Civil Rewiev

Teachers’ unions in Europe and Hungary in the 19th century

2025-06-03T09:48:30+00:00

A review of the historiography on associations reveals a substantial corpus of international and national literature on the subject, spanning the last century. This research has facilitated the development of legal, statistical, political and social historical analyses, offering a more comprehensive perspective on the evolution of civilisation as reflected by the functioning of social circles, various forms of self-organisation, civil organisations and associations. In this context, teachers’ and teachers’ associations have been observed to emerge in numerous Western countries from the late 18th century onwards. From the 19th century onward, with the expansion of schooling and the development of teacher training, a significant number of associations were established to promote education, the professionalisation of teachers and teachers’ professionalism, and the advancement of their professional interests. In Hungary, the development of teachers’ associations was significantly bolstered by the Act of 1868: XXXVIII. The present study delineates the pivotal steps and achievements of the organisation of teachers' associations in Hungary during the 18th and 19th centuries, while also offering a concise international perspective and an overview of the research history of this subject. A close analysis of national and local examples is undertaken to demonstrate the pivotal role of teachers’ unions in the spheres of self-education, further education, the provision of aid and the advocacy of teachers. In the context of professionalisation and social modernisation, the members of the teachers’ unions played a pivotal role, not only in the domains of education and culture, but also in the modernisation of agriculture and crafts, and in the realm of social welfare.

The role of non-profit organizations in the non-formal education of preschool children from marginalized Roma communities in Slovakia

2025-06-03T09:48:30+00:00

The paper aims at analyzing the non-profit organizations and national projects that provide non-formal education to preschool children in Slovakia. Non-profit organizations and their programs are an important tool for strengthening the educational and social development of children who do not have the access to traditional formal educational institutions for reasons such as limited capacity of kindergartens, parents' distrust of school institutions, parents' lack of interest in pre-primary education, and financial constraints. Non-profit organizations, civic associations, community centers, and other agents operating in the field play an important role in providing education to children from marginalized Roma communities. Their cooperation and efforts for inclusive education help these children overcome social and educational barriers and improve their life chances. Programs and projects provided by non-profit organizations to children from marginalized Roma communities support and stimulate their personality development, motivate parents for adequate education and create an environment in which children can learn from an early age.

How do online volunteers take care of their health?

2025-06-03T09:48:30+00:00

With the development of information technologies the activity of online volunteers, who partially or completely work online, is an important issue (Silva et al. 2018). Modern research has given a positive assessment of the influence of volunteers on people's social well-being and health (Herzog et al. 1998). It was proved that volunteering increases life satisfaction (Jenkinson et al., 2013) and affects self-rated health (de Wit et al. 2022). At the same time, there is almost no research on the health of online volunteers, as well as health care practices and behavioral risks, in scientific sources. In our study, we examined the self-rated health of online volunteers, identified health care practices and health risks. We developed a questionnaire and conducted a quantitative survey of students at the Ural Federal University (Ekaterinburg, Russia). We were guided by a quota type selection and respondents were represented in approximately equal proportions by gender, year of study, and area of professional training. In total, we surveyed 1,170 students. Of these, we selected 614 respondents implementing online volunteering practices. We defined the following criteria to form the sample of respondents. The filter question specified the following types of actions performed on the Internet on a free-of-charge basis: "created/maintained a website for an association or non-profit organization", "published articles/notes on Wikipedia or other resources implemented on the principles of a wiki", "created/moderated thematic groups on social networks", "published a practical video guide on YouTube or other video hosting sites", "gave online consultations or acted as an online expert". We surveyed those students who chose at least one option from the proposed actions. The survey results showed that only 47% of respondents assess their health as good. At the same time, 84% of respondents take care of their health, firstly, placing the monitor screen at a distance of at least 50 cm from the face (61%), implementing ergonomic computer use practices (breaks in working at the computer (55%), reducing the brightness of the monitor screen (53%), and secondly, physical activity (walking at least 3 kilometers – 92%, climbing stairs – 85%, going to a sports club 64%). At the same time, the data showed that in case of information overload, respondents turn to drinking coffee (48%), smoking cigarettes (30%), and energy drinks (31%). Our results can be used to determine criteria for assessing the work of online volunteers and to develop new
strategies for preserving the health of online volunteers, shifting the focus from computer hygiene to the prevention of mental stress associated with information overload.

