System In Poland Research Articles

Factual and experiential understanding as the goals of the 21st century education

The author draws our attention to the importance and complexity of developing learners' understanding as the goal of education. Her starting point is the proposal of distinguishing two types of understanding, arising from different paradigms and highlighting different aspects of this process. She distinguishes factual understanding, which is the focus of traditional pedagogy embedded in the positivist paradigm, which comes down to the mental process of updating knowledge about objective reality, and experiential understanding, the importance of which is recognized by humanistic pedagogy, which assumes that the world available to a man is a reality of values and meanings, and the process of understanding should be considered as a feature of the human way of being, consisting in their constant interpretation. In the context of this duality of meanings of understanding, she considers the presence of factual and experiential understanding in the teleological pedagogical discourse - creating goals for the 21st century education. For this purpose, she reflects on leading international educational reports and documents regarding the education system in Poland (educational reports and provisions of legal acts), as well as recalls the classic taxonomy of goals, which is a model for practitioners in formulating educational goals. The analyzes lead to the conclusion that while at the level of setting the final goals, the importance of education in understanding the world in the sense of experiential understanding is indicated, this perspective changes at the level of intermediate and specific goals, where understanding has only material connotations.

Description of the criteria governing the areas of overlap between the competence of KRUS and ZUS in respect of farmers who are subject to social insurance

The Social Insurance Institution (PL: Zakład Ubezpieczeń Społecznych, ZUS) and the Agricultural Social Insurance Fund (PL: Kasa Rolniczego Ubezpieczenia Społecznego, KRUS) are among the constituent parts of the social security system in Poland. In principle, both institutions function in such a way that there is no overlap between the areas of their competence, but there are certain forms of professional activity which, when carried out by an insured farmer or his/her household member, result in an overlap between the social insurance titles. These include in particular a non-agricultural business activity, an agency contract, a contract of mandate or other contract for the provision of services to which the provisions on the mandate apply and serving on a supervisory board. The main aim of the article is to analyse the ways to deal with and mechanisms which govern cases when the competence of KRUS and ZUS overlaps for certain farmers subject to social insurance and to present the normative acts containing regulations in this area. Keywords: serving on a supervisory board, non-agricultural business activity, social insurance, agency contract, contract of mandate

Post-Sentence Mediation – Its Rationale and Importance in the Light of the Teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. A Look from the Perspective of a Catholic Country

Victim-offender mediation in enforcement proceedings is a new challenge for the justice system in Poland and many countries around the world. The number of such mediations is currently very small. The lack of appropriate regulations and enthusiasm among representatives of the studies and its practitioners make it difficult to search for a way to popularize a conciliatory attitude in enforcement proceedings. The authors of this publication seek arguments in favour of post-sentence mediation in the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. The importance of faith and religion in the lives of many people (including convicts) and an analysis of the texts of Sacred Scripture and statements of clergymen on forgiveness and satisfaction allow us to be optimistic about the Church’s efforts to encourage the implementation of principles so important to restorative justice.

The Polish adaptation of the blood donation fears inventory

Background and objectivesGiven the decline in the number of voluntary blood donors in Poland and the lack of psychological research on blood donors and the donation system in the country, there is a need to develop a tool to measure barriers to recruiting new donors and retaining active donors. One significant barrier is the presence of specific fears associated with the blood donation process. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to perform the Polish adaptation of the Blood Donation Fears Inventory (the BDFI). Materials and methodsThe Polish adaptation of the BDFI was developed and tested on a sample of 409 individuals, consisting of 194 (47.5%) voluntary blood donors and 214 (52.5%) non-donors. The original tool comprises an 18-item scale that measures four different types of fears related to the blood donation process: (1) Fear of Syncopal Symptoms, (2) Fear of Blood and Needles, (3) Fear of Social Evaluation, and (4) Fear of Health Screen Results. ResultsTo determine the psychometric properties of the scale, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis (RMSEA =.098; CFI =.958; TLI =.935; SRMR =.035), second-order factor analysis (RMSEA =.097; CFI =.958; TLI =.936; SRMR =.036; NNFI =.936; NFI =.938), and bifactor analysis (RMSEA =.093; CFI =.969; TLI =.942; SRMR =.036; NNFI =.942; NFI =.952) were conducted. The reliability of the tool was assessed using Cronbach's Alpha and McDonald's Omega, resulting in high coefficients (ranging from.92 to.97) for each scale. Internal consistency was examined using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), while external consistency was examined using the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience (SPANE) and the Self-esteem Scale (SES). ConclusionSatisfactory results were obtained, establishing the Polish adaptation of the BDFI. This tool represents a novel contribution to the research on the blood donation system in Poland

