In need of a Human Security Perspective between the River and the Sea Published: 21 May 2024 To ensure security and well-being of all citizens in Israel and Palestine, global actors must shift from a state-centric, militarized view to a human-centric approach. And prioritizing equality and cooperation among individuals and communities for lasting peace.
The concept of Human Security Published: 21 May 2024 The Global Unit for Human Security addresses the concept of human security and develops it beyond a mere analytical tool. The aim is to develop a progressive framework for intersectional, human-centric and justice-oriented security policy making.
Georgia: »This Law Targets Anyone Mobilizing for Democratic Change« Published: 16 May 2024 The Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence hinders Georgian accession to the EU and has drawn massive protests by Georgian society. In this context we asked three questions to Dr. Sonja Schiffers, Director of our South Caucasus office in Tbilisi, on how she views the latest developments.
The EU Needs an Iran Strategy, Not Just »More Sanctions« Published: 14 May 2024 European policymakers need to rethink their approach to Iran and formulate a new policy that puts people and human security at its core. Such an approach would center on a consistent human rights perspective and the sustained support for civil society.
Freedom, Security, and Prosperity Don‘t Come for Free Published: 14 May 2024 Infrastructure deficiencies are paralysing Germany. But as a result of the Schuldenbremse (debt brake), urgently needed investments – including to boost climate protection – are to be postponed. This is both risky and economically short-sighted.
Countering online risks in a ‘Super Election Year’: Why the EU and Africa need each other Published: 13 May 2024 The European Union should work together with partners in Africa to secure electoral systems against cyberattacks and to prevent the spread of false and misleading information. This is also in line with European interests and values.
Fertilizers Will Not Fix Africa’s Food Crisis Published: 13 May 2024 The widespread promotion of synthetic fertilizer as a solution to Africa’s food-security challenges is a flawed approach that has consistently failed to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition on the continent. It is time for policymakers and stakeholders to embrace a more transparent and evidence-based approach.
Resilient agriculture on the African continent: The proof will be in the Soil Published: 6 May 2024 Our Policy Brief provides recommendations on fossil fuel-based and ‘green’ fertilizer production and use in Africa.
Böll.Thema 1/24: Europe Published: 29 August 2024 War in Europe, the escalating climate crisis, Europe's position in the global power structure: The EU faces historic challenges. With this issue of the Boell.Thema magazine, we aim to inform about the history and future of the EU.
A view from the outside: How does the world view the EU? Published: 29 April 2024 The European elections are not only relevant to EU citizens. Other countries around the world are also watching with great interest to see what happens in June of this year. Five experts from Argentina, India, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and the US present their view of the EU and their recommendations.
Questioning narratives: Looking for the people behind them Published: 29 April 2024 Young Europeans undergo a year of training in campaigning. Their guiding question in this project: How to dismantle widespread racist attitudes prevalent in Europe?
My first time Published: 29 April 2024 In 2024, some EU countries will also allow minors to vote in the European elections. Six statements from under-18s and adult first-time voters from six countries show: The EU must do more to reach young people.
Protecting refugees in Europe: Weakened today, hollowed out tomorrow? Published: 29 April 2024 The objective of reforming the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) is to control what is called irregular migration. In particular, expanding the number of countries that are considered “safe third countries” and border procedures such as the “fiction of non-entry” are a threat to fundamental asylum rights.
«Make empathy great again!» Published: 29 April 2024 A conversation with the Polish director Agnieszka Holland about the campaign against her film "Green Border," which deals with pushbacks at the Polish-Belarusian border, as well as about courage and empathy and why both give her a little hope.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: a turning point for EU foreign and security policy Published: 29 April 2024 Russia’s war of aggression has rallied the countries of the European Union in unexpected unity. At the same time, it has exposed blatant deficiencies in European foreign and security policy and Europe’s defense capabilities.
Setting the course for Europe Published: 29 April 2024 By passing a comprehensive support package for Ukraine, the EU has demonstrated its willingness to be an active geopolitical player. To fulfil this role, it must strengthen its defense industry, build its troops, and make them ready for action.
Agricultural expert on the causes of farmer protests: «We have to deliver» Published: 29 April 2024 Hannes Lorenzen on the causes of farmer protests, EU's lack of planning and wrong decisions, and why a thorough restart of the Common Agricultural Policy is inevitable.
Perspectives on the EU Green Deal (with Robert Habeck) Published: 29 April 2024 Five years ago, the European Commission presented its new sustainability and growth strategy, the European Green Deal (EGD), the goal of which was to drive the transition to a competitive and sustainable economy and become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. The foundations have been laid, but what are the next steps?
The Europe of shared problems Published: 29 April 2024 Demographic change, environmental crises, and social fragmentation – given all these challenges, generous social policy cannot be the sole solution for a European social model for the future. Rather, it must be a new form of “solidarity-based adaptation,” by which all citizens take responsibility and proactively drive change.
Timothy Garton Ash on Europe & the War in Ukraine Published: 29 April 2024 A conversation with Timothy Garton Ash about shattered illusions, the war in Ukraine, setbacks in democracy development, and the fight for freedom.
Statement by the German Political Foundations in Georgia on the Law on "Transparency of Foreign Influence" Published: 29 April 2024 We, the German Political Foundations represented in Georgia, express our grave concern over the draft law on "Transparency of Foreign Influence."
2004 was a year of new beginnings – what hopes for the future do we have today? Published: 29 April 2024 On May 1, 2004, celebrations took place in many Central and Eastern European capitals. There was great euphoria and joy at finally becoming members of the European family, which expanded from 15 to 25 members. How does the region look back on the past two decades? What can be learned from these experiences for future accession processes?
A glimpse of hope in Europe Published: 29 April 2024 Polish citizens sent a clear signal against illiberal tendencies in their country with the election in October 2023. Learn more about the challenges of the new government and how Poland now constructively engages at the EU negotiation table.
Daniel Cohn-Bendit on Racism & Antisemitism in Europe Published: 29 April 2024 Daniel Cohn-Bendit on facets of antisemitism and racism in today’s Europe, deep divisions in pluralistic societies, and the need to recognize the other side’s pain.
EU accession Ukraine: No more 30 years Published: 29 April 2024 Resolute action has never been one of the European Union’s strengths. Swift decision-making is not one of the advantages democracies offer. But are the other advantages enough in times of war, as in Ukraine now, when every moment of hesitation costs human lives?
The EU and the European elections explained simply! Published: 29 April 2024 Learn more about the EU member states, key institutions, current parliamentary majorities, recent voter turnout, and the history of the EU.
EU Enlargement: Making Europe bigger and stronger Published: 29 April 2024 Many of the anniversaries we mark in 2024 will remind us of how we overcame separation and division, but also of the fact that the task of reuniting Europe is yet to be accomplished. EU enlargement is in our own best interest – after all, a safe and stable neighborhood makes us all safer and Europe more stable.
Editorial Published: 29 April 2024 War in Europe, the escalating climate crisis, Europe's position in the global power structure: The European Union faces historic challenges. The year 2024 will determine how things will proceed.
Press and Media Freedom in Europe Published: 23 May 2024 The media systems in Europe are facing challenges from multiple directions. The European Democracy Conference 2022 therefore focused on the question of how we can specifically and decisively counteract the advancing deterioration of free reporting.