Abstract

This article presents the results of a quantitative analysis of two Romanian Facebook communities' self-presentations during the online and offline anti-fracking protests in Romania. In 2013 Romanians started to protest against the gas exploration of the US giant Chevron in the village of Punge?ti. The online and offline Punge?ti Resistance Movement turned within one month from a rural to a national mobilization tool meant to help the Romanian peasants affected by the proposed shale gas exploration operations of Chevron. Since the online engagement desired to finally turn into an offline participation is highly dependent on the informing practice, we consider that a framing analysis of the Facebook posts will reflect whether they are culturally compatible and relevant for the protesters. Using the framing theory in social movements as our theoretical background, we provided a comparative content analysis of two Romanian Facebook communities' postings (October, 2013 - February, 2014). We focused on identifying the verbal and visual framing devices and the main collective action frames used for the shaping of the online communities' collective identity. The findings revealed a dominance of «land struggle» as a collective action frame followed by «conflict» and «solidarity» and a salience of photos and video files used as framing devices of cultural relevance for Romanian protesters and of evidence of offline anti-fracking activism in Romania.

Abstract

The article begins with a reflection on the knowledge society as foundational for improving strategies to live together on the planet, through the enrichment and driving force that spring from a diversity of civilizations and cultures. The media and new technologies increase possibilities for human inter-relationship through the connection in networks. The cinema, in particular, presents new guidelines for behaviour, brings new knowledge and cultures within reach, and becomes indispensable for illustrating new ways to resolve conflict and previously unknown aspects of intercultural dialogue. It explores alliance-forming in solving common problems, and the search for creative answers to humanity’s major problems, principally those having to do with peace and solidarity. Educational systems should receive help to promote training, instruction and education in the use of new technologies, a key to the future of society, so that future generations will be prepared to make critical use of the media, as an instrument and channel for human interrelationship, for information searching, and as a tool for research and for learning.

Abstract

This paper contributes to the analysis of the role that social networks play in civic, social mobilization and solidarity of Spanish young people, considering whether social networks are responsible for active social commitment off-line or if they just intensify an existing or previous tendency towards social participation. This research was undertaken by on-line questionnaire –Likert scale and multiple choice questions– in collaboration with the Spanish social network Tuenti where more than 1,300 young people took part. The results show significant percentages of participation exclusively on-line although there were more than 80% of young people, in a way or another, involved in actions to which they were called by social networks. The study analyzes the forms of participation in solidarity actions and the influence of factors such as geographical, social or emotional proximity to causes on the degree of participation on-line and off-line. The article shows that social networks have changed the meaning of participation. They are encouraging young people not mobilized away from social networks, to take action, so it proposes in its conclusions the need to overcome the dichotomy that opposes on-line and off-line activism and passivity.

Abstract

Public libraries have been social since their inception (they were created to meet a social need), because of their nature (they exist to serve citizens and the society), their roles and objectives (to inform, to train, and to share, create and socialize knowledge), and the values they promote (liberty, equality, democracy and non-discrimination). The complexities of today’s society, and especially the consequences of the economic crisis that began more than eight years ago, very directly affect the need to consider and recognize, beyond doubt, the social dimension of public libraries. They strengthen social cohesion and inclusion, as well as increase collaboration with other stakeholders. In this context, a team composed of librarians and experts from the third sector has created the Social Library Foundation (in Spanish, Fundación Biblioteca Social, FBS). The main objectives are to highlight the social role of public libraries, empower public libraries to carry out more projects targeting the most vulnerable people, and help the third sector to see public libraries as their allies.