CARE ABOUT ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION IN THE CONDITIONS OF EFFECTIVENESS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CONCEPTION (Example of Georgia)

Abstract

The authors regard environment protection as the necessary condition for meeting demands of future generations. They believe that without taking care about the natural environment supply of resources to production sector and, generally, proper economic development of the countries would be impossible. In the opinion of the authors, environment protection still is the problem not only in Georgia but all over the world. Though Millennium Development Goals were achieved and absolute majority of the countries is currently involved in achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, environment protection is still a problem. The authors regard that this is evidenced by the cataclysms occurring all over the world from time to time. The authors consider environmental education of the society as the main factor for dealing with the environment protection problem. They regard that formation of environmental awareness should commence in the childhood. They regard that the subjects dealing with the environment protection must be included into the education programs of the pre-school, school, college and higher education institutions. Keywords: environment protection, sustainable development, environmental education

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«DINAMICS COLLATIO» LABOR PRODUCTIVITY AND PAYMENT AS A
LEVEL OF MANAGEMENT OF ORGANIZATIONAL AND ECONOMIC POTENTIAL
Summary. The rate of advance of the rate of growth of labor productivity in comparison with the dynamics
of their remuneration (dinamics collation) is one of the evaluation indicators and at the same time the levers of
managing the development of organizational and economic potential of the economic system. The publication
describes the comparative characteristics of the coefficient in Ukraine and Transcarpathian region, which serves as
a basis for making adequate and proactive strategic decisions.
Key words: potential, productivity, wages.
Mghebrishvili B.,
Doctor of Economy, Associate Professor,
Mghebrishvili A.,
doctoral student
Atoshvili T.,
student
Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University
dmghebrishvili@yahoo.com
CARE ABOUT ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION IN THE CONDITIONS OF
EFFECTIVENESS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CONCEPTION
(Example of Georgia)
Abstract
The authors regard environment protection as the necessary condition for meeting demands of future generations.
They believe that without taking care about the natural environment supply of resources to production sector and,
generally, proper economic development of the countries would be impossible. In the opinion of the authors,
environment protection still is the problem not only in Georgia but all over the world. Though Millennium
Development Goals were achieved and absolute majority of the countries is currently involved in achievement of
Sustainable Development Goals, environment protection is still a problem. The authors regard that this is evidenced
by the cataclysms occurring all over the world from time to time. The authors consider environmental education of
the society as the main factor for dealing with the environment protection problem. They regard that formation of
environmental awareness should commence in the childhood. They regard that the subjects dealing with the
environment protection must be included into the education programs of the pre-school, school, college and higher
education institutions.
Keywords: environment protection, sustainable development, environmental education
INTRODUCTION
Proper satisfaction of the requirements of future generations will be impossible without
environment protection. Supplying of resources to production and creation of normal conditions
for economic development in the long run is possible only if environment protection is ensured.
Together with the other factors, improvement of the level of business social responsibility is
critical for maintenance of the natural environment and in the recent period great attention is paid
to this.
Environment protection, social responsibility and economic development are the three
spheres connected by sustainable development conception. Achievement of 17 goals set by UN
General Assembly for sustainable development must ensure balanced development of the above
three spheres, as well as protection of the interests of future generations. Together with 17 goals
of sustainable development 169 objectives for their achievement were stated [1]. Their
realization is possible only with joint efforts of the state, business and individuals. Overview of
the materials dealing with these issues showed that the representatives of international
organizations and relevant structures of individual countries, as well as the most part of wide

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society. Nevertheless, the issue of environment protection remains problematic all over the
world. This is evidenced by the cataclysms in different countries, harming not only the
respective countries but endangering entire planet. Even examples of fires in Amazon forests and
Australia would be sufficient to confirm this. The issue of environment protection should be
dealt with in Georgia as well. Irrespective of the measures taken by the state, the natural
environment, elements thereof (forest, water, air…) are not properly protected in the country.