Economic effects of introducing a deposit-return system for packaging in Poland

The introduction of a deposit-return system for certain packaging in Poland, scheduled for 2025 will be a significant change to the system of waste management instruments. The aim of the article is to identify and analyze the economic effects of the introducing such a system, with particular emphasis on plastic beverage bottles. Analysis of the newly introduced regulations, as well as projections based on data on packaging placed on the market and its recycling allowed us to estimate the scale of these effects, in quantitative and monetary terms. We concluded that the introduction of a deposit system in Poland would contribute to achieving the objectives set out in the Single Use Plastic directive; a goal that is unlikely to be met with the current system. This will be done at a lower cost than if the system remained in its current form.

Land trusts as a complementary solution to nature conservation system in Poland

This article is a new voice in the debate on the future of nature conservation in Poland. It develops the subject of grass-roots initiatives in the context of the most important contemporary challenges related to area-based nature conservation. In this context, the article introduces land trusts - one of the tools that seems to meet the expectations of social organisations involved in environmental protection. The article's description of the potential place of land trusts in the Polish system of nature conservation is complemented by a review of the seed forms currently emerging without systemic support and by an analysis of the methods used in other countries to finance such initiatives. The research methods used for this type of analysis are heuristic methods based on a comprehensive literature review and a detailed analysis of practical examples and solutions. In conclusion, this article confirms the validity of conducting further research on land trusts as a possible complement to the nature conservation system in Poland.

Legal determinants of control and supervision in the health system in Poland

The crisis triggered by the SARS-CoV-2 virus epidemic has demonstrated how much of a challenge it is for each Member State of the European Union to ensure the implementation of its health policy in accordance with the pro-visions of Article 168 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Unionand in a spirit of European solidarity. The aim of this article is to present the legal determinants of supervision and control of the implementation of health policy in Poland in terms of its subjective and objective scopes, and their analysis in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. The subject of this article includes the systematisation in legal terms of the competencies and tasks of the entitiesresponsible for the implementation of the state health policy, an indication of the criteria for supervision and control in health protection, and the presentation of the principles and techniques of control carried out in this area of thestate activity. The result of the analysis is the conclusion that the provisions of law ensure the proper functioning of the system of control and supervision system in the area of health protection.

Pregraduate and postgraduate education of laboratory diagnosticians in Poland

Laboratory medicine is an interdisciplinary knowledge that uses different scientific disciplines, such as basic science as well as biological, biomedical and clinical science. What’s more, the nomenclature in this field varies: laboratory medicine, laboratory diagnostics, in which several specializations can be distinguished. Laboratory medicine students during pregraduate education should be prepared to have a good foundation to the specialization from given laboratory field. This article describes the laboratory diagnostician education system in Poland on the pregraduate level of Master degree in laboratory medicine and postgraduate education within the specialization program. The article also presents the minimal educational requirements, graduate competencies and law regulations regarding the profession of laboratory diagnostician.

Medieval Origins of the “Jagiellonian Idea” and Its International Contexts

The purpose of the article is to show the genesis of the “Jagiellonian idea,” which the author links to the political and social changes in medieval Poland of the Piast era. Ecclesiastical law, which was associated with close relations with the Holy See and Rome, exerted a great influence on the formation of the state system of that time. Under the influence of these ties, the social system in Poland took shape somewhat differently than in other regions of Europe that were dominated by absolutism and had autocratic rulers. Under the law of the time, all members of society, despite class differences, were bound by the same ethical and moral principles. After the Jagiellonians took over the reign, the system evolved into a mixed monarchy, in which power was shared by three parliamentary branches: the king, the senate and the chamber of deputies.

Sustainable development and the health care system in Poland – an outline of the problem

One of the goals of sustainable development specified in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is to ensure “healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages health”. And while great progress has been made in recent years in improving people’s health situation, inequalities in access to health care still exist. The goal of reducing inequalities in access to health care is not easy to achieve, which is also evident in Poland, where, as in many other European countries, the health care system is under pressure due to rising costs and demand for services from an aging population. The consequences of this, for example, are shortages of medical personnel and problems with access to health care and long waiting times for health services. The shortage of medical professionals is a worldwide phenomenon. However, the ratio of physicians per 1,000 inhabitants is lower in Poland than in most Western European countries. The level of public funding is also lower. Additional efforts are therefore needed, on the way to the universal availability of medical services, and thus the realization of sustainable development goals. The aim was to introduce the topic and analyze the health care system in Poland from the perspective of sustainability issues, particularly access to health care.

