International Journal of Law and Legal Studies

International Journal of Law and Legal Studies ISSN 2463-5634 Vol. 8 (1), pp. 001-017, January, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Building capacities abroad to solve conflicts at home. Preliminary remarks on the European policy of legal education and judicial training in CEECs

Daniela Piana

Department of Political Science - University of Bologna, Via dei Bersaglieri, 4, 40125 Bologna, Italy. Tel.: 0039 051 209 27 12, 0039 339 199 09 07.

Accepted 09 June, 2019

Abstract

A triadic structure is key to ensure the legitimacy of the judge, that is, a prototype of the mechanism of dispute settlement adopted in complex and advanced societies. In order to promote the enforcement of the rule of law in the new member States, the European Union and the Council of Europe enacted several policy instruments, all of them aiming at providing judges and prosecutors with new arenas where they may socialize, exchange views and information, share ideas. Lawyers and private attorneys are almost absent from the targets addressed by the European policy of rule of law promotion. Therefore, know-how and capacities are strengthened on one side of the bench – the side of the judicial actors – whereas the private side – the lawyers – seemed to be neglected. Relying on an innovative data set constructed alongside a five years of research conducted by the author, this paper addresses the issue whether or not these policy instruments will prove able to positively influence the legitimacy of the adjudication in the new members. In the last section, some hypotheses are suggested to set down a tentative research agenda for the very next future.

Key words: Judicial training, conflict resolution, capacity building, rule of law, European enlargement.

International Journal of Law and Legal Studies ISSN 2463-5634 Vol. 7 (6), pp. 001-009, June, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Common factors related to chronic occupational distress among special education teaching staff in Montenegro

Pranjić N.¹* and Grbović M.^2,3

¹Department of Occupational Health, Medical School of University Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

²Home of Primary Health Care Podgorica, 20 000 Podgorica, Montenegro.

³Department of Occupational Health, Medical School of University Podgorica, Montenegro.

Accepted 15 January, 2019

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine common occupational or specific work-place organizational and individual key factors, which are most troublesome stressors for occupations in the field of special education (teachers, nurses, special education teachers). The study included 224 participants who were employed as special education teaching staff at each five Montenegro public institutions for persons who have a variety of disabilities. The response rate was 75% (n = 162). Data were collected using the Occupational Stress Questionnaire, short version, developed in Finish Occupational Institute. Seventy two special education teaching staffs (44%) in Montenegro have reported that they had experienced chronic job distress. The common perceived environmental factors which may significantly correlate to distress among special education staff between three occupations were: low level of control over the work (p=0.001), lack of support from superior (p=0.018), lack of support from colleagues (p=0.001), work have phases that are very difficult (p=0.001), work is mentally strenuous (p=0.001) and work is physically strenuous (p=0.001). Results were interpreted and implications for special education teachers were suggested.

Key words: Special education teaching staff, job distress, workplace stressors.

International Journal of Law and Legal Studies ISSN 2463-5634 Vol. 7 (4), pp. 001-008, April, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Effects of “islamaphobia” on Muslim immigrants and their advocates

Thomas W. Donovan

American University, J. D. New York Law School, Thomas W., Donovan is managing partner of the Iraq Law Alliance, PLLC and is based in Baghdad, Iraq. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +964 (0)771.358.6705.

Accepted 18 January, 2019

Abstract

The so-called “war on terrorism” that the United States has declared as a response to the 9/11 tragedy has affected Muslim-Americans, perhaps more than any other group. Many of these people are victims of what may be called “islamaphobia” the fear or suspicion of Muslims or those who appear to be of middle-eastern origin. As a result, many Muslims avoid disclosing their heritage, isolate themselves from non-Muslims, and give up pursuing many of the opportunities that are available to immigrants of other cultures. In the resulting self-segregation and isolation, many are vulnerable to victimization and exposed to anti-western indoctrination. In the current climate of suspicion Muslims have less access to helping professionals including social workers, lawyers, and immigrants rights specialists. Advocates, in turn, find that their efforts to help are thwarted by their clients’ understandable apprehension and suspicion. This article offers some suggestions about how advocates might overcome these challenges and provides better services for those in need.

Key words: Islamaphobia, immigrant, Islam, Muslim, immigration law, legal and xenophobia.

International Journal of Law and Legal Studies ISSN 2463-5634 Vol. 7 (3), pp. 001-003, March, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Short  Communication

Obama and Woods: “Master Tacticians”¹ in a supposed post-racial world

Nicholas D. Hartlep

Urban Education and Social Foundations of Education, Advanced Opportunity Program (AOP) Fellow, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 12 December, 2018

Abstract

This essay examines and critiques Obama’s racial and political identity, comparing and contrasting it to another matchless man of color, Tiger Woods in a supposed post-racial world. This short essay is a critique: it interrogates Obama and Woods’ motivations in regard to how they both (dis)similarly frame their racial identities. Specifically, this essay will charge both Obama and Woods as being “master tacticians.”

Key words: Race, racial politics, racialization, discourse.

International Journal of Law and Legal Studies ISSN 2463-5634 Vol. 7 (2), pp. 001-011, February, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Exploring the reality in which members of the teaching profession are immersed in Argentina: A case study

Augusto Geraci¹, Pedro Luis Luchini²* and Lucia Rolón²

¹Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Argentina.

²Universidad CAECE Sede Mar del Plata, Argentina.

Accepted 13 October, 2018

Abstract

The concept of teachers’ precarious working conditions refers to the pressures and adjustments suffered, during the last decades, in public schools in Argentina. The Neo-liberal project influenced all aspects of public and social life, such as health, education and working rights; deteriorated the conditions under which those sectors function; and destabilized labor structurally. The pressure exercised by international organizations, such as the IMF and the World Bank, affected Educational Policies, which considered the educational crisis to be, basically, one of efficiency and effectiveness in the system, as well as in the quality of the services and their administrator: the State. As a result of these policies, structural changes imposed new operational rules and orders not only on the labor sphere, but also on the curriculum. Those changes also reinforced the techno-bureaucratization of the system, blurred the pedagogical sphere and accentuated the social breach. This case study attempts at a critical analysis of the impact those changes had on the working conditions of teachers, particularly concentrating on issues related to teachers’ health and pathologies connected to their tasks performance. Following a qualitative approach, interviews to the main characters involved were conducted in order to analyze the impact this problem had on their working performance. How did the idea of investigating teachers’ discomfort arise? It arose from my own experience. I noticed that in certain places, such as teachers’ room and school corridors, there were several unfair and troubling issues. Teachers’ room is usually a place where a lot of discomfort takes place, where even students are often despised. Those things made me feel sick, I suffered from dysphonia, I easily caught colds, I was distressed and disappointed. I often wondered, what is wrong with us? Why do we get to this point? In order to become a teacher, one needs to have a strong sense of vocation. Some people think teaching is simply a profession, but I think it needs to be based on our love for others.

Key words: Teachers’ job, educational policy, precarious working conditions, occupational health.