for economic development and show that the young Ukrainian state was capable of successfully preparing one of the most important sport tournaments in the world. Although UEFA’s decision raised eyebrows both in the West and in Ukraine, after initial delays the work gained momentum and, shortly before the championship, Ukraine’s progress could be evaluated as being satisfactory at the least. As part of the preparations, four stadiums were built or modernised, four airports in the host cities were developed and 1,600 km of roads were repaired or built from the ground up. The investments have doubtlessly contributed to an improvement of the infrastructure in Ukraine, but it would be rather inaccurate to say that Euro 2012 has brought about a real modernisation of the country. The funds allocated for the preparations were relatively modest, and part of them was spent in a non-transparent way, which gives rise to suspicions of corruption.

European Neighbourhood Policy Package – Conclusions for the Eastern Partners

Author(s): Rafał Sadowski / Language(s): English

In 2011 the European Union began a process aimed at reforming its policy on the Eastern and Southern Neighbourhood. The change in circumstances in neighbouring countries following the Arab Spring, along with the lack of significant progress regarding Eastern Europe’s integration with the EU, formed the main driving force behind this process.The prime objective of the changes to the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) was the need to introduce new incentives for partner countries to modernise and integrate more closely with the EU Another aim was to increase the flexibility of EU instruments (by adapting them to the specific context of each partner state). One year later, on 15 May 2012, the European Commission and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy published the European Neighbourhood Policy Package which reported on the progress made in the implementation of the ENP over the preceding year and set out the aims and Action Plans for 2013.

Russia's Middle East policy after the Arab revolutions

Author(s): Marcin Kaczmarski / Language(s): English

Russia's policy towards the Middle East is instrumental. Its activity in the region has been growing since the middle of the last decade, and its aim is to help Moscow achieve its objectives in other areas, particularly in its policies towards the US and Europe, as well as its energy policy. The establishment of these political influences constitutes a bargaining chip for Russia in its relations with the US. Russia's participation in resolving conflicts is aimed at building up its image as a supra-regional power. Russia's Middle East policy is a key element in its contacts with the Muslim world. At the same time, Russia's policy in the region remains cautious – despite its return to the region, Russia has not decided to 'play' for the Middle East, and its position and role in the region remain limited.

The ENP in practice - the European Union's policy towards Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova one year after the publication of the Strategy Paper

Author(s): Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz / Language(s): English,Polish

1. Clear qualitative changes have taken place in relations between the European Union and its Eastern neighbours over the past year. The European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) has been playing a significant part in the context of these changes. In the cases of Moldova and Ukraine, which are the countries interested in enhancing co-operation with the EU, the ENP has provided a formula that allows taking steps to implement this objective. The ENP has also contributed to "outlining an alternative" to Belarus' current self-isolation. However, the ENP has first of all given a clear message to Russia by specifying the EU's interests and objectives concerning Eastern Europe. The ENP has clearly stated that the EU wants to build democracy and a free market in those countries, and has signalled that the European Union intends to discuss the issues concerning the countries directly with them, and not through Moscow's offices.2. The main shortcoming of the ENP appears to be the disproportion between the number of commitments and tasks that the neighbours must make and carry out and the benefits promised by the EU. Currently, the ENP does not offer membership prospects, and other concessions made by the European Union have not been clearly defined (neither in terms of the scope nor the terms and conditions of implementation). This lack of balance between the European Union's great aspirations to influence its neighbours and the limited offer it addresses to those neighbours seems to be a problem of such magnitude that, unless the situation changes, it may paralyse further implementation of the ENP. 3. The mechanisms and objectives of the ENP have been determined in rather general terms, which gives the EU great freedom of action in its policy towards the Eastern partners. On the one hand, the ENP allows for a very reserved approach or even the simulation of real actions; yet on the other, it does not exclude the possibility of very active engagement by the EU (including holding out the prospect of membership for the European neighbours). This shows that the ENP does not definitely determine the nature of the EU engagement. A great deal depends on the political will on the part of both the European Union's structures and its individual member states. The ENP's flexibility seems to be a particularly valuable feature; it gives an opportunity for an evolutional change to this formula which may be inspired by both new experiences and the changing reality.

Percepții despre fiscalitatea din România

Author(s): Bruno Stefan / Language(s): Romany

The paper presents the results of a sociological research carried out in Romania on a national sample of 1,104 subjects. The data was collected between 9-14 June 2022, and the research was funded by the Tax Pact. The paper presents data on Romanians' preferences for a stable tax code, for merging some taxes and simplifying tax legislation, for certain legislative measures and proposals for the economic recovery of the country, about the progressive tax and about the perception of fiscal administrations.

