GAUDEAMUS – Journal of Law and International Governance

An Academic Tribune for Future Jurists and Specialists in International Governance

2026-02-01T12:44:29+00:00

In the history of Western universities, student publications emerged relatively early, as an extension of academic autonomy, the culture of debate, and the formation of intellectual elites. Romania continues to follow this trajectory. For these reasons, our student journal was established under the auspices of the Rector of Danubius International University, Professor Steve O. Michael, with the aim of fostering the most harmonious possible development of our faculty’s students. With a biannual publication schedule, this journal appears today with its inaugural issue, and students passionate about editorial life will be invited to continue publishing, particularly following the Student Scientific Events Session in May of this year. Faculty members are invited, together with students, to publish co-authored scholarly works in Romanian as well as in French, English, or Spanish. Gaudeamus is conceived as a nursery of ideas and an exercise in academic responsibility for young jurists, in line with established benchmarks. The editorial reviews the articles included in this first issue, in which readers will discover themes reflecting the concerns and aspirations of a new generation of jurists, to whom we wish much success.

How the Mindset of Today’s Students has Changed in Comparison with Previous Generations

2026-02-01T11:42:24+00:00

Our universities are undergoing an image and cultural transformation driven by the emergence of a new generation of students whose expectations, motivations, and modes of engagement differ fundamentally from those of earlier cohorts. This article initiates the search for a model and the analysis of a student mindset as a defining factor in the reconfiguration of academic environments, institutional practices, and educational trajectories. Whereas until recently the traditional model of the university functioned as a stage granting access to stable employment, today’s students prioritise autonomy and personal development, constructing individualised academic and professional pathways. Their relationship with authority becomes dialogical, replacing passive reception with active participation and negotiation within university governance. At the same time, the opening of university boundaries enables operation beyond geographical and institutional limits, giving rise to a new type of educational experience—one that is transnational. The article argues for the necessity of adapting forms of higher education to this new vision, recognising students as more than mere recipients of knowledge; in fact, they are those who shape academic and societal directions.

From Abuse to the Vocation of Justice: Legal Education as a Path to Personal Resilience

2026-02-01T11:40:10+00:00

I wrote this article as a personal and academic reflection on legal education, highlighting how studying law influences individual development. As a second-year law student, I examined my journey from a childhood marked by domestic violence without legal protection, to discovering my rights through studying the Civil and Criminal Codes, and finally to putting my legal knowledge into practice in the Bahria Moot Court 2025 international competition. Therefore, the article demonstrates the mission of theoretical and practical knowledge in legal education, as well as its role in overcoming early trauma. The tone is balanced and reflective, combining academic aspects such as citing relevant legislation and doctrinal opinions with autobiographical elements. The conclusions emphasise the importance of legal education both as a professional tool and as a means of personal empowerment, with a focus on how knowledge of the law and participation in practical activities play a role in healing and in shaping a vocation to promote justice in society.

What Model of Society do we Want? Democracy vs. Anarchy Vs. Totalitarianism

2026-02-01T11:34:49+00:00

This article provides a comparative analysis of three models of social and political organisation—democracy, totalitarianism, and anarchy—with the aim of identifying which of them offers the most conducive environment for societal development. The defining characteristics of each regime are examined, ranging from the respect for fundamental rights and freedoms in democratic systems, to their suppression in totalitarian regimes, and the absence of authority structures in anarchic settings. The study highlights the importance of the rule of law and institutional frameworks in the functioning of a stable society, while also underscoring the risks of chaos and abuse in their absence. The conclusion reached is that democracy, despite its imperfections, represents the optimal model for social coexistence and for maintaining a balance between liberty and order, through the guarantee of citizens’ rights and the separation of powers within the state.

Truth as an Axiological Value

2026-02-01T11:48:38+00:00

Truth represents one of the fundamental values of humanity; however, its complex nature has generated extensive philosophical and legal debate. This article examines the concept of truth as an axiological value, exploring the duality between the relative character of individual perceptions and the existence of an objective reality. Through illustrative examples—ranging from a simple change of perspective that transforms a six into a nine to the reinterpretation of a celebrated work of art—the analysis highlights how circumstances and knowledge shape what we consider to be true. The article also discusses the implications of truth within the sphere of justice, as well as contemporary confrontations in the post-truth era, where emotionally driven opinion tends to prevail over facts. Although “truth” is never simple, it remains a precious value, the pursuit of which requires critical discernment, openness to multiple viewpoints, and intellectual integrity.