JOURNAL PANGEEA has been continuously since 2001, in two languages (English and Romanian). From 2017, the Journal published only in English language The journal Pangeea is published under the auspices of the "1 Decembrie 1918" University of Alba Iulia through the Aeternitas publishing house. The Pangeea journal publishes articles in scientific fields such as Geology and Geography, Hydrology and Hydrogeology, Climatology, Environment, Population, Demography, Social science and Sociology. The magazine can publish papers specialists in the respective fields, academics from universities, colleges and secondary schools, researchers, doctoral, masters and students Published by "Aeternitas" Alba Iulia (Romania) and is entered in the catalog of the National Library ISSN 1841-1517 and entered into international databases (BDI) as "Index Copernicus" and "CEEOL", Google Academic and ResearchBib, Erih plus, Crossref DOI:10.29302/Pangeea anf ProQuest The profession of faith of PANGEEA journal
VULNERABILITIES AND THE LABOR MARKET: THE ROLE OF SOCIAL NGOS IN SUPPORTING DISADVANTAGED GROUPS
The article explores the challenges faced by disadvantaged groups in the labor market, highlighting the vulnerabilities that affect their employment prospects, such as poverty, lack of education, and discrimination. It examines the crucial role of social NGOs in supporting these groups by providing training, advocacy, and other services that improve their access to job opportunities. These NGOs help bridge the gap by addressing both the social and economic barriers these individuals face, ultimately contributing to greater inclusion and equity in the workforce.
OPINIONS ON MINING IN COMMUNITIES WITH A MINING HISTORY IN ROMANIA (ALBA COUNTY) - A DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS
This article aims to capture the variety of opinions on mining and mineral exploitation in three communities with a mining history in Romania (Alba County). This study aims to compare attitudes toward mining and resource-governance preferences across Roşia Montană, the Recea neighbourhood (Alba Iulia), and Zlatna, and to examine how collective memory and mining heritage shape the perceived legitimacy and socio-economic relevance of mining and local development options. The analysis draws on data from three distinct sociological surveys conducted through questionnaire-based research: in the town of Zlatna (N = 126 respondents, data collected in 2024), among a group of 45 persons relocated to an urban area – the Recea neighborhood in the municipality of Alba Iulia (data collected in 2020), and in the commune of Roşia Montană (N = 282 respondents, data collected in 2020). Methodologically, the study adopts a descriptive and comparative approach, examining the distribution of opinions regarding the economic, social, and environmental impact of mining activities, as well as respondents’ relationship to industrial heritage and local development prospects. The results highlight a marked diversity of stances toward mining, both between the three localities and within each community. The article foregrounds the ways in which place-based memory, economic dependency on industry, and the perception of risk shape nuanced attitudes that range from support to ambivalence and rejection of the resumption or expansion of mining activities.
The Bucovinian Festival of Science as a Laboratory of Dialogue on the Borderland: Intercultural, Intergenerational, and Interdisciplinary Integration
This article analyzes the Bucovinian Festival of Science as an innovative model of an intercultural, intergenerational, and interdisciplinary laboratory of dialogue operating in a borderland context. Embedded within the International Folklore Festival Bucovinian Meetings, the Festival of Science seeks to overcome the traditional separation between academia and society by opening scholarly reflection to local communities, festival participants, and artistic groups. The article situates the Festival within the historical and socio-cultural specificity of Bukovina – a region shaped by multiethnicity, multireligiosity, and complex migration processes – highlighting the long-term consequences of wartime displacement, diaspora formation, and post-1989 social transformations in Central Europe. Particular attention is paid to the Festival’s organizational model, characterized by horizontal communication, itinerant events, and the integration of popular-science lectures, film discussions, exhibitions, and participatory formats. The analysis demonstrates how the Festival fosters civic engagement, counters cultural stereotypes, decentralizes cultural and educational activities, and promotes the ideal of homo bucovinensis, understood as an attitude of openness and active engagement in culturally diverse environments. By foregrounding microhistories, personal narratives, and the active involvement of participants as co-creators of knowledge, the Bucovinian Festival of Science emerges as a transnational community of memory and a meaningful tool for social integration and the redefinition of regional identities in contemporary Europe.
