Abstract This paper investigates the intellectual and political ideas of the Albanian National Movement within the broader framework of intercultural communication, with particular attention to education, language practices, and human rights. The analysis situates this dialogue in relation to contemporary theories of interculturalism and the challenges posed by today’s super-diverse and rapidly shifting global context of demographic and social transformation. In this light, the nineteenth-century Albanian National Movement—while functioning as the intellectual nucleus of Albanian ethno-national identity formation, in parallel with analogous processes across Europe—displays a distinctive feature: its conception of nationhood resisted the logic of cultural exclusivity. Instead, in envisioning a future Albanian polity, the Movement anticipated institutional mechanisms for the recognition and integration of other cultures and languages within its educational and cultural systems. This inclusive orientation positioned the Movement as a counterpoint to the exclusionary ethnic nationalisms that dominated the Balkan political landscape of the era. Yet the emergent ethnic identities of the nineteenth century did not remain confined to the realm of ideas. They unfolded through the arduous and often violent processes of state formation, which in the Balkans proved exceptionally complex and were frequently accompanied by ethnic conflict and war. The geopolitical reconfiguration of the region at the turn of the twentieth century—marked by the creation of new states and their territorial expansions through aggression and coercion—produced profound ethno-political and cultural fissures. Within this context, the paradigm of interculturalism as developed in current theoretical debates aspires not merely to acknowledge or juxtapose cultures, but to foster mutuality, co-presence, and the creation of shared cultural spaces. From this perspective, the cosmopolitan and forward-looking ideas articulated by the Albanian National Movement—despite their nineteenth-century origins—retain a striking contemporary resonance. Revisiting these concepts from the turbulent yet visionary Balkans of the long nineteenth century offers valuable insight into the global search for intercultural understanding today.

Abstract The origins of Roman legal science date back to the later Republican era, when the pontifices greatly influenced the interpretation and administration of law. They were instrumental in shaping the law outlined in the Twelve Tables. In the second century BCE, secular jurists started to take over the roles of the pontiffs. The contributions of these jurists energetically fostered the rapid development of Roman private law. Their mastery lay in their ability to create a legal system that could be refashioned in accordance with changing social and political circumstances, through the successful integration of Roman material and Greek scientific methodologies. Their contributions enabled private law to attain greater independence from political authorities. Unlike their predecessors, who adhered to strict formalism and resisted alterations to the law's text, these Roman jurists embraced innovation. Their creativity in establishing a legal system capable of evolving with society's demands highlights a significant contribution of Roman legal science to Western culture. Mucius Scaevola and Servius Sulpicius Rufus are regarded as foundational figures in Roman legal science. They were a prime example of a new class of jurists who were to exert a powerful impact on Roman legal science in the following centuries. Classical jurists treated them with utmost respect, giving them due recognition for their contributions and innovative ideas. Their roles were indispensable in establishing the theoretical and philosophical foundations of the legal science that developed during their time.

Abstract As a result of the shortcomings that accompany the enforcement of institutional measures and sanctions on perpetrators of criminal offences, a system of community-based sanctions and measures has emerged. These are intended to relieve the criminal and penal system, maximize the principle of individualization, improve the reintegration of offenders into society, reduce recidivism, and protect society. The organizational units that implement such measures and sanctions are known as probation services. This paper analyses international standards, the emergence and development of probation, a comparative analysis, and the establishment of probation under the Law on Probation in the Republic of North Macedonia, as well as perspectives for the full and effective functioning of the probation service. The probation service is a special organizational unit formed within the Administration for the Execution of Sanctions under the Ministry of Justice. The probation service is tasked with implementing community-based penalties, including measures such as suspended sentences under supervision, community work, and home confinement. It also follows the enforcement of conditional release decisions issued by the courts. Through its activities, the service assists offenders in their social reintegration and rehabilitation, contributing to public safety and the reduction of the prison population. In addition, the service prepares assessments of the risk level of defendants during ongoing criminal cases and provides the court with recommendations regarding the appropriate form of sanction.

