Since May this year, when I started writing this blog, I have started appreciating the strength of Indian democracy. As I followed the unraveling of the national elections, and thereafter the elections in various states of our country, I became acutely aware of the power of Indian voters and their ability to choose their own destiny in a peaceful and democratic manner.
How does Prime Minister Viktor Orbáns emphasise on the importance of Christianity in Hungary’s history effect recent politics? An analysis of new regulations concerning religious freedom and churches, which redefine the relationship between the state and certain churches.
A presentation by Ulrich Kühn (The Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy) at the conference "The Impact of the Crisis in Ukraine on the Future of Arms Control" held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic in December 3, 2014.
The conference “Legal Remedies for Resource Equity”, whick took place on September 15th, focused on the use of environmental law to prevent the negative impacts of global resource extraction. A documentation of Barbara Unmüßig's keynote and presentations of the speaker's corners.
The COP 20’s “Lima call for climate action” is no wake-up call but a worrisome sign of a feeble multilateral climate process plagued by political deafness and leaving poor and vulnerable communities alone with the impacts of climate change.
There is still no trace of the students of Escuela Normal Rural of Ayotzinapa who disappeared towards the end of September. We spoke with María Luisa Aguila from the Tlachinollan Centre about the situation, the role of the Mexican government and the responsibility of the European Union in the Ayotzinapa case.
PM Modi faced its first stern test in the elections to the state assemblies of Maharashtra and Haryana. Avani Tewari explains in the India-Blog why the Modi magic works.
The Hungarian tax authority scandal is complicated and mysterious. One thing is clear, however: Fidesz came into conflict with the Obama administration – which took more effective action than the European Union against a corrupt and Russia-oriented government.
How does the “Islamic State” change the perception of the conflict in Syria? An overview of recent developments and power constellations in the region.
The new report ‘Europe and Latin America Towards More Ambitious Collective Climate Action’ provides an introduction to European and Latin American civil society perspectives on international climate change policy and politics.
The second and updated edition of the discsussion paper "Carbon Majors Funding Loss and Damage" is published just in time for the Lima COP. The Climate Justice Programme and the Heinrich Böll Foundation are proposing that major fossil fuel producers ("the Carbon Majors") pay a levy based on their emissions to date and on future extraction to the International Mechanism for Loss and Damage.
Rumours serve as a medium through which unfulfilled hopes or unspecific fears can be voiced. They bond and drive a wedge between people and population groups at the same time. An issue about the social function of rumours.
India's prime minister Modi tries to develop relations with important countries: In Japan, he marketed India as a ‘low cost manufacturing hub’ and tries to inject new life to U.S.-India relations.
Negotiations over the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) are being conducted as if they were private business deals. Trade policies, however, affect all of us and have implications for the global economy.
Oceans have always played a key role for life on earth. In his lecture, marine conservation biologist and author Callum Roberts (University of York, England), describes the distressing dimension that the relatively short human rule of the seas has reached throughout the past decade.
ISIS lives off bare bestiality. While their opponents are paralyzed with fear, the work of satirists flourishes. Meanwhile Bashar al-Assad tries to present himself as the lesser evil in Syria.
Perspectives Asia is a publication series of the Asia Desk of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung published in cooperation with the offices of the foundation in Asia. With this series, we intend to provide a German and European readership with an understanding of Asian perspectives, as well as an analysis of global trends and greater insights into developments and current political issues across the Asian region.
Despite South Africa’s Constitution of 1996 being considered one of the most advanced worldwide, the LGBTI community in South Africa faces violence, harassment, intimidation and hate crimes. With numerous projects, the Heinrich Böll Foundation seeks to improve the situation of the LGBTI community in South Africa.
What is the state of the caste monster in twentieth century India? Have the forms of discrimination and inequality altered? What is the experience of belonging to a less privileged caste?
Coahuila introduces same-sex marriage. A step forward, but there are more and more conservative voices in Mexico– the Heinrich Böll Foundation promotes human rights and equality for lesbian, gay and trans* individuals
An international conference on the situation of Syrian refugees has been arranged for 28th October in Berlin. Yet in view of the magnitude of the crisis, this is a mere drop in the ocean. Western states keep concentrating on ways to ease the symptoms of the crisis which they cannot gain control over without political underpinning.
Ten billion US Dollars: One figure will be enough to judge the success of the first ever pledging conference for the Green Climate Fund on Thursday, November 20th in Berlin. Though, equally important will be in what form and how soon the pledge reaches the trust fund as an actual payment.
