In different countries the profession of social work has "done its work" for more or less than a century. In Lithuania its history is revived and closely related to social transformation that has taken place after the restoration of Independence in 1990. The question of how fully, if at all, social work has achieved professional status has been debated throughout the last century. It is known that efforts to evaluate whether social work is a "semi-profession" or a "fullydeveloped" profession have been made by J. Baird. Already in 1972 social work was considered as a profession. In the opinion of J. Baird to evaluate the status of the profession depends on whether social work is being measured by classical criteria of once "free" professions, or by contemporary criteria that are relevant to helping professions which are substiantially committed to public and governmental service enterprise. The present picture of the professionalization of social work has changed. American social work's aspirations to professionalization is a natural process in a liberal market economy, because the profession is created and strengthened as a result of the personal interests of those earning a living by it. The status of social work as a profession is not unequivocally fixed. There are some aspects that are considered as negative to the professionalization of social work. Namely, the private practice of social work which is said has been growing dynamically since the middle of the 20th century. But with the dramatic rise of medical care, social workers are said to return to their original mission. The nature of professional practice in any particular state is grounded in the historical and cultural context as mediated through political, economical and social systems. This makes social work difficult to define at the global level, and attempts to identify a universal essence of social work are problematic. Despite this apparent difficulty, there are some general definitions of social work. Definitions provoke many questions. Is it possible to develop a universal definition of social work? If so, how well does this definition describe social work throughout the world? Does this definition apply to social work where I live? And the like. At the beginning of the 21st century, the European countries have faced many problems of a different nature. In order to understand the nature of these problems an attempt is made to categorize them. Much is asked of social workers, and they are ones that are expected to make a difference by empowering human beings to change self and society. The conclusion is that it is worthwhile to explore, review social work as a profession because, according to Midgley, there is a "need to develop a broad international approach to the study of social work to generate a global awareness that enhances the ability of social workers to transcend their preocupation with the local and contextualize their role within a global setting"
In different countries the profession of social work has "done its work" for more or less than a century. In Lithuania its history is revived and closely related to social transformation that has taken place after the restoration of Independence in 1990. The question of how fully, if at all, social work has achieved professional status has been debated throughout the last century. It is known that efforts to evaluate whether social work is a "semi-profession" or a "fullydeveloped" profession have been made by J. Baird. Already in 1972 social work was considered as a profession. In the opinion of J. Baird to evaluate the status of the profession depends on whether social work is being measured by classical criteria of once "free" professions, or by contemporary criteria that are relevant to helping professions which are substiantially committed to public and governmental service enterprise. The present picture of the professionalization of social work has changed. American social work's aspirations to professionalization is a natural process in a liberal market economy, because the profession is created and strengthened as a result of the personal interests of those earning a living by it. The status of social work as a profession is not unequivocally fixed. There are some aspects that are considered as negative to the professionalization of social work. Namely, the private practice of social work which is said has been growing dynamically since the middle of the 20th century. But with the dramatic rise of medical care, social workers are said to return to their original mission. The nature of professional practice in any particular state is grounded in the historical and cultural context as mediated through political, economical and social systems. This makes social work difficult to define at the global level, and attempts to identify a universal essence of social work are problematic. Despite this apparent difficulty, there are some general definitions of social work. Definitions provoke many questions. Is it possible to develop a universal definition of social work? If so, how well does this definition describe social work throughout the world? Does this definition apply to social work where I live? And the like. At the beginning of the 21st century, the European countries have faced many problems of a different nature. In order to understand the nature of these problems an attempt is made to categorize them. Much is asked of social workers, and they are ones that are expected to make a difference by empowering human beings to change self and society. The conclusion is that it is worthwhile to explore, review social work as a profession because, according to Midgley, there is a "need to develop a broad international approach to the study of social work to generate a global awareness that enhances the ability of social workers to transcend their preocupation with the local and contextualize their role within a global setting"
