Research Paper from the year 2009 in the subject Law - Civil / Private / Industrial / Labour, grade: A-, University of Basel (Europainstitut), course: Social-Non Discrimination Law, language: English, abstract: The judgments of the European Court of Justice (hereinafter "ECJ") are not often covered by media. With an exception, there are some cases that have a great impact in everyday life of nationals of the European Union (hereinafter "EU"). One of such cases is the long-awaited Age Concern England, which is significant for confirming that Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 th November 2000 (Employment Equality Directive, hereinafter "Directive") prohibits discrimination on grounds of age. On 5th March 2009, the ECJ referred a decision back to the High Court after clarifying that social policy objectives "such as those related to employment and the labour market" may be considered legitimate under EC law. This means that employers can still lawfully dismiss employees at the age of 65. In the context of Directive, the present case both covers personal scope (the Directives apply to all persons: natural and legal, in the EU regardless of nationality, public and private sector) and material scope (question if retirement ages covered by Directive). In fact, Age Concern England case "enriches case law of discrimination on grounds of age, especially on the obligations of the Member States (hereinafter, "MS") in respect of the prohibition of discrimination on grounds of age laid down in Article 2 (hereinafter - "Art.") of Directive, particularly the degree with which that prohibition must be transposed into national law." Moreover, Age Concern England continues case law of earlier cases involving arguments regarding discrimination on grounds of age, for example, Mangold, Lindorfer, Palacios de la Villa and Bartsch. Opinions among employment lawyers and other experts differ regarding the implications of the Age Concern England judgment. For employers, generally, this is a good dec

Research Paper from the year 2009 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Topic: Peace and Conflict Studies, Security, grade: A-, University of Basel (Europainstitut), course: Friedensforderungsseminar, language: English, abstract: ABSTRACT Aim of paper This paper deals with the effectiveness and achievements of ICTR that can be viewed in light of aims set out in the UN Resolution 955, 1994. In the Resolution UN is determined to: 1) have effective application and enforcement of restrictions against the warfare perpetrators; 2) bring justice and ensure that violations are halted; 3) have fair trials; 4) contribute to criminal justice and process of reconciliation and restoration and maintenance of peace. Hypotheses In the present paper author put forward two hypotheses. The first hypothesis is that creation of ICTR was a logical, but moderate step, which would have not been necessary if global society would have appropriately reacted to previous warnings about possible genocide in Rwanda. The second hypothesis is that ICTR was merely a vehicle of justice, but it is hardly designed as a vehicle for reconciliation. Analytical framework Author has discussed the work of ICTR and refer to particular aims, possibility of their achievement and assess outcomes. Author used three tools of analytical framework: legal, political and economical, as from these different standing points it is possible to assess the work of ICTR in its entirety. Legal aspects of work of ICTR extend from mere procedural points to ICTR's contribution to legal tradition and legal developments. Author depicted which of legal aspects have undermined the authority and image of ICTR, as well as could be deemed as actual shortcomings, and how these aspects influence achievement of justice as the ultimate goal of legal authority. Financial aspect shows the costs of ICTR, but political aspect deals with assessment of set goals in the Resolution and bringing justice as a prerogative, as it is expe

Master's Thesis from the year 2009 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Topic: European Union, grade: A-, University of Basel (Europainstitute), language: English, abstract: Master thesis as one of the first such researches in Europe draws attention to the ERASMUS Programme - a successful example of European integration and a symbol of construction of European identity. Author has created definition of tolerance and through analysis of interviews with experts of the ERASMUS Programme and of tolerance has indicated that one of the Programme s objectives is the promotion of tolerance. Through analysis of questionnaires filled by respondents of University of Latvia, Science Po and ETH author has proved that the Programme promotes tolerance on the basis of encouraging multicultural experience, intercultural education, diminishing social distance, breaking stereotypes, furthering confidence and openness.

Research Paper from the year 2007 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Topic: European Union, grade: A+, University of Latvia, course: European Union, language: English, abstract: The research paper deals with definition of the concept of common European culture, the arguments against and pro, the concept of citizenship and European citizenship, why and who needs it, cultural policy of European Union, treaties that define European citizenship, Europeaness" in Euro Barometer statistics and other researches, problems of European citizenship.

Seminar paper from the year 2010 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Topic: Miscellaneous, grade: A-, Central European University Budapest, language: English, abstract: The author has compared the issue of abortion focusing on pro-life vs. pro-choice position in Rawls's theory of justice and political liberalism and Dworkin's discussion about moral problems of abortion. In the first and second parts of this paper, the author has analyzed the abortion issue from the standpoint of the original position, veil of ignorance, rights and interests, detached vs. derivative position, natural vs. human investment while criticisising the application of Rawls's natural duties and Dworkin's intrinsic (sacred) value to abortion. In the final part, Rawls's and Dworkin's positions on abortion issues are compared, drawing conclusions on similarities and divergence.