2014 is viewed as one of the most important years since the Afghan transition process began, over a decade ago. Western troops are being drawn down and more importantly, the first presidential and provincial elections autonomously organised within the country, will present a further important step within the political transition process. This dossier provides analyses, profiles, interviews, as well as studies that will shed light on the events of what is an important year for Afghanistan.
India finds itself in a difficult transformation process. This dossier strives to make the country in its diversity more tangible. And to correspond with the upcoming parliamentary elections, it also makes room for a variety of socio-political and economic policy analyses and debate, and aims to define India’s foreign policy role.
The Heinrich Böll Foundation is compiling a dossier containing articles and interviews on the situation in Hungary since the right-wing government came to power in April 2010. Our intention is to raise awareness about the changes in the domain of public life in Hungary.
How could a just and democratic resource politics look like that respects both planetary boundaries and human rights? The Memorandum “Resource Politics for a Fair Future” is the outcome of a two-year international dialogue process of the Heinrich Böll Foundation.
India´s Vibrant Democracy
Since May this year, when I started writing this blog, I have started appreciating the strength of Indian democracy. As I followed the unraveling of the national elections, and thereafter the elections in various states of our country, I became acutely aware of the power of Indian voters and their ability to choose their own destiny in a peaceful and democratic manner.
The importance of religion at different societal levels in contemporary Hungary
How does Prime Minister Viktor Orbáns emphasise on the importance of Christianity in Hungary’s history effect recent politics? An analysis of new regulations concerning religious freedom and churches, which redefine the relationship between the state and certain churches.
Conventional Arms Control in Europe: State of Affairs and Prospects
A presentation by Ulrich Kühn (The Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy) at the conference "The Impact of the Crisis in Ukraine on the Future of Arms Control" held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic in December 3, 2014.
Key Note: Financialization of nature and resource protection
The conference “Legal Remedies for Resource Equity”, whick took place on September 15th, focused on the use of environmental law to prevent the negative impacts of global resource extraction. A documentation of Barbara Unmüßig's keynote and presentations of the speaker's corners.
The Lima Languishing
The COP 20’s “Lima call for climate action” is no wake-up call but a worrisome sign of a feeble multilateral climate process plagued by political deafness and leaving poor and vulnerable communities alone with the impacts of climate change.
Democracy
Ayotzinapa: "The families ask for a search for their children"
There is still no trace of the students of Escuela Normal Rural of Ayotzinapa who disappeared towards the end of September. We spoke with María Luisa Aguila from the Tlachinollan Centre about the situation, the role of the Mexican government and the responsibility of the European Union in the Ayotzinapa case.
The Modi Juggernaut rolls on
PM Modi faced its first stern test in the elections to the state assemblies of Maharashtra and Haryana. Avani Tewari explains in the India-Blog why the Modi magic works.
International Politics
Kleptocracy Banned: The Hungarian Tax Authority Scandal
The Hungarian tax authority scandal is complicated and mysterious. One thing is clear, however: Fidesz came into conflict with the Obama administration – which took more effective action than the European Union against a corrupt and Russia-oriented government.
Keynote: The Delimitation of the Conflict in Syria
How does the “Islamic State” change the perception of the conflict in Syria? An overview of recent developments and power constellations in the region.
Publications
Europe and Latin America Towards More Ambitious Collective Climate Action
The new report ‘Europe and Latin America Towards More Ambitious Collective Climate Action’ provides an introduction to European and Latin American civil society perspectives on international climate change policy and politics.
Carbon Majors Funding Loss and Damage
The second and updated edition of the discsussion paper "Carbon Majors Funding Loss and Damage" is published just in time for the Lima COP. The Climate Justice Programme and the Heinrich Böll Foundation are proposing that major fossil fuel producers ("the Carbon Majors") pay a levy based on their emissions to date and on future extraction to the International Mechanism for Loss and Damage.
Perspectives Middle East #7: Rumours
Rumours serve as a medium through which unfulfilled hopes or unspecific fears can be voiced. They bond and drive a wedge between people and population groups at the same time. An issue about the social function of rumours.
Economy & Social Issues
Modi woos Japan and the US
India's prime minister Modi tries to develop relations with important countries: In Japan, he marketed India as a ‘low cost manufacturing hub’ and tries to inject new life to U.S.-India relations.
