European Dimension Research Articles

Andalusian university students’ perception of their European identity: international orientation and experiences

ABSTRACT Multicultural European societies increasingly demand internationally oriented citizens, who are willing to actively participate in civic life and able to successfully access the labour market. The European dimension in education supposedly endows youngsters with civic values, multiculturalist attitudes and plurilingual competences which ultimately lead to raising awareness of their Europeanness. Formative years at university, pivotal to students’ individual life course and projects, are a decisive stage in the development of supranational, collective identity-formation. Similarly, pan-European study programmes are aimed at inspiring a sense of European citizenship and identity, the most renowned of which within the Higher Education context is Erasmus+. By conducting focus group interviews, this paper probes Andalusian university students’ understanding of their European identity and verifies the causal dynamics between European identity-taking and foreign country sojourns, comparing the perceptions expressed by returnees to those by students who have not had the opportunity to participate in international study programmes (ISP) at higher education yet. Results evidence students’ apparent supranational orientation, general awareness of commonalities across Europe and utilitarian outlooks on the EU, although not a clear discernment of its institutions or a marked European identity.

Регіональний компонент дошкільної освіти Донеччини: виклики сучасності та шляхи їх вирішення

The article is devoted to the modern issues of pre-school education in Donetsk region. The article presents the statistic information concerning the development of a network of pre-school education institutions in Donetsk region during the military aggression – the general number of institutions in the cities/regions, the number of children involved into pre-school education, the number of pre-school groups with prioritized ways of development, the number of institutions which operate in the so called “grey zone” and the number of children who get pre-school education in the designated institutions under dangerous conditions, staff assistance, etc. The statistical data concerning the language of the educational process in pre-school institutions of the region are separately represented in the article. The article uncovers special features of the organization and topical issues of Donetsk region pre-school education based on regulatory documents and the programme “Donetsk region education in European dimension. 2017‒2020”. The attention is payed to the modern challenges for Donetsk region education; modern educational challenges have been characterized as national-patriotic upbringing, inclusion, implementation of sustainable development and creation of a safe and child-friendly pre-school education institution. The article focuses on bilingual environment of the region and the necessity to pay attention to this specific aspect while organizing educational activities with preschoolers. The information regarding the results of the pre-school education institutions of Donetsk region involved into educational projects has been summarized. The article presents the forms and methods of pursuing the principle of regionality in pre-school education institutions. Some ways of combining the general regional and the regional components in the educational process of pre-school education institutions under conditions of reformations within the system of education have been proposed. Keywords: modern pedagogical challenge, child-centrism, national patriotic education, inclusion, inclusive education, sustainable development.

Trends in the development of adult education (second half of XX – beginning of XXI century): european dimension

Trends in the development of adult education (second half of XX – beginning of XXI century): european dimension

Alice Stopford Green and Vernon Lee: Salon Culture and Intellectual Exchange

Abstract Archival evidence of the connection between Alice Stopford Green (1847–1929) and Vernon Lee (1856–1935) is restricted to a handful of letters and a few scattered references in ancillary documents. Extant correspondence provides a glimpse into the conversation and concerns of these two important European intellectuals, demonstrating their nascent interest in questions of social justice. Using network theory as a lens, this essay traces the contours of this connection, initiated during a formative period for both in the fertile context of the salons and dining rooms of London in the 1880s. This connection demonstrates the importance of social networks for women writers, artists, intellectuals and activists during the fin de siècle. By exploring the limited archival remnants of this friendship, this study highlights the Irish and European dimensions of Victorian metropolitan culture. It was because of salon culture that women with strikingly different backgrounds and sensibilities could connect and explore ideas of mutual concern, with reverberations for their political positioning and activism in subsequent decades.

