Study on Citizen Participation in Local Governance in Vietnam

Reform to establish a democratic, citizen-centered government is an important orientation in the world and in Vietnam today. For Vietnam, how to promote and strengthen democratic governance must be one of the most crucial issues in order to achieve sustainable development goals. Based on the theoretical framework and survey results, this study evaluates citizen participation in local governance in Vietnam on seven main dimensions, including: (i) Transparency aims to ensure citizens’ right to know; (ii) Participation in elections; (iii) Outlining of policy initiatives; (iv) Policy discussion, social criticism and referendums; (v) Voluntary contributions and cooperation with the government in public-service delivery; (vi) Social self-governance; (vii) Supervision of the social realm. Research shows that the dominance of local government is very evident in the process of citizen participation. The policy implications for countries in transition like Vietnam are that, in order to increase citizen participation in local governance, the openness of local government should be enhanced. Of course, doing this well needs a certain social basis.

Abay's teaching "Tolyk adam" and modern tendencies in solving the problem of the whole man

The relevance of this study lies in the fact that under the conditions of the need for accelerated modernization of almost all spheres of activity for countries in transition, which includes the Republic of Kazakhstan, the factor of consolidation of the people of Kazakhstan is of great importance. An important factor of consolidation in the countries of the catch-up type, in which all types of initiatives come mainly from the power elites, is the factor of spiritual leaders, national samples-ideals uniting the citizens of Kazakhstan. The great Kazakh poet, thinker, philosopher Abay Kunanbayev can be such a spiritual leader, a national example-ideal, uniting the multi-ethnic and multi-confessional people of Kazakhstan. The purpose and novelty of this study is to identify the relevance, modernity and relevance of the philosophical content of Abay's teaching "tolyk adam" (whole man) to modern trends in addressing the fundamental philosophical problem of wholeness, the wholeness principle and based on these trends the new understanding of the phenomenon of spirituality, which is the essence of the modern understanding of the whole man. The author, based on the thesis that the basis of the Kazakh type of philosophizing are ethical approaches to solving the problems of the essence of man, the essence of being, defines the ethical basis of Abay's teachings "tolyk adam" on the example of his poems and prose ("Words of Edification"). The author shows that, according to Abay, the whole man is a man realized in intersubjective being, the object of which is intersubjective being, it is a man aspiring to knowledge, moral and purposeful in his cognitive and spiritual intensions. Strong intensions to the problems of spirituality, according to Abai, constitute in his ideas the core of the whole man. And this approach is very modern and relevant in the context of the problems of globalization and modernization in the spiritual sphere. Abay's teaching "tolyk adam" is not only the quintessence of Abay's grasp of the thought of his modern era, but also a philosophical teaching that is relevant to modern new approaches to the fundamental problems of modernity.

THE EFFECT OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT ON ECONOMIC GROWTH IN KOSOVO

Foreign direct investment plays a very important role in the economic development of countries, especially in countries in transition. Foreign direct investment is defined as any investment where the investor invests in a foreign country the factors of production including labor, financial capital, technology and professional management knowledge. FDI can ensure financial stability, promote economic development and improve social welfare. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of FDI on Kosovo's economic growth, for the years 2007-2017. In particular, the paper aims to measure the effect that FDI has had on GDP over the years, examining the impact of FDI by economic activities on economic growth, expressed in GDP. Two basic variables were used: the independent variable (FDI) and the dependent variable (GDP). To measure the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable, the data realized for these two variables were collected by the relevant public institutions. From the derived data, the results of the regression analysis show that FDI has a significant effect on economic growth. The change in economic growth depends almost entirely on the change in FDI by sectors of economic activity. JEL: E20, E22 <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0736/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

USLUGE HUMANITARNIH ORGANIZACIJA

The author of this work point to the fact that humanitarian organizations are the part of non-profit sector which are established and work in order to achieve general welfare of the individuals, particular social groups or society in whole. What is important to emphasize is that they belong to so called, voluntary sector whose work is transparent and is based on the laws of the country in which they operate. Each humanitarian organization has its own strategic plan, which as a written document, is aimed at achieving basic program goals. The monitoring of the implementation of adopted projects and the control of the management process are the mandatory (final) phases of their work. Humanitarian organizations as the part of non-state sector today play increasing role in offering services in various fields of social life to a wide range of beneficiaries. 0 It is interesting to note that these organizations are more present in developing countries and the countries in transition, particularly in the field of social services. The grounds for this situation can be found in the decentralization process and new, modified apprehension of the role of the state in the work of the growing number humanitarian organizations and movements. Namely, decentralization allows the delegation of powers and tasks from the central to local government levels and this is the main reason for rapid expansion of non-government sector on the global level and increasing participation of non-government sector in service providing.

