Development Of Civil Society Research Articles

Intercultural Communications and Community Participation in Local Governance: EU Experience

This article deals with the identification of the most effective mechanisms, methods and tools for local governance in the EU through a high-level community participation in these processes in the context of building existing systems of intercultural communication. The essence and substance of intercultural communication is revealed with the help of well-known research methods, as well as the logical structure and systemic analysis. The main interdependencies in their implementation on the community structure are determined. The issue of determining the place of local governments in the system of intercultural communications at the territorial community level occupies an important place in the study. The main features of intercultural communication and their impact on community participation in local governance are revealed. An important conclusion is drawn that public demand is the main product of intercultural communication, while social capital is the main result. The relationship between the breadth of community coverage by intercultural communication processes and the depth of community participation in local governance processes is studied. This inclusiveness allows determining the civil society development level, the activity of its institutions, as well as the extent at which the goal of implementing good governance concept in a particular community is achieved. The intercultural communication is proved to be able to form a public demand system that the community presents to local self-government bodies as programme requirements for the state of territorial development. All this determines the further need to study social capital as an independent resource and additional potential that the community can offer through the network of social communications to local self-government bodies to improve the effectiveness of territorial development.
 
 Received: 27 June 2022 / Accepted: 28 August 2022 / Published: 2 September 2022

Religiosity and civic activism of youth in Kazakhstan: potential link and possible contradictions

The role of religion as a mean of promoting the growth of civic engagement, both positive and negative, is generally recognized throughout the world. The growing interest of young people in religion actualizes the problems of interaction of the religiosity of Kazakh youth with modern trends in the development of civil society, determining the civic position of the younger generation and its participation in socio-political transformations.  The potential link and possible contradictions between youth religiosity and civic activism are analyzed using data from a representative survey and available secondary sources of information using methods of descriptive statistics, conjugacy tables and chi-square tests. The study revealed that young people do not set out to deeply comprehend religious knowledge, as they perceive religion as a tradition and part of culture. In Kazakhstan, it is rather imposed by external trend hobbies and attitudes, and is not the basis for an active civic position. The study of the relationship between religiosity and civic activity of young people in Kazakhstan shows that religion and politics are not differentiated in the understanding of the majority of young people. The analysis of secondary data made it possible to assess the influence of religion on civic engagement and political participation at the discursive level. Based on the conducted research, the article assumes that the observance of all religious rites is a behavior that demonstrates discipline, responsibility, respect for the traditions and culture, which can be considered as an explicit and implicit resource in public life. The article provides recommendations for a better understanding of the active civic potential of religious youth in a secular Kazakhstani society. Keywords: youth, religiosity, religious identity, civic activism, political participation.

Legal determinants as factors of infl uence on legal development: nature and essential aspects

Introduction: Determination as a phenomenon of social reality is found (studied) in many areas (directions) of scientifi c knowledge. This term is used in the humanitarian sciences (philology, history); in natural sciences (biology, ecology, geophysical geology, etc.); used in mathematics and computer science, etc.However, the most detailed study of this category is obtained in philosophical studies: a) causes – consequences (ie determination of the phenomenon), b) determination – as a general connection between phenomena, c) possibility – reality, interaction and relationship, and so on. Taking into account the above, an idea of a «sound» research base on the phenomenon of determination can be formed – as an independent scientifi c category that has gained more or less study in the spatial and temporal realities development of scientifi c knowledge. However, unfortunately, this is not true. Especially when it comes to the legal sphere, legal reality. Although the study of the determinants of the law, would certainly provide an opportunity for «vector» elaboration of legal requirements, ie appropriate analysis, prognosis «for the future», to understand the eff ectiveness or reduce the «effi ciency index» of a rule under the infl uence of factors not taken into account during their adoption. That is, taking into account the rhythmic action or «conversely» a certain determinant will allow «certain development», and therefore take into account the risks that may weaken or even eliminate the eff ect of the legal norm necessary for society. Purpose of the article: the purpose of the article is to emphasize the need to study the category of «legal determinant»; designation of its defi nition in the context of the relationship with the category of «determination». A separate vector off ers a study of the impact of legal determinants on legal development. Conclusions. Despite the human dimension of law proclaimed by the Constitution of Ukraine (Articles 3, 21, 48), the actual situation of a person today does not correspond to these ideals and perspective. Another determinant of «priority» value in this context may be the determinant of equality. Of particular concern are the imbalance of the economy, the extremely deformed structure of production, and the distorted system of property relations, much of which is based on shady, corrupt principles. There is a real perspective of consolidating these dangerous phenomena, especially in the face of tough foreign intervention by Russia. All this cannot but aff ect the guarantees of ensuring and the very mechanism of ensuring fundamental human rights. Fundamental rights are a prerequisite for their existence, on the one hand, the existence of a state that guarantees and protects them, on the other – the balance of this state and a developed civil society. It is clear that in this context the problem of harmonious legal development is of great importance, which, in our opinion, is associated with the problem of further study of legal determinants – as factors infl uencing the legal relations of modern society. Key words: determinant, determination, legal determinant, legal development, legal system

