Heinrich Böll Foundation

Economy and Social Issues

Conference Documentation

Economics and the Common(s): From Seed Form to Core Paradigm

Our international commons conference, which takes place between May 22 and May 24, seeks to open up some new vistas in politics, economics and culture by exploring the commons as an alternative worldview and provisioning system, as well as a coherent field of inquiry and action. more»

Speech

Economics and the Common(s): From Seed Form to Core Paradigm - Opening Remarks

- May 22, 2013 - The Heinrich Böll Foundation ist the host and co-organizer of the second International Commons Conference. For Barbara Unmüßig, president of the foundation, the conference is an open space, that will allow the participants to explore the commons freely and honestly – with critical intelligence but also with tolerance and respect for their differences. Barbara Unmüßig more»

Dossier

Commons

- The commons is about reclaiming, sharing and self-governing resources that belong to everyone. As a form of governance it is defending traditional or building new systems for managing our resources, based on the principles of equity and sustainability. The commons is a practical means for re-inventing society in ways that markets and governments are unable or unwilling to entertain. more»

Hope from the Margins

- April 18, 2013 - In the south of Mexico people are regenerating the society from the bottom up. It is a new kind of revolution without leaders or vanguards, which goes beyond development and globalization. It is about displacing the economy from the center of social life, reclaiming a communal way of being, encouraging radical pluralism, and advancing towards real democracy. Gustavo Esteva more»

Share or Die – A Challenge for Our Times

- April 17, 2013 - In the past, we tended to see cities as dirty, unnatural, and isolating places; today, citizens and urban planners alike are starting to see their potential for generating widespread well-being at low financial and environmental cost. People want the streets to make room for pedestrians and bicyclists, and for civic engagement and for sharing. Neal Gorenflo more»

Video Special

Farewell to the growth society

- January 31, 2013 - During economic downturns, the debate about the limits of growth becomes increasingly important. The "décroissance" movement, which originated in France, proposes a departure from the model of a society based on a perpetually growing economy. Advocates of "decroissance" argue against growth in favour of “having less to live better” and propose an economic degrowth. Karin de Miguel Wessendorf more»

Democracy

Right and Left against the revolution

May 24, 2013 - In Syria the majority of the population is in revolt against the authoritarian regime, that has ruled Syria since 1970. The United Nations called the situation recently "a civil war". But why is it that the far Right and certain far-Left groups in a number of Western nations agree in their hostility to the Syrian revolution? Ziad Majed more»

Conference Documentation

International Activism - Mobilize!

- The spread of digital technologies has given new opportunities to activists around the world. At the same time they can also be the cause of new threats. Our conference tried to answer the question: What are the opportunities and challenges for activism in 2013? Here you find videos and audios from the event as well as interviews with the participants. more»

Policy Paper

Afghanistan beyond 2014: Elections, Political Settlement, Reforms. Recommendations from the Afghan Civil Society

- April 11, 2013 - As international troops begin to withdraw from Afghanistan, it is important to focus on strengthening the civilian component of international assistance beyond 2014. In order to discuss concrete recommendations for the various challenges facing Afghanistan, the Heinrich Böll Stiftung and the Center for American Progress held consultation workshops for a large group of civil society actors in Afghanistan in November 2012 and March 2013, and brought a delegation of Afghan civil society leaders to Washington, DC and New York City in February 2013. more»

Comment

The lesson of the latest amendments to the Hungarian constitution

- March 15, 2013 - With the constitutional amendments adopted on the 11th of March, Viktor Orbán has once again caused a surprise. The reactions of the Western European public show that there is still an inadequate grasp of how political power is exercised by Orbán’s government. European democrats now finally need to formulate a common position against the power centralization in the country. Eva van de Rakt, Kristóf Szombati more»

Dossier: "Focus on Hungary"