TRUST IN INSTITUTIONS DURING TIMES OF CRISIS
This paper started from Mattei Doggan’s research, which emphasized that trust in institutions is plummeting, generating a political crisis. In recent years, armed conflicts and financial, health, and refugee crises faced by EU nation states have produced not only socioeconomic tensions, but have also shaken the citizens’ trust in both national and supranational institutions. Institutional trust is important due to the fact that it directly illustrates people's support towards national and supranational organizations. Political scientists, such as David Easton and Pippa Norris, have argued that trust in institutions is an indicator of organizational efficiency. Institutional trust has been extensively researched, from a numerical perspective, illustrating how it has evolved over time. However, the way in which peoples’ levels of trust changed during and after a period of crisis and what are the factors which influenced these attitude shifts are fairly undocumented. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic occurred recently, there is a lack of literature regarding the way in which citizens’ trust in national and supranational organizations has evolved before, during and after the period of the Coronavirus. This research, which analysis the influence of the health crisis on institutional trust, provides valuable insights, by illustrating the factors which contributed to the deepening of the crisis generated by the lack of trust. This paper provides an in-depth analysis that identifies what factors influence the attitudes of Romanians, Bulgarians, Poles and Hungarians towards national and international institutions. The research method is secondary data analysis of the Eurobarometer. In this paper, I included data collected from the Spring Standard Eurobarometer between 2018 and 2023, which mostly evaluated trust in national and supranational organizations. I began with frequencies and cross-tabs to present the general trust towards institutions. Afterwards, I used Pearson Correlation, regression and factorial analyses in order to identify the attitude predictors towards trust in national and European institutions. The results were mixed. While Poles and Hungarians had more trust in national institutions than Romanians and Bulgarians before Covid, during the pandemic these differences decreased. However, Romanians and Bulgarians perceived European Institutions more positively during the pandemic. Younger and more educated people tended to have more trust in supranational institutions, regardless of nationality. Moreover, Polish people tended to regain trust in national institutions after Covid faster than others.
The Implications of the Virtual Environment on Workplace Efficiency
The crisis generated by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has forced organizations around the world to rethink their strategies and, more importantly, to adapt their current activities from traditional work at the employer’s premises to working from home. More than 30 years ago, academic research predicted that rapid advances in technology would facilitate the deployment of remote working, and recent technological progress has accelerated its adoption, particularly in the service sector. Work performed by employees outside the employer’s premises is commonly referred to as telecommuting, but alternative terms such as remote work, home-based work, remote online work, or home office are also used. Telework, an integral part of human resource policies, is regulated by legislation in most countries, and in Romania, Law 81/2018 sets specific provisions for this activity. Before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, telework and its forms were considered more an option or an alternative for completing tasks than a necessity. Organizations in fields such as telecommunications, IT product development, and design had already offered employees the possibility to work from home, either partially or entirely. In many cases, employers allowed employees to decide how many days per month they wished to work from home or from a location other than the traditional office. The reasons why employees or employers opted for remote work were linked to high office rental costs in urban centers, limited parking spaces, wasted commuting time, and overcrowding in public transport, especially during peak hours. These factors made remote work an increasingly attractive option. (Dabija, 2021, p. 403) In this context, telework has experienced significant expansion in recent years, especially during the pandemic, when avoiding crowds and maintaining physical distancing became imperative. Telework, also known as teleworking, is defined as a form of work that is independent of location and relies on information technology and telecommunications. In this way, the employee regularly and voluntarily fulfills the specific duties of their role, occupation, or trade in a location different from that organized by the employer. Telework represents a broad concept, encompassing multiple ways of applying and organizing work within an organization (Man, C., p. 225). Keywords: efficiency; virtual environment; motivation; satisfaction; remote work.
Strengthening generational cohesion in an ageing society
The current demographic decline in Romania, with a fast change of the demographic structure characterised by a rapid aging of the population and increasing dependency ratios, among other structural societal changes, contribute to the fragmentation of intergenerational interactions which severely undermines the wellbeing of older adults and their relationships with younger generations. The article examines the benefits of a structured intergenerational intervention model through the evaluation of The Generations Centres Program (GCP), implemented by The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation (MRRF) that provides support (funds, expertise) to local and regional organisations to implement various intergenerational activities within their services for vulnerable children and adolescence, in different social services settings, in majority licenced day care centres. The evaluation, grounded on a mixed-methods approach, including surveys (93 seniors, 38 organizational representatives), interviews and focus groups, as well as analysis of secondary data, provides robust evidence regarding the effectiveness of the intergenerational model in addressing the needs of vulnerable children and seniors. For seniors, volunteering fosters increased self-esteem (79% report higher life satisfaction), reduced social isolation (17% mention new social connections), and the rediscovery of personal purpose after retirement, outcomes consistent with international research on the protective effects of intergenerational engagement against loneliness and depression. For the beneficiary children, predominantly from disadvantaged families, the program contributes to improvements in both educational outcomes (academic performance, basic skills) and socio-emotional development (empathy, patience, social skills). The reciprocal nature of these benefits confirms the authenticity of the intergenerational exchange model. The evaluation demonstrates that strategically designed intergenerational activities offer effective, sustainable solutions to contemporary demographic challenges, generating measurable value for both age cohorts while fostering more inclusive and cohesive communities.