RESHAPING ALLIANCES AND REDRAWING BOUNDARIES: HOW INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION AFFECTED ITALIAN CIVIL SOCIETY

Many conflicts in Italian politics have focused on migration policy. After the national elections in 2018, this conflict cut across all societal spheres and levels of governance and administration. On the one hand, tightening migration policies and criminalizing pro-migrant civil-society actors created a conflict between the government and many civil-society actors. On the other hand, civil-society and public-sector actors formed new alliances and lines of conflict at the local and national levels. This article analyzes the development of Italian civil society around the migration issue from the 1970s to 2019 from a relational perspective using the strategic action field approach. This approach offers a conceptual framework and an analytical model for studying behaviors and relations among different types of collective actors, including civil-society actors and public authorities.

Effectiveness of public discussions as an perspective instrument of strategic environmental assessment in the Russian Federation

The authors present an assessment of the effectiveness of public discussions as a potential tool for implementing the goals and objectives of strategic environmental assessment in the Russian Federation. The practice of applying strategic environmental assessment both on the territory of the Russian Federation and abroad is considered. The assessment was based on the analysis of 24 minutes of public discussions in 10 administrative districts of the Russian Federation. The approach proposed for analysis will reveal the level of development of civil society and public initiatives in the development of regions, determine public awareness of the possibilities of regulating the conditions and quality of life of the population. Answers were received to the questions posed during the evaluation (the degree of public interest in participating in public discussions, attendance and structure of participants). As a result of the work done, the ineffectiveness of the current system of conducting public discussions as a tool for implementing strategic environmental assessment in the Russian Federation, methods of its optimization and adaptation were proposed to increase the degree of public influence on the final result and increase public interest in making key management decisions was assessed. The problems of strategic environmental assessment in general have been identified. The foreign experience of strategic environmental assessment is considered. The existing mechanisms of integration of the public into the process of approval of project documentation are considered and analyzed. The patterns of geographical distribution of public interests are revealed — the interests of those present are directly related to the overall level of socio-economic development of the region and are dictated by its current social needs. The socio-cultural problems in the context of the studied problem are identified, the prevailing trends in the regulatory framework of public discussions are identified.

Проблема визначення концепції національного розвитку України в післявоєнний період

