Coping with precarity: neoliberal global politics and female migration from Bulgaria to Greece (taking the lead from the case of Konstantina Kuneva)

Αντλώντας από εθνογραφική έρευνα ανάμεσα σε μετανάστριες από τη Βουλγαρία στην Αθήνα και, ιδιαίτερα, από την περίπτωση της επίθεσης εναντίον της εργαζόμενης στον καθαρισμό και συνδικαλίστριας Κωνσταντίνας Κούνεβα, το άρθρο εξετάζει τη γυναικεία μετανάστευση ως συνέπεια της κατάρρευσης του κράτους πρόνοιας στα πρώην σοσιαλιστικά κράτη και των νεοφιλελεύθερων πολιτικών που ακολούθησαν. Πολλές γυναίκες δεν μετακινούνται μόνο για οικονομικούςλόγους αλλά σε μια προσπάθεια να ανακτήσουν την αυτονομία τους ως υποκείμενα και να διαπραγματευτούν εκ νέου δυσχερείς θέσεις και ρόλους μέσα κι έξω από την οικογένεια. Ωστόσο, η νεοφιλελεύθερη ανασυγκρότηση των καπιταλιστικών σχέσεων στη χώρα υποδοχής δημιουργεί συνθήκες γενικευμένης επισφάλειας, ιδιαίτερα για εκείνες που εργάζονται στο χώρο της καθαριότητας.Based on ethnographic study among Bulgarian women migrants in Athens and more particularly on the case of the attack against a Bulgarian cleaner and union representative Konstantina Kuneva, this article argues that female migration has to be understood as the consequence of the demise of the welfare state in former Eastern Europe and as resulting from the subsequent application of neoliberal politics. Most women migrate not only for making money but also to maintain their power and status as independent social actors and to negotiate unfavorable social positions and roles. However, the neoliberal restructuring of capitalist relations inthe host country generates conditions of precarity for the migrants, especially for those working in the cleaning industry

An investigation into the preparation of teachers for language teaching at primary level: Implications for an Initial Language Teacher Education programme

Following the entry of Cyprus into the European Union in 2004 and based on the philosophy which underpins the language policy in Europe, the island has been investing heavily in early foreign language learning. However, despite improvements in English language learning in primary state schools, no significant changes have been evident as regards the preparation of English teachers at this level. In conducting this research, my primary intention was to offer prospective and practising primary teachers a “voice” to express their own views regarding the content and teaching approach of a potential ELT module within teacher education curricula. The research adopted a mixed-method sequential approach carried out in two phases between March and July 2010. Data were initially obtained from 296 in-service primary teachers and 124 student teachers through a questionnaire-based survey. Data obtained in the second phase through individual and focus group interviews with 9 in-service-teachers and 11 student teachers respectively were used to explain, interpret and further examine the findings of the survey. The findings have highlighted the importance of theory and practice, showing evidence that both are necessary in order to avoid fragmented language teaching. The study suggests, therefore, that providing student teachers with meaningful opportunities to form links between the taught theory and its practical application is a fundamental basis for a more holistic teacher approach to teacher education. This study has also provided evidence that participants view learning as a process embedded in a social context, within which knowledge is constructed through collaborative, awareness-raising tasks set by mentors whose mediating roles in the creation of desirable learning contexts is perceived to be crucial. Although the findings of this research directly concern the Cypriot situation, they are likely to have broader applicability beyond Cyprus, especially in countries where early foreign language learning forms part of their educational agenda. Developing primary teachers’ language teaching knowledge and skills while considering the various types of support they receive during their pre-service education form part of a wider endeavour to ensure quality in early foreign language learning, an objective set by the European Union

Encouraging urban planning and development practice to contribute to sustainable development. A methodology and a use case

One of the most complex challenges the tourism industry faces is keeping up to date with information technology developments caused by the globalisation of information and advances in technology. The development of robust decision support systems for tourism land use planning is a way to address this challenge.This paper demonstrates how a spatial decision support system (SDSS), called the Land Use Decision sUpport System (LUDUS), can contribute in allocating complex forms of tourism. The system combines an artificial intelligence technique, called ontologies, with Geographic Information Systems and object-oriented programming to support decision-making in spatial planning. The system consists of two subsystems: the Insert Data Subsystem and the Graphic Imaging and Decision Support Subsystem. The core of the system is an ontology that is aligned to a standard of the Open Geospatial Consortium, called Geosparql.The case study of this paper is the Mastichochoria area of Chios Island, Greece. Therefore, the structure of the ontology was modelled according to the provisions of Greek legislation. The results produced confirmed the correct coding and application of the system’s criteria. The validity, accuracy and reliability of the results were also confirmed.The adopted approach facilitates the identification of alternative options for allocating, among other land use types, complex forms of tourism development in suburban areas, by examining the provisions of the legal framework as well as their geology and terrain

Applying the Fast Track Law for Strategic Investments: how fast and for whom?

