Contribution of Civil Protection to the Urban Economy: Evidence from a Small-Sized Greek City

Civil protection has attracted considerable attention due to its role in disaster management and preparedness, being essential in alerting the public about potential disasters and crisis recovery measures. However, there is limited research on civil protection and its vital role in urban economy recovery. Therefore, we sought to comprehensively investigate the impact of civil protection on economic growth and the development of the urban economy, focusing on a small-sized Greek city, Kozani, as a case study. We utilized data from 160 residents of Kozani. The study findings confirmed that the key focus areas of civil protection, namely, the national early warning system, crisis preparedness measures and economy rescue operations, significantly affect economic growth and development. Furthermore, the key strategies essential for improved civil protection, such as government support, positively affect economic growth.

Tradisi Buru Babi Masyarakat Minangkabau: Proses, Makna, dan Drama Sosial

Pig hunting in Minangkabau is a rite of passage which is carried out in a gradual ritual process. The rite of pig hunting is a sign that involves various social aspects of the community, including economy, religion, and culture. There are two questions to be answered in this research. Firstly, what is the meaning of the rite in the society and, secondly, how does the community's traditional pig hunting construct a social drama. To answer those questions, the author uses Victor Turner's ritual theory and Max Weber's theory of social drama. The results of this study indicate two main things. First, the pig hunting, which was originally an attempt to eliminate pests, later developed into a social drama. The rite of hunting as a social drama has four functions, namely (1) eliminating conflict; (2) limiting divisions and building community solidarity; (3) unites two opposing principles; and (4) provides new strength and motivation to live in everyday society. Second, as a social drama, the tradition forms a social construction. In this social process, there are four phases of social drama, (1) violation of social norms which invites the community to unite in eradicating pests; (2) wild pests pose a real threat, which can make the life of the farming community miserable (crisis) so that the community unites and holds various ceremonies to prepare for the implementation of hunting; (3) crisis recovery measures by carrying out a pig hunting ceremony; and (4) returns society with its entire social order to a normal situation.AbstrakBuru babi dalam masyarakat Minangkabau merupakan sebuah ritus yang dilaksanakan dalam sebuah proses ritual yang bertahap. Ritus buru babi menjadi sebuah penanda yang melibatkan berbagai aspek sosial masyarakat Minangkabau, termasuk ekonomi, religi, dan budaya. Ada dua pertanyaan yang hendak dijawab di dalam penelitian ini. Pertama, apa makna ritus buru babi dalam masyarakat Minangkabau dan bagaimana konstruksi sosial dari proses ritual tradisi buru babi sebagai sebuah drama sosial? Untuk menjawab kedua pertanyaan tersebut, penulis menggunakan teori ritual Victor Turner dan teori drama sosial Max Weber. Hasi penelitian ini menunjukkan dua hal pokok. Pertama, peristiwa buru babi yang awalnya hanya merupakan upaya para petani menghilangkan hama tanaman berkembang menjadi sebuah drama sosial. Ritus buru babi sebagai drama sosial ternyata memiliki empat fungsi, yaitu (1) menghilangkan konflik; (2) membatasi perpecahan dan membangun solidaritas masyarakat; (3) mempersatukan dua prinsip yang bertentangan; dan (4) memberikan kekuatan dan motivasi baru untuk hidup dalam masyarakat sehari-hari. Kedua, sebagai drama sosial, tradisi buru babi membentuk sebuah konstruksi sosial. Di dalam proses sosial itu terdapat empat fase drama sosial yang terdiri atas (1) pelanggaran norma sosial oleh hama yang mengundang masyarakat untuk bersatu melakukan pembasmian; (2) hama babi mendatangkan ancaman yang nyata yang dapat menyengsarakan kehidupan masyarakat petani (krisis) sehingga masyarakat bersatu dan mengadakan berbagai upacara persiapan pelaksanaan berburu; (3) tindakan pemulihan krisis dengan melaksanakan upacara berburu babi; dan (4) mengembalikan masyarakat dengan seluruh tatanan sosialnya ke situasi normal.

Economy of the Neighborhood Belt Countries in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Peculiarities of Post-Crisis Recovery

Aim. The presented study aims to identify key factors affecting the macroeconomic situation in the EAEU countries and Tajikistan (hereinafter referred to as the region) in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.Tasks. This study summarizes trends in the development of the neighborhood belt countries in recent years; investigates changes in the real, monetary, fiscal, and external sectors of the economies caused by the spread of COVID-19; identifies the vulnerability factors of the countries in the region and key trends in responding to the crisis and post-crisis recovery.Methods. To investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the macroeconomic situation in the neighborhood belt countries, the authors analyze the dynamics of major macroeconomic indicators characterizing the state of the real, monetary, external, and fiscal sectors of the economies under consideration.Results. The macroeconomic situation in the neighborhood belt countries at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and during the post-crisis recovery is largely similar. The effects of the pandemic include sharp depreciation of national currencies, increased budget deficits, and increased national debt. Post-crisis recovery in the region is characterized by persistent risks to fiscal and debt sustainability and the effect of pro-inflationary factors.Conclusions. Despite the consistent post-crisis recovery of the neighborhood belt countries, sustainable growth is still threatened by the possible deterioration of the epidemiological situation, national budget deficit, high level of national debt, and increasing inflationary pressure. Macroeconomic policy in the countries of the region can be improved by enhancing the macroeconomic forecasting system and applying budget rules for managing budget and debt risks.