MEĐUNARODNI I NACIONALNI LEGISLATIVNI OKVIR PRIVATNE BEZBEDNOSTI U ZAŠTITI LICA, IMOVINE I POSLOVANJA

The paper discusses the legal status, organization and activities of the Private Security Sector in the Republic of Serbia in the function of protection of persons, property and business. The introductory part talks about private security, which in developed countries has an enviable place in the security system. In countries in transition, private security has accompanied social and economic changes and has gained in importance in recent years. After the disintegration of the SFRY for a full twenty years, this sector was not legally regulated by the main law in Serbia, but general regulations were applied, which fragmentarily deal with the issue of FTO and regulate economic business, work and employment. In the second part, the central part, the most important international legal sources and solutions from our national framework are presented. At the end of 2013, the Law on Private Security and the Law on Detective Activity were adopted, as well as bylaws for their implementation. Adequate legal regulations in this area are especially important due to Serbia's application for EU accession and harmonization of regulations with EU law. The concluding part emphasizes the need for further harmonization of norms with the EU, building good practice and the need to strengthen the control and supervision of the private security sector by the state.

Biomedical Research Regulation Challenges in Countries in Transition: Georgian Experience

Regulation of biomedical research is a complex task, including ethical aspects subdivided into issues related to research on humans and laboratory animals. Involvement of human subjects is under the strict guidance of relevant regulatory documents common to most countries. Regarding animals, these aspects may vary significantly in nations with different socio political and economic factors of transition. From the other side, contemporary biomedical research suggests, amongst other, close collaboration of scientific and educational institutions from different countries. In Georgia-like countries in transition, this process requires significant amendments to the legislation of biomedical research, as international state-of-the-art regulations require, on one hand, compliance with proper guidelines for use of laboratory animals involved in the research process, and on the other — relevant vivarium infrastructure and qualified staff. The current study aimed to collect opinions and experiences from the corresponding Georgian institutions and identify and propose step-by-step solutions to overcome existing challenges. To achieve the goal, we compiled a questionnaire about the management, conduction, and monitoring of biomedical research and sent it to relevant organizations. Questions concerning an institutional policy on the use of laboratory animals, staff qualifications, and infrastructure of units for animal housing/breeding (vivariums or similar), were included as well. The survey revealed the major gaps, among which yet absent national legislative framework appeared of greatest importance, as it allows most institutions’ authorities not to perceive the need to adopt accepted standards at their level. This leads to a decreased credibility of the research, and forces scientists to use international regulations that are quite challenging because of the current state of scientific infrastructure in countries in transition. To overcome the identified problems, we have proposed several solutions, such as a universal package of institutional regulations and a draft amendment to the existing legislation to form a national policy on animal welfare.

EDUCATION FOR CRISES AND DISASTERS – AN IMPERATIVE IN A RISK SOCIETY

Although crises and catastrophes are a constant of human history, the preparation for them, through the transfer and adoption of an appropriate set of knowledge, habits and values, is relatively recent. In today's risk society, decision makers become aware of the fact that every system of response to crises and catastrophes is as strong as its weakest links, and these are individuals, that is, every individual citizen. In that context, today, in a number of countries, preparations for crises and catastrophes are given significant attention in the curricula within preschool education, as well as in primary and secondary schools, and even at the university level. Countries in transition had ideologically loaded contents related to defense, security and protection in their education systems, but they expelled them in total when they entered the transition process. Today, in some countries in transition, as part of the education system reform, some of these contents are being included again, deprived of ideological and political layers. Some of these attempts are the product of comprehensive reflection, while in other countries they are partial and include only some relevant topics that are studied within already existing teaching subjects. Certainly, in the near future, based on a serious analysis of educational needs in the context of relevant strategic documents related to security, with the involvement of academic and state institutions and bodies, and insight into best comparative practice, this issue should be fully consider and systematically include relevant security content, as well as the manner of their realization in the curricula at all levels of education and upbringing in the transition countries, including the Republic of Serbia in particular.

Introduction

This introductory chapter sheds light on the ways in which intellectuals from diverse social backgrounds studied, imagined, and experienced a multiplicity of community, which included but was not limited to the “nation” of “Japan.” It tells the story of intellectuals on the periphery of the nation trying to secure a place for their community in a transforming Japan. The chapter also bridges the gaps between separate bodies of scholarship on nation, multilayered community, and kokugaku by demonstrating how a diverse group of intellectuals not only studied and imagined Japan as a monolithic entity, but how they studied and engaged multiple “countries” — local, national, and foreign — while experiencing the transformation of community in nineteenth-century Japan. Ultimately, the chapter takes a fresh new perspective on examining the dynamic interplay between “countries” in transition from early modern to modern times as expressed through poetry and prose, artwork, historical writing, armed combat, and the carrying out of both religious ritual and reform.

Labor Shortage in Seven Central and Eastern European Countries in Transition: Before and During COVID 19

Based on the responses of the surveyed companies and institutions, we analyzed what government measures help to solve the problems and tensions in the labor market. By our empirical research we aimed to look for the main triggers and the typical means of labor shortage and labor retention. We also examined what efficiency improvement plans and robotization programs are either planned or have already been implemented by the responding organizations. The study reflects the empirical results conducted in 2019 in seven countries in the region. One of the key issues in these countries during the period considered is the dramatic increase in labor shortages, which has been influenced by a variety of factors, namely outbound labor migration after the change of regime, unfavorable demographic factors, national and regional economic downturns as well as persistent wage differences within the EU. Wages and work-life balance are the two important factors that have a significant impact on labor mobility and fluctuation for both skilled and less skilled labor. Responses indicated a variety of reasons for labor shortages, different reasons in different countries. The research also provided an indication that robotization alone is not a solution to address labor shortages.