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Green finance is one of the many terms used to describe activities on the two-way interaction between the environment and financial investment. It has become increasingly known as an expression over the last decade for the reasons of many national green investment banks and all the growing green debt markets. Green finance is directly related to concepts such as climate finance and sustainable financing.
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The present paper discusses and analyzes some cultural phenomena of the Tang period in China, which is the era of unprecedented prosperity in Chinese history: literature (especially poetry), historiography, philosophy, art, science and technology reached unheard and unseen peaks. Political unity, social stability, economic prosperity, transport development and active international relations played the role of a catalyst in the process of quick development. It is a fact that other dynasties in Chinese history provided good social and economic conditions for the people as well but it is difficult to explain why they failed to make such brilliant achievements in the field of culture as Tang, when the innovative and creative potential of the nation managed to unleash.The present paper discusses and analyzes some cultural phenomena of the Tang period in China, which is the era of unprecedented prosperity in Chinese history: literature (especially poetry), historiography, philosophy, art, science and technology reached unheard and unseen peaks. Political unity, social stability, economic prosperity, transport development and active international relations played the role of a catalyst in the process of quick development. It is a fact that other dynasties in Chinese history provided good social and economic conditions for the people as well but it is difficult to explain why they failed to make such brilliant achievements in the field of culture as Tang, when the innovative and creative potential of the nation managed to unleash.
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Stereotypes that are formed in a society in terms of phenomena, conditions and processes are persistent and difficult to destroy. The reasons for their presence are complex. A basic explanation in this direction is offered by Yul. Popova, who reminds the character of stereotypes as a categorizing mechanism of human perception and leads to economy of effort that is being achieved through them (Popova 2015). The millennial consecutive evolution of Chinese nation favors the accumulation of cultural layers from different historical periods and determines the existence of a number of secondary images that mediate the relationship (Vassileva 2018) of its representatives with reality. This paper aims to present and suggest possible explanations of the negative associations accumulated within Chinese society for centuries towards the Eunuchs’ stratum.Stereotypes that are formed in a society in terms of phenomena, conditions and processes are persistent and difficult to destroy. The reasons for their presence are complex. A basic explanation in this direction is offered by Yul. Popova, who reminds the character of stereotypes as a categorizing mechanism of human perception and leads to economy of effort that is being achieved through them (Popova 2015). The millennial consecutive evolution of Chinese nation favors the accumulation of cultural layers from different historical periods and determines the existence of a number of secondary images that mediate the relationship (Vassileva 2018) of its representatives with reality. This paper aims to present and suggest possible explanations of the negative associations accumulated within Chinese society for centuries towards the Eunuchs’ stratum.
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Pursuit of communication is the major motivation in foreign language learning. Knowing one or more foreign languages today is no longer an additional qualification, but is part of the basic knowledge indispensable for the next stage of students’ education. Mastering a foreign language is not limited to acquiring knowledge about grammatical construction, lexical units and phonetic features of a certain language. In view of the fact that “culture is the necessary context for using a certain language” (web 3), the ability to fully use a foreign language in communication is preconditioned by the mastery of background knowledge related to the cultural specificity and civilization model of the nation.Pursuit of communication is the major motivation in foreign language learning. Knowing one or more foreign languages today is no longer an additional qualification, but is part of the basic knowledge indispensable for the next stage of students’ education. Mastering a foreign language is not limited to acquiring knowledge about grammatical construction, lexical units and phonetic features of a certain language. In view of the fact that “culture is the necessary context for using a certain language” (web 3), the ability to fully use a foreign language in communication is preconditioned by the mastery of background knowledge related to the cultural specificity and civilization model of the nation.Pursuit of communication is the major motivation in foreign language learning. Knowing one or more foreign languages today is no longer an additional qualification, but is part of the basic knowledge indispensable for the next stage of students’ education. Mastering a foreign language is not limited to acquiring knowledge about grammatical construction, lexical units and phonetic features of a certain language. In view of the fact that “culture is the necessary context for using a certain language” (web 3), the ability to fully use a foreign language in communication is preconditioned by the mastery of background knowledge related to the cultural specificity and civilization model of the nation.Pursuit of communication is the major motivation in foreign language learning. Knowing one or more foreign languages today is no longer an additional qualification, but is part of the basic knowledge indispensable for the next stage of students’ education. Mastering a foreign language is not limited to acquiring knowledge about grammatical construction, lexical units and phonetic features of a certain language. In view of the fact that “culture is the necessary context for using a certain language” (web 3), the ability to fully use a foreign language in communication is preconditioned by the mastery of background knowledge related to the cultural specificity and civilization model of the nation.