BIOETHICS OF EQUITY. INEQUITIES AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN ACCESS TO MEDICAL TREATMENT
Equitable access to healthcare is a central issue in contemporary bioethics and public health policy. Fundamental ethical principles, such as respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice, are often challenged by structural inequalities that affect vulnerable groups. This theoretical paper analyzes, from a bioethical and deontological perspective, the relationship between social justice and access to medical treatment, with an emphasis on the tension between equity and efficiency in the distribution of resources. Relevant ethical models (utilitarian, egalitarian, needs-based) and international regulatory frameworks on the right to health are discussed. At the same time, it highlights the role of healthcare professionals in promoting equity and preventing discrimination, including in relation to disadvantaged socio-economic groups or ethnic minorities. The paper proposes a critical reflection on the moral responsibility of health systems and physicians in reducing medical inequalities, arguing for the need for an ethic of solidarity in clinical practice and public policy.
The concept and historical evolution of minority rights
This article examines the historical evolution of minority protection in the international system, tracing its development from early confessional safeguards to modern rights-based approaches through a comparative analysis of key institutional frameworks. It finds that minority rights protection has advanced unevenly, shaped by shifting political priorities, with the League of Nations representing the first comprehensive attempt to internationalise the issue through administrative and quasi-judicial mechanisms that, despite significant constraints, provided limited but meaningful oversight during the interwar period. In contrast, the United Nations system moved away from collective minority guarantees in favour of universal individual rights, a shift reinforced by Cold War politics and concerns over state sovereignty, resulting in weaker enforceable protections for minority communities. The article concludes that the League's system was neither predetermined to fail nor devoid of lasting influence, as core principles developed in the 1920s continue to inform contemporary debates on autonomy, cultural accommodation, and mass atrocity prevention. Ultimately, the persistence of tensions between sovereignty, self-determination, and group protection explains why international responses remain largely reactive rather than preventive.
Social Problems of the Elderly and the Impact of Chronic Diseases: From Dialysis to Community Integration
Population ageing represents one of the most significant demographic transformations of the 21st century, with complex implications for both social and healthcare systems. In Romania, this process is intensified by the migration of the young population and the fragility of the social infrastructure, leading to increased vulnerability among older adults. This paper offers a theoretical review of the specialized literature on the interdependence between chronic diseases particularly renal failure and the social integration of the elderly. The analysis explores the medical, psychosocial, and community dimensions of ageing, emphasizing the need for an integrated socio-medical approach. The article highlights the importance of developing community services, psychological support programs, and public policies aimed at active and dignified ageing. This work provides a significant contribution by integrating the medical and social dimensions of ageing within an interdisciplinary conceptual framework. The narrative analysis offers an updated perspective on active ageing, using recent international research and focusing on the role of community support and psychosocial interventions in improving the quality of life among older adults. The results offer valuable insights into the formulation of public policies grounded in integrated care and social inclusion.
Digital Financial Inclusion and the Reduction of Inequalities
To offer financial access to a disadvantaged segment of society, alongside the digitalization of financial services arises the concept of digital financial inclusion. The reduction in digital inequalities is especially desired in those countries where the differences between those who have access to information technology and those who do not, are large. Women and the elderly in general are affected most in terms of digital competencies and these inequalities are particularly prevalent in the isolated communities of rural China, Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean. A good understanding of the factors that lead to financial digital exclusion is the basis for a proper socio-economic policy making.
