Response to hybrid threats: peculiarities of the European Union strategy on countering the disinformation

The features of the European Union’s comprehensive strategy on countering the disinformation have been analyzed. It is emphasized on the creation of the legal framework and the activities of institutions aimed at countering the hybrid challenges, combating disinformation, exposing false messages and strengthening of the independent media. 10 actions of the EU to tackle the disinformation have been analyzed, such as creating the EuvsDisinfo public database, protection the integrity of EU elections, debunking Euromyths, monitoring disinformation messages with the Rapid Alert System, establishing the EU-wide Code of Practice on Disinformation, organizing events that promote media literacy, empowering civil society to both identify and expose disinformation, facilitating the work of fact-checkers, creating campaigns that raize public awareness on the disinformation’s negative effects, supporting media freedom and pluralism for a healthy democracy. The instruments of the EU in response to the hybrid threats such as the East StratCom Task Force (ESTF), the Hybrid Fusion Cell (HFC) and the Rapid Alert System - Disinformation (RAS-DIS) have been monitored. It has been determined that the EU is particularly attentive to practical training in combating hybrid threats. It is alleged that the use of a multilevel, cross-sectoral approach enables the EU to gradually increase its defence to counter modern hybrid threats. It is highlighted that Ukraine, which is suffering from the hybrid war, should involve the experience of the use of the instruments developed within the EU, adopting and sharing experience in combating disinformation and provide the resistance to hybrid challenges.

Public diplomacy of the Italian Republic

The article states that the Italian Republic is a country with an extremely developed soft power: Italian language, culture, cuisine, fashion, tourism, etc. Italy has unique mechanisms for the implementation of its public diplomacy (PD), which includes a wide network of Italian institutes of culture, schools, lectureships at foreign universities. In order to find out the origins of Italian cultural policy, the article refers to the period of Great Emigration of the late nineteenth century, and more precisely to the law of 1889, under which the Crispy government established the first Italian schools abroad, called "Royal Schools" (Scuole Regie), entrusting organizational and training control over them to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is noted that one of the most effective and efficient actors of the PD of the Italian Republic is the network of Italian cultural institutes. The legislative origins of the Italian institutes of culture date back to the order of 1926. The idea of spreading Italian culture was formulated at the legislative level during fascism. The official purpose of these institutions was to spread Italian culture abroad and to develop intellectual relations with third world countries, without hiding the purpose of political and cultural penetration and propaganda of the regime. Within the article, it is mentioned that the central governing bodies of the Italian Foreign Ministry operate through a number of the General directorates that are responsible for various issues. In accordance with the above mentioned law no. 401, Directorate General for Cultural Relations (DGRC), which after the 2000 MFA reform was renamed to the Directorate General for Cultural Promotion and Cooperation (DGPCC) dealt with the cultural matter, it was a change that pointed to the new purposes of Italian foreign policy. In the early 2000s, the National Commission for the Promotion of Italian Culture Abroad joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, gaining momentum for the intensification of the cultural and scientific dimension of foreign policy and the development of new "General Directions for the Promotion and Dissemination of Italian Culture and Language Abroad". Currently, the network of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs consists of 127 embassies, 93 consulates, 83 cultural institutes, 261 lecturers, 291 educational institutions, 161 Italian departments, 21 scientific attachés and about 150 archeological missions. What is more, the committees of the Dante Alighieri Society and the organizations administering the Italian language courses in accordance with law no. 153/71 are added. It is a large network that must adapt to new foreign policy needs, trying to overcome not only a number of structural shortcomings, but also the geographical distribution of ministerial offices abroad, which no longer corresponds to the development of the world, politics and economy. Today's globalization processes, new geopolitical imbalances and a serious global economic and financial crisis have forced the Italian Foreign Ministry and the National Commission for the Promotion of Italian Culture Abroad to reconsider the activities and reorientation of functions and activities of Italian cultural institutions in reforming the state system. In the last three years, the need for savings in government spending has resulted in a constant and consistent decrease in resources for the country's international projection; so, in order to ensure the competitiveness of the Italian cultural offer, it is also necessary to adapt the mission and activities of the cultural institutions. The new founding principles, developed in March 2012, aimed to revolutionize the organization and management of the structure of the spread of the Italian language and culture abroad, largely interfering with the activities of Italian cultural institutions. They can be summarized as follows. Italian culture is a strategic asset for the entire state system. This role is expressed in terms of: - a resource for the national economy; - investments for the design of our production system; - employment opportunities for new generations. This is one of the most effective foreign policy tools for: - promotion of the general image of the country abroad; - supporting the process of internationalization of our companies; - assistance to government actions at the international level. The promotion of the Italian language and culture abroad has positive consequences for the country's economy, where intellectual resources, cultural heritage, creativity, innovation and research are indispensable capital for recovery and growth. To fully understand all the opportunities that can provide the promotion of culture in an increasingly complex and competitive international scenario, it is necessary to adapt the mission of cultural institutions to targeted strategies that can involve all components of the state system. It is concluded that Italian public diplomacy is focused on promoting cultural achievements, significant achievements of Italy in cinema, cuisine, fashion, many tourist destinations and more. An extensive network of Italian institutes of culture, Italian schools, and lectureships represents the Italian model of public diplomacy. The Italian Foreign Ministry actively uses universities to promote its interests, promote the Italian language and culture abroad. In general, it should be noted the high efficiency of the Italian model of public diplomacy, even taking into account the relatively low amount of funding. At the same time, the involvement of Italian producers in the promotion of Italy abroad is also positive.