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The paper summarises the evidence provided by ancient authors about the public ritual death of the widows of some Thracians, with which they followed their deceased husbands voluntarily to the World Beyond. Herodotus was the first to narrate about that, followed by the Roman authors Pomponius Mela and Solinus, and after them – the Christian lexicographer Stephanus Byzantinus. Traces of such information about the Thracians are seen in one of the letters of St. Hieronymus. That written tradition is definitely based on the text of Herodotus. The late evidence repeats his words to a great extent. The ritual death of the Thracian widows was clearly transformed into locus communis, but the analysis of the communications reveals both dependences and differences between them. Viewed together, they are mutually complementary and supportive Herodotus testifying to the existence of variants of the universal ritual phenomenon of following into death among the Thracians. The paper summarises the evidence provided by ancient authors about the public ritual death of the widows of some Thracians, with which they followed their deceased husbands voluntarily to the World Beyond. Herodotus was the first to narrate about that, followed by the Roman authors Pomponius Mela and Solinus, and after them – the Christian lexicographer Stephanus Byzantinus. Traces of such information about the Thracians are seen in one of the letters of St. Hieronymus. That written tradition is definitely based on the text of Herodotus. The late evidence repeats his words to a great extent. The ritual death of the Thracian widows was clearly transformed into locus communis, but the analysis of the communications reveals both dependences and differences between them. Viewed together, they are mutually complementary and supportive Herodotus testifying to the existence of variants of the universal ritual phenomenon of following into death among the Thracians.
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One of the components of the United Europe idea, according to its founders, is culture. The EU views the goal of maintaining cultural diversity as complementary to the goal of highlighting the common cultural legacy. Both of these objectives are more likely to be attained through intercultural conversation and the free movement and access to all cultures. Starting from diversity, the goal is to achieve a unity that does not, however, harm the original diversity, which is preserved. The European Union's motto, "United in Diversity," is a wonderful synthesis of this strategy.
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Land cover and use changes are a constant challenge for planning and territorial research, due to their connection with sustainability. The natural environment is an infrastructure generating goods and services for citizens, and has not only an environmental value, but also an economic and societal one. However, the world in general and Romania in particular continue to witness changes affecting the green infrastructure negatively, even within the natural protected areas. One of the causes may be the low environmental awareness of planners, who continue to work according to outdated conceptual models, no longer connected to the progress of landscape and urban ecology.
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The concept of green infrastructure was born from the need to reconnect with the natural space, as a result of the benefits recognition it brings. This material analyzes how the concept of green infrastructure is defined, the evolution of green infrastructure in the urban environment and its components, with an emphasis on green spaces. The present material was developed within the project PN 23 35 06 01 - "Integrated computer-urban planning system for the assessment of blue green infrastructure at the level of municipalities and cities in Romania with a view to implementation in urban development plans. Case study: Râmnicu Vâlcea Municipality", financed by the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitization and carried out within the ECODIGICONS Nucleus Program.
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A few decades ago, John Naisbitt was openly listing a new major trend, already visible at that very moment on the international arena: the complex realities in the Pacific Ocean area were already massively important, and their global relevance grew larger and larger. Nowadays, this megatrend is even more important, leading both various political actors (leaders, states, political parties) and various analysts to an obvious conclusion: the Indo-Pacific region is the new center of the global system. In such a situation, the study explores, with some relevant details, the way in which the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic impacted the armed forces (military power) of some of the most important states in the Indo-Pacific region (mainly the US, China, India and Russia, but also some regional great powers – Japan, South Korea, Australia, and other regionally significant powers – Vietnam, the Philippines, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Taiwan, among others).