Labor market dynamics and the evolution of the minimum wage in Romania (2020-2025): A statistical and contextual analysis
This article analyzes the evolution of the main labor market indicators and minimum wage policies in Romania during the period 2020-2025, providing a statistical and contextual picture of them. The methodology used involved the analysis of two primary data sets, complemented by external economic reports, in order to perform a descriptive and comparative analysis. The findings reveal a steady increase in the nominal gross minimum wage, often accompanied by a complex, non-linear trend in the total number of employees at the minimum wage, suggesting a wage spillover effect. Employment data indicate a general increase in the number of contracts, with persistent gender disparities and a clear preference for permanent contracts. The period under review is marked by the post-COVID-19 recovery, significant inflationary pressures and government interventions aimed at economic stabilisation and social inclusion. The analysis suggests a dynamic labour market, adapting to economic shocks and policy changes, with implications for wage competitiveness, regional disparities and the continued need for structural reforms to address skills shortages, labour market rigidities and the informal economy.
The relationship between internal communication efficiency, employee satisfaction, and economic and administrative performance
The paper explores the relationship between internal communication efficiency, employee satisfaction, and economic and administrative performance in local public administration. The study starts from the premise that effective internal communication is an essential factor in increasing professional involvement and optimizing the use of institutional resources. The research methodology is based on a questionnaire given to employees of a local public institution to assess their perception of the quality of internal communication, their level of organizational satisfaction, and the perceived impact on individual and institutional performance. The expected results aim to highlight how internal communication influences both employee satisfaction and economic-administrative performance, thus providing a useful perspective for improving managerial processes and strengthening the functioning of public administration.
Personality disorders in detention: applied research and implications for social development
This study examined the relationship between personality disorders and inmates’ adaptive functioning within the prison environment. The research aimed to identify how maladaptive personality traits relate to institutional behaviors, including rewards, disciplinary measures, participation in activities, and sentence length. A sample of 83 incarcerated individuals was assessed using a structured clinical interview for personality disorders and institutional file analysis. Statistical procedures included correlation analysis, group comparisons, and linear regression. The results showed that personality disorders were primarily associated with maladaptive behaviors, particularly a higher frequency of disciplinary measures, while adaptive indicators such as rewards and work-credit days were influenced mainly by institutional factors. Inmates serving longer sentences exhibited a significantly higher number of personality disorders compared to those with shorter sentences. Regression findings indicated that personality disorders significantly predicted disciplinary outcomes, although the effect size was modest. Overall, the study highlights that maladaptive personality traits hinder adaptation to incarceration and increase the likelihood of behavioral noncompliance. These findings underscore the need for early psychological screening, individualized interventions, and structured rehabilitative programs aimed at enhancing emotional regulation, interpersonal functioning, and institutional adjustment among incarcerated individuals.
Identity markers and social rituals in the Roma ethnicity
The paper aims to build an identity profile of the Roma ethnicity by identifying a series of defining identity markers in this regard and the way in which they are found in a series of social rituals. Our desire was to highlight the survival over time of deep identity elements that refer to the origins and history of this ethnic group. In this regard, we pay attention to the following identity markers: 1. territoriality; 2. solidarity in the family and community; 3. Craftsmanship and talent; 4. religion and rituals; 5. orality, honor and speech. Starting from the existing literature, we have identified in addition to these identity data, a series of social rituals that are associated with them. The paper highlights the fact that these identity marks are camouflaged under different faces and that they can acquire different meanings and connotations over time and thus contribute to shaping an identity profile from the perspective of cultural patterns.
SCHOOL AND CAREER GUIDANCE IN PRE-UNIVERSITY EDUCATION IN ROMANIA: CASE STUDIES FOR EIGHTH-GRADE STUDENTS
Every year, extensive research is conducted across all Romanian counties on representative samples of eighth-grade students, focusing on their educational and career choices. These studies aim to refine counseling and guidance strategies for students, a process that also involves parents and reflects broader connections between education and the labor market. Effective academic and career guidance represents a key step toward aligning educational demand with academic supply and labor-market needs, while also reducing the risk of school or university dropout. This paper analyzes a selection of publicly available reports from these evaluations to identify regional and county-level particularities. It further examines two waves of career orientation research conducted in Hunedoara County in 2023 and 2024, tracking students’ choices, the motivations behind them, their main sources of information, and the school-based activities that contribute to career guidance. The findings highlight the evolution of students’ aspirations and reveal potential differences between cohorts, offering insights into the dynamics of educational and career orientation in Romanian pre-university education
ETHICAL DILEMMAS IN THE DOCTOR–PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IN A POST-PANDEMIC CONTEXT: A LITERATURE REVIEW
The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly reconfigured the doctor–patient relationship, bringing to the fore ethical dilemmas related to informed consent in conditions of uncertainty, the balance between individual well-being and public health, resource allocation, confidentiality in telemedicine, and the risk of structural discrimination. This literature review critically examines the transformations in the role and moral responsibility of physicians after 2020 through the lens of the main bioethical frameworks (principlism, physician–patient relational models, virtue ethics, capabilities) and professional guidelines published during and after the crisis. Four areas of tension are analyzed: (2) beneficence/non-maleficence in therapies with limited evidence; (3) distributive justice in resource allocation; (4) confidentiality, privacy, and relationship quality in the virtual environment. The paper argues that, in the post-pandemic stage, medical ethics calls for an "ethics of extended responsibility," which combines traditional standards of the clinical relationship with obligations to the population, deliberative transparency, and digital skills. It proposes directions for ethical education, updating telemedicine guidelines, and participatory risk communication mechanisms.
