International Politics

Conference Report

Democracy and security in the Middle East – How are Germany and the EU responding to the upheavals in the Arab world?

- December 18, 2012 -

The Arab Spring, which was welcomed euphorically two years ago, has now given way to a sobering political reality. At our 13th Annual Foreign Policy Conference in early November, numerous policymakers and experts from Germany and elsewhere discussed ways of interacting with political Islam, the geopolitical context of the Arab Spring, and possible strategies for action by the EU. 

Torsten Arndt more»

Notes on the current phase of electoral reform in Hungary

- December 17, 2012 - After passing the Electoral Procedure Act, we are still far from knowing the final rules less than a year and a half ahead of the next parliamentary elections. However, the new electoral system turns out to be a measure of the governing party to increase its chances of winning the 2014 general election, while oppositional parties will be forced to organise their activist network and engage in a door-to-door campaign more effectively than before.  Róbert László more»

Economy and Social Issues

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»

European social policy: Urgent need for clarification

- August 8, 2012 - Europe unilaterally imposes austerity measures without drawing a line to define minimum social standards. The result is that social achievements are being dismantled overnight. Now the call for a more socially oriented Europe has become louder. We have to make social security systems more European.  Annalena Baerbock, Anna Cavazzini more»
Euro-Münzen

The Political Crisis: A Better Europe Starts at Home

- July 20, 2012 - As market reforms and budget consolidation meet increasing political constraints, it is perhaps not surprising that the call for “more Europe” has become louder. While such eagerness for the European project should be welcomed, in fact it is not genuine but rather motivated by the short-term interests of political classes.  Rainer Emschermann more»

Democracy

Rabia’s Free Kick - Women's soccer in Lebanon

- January 16, 2013 - Women's soccer is slowly gaining ground in parts the Lebanese society. The sport is not only empowering young women, but also helps building bridges between the different religions and sects in the country. But it's still a long way to go until it will be recognized by the media and be accepted by society as a whole. Florian Sonntag more»

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).

more»

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.
  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»

Ecology

Climate Change, Governance and Energy Discourse in Pakistan

February 11, 2013 - Pakistan is among the most-affected countries by climate change worldwide. At the same time, it has been crippled by a raging energy crisis for the last few years. What needs to be done in order to support and pressurize the government to implement a meaningful policy on climate change and energy?
  Tahir Hasnain more»
Oil Slick, Foto: arbyreed, Quelle: flickr.com, Lizenz: CC BY-NC 2.0

Dossier

Unconventional Oil: A Challenge for Local Communities

- With conventional oil production in decline, the global oil industry is investing heavily in dirtier and riskier forms of oil and also in unconventional resources, such as tar sands, and oil shale. All are difficult and costly to produce, usually more carbon intensive than conventional oil and may have calamitous long-term impacts on the local environment.

 

Christopher Walker more»

The “Doha Climate Gateway”: will the camel go through the eye of the needle?

- December 18, 2012 - Expectations for the climate summit in Doha were so low that it is quite remarkable that the meager results still managed to fall short of them. Many NGOs condemned the conference as a failure. The EU and Germany called it an important step in the right direction. A summary of the results of the climate conference in Doha.
Lili Fuhr and Liane Schalatek more»

Ten years on: “Publish What You Pay” celebrates a landmark anniversary

- December 10, 2012 - In 2002 a small group of NGOs launched “Publish What You Pay” in order to lend weight to their call for more transparency in the extractive industries. Today, the network is the largest global affiliation of NGOs campaigning in the resource sector. This September, the network marked its landmark tenth anniversary with a conference in Amsterdam. Heidi Feldt more»

Further Publications

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»

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»

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»

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»

Publication Series on Europe, Volume 6

Solidarity and Strength - The Future of the European Union

- This volume is the result of the work of the Commission on the Future of the European Union. The Commission, composed of 60 renowned experts from the worlds of politics, science and civil society, was charged with sketching out future prospects and drafting recommendations for key areas of European policy – areas crucial for giving a new dynamic to European cooperation. Christine Pütz, Bastian Hermisson more»
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