The idea of harmonizing economic growth with the laws of development of society and the environment is expressed in the concept of sustainable development. In the frame of sustainable development an exceptional importance is attached to studying material flows, therefore management of waste flows must not contradict the principles of sustainable development. In agreement with M. Jacobs, it is possible to affirm that waste management in the context of sustainable development means using materials in closed cycles. Investigating socio-economic efficiency of municipal waste management means studying the organizational waste management process and factors disclosing characteristic features of this process, making deep comparative socio-economic analysis of waste management options and studying waste managements acts both on national and local level in order to reveal the ways of increasing socio-economic efficiency in municipal waste management. This study is induced by the necessity of changing the traditional waste management of depositing it in landfills, by recycling using not only national and international funds, but by mobilizing resources of local waste management systems as well. It is natural, that the policy of waste management, in which neither the scale of economic damage nor future waste management expenditure were evaluated, was orientated towards disposal of waste in refuse dumps. This means transferring problems to future generations, and this cardinally contradicts the concept of sustainable development. Therefore the question arises, what waste management systems should be considered to be efficient from the socio-economic viewpoint. Researches made in EU countries show that these are systems resources of which are directed to waste recycling and continuous its development. In Lithuania, the importance of waste management is emphasized in national strategy of environmental protection and waste recycling promotion has become the most significant waste management task in recent years, therefore attention is given to socio-economic waste management results. For establishing regional waste management systems, to cover the expenses of collecting, sorting out and transporting secondary materials, two main sources of funds are foreseen, that is, general tariff (or local levy) and funds from "Program of product and packaging waste management". Fixing general tariff depending on treatment expenses for separate waste flows or setting two-tariff charge on sorted and mixed waste is assigned to most urgent means, not only stimulating collection of secondary material but supporting financially the development of this process as well. However, when increasing general tariff all variables should be evaluated, i. e., tendencies in changes of amount and composition of the waste, distribution of wasteholders, number of waste operators on the market, their internal resources available and efficiency of their usage, etc. Otherwise, increase of tariff may be based neither in a social nor in an economic aspect. In the research, waste management priorities in the context of a sustainable development are revealed (based on socio-economic aspects) and internal reserves of municipal waste management systems due to which socio-economical waste management efficiency can be increased are identified. Research problem. Socio-economic and environmental aspects of waste management as well as the role of waste materials in the system of sustainable development have been more or less investigated in works of foreign scientists, the problems of municipal waste management have been analyzed in publications of international organizations as well as in works by foreign authors. In these studies, most attention is concentrated on the process "exploitation of natural resources – economic growth – waste formation" analysis and feasibility studies for modifying it in order to achieve sustainable development aims. Publications of international organizations contain abundant technical and statistical information on waste formation and management, nevertheless, economic studies are scarce, superficial and usually based on the experience of a separate country. They are important from a practical point of view and are of rather educational than scientific character. Among Lithuanian scientists theoretical aspects of sustainable development most widely have been investigated by R. Čiegis, feasibility researches of sustainable development are being carried out in separate sectors of economy – issues of sustainable transport development are being investigated by G. Paliulis, G. Ignatavičius, V. Oškinis, issues of sustainable development in energetics are studies by V. Jankauskas, D. Štreimikienė, I. Konstantavičiūtė, feasibility studies in sustainable development of industry are researched by J. Staniškis, V. Arbačiauskas, V. Pivoras, sustainable development of tourism is investigated by A. Rondomanskaitė, R. Hopenienė, A. Kamičaitė. And other scientists. Scientists give more and more consideration to studies of relationship between sustainable development and public interests, issues of regional and local sustainability and problems of evaluating sustainable development. Scientific studies on socio-economical aspects of municipal waste management are scanty. Works by A. Spruogis and B. Jaskelevičius, J. Čepinskis, A. Jankauskas, M. Ubartas, A. Lebedis, J. Danys, B. Zigmontienė, S. Vasarevičius and sociological researches carried out by the scientists of Kaunas University and the author of this thesis in cooperation with the scientists of Šiauliai University should be mentioned. So far, little attention has been given to research in efficiency of municipal waste management systems and analysis of the problems of managing and financing these systems. Scientific works on assessment of government policy in the field of waste management are scarce and there are few expert analysis about the effectiveness of regulations and economic instruments applied and their influence on the development of waste treatment methods. Not much research has been carried out in the works by Lithuanian authors on the issue of municipal waste management in the context of sustainable development. The review of research and studies in socio-economic problems of municipal waste management in the context of a sustainable development shows their fragmentariness. Modeling an efficient in socio-economic aspect municipal waste management system in the context of sustainable development requires purposeful theoretical studies and empiric research. The subject of the scientific research is socio-economic aspects of municipal waste management system.
