scholarly journals Threats and Challenges for young European Countries in New International Conditions, Using Ukraine and Moldova as a Case Study

2018 ◽  
pp. 56-61
Author(s):  
Roman Russu
Keyword(s):  
International Conflict ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Political Life ◽  
Crimean Peninsula ◽  
Social Experiments ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
Hybrid War ◽  
General Secretary ◽  
Harsh Conditions

Several mounts ago, during emergency meeting of UN Security Council, General Secretary Antonio Guterres, made a very trebling statement, that Cold war is back and it is even more dangerous than in the 60’s. This is not news for majority of scientific community. New international conflict started in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimean peninsula. New international conflict will definitely change the balance in international relations. The most vulnerable in these new conditions are the young democracies and countries that formed several decades ago due collapse of USSR and the whole communist bloc, Ukraine, Moldova, south Caucasian and Baltic states.  Imperial past left a lasting mark on economical, social and political life of newly form states. Soviet social experiments led to good number of problems for the former republics, ranging from political to territorial. Russian Federation uses these problems for her advantage. Surviving in this harsh conditions and reforming their society is the main challenge of  young European countries. Key words: Ukraine, Moldova, Russia, Putin, hybrid war, post-soviet space, international security

CASE STUDY: Regional Cultural Differences Within and Across Four Western European Countries

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-47
Author(s):  
Nadine Waehning ◽  
Ibrahim Sirkeci ◽  
Stephan Dahl ◽  
Sinan Zeyneloglu
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Cultural Differences ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Cultural Value ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Business Plans ◽  
Regional Markets ◽  
Gender Education ◽  
Western European

This case study examines and illustrates within country regional cultural differences and cross border cultural similarities across four western European countries. Drawing on the data from the World Values Survey (WVS), we refer to the Schwartz Cultural Values Inventory in the survey. The demographic variables of age, gender, education level, marital status and income vary across the regions and hence, have significant effects on the cultural value dimensions across regions. The findings help a better understanding of the homogeneity and heterogeneity of regions withinand across countries. Both researchers and managers will have to justify their sampling methods and generalisations more carefully when drawing conclusions for a whole country. This case study underlines the limited knowledge about regional within country cultural differences, while also illustrating the simplification of treating each country as culturally homogeneous. Cross-country business strategies connecting transnational regional markets based on cultural value characteristics need to take these similarities and differences into account when designating business plans.

scholarly journals Integrating dark diversity and functional traits to enhance nature conservation of epiphytic lichens: a case study from Northern Italy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego Pires Ferraz Trindade ◽  
Meelis Pärtel ◽  
Carlos Pérez Carmona ◽  
Tiina Randlane ◽  
Juri Nascimbene
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Nature Conservation ◽  
Functional Traits ◽  
Growth Form ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Epiphytic Lichens ◽  
Mountain Areas ◽  
High Elevations ◽  
Harsh Conditions

AbstractMountains provide a timely opportunity to examine the potential effects of climate change on biodiversity. However, nature conservation in mountain areas have mostly focused on the observed part of biodiversity, not revealing the suitable but absent species—dark diversity. Dark diversity allows calculating the community completeness, indicating whether sites should be restored (low completeness) or conserved (high completeness). Functional traits can be added, showing what groups should be focused on. Here we assessed changes in taxonomic and functional observed and dark diversity of epiphytic lichens along elevational transects in Northern Italy spruce forests. Eight transects (900–1900 m) were selected, resulting in 48 plots and 240 trees, in which lichens were sampled using four quadrats per tree (10 × 50 cm). Dark diversity was estimated based on species co-occurrence (Beals index). We considered functional traits related to growth form, photobiont type and reproductive strategy. Linear and Dirichlet regressions were used to examine changes in taxonomic metrics and functional traits along gradient. Our results showed that all taxonomic metrics increased with elevation and functional traits of lichens differed between observed and dark diversity. At low elevations, due to low completeness and harsh conditions, both restoration and conservation activities are needed, focusing on crustose species. Towards high elevations, conservation is more important to prevent species pool losses, focusing on macrolichens, lichens with Trentepohlia and sexual reproduction. Finally, dark diversity and functional traits provide a novel tool to enhance nature conservation, indicating particular threatened groups, creating windows of opportunities to protect species from both local and regional extinctions.

scholarly journals Technology transfer in innovation networks

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 184797901773574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanna Ferraro ◽  
Antonio Iovanella
Keyword(s):  
Technology Transfer ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Network Science ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Innovation Networks ◽  
Science Approach

This article offers a network perspective on the collaborative effects of technology transfer, providing a research methodology based on the network science paradigm. We argue that such an approach is able to map and describe the set of entities acting in the technology transfer environment and their mutual relationships. We outline how the connections’ patterns shape the organization of the networks by showing the role of the members within the system. By means of a case study of a transnational initiative aiming to support the technology transfer within European countries, we analyse the application of the network science approach, giving evidence of its relative implications.