Environment protection is significant in Georgia not only for meeting of the future generations’
requirements but also for further development of such significant sphere as tourism. No matter
how extensive are measures taken for development and improvement of tourism sphere in the
country, the goals cannot be realized without proper environment protection.
After gaining independence, Georgian government, for the purpose of environment
protection has adopted whole set of laws [2, 3, 4], developed the state programs [5] that were
adjusted to the Association Agreement and sustainable development goals. And yet, there are
many facts of harming of natural environment in the country. We would like to provide only one
example. According to the Emergency Management Service of Georgia, 132 cases of forest fires
were registered in 2016, 494 cases – in 2017 and 113 in 2018 [6]. The question is – whose guilt
is this? In our opinion, indifferent attitude of individuals to the natural environment play
significant role in environment harm and pollution. It seems, the wide society has not properly
understood how dangerous can be the outcomes of failure to take care about environment.
Hence, they do not properly participate in environment protection; do not fulfill their civil duty.
The main cause of this is unawareness of the significant part of the society in necessity of
environment protection and expected outcomes of its harming. To check this hypothesis the
online public survey was conducted.
Great significance of environment protection for the country’s development and meeting
of the population’s demands, as well as necessity of environmental awareness of each individual
have conditioned work on this issue and presentation of the obtained results to the wide society.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
In the process of work on this paper we got familiar with the theoretical, legislative and
practical materials related to the issue. Articles and presentations made at the conferences by the
scientists and practitioners in the spheres of environment protection and sustainable
development, as well as with these problems have plaid the role of theoretical-methodological
basis. These include: Gagnidze I., (2014) The Role of International Educational Programs for
Sustainable Development [7]; Mghebrishvili B., Upotadze E., (2016). Characteristics of Food
Products Labeling in Georgia[8]; Todua N., (2018). Georgian consumers awareness about the
benefits associated witH healthy nutrition [9]; Mghebrishvili B. (2018).Some Aspects of Social
Marketing Development in Georgia [10]; Jachi Ch., Jangulashvili T., (2018).
Environmentally Responsible Behavior for Achiving Tourism Sustainable development[11];
Todua N., Mghebrishvili B.,(2018). Legal Fundamentals of Food Safety Provisions in Georgia
[12]; Mghebrishvili B., (2019). Situation of Healt and Welfare in Georgia in the Context of
Sustainable Development and Sustainable Marketing[13]; Todua N. (2019). Attitude of
Georgian Consumers to Healthy Nutrition [14]; Seturi M., (2019). Factors Determining the
Tourists’ Satisfaction:Georgian Case[15]; Mghebrishvili B.,(2020). Some Legal Aspects of
Achievement of Sustainable Consumption and Production in Georgia[16].To clarify the level of
awareness in necessity of natural environment protection, among the wide society, general,
marketing and statistical research methods were applied. Among the marketing research method,
we applied quantitative method, in particular, online questioning, conducted based on the special
questionnaire. To study obtained materials we have applied analysis, synthesis and statistical
methods.
GENERAL ANALYSIS

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Society’s attention has always been focused on environment protection, to varying extent
and in different areas. But conception of sustainable development adopted by UN General
Assembly in 2015, as agenda for year 2030 has paid particular attention to this.
Adoption of the sustainable development goals was preceded by the experience gained in
the process of achievement of Millennium Development Goals. Issue of environment protection
was at significant position in Millennium Development Goals, similar to Sustainable
Development Goals. Seventh Millennium Development Goal was improvement of environment
[17, p. 17]. Care about improvement of environmental situation in Georgia was oriented towards
elimination of the natural resources reduction (degradation) trend and two-fold reduction of the
population without stable access to water safe for human health, as well as harmonization of the
housing sector with international standards. Significant activities were conducted in Georgia to
improve environmental sustainability, within the scopes of the first objective. As a result of
performed works, consumption of OSD (ozone depleting substances) was reduced in the country,
area of protected territories was increased (from 6.18% of the entre territory in 2005 to 7.46% in
2012), environment awareness plan and forest sector development conception were developed.