Problem setting. Starting from February 24, 2022, the whole world lives in a new reality – in the conditions of a full-scale war against Ukraine deployed by the Russian Federation. Russia’s military aggression carries through the information and semantic war, which, according to its authors, can justify all atrocities and be their ideological cover. There is a denial of the conceptual definition of the democratic development of social and power relations in Ukraine and their subordination to totalitarianism. That is why the semantic opposition to hybrid warfare is of particular significance as a reflection of all the advantages of civilization over barbarism. In particular, it concerns the determination of the concept of development of Ukrainian society as a theoretical and methodological basis for the formation of legislative norms, organizational imperatives, principled instructions for public servants’ activities, civic world-view focuses. In this context, the author sets a task – to outline the problem of the need to substantiate the conceptual framework for the modernization of Ukraine in the post-war period. Paper main body The paper emphasizes that the development of a modern democratic society carries on a conceptually defined framework, scientific substantiation of innovative opportunities, and consideration of social requests for changes. At the same time, it states that the concept of national development of Ukraine has not found a proper theoretical solution and has not received institutional completion in the relevant documents. And in the conditions of the war against the aggression of the Russian Federation with its semantic component, the problem of forming such a concept of development in the post-war period has acquired a specific urgency and requires its determination. By comparing a concept with a theory and doctrine, the concept defines as a holistic answer to the questions “what is?” and “what to do?”; as an awareness of the subject of his motives and goals, as well as real possibilities of their practical implementation. The paper outlines the main challenges of the Ukrainian present, which necessitate the achievement of democratic processes, that is, the development of civil society, its initiative, and involvement in innovative changes. In parallel, it shows the significance of tendencies towards strengthening the state. In this context, the author carries out an analysis of the concept of libertarian paternalism, which, being formed in the economic sphere, may acquire a general social, as well as public managerial meaning. The reasoned conclusion is that this concept requires a critical rethinking by Ukrainian scientists, as well as interdisciplinary discourse on the possibilities of its application in Ukraine. Conclusions and suggestions concern the need for further theoretical substantiation and institutional approval of the Concept of Development of Ukraine as a methodological basis for the modernization of Ukrainian society. The unprecedented uniqueness of the domestic situation necessitates its interdisciplinary scientific consideration without mechanical borrowing or duplication of other people’s concepts and ideas.

Alternative to civil society governance: platform control over the third sector in China

ABSTRACT Crowdfunding platforms have provided a crucial space to facilitate non-governmental organizations’ (NGOs’) fundraising activities and interactions with citizens. This article employs the concept of ‘platform control’ to investigate the built-in control embedded in crowdfunding platforms and its implications for governing civil society. Analysing 425 projects launched by 107 organizations between 2017 and 2018, and drawing on intensive fieldwork, this article examines how crowdfunding platforms manage NGOs in three dimensions – technology, organization, and regulation. This article demonstrates the dynamic relations among NGOs, the government, and crowdfunding platforms and examines their broad implications for the development of civil society in China.

Theoretical features and applied aspects of constitutional control of amendments to the constitution

It is pointed out that the idea of protecting the constitution arose simultaneously with the appearance of the first constitutions. It was embodied gradually by finding its expression in the constitutional text itself or following the development of judicial practice. Such means were the institute of repeal of acts, the establishment of a guarantor and “guardian” of the constitution, the institute of constitutional control, the procedure for amending the constitution and others. Such legal institutions have emerged specifically to preserve such a constitution per se, primarily as a set of material principles and values, as well as a formally defined document in which such principles and values are enshrined. In the literature, such a special set of legal tools is now called protection, protection, guarantee of the constitution, and so on. The precondition for the protection of the constitution in the legal sense is a certain public consensus on key values, the existence of a certain civil culture, developed civil society, autonomous individual-owner, ie all those prerequisites for constitutionalism, without which the implementation of an organic constitution will always face many problems.
 It has been established that amending the constitution is an important stage of the constitutional process in order to ensure the relevance of the basic law, compliance with the relations prevailing in society and limiting state power in favor of the people to ensure and protect human and civil rights and freedoms. In order to prevent the violation of the norms of the constitution, its compliance with the principles of the changes that are made to it, it is necessary to take measures to protect and safeguard it. One such way is constitutional control over the process of amending the constitution.
 Despite the positive developments in the practice of constitutional control over the process of amending the constitution in Ukraine, unresolved issues remain within the competence of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine in this area. This requires the intensification of the scientific and expert community in order to address these issues.