In Greece, the recent fiscal crisis, which officially began in 2009, has set off the issue of development prospects for the country. In order for Greece to regain its reliability there was the need to provide the international and national investment community with a stable and transparent investment legislative framework. This would help investors to overcome bureaucratic obstacles and significant land use restrictions that have inhibited major investments in Greece. Therefore, a new Law, well known as Fast Track Law (L. 3894/2010) has been enacted in order to make the implementation and licensing procedure of strategic -private interest- investments easier, smoother and more attractive. However, even though the whole Fast Track Process has been designated since 2010, only a few investment projects have evolved. The paper has a two-fold objective: first, to present the key features of the legislative framework, the required conditions, the tools and the procedure concerning the exploitation of -large scale- private or mixed type (both private and public) estates, and secondly, to examine the type of investment projects which have been put under the umbrella of the Fast Track Law, as well as their degree of feasibility. Emphasis is put on strategic investments concerning tourism and real estate, which are among the most attractive sectors for investment in Greece. In conclusion, the paper evaluates and discusses to what degree the new tools and procedures introduced for strategic investments respond to market requirements, and makes suggestions for the improvement of the current legislative framework

El parque arqueológico e histórico de Feres-Velestino

Màster Oficial en Gestió del Patrimoni CulturalCreació de una nova unitat patrimonial en la zona històrica de la antiga ciutat de Feres en el camp de Velestino (Grècia

Four European Smart City Strategies

This paper provides evidence-based policy recommendations about the development of smart cities. The core characteristics of smart cities, including the use of advanced technology, human and social capital development, the development of pro-business environments and networking, are ‘translated’ into individual domains that characterize smart city strategies. Four major European cities (Amsterdam, Barcelona, London and Stockholm) are examined in terms of how they have so far incorporated those domains in their ongoing smart city strategies. The data are analyzed comparatively, highlighting trends and contrasting differences among strategies. The paper closes with conclusions about those characteristics and their role in smart city policy making

Successful headship leadership in primary schools in Cyprus

This research explored the nature and conduct of successful leadership in the context of Cyprus; how policy and school contexts and heads' experience influence headship leadership. The empirical findings of this study draw upon ethnographic methods rooted within the naturalistic paradigm in order to illuminate the complex and dynamic nature of headship leadership in a specific country context. A group often successful heads in urban primary schools of Cyprus was selected. Data was collected through observations, a review of a number of schools' documents and semi-structured interviews carried out with each of the successful heads and with people that had everyday conduct with them. The overall findings provided empirical evidence of the complexity of successful head teachers day-to-day practices and pointed to the positive and negative in themes of 'policy contexts', 'the values of society' and 'school and experience contexts'. These results support earlier evidence on successful leadership but also extend this. The evidence from this research has important implications for head teachers' learning and development and the role of the government in raising standards of schooling in Cyprus

Counseling Patients with Implanted Cardiac Devices: the Nurse???s Role

Patients with implanted cardiac devices constitute a growing segment of the contemporary healthcare practice. Taking care of such a rapidly growing patient population constitutes a challenge for all health care providers working in a cardiology ward, operating or procedure room, or primary care practice. Nurses among them have a unique role by being the most appropriate persons to provide in-hospital and long-term health care, education and psychological support to these patients. In-hospital and long-term care will ensure an uneventful procedure and a safe discharge as well as early detection of device malfunction and late complications. Education of the patient will prevent any self or environmental interactions which can adversely affect proper device function and will increase his or her adherence to the follow-up treatment. Finally, by providing psychosocial and emotional support the nursing staff can address the immediate concerns of the patient and help him or her cope successfully with the new life situation. Continuing education is extremely important for nurses counselling patients with implanted devices in order to play successfully their role as the continuous link to the multidisciplinary team of professionals that guide the oftentimes forgotten humanistic care of these patients