Understanding Misinformation: Our Society, Our Technology, Ourselves Published: 12 October 2020 The internet has become the perfect breeding ground and circulatory system for all kinds of untrue or inaccurate claims, thanks in part to the sheer speed and volume of information that it accommodates. As civil society and governments focus on increasing media literacy and pressuring technology companies to change their policies, what can citizens and technology users do in the face of misinformation?
"Stop the war in the South Caucasus" Published: 8 October 2020 Ellen Ueberschär demands an immediate ceasefire and negotiations for a sustainable peace process in Nagorno-Karabakh with EU support needed.
How do we define Amazonia? Published: 7 October 2020 Amazonia means many things to different people. Below is an overview of what Amazonia is, who lives here and why such large areas of it are being slashed and burned.
The Istanbul Convention: A Chronicle of the Feminist Struggle Published: 5 October 2020 International treaties also give certain leverage to civic actors and women’s movement in Turkey in their efforts to overcome entrenched resistance to policy and practice changes. Since the Convention’s inception, women’s organisations in Turkey have been actively struggling for effective implementation and pushing public authorities to adopt women-friendly policies by making direct references to the Convention’s provisions.
Afghanistan: Return of the Taliban Published: 24 August 2021 With the dramatic takeover of power by the Taliban following the abrupt end of NATO's 20-year mission, Afghanistan is drifting into an uncertain political future. Our dossier offers insights into current developments and debates in Afghanistan, the region and Europe.
The Fukushima Disaster and the Tokyo Olympics Published: 24 September 2020 Nine years after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, fundamental issues remain unresolved. Many domestic critics saw the Olympics as a ploy to distract from the nuclear disaster. Should a country with an ongoing nuclear disaster be hosting these games?
Orbán’s pandemic authoritarian grab Published: 18 September 2020 Viktor Orbán has been successfully playing a big power game in the last decade, punching far above his weight. But his image as a negative hero in the Western World has clearly backfired now, with Orbán using the Covid-19 pandemic as a pretext to complete his authoritarian regime. Orbán’s moves are not purely the domestic political problems of Hungary – an authoritarian state within the EU could be deadly dangerous for the entire project. Germany has a very important role to play in the current situation.
Pandemic management on the backs of women in Hungary Published: 18 September 2020 The corona pandemic has exposed and further exacerbated various built-in inequalities and unsustainable structures of how we organize the economy and social life globally, from seasonal agricultural work to elderly care – and this is also true for gender relations in Hungary.
Rule of law “light”: The “state of medical emergency” in Hungary Published: 18 September 2020 In the last three months it has become crystal clear that, among other matters, the COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary has taken its toll on a peculiar subject – the rule of law itself.
“Don’t be silenced” – Hungary's biggest independent news site collapses Published: 18 September 2020 On the evening of 24 July, a crowd of 10 000 -15 000 people gathered in front of the office of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to show their solidarity for the journalists who had resigned that very same morning from the largest remaining independent Hungarian news portal. In Hungary, demonstrations tend to draw no more than five thousand people, so the protest's size was surprising, especially since there is nothing new or shocking in democratic institutions being under heavy fire in Hungary.
Free country, free university – students at Hungary’s University of Theatre and Film Arts protest against restricted academic freedom Published: 18 September 2020 “Shall we occupy the university?” “Yes!” cheered a roomful of applauding students from Hungary’s University of Theatre and Film Arts (SZFE), surrounded by the sound of drums, over a week ago. They then proceeded to block the entrance with the red and white stripes that have since become the symbol of a resistance movement supporting the autonomy of the SZFE and standing up against a further attack by Viktor Orbán’s conservative, nationalist Government on the freedom of art, culture and education in Hungary.
Racism’s true colours: institutional racism and police brutality in Brazil Published: 16 September 2020 Nowhere in Latin America are so many people killed by the police as in Brazil. But not everyone is equally affected by this. Society is divided between those people who “can be killed” and “good citizens”.
“Bail us out, get us in” - Albin Kurti’s vision for Kosovo and his political comeback Published: 11 September 2020 Albin Kurti was Prime Minister of Kosovo from February to June 2020, when his government was toppled. Viola von Cramon-Taubadel is the European Parliament's rapporteur for Kosovo. Walter Kaufmann spoke to both of them about the domestic political situation in Kosovo, the rule of law and EU integration.