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The expression “the world is facing a crisis” almost became a cliché these days. During the global response to fight the COVID-19 crisis, a developing kind of threat gained new valences and the capacity to spread almost instantly, due to the characteristics of the information Age we live in. The over-abundance of information generated a new challenge for humanity and affected the process of finding reliable, trustworthy sources of information during the pandemic. Propaganda, false narratives and disinformation inhibit governmental processes aimed to overcome the crisis. Strategic decisions have to take into consideration multiple risks and factors in order to prevent both infections and intoxications. Therefore, the security environment has the complex mission to manage a sanitary crisis that endangers the health of populations all over the world in a new type of confrontation – a campaign against polychephalic threats.
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A safer Europe in a better world” were the words that one could hear in December 2003 at the General Council of the European Union, when the “European Security Strategy" was adopted. It represented a historic moment in which clear targets were set for ensuring security, common threats were identified and principles were promoted in order to give the European Union the status of regional and global “anchor of stability”.Five years later, at the presentation of the first report regarding the strategy implementation, the heads of state and government reached a common conclusion, that the world is in a continuous, accelerated and varied change, and ensuring security in such environment becomes a challenge, a desideratum for which all member countries must contribute. Today, the world is neither better nor safer. An unexpected blow, the Coronavirus pandemic has been applied to the political, economic and military interests that are shaking the foundations of the “European Union Pantheon”, and its effects are felt in all countries, regardless of their level of development or contribution to the European Union budget.
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Nowadays, the frustration and fear caused by COVID-19 leads to aggressive manifestations in all areas. Perhaps even more common in healthcare institutions. However, often not only the fear of this virus, but inadequate communication from healthcare workers leads to aggressive actions. Patients respond in a variety of ways to a sudden change in health or functioning. While some of them are open and grateful for care, others may express strong emotions. Some emotions expressed by patients are more difficult for health care personal to deal with. Common difficult interactions include patient expressions of emotions such as anger, anxiety, and depression, as responses to crises. These emotions could cause violent actions in healthcare institutions. The paper presents communication methods and strategies used in health care and looks for answers such as why verbal and non-verbal communication mistakes can cause physical, and verbal aggression or conflict. It examines which communication method is more useful in dealing with conflict situations occurring in patient-doctor, nurse-patient interactions in health care. The article recommends types of communication. It highlights the importance of empathy since without it the conflict cannot be solved or it can only temporarily. The article also emphasizes that it would therefore be important to train staff in appropriate communication trainings as well as to practice these lessons in situational exercises.
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In this paper we have focused on the major challenge of the 21st century, namely the COVID-19 viral pandemic. We aimed to analyze the vast problem from several angles using resources from media, international and local organizations, global reflection centers, think tanks and others. Our aim was to search on the subject and evidence the role played by the international organizations in the fight against the pandemic COVID-19. We also evaluate the situation and challenges in the field of public health that influences national security, affecting the citizens state of health, nations and national states. After a period of 100 years of free pandemic, our world is in uncharted teritories as the new virus COVID 19 become an omnipresent element of grave concern.
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This paper argues that there is a potential new source of power, especially of hard power, that is specific to contemporary security environment characterized by the threat of COVID-19 pandemic. The starting premise is that the health system resources are a potential new source of hard power for a state actor to promote its foreign policy based on inducements or rewards. In terms of J. S. Nye Jr., health system resources might be used as a bribe or promise not for military or economic assistance (as specific to hard power), but for medical/humanitarian assistance. Therefore, the paper starts with a brief theoretical overview of the power concept and sources of power and continues with an analysis of the way in which a pandemic affects the international politics, especially the COVID-19 one.
