An effective and democratic governance is one of the most challenging issues Russia is facing today. The complexity and multiplicity of the tasks a modern state has to deal with makes it impossible to provide an efficient public administration on a ”centralised base” - hence it is vitally important to guarantee the existence of local self-government and to create a transparent and workable legal framework for its performance. The rebirth of the local government in Russia and the beginning of its reform dates back to the early 1990s, when the country underwent economic and political restructuring. The Federal Law No. 131 passed in June, 2003 ”On the General Organisational Principles of Local Self-Government in the Russian Federation” appeared to be the next crucial step and was expected to give more fiscal and managerial independence to municipalities. Local self-government has formally become a very widespread phenomenon and there are 24, 208 municipalities in Russia at the moment.1 However the goals of the reforms have not been achieved – local government institutions are still very weak and their participation in social and economic developments is very limited. There is an urgent need for new opportunities to improve this situation. A workable legal framework can be a key element in the development of the efficient self-government system. Two problems of municipal importance are the realisation of education, recreation and social
work with children and youth at municipality (A.) and the public library service (B.): models of legal acts from European countries shall be described in order to transfer some of the solutions found in these countries. Thus, the Russian self-government can reach European standards.
Table of Contents
A. Models of Legal Acts on Realisation of Education, Recreation and Social Work with Children and Youth at Municipality
I. Models of Legal Acts on Realisation of Education, Recreation and Social Work with Children and Youth at Municipality in Germany
1. The Legal Base of Youth Services
a) The Federal Legislation on Children and Youth Services
b) The Federal State Legislation on Children and Youth Services
2. The Aim of Youth Services
3. Responsible Bodies of Youth Services
4. Youth work
a) Main Points of Youth Work
b) Playground for Children and Young Persons, Holiday Camps
c) The Personal Scope of Youth Work, Contribution
5. Youth Associations and Youth Groups
a) Responsible Bodies of Free Youth Services
b) The Scope of Work of Youth Associations and Youth Groups
6. Public Youth Services
a) The Youth Welfare Office
b) The Organisation of the Youth Welfare Office
7. Youth Houses
II. Models of Legal Acts on Realisation of Education, Recreation and Social Work with Children and Youth at Municipality in Austria
1. Public Youth Welfare
2. Free Youth Welfare
3. The Task of Youth Welfare
4. Special Services of Youth Welfare
III. Models of Legal Acts on Realisation of Education, Recreation and Social Work with Children and Youth at Municipality in Switzerland
1. The Aims of Extra-curricular Youth Work
2. The Areas of Extra-curricular Youth Work
3. Responsible Bodies of Extra-curricular Youth Work
4. Forms of the Promotion of Extra-curricular Youth Work
a) The Amount of Financial Grants
b) A Definition of Yearly Financial Grants and Project-Related Financial Grants
c) The Refusal and the Reclaim of Financial Grants
IV. Models of Legal Acts on Realisation of Education, Recreation and Social Work with Children and Youth at Municipality in Great Britain
1. The Children’s Services Authority
2. Financing Arrangements of the Children’s Services Authority
3. The Local Safeguarding Children Board
a) The Board Partners of the Children’s Services Authority
b) The Co-operation within the Local Safeguarding Children Board
c) The Funding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board
B. Models of Legal Acts on Public Library Service
I. Models of Legal Acts on Public Library Service in Germany
1. A Definition of Public Libraries in Germany
2. The Creation of Public Libraries in Germany
3. The Legal Act of the Creation of Public Libraries in Germany
4. The Organisation of Public Libraries in Germany
a) The Public Library organised according to Public Law in Germany
b) The Public Library organised according to Private Law in Germany
5. The Access to the Public Libraries in Germany
6. The Fees of Public Libraries in Germany
II. Models of Legal Acts on Public Library Service in Belgium
1. A Definition of Public Libraries in Belgium
2. The Creation of Public Libraries in Belgium
3. The Organisation of Public Libraries in Belgium
4. The Funding of Public Libraries in Belgium
5. The Control of Public Libraries in Belgium
6. The Fees of Public Libraries in Belgium
III. Models of Legal Acts on Public Library Service in Denmark
1. The Objective of Public Libraries in Denmark
2. The Obligation to Establish a Public Library in Denmark
3. The Organisation of the Public Library in Denmark
4. The Access to the Public Library in Denmark
5. The Co-operation Partners of the Public Library in Denmark
a) Companies and Institutions as Co-operation Partners of the Danish Public Library
b) Municipal School Libraries as Co-operation Partners of the Danish Public Library
6. Danish County Libraries
7. The Funding of the Public Library in Denmark
8. The Fees of the Public Library in Denmark
a) The Fees for Special Services
b) Municipal School Libraries as Co-operation Partners of the Danish Public Library
c) The Sale of Special Knowledge
d) The Fees for Overdue Material
e) The Fees for User from another Municipality
f) The Fees for a Replacement Ticket
9. The Collection of Fees of the Public Library in Denmark
10. The Exclusion from Borrowing at the Public Library in Denmark
Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this work is to provide a comparative legal analysis of the organizational frameworks for youth services and public library systems within selected European countries. By evaluating these diverse legislative models, the study aims to offer potential policy solutions to strengthen the local self-government framework in the Russian Federation, addressing specific needs in social work, recreational education for youth, and municipal library administration.
