Academicus International Scientific Journal

12-19

Authors: Franco Pomilio

The purpose of the article is to offer a reflection on the ethical aspect of communication, more from a practised, experienced perspective than according to abstract models characterised by theoretical regulation and definition. Specifically, through references to the crisis of confidence that is currently sweeping Europe, it will attempt to show how communication can constitute a natural place for training and cooperative construction of new values and principles of ethical and moral regulation across the various fields of social activity, from the world of enterprise to that of institutions.

35-40

Authors: Genc Pollo

Increasing real public participation in governance and decision making is one of the greatest challenges of modern democracies as well as of these countries seeking to elevate their level of decision making and effective participation of public and citizenship in these processes. The widely dissemination and usage of communication technologies as well a greater pressure from the public for a greater accountability towards their governors, changes the shape and tools of governance, by changing initially the philosophy of and mindset of decision makers and policy maker as well. At the same time, this calls for a revolutionary way of powers distribution in governance processes by bringing more power in the hands of public, starting by an increased transparency and aiming a real and functional participation. The case of Albania, certify how policy makers good will and successful application of best practices, can accelerate democratic processes and increase resources for a better decision making and decision application as well. The paper makes a historic and political reconstruction of the OGP process and practices by projecting the effects and potential outcomes of this governance philosophy in the Albanian social tissue and set up, taking in consideration of the political system and the governance philosophy in Albania 2011-2012.

47-61

Authors: Jola Xhafo

Juveniles are subject to a cognitive process and growth, where the physical, intellectual, emotional and personality are still in phase of development phase. As a result, they enjoy a special status which arises the demand for their specialized treatment. The status as a minor in criminal matters raises the need to create a system consisting of different rules, which should take into consideration the physical and psychological peculiarities of the child and his educational needs. This system should be oriented towards the goal of juvenile education, rehabilitation and development, goal which can be successfully implemented only if it is reflected in the nature and types of sanctions applied to juveniles. In the application of sanctions it should be taken into consideration the need for education, assistance and welfare of the juvenile. Prison sentence and other similar measures should be considered as a last resort and used in order to reduce only when other forms of treatment do not comply with the personality of the offender and the seriousness of the offense. Priority should be given to educational and non-institutional measures. These requirements impose the necessity of legal interventions in the system of sanctions to address the needs for special treatment in accordance with the personality of the children and their individual needs for education. This paper aims at a critical analysis of the sentencing system provided in the Criminal Code, in the focus of the standards set by the international instruments which safeguard in a special manner the juvenile as a criminal offender. Through the analysis of legal provisions as well as referring to the juridical doctrine and court jurisprudence, there will be evidenced some issues related to the special treatment of juvenile criminal offenders in the field of the system of sentencing. After a detailed analysis, there will be provided conclusions and concrete recommendations on the current stage of the sentencing system, its’ compliance with the need for special treatment of juvenile criminal offenders, the need for improvement as well as the concrete legal initiatives to be adopted.

71-77

Authors: Jordan Daci

The human right to water entitles everyone to sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible and affordable water for personal and domestic uses. An adequate amount of safe water is necessary to prevent death from dehydration, to reduce the risk of water-related disease and to provide for consumption, cooking, personal and domestic hygienic requirements. Indeed, the right to water clearly falls within the category of guarantees essential for securing an adequate standard of living, particularly since it is one of the most fundamental conditions for survival. Thus, the human right to life doesn’t have any sense without the right to water and other vital human rights that are a pre-condition for human life. Consequently, the enjoyment of the human right to water is a prerequisite for the enjoyment of other basic human rights such as the right to the highest attainable standard of health and the rights to adequate housing and adequate food etc. Nevertheless, today in this era of quasi irreversible clime changes as well as very extensive increase use of natural fresh water resources, their quantity and quality is significantly decreased. From this perspective, the future of the entire mankind depends mostly in the preservation of world natural water resources. However their preservation requires from mankind a new world approach that would include inter alia the following steps: the adoption of a new international treaty on world environmental protection, the establishment of the World Water Authority under UN that would deal with issues such as the protection, management and use of international waters, ICJ shall be empowered with biding jurisdiction to exanimate inter-state disputes over international watercourses, a new international treaty on Artic shall be adapted at least to address environmental concerns, and finally International Humanitarian Law shall address other environmental protection issues raised by enormous development of weapons destruction power including avoidance of loopholes that allow derogations from these treaties obligations. Certainly, any failure to do so, will undoubtedly lead mankind to future massive wars that shall be mostly fought for water rather than for oil.

84-100

Authors: Genta Bungo-Tafa

Approximation of the Albanian legislation with the acquis communautaire is accompanied by deep reforms and, consequently, by reforms of relations accompanying the relevant laws. In this context, one of the European Union recommendations for the Albanian government was the country’s tax reform. This reform was accompanied by the abrogation of Law no 8560, of 22 December 1999 “On Tax Procedures in the Republic of Albania” and the approval of the new Law No. 9920, of 19 May 2008 “On Tax Procedures in the Republic of Albania”. The purpose of this Law is to reduce informal economy and to improve the business climate in the country. By analyzing the legal amendments in this tax domain, we shall see reformation of tax procedures, evolution and the tax appeal process in Albania. By way of providing details on main issues, we shall focus on the benefits the changed tax procedures have yielded to the taxpayer and to the protection the law provides to the taxpayers against the illegal tax administration actions. Amongst the issues treated in this article is also the impact of such procedures in the fight against fiscal evasion.

113-125

Authors: Edi Spaho

Albania has experienced a difficult transition period, characterized by efforts to establish an economic system oriented towards the free market. Despite the difficulties encountered during the transition process, Albania has made progress in the macroeconomic stability and structural reforms. Nowadays, the economy of our country has become an integral part of initiatives for liberalizing and facilitating trade with countries of the European Union. Active participation in these initiatives increases the possibilities of our economy to be specialized and simultaneously requires commitment towards increasing competitiveness. For each country, foreign trade indicators reflect the level of economic development and mutual profit, which is why the analysis and evaluation of commercial indicators have a special importance. Albania now faces a new challenge of increasing the competitiveness in the international market and the aim of entering the European Union. As it is widely known, foreign trade is a very important factor that affects the growth of a country and reflects the increase of competitive ability. Foreign trade developments constitute an important component of overall economic developments in general and the external sector in particular. Foreign trade is of particular importance for the economies of small dimensions, such as that of our country. The performance in export of Albanian goods plays an important role in the perspective and sustainable development of the country’s economy, as well as in the trade balance in order to be able to face the European competition. The export growth rate in several years is an important indicator on the progress of which, one can judge the stability and sustainability of the economy in general and its ability to compete in the EU market, but it also reflects in a very direct and close way the conjuncture of European common market.

136-141

Authors: Juliana Marko

The history of economic relations between Italy and Albania is a typical example of asymmetric relationship between two countries with geographic proximity but with very different dimensions. The importance of this bond is essential for Albania, as Italy is our greatest economic and trade partner, but also from the Italian perspective these relationships have a greater weight than we might expect given the size of the Albanian economy, due to geographical proximity and preferential relations between the two countries. The relations with Albania are included in the broader context of the Italian policy in the entire Balkan region as these countries transition towards free market economic system is of great importance for the European integration processes. Since 2000, the economic cooperation has grown, but its features (trade balance deficit, restricted investment areas, à façon industries, etc.) still persist. This paper intends to highlight the strengths and drawbacks of Italian – Albanian economic relations in its early stages from 1990 to 2000.