Ecology

Publication Series on Ecology, Volume 31

Enlivenment

May 24, 2013 - Our mono-cultural worldview is literally preventing us from understanding the deeper causes of our multiple crises. The author Andreas Weber gives us a glimpse of the different scientific paradigm now coming into focus. The framework of Enlivenment is a promising beginning for all those who stand ready to search for real solutions to the challenges of our future. more»

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The Curse of Resources: Why the new gas boom endangers the solar revolution

- May 24, 2013 - The continual discovery of new oil and gas reserves by ever-improving technological advances drives the idea of resource scarcity into absurdity. But at what price? In the foreseeable future, the critical boundaries of growth are not in the exhaustion of fuel sources and raw materials, but rather in the burden placed on critical ecosystems. Ralf Fücks more»

Study

A soiled reputation. Adverse impacts of mineral fertilizers in tropical agriculture

- May 22, 2013 - Mineral fertilizers have never been used as much as they are today, and in developing countries they are experiencing a renaissance. But the efficacy of mineral fertilizers and the problems they entail have long been a matter of contention. This study provides an overview of the economic and ecological potential as well as the limitations and negative impacts of mineral fertilizers in the tropics and subtropics. more»

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Interview

"What we’re missing today is a clear and global vision for the future"

- April 26, 2013 - Cécile Maisonneuve is Director of the Center for Energy of the Institut Français des Relations Internationales. Paul Hockenos talked with her about the German Energiewende, France’s energy future and the public debate about the renewables, which is only just beginning. more»

International Politics

Advocacy Paper

The Challenge of Becoming Invisible - Understanding Women’s Security in Kabul

May 23, 2013 - Kabul women have two main fears when moving through public spaces: suicide bombers and harassment. Although the risks associated with harassment are less severe than those of a suicide attack, the everyday threat of harassment creates considerable anxiety amongst women. As part of the safety audit, women were asked how they would feel when confronted with various situations when walking down the street. more»

Call for Participants

North-South Capacity Building "A Common Future in the Eurozone?"

- May 16, 2013 - The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union (hbs EU) invites 15 young people from the southern member states of the eurozone and from Germany to Brussels in order to discuss the economic, social and political problems in their countries; their perception of their own future, that of their countries and of Europe with each other and with actors of the European institutions and organisations. more»

Analysis

Some factual notes on the Fourth Amendment to Hungary’s Fundamental Law

- April 2, 2013 - Since 2010 the Fidesz-KDNP coalition adopted a new constitution with so far four rounds of constitutional amendments. This analysis issued by the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union and the Eötvös Károly Institute highlights the specific concerns in relation to the Fourth Amendment. Nóra Novoszádek more»

Speech

The journey continues

- February 25, 2013 - After 20 years in Lahore, we are opening a new chapter of our work here in the capital and we are glad to have all of you with us. The motto of this evening, as you can see on the banner here behind me, is “The journey continues”. It’s a very appropriate motto because it shows that the Heinrich Böll Foundation is – like Pakistan – on the move without forgetting its roots.
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Education and Culture

Report

Kabul’s educated youth: What kind of future?

January 9, 2013 -

At a time when 68 % of the population of Afghanistan is under 25 years, the research aims at getting an insight into the mindsets of Kabul’s educated young generation. What are their perspectives in life? What are their aspired professions and social status? A research conducted by Human Rights and Eradication of Violence Organization (HREVO).

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Video

The Whole Jewish History in One Hour

- August 31, 2012 - The aspect of learning is central to the Jewish culture. David Solomon, scholar, publicist, translator and kabbalist, gives an insight into Jewish history. Internationally known for his innovative, inspiring and dynamic way of teaching, he presents within just one hour the whole history of the Jewish people - from its origins until today and beyond.
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Award

Historian Yfaat Weiss receives 2012 Hannah Arendt Award for Political Thought

- August 23, 2012 - This year’s award winner is Yfaat Weiss, historian at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Weiss, so claimed the jury, points out the unusual course of Israeli history as well as the potential of civil society in her country. The prize will be presented on December 7th 2012 in the City Hall of Bremen more»