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At the start of 2019, when humanity was not yet sharply facing the threat of COVID, the security paradigm showed a tendency to change. In particular, in recent years, as far back as the beginning of last year, the attention of security experts has been focused on qualitatively new challenges. It is natural that COVID-19 pandemic has already changed the safety requirements of the world. Societies have changed in each country, in particular human relations, culture, and rules. The domestic and foreign policies of the states, border regulations, and the specifics of transportation have also changed. Besides, the most important social factor can be considered that a new struggle of interpretations has been activated in the media agenda. The worldwide international media agenda observation reveals that there are a lot of conspiracy theories have been developed around the pandemic virus, which strengthens mainstream ideological narratives through the fear factor. They have appealed to the fears in two conflicting directions and developed relevant interpretations in societies globally, within states. In this power struggle of interpretations, it is seen that the pandemic has imposed new responsibilities on the ruling elites, but also gives visible advantages to all local authorities. In particular, it is in their hands that the powerful, fear-backed levers of management are accumulated, with the help of which it is possible to strengthen the power. In the article is given the case of author’s personal experience.
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In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic, the worst health crisis in the last 50 years, has disturbed the society and the economy through a series of negative effects to the people health and economic growth. Measures to prevent and combat the spread of the virus taken by most countries in the world in March-April have led, particularly in the second quarter of this year, to a generalized decline in economic activity. In this context, the paper analyzes whether the national authorities in the affected countries have managed to find a proper balance between measures to protect the health of citizens and those to ensure the smooth running of the economy.
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In the current security environment, the trend for national security logistics will be, in our opinion, a logistics focused on supporting the needs of the armed forces and will have the mission to provide the security system forces with the necessary civilian and military personnel, equipment, means of subsistence and essential support, at the requested destination, at the required time and in the requested quantity, during the operations designed to take place. The forces of the national military system will have to develop a logistics system in an integrated network of unitary action. The expected transformation will not take place immediately but will require essential changes, in stages, of the current logistics system, which will allow the forces of the national military system to train its personnel and modernize, but especially to be more rapidly deployable, highly maneuverable, sustainable and efficient.
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Over time, there have been several theories of knowledge that have generated individual definitions of security. This paper presents a brief overview of the main such views on security. The first theory mentioned is positivism which implies an objective approach, based on natural scientific methods in which concepts such as: balance of power, number of military forces and interaction between states are used. Beginning with constructivism, the paper focuses on postmodernism, as it is a concept built around the idea that the world is a product of social interactions. This theory has led to the idea of building security in the contemporary international political process, starting from "security" and "security threats". The paper recalls the Copenhagen School highlighted through the number and scope found for the term "security".
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Security is difficult to achieve and, while navigating the seas churned and high stakes situations, our military has to be more than just a sum of highly trained men and women, they have to be effective leaders with skills that exceed military sphere, able to act in an adequate and proportional manner. This article presents women’s participation, work and contribution to the Armed Forces development during the second half of the 20th century in Romania. Women and men in this period did not have the same political rights, did not share the same social roles, and could not access the same professional path. Despite facing challenging circumstances, women have assumed active roles and slowly became an integral part of the Armed Forces, showing extraordinary determination and skills. In this article, I will explore the main aspects concerning the social, legal, and political conditions affecting women’s life and profession.
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The post-pandemic period of COVID-19, in addition to profoundly changing international relations (especially globalization), brought a new perspective on the relationship among the concepts of regionalization, regionalization of security, new strategies and doctrines (to support them in the conditions of changing the level of operation imposed by COVID-19) as well as the type of new military equipment that will be found in the multi-annual procurement plans. The nature of the threats acquires a new nuance with the appearance of this pandemic and soon puts in front of the politico-military decision-makers, new reference points that will bring to the level of these days the fundamental documents (strategies, planning directives, procurement programs) that will support budgetary planning for the coming decades, research and innovation (to develop new platforms, sensors, and weapons with a small number of combatants), and new aspects of diminishing international and regional cooperation in favor of unilateral action. From now on, the new dimensions of the defense budget will have to contain other elements adapted to the COVID-19 fight.
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