Belarusian Experience Research Articles

Organization of Conducting Office Work in Courts оf the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus

The organization of conducting office work in the courts of Russia and Belarus is the objectives of providing legal proceedings. Differences in the content of office work in Russian and Belarusian courts are based on two interacting factors. The first consists in the peculiarities of building judicial systems of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus. The second is formed on the basis of the peculiarities of the implementation of the powers of state bodies, including state authorities who create lists of claims affecting the maintenance of the rules for conducting office work in the courts. The tasks of the relatively legal research have been solved by applying the functional method, as well as structural and analytical methods. Based on the Belarusian experience, options for optimizing Russian judicial proceedings are proposed.

Radical Nostalgia

Radical Nostalgia

Modern Poland in the Eyes of Belarusians: Sociological Analysis

The article studies set of views of the inhabitants of the bordering with Poland Brest and Grodno regions on the Polish experience of social modernisation in the post-communist period. It is pointed out a positive perception of the image of Poland, based on the recognition of the obvious successes achieved by Polish society. A significant part of the respondents believe that the greatest successes have been achieved by this country in the socio-economic area, and the main reasons of this are accession to the European Union, development of market economy institutions and creation of a democratic political system. The respondents believe that Polish experience can be used for their country development, including also moving beyond the Russia’s sphere of influence and joining the European Union. Comparing Polish and Belarusian paths of development, majority of Belarusians prefer Polish way of doing reforms. The number of Belarusians who feel anxiety about Poland’s accession to the Euro-Atlantic institutions has decreased over the past 20 years. The general growth of a positive attitude towards Poland and Poles in all appearances was noted, despite the intensive anti-Polish propaganda carried out in Belarus by state media. Sociological study shows that, according to the Belarusians, they have nothing to offer Poles regarding the organisation of economic and socio-political life, but they might be interested at the Belarusian experience in cleanup on the streets, as well as strengthening of tolerance in the society.

Philosophy as an Educational Project: Transcribing the Belarusian Experience

The articles considers philosophy as an educational project. The institutionalization of philosophy is connected with the process of formation and development of the classical university as well as with the transformation of its socio-cultural status. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the essential ambivalence of philosophy and its influence to the basic priorities of philosophical education. It is emphasized that the tasks of reforming and modernizing academic philosophical programs initiate the development of variable models and technologies for teaching philosophy in modern universities. It this regard, of particular interest is the Belarusian experience in reforming philosophical education in its two aspects: general philosophy course and special academic programs. The article analyzes the model of teaching philosophy at various stages and levels of higher education, which has been used at the Belarusian State University over the past 15 years. The author describes both the innovative nature of this model and its connection with the previous organization schemes and teaching priorities. Within the framework of this model, there are three levels of teaching philosophy and its various modifications. At the first level, which is focused on the preparation of bachelors, the basic course “Philosophy” is taught, which suggests an acquaintance with world classical philosophical tradition. At the second level, the course “Philosophy in the Modern World” is offered, which, taking into account the specfics of the academic preparation of graduate students, reproduces the basic ideas and concepts of modern philosophy. At the third level, in the course “Philosophy and Methodology of Science” (which solves the problem of ensuring the philosophical and methodological training of post-graduate students), the main attention is paid to the issues of logic, methodology, sociology of science and education. The article considers some stages, problems and contradictions of this reform process as well as its consequences in the context of recent events in the socioeconomic and political life of Belarus. The author argues that modern converging technologies of social and humanitarian education, which are based on formal and instrumental-pragmatic criteria, have significantly influenced the processes of reforming the system of teaching the humanities and social sciences in Belarusian universities.

Этнопедагогическая подготовка будущих специалистов социальной сферы в Республике Беларусь: опыт Витебского региона.