INTERGENERATIONAL SOLIDARITY, BETWEEN OPPORTUNITIES AND LIMITS FOR SOCIAL POLICIES
In the context of the demographic, social and economic evolution in europe in general and in romania in particular, a new guiding principle in the development of social policies is gradually emerging: intergenerational solidarity. Rather, it is a principle of social law in the making, which acquires its own content and a special place in the architecture of the construction of a sustainable social system. The declared aim is to make intergenerational solidarity a remedy that manages, in the most satisfactory way, a whole range of challenges pertaining to a wide range of fields, from economics to climate change, from social work to cultural interconnectivity. The sedes materiae for intergenerational solidarity is represented by art. 3 par. (3) § 2 of the treaty on european union, according to which, "the union shall combat social exclusion and discrimination and promote social justice and protection, equality between women and men, solidarity between generations and the protection of the child's rights", the principle appearing alongside the principle of social cohesion, provided for in the same paragraph. As stated in the european parliament resolution of 9 september 2015 on the report on the implementation, results and overall assessment of the european year for active ageing and solidarity between generations (2017/c 316/15), solidarity between generations is one of the basic principles of a human society but also a key element, a tool, together with active ageing, for achieving the objectives and targets of the europe 2020 strategy with a view to achieving a competitive, prosperous and inclusive europe. At the same time, together with equity between young and older people, intergenerational solidarity represents, in the sense given to it by the green paper on ageing entitled fostering solidarity and responsibility between generations, the completion of sustainable solutions for our social protection system. In social policies, the difficulty is twofold, as it is necessary to design policies, programs and measures that go beyond the limited term of a government mandate, but also to adapt them to the legal concept, that tends to include a new variable: generations that currently do not exist in the paradigm of social policies. However, although the principle of intergenerational solidarity has the advantage of responding to contemporary socio-economic realities, in reason of its being claimed by multiple fields, and thus undergoing continuous mutations, it carries within it, the risk of ineffectiveness. That is the very reason why the european commission is currently carrying out a large consultation to consolidate another - similar - principle, the intergenerational fairness.
BRIDGING ENERGY POVERTY, HOUSING COMFORT, AND HEALTH: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF APARTMENT RENOVATIONS IN ROMANIA
ABSTRACT: The energy-efficient renovation of apartment buildings is a critical strategy for addressing energy poverty, enhancing housing comfort, and protecting public health in Romania’s urban areas. This systematic review, following the PRISMA methodology, sought to map the spatial distribution and governance frameworks of renovation programs, evaluate the technical performance of energy efficiency measures, synthesize socioeconomic impacts on energy poverty alleviation, assess housing comfort outcomes across various intervention types, and examine the health effects associated with renovation practices. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar for studies published between 2015 and 2024, focusing on Romanian urban contexts and comparable European settings. The review identified an uneven geographic distribution of energy retrofits, substantial energy savings of 30–70% resulting from optimized renovation strategies, and partial yet promising evidence of reduced energy poverty. Additionally, measurable improvements in thermal comfort and indoor environmental quality were observed, along with modest but suggestive health benefits, primarily inferred from European studies, such as reduced respiratory and cardiovascular risk. These findings underscore the necessity of integrated approaches that connect technical, socioeconomic, and health considerations to enhance the equity, sustainability, and effectiveness of energy renovation programs. Keywords: energy renovation; energy poverty; housing comfort; health outcomes; apartment buildings; thermal comfort; indoor air quality.