Kraje rozwijające się wobec wyzwań globalnych

Author(s): Katarzyna A. Nawrot / Language(s): Polish Publication Year: 0

The purpose of the chapter is to reflect on global challenges from the perspective of developing countries, what is significant in order to prevent developmental disproportions from deepening. The following global challenges were identified and described: poverty and hunger, developmental inequalities, degradation of the environment and global security. Descriptive and comparative analysis methods were used in order to prepare the chapter, supplemented by presentation of research results, obtained mainly on the basis of selected descriptive statistics methods. The statistical database of the World Bank, United Nations Development Programme, Food and Agriculture Organisation and International Monetary Fund were used. Marginalisation of the developing countries and the challenges they are facing may bring tragic, and what is more global repercussions and, consequently, lead to a new division of the world, escalation of hatred, wars of Western civilisations with the followers of the extreme ideologies, rising inequalities and large uncontrolled migrations, among others. We are witnessing the destruction of ecosystems, global warming, cross continental terrorism, the problems of poverty and hunger – these are just a few of the consequences of ignorance of the problems of developing countries. The interconnections of the modern world economy leave no doubt that actions to solve them should be supported by the global community and their solutions cannot be solved without global involvement.

Impact of Demographic Factors on Economic Activity in Bulgaria's Rural Territories

Author(s): Julia Doitchinova,Elitsa Lazarova / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Bulgaria has one of the fastest rates of population decline in the EU and the world. In 2021, the value is observed to be 21.6% lower compared to the value recorded in 2001. Changes in rural areas are even more dynamic and have a negative impact on their development opportunities. This paper aims to examine and analyse the economic activity of the rural population using statistical data obtained from population censuses. The analysis is mainly focused on the interdependencies between economic activity, employment in agriculture and their implications for the rural economy. Correlation and regression analysis were applied to test the research hypotheses. The summary of the obtained results shows that the coefficient of economic activity rises until 2020, but activity is uneven and at different rates in different regions, with the coefficient being lower in villages at the expense of economic activity in cities; • The unemployment rate in Bulgaria has gone through three stages: until 2013, it was in double digits, then it dropped to 4.2 (in 2021), and in 2019, an increase began, which varied greatly by region. The unemployment rate is significantly higher in the villages, with the most significant differences in the younger age groups; • The correlation analysis revealed a weak, positive, and insignificant relationship between the rural population and the coefficient of economic activity, as well as the presence of a medium, positive, and significant relationship between the rural population and the agricultural labour force; According to the regression analysis, Annual work unit has a positive and significant influence on the population in rural areas, indicating that agricultural specialization and automation are still in their early stages in Bulgaria, and the workforce in the industry is structure-determining Demographic processes have a negative impact on rural development. A cyclical pattern emerges wherein a declining local economy and depopulation coexist and mutually reinforce one another. A decline in demographic potential and a lack of human capital may limit investment flow. For these reasons, investing in human capital is regarded as a critical means of reversing unfavourable trends in demographic structures and processes in all countries affected by accelerated aging and depopulation. This includes improving the health-care system, education, and other social services, as well as raising the living standards of rural inhabitants. To achieve this goal, regional demographic policies must be developed that take into account the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of each region.

Подготвени за пазара на труда: иновативни стратегии за професионална реализация

Author(s): Spasimira Davidova / Language(s): Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

The article analyzes the necessity of introducing new approaches in education related to preparing young individuals for the contemporary, dynamic labor market. The author explores innovative strategies for students' preparation in higher education institutions. Through a review of educational domains, collaboration with the business sector, and innovative trends, the article defines strategies aimed at improving preparation for the modern work environment. The article emphasizes the importance of bridging the gap between education and industry. With an innovative approach, it underscores the significance of lifelong learning and adaptive thinking. Innovative strategies are crucial for preparing young people for the contemporary job market. These strategies not only lay the foundation for a successful career but also cultivate a sustainable approach to professional development.

Възможности за корпоративна институционализация на доброволчеството

Author(s): Milena Tzakovska / Language(s): Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

Volunteering in modern society has developed more and more in the context of the evaluation of its manifestation. The very concept of volunteering tends to emerge from the bosom of quiet and undisclosed goodness and moves to a level where it seeks widespread popularity, both as specific events and their results, as well as the results as a whole. Thus, the good example is multiplied by giving the opportunity to a wider range of people to receive information about the result of the voluntary activity and its effects. This trend is also projected on the ever-deeper inclusion of volunteers as part of the corporate culture. The incorporation of voluntary work into the corporate sphere is an expression of the possibility of its institutionalization. It is expressed in outlining the parameters of volunteering in terms of the attitudes of employees to be included in them, as well as describing the role and meaning that volunteering brings to society, to the organization and its image. At the organizational management level, this is realized by including the topic of volunteering in the components of quality management systems, in particular – in social responsibility. This trend is observed both in the private sector and in public organizations.

