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The Challenge of Implementing Social Justice in a Developing Market Economy: The Case of Slovakia
No full textOur paper explores the challenges of implementing social justice in Slovakia, a developing market economy with a complex historical background. We provide an overview of Slovakia’s political and socio-economic transformations in the 20th century, focusing on the transition from a state-planned to a market economy (1990–2000). While analyzing contemporary challenges, we explore the role of Michael Novak’s democratic capitalism and Catholic social teaching as moral frameworks for fostering a society with a high level of social justice and cohesion. These approaches, centered on human dignity, solidarity, and ethical entrepreneurship, are contrasted and complemented with Amartya Sen’s capability approach, which offers practical insights for expanding opportunities and addressing the needs of marginalized communities, including the Roma. Additionally, we acknowledge the contributions of John Rawls’s fairness principles and Tomáš Sedláček’s integration of ethics into economics. Despite some economic progress, Slovakia continues to face significant obstacles, including regional disparities, institutional quality, and social inclusion. This paper does not pretend to offer ready-made solutions for the stated problems, but it aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of Slovakia’s path toward social justice and inform more effective policy strategies, while taking seriously the country’s specific context
I Would do Backflips and Move the Earth for a Transformational Leader: Exploring the Complex Role of Psychological Safety in Teacher Evaluation
No full textTeacher evaluations are intended to promote professional growth, yet when conducted without psychological safety (PS), they often lead to disengagement. PS enables educators to receive constructive feedback and take meaningful steps toward improvement. PS is underexamined in K-12 education, especially in formal evaluations. This gap between what evaluations are meant to support and how they are experienced affects how educators respond to feedback, often working against growth rather than promoting it. This qualitative study examined how transformational leadership (TL) influences psychological safety (PS) and how that sense of safety affects willingness to apply feedback. The study was guided by Affect Social Exchange Theory, Clark’s Four Stages of Psychological Safety, William Kahn’s psychological engagement framework, and the sociological constructs of Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft. Using narrative inquiry, the study drew on semi-structured interviews with twelve K-12 educators from varied school settings. Data focused on experiences with evaluation, leadership behavior, and PS. Thematic analysis was conducted through inductive and deductive coding to identify patterns aligned with the study’s frameworks. Findings revealed that most teachers need PS to engage meaningfully with feedback. TL behaviors that demonstrated investment and presence supported that safety. In their absence, evaluations were often perceived as procedural or superficial. Teachers did not reject feedback; they resisted feedback that lacked relevance or context. This study concludes that PS plays a critical role in how teachers engage with feedback. Future research should explore how evaluation systems and leadership approaches can be redesigned to foster relational depth, psychological safety, and feedback that supports meaningful growth
Revival of Tengrism in Kazakhstan as ancient belief of the Kazakh nation: Prospects and Challenges
No full textThis research investigates the resurgence of Tengrism, an ancestral belief system native to Kazakhstan. This traditional religion, rooted in ancient history, encompasses an array of beliefs and rituals that focus on the worship of celestial deity known as Tengri and various forces of nature. It provides a thorough analysis of how public attitudes towards Tengrism and its role within the cultural fabric of the Kazakh people have shifted. The paper also addresses the circumstances that have facilitated Tengrism\u27s revival in the independent nation of Kazakhstan, including issues of national identity, cultural heritage, and spiritual rejuvenation. Furthermore, it explores a range of factors that could affect the future growth of Tengrism. The historical importance of this belief system to Kazakh culture and religious identity is highlighted, and the current process of its revival is emphasized, alongside recommendations to foster its renewal. Lastly, the potential obstacles and challenges that could impede its expansion in today\u27s society are examined, recognizing that Tengrism, as a vital component of Kazakh cultural identity, is subject to various external influences that may obstruct its advancement. As an ancient religious and philosophical frame work that venerates Heaven (Tengri), natural forces, and ancestors, Tengrism has profoundly shaped the traditional customs, worldview, and societal structures for centuries. Various historical and cultural occurrences prompt are evaluation of Tengrism\u27s significance in contemporary society. This study will investigate the primary factors behind the resurgence of Tengrism, as well as the role of academic inquiry and its increasing visibility in the nation. Furthermore, it will address the challenges that impede the spread of Tengrism during its revival process, suggesting recommendations for tackling these difficulties
Ukrainian Orthodox Church Clerics and Activists Under Suspicion, Under Investigation, Sanctioned, Detained, and/or Convicted for Collaboration with Russia or for Promotion of Russian War Narratives
No full textThe Context