CETA and TTIP: Bringing People's Interests Back into Focus
Negotiations over the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) are being conducted as if they were private business deals. Trade policies, however, affect all of us and have implications for the global economy.
Ecology
Lecture: Ocean of Life
Oceans have always played a key role for life on earth. In his lecture, marine conservation biologist and author Callum Roberts (University of York, England), describes the distressing dimension that the relatively short human rule of the seas has reached throughout the past decade.
The Myth of Net-Zero Emissions
Lili Fuhr and Niclas Hällström sharply criticize climate-change goals that are based on risky or underdeveloped technologies.
Education & Culture
IS, ISIS or Daesh? Turbulences in the Alphabet Soup
ISIS lives off bare bestiality. While their opponents are paralyzed with fear, the work of satirists flourishes. Meanwhile Bashar al-Assad tries to present himself as the lesser evil in Syria.
Video: Urvashi Butalia on Women's Rights in India
Please note: If you are looking for the website of our North America office in Washington, follow this link: http://us.boell.org
Events
"Radical Ecological Democracy: Towards Human Well-being with Sustainability and Equity"
Unbribable Bosnia and Herzegovina?
"India as a Global Player: Chances and Constraints"
Social Links
German Energy Transition
22. Dec. 2014 - 10:00
19. Dec. 2014 - 16:08
17. Dec. 2014 - 15:17
Magazine
Perspectives Asia
Perspectives Asia is a publication series of the Asia Desk of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung published in cooperation with the offices of the foundation in Asia. With this series, we intend to provide a German and European readership with an understanding of Asian perspectives, as well as an analysis of global trends and greater insights into developments and current political issues across the Asian region.
Africa
“I was a prisoner”
Despite South Africa’s Constitution of 1996 being considered one of the most advanced worldwide, the LGBTI community in South Africa faces violence, harassment, intimidation and hate crimes. With numerous projects, the Heinrich Böll Foundation seeks to improve the situation of the LGBTI community in South Africa.
Asia
Lecture: Caste - The New and the Old in 21st Century India
What is the state of the caste monster in twentieth century India? Have the forms of discrimination and inequality altered? What is the experience of belonging to a less privileged caste?
Europe
Nothing New in Bosnia?
Elections, Coalition building and a new chance for the European Integration: What has to change now in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Latin America
Contradictory Mexico
Coahuila introduces same-sex marriage. A step forward, but there are more and more conservative voices in Mexico– the Heinrich Böll Foundation promotes human rights and equality for lesbian, gay and trans* individuals
Middle East & N. Africa
To Stay or to Leave? No Escaping the Hopelessness in Syria
An international conference on the situation of Syrian refugees has been arranged for 28th October in Berlin. Yet in view of the magnitude of the crisis, this is a mere drop in the ocean. Western states keep concentrating on ways to ease the symptoms of the crisis which they cannot gain control over without political underpinning.
North America
The Berlin Pledging Meeting: Success is More than Just one Number!
Ten billion US Dollars: One figure will be enough to judge the success of the first ever pledging conference for the Green Climate Fund on Thursday, November 20th in Berlin. Though, equally important will be in what form and how soon the pledge reaches the trust fund as an actual payment.
Dossier
Dossier: Afghanistan’s Transition in the Making? People, Perceptions and the Politics of 2014
2014 is viewed as one of the most important years since the Afghan transition process began, over a decade ago. Western troops are being drawn down and more importantly, the first presidential and provincial elections autonomously organised within the country, will present a further important step within the political transition process. This dossier provides analyses, profiles, interviews, as well as studies that will shed light on the events of what is an important year for Afghanistan.
Dossier
Dossier: India’s election year – Moving forward or standing still?
India finds itself in a difficult transformation process. This dossier strives to make the country in its diversity more tangible. And to correspond with the upcoming parliamentary elections, it also makes room for a variety of socio-political and economic policy analyses and debate, and aims to define India’s foreign policy role.
Dossier
Dossier: Focus on Hungary
The Heinrich Böll Foundation is compiling a dossier containing articles and interviews on the situation in Hungary since the right-wing government came to power in April 2010. Our intention is to raise awareness about the changes in the domain of public life in Hungary.
Dossier
Memorandum: Resource Politics for a Fair Future
How could a just and democratic resource politics look like that respects both planetary boundaries and human rights? The Memorandum “Resource Politics for a Fair Future” is the outcome of a two-year international dialogue process of the Heinrich Böll Foundation.