Documenta exhibition piece in the Babur Garden in Kabul. Picture: hbs, Kabul

Arts in a War Zone: Afghanistan at the Documenta

- June 21, 2012 - The Kabul Documenta 13 has opened its gates on June 20th, to the Afghan public, preceded by an official opening ceremony that was attended by the Goethe Institute Afghanistan, donors, diplomats, a delegation of the Documenta 13 and, last not least, the artists themselves. Martin Gerner more»

Further Publications

Perspectives Turkey #4/2013

The green movement in Turkey

April 8, 2013 - The April issue of our Turkish "Perspectives" magazine portrays the environmental movement in Turkey and takes a closer look at its agenda, its protagonists, its biggest achievements and its relationship to the political sphere. Furthermore, it provides articles on the fields of democracy, culture, ecology and foreign policy. more»

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The Future of European Democracy

- December 4, 2012 - The EU debt crisis has clearly shown that the monetary union cannot be upheld without coordinated fiscal and economic policies. But many citizens are under the impression that their voices, and those of their national parliaments, are being sidelined in favour of ever-greater centralisation – and that, in the process, democracy is being eroded. more»

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Perspectives #02/2012

Do Parliaments Matter? African Legislatures and the Advance of Democracy

- August 9, 2012 - The articles in this issue of Perspectives seek to reflect on the extent to which African legislatures have taken steps that mark their shift from being the “weakest link” of government to stronger, independent institutions. In essence, we ask – do African Parliaments really occupy the privileged position accorded to them in representational democracies? more»

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Borderline - The EU's New Border Surveillance Initiatives

- July 16, 2012 - The research paper “Borderline” examines two new EU border surveillance initiatives, that would increase surveillance of the EU’s sea and land borders and extend biometric ID checks to all non-EU nationals. The authors of the report are not only in doubt of the social need for the new systems, but also criticise the decision-making process in order to implement the new programmes. more»

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PUBLICATION SERIES ON DEMOCRACY

Inside a Champion

- June 7, 2012 - The international community likes to see Brazil as a socially oriented, economically successful state that is sensitive to environmental and climate-friendly issues – a great power on its way to the top; a champion. But in Brazilian civil society, another perception of its own state and the politics it pursues prevails. This publication takes a closer look at this discrepancy between how Brazil is perceived by those outside of and within its borders. more»

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31.5.	Ungarn 2014 - Herausforderungen für die demokratische Opposition Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, Berlin
3.6.	Understanding Pakistan: Educating the youth - financial burden or future potential? - Lecture Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, Berlin
11.6.	„Green Lecture“ mit Michael T. Klare: Die Welt im Rohstoffrausch - Was bleibt übrig? - Internationale Vortragsreihe zu Zukunftsfähigkeit, nachhaltiger Entwicklung und Ressourcengerechtigkeit Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, Berlin
13.6.	Kurzfilme von Afro-Europäischen Fimemacherinnen - Filmreihe “Her Stories - Filmmakers with African Roots”
13.6.	Michael Hardt: "Das Recht auf das Gemeinsame"
18.6.	Transnational Organized Crime - Analyses of a Global Challenge to Democracy (Buchvorstellung) Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, Berlin
20./21. 6.	High-Tech-Kriege - 14. Außenpolitische Jahrestagung - Herausforderungen für Frieden und Sicherheit in Zeiten von Drohnen, Robotern und digitaler Kriegführung Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, Berlin
20./21. 6.	High-Tech Wars - 14th Annual Foreign Policy Conference - Challenges to peace and security in times of drones, robots and digital warfare Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, Berlin
1.- 11.9.	Chicago - Hamburgs Partnerstadt in den USA
14.10.	Understanding Pakistan: Pakistan's New Political Economy - What Has Changed, and What Hasn't? - Lecture Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, Berlin

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