CREATION OF TERRITORIES OF PRIORITY DEVELOPMENT IN DONETSK AND LUHANSK REGIONS AS A WAY TO SOLVING SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROBLEMS

The article indicates that the political and economic instability that resulted from the armed conflict and hostilities in eastern Ukraine led to the fact that Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, which were previously leaders among the regions of Ukraine in terms of socio-economic development, have become outsiders. The analysis of the socio-economic situation in the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions is carried out, on the basis of which the range of existing problems of these regions is highlighted, namely: loss of most of the industrial potential; drop in industrial production; reduction in gross product, exports; lack of jobs; backwardness, depression of the regions; reducing their investment attractiveness. It is noted that under such conditions, the priority task of the Government of Ukraine becomes search for effective legal and economic mechanisms for post-crisis recovery and development of these regions. It is argued that such a mechanism can be the provision of the status of priority development territories to Donetsk and Lugansk regions and introduction of a special regime for investment activities. This proposal will significantly contribute to the attraction of investments, the general recovery of the region’s economy and further development. The experience of these studies can also be applied in the restoration of territories where hostilities took place and the development of which requires additional stimulation in development.

The European Union post COVID-19: Preserving innovation's cutting edge and fostering social cohesion

Despite a long period of post-crisis recovery, the COVID crisis caught the EU in a precarious state. The policy and institutional innovations during the financial crisis tempered the macroeconomic imbalances that had caused the crisis. Nevertheless, the EU was left with a strong trend of divergence in economic and social performance because of the lack of sufficiently strong reforms at EU and national levels. But the lessons of the previous crisis were learned. This time around, the EU-level policy and institutional innovations were decisive. The fiscal capacities of the hard-hit countries were strengthened quickly. Green and digital transformation will require a major new wave of innovation in the corporate sector in the EU. This, in turn, critically hinges on improving the quality of public and private institutions and advancing with the implementation of major reforms at the EU level, such as the digital single market or Capital Market Union. Implementing these reforms fully, and preventing later reversals is a key to stemming the trend of economic and social divergence, thus strengthening the coherence of the EU.

Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Physical and Mental Health of 5-12 Years Old Children from Parents’ Perspective: A cross-sectional Study

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced children to spend increased amounts of time at home resulting in adverse effects on their physical and psychosocial wellbeing. Parents need to be aware about the changes in the mental and physical health of the children. Objectives: To identify the physical and mental health problems the children are facing because of the lockdown and to assess the awareness of such problems amongst the parents. Design: A cross sectional online survey was conducted to assess the impact of COVID-19 on physical and mental health of the children from parents' perspectives. Setting: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India Main Outcome Measure: Parent reported questionnaire. Results and conclusion: There were a significant increase in the number of hours spent on mobile phones, sitting, and sleeping during the lockdown as compared to before the lockdown whereas the number of hours spent on physical activity significantly decreased and also impacted their mental health. By taking part in the survey, the parents of the children became aware of the changes occurring in their child. These findings can guide immediate programmatic and policy efforts to preserve and promote child health during the COVID-19 outbreak and crisis recovery period, and to inform strategies to mitigate potential harm during future pandemics.

Forecasting hotel room demand amid COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has hindered international travel considerably, greatly affecting the hotel industry. Hong Kong, as a well-known international tourist destination, has also been hit hard by the crisis. Recovery forecasts for hotel room demand are critical to managing this ongoing crisis. This study employs the autoregressive distributed lag error correction model to generate baseline forecasts of hotel room demand for Hong Kong followed by compound scenario analysis to optimize forecasts considering the pandemic’s impacts. The COVID-19 Travelable Index is designed to group source markets by their pandemic situations, vaccinations, policy responses, and health resilience. To capture pandemic-related uncertainty, this study presents three scenarios describing recovery patterns based on trough duration, the quarter for lifting travel restrictions, and the quarter for returning to baseline forecasts. Hotel demand forecasts geared toward each source market are analyzed, revealing strategies to help hotel businesses manage this crisis.

Aspects Regarding a New Methodology for Active Portfolio Management of Hedge Funds Alternative in Emerging Markets-the Case of Romanian Capital Market in the Actual Context of Post-Crisis Recovery

In emerging markets, the processes in portfolio management should be adapted according to the typical constraints (market liquidity aspect and other market imperfections)that limits the use of alternative instruments / strategies and diversification capabilities. The aim is to develop a new way to understand and implement innovative solutions in real portfolio management in the case of Romanian capital market. The innovation is based on a scalable hedge-fund (HF) structure that capture different alternative instruments. This HF architecture represents a versatile dynamic AIF, equipped with capabilities to integrate the synergies between diversification based on alternative instruments but also the diversification based on alternative strategies and it integrates a core thematic sub-portfolio and 2-4 satellite rotating sub-portfolios capable to compensate the impossibility to use short sales and leverage strategies.