Climate strike as an instrument of public influence on global climate change issues

The article considers peculiarities of climate strike as a new instrument that might stop climate change as a biggest challenge of the present. The author outlines main reasons that prompted Swedish schoolgirl Greta Thunberg to initiate school strikes for the climate. It is explained about environmental activism as a movement of representatives of various groups of individuals and organizations that work in collaboration in social, scientific, political and conservational fields with the main purpose of addressing environmental concerns. It has been analyzed an origin, goals, methods and tools of the climate strike activities of 350.org as an international environmental organization addressing the climate crisis. Special attention is paid to hydraulic fracturing, or fracking as a technique designed to recover gas and oil from shale rock. Based on US fundamental research, the author underlines dangers and risks of fracking due to earth tremor concerns as well as possibility of escaping of potentially carcinogenic chemicals during drilling and contaminating groundwater around the fracking site. Besides of FridaysforFuture and 350.org movements addressed climate crisis author describes the history, main goals, vision and strategy of the Extinction Rebellion movement. It is emphasized that Extinction Rebellion created with the aim of using nonviolent civil disobedience to compel government action to avoid tipping points in the climate system, biodiversity loss, and the risk of social and ecological collapse. It is underlined that activists often violate public order; most of them during protests accept arrest and imprisonment. It has been mentioned that 2019 was the year of climate change and because of coronavirus disease global climate strike nowadays moved online. The author draws conclusion, pointing that acknowledge the reality of climate change, cooperation of all stakeholders and far-sighted leadership are among the fundamentally important steps that must be taken to achieve the goals and consolidate countries around the global climate change problem.

United States-Vietnam relations in light of geopolitics of the usa in Asia-Pacific region in 1945-1975

The article focuses on the analysis of US-Vietnam relations during the period from 1945 to 1975. The aim of the article is to trace the changes that took place in the US-Vietnam relationship over that period, to identify the factors that influenced them, as well as the approaches used by the heads of the countries to tackle their foreign policy objectives in the region. The author traces the evolution of US policy in Vietnam pursued by Presidents H. Truman, D. Eisenhower, J. Kennedy, L. Johnson and R. Nixon. The United States had diametrically opposed position on relations with the Vietnamese governments, namely, confrontation and military conflict with the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, and cooperation, military and economic aid to the Republic of Vietnam. The author concludes that the US attitude towards Vietnam was determined by the international situation at that time, including the beginning of the Cold War. The policies of Presidents D. Eisenhower and J. Kennedy were to restrain the expansion of the Communist bloc's sphere of influence. The direct involvement of the US military in the Vietnam conflict, initiated by L. Johnson, pursued the goal of enhancing the prestige of the United States in the global confrontation with the USSR. The split between the Soviet Union and China was used by the US to get out of the Vietnam War and mend relations with China as a counterweight to the Soviet Union in the Asia-Pacific region. Instead, the Republic of Vietnam, which had been the "junior partner" of the United States, was left to its fate.

