Was den polnischen Klempner in den Norden lockt. Zur heutigen Arbeitsmigration nach Norwegen und Schweden

In the course of the negotiations about the Eastern enlargement of the EU in 2004, objections were raised against the immediate enforcement of unrestricted freedom of movement of labour forces because of the possible destabilizing effects this could have on the labour markets as well as the welfare systems of the Western European member states. In order to avoid these effects, the vast majority of the member states reacted by introducing temporary arrangements and other regulations. A comparison made between the liberal policy of Sweden which did not introduce any regulations and the more restrictive case of Norway shows that the feared effects did not set in. The actual extent of migration depends foremost on the demand for labour force in the receiving countries. Regulations are leading to the search for alternative strategies in order to circumvent the existing restrictions

Srebrna gospodarka. W poszukiwaniu odpowiedzi na starzenie się społeczeństwa – w kontekście rynku pracy

The process of ageing of society is progressing dynamically, which will translate into an increase in the average age of employees. The challenges related to the growing number of elderly people focus on taking into account the needs of these people, both those in need of care and those who remain independent and socially active. Social and professional activation has a positive impact on the physical and mental health of people at retirement age, which in the long term will contribute to reducing costs incurred by local authorities in connection with the need to provide and develop care services provided by institutions such as Municipal Social Assistance Centre (MOPS, GOPS), Municipal Centre for Family Support (MOPR) and Residential Care Homes (DPS). The answer to the changing social needs is the development of the so-called silver economy. Its task is to support seniors in the care and medical sphere as well as to maintain and develop social, professional and physical activity. It will also generate the need to adapt institutions and employers to employ older workers and to create working conditions for them that will enable them to function effectively in the workplace. The article contains an introduction, a description of the areas of the silver economy, an analysis of the challenges facing the labour market aimed at seniors, and an ending indicating recommendations for the labour market.Proces starzenia się społeczeństwa postępuje w sposób dynamiczny, co przekładać się będzie na wzrost średniego wieku pracowników. Wyzwania związane ze wzrastającą liczebnością osób starszych koncentrują się na uwzględnianiu potrzeb tych osób, zarówno wymagających opieki, jak i tych, które pozostają samodzielne i aktywne społecznie. Aktywizacja społeczna i zawodowa ma korzystny wpływ na stan zdrowia fizycznego i psychicznego osób w wieku emerytalnym, przez co będzie długofalowo przyczyniać się do ograniczania kosztów ponoszonych przez władze samorządowe w związku z koniecznością zapewniania i rozwijania usług opiekuńczych, świadczonych przez takie instytucje, jak MOPS/MOPR GOPS i DPS. Odpowiedzią na zmieniające się potrzeby społeczne ma być rozwój tzw. srebrnej gospodarki. Ich zadaniem jest wspieranie seniorów w sferze opiekuńczo-medycznej oraz Podtrzymywaniu i rozwijaniu aktywności społecznej, zawodowej i fizycznej. Wygeneruje to również potrzebę dostosowania instytucji i pracodawców do zatrudniania starszych pracowników i tworzenia im warunków pracy umożliwiających efektywne funkcjonowanie w miejscu pracy. Artykuł zawiera wstęp, opis dziedzin srebrnej gospodarki, analizę wyzwań, jakie stoją przed rynkiem pracy skierowanym do seniorów i zakończenie wskazujące rekomendacje dla rynku pracy

The role of participation in the development of the smart city idea: frameworks, opportunities, mechanisms

The progressing urbanisation process and its visible effects are prompting local authorities to seek new solutions to contemporary development challenges, especially those identified in post-socialist cities, including in Poland. Nowadays, the smart city concept is becoming widely popular. This idea is grounded in the principles of sustainable development in all spheres of socio-economic life. However, in a comprehensive approach, it moves away from its strictly technological definition towards the social context and local conditions. Nowadays, there are more and more instruments supporting social and civic activity of the inhabitants of Polish cities. One extremely popular mechanism is the participatory budget. In order to trace its importance in the implementation of the smart city concept, an empirical analysis was undertaken in Bydgoszcz (a medium-sized city in Poland). According to the research, the participatory budget is asymmetrical, with infrastructure investments dominating. Support is needed for pro-social activities and those activating residents. Therefore, the diversification of projects in the budget, including setting aside a pool of funds for pro-social and cross-district projects, should be viewed in a positive light

Educational tourist route based on renewable energy sources as a manifestation of sustainable tourism

The aim of the study is to present an educational tourist route using renewable energy sources in the context of the idea of sustainable tourism. The research area is the Kujawsko-Pomorskie voivodeship, more specifically the route leading from the dam in Włocławek through the photovoltaic farm i n Czernikowo to the ecological landfill site in Toruń. The study has both practical and social implications. In pursuing its objective, a field query was conducted. Conceptual work on the tourist and educational path was preceded by diagnosing the needs and expectations of potential young tourists, i.e. students of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (NCU). The students – representatives of generation Y – are familiar with renewable energy sources and they have a positive attitude towards them. In addition, most respondents showed that they had been to an educational route before

Update of the review: Cultivation of energy crops in Poland against socio-demographic factors