Universities of the Third Age and Third Age Education
Over the past fifty years, Universities of the Third Age have grown into a worldwide phenomenon, offering educational experiences to millions of older learners across radically different cultural and institutional landscapes. Born in Toulouse in 1973 under Pierre Vellas's direction, the French model linked these programs directly to universities. Britain's 1980s reimagining created a peer-led alternative that spread through Anglophone nations. Today we see hybrid forms emerging worldwide, each shaped by local welfare traditions, higher education structures, and civic capacity. My analysis draws on international research to show how the competing vision of university affiliation versus community autonomy - produces distinct outcomes in access, sustainability, and pedagogy. While evidence consistently links participation to cognitive vitality, social integration, and wellbeing, major gaps remain digital divides exclude many, socioeconomic barriers persist, and policy support lags demographic need.
INFORMAL CARE AS SOCIAL POLICY IN ROMANIA: CASE STUDIES ON THE EXPERIENCES OF CAREGIVERS AND OLDER ADULTS
The accelerated aging of the population and the increasing number of dependent older adults represent major challenges for Romania’s social protection system. In this context, informal care provided by family members, relatives, or community members plays a crucial role in maintaining the well-being and dignity of older people. This study analyzes informal care from the perspective of social policy, using three urban case studies that explore the experiences of both caregivers and the older adults receiving care. The cases highlight the impact of order no. 955/2023, which officially recognizes the status of informal caregivers, on the rights, social protection, and quality of life of care recipients. The findings show that legal recognition brings significant benefits, such as access to financial support and social protection, but also reveals substantial challenges, including caregiver overload, lack of resources, and the need for psychological and training support. The analysis provides a useful framework for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners, contributing to the development of more effective social policies that better address the needs of older adults and their caregivers.
Inclusion, Barriers, and Needs of Students with Disabilities in the Academic Context
ABSTRACT: This study aims to analyze the process of academic adaptation for students with disabilities, specifically identifying the key barriers and needs they encounter within higher education. The research focused on obstacles related to infrastructure and the attitudes of other university actors. We also investigated the educational needs and academic performance of the sample. The methodology employed was quantitative, utilizing a survey questionnaire. The sample is one of convenience. The findings reveal that the primary barriers are physical, including the lack of properly adapted tables, compliant ramps, and appropriate access routes. Regarding the social environment, students with disabilities did not perceive discriminatory situations, reporting instead that they feel accepted and integrated within the groups they act in. Most participants actively engage in volunteer and extracurricular activities, which indicates successful social integration in various settings. However, a problematic finding is the low rate of membership in student associations, which may contribute to inadequate representation of students with disabilities at the university level. Academic performance is high, with the majority of respondents reporting a grade average above 8 for the previous academic year and demonstrating high participation in courses and seminars. Satisfaction with educational accessibility—particularly counselling services, social support, learning platforms, and assessment accessibility—was determined to be medium. In conclusion, our findings underscore the need for continued implementation of specific measures to enhance physical accessibility and foster the comprehensive inclusion of students with disabilities.
academic performance of students with disabilities
GENDER AND LEADERSHIP STYLES: EMPLOYEES’ PERSPECTIVES FROM MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES
Leadership styles are a major topic of interest in the fields of management and organizational development. This paper will explore the different gender-based leadership styles and the possible existence of differences in leadership approaches between men and women.\n\nLeadership styles play a crucial role in shaping the direction and success of organizations and teams. The way leaders interact with their followers, make decisions, and inspire others to achieve common goals can significantly impact a group's overall performance and effectiveness. Over the years, various leadership styles have emerged, each with its unique approach and principles—whether we refer to transactional, transformational, or laissez-faire leadership styles.\n\nIt is important to note that leadership styles are not inherently linked to gender. Both men and women can exhibit a wide range of leadership styles, and individual leadership preferences and approaches can vary greatly, regardless of gender. However, it is important to address certain common stereotypes and perceptions associated with leadership styles attributed to men and women, while also acknowledging that these generalizations may not apply to every individual.
China in Cameroon: Neo-colonialism or Partnership?