Problem of wide discretion in the powers of the NCSRFEU in the field of tariff setting

The article is devoted to the issues of legal regulation of the powers of the National Commission for State Regulation of Energy and Utilities (hereinafter - the Commission, NCSRFEU, Regulator), in the field of setting tariffs for housing and communal services as a single regulator of energy and utilities market of Ukraine. The scope of such powers, the possibility of assigning such powers to discretion and the availability of control over their implementation by the public and the court. The topic of the study is more relevant than ever, as Ukraine is in the process of reforming the electricity market, changing conceptual approaches to setting tariffs for housing and communal services. The European Energy Community has set strict requirements for raising tariffs for housing and communal services for the population and bringing them to market value. In this context, it is very important to ensure the proper participation of society in the process of setting tariffs for housing and communal services in fulfilling Ukraine’s international obligations in the field of energy and specifically in ensuring the activities of the Regulator, taking into account the state of civil society development.
 The article, taking into account the positions of scholars and practitioners, analyzes the content of the administrative and legal powers of the Commission in the field of tariff setting. The areas in which the Regulator has the right to set tariffs have been identified. The main problems of legal regulation of the Regulator’s powers have been identified. The necessity of transformation of the legislation in this sphere in order to give the possibility of control of the public and court over decision-making process is proved Regulator in the field of setting tariffs in order to reduce the cost of such services for end users and the implementation of the constitutional principle of the state to ensure the implementation and protection of human and civil rights and freedoms. In addition, an analysis of energy legislation in terms of tariff setting and its imperfections.

Legal guarantees of financial security for providing aid to Ukraine after the war

The paper provides a comprehensive study of legal guarantees of financial security in relation to the provision of assistance for the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine. Ways of holding the Russian Federation accountable for an international illegal act (military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine) and options for the implementation of the future "Marshall Plan" for Ukraine were analyzed, a mechanism for the implementation of the aid program for Ukraine after the war was worked out in a conceptual dimension. It is noted that the Program of Assistance for the Restoration and Reconstruction of Ukraine after the war should become a key direction of coordinated activity of public bodies of Ukraine, which involves the implementation of a complex of measures of a political, administrative, financial nature, as well as at the domestic (national) level in close coordination of public administration bodies, law enforcement and judicial bodies, municipalities and representatives of academia, civil society development institutes, and at the international level with the involvement of G20 states and international organizations. The real state, proposals and available results of the so-called Marshall Plan for Ukraine were considered, in particular, the main sources of aid to Ukraine were analyzed, such as bilateral aid, which will be implemented at the expense of such forms as grants, credit guarantees, loans, inkind contributions, financial support of international institutions through the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the possibility of using confiscated Russian assets and attracting private investment. A set of measures for the implementation of the "Assistance Program for the Reconstruction of the Ukrainian State after the War" has been drawn up.

М.М. Сперанский: особенности российских реформ

The purpose of this article is to analyze the significance and political role of M.M. Speransky as the first theorist and methodologist of Russian reforms based on a rational, scientific approach, with a focus on identifying the civilizational, mental and political specifics of Russia. The article used such methods as historical, comparative and hermeneutic. Speransky was the founder of a special conservative-liberal trend in Russia, according to which, when carrying out any reforms, it is necessary to take into account the stable monarchical, autocratic traditions of public consciousness. He considered optimal the option of "reforms from above" controlled by the supreme power and the state apparatus, with the preservation of guarantees of stability and legality of socio-political processes. Historically, the institutions of the autocratic system were considered by Speransky not as "political rudiments", but as effective "levers" and "mechanisms" for carrying out the necessary transformations. According to Speransky, the reform strategy should include an in-depth analysis of well-thought-out preparatory measures and rational consistency of all elements of the reform program. Social transformations should be cautious, gradual, step-by-step, excluding any drastic, radical steps and measures. At the same time, the most important factors were both the enlightened nature of the state power itself, and the purposeful processes of public education, political education initiated by the authorities, and the formation of a mature legal consciousness in society in the direction of the development of civil society. The conservative-liberal path of reforms under the leadership of the supreme power was opposed by M.M. Speranian revolutionary and radical-liberal methods of socio-political transformations, which have destructive, destructive consequences for the country.