- Legislative models for youth work in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Great Britain.
- Frameworks for the organization and administration of public libraries in Germany, Belgium, and Denmark.
- Principles of public and free youth welfare services and their collaboration.
- Mechanisms for municipal financing, management, and regulation of community-based service facilities.
Excerpt from the Book
3. Responsible Bodies of Youth Services
According to § 3 section 1 SGB VIII, youth services are characterised by the variety of responsible body with different orientations of values and the variety of contents, methods and working forms. Services of youth services are provided by responsible body of free youth services and responsible body of public youth services (section 2). The law offers a graded system of aids in fair cooperation between public and free local responsible bodies of children and youth services. § 4 SGB VIII describes the cooperation of public youth services and free youth services: while both youth services shall collaborate in a partnership, the public youth services shall respect the independence of the free youth services concerning the aims and the accomplishment of its tasks as well as its structure of organisation. Section 2 states the subsidiarity of public youth services: as long as accepted responsible bodies of free youth services operate or are able to create adapted institutions, services and activities, the public youth services shall desist from own measures. That means that services of the youth services are offered by responsible bodies of free youth services. Section 3 states the obligation of the public youth services to promote free youth services and to strengthen different forms of self-aid.
Summary of Chapters
Models of Legal Acts on Realisation of Education, Recreation and Social Work with Children and Youth at Municipality in Germany: This chapter details the German SGB VIII legal framework, focusing on the role of federal and state legislation in governing youth welfare services and the cooperative structure between public and free providers.
Models of Legal Acts on Realisation of Education, Recreation and Social Work with Children and Youth at Municipality in Austria: This section explores the Austrian Jugendwohlfahrtgesetz (JWG), highlighting the principles of subsidiarity and necessity that guide public and free youth welfare activities.
Models of Legal Acts on Realisation of Education, Recreation and Social Work with Children and Youth at Municipality in Switzerland: This analysis focuses on the Federal Act on the Promotion of Extra-curricular Youth Work, examining how the Federation supports youth-led organizations and non-profit initiatives.
Models of Legal Acts on Realisation of Education, Recreation and Social Work with Children and Youth at Municipality in Great Britain: This chapter examines the Children Act 2004, emphasizing the role of local Children’s Services Authorities and Local Safeguarding Children Boards in fostering multi-agency cooperation.
Models of Legal Acts on Public Library Service in Germany: This section covers the legal status of public libraries as municipal institutions, detailing their creation, organization under public or private law, and access regulations.
Models of Legal Acts on Public Library Service in Belgium: This chapter outlines the long-standing Public Library Act, focusing on its requirements for state acknowledgement, subsidies, and the necessity of technically qualified staff management.
Models of Legal Acts on Public Library Service in Denmark: This section details the modern Act Regarding Library Services (ARLS), covering the objective to create a hybrid library system, and the specific regulations regarding municipal obligations and fee structures.
Keywords
Local Self-Government, Youth Services, Public Libraries, SGB VIII, Child Protection, Municipal Administration, Legal Framework, Extra-curricular Youth Work, Social Welfare, Library Legislation, Subsidy Regulations, Public Law, Institutional Governance, Youth Welfare Office, Community Services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this publication?
The work focuses on legal models for organizing youth services and public library systems within several European nations to support the development of local self-government in Russia.
Which thematic areas are centrally addressed in this study?
The central themes include the legislative basis for youth welfare, the promotion of extra-curricular activities, the organizational structure of library services, and the cooperation between state and private service providers.
What is the primary goal of the author's analysis?
The primary goal is to present successful European legal solutions that can be transferred or adapted to improve the effectiveness of local government institutions in the Russian Federation.
Which scientific methodology is applied in this analysis?
The book employs a comparative legal study, analyzing specific laws, acts, and regulations (such as SGB VIII or the Children Act 2004) from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Great Britain, Belgium, and Denmark.
What content is covered in the main section regarding youth work?
The main section covers the legal definitions, organizational bodies, financing mechanisms, and the division of tasks between public youth welfare offices and free, non-profit youth organizations.
Which keywords best characterize the scope of this work?
Key terms include Local Self-Government, Youth Services, Public Libraries, Legal Framework, and Municipal Administration.
How does the German model distinguish between public and private law in library organization?
The book explains that public libraries can be organized under public law (as institutional agencies) or private law (e.g., associations or limited companies), depending on the municipality's need for flexibility and budget structure.
What role does the "Local Safeguarding Children Board" play in the British model?
In Great Britain, this board is a mandatory multi-agency body responsible for coordinating local efforts in child protection, welfare promotion, and ensuring effective cooperation between health and security institutions.
How is the subsidiarity principle applied in the Austrian youth welfare system?
The principle of subsidiarity dictates that state-provided youth welfare is only invoked when parental care is insufficient to ensure the well-being of the minor, thereby prioritizing family autonomy.
What specific requirements must Danish libraries fulfill under the ARLS?
Danish municipalities are legally obligated to establish library departments for children and adults, adapt opening hours to user needs, and participate in interlibrary loan services to ensure broad access to information.
- Quote paper
- Wolfgang Tiede (Author), 2007, The Regulation of Youth Work and Public Libraries in Municipalities in Selected European States, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/168230
