“Our migrant” and “the other migrant”: migration discourse in the Albanian media, 2015–2018

The expansion of research on migration over recent decades has neglected sending and transit countries. Whether in terms of their internal development, their diaspora policy, their shift from primarily sending countries to (potential) transit or destination countries, or the issue of return migration and reintegration into home societies – all these topics deserve further exploration. This paper seeks to redress this by examining Albania, a sending country with almost a third of its population living externally, and which is recently shifting to a transit and potential destination country. Media discourse on migration was analysed, recalling its power to reflect as well as shape public opinion. Employing a quantitative approach, media discourse on migrants from 2015 to 2018 was examined. Some 55 web-based media were identified, along with twenty TV channels, 61 TV programs, and 317 articles. A qualitative analysis was then used to detect the tone of the discourse and gain a deeper understanding of the messages conveyed. Results showed that migration from the perspective of a sending country has dominated Albanian media discourse over the monitoring period. Major identified issues include: migration and demographic challenges, migration and multiculturalism in societies receiving Albanian migrants, and asylum seeking as a recent trend in Albanian emigration often standing in the way of potential Albanian EU membership. The regional migration “crisis” and the potential of Albania becoming a transit or destination country for refugees has only gained limited attention. The binary of “our migrant” versus “the other migrant” became a key distinction.

The Demographic Factor Impact on the Economics of the Arctic Region

Decline of the international price of some minerals, such as coal, has changed the living standards of the Arctic population leading to its considerable out-migration because of the drop in profitability not only in mining, but also in related industries. Being essential for the sustainable economic development, the highly qualified specialists are currently a crucial issue in the Arctic. This research employs demographic and economic indicators to address the gap in the study of demographic challenges for the Arctic administrative-territorial entities. Special attention is paid to the comparative analysis of the population dynamic in the Russian and global Arctic regions. As part of this study, the impact of the demographic factor on the economic indicators of the region was assessed on the basis of GRP data calculation. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the major trends in the Arctic labour market. Based on the results of the assessment, an increase in GRP was determined with the simultaneous decrease in the Arctic population. The current demographic situation in the Arctic regions in the context of gender factors was reviewed. It should be noted that the article contains exceptions and the causes of the phenomena described. The results of the research may contribute to better understanding of regional variation and trends in socio-economic development of the Arctic as well as the stabilisation of the Arctic population.

A place-based approach to population sustainability: Demographic and economic change at the local level in Fife, Scotland

Population sustainability is a prevalent yet nebulous concept within academic and policy debates surrounding the nature and consequences of demographic and economic change. This research seeks to add nuance to understandings of population sustainability in ageing societies. The fiscal challenges posed by population ageing mean that more and more states are implementing specific policies in response to it, with limited degrees of success thus far. This investigation examines place-based understandings of population sustainability on the part of local stakeholders in a region of Scotland, a country facing significant demographic challenges and which is enacting policy measures specifically aimed at promoting population sustainability. The findings suggest that the on-the-ground realities of population sustainability are nuanced and complex. As such, there is scope for greater attention to the diversity and complexities of population and economic change at the sub-national scale in broader academic conceptualisations of and policy responses to the increasingly pressing issue of population sustainability.

Digitalization trends of public administration in the context of globalization

This article addresses the trends of digitalisation for public administration and the need for its continuous improvement as a first demand in an environment that is driven by rapid changes that operate on a global scale. Public administrations, as organizations, need to adapt to this environment. Lifelong learning and capacity building are essental to meet today’s economic, social or demographic challenges, using sustainable, smart and inclusive development. Public administration, as a social organization, is not indifferent to the social and technological transformations observed, since the early 80 of the last century, which have brought a change in both its functions and in the way people are approached. Thus, new public management models have been implemented, more oriented towards the relationship of serving citizens. Thus, the use of information and communication technologies has spread widely in the administrative system.