GENDER BALANCE: EUROPEAN INTEGRATION CHALLENGES AND NATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Purpose. The aim of the article is to substantiate essential determinants of gender balance of social development as a driver of competitive development of the national economy. Methodology of research. A systematic approach was used in the article to conduct the research. This approach reflects the role of the gender issue in the modern management system at the global and national levels, as well as a number of specific methods: normative analysis, world-system comparison, structuring, analogy, analytical generalization to identify problems of gender asymmetries and outline ways their solution. Findings. The global gender gap index was analysed and Ukraine's place in it was demarcated. New gender risks for Ukraine caused by a full-scale war with Russia have been verified. It is emphasized that gender equal national housekeepers are more competitive. The essence and components of gender ensuring gender balance in the EU in terms of institutionalizing gender equality at the legislative level, achieving gender prioritization, strategic planning, conducting information and educational campaigns, implementing financial programs, and special measures to increase women's access to decision-making processes are substantiated. The main approaches and problems in the implementation of gender policy in Ukraine are formulated, which should be based on the best European and global practices of gender equality, use modern approaches to solving gender-sensitive problems, prevent gender discrimination, ensure equal participation of women and men in making socially important decisions, combine professional and family responsibilities, prevention of illegal expressions, gender-based violence, development of gender-sensitive civil society, spread of gender culture. Originality. Modern gender asymmetries are identified and zones of the greatest gender segregation in Ukraine are singled out. The directions for the selection of the gender context in the analysis and evaluation of various social processes and all social groups are substantiated, in particular, the evaluation of the effectiveness of public administration by monitoring the observance of gender-oriented vectors in the creation of an institutional basis, the implementation of regulatory levers, strategic planning, program and project tools, budgeting, the implementation of gender-oriented approaches in administrative management practice, etc. A model for monitoring gender integration of national economy management is proposed. Practical value. The obtained results of the study will contribute to increasing the effectiveness of the development and implementation of the gender policy of Ukraine, ensuring gender prioritization in the context of EU integration. Key words: gender asymmetries, gender marginalism, gender prioritization, global gender gap index.

Civil Society Transformation in the Context of Political Radicalism in Eastern Europe

The article studies the current changes taking place in the civil society sector of Eastern European countries under the impact of intensifying radical action on the political environment. One of the key areas of progress of modern states is a further development of democratic values, which depends largely on the activity of the civil society sector. In this regard, the aim of the study was to examine the main problems and areas of change in the development of the civil society sector during the period of intensification of political radicalism in some Eastern European democracies. Methodologically, they used the empirical results of a survey of citizens of Eastern European countries to determine areas of development and key issues of civil society. In conclusion, a comparative analysis of the level of development of the civil sector and the degree of radicalization in Eastern European countries revealed the correlation between the development of civil society and radical policy frameworks.

International Protection of Migrant Workers Rights and Migration Legislation

In the context of deepening international integration in the Eurasian space, the study of the legal protection of migrant workers is fundamental issue for both ensuring socio-economic fairness and gradual transformation of the state sovereignty into the institutional basis of supranational constitutionalism, which guarantees the protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms.Aim. Improving the legal regulation of labor migration at the international, supranational and state levels through the harmonization of migration legislation in the Eurasian region.Tasks. Identification of conflicts and inaccuracies in the legal regulation of labor migration, as well as the development of recommendations for implementation of international agreements on the organized recruitment of workers between the receiving countries and countries of origin of migrants.Methods. A comparative legal analysis of international, supranational and state migration law in the process of research is supplemented by a discursive analysis of scientific literature on labor migration issues.Results. Protecting the socio-economic rights of migrant workers is the main task of host states, where migrants can become ether a criminogenic factor or a constructive social element. It is rational to organize national regulation of labor migration in integration associations of states, such as the EAEU, on the principles of national treatment for migrant workers. International agreements on the organized recruitment of workers between receiving countries and countries of origin of migrants should ensure the adaptation of migrants to the legal regime of the host country, the participation of migrants in the functioning of civil society institutions, and the monitoring of migration processes.Conclusion. Labor migration strengthens integration unions, creating strong social ties and developing civil society institutions within the boundaries of integration associations. Since state sovereignty is inextricably linked with the protection of the interests of fellow citizens, insofar as in the process of regulating labor migration, all states participating in regional integration are called upon not only to protect the rights of migrant workers, but also to provide all conditions for migrants to fulfill their obligations to civil society.