The article presents the Belarusian experience of ethnopedagogical training of future specialists in the social sphere on the example of the Vitebsk region. Organizational and pedagogical conditions that contribute to the formation of professional competencies of future specialists in the social sphere for work in a multicultural society are determined. It is they who are decisive for a higher educational institution, which is the center for training social specialists in the region. The components of the ethnopedagogical model of the formation of professional competence of future specialists in the social sphere for work in a multicultural society are presented, in particular, competence-based, social, socio-psychological and ethnopedagogical blocks. The results of operationalization of the key parameter and access to the author's methods are shown. The results of the study of the degree of ethnicity of the individual, the attitude of future specialists in the social sphere to traditional ethnopedagogical values, as well as the readiness and possibilities of carrying out professional activities with clients from other nations and cultures are presented. The creation of an optional discipline "Ethnopedagogical foundations of professional activity" is substantiated, its goals and objectives are presented, as well as a list of skills and abilities being formed.

Surrogacy Agreement in Russia and Foreign Countries

Based on the analysis of the norms of Russian and foreign legislation, the main issues of legal regulation of relations in the field of surrogate motherhood are identified. The questions of the theory and place of the surrogate motherhood agreement in the system of civil law obligations are considered. The author conducts an analysis of foreign experience in legal regulation in the studied area. The Belarusian experience in assisted reproductive technologies regulation, which is of interest to domestic legislation, is given particular attention. The paper provides concrete recommendations on improving Russian legislation in the field of surrogacy in order to prevent disputes regarding the origin of the child or children born to a woman who was bearing a fetus after transferring a donor embryo. The author concludes that it is necessary to establish, at the legislative level, non-medical restrictions for a surrogate mother. Recommendations on strengthening the mechanism for guaranteeing the rights of bona fide parties to a surrogate motherhood agreement are given. The expediency of establishing the maximum number of a woman to exercise the function of a surrogate mother is substantiated.

ПОДГОТОВКА КАДРОВ ВЫСШЕЙ КВАЛИФИКАЦИИ В СФЕРЕ СУДЕБНО-ЭКСПЕРТНОЙ ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТИ

Целью статьи является анализ актуальных проблем подготовки кадров высшей квалификации в сфере судебно-экспертной деятельности, препятствующих развитию как отдельных направлений судебно-экспертной деятельности, так и науки о судебной экспертизе в целом, а также разработка возможных путей решения этих проблем в ближайшей перспективе. В результате исследования констатируется, что традиционное отнесение к юридическим наукам судебно-экспертной деятельности (теория судебной экспертизы носит междисциплинарный, «синтетический» характер, а из множества видов экспертиз только криминалистические имеют отношениек юридическим наукам) во всем многообразии экспертных специальностей не способствует ни ее развитию, ни развитию ее отдельных направлений, создавая к тому же существенные препятствия для подготовки научных кадров (диссертации, посвященные методикам и технологиям проведения тех или иных видов судебных экспертиз, не доходят до этапа защиты, потому что не носят юридического (правового) характера, следовательно определенным образом тормозится и развитие научно-методического обеспечения в сфере судебно-экспертной деятельности, несмотря на его актуальность и востребованность в экспертной практике). Представлен развернутый анализ аргументов в пользу решения дополнить перечень отраслей наук, по которым может быть присвоена ученая степень в сфере судебно-экспертной деятельности, обеспеченных точкой зрения различных ученых, мировым опытом, а также статистическими данными судебно-экспертной деятельности на примере работы Государственного комитета судебных экспертиз Республики Беларусь. Результатом комплексных исследований и аналитических дискуссий Высшей аттестационной комиссии Республики Беларусь поддержана инициатива Государственного комитета судебных экспертиз Республики Беларусь, который в качестве решения проблемы предложил выделить в номенклатуре новую специальность научных работников – «Судебно-экспертная деятельность» – с расширением на иные (неюридические) отрасли науки. В настоящее время подготовлен проект паспорта этой специальности, который нашел поддержку среди заинтересованных государственных органов и организаций, а также специалистов рабочей группы Высшей аттестационной комиссии Республики Беларусь. В ближайшей перспективе ожидается принятие официального решения по данному вопросу. Описанный в статье белорусский опыт может быть интересен и заимствован другими странами с родственной системой аттестации научных кадроввысшей квалификации (Казахстан, Россия, Украина). Достоверность полученных результатов и выводов обеспечена использованием системы методов научного познания: формальной логики (анализ, синтез, дедукция, индукция, аналогия, абстрагирование) – с целью определения содержания рассматриваемых вопросов; теоретический – для анализа научной, научно-методической литературы; метод системного анализа – в контексте определения направлений развития исследований в области подготовки кадров высшей квалификации, в частности в сфере судебно-экспертной деятельности.
 Ключевые слова: судебно-экспертная деятельность; Государственный комитет судебных экспертиз Республики Беларусь; номенклатура специальностей научных работников; наука о судебной экспертизе.