ЄВРОПЕЇЗАЦІЯ ОСВІТИ УКРАЇНИ: СУТНІСТЬ ТА НАСЛІДКИ ВПЛИВУ

The article reveals the essence of the process of Europeanization of education in Ukraine. It examines the concept of «Europeanization», analyzes the mechanisms of Europeanization («vertical» and «horizontal» Europeanization), the main political actors of Europeanization (the Council of Europe and the EU). The typology of ‘Europeanization’ is applied within four broad categories: as an historical process; as a matter of cultural diffusion, as a process of institutional adaptation; and as the adaptation of policy and policy processes. The article studies the mechanisms of Europeanization which are basically differentiated between ‘vertical’ and ‘horizontal’ Europeanization. Vertical mechanisms demarcate the European level where policy is defined (mainly European Union and the Council of Europe) and the domestic level, where policy is implemented. Horizontal mechanisms involve a different form of adjustment to Europe based on the market or on patterns of socialization.Europeanization is connected with the European dimension in national arenas of politics and policies: common policies (tariff union, competition regulations of the common market, monetary policy, trade) and of shared competence (social policy, agriculture etc.).In the article the main political actors in education policy - Council of Europe and EU - are analysed. The Council is determined by three fundamental democratic values: human rights, pluralist democracy and the rule of law. Themes of the Council’s activities in education have focused on five areas: education policies and reforms, education for democratic citizenship, modern languages, history teaching. The European dimension includes the following issues: European identity and European citizenship; student mobility, school links and exchanges; non-formal education; intercultural education; interfaith dialogue, in-service teacher training.An overview about four broad phases in an economic and social context is presented: 1957–1971 – ‘Pre-History’ of Education and Training; 1971–1992 – the Foundation Years for Cooperation in Education; 1992-2000 - the Emergence of the Concepts of Lifelong Learning and KnowledgeBased Society; 2000-2006 - the Lisbon Strategy for 2010 and Lifelong Learning.The eight competences are identified which include: communication in the mother tongue; communication in foreign languages; basic competences in maths, science and technology; digital competence; learning to learn; interpersonal, intercultural and social competences, and civic competence; entrepreneurship; and cultural expression. The last part of the article is about education for sustainable development. It looks at the perspective of the EU through meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Hardware-in-the-Loop Testing of Automatic Lift Dropping System for Heavy Trucks

This paper focuses on a novel hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) system designed for developing the automatic operation of the axle lifting and dropping system for heavy trucks for compliance with the European Union Mass and Dimensions Policy and for evaluating the developed system for different axle loading, road slippage, truck speed, handbrake position and driver input combinations. Such a system is expected to be advantageous over manual operation in fuel consumption, tire wear, road surface damage and ease of taking off on slippery surfaces. An auto lift/drop algorithm in the form of a State Transition Diagram (STM) was developed to meet these requirements and has been implemented in the developed HIL simulation system that contains mechanical, pneumatic, electrical and control elements and a TruckMaker simulation model. In the HIL simulator, the electronic control unit (ECU) operated as if it is working in the real truck. Comprehensive scenarios can be generated and executed in this HIL simulation environment to test the algorithm and the set-up itself before the more expensive and time consuming experimental verification with a real truck. This approach allowed the lift axle automation algorithm and hardware to be tested fully in a safe lab environment where the algorithm could be improved and optimized Results of the HIL simulation verified the advantages of such an automated lift axle lifting and dropping system over manually operated axle dropping systems. The developed system was successfully implemented later in a truck and was used in series production trucks.

Why Brexit Will Do Little to Change the Political Contours of the European Social Dimension

Integration within the European social dimension, understood as the EU’s competence in the field of employment and social policy, has been fraught with obstacles. Divisions between the EU’s Member States have limited integration and resulted in a complex and piecemeal system of governance that is low down on the EU’s list of priorities. The UK is often regarded as a major obstacle limiting the scope of integration in the field and this is not without good reason. Historically, the UK has formed coalitions to block policy negotiations within the European Council and has pushed for minimal neoliberal obligations in the field. The UK’s departure from the EU could result in a step-change for the European social dimension. However, as this article will argue, the UK’s departure from the EU will do little to alter the current dominance of a neoliberal market-led ideology, as it currently transcends the political agency of the UK.