Toward a Better Understanding of Social Origins Theory: A Historical Narrative of Vienna’s Civil Society Organizations

Social origins theory explains variation between civil societies by power relations between socioeconomic classes and by path dependencies. There have been few systematic reflections on which dimensions of civil society depend on these factors and can thus be explained by the theory. With the help of a historical narrative of the eventful history of Vienna’s civil society, in which traditional, liberal, social democratic, statist, and corporatist patterns feature, we tentatively identify ten such dimensions: CSOs’ original founding dates; fields of activity; societal roles; reliance on volunteers and paid staff; political and religious affiliation; the relationship with government when engaging in advocacy; organizational governance structures; socioeconomic characteristics of CSOs’ workforce, board members, and service recipients; CSOs’ funding sources; and CSOs’ sizes. We suggest that civil society research would benefit from the anthropological approach of deriving etic categories for comparing civil societies and explaining the similarities and differences between them by consolidating single case studies that analyze the development of specific civil societies from an emic perspective.

Liderstvo v publichnomu upravlinni: perspektyvy rozvytku v Ukraini

In modern conditions, Ukraine sets many tasks, based on the democratization of public administration. To a large extent, this applies to the development of leadership and methods of ensuring it as a universal lever through which the state influences the condition of social, economic and political development. Leadership as a stabilizing factor of public administration, integrates the interests of different groups of the population, plays an important role in their lives, activities, group decisions that are important for each member of such a group. Leadership development includes strategies, objectives and goals of public service activities that will help improve the quality of public administration. Aspects related to management activities can be developed on the basis of an institutional environment that provides a clear legal basis for the functioning of the public service; development of civil society and effective communication between government and citizens; organizes models of educational and scientific activities related to the acquisition of knowledge and competencies of public administration specialists and research on the development of leadership in public administration. It is noteworthy that a person who seeks public recognition and support from the general public must necessarily demonstrate a willingness to implement the socially expected constructs that function in the mass consciousness as a social ideal. However, the methods of achieving such designs can be radically different up to the choice of diametrically opposed and mutually exclusive directions. It turns out that the despotic form of political domination in most cases leads to the regression of civil society and the state as a whole. Methodologically, the approach to the development of knowledge, skills and competencies of public administration leaders should be based on democratic principles and educational approaches that will form civic and managerial knowledge (competencies), namely, the ability to solve complex problems in professional and innovative spheres with the potential of obtaining and forming new knowledge or practices; ability to identify and solve systemic problems of social significance in key areas of activity. Public sector leadership is a combination of skills and competencies that provide personal influence, goal setting, and strategic thinking. Leaders are the initiators of change and key figures in the success of democratic administrative reform. They formulate strategies and determine how to implement them. Defining the prospects for the development of leadership in public administration is currently very important and is seen as a key to improving the capacity of social governance, which will depend on the sustainable development of the whole country.

2005년 이후 폴란드의 자유민주주의 공고화 전략과 정책

This paper analyzes the consolidation of liberal democracy in Poland after 2005 based on the system transition stage theory. The nine indicators are selected for it: the guarantee of basic rights, the separation of powers, the government changes by elections, the existence of non-official power groups, the stabilization of the political party system, the operation of the market, the guarantee of private property rights, economic development, the development of civil society, the spread of democratic political culture, and a fair free media. Since PiS took power in 2015, the independence of the judiciary has been greatly threatened through reforms to the constitutional order. The basic rights guaranteed in the constitution were also limited by the enactment and revision of the Police Act, the Anti-Terrorism Act, and the Assembly Act. The changes of government through elections have been successfully implemented since the system transition in 1989, but the party system has not been stabilized due to the merger and division between parties. Almost all economic indicators in the economic sphere show that Poland has succeeded in its transition to the market economy system. Polish civil society has gradually increased its power. PiS is increasing its control over the media through the amendments of related laws. Overall, during the PiS rule, the consolidation of liberal democracy is regressing.