COVID-19 and labour market adjustments: policies, foreign labour and structural shifts

ABSTRACT The paper looks at one of the most dynamically evolving migration processes in contemporary Europe – labour migrants in Poland. Poland, until very recently a typical emigration country started receiving large numbers of migrants only after 2014. This process, however, cannot be explained in supply terms only. In fact, it was also a strong structural demand for foreign workers that played at least an equally important role. This newly established migration system has been tested during the pandemic along with policy adjustments and economic changes. We claim that despite the very fact that the ‘essential workers’ rhetoric was almost absent in the Polish public discourse, foreign workers played a significant role in securing the continuous operation of many sectors of the economy. The paper shows that the role of migration in Poland has changed along with the transition from a net-sending to a net-receiving country, but still it worked as a safety valve during the pandemic. We argue it was possible because of liberal rules regarding international movement and work abroad. By focusing on the role of exogenous shocks and by considering the very specific migration system in Poland, this paper contributes to the growing literature on the labour market-immigration nexus.

MODEL FUNKCJONALNO-PRZESTRZENNY (W STRATEGII ROZWOJU) JAKO INSTRUMENT PLANOWANIA I STEROWANIA PRZEKSZTAŁCENIAMI STRUKTURY MIASTA I AGLOMERACJI

The article, based on the example of Krakow and the Krakow metropolis, discusses the method of managing space through the Development Strategy document, and in particular the recently launched Functional and Spatial Structure Model. After analyzing three documents of the Strategy, conclusions are drawn regarding the shortcomings resulting from these documents and good practices related to them. The guidelines may be helpful for other metropolises and for improving the current economic and spatial planning system in Poland. The article also draws attention to the authors of individual documents, which is particularly important in times of depreciation of the urban planning profession.

Changes in regional settlement systems in Poland

Abstract This article is an attempt to identify regularities in changes in regional settlement systems in Poland with an indication of the elements that showed the highest population dynamics (growth or decline) in particular periods, thus contributing to changes in the structure of these systems. In order to show similarities and differences in the course of the analyzed changes, univariate statistical measures (median, quartiles) were used. This allowed for presenting a dynamic typology of these changes in order to show their cyclical nature and spatial diversity. The results show that these processes do not occur in a similar direction in all regions. The model of consistent changes in the size structure of cities concerns the settlement core of the country (Mazowieckie, Wielkopolskie, Małopolskie), while the resequential changes generally took place in the agricultural peripheries of the country (Podlaskie, Warmińsko-mazurskie), which were drained from the demographic potential by the migration outflow of the population the earliest, as well as in industrial regions (Śląskie, Łódzkie), where the political and economic transformation significantly affected population processes.

Internet in the Middle of Nowhere: Performance of Geoportals in Rural Areas According to Core Web Vitals

The spatial planning system in Poland is undergoing a fundamental reform. It emphasises the digital representation of spatial data. Low performance of geoportals, no Internet access, or poor connectivity can contribute to the exclusion from the spatial planning process, and consequently to the exclusion from a specific part of public life. Considering these developments, the present study seems relevant by pointing out the issue with geoportal performance and availability of quality Internet in rural areas. The primary contribution of the article is (1) results of performance measurements for selected geoportals; (2) presentation of measuring tools and performance indices combined with methods for ad-hoc performance measuring; and (3) presentation of potential actions to improve geoportal performance on the device with which it is used. The article offers case studies where the performance of selected geoportals was tested in rural mountainous areas with limited Internet access. Five geoportals were tested with PageSpeed Insights (PSI), WebPageTest, GTmetrix, Pingdom, and GiftOfSpeed. Core Web Vitals indices were analysed: Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS), and First Contentful Paint (FCP). The author verified values of the Speed Index and Fully Loaded Time along with other performance indices, like GTmetrix Structure. The study failed to provide unambiguous evidence that radio link users in rural areas could experience problems with geoportal performance, although the results seem to suggest it indirectly. PSI Lab Data and Field Data tests revealed a relatively low performance of the geoportals. The Performance index remained below 50 in most cases, which is ‘Poor’ according to the PSI scale. The fully loaded time exceeded 10 s for all the geoportals and 20 s in some cases (Lab Data). It means that the perceived performance of the tested geoportals on a radio link in rural areas is most probably even lower. The case studies demonstrated further that the user has limited possibilities to speed up map applications. It is possible to slightly improve the geoportal experience through the optimisation of the device locally, but the responsibility to ensure geoportal performance is mainly the publisher’s.