The article presents some of the socio-demographic factors conditioning the production of biomass in Poland. It considers urban-rural and rural gminas that grew energy crops for biomass production in the years 2007-2009 (836 gminas in 2007, 756 in 2008 and 618 in 2009). The article tries to answer the question whether there is a relation between the age of the inhabitants, their opinion on Poland's accession to the European Union and the education level of the local authorities and the area of energy crops in a given gmina. The research uses the correlation coefficient and the analysis of segmented regression

Wybrane zagadnienia związane z rozwojem energetyki odnawialnej na obszarach wiejskich w Polsce

The article presents the issues related to human factor and its quality as endogenous resources conditions the rural areas developments in the context of the renewable energy production. In the light of the obtained results is concluded that young people are more creative; they are leaders in innovation implementation. The study included communes, in which energy crops has been grown (as a source for biomass production) and those where power plants based on renewable energy sources are situated. In particular human factor, as a one of the endogenous resources, was analysed. The importance of the European Union funds as a source of finance investments connected with renewable energy sector was stressed. Moreover EU funds might be source of an additional income for rural people. For instance, increased biomass production from agricultural sources (energy crops) in Poland was motivated by the economic factors, namely a desire to increase income by receive energy crops funding (in the beginning from the state budget, and later the European Union structural funds). The consequence of taking action related to renewable energy is the implementation of sustainable development objectives.Artykuł dotyczy analizy i oceny wybranych elementów związanych z kapitałem ludzkim i jego jakością jako zasobem endogenicznym wpływającym na rozwój i aktywizację gospodarczą obszarów wiejskich w Polsce w kontekście produkcji energii odnawialnej. Badaniem objęto gminy, w których uprawiano rośliny do celów energetycznych, i gminy, w których są elektrownie bazujące na odnawialnych źródłach energii. Podkreślono znaczenie środków pochodzących z funduszy unijnych pozwalających finansować inwestycje związane z rozwojem energetyki alternatywnej. Zwrócono uwagę na zależności między rozwojem energetyki odnawialnej a absorpcją środków unijnych. Ponadto wskazano, że rozwój energii odnawialnej generuje dodatkowe dochody mieszkańców obszarów wiejskich, przez co wspomaga realizację założeń zrównoważonego rozwoju społeczno-gospodarczego danych regionów i kraju

Modernisation of public buildings in Polish towns and the concept of sustainable building

This article aims to identify the scale of energy efficiency improvements in public buildings in Polish towns as representative of sustainable building. The study area is investigated from the perspective of challenges arising from the current policy in the EU. The article indicates that, given the age of public buildings in Poland, the best way to implement the concept of sustainable building is to improve their present stock. The modernisation of public buildings is discussed in terms of project location, project value, sources of funding (including EU funds), and the use of buildings undergoing modernisation. According to the research findings, the implementation of the sustainable building concept is determined by both, exogenous factors (EU directives and domestic laws, etc.) and endogenous ones (e.g. human resources and their quality)

Agricultural biogas plants – a chance for diversification of agriculture in Poland

The aim of the analysis is to present the implementation and development of agricultural biogas plants as a chance for diversification of agriculture in Poland. The main exogenous and endogenous determinants of the development of agriculture biogas plants in Poland were indicated. It is an attempt to present agricultural biogas plants in terms of their spatial distribution as well as the installed capacity and efficiency of agricultural biogas installations. Moreover, the feedstock structure for agricultural biogas production is also analysed

Endogenous resources utilization of rural areas in shaping sustainable development in Poland

The article presents rural areas in Poland in the context of endogenous resources utilization and functional diversification in 2007 and 2008. One of the directions of multifunctional rural development is renewable energy production based on local resources. Effective utilization of both environmental and technological resources for agricultural production was discussed by the reference to the energy crops production. Energy crops pose an alternative source of energy (biomass) and are based on local energy resources. Moreover, the energy crops production is also an example of diffusion of both technological and technical innovation. An important rural endogenous resource is a human factor. On the basis of the obtained results it has been concluded that young people are more creative; they are leaders in innovation implementation

Comorbidities Associated with Large Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

BACKGROUND: Abdominal aortic aneurysm has become increasingly important owing to demographic changes. Some other diseases, for example, cholecystolithiasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and hernias, seem to co-occur with abdominal aortic aneurysm. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to identify new comorbidities associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm. METHODS: We compared 100 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms and 100 control patients. Their preoperative computed tomographic scans were examined by two investigators independently, for the presence of hernias, diverticulosis, and cholecystolithiasis. Medical records were also reviewed. Statistical analysis was performed using univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The aneurysm group had a higher frequency of diverticulosis (p = 0.008). There was no significant difference in the occurrence of hernia (p = 0.073) or cholecystolithiasis (p = 1.00). Aneurysm patients had a significantly higher American Society of Anesthesiology score (2.84 vs. 2.63; p = 0.015) and were more likely to have coronary artery disease (p < 0.001), congestive heart failure (p < 0.001), or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p < 0.001). Aneurysm patients were more likely to be former (p = 0.034) or current (p = 0.006) smokers and had a significantly higher number of pack years (p < 0.001). Aneurysm patients also had a significantly poorer lung function. In multivariate analysis, the following factors were associated with aneurysms: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (odds ratio, OR = 12.24; p = 0.002), current smoking (OR = 4.14; p = 0.002), and coronary artery disease (OR = 2.60; p = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: Our comprehensive analysis identified several comorbidities associated with abdominal aortic aneurysms. These results could help to recognize aneurysms earlier by targeting individuals with these comorbidities for screening