Civil activity of generations in modern Russian society

The article presents the results of a sociological study of the manifestations of social activity of representatives of various age groups (young, mature, old age) of citizens of the Russian Federation. The relevance of the study is caused by the need to assess the scale and specifics of intergenerational contradictions and gaps in modern Russian society. These contradictions are due to disproportions in the demographic structure of the population and the financial situation of generations. Intergenerational gaps are manifested primarily in differences in value systems, vision of the image of the future, mastery of digital skills, as well as in the practices of forms of activity and motivations for civil participation.
 The study is based on the theory of generations. The network approach was chosen as the methodological basis. The method of collecting empirical data was an online survey of Russian citizens aged 15 years and older (N = 1600), the formation of a sample population was subject to representation by age, gender and area of residence. The study compared the civil activity of generations by the level of social interaction, readiness for joint actions and the intensity of civil actions. There were revealed differences in the problem field and motives for civil participation of generations. The study shows the preferred forms of civic engagement of generations in offline and online spaces. The revealed ratio of forms of civil activity is compared with the data of the survey of the social and political activity of Russians VCIOM-Sputnik. The vision by different age groups of key ways for the development of civil engagement is also indicated.
 The article partly explains generational gaps by age differences in the choice of informational channels and the level of digital skills. If previouly in offline civil engagement, a higher level of participation corresponded to an increase in the age of citizens, then in the digital environment, the younger generation shows a greater readiness for civil action. Based on the analysis, the author comes to the conclusion about the low potential of civil engagement, that is due to the frustration of Russians' social relations during periods of socialisation of generations. The author believes that there is a weak social interaction and a high level of disunity between citizens in Russian society. The younger generation, despite the high declared civil activity, unlike the older generations, is not disposed to make significant efforts in social activity and shows a penchant for collectivist forms of participation. With a weak potential for activity, the development of Russian civil society can be facilitated by the assistance of state institutions that harmonise relations between generations.

Membedah Diskursus Sinodalitas Paus Fransiskus dan Relevansinya terhadap Kehidupan Menggereja di Indonesia

Abstract: This article intends to critically dissect Pope Francis’ discourse on synodality at the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the institution of the Synod of Bishops on 17 October 2015. First of all, it tackles the<br />concept of synodality briefly and then elaborate on the various aspects of synodality. By using the method of content analysis and literature study, the author - in the light of Pope Francis’ discourse - seeks to provide some<br />critical notes on what the spirit and practice of synodality does means and does not mean. The novelty of this article lies in its attempt to see the relevance of the discourse for the Indonesian context. The author argues that the themes of clericalism, democratization in the Church, the development of civil society based on justice and brotherhood, dialogue between religions are relevant for our context. The author concludes that a correct understanding of synodality as a constitutive dimension of the Church must be possessed by all the faithful because it greatly determines the existence and the life of the Church as well as Her mission in the world. <br /> <br /><strong>Key words:</strong> Diskursus, sinodalitas, Paus Fransiskus, Gereja, Konteks Indonesia

Logit Model for Estimating Non-Profit Organizations’ Financial Status as a Part of Non-Profit Financial Management

The non-profit sector plays an important role in the American and European continents, as non-profit organizations support the development of civil society and help people in need. However, most non-profit organizations (NPO) are financially dependent on various donors from the private sector. Nowadays, non-profit organizations focus on improving their non-profit financial management. This research aims to assess the financial status of Slovak non-profit organizations, using binary logistic regression. The initial sample includes 351 Slovak NPOs, which are divided into a training and test sub-sample. The data were obtained from Amadeus, FinStat, the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic, and the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic. The logit model shows that the significant variables are equity ratio, debt ratio, operating margin, and type of NPO using the statistical–analytical program IBM SPSS 25. The model also implies that non-profit organizations should focus on the revenue structure and revenues from the sale of products. The prediction model correctly classifies 97.03% of NPOs in the training sub-sample and 96.61% of NPOs in the test sub-sample. Moreover, more than 70% of vulnerable NPOs are correctly classified.