Integration associations for Sub-Saharan Africa: history and prospects for development

The article deals with the main integration associations of such a promising but controversial region, as Sub-Saharan Africa. The author emphasizes the continuity of regional integration associations’ formation that goes back to the colonial times, to the first half of the 20th century. Periodization of ongoing integration processes in Sub-Saharan Africa is proposed in the research. Key milestones for the further regional integration were: - 1963, the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU); and the beginning of Independence for many postcolonial countries of Sub-Saharan Africa; - 1980, the Lagos Plan of Action adoption that led to the establishment in future of the following integration associations for Sub-Saharan Africa: ECOWAS, Economic Community of West African States; COMESA, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa; ECCAS, Economic Community of Central African States; - 1991, the signing of the Abuja Treaty, which called for the African Economic Community creation as the new stage for economic cooperation and integration of the continent, including Sub-Saharan Africa; - 1999-2002, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) transition into the African Union (AU), launching of new partnerships and integration associations for Sub-Saharan Africa, increased integration. At the beginning of the 21st century, there are serious economic and political factors for disintegration in the region. Nevertheless, the following integration associations, as stated in the article, proved to be effective: SADC, Southern African Development Community; EAC, East African Community; COMESA, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa. The author argues that the existence since 2015 the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) between EAC, COMESA and SADC marks a significant step forward for strengthening of integration associations for Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as for the achievement of African Union’s purpose to provide the African Continental Free Trade Area.

«...Out of the earned money from a sincere heart, I donate to orphans»: charitable assistance to Ukrainian prisoners of war from camp Rastatt and pows' charitable activities (1915-1918)

The article deals with the peculiarities of providing charitable assistance to captive Ukrainians from the Rastatt camp (Germany), as well as the specifics of the charitable activities of the camps. The prisoners Ukrainians have often acted as donors, raising funds for different national needs, for patients in the camp infirmary and so on. However, the prisoners did not refuse assistance to the Germans themselves – donating money to the German orphans of war and to the needs of the German Red Cross. Numerous donations have been made to build a monument that forever etched in stone the memory of the deceased Ukrainians. The prisoners, in turn, received charitable assistance from international and national Red Cross organizations, which had never been of a regular nature. Considering the scarcity of the camp rations and the quality of the food, the quality of the food is not always sufficient; the prisoners had some hopes of receiving charitable help. She was especially needed by patients from the camp hospital as well as prisoners with disabilities. The distribution of charitable assistance in Rastatt was carried out by the Central Committee, which was composed of elected representatives of prisoners.

The activity of the Roman Catholic Church on the territory of Right-Bank Ukraine at the end of XVIII – in the beginning of XX c.: historiographical discourse

This article gives a detailed analysis of historiographical sources concerning the problems of the activity of the Roman Catholic Church on the territory of Right-bank Ukraine at the end of XVIII – in the beginning of XX c. The scientific research on this topic is composed according to the chronology of problematic principles, therefore three consistent stages and their characteristics are given: I period – the first part of XIX c. – the beginning of XX c. – the time of establishing and developing Ukrainian historical studies and setting up Ukrainian national historiography. During that period scientists studied the peculiarities of domestic and foreign policy of the activity of the RCC in Right-bank Ukraine. The majority of scientists acknowledged an evident pressure of the RCC on the orthodox region and pro-Polish position of Church from the one side, but from the other - limiting anti-Catholic policy of Russian government. II period – 1917-1991 – the Soviet period. During this time the party ideologization of Ukrainian historical studies was realized and Ukrainian foreign historical studies as alternative ones were formed, which examined the history of the Catholic church from the perception of social political processes in Ukrainian society. III period – 1991 – the beginning 0f 2000 – the modern period, that is characterized by deprivation of ideological stereotypes and implementation of new ideas, active cooperation with foreign centers. The variety of researched issues enlarged and now the subjects of scientific researches become the questions of legitimate regulation of church, its independence from temporal power, cultural educational and charity activities, financial economic provision of churches and monasteries, peculiarities of the state and development of the Roman Catholic orders, participation of the Roman Catholic priesthood in Polish liberation movement. However, until that times, scientific research is left beyond investigation of the Catholic priesthood cooperation with representatives of Ukrainian national movement in a region, social cultural church initiatives, artistic heritage of the Roman Catholic orders and so on.