Abstract This paper extends earlier work assessing the performance of serverless computing platforms, or Function as a Service (FaaS), across major public cloud providers, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Azure, and Amazon Web Services (AWS), using an application-level benchmark. It aims to reproduce previous results, observe possible performance changes over time, and improve the experimental set-up for a fairer comparison of the cloud service providers. The benchmark application simulates a common user account creation process, including both synchronous and asynchronous tasks. By collecting timestamps from different stages of the workflow, the study measures response times, execution durations, and variation across runs. The findings show that function execution is generally consistent across platforms, but the triggering of functions is more variable. Azure functions, in particular, demonstrate longer and less stable trigger times compared to AWS and GCP. By contrast, AWS and GCP provide faster and more predictable triggers, though with some differences in asynchronous behavior. The results confirm the earlier study’s conclusions to a large extent, while also offering new insights thanks to the adjustments in methodology. These findings are relevant for organizations that need to decide which platform to use for serverless applications and also contribute to longer-term benchmarking of FaaS performance. Future improvements could include extending the benchmark to additional workflows and platforms, as well as increasing automation in deployment and data collection.

Abstract This paper critically examines the ethics of attributing national identity to architecture, focusing on how built form becomes a medium of cultural representation. While architecture often reflects collective memory and tradition, assigning it an exclusive ethnic or national label risks obscuring its pluralistic origins and shared authorship. Through theoretical reflection and firsthand experience, the study explores how monuments, motifs, and civic spaces can be appropriated into political narratives, often undermining inclusivity and nuanced interpretation. Drawing on global examples and nationalist framings in the Balkans, the paper highlights how identity becomes embedded in form, reinforcing symbolic boundaries. Particular attention is given to Skanderbeg Square in Skopje, where its transformation from an inclusive civic platform to an ethnonational site illustrates the fragile balance between cultural specificity and public function. This case reflects wider trends in which public space is instrumentalized to serve dominant narratives. The paper argues for reflective design practices that engage with history and culture without collapsing into exclusivity. It calls for recognizing the layered and transnational character of architectural meaning as essential in pluralistic societies, especially in contexts marked by ethnic or political division. Methodologically, the paper adopts a qualitative, theoretical-analytical approach combining critical literature review with reflexive case-based analysis drawn from the author’s professional involvement, offering an original ethical perspective on architectural representation in multicultural contexts.

Abstract This study examines the impact of trade openness on the economic growth of Southeast European countries for the period 2012–2022. The key factors analyzed include Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Government Spending (GE), Tax Revenues (TR), Unemployment (UN), Trade Deficit (DEF), and Trade Openness (TRO). A quantitative approach is adopted, using secondary annual data obtained from the World Bank and analyzed with Stata software. The results indicate that higher government spending, particularly when combined with elevated unemployment, tends to hinder economic growth, whereas tax revenues, trade deficits, and trade openness positively contribute to economic performance in the region. The originality of this study lies in its integrated econometric analysis of multiple macroeconomic factors affecting Southeast European countries—a region that has been underexplored in the empirical literature. The study also provides practical implications for policymakers, suggesting that effective fiscal and trade policies can foster sustainable economic growth. Furthermore, the findings offer valuable insights into regional development strategies, highlighting how trade openness and macroeconomic management can enhance economic performance across Southeast Europe.

Abstract The European Union constantly strives to impose itself as a catalyst for change and an influential factor in relations with states. This issue becomes particularly relevant when considering the impact of the Lisbon Treaty. The question arises whether the Treaty contributed to the EU becoming a global actor capable of creating an effective and credible foreign and security policy. The turbulences taking place today on a global scale represent a real challenge for the proactive engagement of the EU in the sphere of CFSP. To accomplish more in this domain, it is imperative that the European Union accords greater priority to its partnerships with strategic allies, as sustained engagement and enhanced collaboration are essential for maintaining a clear focus on its overarching objectives. This paper focuses on examining the European Union's relationship with one of its main strategic challenges-Russia-and explores how the changes introduced by the Lisbon Treaty have facilitated the development of a framework for meaningful cooperation between them.