Brexit and higher education in Europe: the role of ideas in shaping internationalisation strategies in times of uncertainty

Based on thematic data analysis of reports from a qualitative cross-country study, the article explores the perceptions of Brexit and collaborations with the UK in different EU countries through the lens of discursive institutionalism. We suggest that in the context of uncertainty characteristic of the post-Brexit referendum period, ideas related to economic concerns and strategic repositioning of national higher education systems subsume the values attached to the European dimension of higher education and research policies. The ideal of educational cooperation based on cultural diversity and national varieties is overridden by concerns expressed in terms of economic rationales. These findings corroborate research that argues that collaboration/cooperation has become a pragmatic and instrumental endeavour. In time, and if the current climate of uncertainty persists, this may further reconfigure institutional strategies and lead institutions to focus on problem-solutions rather than the pursuit of the political ends of cooperation.

European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018. A deeper reflection on the promotion of Europe’s cultural diversity

The European Year of Cultural Heritage has activated a reflection on the European dimension of Cultural Heritage recognizing the value of this fundamental resource for sustainable development. The activities of the Year aimed at enhancing the richness and the diversity of Europe ’s Cultural Heritage and at strengthen ing the sense of belonging to a common European space. They also offered the oppo rtunity to reflect on how to better protect and promote this fundamental resource for Europe, build ing our common future through a shared understanding of the past.

Sharing Heritage Reflections after EYCH 2018 about the place of cultural heritage for future cooperation in Europe

During the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018 we offered new ways for participation of the broader society. We used the motto SHARING HERITAGE to invite everybody to join in the opportunities and events all over the country during 2018. Especially we invited to discover the European dimension of our local and regional located cultural heritage. To stimulate new European experiences in known or unknown and divers cultural heritage that was one of our central aims. During and after EYCH 2018 we got a lot of positive response and we can reflect some important messages for the future work in heritage communication, education and European cooperation. EYCH was a great success and much more than a year of events. It gave a us a lot of impulse to go on with SHARING HERITAGE.

ORGANIZATION AND CONTENT CHARACTERISTICS OF INITIAL EDUCATION OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

The article deals with the key organization and content characteristics of initial education of the English language teachers, proper to the national educational systems in the European Union. The minimum level and general duration of initial education course that gives the right to work as a teacher in secondary educational institutions are presented. The comparative analysis of the total duration of the course of the English language teacher training in EU countries has been carried out. The main components of the content of the English language teachers’ professional education are stressed upon.The research is carried out on the assumption that the diversity, which is a characteristic feature of pedagogical education in the countries of the European Union due to the processes of historical and socio-political development of the region, in some way unifies and acquires the characteristics and features proper to the whole European educational dimension. The comprehensive consideration of this problem causes the aim of the article, which is to analyze the organization and content characteristics of initial education of the English language teachers in the European Union in terms of their systemic and interdependent nature.The analysis of organization and content of initial education of the English language teachers in the countries of the European Union has shown that various models of professional education of pedagogical staff have been created in order to improve the quality of teachers’ education, to acquire the necessary skills, prepare intending teachers to professional activity, ensuring their needs for continuous professional development, motivation for quality teaching activity at secondary educational institutions.

Multicenter Prospective Study of Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Korea.

