This study aims to carry out a comparative analysis between the level of digitization of the Romanian public administration compared to that existing in the most digitally developed states at the European level. Our study identifies the extent to which Romanian citizens have access to non-bureaucratic and transparent public services that support social inclusion and non-discrimination, compared to European citizens from states with the best digitalization of public services. Also, our research studies the relationship between the level of digitalization quantified by the DESI indicator and the level of income for the states considered in the analysis, as well as the relationship between digitalization and bureaucracy, the corruption index, and the digital skills of citizens. Based on the 486 statistical data collected and centralized on the corruption index (CPI), as well as the values for DESI and GNI per capita, for the period 2017–2022 for the 27 EU member states, we performed a statistical analysis using SPSS 28 regarding the existence of a DESI relationship and level of income (GNI per capita) and/or CPI (Corruption Perceptions Index). Our study is on a current issue, as it addresses the issue of digitalization of public administration, in the new post-pandemic and geostrategic context. It has theoretical applicability, by determining a model that can be used to study the relationship between digitalization and the standard of living and corruption, and also practical application, because it can contribute to the awareness of the government in taking measures and adopting strategies to reduce gaps as compared to the most developed digital states.

This study explores an important issue in tourism, namely, the competitiveness of tourism. In the present paper, we aim at analyzing the relationship between tourism and national prosperity. The term competitiveness is a research topic intensively addressed in various fields, and it can answer current research questions related to a constantly changing tourism industry. Thus, the possibility of knowing how competitive this particularly important sector is for the five emerging countries considered in the study, namely, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia, allows public authorities and entrepreneurs to estimate the revenues that can generate the field of hospitality. Also, based on these results, a series of national strategies specific to the tourism industry can be founded to lead to the increase of its competitiveness. We used cross-country multiple regression analysis to determine variables that are particularly important for the competitiveness of the hospitality industry, a fact for which the study has a theoretical and practical applicability. The study offers the possibility to anticipate the values of this index (TTCI), thus enabling government and industry bodies to take the necessary steps to increase specific competitiveness in the international market.

Our study analyzes the essential role of social innovation in reducing social exclusion and unemployment while improving citizens’ well-being through targeted public policies that enhance GDP allocations to social protection. Using Eurostat data and European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS) from 2019 to 2020, a comparative econometric analysis of all 27 EU member states, focused particularly on Romania, examines the interdependence between social innovation, social protection expenditures, social exclusion, and unemployment rates. Regression and ANOVA models confirm a significant positive relationship between social innovation and social protection spending. However, Romania’s overall share of social protection in GDP remains well below the EU average, despite higher relative spending on health, pensions, and family support, reflecting structural limitations and a slower diffusion of innovative practices. As an exploratory effort, the study acknowledges possible distortions caused by the pandemic, which temporarily increased expenditures and altered long-term trends. Broader macroeconomic factors such as inflation, demographics, and technology were not included but may refine future analyses. The findings provide both theoretical and practical insights, suggesting that enhancing social innovation through public policy can strengthen social cohesion, improve quality of life, and support the sustainable development of national protection systems.

Minors involved in administrative or judicial proceedings are severely affected by the experience of their going through. This is why it is required a supplementing of the legislation with provisions that can support minors in order to express themselves without coercions and without fear, and their rights to be respected in the interaction with public authorities. This implies the training of all categories of professionals who interact with minors in these legal procedures, in the sense of knowing the basic notions of child psychology, but also notions from the legislation applicable to the field of minor protection. The regulation of these aspects can be achieved by adopting common normative acts at national level, after a detailed analysis of the relevant case law and the rules already applicable in the field of child protection. Law No. 272/2004 on the protection and promotion of the rights of the child details only part of the rights that a minor has in Romania. Its provisions have to be supplemented with those found in domestic and international law and with a series of updated procedures, instructions or methodological norms. At this time, the rights of the child are established in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, in the Guidelines of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe concerning Justice in the Interest of the Child, in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, in the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child, in the Council of Europe Strategy on the Rights of the Child (2016-2021) etc. Notwithstanding, they must be permanently updated and correlated so that at national level the child can plenarily benefit from their existence.

In the present article we aim to analyze the fact that the quality of public administration and governance of a country is essential for its economic performance, and also for the well-being of the citizens of that country. Effective public administrations are at the service of citizens and businesses. It is essential that public authorities can adapt to changing circumstances. The European Commission helps EU Member States undertake reforms in public administration and governance by providing technical support. Areas of intervention include central public administration, local public administration, egovernment, public procurement, better regulation, the judiciary, the fight against corruption and fraud, and better absorption of European structural and investment funds. A key element of the technical support provided by the European Commission is aimed at improving the performance of public administration. An effective, flexible, and efficient administration is a prerequisite for the good management of a country, as well as a determining factor of economic growth. A functioning public administration provides a robust platform for business development and provides quality services to citizens and professionals. And this, in turn, attracts investment, being also an essential tool for structuring the government's activities and transforming political orientations into reality.

The right to liberty is one of the fundamental human rights. Over time, obtaining the right to liberty for people from different social categories (men, women, slaves, etc.) was in many occasions hard and it was achieved at the end of difficult ideological and political struggles. In this article we aim to analyze the equilibrium that exists in contemporary democratic society, between the liberty of each person on the one hand and, on the other hand, the exercise and protection of the other fundamental human rights: the right to life, health, physical and mental integrity and so on. We will analyze aspects related to the individual liberty in the matter of expressing opinions, the freedom in the choices we make, the freedom of conscience and religion, freedom of movement. For example, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic our liberty has been severely limited in order to protect the right to life and the right to health. We will analyze the concept of liberty in relation to legal and moral norms and taking responsibility for one's own decisions and their consequences. The idea of individual liberty is very important for each person, as it is one of the elements that allow us to think and believe that we are the masters of our lives. The right to liberty and the fundamental freedoms can be limited only in exceptional circumstances established through national and international legal provisions and we will refer to these limitations in our paper. Concluding, it is our opinion that the right to liberty and the fundamental freedoms must be respected for every individual and its restriction have to be seriously weighed.