The need to focus on a transdisciplinary approach in education for sustainable development (EDS) has been reflected in research and especially action research as a possible solution, which can open a new perspective for understanding and interpretation of the complex phenomenon of sustainability as well as for developing new open continuing education programmes by integrating research and learning activities in the context of open transdisciplinary research.The content structure of the article: (1) it describes the experience that has evolved at one faculty and its subordinate scientific institute and has been proposed to be used within the entire institution; (2) it generalises issues arising from the extensive experience, which in action research manifest themselves as issues relating to the appropriate perspective choice in terms of sustainability, approaches that in education make it possible to understand the sustainability phenomenon, as well as features that help identify sustainability at different levels. Well-known cases in the history of science, philosophy of science, and systems development research have been used to highlight the relationship among the dynamic interaction of complex problems that can systematically appear as sustainable or unsustainable. Therefore, the article provides insight into a specific relationship among science development, integration and Anthropocene phenomena with sustainability / non-sustainability phenomena and their interaction; (3) it offers the experience necessary for the creation of participatory action research ideas and research base to expand the cooperation of university and its graduates using a stakeholder approach and connecting it with a transdisciplinary research framework, which envisages an activity around the sustainability phenomenon and its deep relationship to the openness for the evolution of sustainability consciousness as concerns individuals and societies; (4) it describes the first three activities of the first phase of the undertaken action research, which allowed determining the participantsí motivation to take part in the action research, identifying participantsí attitude and understanding sustainability and Anthropocene phenomena, as well as establishing a strategic vision of open transdisciplinary framework benefits and opportunities through participatory action research to develop open evoluUnauthenticated Download Date | 5/12/18 3:33 AM

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BackgroundThe European Gaucher Alliance (EGA) was established in 1994 and constituted in 2008 as an umbrella group supporting patient organisations for Gaucher disease. Every two years, the EGA conducts a questionnaire survey of member associations to help develop its priorities and annual work programme. Results of the latest survey are presented.MethodsBetween June 2012 and April 2013, the 36 members and associate members of the EGA were asked to complete a questionnaire detailing membership numbers, disease specific treatments used by patients, means of access to treatment, availability of treatment centres and home infusions, sources of support for patients with Gaucher disease, patient organisations’ activities, collaborations, funding sources and any issues of concern. Questionnaires completed in 2012 were revised in January 2013 and responses analysed between July and September 2013.ResultsThirty three members returned data on one or more questions. Findings identified inequalities in access to treatment both within and between members’ countries. Three of 27 countries, for which data were available, relied totally on humanitarian aid for treatment and 6% of untreated patients in 20 countries were untreated because of funding issues, a situation many feared would worsen with deteriorating economic climates. Access to treatment and reimbursement represented 45% of members’ concerns, while 35% related to access to specialist treatment centres, home infusions and doctors with expertise in Gaucher disease. Member associations’ main activities centred on patient support (59% of responses) and raising awareness of Gaucher disease and patients’ needs amongst the medical community, government and healthcare decision makers and the general public (34% of responses). Twenty one (78% of respondents) indicated they were the only source of help for Gaucher disease patients in their country. For many, activities were constrained by funds; two members had no external funding source. Activities were maximised through collaboration with other patient organisations and umbrella organisations for rare diseases.ConclusionThe survey provided a ‘snapshot’ of the situation for patients and families affected by Gaucher disease, helping the EGA direct its activities into areas of greatest need.

Teacher is one of the most responsible professions in the world because the teacher builds a sustainable society. There is an ongoing discussion about a professional competency of the teacher and changes in the requirements for teachers in the acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitudes required from teachers. There are numerous researches being carried out about the professional competency of teaching competency. The professional teaching standard that was ratified in 2004 is outdated but the new teaching standard is not designed yet because policy makers cannot come to an agreement about what a good teacher needs to know. For the changes to take place, the main aim of the study is to explore and to analyze societal opinion about the notion of a good teacher and competencies required for a good teacher. The research was carried out from May, 2016 until September with a participation of 160 respondents from different age groups. To ensure the validity of the study the authors used a questionnaire. Acquired data indicate that there exists a significant difference between the opinion expressed by the school age children and the opinion of adults. By describing the ideal of a good teacher pupils pay more attention to personal features of a teacher but adults pay closer attention to the skills and knowledge needed for a teacher.

Self-care as an element of life philosophy is observed in works by many thinkers, however there are interesting ideas in the context of personality's self-education process realised in the postmodern culture, which are expressed in works by philosophers and psychologists: formation of a personality is compared to creation of a piece of art