From Authoritarianism to Democracy in Poland Catholic church, the Union Movement Solidarity and the History of Democratic Change

The paper examines the complex process of transition from a non-democratic to a democratic regime and the consolidation of the government system in Poland. The specificity of the democratic transition in Poland, in relation to other transitions in Central and Eastern Europe, is reflected in the nature of the non-democratic regime, which was more authoritarian than (post)totalitarian. Hence, while the communist regime was in force, social pluralism managed to be preserved to the highest possible extent. Preserved social and even political pluralism later contributed to success in the transition process. The military-party regime in Poland, after Gorbachev came to power in the USSR, applied the strategy of getting out that took the form of negotiations between the political position and the political opposition at the Round Table. The compromise ended the negotiations and brought about semi-free elections, on one, and the controlled democratic transition in Poland, on the other hand. The event was accelerated when, in semi-free elections, the popular Solidarity movement defeated the then-ruling communist group. The provisions of the Agreement were fully respected by both sides. In the end, after the Second World War, it was Poland whose citizens were the first to overthrow at the regular elections. The Round Table Agreement established the function of a strong president, who was directly elected. That function was first used by Leh Valensa, the leader of Solidarity. The extreme proportional election method and the fragmentation of Solidarity, in terms of the creation of several political parties, resulted in the establishment of a multi-party semi-presidential system. The change in the electoral system and the inappropriate tactics of the political parties that emerged from Solidarity enabled the left-wing government to come to power and ensured the post of president to a post-communist candidate (Darmanovi?, 2002). The transfer of power from Solidarity to their former rivals, who fundamentally changed, managed to end peacefully and Poland slowly entered the phase of consolidation of the government system.

Czy teraz mnie słyszysz? Muzykoterapia zorientowana na traumę i odporność psychiczną w kontekście opieki zastępczej

The main reasons for placing a child in foster care system in Poland is neglect and abuse, experienced in their family environments. These conditions might result in trauma, which strongly influences functioning of these young people. Currently, concepts like trauma-informed and resilience-oriented practice receive more and more attention both in the practitioners and researchers, in search of the framework of care-services and therapies. The current paper explores these approaches and connects them to music therapy. It provides with rationale on potential of this form of therapy in the context of work within foster care system with young people. The case vignettes illustrate the theoretical considerations.

Weigh-in-Motion Site for Type Approval of Vehicle Mass Enforcement Systems in Poland.

The need to protect road infrastructure makes it necessary to direct the mass enforcement control of motor vehicles. Such control, in order to fulfil its role, must be continuous and universal. The only tool currently known to achieve these goals are weigh-in-motion (WIM) systems. The implementation of mass enforcement WIM systems is possible only if the requirements for their metrological properties are formulated, followed by the implementation of administrative procedures for the type approval of WIM systems, rules for their metrological examination, and administrative regulations for their practical use. The AGH University of Krakow, in cooperation with the Central Office of Measures (Polish National Metrological Institute), has been conducting research in this direction for many years, and, now, as part of a research project financed by the Ministry of Education and Science. In this paper, we describe a unique WIM system located in the south of Poland and the results of over two years of our research. These studies are intended to lead to the formulation of requirements for metrological legalisation procedures for this type of system. Our efforts are focused on implementing WIM systems in Poland for direct mass enforcement. The tests carried out confirmed that the constructed system is fully functional. Its equipment with quartz and bending plate load sensors allows for the comparison of both technologies and the measurement of many parameters of the weighed vehicle and environmental parameters affecting weighing accuracy. The tests confirmed the stability of its metrological parameters. The GVW maximal measurement error does not exceed 5%, and the single axle load maximal measurement error does not exceed 12%. The sensors of the environmental parameters allow for the search for correlations between weighing accuracy and the intensity of these parameters.

Nurturing Sustainability and Health: Exploring the Role of Short Supply Chains in the Evolution of Food Systems-The Case of Poland.

