Sustainability

This study examines the effectiveness of the University–Government–Kindergarten Collaboration (UGK) model in training early childhood teacher candidates (TCs), using the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) framework to assess its role in enhancing TCs’ competencies. Data were collected through a survey of 210 TCs and in-depth interviews with 12 participants. The findings indicate a structural imbalance in UGK: while university–kindergarten collaboration shows some effectiveness, the lack of governmental leadership weakens tripartite synergy. From an ESD perspective, although UGK fosters basic collaborative skills, it does not systematically develop higher-order ESD competencies such as systems thinking, normative awareness, critical thinking, and strategic action. By shifting the focus from institutional to student experience, this study offers a new analytical framework for teacher education models. It concludes that optimizing UGK requires stronger governmental coordination, deeper university–kindergarten cooperation, and explicit integration of ESD core competencies throughout the training system.

The development of sustainable smart cities is closely linked to the implementation of artificial intelligence in urban services, which opens up new possibilities for efficient resource management, improving the quality of life and strengthening the participation of citizens. At the same time, the question arises as to how legal and strategic frameworks can support the use of artificial intelligence in a way that contributes to environmental, social and economic sustainability in line with the objectives of the European Union. The aim of this scientific study is to examine the interdisciplinary use of artificial intelligence, data management and sustainability at the European Union level, including support instruments such as regulatory initiatives and funding programs, and to assess their implementation in relation to smart cities. Methodologically, the research is based on a legal analysis of key European and national documents, supplemented by descriptive statistics and visualizations of indicators of digitalization and urban sustainability. In the scientific study, we use the methods of synthesis, comparison and abstraction. The results suggest that the legislative and support framework of the European Union can be a significant impetus for the transformation of individual smart cities, but requires effective coordination and strategic management at the level of local governments. The research highlights the need for an integrated legal-managerial approach that will enable the full use of the potential of artificial intelligence in supporting sustainable urban development of cities.

Over the past decades, the tourism sector has grown into one of the rapidly expanding sectors in the global economy, becoming an important source of income generation and distribution. Even though tourism development is associated with economic growth and increased employment, its impact on income inequality remains ambiguous and depends on economic, institutional and social conditions. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of international tourism receipts on income inequality in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in the period of 2004–2024. This study employed a comparative analysis of scientific literature and a multiple regression model based on macroeconomic indicators. The results showed that international tourism receipts did not have a statistically significant impact on income inequality in any of the Baltic countries. However, the robust model analysis confirmed and strengthened the main model results: international tourism in Latvia reduced income inequality but increased it in Estonia. In Lithuania, the impact remained insignificant. Foreign direct investment in Lithuania and GDP per capita in Latvia were statistically significant in explaining income inequality. The findings highlight that the determinants of inequality vary across the Baltic States.