Identity of Music Teachers in a Diverse European Context. Problems and Challenges

in Chacinsky, Jaroslaw; Brusniak, Friedhelm (Eds.) Music Education in Continuity and Breakthrough, Historical Prospects and Current References in a European Context (2017)

In his book „The Limits of Interpretation” (Bloomington, Indiana University Press, 1991) Umberto Ecco distinguished between the research of intentio operis and the subordination of a text to the intentio ... [more ▼]

In his book „The Limits of Interpretation” (Bloomington, Indiana University Press, 1991) Umberto Ecco distinguished between the research of intentio operis and the subordination of a text to the intentio lectoris. In the first case is meant the “interpretation” of the text and in the second Ecco speaks of “using the text”. The importance of this thesis is that the intentio lectoris is at the origin of music education. Transferred to music one should consider the term intentio auditoris. If apprentices must be motivated to alter their intentio auditoris up to an intentio operis, they should take the opportunity to make the connection of their own intentionality with music, e.g. they must try to modify the subject. This is a crucial task for the music teacher. The importance of electronic media and new technologies are regularly at the center of research projects at European levels. The music teacher’s identity and his/her professionalism have to detect this distance between intentio auditoris and intentio operis (the latter having been trained during the studies) and work with conviction to reduce this distance. In addition s/he will justify and critically scrutinize at any time to him/herself and to the students the impact of his/her educational activities. The objective of my text is to portray the identity of music teachers from a European perspective, on one hand, by distinguishing between countries focusing more or less on the German tradition (the teacher as a musician), and, on the other hand, countries preferring the system as it applies on the francophone (the musician as teacher) or Anglo-Saxon countries. In general, identifying avenues for mutual enrichment between different traditions will be a goal of further research about cultural heritage. Identifying tracks for promoting a mutual cross-fertilization between and an understanding of different traditions will on the focus of this kind of activities. [less ▲]

Identity processes in multicultural Antwerp: Report on an ethnographic - cross-cultural study

Presentation (2018, June 21)

The ideological background of mathematics education in Luxembourg before starting the New Maths reform

Presentation (2014, December 11)

Idéologie nobiliaire et espace public dans les pays de la couronne de Bohême au XIVe siècle

in Hemecht : Zeitschrift für Luxemburger Geschichte = Revue d'Histoire Luxembourgeoise (2015), 67(4), 410-419

The Ideology of the ‘Community’ and the Idea of Contract in the Dalimil’s Chonicle

in Seventh International Conference on the Medieval Chronicle (2016)

Idiopathic environmental illnesses: A comprehensive model

in Clinical Psychological Science (2017)

IDRL in Italy: A Study on Strengthening Legal Preparedness for International Disaster Response

Report (2015)

This report seeks to identify the main obstacles that existing rules create for international cooperation in the event of disasters in Italy: It does so by looking to the Guidelines for the Domestic ... [more ▼]

This report seeks to identify the main obstacles that existing rules create for international cooperation in the event of disasters in Italy: It does so by looking to the Guidelines for the Domestic Facilitation and Regulation of International Disaster Relief and Initial Recovery Assistance (hereinafter the IDRL Guidelines) and to the EU Host Nation Support Guidelines (HNSG). The analysis seeks to point out solutions (mostly legislative ones) that may contribute to enhancing international cooperation in response to disasters occurring in Italy. The report finds that Italy has developed advanced and flexible disaster response mechanisms. Furthermore, Italy’s participation in international cooperation arrangements, notably the European Union (EU) Civil Protection Mechanism, reinforces the country’s capacities and preparedness. As of today, the country has seldom relied on external assistance, and when it did, international cooperation did not prove problematic. Indeed, it would seem that Italian law is generally in line with the prescriptions of the IDRL Guidelines and the HNSG, especially as concerns assistance originating from other EU countries. However, the investigation has also indicated three main problems that need to be addressed in order to ensure effective and accountable assistance in the future. In the first place, the institutional framework is fragmented: Numerous organs with different resources and powers intervene in disaster response. In the second place, it is not always easy to say what rules apply: There is a multiplicity of instruments that regulate disaster response, and their identification and interpretation is often complex. And, in the third place, some of the rules may hinder incoming aid: There are cases in which the law may prevent the provision of assistance or may discourage it by imposing onerous procedures and financial obligations. These problems can be addressed by fixing the flaws identified in the report, that is, by clarifying existing law, repealing outdated provisions, and introducing specific norms designed to regulate and facilitate international cooperation. To this end, the report offers recommendations for the competent authorities. [less ▲]

IEEE Global Telecommunications Conference

in Power Efficient Downlink Beamforming Optimization by Exploiting Interference (2015, December 06)

We propose a new beamforming scheme for the multi-user multiple-input-single-output (MISO) downlink channel. While conventional beamforming aims at the minimization of the transmit power subject to ... [more ▼]