Seminar paper from the year 2009 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Topic: European Union, grade: A-, University of Basel (Europainstitut), language: English, abstract: Authors have proved hypothesis: Turkey's military capabilities, experience in NATO and international peace keeping operations and missions could rather strengthen than weaken ESDP position. However, there are some weaknesses that Turkey faces (focus on 'hard' rather than 'soft' power, military is in the process of modernizing, underestimated role in peace keeping operations), Turkey's contribution to ESDP is too significant (strong involvement in the missions) and will give more benefits than costs. Furthermore, Turkish accession to the EU would transform strategic challenges of ESDP.51 Only five of twenty ESDP peace keeping operations have been of a military nature, which mostly has been held by NATO or UN. "When it comes to much bigger military issues, the EU avoids taking strategic responsibility and still depends on the NATO to do its 'dirty work'"52. Therefore military stronger EU would give NATO and UN credit that EU is also responsible in the field of crisis management. Such win-win situation would exempt US Secretary's of State Madeleine Albright's the "3 D's" 1) decoupling of ESDP from NATO, 2) duplication of capabilities, 3) discrimination of non-EU NATO members.53 Turkey would also play role of agent between EU and NATO and "parties involved will benefit from threelevel game"54 (EU-Turkey-NATO). Therefore it is advantageous and beneficial not only for Turkey, but also for the EU and the NATO as well.55 Finally, last week Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn once more showed that EU would not allow Turkey 'cruise control' on accession.56 Therefore Turkey-EU relations should balance the contributions and benefits of such partnership and show that both partners can be producers and consumers of security and experience of defence. Such dialogue will prove that EU can play an imp

Master's Thesis from the year 2010 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Topic: European Union, grade: B], Central European University Budapest, language: English, abstract: The European Commission and scholars emphasize that the ERASMUS programme is a successful example of European integration, a symbol of construction of European identity and promoter of tolerance on the basis of breaking stereotypes, encouraging multicultural experience and intercultural education. But because of the lack of empirical findings, this Master thesis has been devoted to research of the impact of the ERASMUS programme on breaking the stereotypes and fostering European identity. The quantitative survey of three hundred thirty former ERASMUS, potential ERASMUS and non-ERASMUS students provides partly justification that the ERASMUS Programme has impact on breaking the stereotypes and promoting European identity. Potential ERASMUS students already have less stereotypes and European self-identification than non-mobile students, therefore the ERASMUS programme is rather catalyst than promoter of European identity and stereotypebreaker. Key words: the ERASMUS programme, European identity, stereotypes.

Seminar paper from the year 2010 in the subject Communications - Journalism, Journalism Professions, grade: A-, Central European University Budapest, course: "News Media and Political Power: Lessons from American Perspective," language: English, abstract: The future of news media characterized by uncertainty, over- and underestimation is a fascinating area of study. Nowadays everything is glocal, everyone can be journalist and a political player - news consumers become news producers. Unfortunately, there is a lack of theoretical and empirical researches about the future of journalism. Therefore my research questions are: 1) How will the journalism develop? (global and U.S. vision)? 2) How will the journalism develop in Latvia? 3) What are the development scenarios? The final paper consists of three parts and I have also proposed some recommendations in the end.

Seminar paper from the year 2007 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Topic: European Union, grade: A-, Sciences Po Paris, Dijon, Nancy, Poitier, Menton, Havre (L'Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Lille), course: Borders, Borderlands, and Security, language: English, abstract: Paper addresses the transformation of the agenda of border security relating to Latvia-Russia border. There are discussed following problems in paper: Othe relevance of signed treaty between Latvia and Russia; Othe investment in Latvia/Russia border; Othe effectiveness of cross-border cooperation; Oproblems with which Latvia-Russia border is dealing (increased number of cargos waiting for crossing Latvia/Russia border, smuggling, persons crossing border with fictitious documents, illegal border crossers and illegal immigrants). This paper focuses on what comes in through the border, and not so much on what goes out except problem of long truck lines. This paper also focuses on the investment and problems which affected Latvia's side not Russia's. Definition of Borders and Security Boundary - a demarcation indicating some division in spatial terms. Border - an international boundary line; when a border is seen as a zone it is often called a borderland or the borderlands. Frontier - a zone of contact with or without a specified boundary line. As L.Heininen and H.N.Nicol have emphasized 'security' is a broad concept, there are many ideas about the meaning of security and what should, or should not, be a 'security' issue, therefore there are many different understandings and ways to define and conceptualize security. Security in this paper is understood as direct intervention to prevent threats and interdict dangerous people and goods at the Latvia/Russia border. Function of the Conceptual Framework Author, as E.Brunet-Jailly in Borderlands: Comparing Border Security in North America and the European Union, in this paper tried, first, to discuss the relevance of agents on

Bachelor Thesis from the year 2008 in the subject Sociology - Political Sociology, Majorities, Minorities, grade: A+, University of Latvia, language: Latin, comment: One of three best theses in the Department of Political science., abstract: Bachelor thesis "The ERASMUS Programme of European Union as the Promoter of Tolerance Comparing Latvia to France" draws attention to one of the most successful examples of European integration and symbols of construction of European identity - ERASMUS programme. There was brought forward issue is the ERASMUS Programme of European Union promoter of tolerance. For giving the response to given issue, the main aim of bachelor thesis was to do research on ERASMUS programme comparing the experience of students of Latvia to France. The author put forward following hypothesis - the ERASMUS programme of European Union promotes tolerance on the basis of encouraging multicultural experience, intercultural education, diminishing social distance, breaking stereotypes, furthering confidence and overtness. Through analysis of cognitions of D. Heyd, S. Lowy, I. Apine, L. Ose and other researchers author has drafted definition of tolerance - tolerance is desire, ability and action, it is honouring through co-operating and not showing prejudices against the member of the other culture. One of the most significant tasks of the thesis was analysis of ERASMUS programme in the context of history and European integration theories - neofunctionalism and liberal intergovernmental approach. Author of the thesis concludes that the commencement period of the formation of ERASMUS programme can be explained by both integration theories. Through analysis of questionnaires (quantitative method) of respondents of University of Latvia (UL) and Institut d' Etudes Politiques (IEP) in the empirical part of bachelor thesis author came to conclusion that ERASMUS programme (on the basis of multicultural experience and intercultural education) has promoted overtness