The Global Wave of Refugees and Migrants: Complex Challenges for European Policy Makers

This article reviews the burdensome problem posed by the arrival in the European countries of large number of refugees and migrants from countries at war or with little economic opportunities. It differentiates the issues of migrants (for economic reasons) and refugees (humanitarian grounds). This wave of refugees currently poses huge challenges to European policy makers. The article suggests some policy initiatives that could solve or at least control the present chaos, disorder, and uncertainty created by the arrival of this unprecedented number of refugees.     

Privatization of Public Services in Leipzig: A Balancing Act between Efficiency and Legitimacy

Since 1992, the budget deficits of larger German cities increased from less than one billion Euros to more than nine billion in 2005. The reasons for this fiscal collapse were a worsening economic situation partly caused by lower government revenue and higher costs of unemployment benefits. In order to reduce their deficits, the municipalities started privatizing and outsourcing large sectors of public administration. Leipzig rejected the path of privatization and became the pioneer in organizing large-scale municipal companies. This approach brought essential social benefits, most needed revenues, greater efficiency in delivering services and allowed the city to reduce almost by 50% the number of its administrative staff.     

Conundrums of Urban Planning in a Global Context: The Case of the Frankfurt Airport

The article reviews the complexity of urban policy formulation in Frankfurt, Germany, where officials are trying to enlarge the international airport to stay competitive in international air transportation and meet the challenges of global business operations. This case study analyzes an elaborate mediation process that helped the formal decision-makers avert the violence threatened by anti-globalization and environmentalist protesters. Although some legal challenges loom ahead, a majority of Frankfurt residents support the new airport expansion. The Frankfurt experience will help other communities minimize the confrontation between urban policy makers, corporate business elites, and citizen groups that are concerned with issues of public health and clean environment.     

Morals, Ethics, and Integrity: How Codes of Conduct Contribute to Ethical Adult Education Practice

This article examines the similarities and differences in the concepts or in the usage of the terms “integrity”, “morals” and “ethics” to provide a framework for understanding why these concepts are the foundation of professional ethics and to promote a more thoughtful consideration of the need for codes of ethics for the field of adult education. The article reviews the original interpretations of these terms by the classic philosophers whose works are fundamental for a greater appreciation of contemporary ethics.