Assessing reforestation failure at the project scale: The margin for technical improvement under harsh conditions. A case study in a Mediterranean Dryland

2021 ◽  
pp. 148952
Author(s):  
Antonio D. del Campo ◽  
Guillem Segura-Orenga ◽  
Inmaculada Bautista ◽  
Carlos J. Ceacero ◽  
María González-Sanchis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Technical Improvement ◽  
Harsh Conditions

scholarly journals The local church as a non-governmental organisation in the fight against poverty: A historical overview of Bethulie 1933–1935

2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Van der Merwe
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Local Church ◽  
Dutch Reformed ◽  
Historical Overview ◽  
Reformed Church ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
Organisation And Administration ◽  
The Many ◽  
The Church

Poverty is one of the greatest threats to society. In South Africa it is also one of the biggest challenges. This article starts with the challenges put to society by Mr Trevor Manuel at the Carnegie 3 conference. It then explores the possibility of if and how the church can act as a non-governmental organisation in the fight against poverty. A historical overview of the actions of Rev. E.P. Groenewald, during the drought of 1933–1934 in the Dutch Reformed Church Bethulie, serves as a case study of how the church can make a difference. It, however, also illustrates the many pitfalls on this challenging road. The article comes to the conclusion that the main challenge of the church in the fight against poverty is to act as a non-governmental organisation, which transforms values and assists society with good organisation and administration.

scholarly journals Public Reveal: Finding a place for Civic Architecture in the Contemporary City.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Amber Venter
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Spatial Arrangement ◽  
City Council ◽  
Political Life ◽  
Civic Architecture ◽  
Design Case ◽  
Design Case Study ◽  
Design Proposal ◽  
The City

<p><b>This research is an architectural enquiry into how the visibility of local government can mimic the performance of everyday political life. Using the conceptual framework of place and understanding of the collective community. The intention of this design proposal is to encourage the transparency of local authority through an architectural intervention in the city.</b></p> <p>The driver of this research is the reduced physical presence of civic practices, with particular regard to the congregating place of local government. A framework is developed as a precursor to develop an understanding of the traditional civic architype. The aim is to reimagine a contemporary civic architecture which is detached from the corporate functions of local government. Architecture supports the celebration of collective rituals of movement and meeting.</p> <p>An archetype investigation formalises a set design criteria by which the design case study is evaluated against. The background research comprises a critique of the spatial arrangement of the traditional town hall. An additional background task is consisted of a comparative inquiry into today’s local government accommodation.</p> <p>The site is located in Tamaki Makaurau/Auckland City. The site analysis criteria utilised by this thesis is grounded in the research of Jan Gehl and his understanding of architectures impact on peoples’ behaviour in cities.</p> <p>Finally the design case study is driven by dynamic circulation, which establishes a celebration of the formal and informal interactions between the participants of local government. Transparency and hierarchy are used to challenge the spatial and functional qualities of Auckland City Council. The result of the research will contribute to the inclusive understanding of the ordinary rituals of local government through architecture in the city.</p>

scholarly journals UNDERWATER RECOVERY OF SUBMERGED OIL DURING A COLD WEATHER RESPONSE

1997 ◽  
Vol 1997 (1) ◽  
pp. 765-772 ◽  
Author(s):  
CDR Randolph C. Heiland ◽  
LTJG Benjamin L. Smith ◽  
William Edward Hazel ◽  
Michael Popa ◽  
Dennis J. McCarthy
Keyword(s):  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Coal Tar ◽  
Cold Weather ◽  
Transfer System ◽  
Storage Tanks ◽  
Hydraulic Power ◽  
Detroit River ◽  
Subzero Temperatures ◽  
Harsh Conditions

ABSTRACT On February 5, 1996, a failed gasket on a transfer system between two 700,000-gallon storage tanks caused a spill of coal tar. The spill migrated through an outfall and entered the Detroit River. Eventually it was determined that 3500 gallons of the heavy coal tar had entered the river and sunk to the bottom. Responders used submersible pumps powered by hydraulic power packs and an environmental clamshell dredge to recover the submerged coal tar. Responders constantly battled subzero temperatures on the shore and frigid temperatures below the surface throughout the entire operation. Water recovered during the operation was filtered and discharged on site under the direction of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. This case study presents the spill response community with an in-depth view of submerged oil recovery during unusual and harsh conditions.

scholarly journals Uwarunkowania procesu pojednania w Kambodży

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 267-280
Author(s):  
Radosław Zarzecki
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Khmer Rouge ◽  
State Level ◽  
Political Life ◽  
Historical Background ◽  
Difficult Situation ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
Long Time ◽  
History Of ◽  
Culture Of Silence

Determinants of Reconciliation in Cambodia Forty years after Cambodian genocide the reconciliation is still in early stage. Despite such long time there was almost nothing done, especially in 20th century, to make that process happened. The article discusses the determinants, reasons and factors that had impact on reconciliation. Determinants can be divided into different categories. First of all the socio-historical background. Circumstances in which Khmer Rouge come to power, their revolutionary approach to economy, implemented reforms, use of children, displacements of people and categorization of citizens had great impact on post-1979 Cambodia. Another determinant is a political one. Policy of post-Khmer Rouge Cambodia rulers stunted the reconciliation. There reason of such actions are multidimensional but the most important one is provenance of People’s Republic of Kampuchea leaders. The most important figures in Cambodia politics are ex-Khmer Rouge soldiers, accused by some of taking a part in genocide. What’s even more confusing, the most powerful opposition party in 1980s were perpetrators themselves and their allies. Even after signing Paris Peace Accords in 1991 until early 2000s there was no will to punish Khmer Rouge officials responsible for genocide. The Cambodian culture of silence, the third determinant, only exacerbates a difficult situation. Cambodians rarely speak about atrocities and harsh past because of fear, shame or trauma. Even in school textbooks until 2009 there was almost nothing said about tragic events which happened between 1975 and 1979. History of Democratic Kampuchea still affects the Cambodian society. Despite sentencing few Khmer Rouge officials in 2010s, there’s still lot to be done also on state-level. Reconciliation and coming back to the state of balance is the main challenge for Cambodia in the nearest future, crucially important to social and political life of this nation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document