No 6 (2023)

Expert diplomacy is interaction of researchers within the framework of the peace process, combined with the efforts of diplomats and other government representatives and coordinated by official negotiators. Based on the case of the Transdniestrian settlement, the role and potential of expert diplomacy in the absence of a stable political and diplomatic negotiation process are identified. The article is of an interdisciplinary and applied nature and is aimed at studying the unique practice of promoting the peace process by organizing an additional expert track of negotiations. The advantages of transprofessionalization of diplomacy in the context of negotiations, such as inclusiveness, versatility, flexibility in decision-making, coordination with the “first track” and others, are revealed. It is shown how the work of the “one and a half track of diplomacy” enriches the diplomatic practice of peacemaking and peace-building. It doesn’t replace the official format, but contributes to the expansion of political and diplomatic interaction and confidence-building.

Failures in adaptation of society to global challenges resulting from climate change, including risks of natural disasters, are defined by a combination of ecological and societal factors which result in growing human vulnerability and damages to critical infrastructure and economic sectors. They are attributed to a high extent to loopholes in the emerging system of adaptive governance and human responses at global, national and local levels. Innovative analysis is presented of major trends and approaches to the multidisciplinary problem of solving the problem of societal adaptation to climate change impact with associated transformations of socio-economic, legal, institutional frameworks and multilevel architecture of adaptation climate policy and measures towards sustainability risks reduction. The features and factors in formation of national and global adaptation regimes, innovations in the United Nations system towards overcoming the gaps in implementation of its universal principles and norms, are analyzed. Global North-South interactions in the formation of the international fund for loss and damage are tracked. Major approaches to the contemporary and future design of an adaptive governance system is studied through the assessment of interactions and linkages between climate change, global ice melting, doubling of average rates of sea-level rise during XXI century, flood risks for coastal areas and small island states, packages of adaptation response measures aimed at damage mitigation by vulnerable regions, communities and stakeholders. In this context the role of recent dynamic developments of international regimes governing adaptation to global climate change challenges and societal vulnerability reduction is reflected on the basis of unpacking the major quests in implementation and effectiveness of adaptation policies.

The rural-urban paradox of happiness is examined that, in developed countries, manifests itself in higher life satisfaction of rural residents compared to urban residents. This topic has become increasingly important due to the dynamics of urbanization and the overwhelming majority of the global population settling in urban areas. Based on the analysis of statistical data and foreign literature, the aim of the study is to highlight the issues associated with defining the paradox and analyze various approaches to this topic. As the cost of living in urban areas rises, the paradox might become more pronounced, and the territorial differentiation of subjective well-being is likely to increase. In this scenario, human civilization will face fundamental challenges relating to the future of cities and the spatial distribution of the global population.

The article analyzes the role of the native language in conditions of bilingualism by comparing the language situation in two dissimilar regions: Belarus and the Republic of Khakassia. From the point of view of the linguistic situation, these territories are united by one common feature - the significant role of the Russian language, which, along with the native (ethnic) language, is recognized as the state language. Despite the official bilingualism, in the communicative space of the regions under consideration, the native languages of the titular peoples play a different role: in Belarus it is rather symbolic, while in Khakassia the native language is used only in some areas of life. The fact that the native language is being washed away is recognized in both regions being compared, but it is in Khakassia that this problem is perceived as a threat to ethnic identity. In Belarus, due to the closeness of Russians and Belarusians and their languages, the dominance of the Russian language does not cause tension. The authors come to the conclusion that there are several aspects of the existence of the native language in conditions of bilingualism: in the lives of its speakers it is present as a means of recording and preserving cultural heritage, as a marker of ethnic identity and as a symbol of the spiritual unity of the titular peoples.

The impact of cognitive biases on the financial behavior of investors is studied. In theory, an investor is a rational actor; in reality, his/her behavior is subject to systematic errors due to subjective beliefs, emotional and cognitive reasons. This creates barriers to making rational financial decisions, resulting in limited financial literacy in practice. The purpose of the study is to classify cognitive biases and identify the specifics of their manifestation among retail investors. A literature review of studies of cognitive biases in the financial market, as a result of which the investor’s actions deviate from rational financial behavior, is presented. A classification of cognitive biases is proposed taking into account their characteristics and the degree of influence on the behavior of professional and non-professional investors. An analysis of the role of financial literacy programs in overcoming imperfections in investment decision-making is given. The study’s findings suggest that financial literacy programs are not a panacea for ineffective decisions and justify the need to include practical tools to overcome manifestations of cognitive biases.