Communication Gaps Between the Government, Society and Media in Demographic Development of Russia (conference review)

Information opponency to Russia’s demographic challenges have gradually shifted to social networks, where many interesting discussions on demographic development of Russia are taking place. Authoritative experts of the state and society hardly participate in these discussions. As a result, a constructive dialogue between representatives of the state, society and the media on the issues of countering demographic challenges has not yet been established, which not only does not reduce the threat of population depopulation itself, but can also significantly exacerbate many of the social conflicts currently existing in Russia. When trying to establish a dialogue between the authorities, society and the media, the technologies of unilateral influence of the authorities on society in order to promote the interests of the authorities usually dominate, which happens without even analyzing and taking into account social opinion. On the one hand, the power of the state in Russia has always sought to subjugate society, and on the other hand, absenteeism and other forms of political passivity, numerous social conflicts and high radicalism among a part of the population of Russia make it impossible to fully harmonize relations between power, society and the media. Therefore, these forces the authorities should take the initiative into their own hands and try to dictate their will to both society and the media. Information policy is sometimes perceived by the authorities only as a means for realizing their own interests and trying to form a favorable impression of their activities among the population of the country. Today’s public information policy does not meet the level of demographic security challenges to the state.Reviewing the materials of the All-Russian scientific and practical conference with international participation “Demographic development of Russia: problems and solutions” of April 26, 2021 on the basis of the South Russian Institute of Management – branch of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), the authors identify outline the key issues and and provide recommendations for improvement.

The Analysis of the Danish Pension System

Subject. The article focuses on the Danish pension system, which is well known for its reliability and the return on pension savings. The study discusses Denmark, because the number of population (over 80 percent) makes voluntary pension contributions, which resonates with the pension reform in the Russian Federation and the idea of convincing the Russian people make voluntary pension contribution to non-governmental pension funds. Objectives. I make suggestions on adapting Denmark’s successful practices of using such pension products that provide for voluntary pension pension contributions. I analyze the Danish pension system by tier, statistics on people involved into various pension plans, determine strengths of cumulative mechanisms, which help independently save and preserve the standard of living of working people when they retire. Methods. The article is based on methods of comparative analysis, induction, deduction, graphical representation. Results. The article shows the amount of the governmental pension in Denmark, overviews variants of pension plans with definite contributions and payments, points out some common aspects of the Russian and Danish pension systems. I explain why the pension reform is needed due to demographic challenges, such as population aging and the inability of Russia’s pay-as-you-go pension system to ensure the decent living for the retired. Conclusions and Relevance. The Danish expertise can be borrowed for the Russian practice so as to create the second and the third components (tiers) of the pension system, which would include professional and personal pension plans to be formed on the conditionally voluntary basis The suggestions herein can be used by executive authorities to outline new pension plans. As for the practical relevance, the article adapts some elements of the Danish pension system to the Russian practice.

Challenges of Depopulation in Latvia’s Rural Areas

The administrative territorial reform of 2021 in Latvia has changed the shape and structure of local municipalities. Previous studies have shown that disparities and challenges in terms of demographic development will be even more evident between the newly formed municipalities than they were prior to the reform, creating greater demographic risks for the rural areas. By using the available statistical information and geographically weighted regression models, this study aims to evaluate the demographic challenges in Latvia’s rural areas and to determine main socio economic factors linked to the rural depopulation processes. Key indicators linked to the depopulation process are evaluated and discussed by the authors in the context of gender balance, development centre accessibility and other socio economic factors. Authors conclude that supporting and developing local industries, public services and infrastructure facilitating diverse employment options and equal opportunities for working age females is a paramount condition for slowing or reversing rural depopulation in in the long term. Regional development centres in general and particularly those located in remote areas show little or no immediate effect on the population dynamics. However, these centres offer more diverse employment opportunities and essential social services, making them more attractive to working age females and households with children. Digitalization and focus on location-independent employment and services is another important route to explore in the new rural development setting.