On August 20, 2024, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed Bill #8371, “On the Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Sphere of Activity of Religious Organizations,” passed by the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s legislature. As a measure of wartime national security its provisions include a ban on the staunchly pro-Putin Russian Orthodox Church. It also requires the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), historically subordinate to the Moscow Patriarchate, to sever all ties with its parent church and to prevent its congregations from abetting the Russian war effort against Ukraine
Religious Situation in the Occupied Territory of Donetsk Region
No full textThe article is devoted to the analysis of dynamics of the religious situation and its impact on the population of the temporarily occupied territory of the Donetsk region in the period from 2014 to 2024. When analyzing the religious situation in the occupied territory, it should be borne in mind that after the beginning of the armed conflict in the Donetsk region, the territory under the control of anti-Ukrainian forces has been constantly changing. The study of the peculiarities of religious processes in the Donetsk region in the light of occupation reveals not only aspects of politics and socio-cultural dynamics, but also outlines the importance of religion in maintaining religious identity and perception of society in the context of conflict and tense socio-political ties. The study confirms that as a result of military aggression, a significant number of religious organizations that functioned in the Donetsk region before the war began have become de facto “hostages” in the temporarily occupied territory, where the Ukrainian government is unable to exercise its constitutional powers. The researchers state that from the first days of their stay in power in the occupied territory of Donetsk region, pro-Russian leaders declared their desire to fight for the establishment of the “Russian world” and the establishment of Russian ideological ideals in society, imposing their own social and spiritual values on the Ukrainian people
The Canonical Status of the Serbian Patriarch in the Statute of the Macedonian Orthodox Church from 1960 and its Differing Interpretations by the Two Churches
No full textAfter lengthy negotiations that began in the 1940s between the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) and the Macedonian Orthodox Church (MOC) regarding the latter’s autocephaly, the Holy Synod of the SOC initially rejected the decisions of the Initiative Council for the formation of the Macedonian Church. However, at a later stage, the SOC revised its stance, and by 1959, it not only recognized the existence of the Macedonian Church but also granted it the right to independent organization and governance in the form of autonomy. The recognized autonomy of the MOC was met with mixed reactions among Macedonian church leaders. The ambiguities in the definition of autonomy, as outlined in both the 1960 Statute of the MOC and subsequent decisions of the SOC, led to differing interpretations of its scope and nature by the two disputing parties. These differing positions have continued to deepen the problem over time
Universal Design for Learning: Practical Implications for Christian Educators
No full textThe Universal Design for Learning framework, designed by David Rose and Anne Meyer (2002) is an evidence-based approach to teaching that proactively targets learner variability and meets the unique needs of all students in the classroom. This framework aligns with our faith-based mission as we are called to the Christ centered belief that all people were made in the image of God. The three guiding principles of Universal Design for Learning are: multiple means of representation, multiple means of engagement, and multiple means of action/expression. By adopting the principles of universal design for learning, educators can proactively plan, implement, and assess in a manner that honors the unique needs of the image bearers in their classroom. This means that we, as Christian teachers, recognize the diverse strengths, preferences, abilities, and challenges of every student. Now more than ever, our students bring with them a vast range of experiences, abilities, talents, and interests. As followers of Christ, we must honor the specialness of our students and value all of our learners in meaningful ways. In this paper, the authors will provide practical implications for Christian educators to implement UDL to meet the diverse needs of the students they encounter and serve
Religion and Human Rights in the Realities of the Russian-Ukrainian War
No full textThe article is devoted to the peculiarities of the relationship between religion and human rights in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war. It is noted that Russia’s expansion results in a decrease in religious freedom in the temporarily occupied lands, a narrowing of the scope of this fundamental norm. At the same time, the author emphasizes not only the violations of the rights and freedoms of believers in the temporarily occupied territories of the country caused by external factors, but also some internal problems of the socio-religious life of modern Ukraine.The article analyzes the actions of the Ukrainian authorities to ensure the rights of believers and religious organizations to freedom of conscience in difficult conditions of war, when, on the one hand, it is urgent to guarantee national security and the safety of citizens, and on the other hand, to ensure the rights of believers, regardless of their religious affiliation
Tommy & Mary Lou Outwater & Family in Oregon
No full textTommy & Mary Lou Outwater & family in Oregon.https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/perisho_alaska/1053/thumbnail.jp
Willard, Josie, & Arlene Outwater
No full textWillard, Josie, and Arlene Outwater.https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/perisho_alaska/1216/thumbnail.jp