Backgrounds/AimsThis multicenter study aims to evaluate the effect and feasibility of anti-reflux surgery compared with medical treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).MethodsPatients with GERD who were undergoing medical treatment with proton pump inhibitors for more than 8 weeks and those who were scheduled to undergo anti-reflux surgery were enrolled. Efficacy of pre-operative medical treatment was evaluated retrospectively and effect of anti-reflux surgery was prospectively evaluated at 1 week and 3 months after surgery. Quality of life (QOL) was also investigated before and after surgery.ResultsBetween February and October 2018, 51 patients underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for treating GERD at 5 hospitals in Korea. Thirty-four patients (66.7%) showed poor proton pump inhibitor response. At 3 months after surgery, heartburn was completely resolved in 87.9% patients and partially improved in 9.1%. Acid regurgitation was completely resolved in 82.9% and partially improved in 11.4%. Atypical extraesophageal symptoms were completely controlled in 45.5% and partially controlled in 36.4%. GERD-related QOL scores at 1 week after surgery significantly improved compared with pre-operative scores. There was no difference in GERD-related QOL scores between 1 week and 3 months after surgery. General QOL measured with European QOL-5 dimensions and health-related QOL instrument with 8 items significantly improved after anti-reflux surgery. Satisfaction with treatment was significantly higher after surgery than before surgery (72.5% vs 11.8%, P < 0.001).ConclusionAnti-reflux surgery improved GERD symptoms and QOL in patients. Anti-reflux surgery is an effective treatment option compared with medical treatment for GERD patients selected for surgical treatment.

Financial support and taxation aspects of tourism activities development in Ukraine

The subject of the study is the theoretical and practical aspects of the implementation of financial security and taxation of tourism in Ukraine. The purpose of the work is to identify the features of financial activities and the specifics of taxation of tourist enterprises and the development of practical recommendations for their improvement. Methodological basis of the article became as general scientific, and special methods of scientific knowledge. Were used methods: dialectical, monographic, historical, system-structural analysis and synthesis, problem and program-target approaches, definition of financial results and tax standards. Results of work. The article describes the features of achievement and taking into account the financial results of the activities of tourism enterprises, operators and agents. The specifics of taxation and types of taxes, their disadvantages and advantages are revealed. The directions of improvement of financing, taxation and general activity are grounded in order to increase the efficiency and competitiveness of the tourism industry in the national, European and global dimensions. The field of application of results. Conclusions and results of the article can be used in the educational-scientific process of the economic faculties of higher educational institutions. It is expedient to transfer them for practical use in the management of tourism activities at the enterprise level, in the administration of taxes, in the activities of public organizations, rural communities. Conclusions. It was determined that shortcomings in the process of financing tourism enterprises and administration of taxes led to the emergence of a set of problems of their development. This is a low level of tax culture as a result of the disrespectful attitude of taxpayers towards their payment; widespread use of tax evasion schemes; significant budget arrears of VAT refunds. Therefore, measures for the development and improvement of the tax system for tourism companies should take into account the identified shortcomings and build on the concept of increasing tax discipline by taxpayers on the one hand, as well as reducing their quantity, volumes, unification from the side of the fiscal service and other institutions on the other. This will increase their competitiveness, including in the global dimension.

Polish Experience of Foreign Language Teachers’ Training

AbstractStudying the experience of foreign language teachers’ professional training in developed foreign countries opens up new opportunities for improving the system of pedagogical education in conditions of its adaptation to the requirements of the European educational space. Of a significant scientific interest are the progressive achievements of countries that demonstrate a high level of foreign language teachers’ professional training in accordance with international standards; have rich historical traditions of education that contributes to their leading role in science and education at the regional and global levels; have gained considerable experience in the field of foreign language teachers’ professional training in the new socio-cultural conditions. It is emphasized that the language policy of the European Union demonstrates the crucial importance of language learning in the integration processes. It is also underlined that in modern international documents on the modernization of the foreign language teachers’ professional training it is stated that modern educational transformations should facilitate the implementation of a European dimension in the foreign languages teachers’ training. The establishment of new values related to the search for a multicultural, multi-ethnic and multi-linguistic Europe depends to a great extent on the ability of the teacher to develop a European consciousness and an individual sense of moral responsibility in a pluralistic society. The paper presents the results of collective scientific research, in particular, the peculiarities of the foreign language teachers’ professional training in Poland are presented and the recommendations on the creative use of constructive ideas of the progressive experience in the process of updating the system of pedagogical education are outlined.