Relations with the neighboring states in the framework of implementation of the european policy of the Republic of Belarus (90s years of the XX – XXI centuries)

Foreign policy of the Republic of Belarus during the 90s. ХХ - the 21st century was distinguished by a certain dualism related to the officially declared by President A. Lukashenko desire for deep integration with the Russian Federation and interest in close economic cooperation with European states. At the same time, despite permanent political scandals, since the 2000s, the Belarusian authorities have regarded the EU as counterbalancing to strengthening the expansionist aspirations of the Russian ruling regime, led by V. Putin. Thus, the current study is substantiated by the cross-border issue of the EU status of the Republic of Belarus, the current geopolitical process taking place in Eastern Europe, as well as close histories, cultural and economic links, which require detailed consideration. An analysis of Belarus's relations with the European Union's neighboring countries allows us to draw several conclusions. First of all, the political relations of these states are developing at several levels. At the same time, problematic issues, whose roots lie in the consequences of the historical and political processes of the past remain relevant. In addition, the desire of Belarus's neighbors to be guided not only by the EU's strategy for this country, but also by seeking their own ways of influencing on official Minsk in the interests of compatriots or economic benefits, should be emphasized. In conditions where the Belarusian leadership is interested in establishing relations with Western countries, such plans are in the interests of Europe as a whole. At the same time, economic cooperation comes to the fore, in which Belarus plays the role of a powerful partner, able to meet the needs of European countries in the production of oil and wood processing, processing industry, etc. However, in the context of destabilization of the international situation related with the actions of the Russian Federation in Central and Eastern Europe, Belarus' vulnerability becomes one of the main risks for future relations with neighboring countries.

Excavations of the burial mound near the Yalta village in 2019

The article presents the results of new research of the archeological expedition conducted by Mariupol State University in the North-East Azov Area. Archaeological research was carried out in the South of Donetsk region near the village of Yalta in 2016. In the mound 9 graves of the Bronze Age and 1 burial of the early Iron Age were investigated. The primary embankment was built during the Early Bronze Age by the tribes of the Pit Grave culture. The oldest burials in the mound are 4, 5 and 7. The most interesting was the children's burial 7. The buried child was accompanied by four ceramic vessels. Subsequently, another grave of the Pit Grave culture was built in the mound – burial 8. During the Late Bronze Age the population of the Zrubna / Timber-grave culture continues to use the necropolis. Researched at least three burials of the Zrubna / Timber-grave culture – 1, 2 and 10. Based on the typological analysis of the ritual-inventory complex, they can be attributed to the second (developed) horizon of the Zrubna / Timber-grave culture burial grounds of the North Azov Sea Area. As regards burial 3, presented by the authors, date back to the early Iron Age and precede the sites of the Scythian time. The burial 3 from Yalta are determined as complex of Chernohorivka type / Chernohorivka group of Cimmerian Culture or as late Chernohorivka complex. The authors consider peculiarities of the rite and inventory complex as well as some aspects of cultural and chronological character, spiritual and material culture of the tribes which, in the researchers’ view, are conflated with the historical Cimmerians. The burial in the mound placed near the villag of Yalta demonstrate some certain features of ingenuity. The man buried in the mound was most likely to have something to do with the religious or the hieratic sphere of life. The materials of the investigated burial mound enrich our knowledge about the ancient past of the population of the Azov steppes.

Problems and prospects of social sphere development in the context of European integration choice

For several years, Ukraine has set itself an ambitious and important goal of joining the economic, social, cultural and political space of Europe, and is persistently, though not unhindered, moving towards it. This strategic direction of development is very difficult because almost all sectors of Ukrainian society do not meet the high standards of living in the European community. In order to get closer to them, the Ukrainian authorities should fundamentally change their attitudes to basic norms and values, significantly improve the standard of living in the country, improve the environment, social protection and so on. It should be remembered that European countries are very socially oriented, as close as possible to the state of social justice, they are constantly trying to create the best living conditions and activities of the population, to exercise their social protection and to respect social rights. Thus, in the context of present-day European integration, the social sphere is one of the priority directions of the socio-economic development of the Ukrainian state, and the effective implementation of a competent and thoughtful social policy is an important tool for its implementation. So, if Ukraine plans to implement the difficult and ambitious task of joining the European community in the near future, it must become a socially oriented, legally competent and economically strong country. It is important to learn how to respond quickly and effectively to the continuing economic, social and political challenges that are constantly emerging in today's dynamic era and which are inherent in a relatively stable European life. Careful study of the European experience of building current social doctrines, taking into account their disadvantages and advantages, will help to overcome the transition period in the formation of modern, oriented to the needs of citizens of social policy as soon as possible and without pain. To do this, it is necessary to focus on improving the quality of living conditions of the population, taking into account the country's labor potential, developing social infrastructure and improving the quality of social services.