Validation of the experience of civic volunteering

2025-06-03T09:48:30+00:00

Validation in different languages and cultures means acceptance, recognition, validation of something. If validation is examined from the point of view of previous experiences or the results of learning processes, the knowledge capital that civilian volunteers acquire through their own work inevitably appears, and the validation of which is of great importance in various studies and in assessing suitability for occupations and jobs. The latter is particularly important from the labour market, because it means that not only proving a qualification with a certificate, certificate or diploma makes someone suitable for certain tasks, but also work experience gained as a volunteer in a given field can make up for them. In our study, we examine the operation of validation in the education systems of some countries, with special regard to the recognition and accounting of volunteer work in the civil sector, and we also look at how volunteering in civil areas appears in the perception of human resources.

Examining the relationship between religiosity and student work among students in Central and Eastern Europe

2025-06-03T09:48:30+00:00

An important area of research in the sociology of religion is the relationship between religiosity and employment. The research results show a positive correlation between religiosity and employment aspiration among higher education students. Studies examining the relationship between work and religiosity focus on whether work performance is related to work values and on the impact of religiosity on employee performance. In the context of volunteer work, the results show that religiosity increases volunteer activity and that altruistic attitudes, which are often associated with religiosity, are also present in volunteer work motivations. The aim of our study is to investigate the relationship between paid student work and volunteer work and religious attitudes. We seek to answer the question how student work (paid and voluntary) and work motivation clusters are related to religiosity. In our study, we used a large-sample student database covering Hungarian-speaking higher education institutions in five countries (Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, Slovakia and Serbia). Our results show a strong correlation along the frequency of performing the two forms of work. Another important finding of the study was that we identified different clusters along the motivation to work and then used binary logistic regression models to examine the effect of religiosity on the probability of belonging to the motivational clusters. Our results provide partial support for the effect of religiosity on work motivation. Our further research aims to explore which factors other than religiosity and financial situation determine work motivation.

Consulting Needs of Social Enterprises in the Context of Sustainability

2025-06-03T09:48:30+00:00

The study examines the consulting needs of social enterprises and their evolution in recent years, with a particular focus on sustainability and the impacts of the COVID–19 pandemic. The aim of the research is to explore the factors that have hindered the operation of these enterprises and how these factors have evolved over the past five years. The research hypotheses, conducted using quantitative and qualitative methods, suggest that social enterprises and control groups have been hindered by similar factors during COVID–19 as before. The results highlight that although social enterprises prioritize sustainability, their operations are hampered by significant challenges, mainly in terms of limited access to expertise and financial resources. Price competition and higher personnel costs have had a less significant impact on social enterprises than in the control group. Social enterprises are increasingly focusing on solutions aimed at sustainable development and in this way aim to contribute to the achievement of broader social and environmental goals. The study also highlights that for social enterprises, sustainability is not just a marketing or communication element, but a fundamental operational aspect that they want to further integrate into their strategies with the help of consultants. Based on the results, further research directions are presented, focusing on the differences between social enterprises and the control group in terms of long- term sustainability goals and challenges. The research findings can help us to better understand the specific consulting needs of social enterprises and how strategies focused on sustainability and social well-being can be developed for these enterprises. to contribute to the achievement of broader social and environmental goals.

A Bridge Between School and Local Community

2025-06-03T09:48:29+00:00

This study explores the third mission activities of secondary schools in Dunaújváros, with a particular focus on School Community Service Initiatives (SCSI). School community service refers to individual or group activities carried out within an organized framework, free of financial gain, and intended to benefit the local community. These activities fall within eight legally defined areas. According to Section 6 of the 2011 National Public Education Act, students must complete fifty hours of community service as a prerequisite for graduation. This requirement holds both educational and social significance. The aim of this research is to present the community service programs implemented by secondary schools in Dunaújváros, highlighting their impact on both students and the local community. The study focuses on the period between 2014 and 2024. It examines the types of activities carried out as part of school community service, as well as students’ engagement with their local communities and the pedagogical value of these programs. The analysis considers the organizational frameworks supporting community service, the role of teachers, and the nature of collaborations with local civil society organizations. The findings indicate that community service not only fulfills formal graduation requirements but also fosters social responsibility and empathy among students. Furthermore, these programs strengthen the connection between schools and local communities, contributing to the success of third mission initiatives. The results support the conclusion that well-structured and pedagogically guided community service programs yield long-term benefits for both students and the communities they serve.