We propose a new beamforming scheme for the multi-user multiple-input-single-output (MISO) downlink channel. While conventional beamforming aims at the minimization of the transmit power subject to suppressing interference to guarantee quality of service (QoS) constraints, here we exploit, rather than suppress, the constructive part of interference. By exploiting the power of constructively interfering symbols, the proposed scheme achieves the required QoS at lower transmit power. In addition, we derive an equivalent virtual multicast formulation for the proposed optimization to facilitate the design of a more efficient solver. Our simulation and analysis show significant power savings for small scale MISO downlink channels with the proposed optimization compared to conventional beamforming optimization. [less ▲]

IERC Activity Chain 05 – IoT Privacy, Security and Governance

in IERC Activity Chain 05 – IoT Privacy, Security and Governance (2013)

Internet of Things (IoT) is a broad term which indicates the concept of increasingly pervasive connected devices (embedded within, attached to or related to “Things”) supporting various applications to ... [more ▼]

Internet of Things (IoT) is a broad term which indicates the concept of increasingly pervasive connected devices (embedded within, attached to or related to “Things”) supporting various applications to enhance the awareness and the capabilities of users. The adoption of IoT essentially depends upon trust. Moreover this trust must be established and maintained with respect to a broad group of stakeholders otherwise IoT will face, to some degree or other, challenges which may restrict adoption scope or delay its timing. Without sufficient IoT security it is highly likely that some applications will more resemble the Intranet of Things rather than the Internet of Things as users seek to place their own proprietary protection barriers and thus frustrating broad interoperability. Many of the device connections to the Internet today more closely resemble the Intranet of Things which differs dramatically from the vision for the Internet of Things, the latter being a much more open and interoperable environment allowing in theory the connection with many more objects and, with their multiple IoT compatible devices. One specific challenge within IoT is the control exercised over information collected by increasingly small and pervasive mobile devices, like RFID or future micro-nano sensors which can be ingested, implanted, worn or distributed elsewhere within the environment. In most cases, such devices have the capability of being wireless connected and accessible at all times and by anyone. In this context, the challenge is to ensure that the information collected and stored by the devices should be visible and distributed only by those legally permitted and authorized, acknowledging that permissions and authorizations may change throughout a devices or objects life or lives. This element of IoT represents one of a number of perceived and real concerns which are grouped under the title of IoT privacy. One aspect which often gets overlooked particularly frequently by those of us who entered adulthood before the year 1990 is the importance of the virtual-world. The Internet is a virtual environment. IoT is capable of establishing an important new bridge between the real and virtual-worlds. This bridge is likely to grow and become more relevant to the lives of citizens in the future allowing real-world augmentation of virtual-worlds and conversely allow the virtual-world to be enhanced by real-world information. Noteworthy is that IoT devices may be real or, virtual or, include aspects of both, either instantaneously or one or the other over a device’s or thing’s lifetime. IoT not only supports the exchange of information it nourishes the creation of greater automation. When IoT delivers this automation often reference is made to “smart” e.g. smart-city, smart-healthcare, etc. Trusted IoT therefore extends to confident and appropriate outcomes and not only the aggregation of clear dependable and timely information. Similar such “smart” automation has been widely used for investment banking transactions which has shown how a small change can cause an almost instantaneous and unstoppable global avalanche of stock values which was neither intended nor justified and resulting in severe penalties for a large number of stakeholders. IoT and “smart” applications effects need careful consideration and possibly some form of permanent monitoring to identity potential risks and oversee the development and introduction of suitably appropriate measures. A future IoT governance model has a role in overseeing such measures are put in place to protect IoT users and reinforce trust and confidence in “smart” applications. This chapter provides an overview of how the FP7 projects iCore, BUTLER, GAMBAS and IoT@Work within IERC Activity Chain 05 have approached IoT – security, privacy and governance. [less ▲]

'If at first they don't succeed'… The principle of universality in international law and the theory of 'failed' states: challenges and analysis

Presentation (2014, May 10)

The idea of universality in international law has faced many challenges, both in theory and in practice. Among them, the theoretical construction of ‘rogue’ and ‘failed’ states has been identified as a ... [more ▼]

The idea of universality in international law has faced many challenges, both in theory and in practice. Among them, the theoretical construction of ‘rogue’ and ‘failed’ states has been identified as a challenge to the classic notion of universality, which refers to international law’s universal applicability. However, the issue of how the discourse on failed, collapsed, outlaw, rogue or pariah states questions specifically the principle of universality has not yet been clarified. The analysis through the lens of international law is particularly relevant at a time when the current turn of events in some states poses both theoretical and practical challenges in terms of humanitarian assistance, flows of refugees and economic stability around the world. This article addresses this issue, first by outlining the main elements of the concept of failed and rogue states and of semantically relevant terms. It, then, proceeds to inquire how the discourse about these states challenges the principle of universality along with the traditional state-centric view of international law. In so doing, it attempts to illustrate specific aspects of the principle of universality in international law which are challenged by such theoretical constructions which are based on the premise that fundamental principles enshrined in the UN Charter should only be respected when a state is first a secure (liberal, democratic) place to live in. In this respect, the question of cosmopolitanism in international law comes into play and the article concludes by examining whether the theory of failed or rogue states is a representative expression of global cosmopolitan law. [less ▲]