The idea of harmonizing economic growth with the laws of development of society and the environment is expressed in the concept of sustainable development. In the frame of sustainable development an exceptional importance is attached to studying material flows, therefore management of waste flows must not contradict the principles of sustainable development. In agreement with M. Jacobs, it is possible to affirm that waste management in the context of sustainable development means using materials in closed cycles. Investigating socio-economic efficiency of municipal waste management means studying the organizational waste management process and factors disclosing characteristic features of this process, making deep comparative socio-economic analysis of waste management options and studying waste managements acts both on national and local level in order to reveal the ways of increasing socio-economic efficiency in municipal waste management. This study is induced by the necessity of changing the traditional waste management of depositing it in landfills, by recycling using not only national and international funds, but by mobilizing resources of local waste management systems as well. It is natural, that the policy of waste management, in which neither the scale of economic damage nor future waste management expenditure were evaluated, was orientated towards disposal of waste in refuse dumps. This means transferring problems to future generations, and this cardinally contradicts the concept of sustainable development. Therefore the question arises, what waste management systems should be considered to be efficient from the socio-economic viewpoint. Researches made in EU countries show that these are systems resources of which are directed to waste recycling and continuous its development. In Lithuania, the importance of waste management is emphasized in national strategy of environmental protection and waste recycling promotion has become the most significant waste management task in recent years, therefore attention is given to socio-economic waste management results. For establishing regional waste management systems, to cover the expenses of collecting, sorting out and transporting secondary materials, two main sources of funds are foreseen, that is, general tariff (or local levy) and funds from "Program of product and packaging waste management". Fixing general tariff depending on treatment expenses for separate waste flows or setting two-tariff charge on sorted and mixed waste is assigned to most urgent means, not only stimulating collection of secondary material but supporting financially the development of this process as well. However, when increasing general tariff all variables should be evaluated, i. e., tendencies in changes of amount and composition of the waste, distribution of wasteholders, number of waste operators on the market, their internal resources available and efficiency of their usage, etc. Otherwise, increase of tariff may be based neither in a social nor in an economic aspect. In the research, waste management priorities in the context of a sustainable development are revealed (based on socio-economic aspects) and internal reserves of municipal waste management systems due to which socio-economical waste management efficiency can be increased are identified. Research problem. Socio-economic and environmental aspects of waste management as well as the role of waste materials in the system of sustainable development have been more or less investigated in works of foreign scientists, the problems of municipal waste management have been analyzed in publications of international organizations as well as in works by foreign authors. In these studies, most attention is concentrated on the process "exploitation of natural resources – economic growth – waste formation" analysis and feasibility studies for modifying it in order to achieve sustainable development aims. Publications of international organizations contain abundant technical and statistical information on waste formation and management, nevertheless, economic studies are scarce, superficial and usually based on the experience of a separate country. They are important from a practical point of view and are of rather educational than scientific character. Among Lithuanian scientists theoretical aspects of sustainable development most widely have been investigated by R. Čiegis, feasibility researches of sustainable development are being carried out in separate sectors of economy – issues of sustainable transport development are being investigated by G. Paliulis, G. Ignatavičius, V. Oškinis, issues of sustainable development in energetics are studies by V. Jankauskas, D. Štreimikienė, I. Konstantavičiūtė, feasibility studies in sustainable development of industry are researched by J. Staniškis, V. Arbačiauskas, V. Pivoras, sustainable development of tourism is investigated by A. Rondomanskaitė, R. Hopenienė, A. Kamičaitė. And other scientists. Scientists give more and more consideration to studies of relationship between sustainable development and public interests, issues of regional and local sustainability and problems of evaluating sustainable development. Scientific studies on socio-economical aspects of municipal waste management are scanty. Works by A. Spruogis and B. Jaskelevičius, J. Čepinskis, A. Jankauskas, M. Ubartas, A. Lebedis, J. Danys, B. Zigmontienė, S. Vasarevičius and sociological researches carried out by the scientists of Kaunas University and the author of this thesis in cooperation with the scientists of Šiauliai University should be mentioned. So far, little attention has been given to research in efficiency of municipal waste management systems and analysis of the problems of managing and financing these systems. Scientific works on assessment of government policy in the field of waste management are scarce and there are few expert analysis about the effectiveness of regulations and economic instruments applied and their influence on the development of waste treatment methods. Not much research has been carried out in the works by Lithuanian authors on the issue of municipal waste management in the context of sustainable development. The review of research and studies in socio-economic problems of municipal waste management in the context of a sustainable development shows their fragmentariness. Modeling an efficient in socio-economic aspect municipal waste management system in the context of sustainable development requires purposeful theoretical studies and empiric research. The subject of the scientific research is socio-economic aspects of municipal waste management system.