ABSTRACT: Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1971, China’s growing economic engagement with Cameroon has sparked significant debate over whether this relationship constitutes neo-colonialism or represents a genuine development partnership. This study critically analyzes China’s involvement in Cameroon, focusing on key areas such as infrastructure investment, trade dynamics, soft power initiatives, and governance impacts. A systematic literature review was conducted, following PRISMA guidelines, with data extracted from electronic databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, JSTOR, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses. Keywords such as “China AND Cameroon,” “Belt and Road Initiative,” and “Exim Bank Cameroon” were used to identify peer-reviewed articles and working papers. The analysis finds that Chinese investments in infrastructure and energy have positively impacted Cameroon’s economic growth and regional connectivity, particularly through projects like hydroelectric dams and ports. However, these benefits are accompanied by trade imbalances, where Cameroon remains a supplier of raw commodities, while imports of low-cost manufactured goods from China continue to undermine the development of local industries. Soft power initiatives such as the Confucius Institute and cultural exchanges have helped strengthen educational ties but have also raised concerns about labor market competition and cultural assimilation. Despite the developmental gains, the study argues that China’s engagement in Cameroon aligns more closely with neo-colonialism than a true partnership. While infrastructure and cultural exchanges have contributed to short-term growth, the debt-driven investments and the limited substantial technology transfer perpetuate Cameroon’s economic dependence on China. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for Cameroon to diversify its economic base, renegotiate investment terms, and strengthen local governance to reduce dependency and ensure sustainable development.
TESTING ELECTORAL EFFECTIVENESS OF ‘PROGRAMMATIC GREENING’ AS A POST-INDUSTRIAL PARTY-LED ADAPTATION STRATEGY FOR WESTERN LEFT-WING POLITICAL PARTY FAMILIES
The purpose of this research is to analyze the electoral effectiveness of the left-wing political parties’ programmatic greening strategy to combat their shrinking electoral bases in the post-industrial era. More frankly, it explores the link between the frequency of left-wing political parties’ environmentalist programmatic signals and their vote shares. The supply-side or top-down approach established that individual voting preferences are being shaped by choice sets provided by political parties. Accordingly, it is suggested that as the ideology-burdened post-war political environment ended, the relevance of ideologies and class positions for voting preference weakened and the left-wing electoral bases shrank. In return, left-wing political parties adopted catchall strategies to increase their grip on the median voter. One of the alternative adaptation strategies in this regard was increasing environmentalist signals in their manifesto documents. To test whether this strategy was an electorally effective one, this study raises the following question: Did more frequent green programmatic signals help left-wing political parties achieve higher vote shares? Using quantitative methods of inquiry, this research analyzes Manifesto Project’s data for 1,939 manifesto documents, which were released between the years 1920 and 2018 in 56 democratic countries. Findings showed that those parties with more frequent environmental mentions in their manifesto documents were not, in general, voted at statistically significantly higher levels than those with less frequent environmental mentions. The result is valid not only for left-wing political parties but for all party families. Thus, this research concludes that increasing the tone of green programmatic signals is not an effective post-industrial adaptation strategy to follow in order to combat declining vote shares. Findings have important implications for current accounts of spatial theories of party competition, party conflict, electoral adaptation and realignment strategies of political parties, as well as issue salience, green politics, and the recently changing nature of the electoral effectiveness of party policy shifts.
CHINA’S STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT AS A ROADMAP TO CAMEROON’S ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE
This study critically examines China’s strategic economic engagement with Cameroon, focusing on the long-term implications for the country's economic independence. Using Dependency Theory as the theoretical framework, the study explores how China’s investments, particularly in infrastructure and energy production, have provided immediate benefits but also reinforced Cameroon’s economic dependency. While these investments have led to the development of crucial infrastructure, such as roads, ports, and hydropower facilities, they have been financed predominantly through debt-backed loans, often secured by resource-backed agreements that tie Cameroon’s future economic growth to Chinese capital. The research reveals how China’s extractive investments in sectors like oil, timber, and mining have deepened Cameroon’s reliance on natural resources, stifling the growth of local industries and preventing economic diversification. This dependency on foreign financing and extractive industries mirrors the core-periphery dynamics identified in Dependency Theory, where peripheral nations like Cameroon remain locked in cycles of resource extraction, with the benefits flowing outward to the core nations, rather than fostering sustainable, locally-driven economic growth. The study argues that China’s engagement in Cameroon does not significantly contribute to the country’s economic sovereignty, but rather perpetuates patterns of neocolonial exploitation, where Cameroon’s role as a raw material exporter is maintained. In response to these findings, the study offers policy recommendations aimed at strengthening Cameroon’s economic sovereignty, focusing on diversification, sustainable debt management, and inclusive governance. It also proposes strategies for leveraging China’s investments in a way that promotes long-term growth and reduces economic dependence. This research contributes to the growing body of literature on China-Africa relations, offering a critical perspective on the risks of neocolonialism in Africa and providing insights into how Cameroon can navigate its relationship with China to achieve true economic independence.