Criminal and Legal and Administrative and Legal Ways of Protection of Constitutional Right on Freedom of Worship and Religions by the Legislation of the Russian Federation and Some Countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States

In article the attention to features of a regulation of criminal and administrative responsibility for violation of the right to freedom of worship and religions by the legislation of the Russian Federation and some Countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (The Republic of Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Republic of Belarus) is paid. It is specified that in the analyzed laws of these countries there is no uniform technical and legal approach of contents of articles belonging to protection of the right analyzed by us. Besides, administrative legal protection of the right to freedom of worship and religions is absent in the Code on Administrative Offences of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Ukraine. It is in turn emphasized that the domestic legislator from the Belarusian experience needs to adopt such sign at hindrance of activity of the religious organizations or holding a church service and other religious actions provided that their actions don't disturb the public peace and don't affect the right, freedoms and legitimate interests of citizens as in Russia various destructive religions the violating these rights of citizens work. Also from the Belarusian experience the Russian legislator should enshrine in the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offences responsibility for involvement of the minor without the consent of parents or one of parents or persons them replacing to systematic participation in church services and other religious actions because take place when one of parents professes any religion, including destructive, and other parent tries to interfere with it.

Special economic zones as a resource for intensification of economic development: Russian and Belarusian experience

The article is devoted to actual problems of creating and functioning of special economic zones in the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus. The practice of functioning of special economic zones in Russia, including the dynamics of their creation and territorial location is considered. The competitive advantages of special economic zones such as tax incentives for corporate income tax, corporate property tax, land and transport tax, insurance premiums, as well as customs and other preferences are characterized. The results of the functioning of special economic zones considering different aspects are presented: optimistic-from the point of view of the Government of the Russian Federation, pessimistic – from the point of view of the Accounts chamber of Russia, as well as independent experts. The disadvantages and problems of the process of creation and functioning of special economic zones are analyzed, examples of successful functioning of special economic zones of various types – industrial-production, technical-implementation, port are given. The existing methods of assessing the effectiveness of the special economic zones, both official and proposed in scientific research, are regarded. The experience of creation and functioning of special economic zones in Belarus is analyzed. Its advantages in comparison with the Russian experience and general problems are shown. The efforts of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus to improve the business environment and investment climate are illustrated by the World Bank’s business ratings, including the latest rating-Doing Business 2019. The importance of the early solution of all problematic issues in the creation and functioning of special economic zones in connection with the resumption of the process of creating new special economic zones in Russia after a two-year moratorium is emphasized.

Management, Appraisal and Preservation of Electronic Records: the Belarusian Experience

The article is devoted to the new challenges that archives faced during the last twenty years: how to manage E-records, what are the principles and criteria of their appraisal, how to transfer the most valuable E-records to archives and to insure their long-term preservation. The author discovers the solutions of the mentioned problems implemented in the national legislation, reveals the techniques and practices used. In spite of the huge number of legislative acts the problems still remain. The author notes that archivists in their work with Erecords strongly depend upon the hardware and software used for creating and operating E-records, but that does not mean they should stay outside the process. They should feel free to state their demands and to warn about the danger of loss of documents and information if ignored. The quality solutions of the problems are possible only on the basis of close cooperation of records managers, archivists and specialists in the sphere of information technologies.