Political, economical and social changes in our country started after regaining independence. It had a lot of influence on all strata of society in all spheres of life. The main aim of the present work was to review the women's and men's position in the labour market by sociological research. The paper offers a discussion of the influence of the labour market on the women's status in Lithuania and of the reasons for a specific status of women in labour market. The problems such as the discrimination and segregation of women in the labour market are formulated. In Lithuania, where the features of a patriarchal society are still quite distinct, women are becoming more resolute to join the labour market and in this way realize their professional abilities and skills, to take a more active part in social life, as well as to ensure economic independence for themselves. Analysis of the equal opportunities in the labour market shows that despite advanced laws assuring equal opportunities and positive changes in society, the problem of women's discrimination at work is rather acute in our country.
Political, economical and social changes in our country started after regaining independence. It had a lot of influence on all strata of society in all spheres of life. The main aim of the present work was to review the women's and men's position in the labour market by sociological research. The paper offers a discussion of the influence of the labour market on the women's status in Lithuania and of the reasons for a specific status of women in labour market. The problems such as the discrimination and segregation of women in the labour market are formulated. In Lithuania, where the features of a patriarchal society are still quite distinct, women are becoming more resolute to join the labour market and in this way realize their professional abilities and skills, to take a more active part in social life, as well as to ensure economic independence for themselves. Analysis of the equal opportunities in the labour market shows that despite advanced laws assuring equal opportunities and positive changes in society, the problem of women's discrimination at work is rather acute in our country.
Political, economical and social changes in our country started after regaining independence. It had a lot of influence on all strata of society in all spheres of life. The main aim of the present work was to review the women's and men's position in the labour market by sociological research. The paper offers a discussion of the influence of the labour market on the women's status in Lithuania and of the reasons for a specific status of women in labour market. The problems such as the discrimination and segregation of women in the labour market are formulated. In Lithuania, where the features of a patriarchal society are still quite distinct, women are becoming more resolute to join the labour market and in this way realize their professional abilities and skills, to take a more active part in social life, as well as to ensure economic independence for themselves. Analysis of the equal opportunities in the labour market shows that despite advanced laws assuring equal opportunities and positive changes in society, the problem of women's discrimination at work is rather acute in our country.
Political, economical and social changes in our country started after regaining independence. It had a lot of influence on all strata of society in all spheres of life. The main aim of the present work was to review the women's and men's position in the labour market by sociological research. The paper offers a discussion of the influence of the labour market on the women's status in Lithuania and of the reasons for a specific status of women in labour market. The problems such as the discrimination and segregation of women in the labour market are formulated. In Lithuania, where the features of a patriarchal society are still quite distinct, women are becoming more resolute to join the labour market and in this way realize their professional abilities and skills, to take a more active part in social life, as well as to ensure economic independence for themselves. Analysis of the equal opportunities in the labour market shows that despite advanced laws assuring equal opportunities and positive changes in society, the problem of women's discrimination at work is rather acute in our country.
The main idea of this paper is the lack of a cultural dimension in the discourse of human rights in Lithuania. The process of human rights, which has been stimulated by integration into the European Union, has been marked as a fast and successful institutionalization that has influenced participants in the discourse on human rights and the discourse itself. The main participants in the discourse are still the same, mostly state institutions and various kinds of interest groups. However, the cultural aspect is too little expanded in the discourse of human rights, which is the main reason that motivates a kind of conflict among intentions, decision-making and their realization.