Social media, generational differences and digital well-being: new social challenges in the 21st century
The paper examines the psychosocial effects of social media use among young people, emphasizing intergenerational differences in communication, emotional expression, and digital well-being. The research is based on an online survey conducted within the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme “The impact of social media addiction on young people” in May 2025, involving students from five European countries. The results show that participants from Generation Z spend an average of one to five hours per day on social media (mainly TikTok and Instagram), primarily for entertainment and social interaction. Respondents report common experiences of anxiety, comparison, and difficulties in expressing emotions online, while also demonstrating awareness of the need for digital balance. The findings highlight the necessity of interdisciplinary approaches to address the social and emotional challenges of the digital age.
Understanding Socio-Economic and Environmental Drivers of Primary School Dropout in Rwanda
School dropout remains a critical global challenge, affecting both developed and developing nations. UNESCO estimates that approximately 244 million children and youth worldwide are out of school, with the highest prevalence occurring in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Despite a global primary school completion rate of approximately 87%, persistent barriers such as poverty, gender inequality, conflict, disabilities, and geographical constraints hinder progress. In Rwanda, many children fail to complete basic education because of economic, social, and environmental factors, despite government initiatives to strengthen the education system. However, there is limited research on the underlying causes, impacts, and effective interventions to address dropouts in Rwanda. This qualitative study explored the causes and consequences of school dropout in the Amayaga region of Nyanza District, Southern Province, Rwanda, using observations and semi-structured interviews with 85 household heads. The findings reveal that internal migration driven by employment and living conditions, family-related issues such as divorce, single parenthood, partner imprisonment, and systemic barriers for children with disabilities significantly contribute to dropout. Consequences include child involvement in labor, street begging, relocation to extended families, and, in severe cases, placement in rehabilitation centers due to crime and deviant behavior. This study recommends strengthening family and community support systems, promoting inclusive and accessible education, and implementing continuous monitoring and evaluation to improve school retention and completion rates.
DEALING WITH INTERETHNIC CONFLICT IN EUROPE: HISTORIC AND RECENT EUROPEAN POLICIES IN MULTIETHNIC STATES AND REGIONS
This study analyses the evolution and effectiveness of public policies aimed at managing interethnic conflict in Europe through a comparative examination of historical and contemporary governance strategies in multiethnic states. It demonstrates that although ethnicity remains a central axis of political mobilisation, the success or failure of policy responses depends less on their stated normative goals than on underlying configurations of power, legitimacy, and structural inequality. The findings show that strategies based on separation and assimilation, while historically dominant, have repeatedly failed to produce lasting stability by entrenching divisions, suppressing minority identities, and provoking counter-mobilisation. In contrast, conciliatory approaches grounded in negotiation, institutional pluralism, and power-sharing offer more sustainable, though politically fragile, mechanisms for managing diversity. The study concludes that no single model of interethnic governance ensures success, and that effective conflict management requires a balanced integration of cultural recognition, political inclusion, and procedural fairness. It further argues that enduring pacification depends on the continuous renegotiation of belonging within democratic frameworks capable of accommodating difference
The current budget crisis in traditional visual media
The work I propose is part of a broader research approach aimed at the relationship between social policies and social equity in post-communist Romania. The respective approach, carried out in several stages, targeted policies in the field of pensions and salaries - including associated fiscal policies, policies regarding poverty and vulnerable groups. From the analysis of policies and their impact from the perspective of equity and social justice, I identified groups and categories constantly disadvantaged by these policies and groups constantly privileged - one of the ways of privileging these categories, analyzed in detail, being that of the so-called special pensions. The issue investigated is also of interest to the mass media, being widely reflected, both on social networks and in traditional media, in the written and audiovisual press. Although the themes are recurrent, in times of crisis, such as the current budget crisis in Romania, they gain increased importance, both in terms of weight and from the perspective of focusing on the dimension of social equity. The paper I propose will focus on analyzing how the issue of social equity and the relationship with social policies is reflected in the analyses and debates in traditional visual media in times of crisis, such as the current one. Starting from a content analysis that I conducted, from a similar perspective during the economic crisis 2010-2011, I propose a comparative analysis of media messages, the senders of these messages and the implicit or explicit interests behind them. The comparative analysis will target the period of the economic crisis - the measures taken during that period and the way they were reflected in the mass media - respectively, the period of the current budget crisis, from a similar analysis perspective. The main news and socio-economic and political analysis programs of the main news television channels in Romania will be targeted.