Over the last few decades, short food supply chains and local food markets, where farmers either sell their products directly to consumers or use a limited number of intermediaries, have developed worldwide in rural and urban areas. They complement conventional, often globalized, long food chains where small farmers have little bargaining power, and consumers cannot link the food they buy to a known agricultural producer or geographical area where the food is produced. The advantage of direct sales is that producers can obtain a higher price while consumers have easier access to fresh and seasonal food products. The main aim of the paper is to identify and characterize the spatial concentration of local food systems in Poland and their importance in sustainable development and food policy for healthy eating. As part of this study, an analysis of the statistical data of the Central Statistical Office for 2021 was carried out. Data obtained from the Chief Veterinary Inspectorate as of mid-2021 were analyzed to discuss the topic in detail. Descriptive methods and comparative analyses were used to understand regional differences. Absolute and proportional values were used for the research to enable better comparisons between regions, using the traditional method used in spatial structure studies, i.e., the distribution index (number of entities per 1000 inhabitants). The analysis identified spatial differences and possible implications for food policy and regional development. In addition, data on the number of marketplaces in Polish regions in 2022 were used. The study results indicated that short supply chains in the Polish food system contribute to increasing the availability of healthy local products, which may improve consumer health. However, despite these benefits, the results revealed challenges such as the limited production scale of local suppliers and the need to adapt to changing market conditions.

Education in exile: Ukrainian refugee students in the schooling system in Poland following the Russian–Ukrainian war

AbstractFollowing the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine since February 2022, Poland adopted institutional solutions and policies to facilitate the inclusion of Ukrainian refugees in the schooling system. We analyse geographical patterns and local determinants of the participation of children and young people from Ukraine in education in Poland. Applying a computer‐based geographic information system and statistical analysis to administrative data from schools and municipalities in Poland, we found that about 50% of the Ukrainian refugees at schools in Poland are of primary school age, while the rates for other age groups are significantly lower. Ukrainian refugees are more likely to attend public schools in affluent urban municipalities and places with more developed accommodation infrastructure. Clearly, the role of local resources was of key importance in the territorial distribution of refugee families in Poland during the first year of the war. Another factor that proved to be important in attracting refugees was the presence of pre‐war Ukrainian immigrants in schools. Observed patterns differ between spring and autumn 2022, which partly reflects the changes in migration to Poland and then back to Ukraine. We anticipate that much of the Ukrainian migration to Poland may outlast the current conflict. This situation creates further challenges for education in Poland—and even more so for Ukraine.

Modeling the Photovoltaic Power Generation in Poland in the Light of PEP2040: An Application of Multiple Regression

This paper presents the results of research on the development of photovoltaic systems in Poland. The authors’ goal was to identify factors that can potentially shape the dynamics of solar energy development in Poland and that will affect the implementation of the PEP2040 goals. The authors also wanted to find a forecasting method that would enable the introduction of many explanatory variables—a set of identified factors—into the model. After an initial review of the literature, the ARMAX and MLR models were considered. Finally, taking into account MAPE errors, multiple regression was used for the analysis, the error of which was 0.87% (minimum 3% for the ARMAX model). The model was verified based on Doornik–Hansen, Breusch–Pagan, Dickey–Fuller tests, information criteria, and ex post errors. The model indicated that LCOE, CO2 emissions, Cu consumption, primary energy consumption, patents, GDP, and installed capacity should be considered statistically significant. The model also allowed us to determine the nature of the variables. Additionally, the authors wrote the WEKR 2.0 program, which allowed to determine the necessary amount of critical raw materials needed to build the planned PV energy generating capacity. Solar energy in Poland currently covers about 5% of the country’s electricity demand. The pace of development of photovoltaic installations has exceeded current expectations and forecasts included in the Polish Energy Policy until 2040 (PEP2040). The built model showed that if the explanatory variables introduced into the model continue to be subject to the same trends shaping them, a dynamic increase in photovoltaic energy production should be expected by 2025. The model indicates that the PEP2040 goal of increasing the installed capacity to 16 GW by 2040 can be achieved already in 2025, where the PV production volume could reach 8921 GWh. Models were also made taking into account individual critical raw materials such as Cu, Si, Ge, and Ga. Each of them showed statistical significance, which means that access to critical raw materials in the future will have a significant impact on the further development of photovoltaic installations.