Population in Rural Areas – Twenty Years of Poland's Membership in the EU

Author(s): Agnieszka Wrzochalska / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Since the beginning of the 21st century, a few positive changes have taken place in rural areas in Poland, including those concerning rural society. At the same time, the countryside has begun to become an attractive place to live, especially areas located near cities, well connected to them. The aspirations and needs of the rural population have begun to resemble the needs of city dwellers. The lifestyle of residents in cities and rural areas has begun to become more uniform. A smaller and smaller percentage of the population has begun to work in agriculture. Several non-agricultural jobs have been created in rural areas, and non-agricultural jobs are also available in nearby towns. Therefore, expanding the educational competences or the level of formal education of the rural population to increase its importance on the labor market in the city and in the countryside is very important. At the same time, both the average size of the farm and the scale of neighboring leases have increased (Karwat-Woźniak, 2015; Karwat-Woźniak and Buks, 2022) and, to put it simply, it can be noted that even in one village, only a few professionally trained farmers (Doichinova, Stoyanova, 2020) run a farm. A positive phenomenon is the increase in the life expectancy of Polish residents, but at the same time, the progressive process of population ageing has been noted. During the period of EU membership, the rural population realized its educational aspirations by increasing the level of education and reducing educational differences in relation to the population in cities. Activities to popularize adult education have become important, consisting both in improving accessibility and in raising awareness of the benefits of lifelong learning and acquiring civilizational competences, including improving digital skills. It should be noted that the course of demographic phenomena, starting from 2020, was greatly influenced by the outbreak of the COVID 19 pandemic, which contributed to a higher number of deaths than in previous years and thus deepening the unfavorable trends of population ageing that have appeared in the last dozen or so years in our country and Europe. The article is an attempt to make a social, and primarily demographic, characterization of rural residents in Poland at the threshold of the third decade of the 21st century and the changes that have taken place in this area over the last twenty years.

Управление на водния сектор и екологична справедливост: съпротива или оцеляване на кв. "Надежда" в Сливен

Author(s): Rositsa Kratunkovа / Language(s): Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

Since 1989, Bulgaria has been undergoing rapid economic restructuring, affecting urban governance and the equitable distribution of resources. In Sliven, the mass closure of factories and the layoff of Roma workers accelerated the processes of spatial segregation and ghettoization, thus creating racialized poverty. The water sector also suffers from chronic underinvestment, which often leads to water supply interruptions in the city. The Roma from the Nadezhda district are considered guilty of the accumulated economic losses of the Sliven Water and Sewerage Company by the institutions, which become scapegoats for the structural problems. At the same time the interests of the business trump the needs of the population for drinking water. As a result, the water supply in the district is interrupted every night. This situation raises questions about how the marginalized urban population can resist and demand access to basic rights such as the right to water. In addition to the tactics of the locals, the report also draws attention to the other, institutional side – what oppressive practices the authorities use. The theoretical framework of infrapolitics, conceived by James Scott, situates the low-intensity actions and gestures of subordinate groups in the context of collective political action and helps to illustrate how Roma in Nadezhda act politically. This is considered against the backdrop of how water governance reconfigures social relations and governance structures, using the prism of the hydrosocial cycle of water.

На децата – с обич и омерзение. Корени на обществените резерви срещу политиките за безплатни лекарства за децата в България

Author(s): Venelin L. Stoychev / Language(s): Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

The report presents an analysis of data on child healthcare from the National Institute of Statistics, the National Health Insurance Fund, the National Institute of Health Insurance, Eurostat and an empirical study by the LARGO association, focused on the topic of free medicines for children. The analysis reveals that children are (no longer) a consensus value in Bulgarian society. Last year, the National Health Insurance Fund paid out 16 million leva on the main clinical pathways for children‘s hospitalizations, and parents made private investments of over 1 billion leva for medicines for Bulgaria‘s children. On average, a parent in our country pays 562.32 leva just for medicines per child per year, according to the study data. Every second parent finds it difficult to cover the costs of their child‘s medicines. However, public opinion in our country is strongly divided on the topic of free medicines for children due to the levels of distrust in our society, doubts about corruption and lobbying, anti-vaccination attitudes, and the normalization of public speaking from the standpoint of racism and xenophobia.

Цел осем от целите за устойчиво развитие 2030 и младите хора на пазара на труда в България

Author(s): Desislava Koleva-Stefanova / Language(s): Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

Проблемите в измерването на стандарта на живот: критичен поглед върху методология и инструменти

Author(s): Yavor Merdzhanov,Yordanka Sestrimska / Language(s): Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

Measurement tools are often used to evaluate social aspects connected to society. Such tools are used to create and implement different development policies. The measurement tools are used to estimate social indicators, such as the standard of living. However, it is also important to consider to what extent these tools can create an illusion of progress and stability. The different approaches and theories show that the social reality is multilayered and requires a deeper understanding to accurately reflect the social processes and social relations. The paper analyses a study related to the regional priorities of the districts in Bulgaria conducted by the Institute for Market Economics (IME) to check whether there is an inconsistency between the general and detailed results and the methodology used to analyse the data.

Език, култура, интеграция: как три европейски държави подпомагат мигрантските ученици

Author(s): Mihaela Misheva / Language(s): Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

The study presents a comparative analysis of best practices for the integration of migrant students in Bulgaria, Spain, and Italy. The focus is on language adaptation, social inclusion, and institutional support, examining various practices and educational methods. The research adopts an interdisciplinary approach, combining sociological, pedagogical, and migration analyses to assess the effectiveness and sustainability of integration initiatives. The key findings indicate that successful strategies include mentoring programs, personalized integration plans, and the development of intercultural educational models. Based on the analysis, recommendations are provided for improving Bulgaria‘s policy on the integration of migrant students.