Belarusian experience of the use of FamLinkX for solving complex kinship cases involving X-STR markers

Use of X-STR markers extends and gives additional possibilities to a forensic DNA expert for kinship analysis. FamLinkX is software for the calculation of likelihood ratios (LRs) for kinship cases based on X-STR DNA profiles that takes linkage and linkage disequilibrium as well as mutations of X-STR markers into account. Belarusian haplotype frequencies database of 360 unrelated Belarusian males has been uploaded to FamLinkX. LR values for 6 deficient paternity cases and 2 forensic cases involving two putative full siblings, females, were calculated with different values of lambda (λ=1, 10, 100) in order to account for uncertainties in the haplotype frequency estimation. To demonstrate the ethnic sensitivity of X-STR markers and importance of the choice of the appropriate X-STR population database for LR calculation we calculated LR values for the same kinship cases using Belarusian and Swedish X-STR databases. LR values for the same kinship case differed from each other up to 6000 times depending on the chosen database. X-STRs genotyping lets us to determine relatedness successfully in all cases whereas the results of autosomal STR profiling and mitochondrial sequencing (for the cases where only the samples of putative full-siblings were available) were not sufficient to resolve family relationships issues. LR values were considered to be high enough in all cases.

Soviet Museums and Political Censorship: The Belarusian Experience

For the first time, a wide range of archival sources, periodicals, and contemporary research — information on the establishment and operation of a museum censoring system in Soviet Belarus — is publicly available. Basic functions of Soviet Belarusian museums were subjected to comprehensive censorship including the manner in which societal processes were documented, the interpretation of collections on display, and even analysis of visitor logs and feedback. Museums, which were considered one of the most important channels for educating the communist masses, attracted special attention from government censors. This article examines the phenomenon of museum censorship, as one of the key functions of the institutions of political control and censoring, namely, the Communist Party Central Committee, Glavlit (Main Administration of Literary and Publishing Affairs), and Glavrepertkom (Main Repertoire Committee), while also providing insight into the character of the totalitarian museum.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Children with Primary Immunodeficiencies: Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, and Management, Belarusian Experience

Introduction. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the most frequent malignancy associated with primary immune deficiency disease (PID). We aimed to present the clinical characteristics and outcomes of Belarusian children with PID who developed NHL. Procedure. We reviewed 16 patients with PID and NHL. Eight patients had combined PID: 5—Nijmegen breakage syndrome, 1—Bloom syndrome, 1—Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, and 1—Х-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome. Results. In 75% cases PID was diagnosed simultaneously or after the NHL was confirmed. PID-associated NHL accounted for 5.7% of all NHL and was characterized by younger median age (6.3 versus 10.0 years, P<0.05) and by prevalence of large-cell types (68.8% versus 24.5%, P<0.001). Children with combined PID had median age of 1.3 years; 5 of them developed EBV-associated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with lung involvement. Five of 6 patients with chromosomal breakage syndrome developed T-NHL. Six patients died of infections; two died after tumor progression; one child had early relapse; two died of second NHL and one of secondary hemophagocytic syndrome. Overall, 4 children are alive and disease-free after a follow-up from 1.4 to 5.7 years. Conclusions. PID needs to be diagnosed early. Individualized chemotherapy, comprehensive supportive treatment, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may improve survival of children with PID and NHL.

“Slice-Of-Life” customization of bankruptcy models: Belarusian experience and future development

“Slice-Of-Life” customization of bankruptcy models: Belarusian experience and future development

Independent Belarus: Domestic Determinants, Regional Dynamics, and Implications for the West ed. by Margarita M. Balmaceda, James I. Clem, Lisbeth L. Tarlow (review)

Independent Belarus: Domestic Determinants, Regional Dynamics, and Implications for the West ed. by Margarita M. Balmaceda, James I. Clem, Lisbeth L. Tarlow (review)