The main idea of this paper is the lack of a cultural dimension in the discourse of human rights in Lithuania. The process of human rights, which has been stimulated by integration into the European Union, has been marked as a fast and successful institutionalization that has influenced participants in the discourse on human rights and the discourse itself. The main participants in the discourse are still the same, mostly state institutions and various kinds of interest groups. However, the cultural aspect is too little expanded in the discourse of human rights, which is the main reason that motivates a kind of conflict among intentions, decision-making and their realization.
The main idea of this paper is the lack of a cultural dimension in the discourse of human rights in Lithuania. The process of human rights, which has been stimulated by integration into the European Union, has been marked as a fast and successful institutionalization that has influenced participants in the discourse on human rights and the discourse itself. The main participants in the discourse are still the same, mostly state institutions and various kinds of interest groups. However, the cultural aspect is too little expanded in the discourse of human rights, which is the main reason that motivates a kind of conflict among intentions, decision-making and their realization.
One of the brand new areas of historiography is analyzed. Availing of the research of historical conscience launched in Germany, the author explores the possibility of applying this new practice to the analysis of Lithuanians' historical conscience. The perspectives, theoretical-methodological objectives & tasks are analyzed. Special attention is drawn to the ideological aspect of a historical conscience & to the problem of "left" & "right" in the Lithuanians' mass conscience during the last decade. A relationship between the "left" & "right" identity & a specific version of the past being defended, an attempt by Lithuania's politicians to manipulate the historical perspectives, a tendency toward mythologization as evident in Lithuania's contemporary historical conscience is emphasized. Adapted from the source document.
Phaedrus' speech in Plato's Symposium was often ignored by Platonic scholars as unphilosophical, and has been analysed mostly in its rhetorical aspects. This narrowed the intentions of the dialogue down to theoretical speculations, neglecting a practical problem – namely, which values of the Greek polis remained relevant in the epoch of radical cultural transformation through which Plato lived. The detailed analysis of Phaedrus' speech reveals some of its aspects that remained latent until now, establishing that the system of concepts of 'shame' and 'aspiration to glory' derives from the traditional system of values of Greek military community, and thus has a concrete historical and social content. It was precisely Socrates and later Plato who embarked on the revision of the Greek concept of 'shame' (as Plato's Apology attests). The paper employs additional sources that help to recreate the historical context of the speech and to inscribe it into its authentic Sitz im Leben. Furthermore, Lysias' speech against Alcibiades is linked with Phaedrus' speech and the whole context of the Symposium.
Phaedrus' speech in Plato's Symposium was often ignored by Platonic scholars as unphilosophical, and has been analysed mostly in its rhetorical aspects. This narrowed the intentions of the dialogue down to theoretical speculations, neglecting a practical problem – namely, which values of the Greek polis remained relevant in the epoch of radical cultural transformation through which Plato lived. The detailed analysis of Phaedrus' speech reveals some of its aspects that remained latent until now, establishing that the system of concepts of 'shame' and 'aspiration to glory' derives from the traditional system of values of Greek military community, and thus has a concrete historical and social content. It was precisely Socrates and later Plato who embarked on the revision of the Greek concept of 'shame' (as Plato's Apology attests). The paper employs additional sources that help to recreate the historical context of the speech and to inscribe it into its authentic Sitz im Leben. Furthermore, Lysias' speech against Alcibiades is linked with Phaedrus' speech and the whole context of the Symposium.
Phaedrus' speech in Plato's Symposium was often ignored by Platonic scholars as unphilosophical, and has been analysed mostly in its rhetorical aspects. This narrowed the intentions of the dialogue down to theoretical speculations, neglecting a practical problem – namely, which values of the Greek polis remained relevant in the epoch of radical cultural transformation through which Plato lived. The detailed analysis of Phaedrus' speech reveals some of its aspects that remained latent until now, establishing that the system of concepts of 'shame' and 'aspiration to glory' derives from the traditional system of values of Greek military community, and thus has a concrete historical and social content. It was precisely Socrates and later Plato who embarked on the revision of the Greek concept of 'shame' (as Plato's Apology attests). The paper employs additional sources that help to recreate the historical context of the speech and to inscribe it into its authentic Sitz im Leben. Furthermore, Lysias' speech against Alcibiades is linked with Phaedrus' speech and the whole context of the Symposium.