In addition, certain steps were made for development of the documents on integrated
management of water resources and on regulation of the housing sector [17, pp. 47-52].
Significant works were conducted to achieve Millennium Goals in the other countries as well but
the progress resulting from achievement of Millennium Development Goals was reflected on the
developed countries only and some goals were not achieved. Therefore, development of the new
plan was put on agenda and this plan was developed in a form of Sustainable Development
Goals. In 2015, Georgia commenced work for achievement of sustainable development goals.
The country has set all 17 goals as the national priorities, and specified the fulfillment indicators
for the objectives required for their achievement for years 2020, 2025 and 2030 [18].
State structures, business sector and individuals involved in achievement of Sustainable
Development Goals. The role of the state structures in achievement of Sustainable Development
Goals was primarily development of the legal framework and inspection of compliance, role of
business was compliance with the adopted legislative acts and performing their activities with
social responsibility while the role of individuals was environment protection, both, individually
and through membership of various formal or informal organizations.
All 17 Goals of Sustainable Development compose entire system and failure to fulfill any
goal within the system would affect the status of achievement of the remained goals. Number of
these goals directly affects the sustainability of natural environment. These goals include: quality
education; clean water and sanitation; affordable clean energy; organizing climate actions;
develop life below water, advance life on land.
We regard quality education as the key factor affecting environment protection. In
formation of sustainable economy of any country, formation of the education system is one of
the most significant factors [7, p. 1]. Frequently, the low level of environment awareness in the
population is the key reason of poor protection of environment and various problems. Providing
environmental education should be ensured by virtue of the law. According to the law,
environmental education system includes works in this sphere at all stages of education, from
pre-school institutions to the higher education ones. Certainly, this should be done in this way.
Desire to protect the environment should be fostered in each individual from his/her childhood.
If we desire to protect the environment, the education system must be improved to include
subjects in the sphere of environment protection. Such approach would allow formation of
environmental thinking in the entire society or, at least, its greatest part. This would allow the
country dramatic improvement of the environment protection level.
Discussion of the education system improvement, with respect of environmental issues,
has commenced long ago in Georgia. As early as in 2014, the study “Assessment of
Environmental Education in Georgia” [19] was conducted by the order of LEPL Environmental

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Information and Education Center under the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources
Protection, with the support of German Development Cooperation Agency (GIZ). The study
covered the pre-school institutions, schools and higher education institutions, as well as NGOs
and international organizations working in the environmental sphere. The study revealed low
level of environmental thinking in Georgian population. Based on the collected materials the
researchers concluded that the main reasons of this is lack of education and awareness in this
sphere, low level of civil responsibility, lack of motivation, low activity if the state and civil
sphere [19 p. 92]. The document underlined that “the population’s attitude to the environment is
mostly the consumer’s one” [19, p. 92]. In our opinion, this is the case up to present. It is notable
that population’s awareness in environmental issues is still very low and no any significant
changes have taken place in the country since 2014 up to present, irrespective of works
performed by LEPL Environmental Information and Education Center. This can be said based on
the results of environment assessment by the international organizations in Georgia and our
survey. According to online questioning conducted in May 2019, 39.8% of the interviewed are
not familiar with the Law on Environment Protection and for their 7% it is hard to give answer.
Regarding that 70.6% of the respondents were students and 18.4% had higher education, they
have not studied either at school or at higher education institution any subjects related to
environment protection and they have not received any information about Law on Environment
Protection in any other subjects.
While most of the interviewed are not familiar with the Law on Environment Protection,
they have assessed the environmental situation in the country. In the opinion of 66.7% of the
respondents, situation in the country, with respect of environment protection, should be
negatively assessed and in the opinion of their 10.4% - positively. The results of online survey
conducted in December of the same year were quite different. 80.5% of the respondents had
negative opinion about the environment protection and opinion of their 7.5% was positive. Such
difference in results is not surprising, regarding that 88.4% of the respondents had higher
education. In addition, 85.6% of the respondents were women. Women with higher education
were more sober and critical in their assessments. It seems that they are well aware in the results
of improper attitude of the state and wide society to the environment and they attempted to be
more critical. This can be from their answers to the next question in the questionnaire. In the
opinion of 43.1% of the respondents, the state does not properly tale care about the environment
and it does not take necessary measures. 48.3% of the respondents regard that the state
authorities take care about environment protection only partially and only 2.3% of the
interviewed stated that the governmental structures perform proper measures to protect the
natural environment.