On the Value of Human Rights Published: 11 September 2020 In 2020, we celebrate 75 years of the UN, the intergovernmental organization that, since its formation, aimed to maintain international peace, security, and a protection of human rights. Silke Voß-Kyeck, an expert on the United Nations and rapporteur for Forum Menschenrechte, explores the correlation between finances and human rights protection within the UN for the 75th anniversary of the organisation.
Moria is burnt. Europe’s values, too. Europe’s double responsibility towards human dignity. Published: 10 September 2020 In the early hours of September 9th something rather expected happened. The Moria Refugee Camp on the Greek island of Lesbos was engulfed in flames, just a few hours after the announcement of the detection of 35 cases of coronavirus in the camp. The camp, which for years was a place of degradation of human dignity on the eastern border of the European Union, was almost completely destroyed. The EU Member states can no longer be inactive - they all share the responsibility for this disaster.
Is there a solution to the Aegean dispute? Published: 9 September 2020 The disputes over the Aegean Sea clearly constitute the “core” of Greek-Turkish relations. Each side claims to be exclusively in the right, and that the other side is always being provocative and in the wrong.
Is there a solution to the Aegean dispute? Published: 9 September 2020 The disputes over the Aegean Sea clearly constitute the “core” of Greek-Turkish relations. Each side claims to be exclusively in the right, and that the other side is always being provocative and in the wrong.
The Zoom Boom: It Matters Which Tech Tools You Choose to Work from Home Published: 31 August 2020 Due to the pandemic and the resulting quarantine, millions of people around the world found themselves at home and in need of digital tools to continue their work and communication. Yet, how secure are the digital tools that have become a part of our everyday life?
Regulated destruction of biodiversity Published: 29 August 2020 Corporations and governments can legally destroy natural areas, even those that are protected, if they promise to compensate for the loss of biodiversity elsewhere. Such biodiversity compensation does not stop the loss of biodiversity, but it has nonetheless become an increasingly popular practice.
REDD: The pitfalls of market-compliant forest conservation Published: 28 August 2020 The concept of REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) was introduced into UN climate talks in 2005 with the promise to reduce deforestation as well as the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from forest loss. REDD is now becoming the dominant international forest policy mechanism.
Will ASEAN End Up Going Greener after COVID-19? Published: 24 August 2020 While the answer to when, and if, the post-COVID era will come remains uncertain, it is clear that sustainability is back in centre stage - no longer as the hip slogan of the 90s - but as a survival need.
Truly Indispensable! The Geneva Refugee Convention at 70 Published: 27 July 2021 On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Geneva Refugee Convention (GRC) it seems more important than ever, to bring the Convention’s indispensable importance for refugee protection back to the attention of policy makers and a broader public.
Nourishing community in pandemic times Published: 19 August 2020 From protecting ‘nature’ to supporting kin. The animistic turn in sustainability.
India in the times of the COVID-19 pandemic: an image full of contradictions Published: 19 August 2020 In its fight against the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, India is facing its greatest social and economic challenge since independence in 1947. Persisting political and social contradictions have become more visible than ever before.
Projecting Adivasi-Art: The one-eared elephant from Hazaribagh Published: 19 August 2020 Jharkhand, India: thousand year old rock- and wall paintings, green jungles and streets, blackened by coal dust, old lifestyles and their loss. „The one-eared elephant from Hazaribagh“ is a portrait of two outstanding artists on a journey into the world of their art and existence. Today they struggle to resist the destructive forces from open cast coal mining.
Commons Published: 25 July 2021 In the societal discussion about alternative economic models, the concept of the commons is gaining significance and attracting broad attention. ➤ On this page, you will find current articles, publications, and thematic focuses on the commons.
Tech and Covid-19 Published: 13 August 2020 The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the integration of technology into our daily lives. This article series examines how digital technology affects innovation, inclusion, digital rights, and democracy in different countries.
Effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on food and agriculture in Africa Published: 12 August 2020 Senegal is not spared the consequences of Covid-19. How does Covid-19 change the conditions under which food is produced and traded? We take a closer look at food systems in Africa talked to an expert on sustainable development issues in rural areas.
Feminist Leadership Published: 21 July 2021 Feminist Leadership approaches have the potential to put traditionally marginalised communities front and centre, including for example communities of colour, LGBTQI+ people and people with disabilities.