The on-going discussion of the disparities, incl. of those in education, are presented. The interconnections between education and the labor market are outlined. The development of the main indicators on the labor market, such as the labor force, employment, unemployment, persons outside of the labor market, are tracked based on the different levels of education for the period 2008-2017 and, on that basis, education is identified as a basic factor for successful labor integration. The analysis of the dynamic and structure of the market indicators allows for the highlighting of the positive and negative tendencies in the development of the disparities on the labor market, which stem from the educational characteristics of the labor force. Particular attention is paid to the assessments of key parameters of the National Development program: Bulgaria 2020 in the European context, underlining the fact that some indicators develop contrary to the expectations, while in the case of others – the difference in comparison to the average European levels remains large. In the context of the evidenced tendencies with regard to the fulfillment of the objectives of the Strategy 2020, an attempt is made to assess the conducted policies and especially the ones, which are aimed at encouraging labor integration through training and qualification; policies that have no alternative and are aimed at decreasing the social disparities and at the inclusion of risk groups in labor activity and at sustainable employment as a way to improve the standard of living.

The present article states that the development and implementation of effective anti-crisis policies on a global scale will make it possible, if not to avoid future financial crises entirely, than to at least make them predictable and manageable. Therefore, as a first step, national governments and international structures must learn the maximum lesson from the current crisis so that in the future anticrisis policy measures may become more effective and targeted. On a global scale, it is necessary to develop effective mechanisms which will ensure an optimal balance between the real and financial sectors, promote the accelerated development of the world economy and protect it from various kinds of economic shocks.

The connection between bank financing and the establishment of adequate financial conditions for the economic development initiative is studied. A follow-up on the cooperation between banks and the real economy sector undertakings on the model of the Japanese Keiretsu System is provided. The bank specialization as a benchmark in the drawing up of a global market strategy is analysed. A review is made of the quality of the assets, and the results of the conducted stress tests of the Bulgarian bank system are summarised.

The current levels of student fees in European countries, in all higher education institutions in Bulgaria, as well as in European countries where higher education is free are examined. Information is also presented on the countries with the most expensive higher education in the world. Finally, the consequences of the potential increase in student fees in Bulgaria are analyzed.

The global trends in the markets for bee products, as well as their competitors and substitutes are studied. The dimensions, the structure and the conjuncture of the international and the Bulgarian product markets for bee products are analyzed. The national factor markets and the markets for beekeeping production resources are investigated. Finally, the findings of the research conducted on the international and national markets for bee products are synthesized and conclusions are presented.

The Institute of Economic Research (IER) at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) was the organizer and host of the traditional autumn international scientific conference held on 29-30 November 2018. The conference was attended by researchers from Bulgaria, Macedonia, Slovenia, Poland and Kazakhstan. During the two-day forum, 48 papers were presented by 65 authors - representatives of 5 foreign academic institutions, 3 subdivisions of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS, BAS, RAS, Ruse), the Agricultural Academy, 14 universities from the country, as well as from the business and non-profit sectors, which enabled a multidisciplinary exchange of ideas, opinions and results of analyses of the state and prospects for the development of the economy of Bulgaria and other countries. Young scientists showed a keen interest in the conference theme - nearly half of the papers were prepared individually or in co-authorship with habilitated scientists and lecturers and presented by senior assistants, assistant professors and PhD students from the country and abroad.

Modern companies, as part of the socio-economic reality, are called to fit into the public regimes of society, contributing to its sustainable development through the application of good practices. In this context, the collective monograph of Assoc. Miroslava Peicheva, Assoc. Albena Miteva. It is based on a successfully implemented project, the subject of which is the social audit and standards for social and environmental responsibility. A significant advantage of the study is its scope: individuals (482 users); employers (461 legal entities); representatives of the public administration (83 managers and experts); representatives of trade unions (KNSB and CT "Podkrepa" - five experts in total), which ensures the tracking of the needs and requirements of all stakeholders. The survey was carried out using a survey method (closed questions).