Assessment of the natural environment condition in Georgia was unfavorable at the
international level as well. According to Legatum Index, with respect of natural environment, in
2017, Georgia was 124th, among 149 countries [20], in 2018 – 122nd, among 146 countries [21],
and in 2019 – 142nd, among 167 countries [22]. While Baltic countries are not behind the
developed countries, in the sphere of environment protection and even are at higher positions
compared with many of them. For example, in 2019, Estonia was 13th, Lietuva – 27th and Latvia
– 11th [22]. Among former soviet republics only Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan were
at lower positions compared with Georgia. Such low index of natural environment evaluation in
Georgia shows that not only the state authorities fail to pay proper attention to the natural
environment but also the representatives of business community and wide society. In this respect
the laws were adopted, there are the state programs, relevant structures disseminate information
about necessity of environment protection but the situation is still unsatisfactory.
Being at 142nd position among 167 countries, with respect of natural environment, shows
that works in this sphere are frequently performed superficially in the country, in this sphere. In
2019, Georgia had much better rankings with respect of the other factors determining Legatum
Prosperity Index. For example, Georgia was 39th with respect of investment environment, 49th –
market access and infrastructure, 53rd – personal freedom, 54th – education etc. As a result of all

257
these, Georgia was ranked 53rd among 167 countries, higher than almost all former soviet
republics, with the exclusion of Baltic countries [22]. In 2018, at international level,
Environmental Performance Index was calculated for 180 countries. This index shows how close
is the country to the targets set by the environmental policies and Georgia was at 94th position
[23]. Lietuva, Turkmenistan, Belarus, Estonia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Latvia were at
higher positions. Georgia’s position is not very good according to this index but, in our opinion,
this shows that the country has potential to improve the condition of natural environment.
CONCLUSION
Hence, natural environment is not properly protected in Georgia, though there is a
relevant legal framework (Law of Georgia on Environment Protection [2], Law of Georgia on
Water [3], Law of Georgia Wastes Management Code [4] etc.). In addition, National
Environment Protection Program is in progress and this is already third such program [5]. Other
national strategic and political documents focus on the environment protection issues as well. In
addition, since 2014, Center of Environmental Information and Education extensively works in
the sphere of environment protection and sustainable development. The Center conducts
trainings, lectures and seminars all over the country, implements various projects to provide
environmental education. And yet, much should be done. Only legislative work is not sufficient
to protect the environment, even if it is done at very high level. Law requirements must be
complied with and all, violating the law must be punished in accordance with the law. In our
opinion, even this is not sufficient to protect the natural environment. It is necessary to ensure
interest of entire society in environment protection; this is possible by including the issues of
environment protection into the education programs. We imply here the pre-school, school,
college and university education programs. Isolated measures implemented in the country in this
area cannot deal with the environment protection problem. From the childhood, each individual
should clearly understand the necessity of environment protection, for his/her and entire
society’s wellbeing. Absolute majority of the wide society, if not each its member must
understand that without taking care about the natural environment economic and business
development can be endangered even in the short run, nothing to say about their long run
development. Interests of the society must have preference over the interests of individual
enterprises and persons. Only in this case the country would have the opportunity of proper
achievement of the sustainable development goals.