Abstract Emotional intelligence (EI) is conceptualized as the capability to recognise, understand, manage, and express personal and interpersonal emotions. Previous research shows that greater emotional intelligence is related with higher job satisfaction (JS), as individuals with higher levels of emotional intelligence are better prepared to navigate stress and interpersonal dynamics. This study in employing a quantitative research design of structured questionnaires examines the association between emotional intelligence and job satisfaction. The target group is a sample of 54 public sector employees in North Macedonia, a region where research on this intersection remains limited. By addressing this research gap, we contribute to the broader understanding of how emotional intelligence influences public service delivery and employee satisfaction, including interpersonal relationships, decision-making, and stress management. Drawing on established theories and frameworks of EI and JS, we explore four key dimensions of EI: Self-Emotional Appraisal (SEA), Others’ Emotion Assessment (OEA), Regulation of One’s Own Emotions (ROE), and Use of Emotions (UOE). The findings from this study show a significant positive correlation between Regulation of Emotions and job satisfaction. This suggests that individuals who are able to regulate their emotions tend to exhibit greater levels of job satisfaction. Moreover, the results derived from this study can be used by public institutions to create human resource toolkits to enhance emotional intelligence and job satisfaction in employees in the public sector of North Macedonia.

Abstract This study investigates the perspectives of Albanian Language and Literature teachers (ALLT) and English as a Foreign Language teachers (EFLT) in North Macedonia regarding the pedagogical value of literary texts in language development. A purposive sample of 30 teachers (15 ALLT, 15 EFLT) completed an adapted 29-item Literature Teaching Questionnaire (Rushidi-Rexhepi et al., 2025) encompassing four dimensions: Linguistic Fit, Text Relevance, Teacher Practice, and Student Outcomes. Independent-sample t-tests and effect size analysis revealed no statistically significant differences between the groups across all subscales, with effect sizes ranging from |d| = 0.06 to 0.29, indicating small practical differences. Both groups strongly endorsed literature’s role in enhancing vocabulary, supporting critical thinking, fostering intercultural awareness, and increasing learner motivation. Minor variations emerged, with EFLT placing slightly greater emphasis on linguistic accessibility and ALLT valuing literary quality and aesthetic engagement more highly. The findings suggest a shared pedagogical orientation towards literature’s linguistic, cognitive, and affective benefits, underscoring the potential for curriculum design and teacher training initiatives that integrate literature across language teaching contexts.

Abstract How can media impact perceptions of state-building in the ethnically and linguistically diverse region of North Macedonia? Since the dissolution of the former Yugoslavia, North Macedonia has found itself at the intersection of cultural and territorial disputes involving neighboring countries including Serbia, Albania, Greece, and Bulgaria. The ethnic and linguistic diversity of North Macedonia creates a unique environment in which politics and ethnic identity collide with differing perspectives on its impact towards democratization. Journalism intersects media use by political actors and the public, creating a complex landscape where misinformation thrives and public trust in both media and government declines. These factors are further complicated by a global movement towards populism amid efforts to integrate into the European Union; a twenty-year effort which underscores the impact of ethnic and linguistic disputes on state building and democratization. While there has been considerable research done in other Balkan states, literature discussing journalism and nation forming in North Macedonia is scarce. Accordingly, research in this study specifically investigates the impact of journalism and media on the perspectives of citizens in North Macedonia and how those perspectives can shape the development of an ethnodiverse nation. A qualitative analysis was conducted on a series of semi-structured interviews with journalists, during which their views on state building and political divisions were discussed. Findings present the existence of differing perspectives among journalists on whether the ethnic divide is a substantive issue or rather a narrative used by political figures to shape public opinion.