Foreign immigration to Italy: crisis and the transformation of flows

ABSTRACTThe worldwide economic crisis of 2008 ushered in a transitional phase for immigration in Italy. This complex process brought far-reaching change to the situation for migrants, generated by an indissoluble link with rapid and vertiginous changes to international migrant flows owing to the conflicts that broke out across the Middle East and North Africa. The article intends to reconstruct this new historical phase, highlighting mainly the developments of national migration policies and the related debate, especially with respect to the relationship with the European dimension.

Food Consumption Habits and Food Security Challenges among Immigrants

There is no single behaviour path for migrants after arrival in the destination country. The cases of their successful integration in the host country social environment are not rare, and healthy immigrant effect, indeed, often occurs showing that not always shift to the new living conditions, culture and food traditions preclude healthy food habits of the migrants. However, there are still many factors, both individual and social environment-related, which increase overweight and obesity risk. Quantitative and qualitative research findings have shown that food insecurity can be simultaneously a cause and a consequence of migration. Including religious identities, food has largely become a distinctive factor of the identities of individuals and communities. The distribution of eating habits from migrant source countries, in particular, from Africa to the host European countries is dramatically changing the European cultural dimension. Food has appeared to be one of the main factors of migrants’ integration in European countries. Food insecurity is a critical push factor. Current research emphasised that integration programmes should rely not only on basic language and cultural aspects but also on food, improving the contribution of the food traditions of migrants, while also inspiring in this field interactions and contributions via this medium among long-standing and newly-forming societies. This article focuses on key food challenges, which migrants face in destination countries and factors as causes of these challenges. We also discuss barriers to migration policy change and provide possible ways to mitigate these barriers.

Ideology in Times of Crisis a Principal Component Analysis of Votes in the European Parliament, 2004–2019

This paper aims to identify the main dividing lines that determine the voting behaviour of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and how they evolved throughout the crisis. Introducing a new database that collects and classifies the full population of plenary votes from 2004 to 2019, this work uses principal component analysis to identify the latent patterns on which MEPs ally and divide. Focussing on economic votes, it finds that, while pre-crisis votes were mainly determined by differences across the left-vs-right spectrum and, only secondly, by differences in support for European integration, the crisis inverted this trend, making support for Europe the most relevant dividing line in the European Parliament. In support of this evidence, the paper introduces a new vote-scraping technique to investigate the ideological nature of these dimensions. Vote scraping reveals that the left-right cleavage is mainly ideological but with limited impact on budgetary resources, whereas the European dimension mostly reflects a conflict over the budget, with higher legislative impact and seemingly low ideological content.

About FairTax

Our research shows that in the ongoing discussion concerning ‘the social dimension of Europe’, it appears that there is much to gain if the tax policy interaction between Member States and the European Union, which is currently taking place within the European Semester, could be extended to consider that taxes are one of the most efficient instruments to achieve social and welfare policy outcomes.

Towards a new philosophy of history. European Vichianism and Neapolitan Hegelianism (1804–48)

ABSTRACTThis article examines how Hegel’s reception among nineteenth-century Neapolitan authors went hand-in-hand with a renewed interest in Giambattista Vico’s philosophy of history. It considers the mechanisms of circulation and reception that shaped responses to Hegelianism within the broader context of European debates on La Scienza Nuova. These developments largely directed Neapolitans’ understanding of Hegel’s ideas and encouraged the merging of local thought with wider European currents. Neapolitan Hegelians engaged very extensively with the works of French and northern Italian authors, such as Jules Michelet and Carlo Cattaneo, who had understood Vico as a proponent of an absolute concept of historical time that neatly dovetailed with the philosophical preoccupations common among German idealists. The article makes a case for a transnational understanding of Neapolitan Hegelianism, arguing that this current of thought did not merely stem from the passive absorption of Hegel’s ideas, but emerged as the synthesis of a local and a European dimension of philosophy.

The Modern World in European Dimension

The Modern World in European Dimension