REFERENCES:
1. Goals of sustainable development.http://www.ungeorgia.ge/geo/sutainable_development_goals
2. Law of Georgia on Environment Protection (1996). https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/33340 /
3. Law of Georgia on Water (1997). https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/33448?publication=23
4.Law of Georgia Waste Management Code. (2014).
https://www.matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/2676416?publication=8
5. Third National Environmental Action Program of Georgia 2017-2021. Tbilisi 2018.
6.https://imedinews.ge/ge/saqartvelo/96313/saqartveloshi-bolo-tslebis-tkis-khandzrebis-statistika-gamoqveknda
7. Gagnidze I., (2014) The Role of International Educational Programs for Sustainable Development. Business
Systems Laboratory - 2nd International Symposium „Systems Thinking for a Sustainable Economy.Advancements in
Economic and Managerial Theory and Practice”. Rome, Italy. Volume: 2
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269464188
8. Mghebrishvili B., Urotadze E. (2016). Characteristics of Food Products Labeling in Georgia.Proceedings of
International Scientific Symposium „Economics, Business & Finance“ Jurmala, Latvia, pp. 135-138.
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9. Todua N., (2018). Georgian consumers awareness about the benefits associated with healthy
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Scientific and Practical Conference –Strategic Imperatives of Modern Management (SIMM-2018). Kiev, Ukraine,
345-351. https://ir.kneu.edu.ua/handle/2010/24219

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11. Jachi Ch., Jangulashvili T., (2018). Environmentally Responsible Behavior and its Importance for Sustainable
Tourism development.III International Scientific Conference-Challenges of Globalization in Economics and
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12.Todua N., Mghebrishvili B., (2018).Legal Fundamentals of Food Safety Provisions in
Georgia.7ebfb0_b85d6a141a69458aa19e0ca91dbf9bc3.pdf
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ase
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Georgia. Business Systems Laboratory-7th Internarnational Symposium-Socio-Economic Ecosystems: Chelenges for
Sustainable Development in the Digital Era. University of Alikante, Spain.
17.Millennium development goals in Georgia.National Report. 2014
https://www.ge.undp.org/content/dam/georgia/docs/publications/GE_UNDP_MDG_Report_Georgia_2014.geo.pdf
18. All 17 UN sustainable development goals were set as the national priorities (2017).
http://gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=-&sec_id=198&info_id=62670
19. Assessment of environmental awareness in Georgia. Tbilisi 2014.
20. https://prosperitysite.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/3515/1187/1128/Legatum_Prosperity_Index_2017.pdf
21. https://li.com/reports/2018-legatum-prosperity-index/
22. https://www.prosperity.com/rankings
23. https://epi.envirocenter.yale.edu/epi-topline
24. http://eiec.gov.ge/AboutUs/Documents/EIEC-report.aspx
Mikiashvili N.G., PhD.,
Assosiate Proffesor of Econometric Department,
Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University
nino.mikiashvili@tsu.ge
SOME ISSUES OF EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION
SYSTEM IN SMALL ECONOMIES
Summary. The efficient management of the higher education system is the precondition for the economic
development of a country. The new prospects and challenges of the country must be matched with the present financial
opportunities. The distribution of state incomes across the education system is done following the economic policy of the
country, while the returns on the borne expenses is though distributed in time, but yields a significant effect. The efficient
management of the higher education system by the state stimulates the total output, competitiveness of the country and
improvement of standard of life. Sharing the European and world experience, engagement in the international field of
education and greater number of joint educational programs will expand the scales of training of the qualified staff in the
country. The access to digital technologies and development of the skills to use them will improve the quality of and
expand the scales of delivery of the higher education. The investments in education and professional growth and job
search expenses both, within and beyond the country impact the economic development of the country what is evidenced
by the correlation analysis. As per the consolidated budget of Georgia, the higher education costs, higher education and
training assessed by the global competitiveness index and net migration balance are considered as independent variables,
while the GDP per capita is considered as a dependant variable. A close relationship was identified between the
dependant and independent variables. However, the independent variables do not show multicollinearity between one
another. It should be noted that the outcomes of the country are often expressed by different international indices, such as
global competitiveness and/or human development index, which are calculated by considering the access to and quality of
education and professional growth.
Key words: Higher Education, Management, Efficient,
Labor Force
Introduction. The questions of the education system management have been significant in
every epoch. The more the education policy of a country is oriented on future challenges, the