Human Rights Published: 26 November 2020 All human beings are born equal in dignity and rights – regardless of where they come from, where they live, what they look like, whom they love, what language they speak, their gender, their religious or political beliefs, their social or economic status or in whatever way they may be different.
EU /WORLD TRADE - A Global Price Tag for Europe's Agrifood sector Published: 12 July 2019 Europe’s agriculture is part of many international value chains. It influences global commodity markets and thus the prices, products, income and diets in developing countries. Disagreement exists as to whether the area payments have a negative effect on developing countries.
EU/ORGANIC FARMING - Working with Nature Published: 12 July 2019 Rising demand for organic products in Europe is a market opportunity for producers and the food industry. But farmers need help to switch from conventional to organic, and to stay organic in face of market pressures inducing them to switch back. The Common Agricultural Policy offers some support – but not enough.
EU/BIODIVERSITY - Intensification vs Conservation Published: 12 July 2019 People often say that there are fewer birds and insects now than there used to be. That is true, and intensive agriculture is largely to blame. Despite some lip service paid to the necessity of nature conservation, the overwhelming weight of European agricultural policy is to promote yet more intensification.
EU/FARMS - Growing Up Published: 12 July 2019 Like all industries, agriculture is subject to economies of scale. But larger farms have a smaller workforce and can be a bigger burden on the environment if they employ industrial methods, compared to the low-input systems that have traditionally dominated rural landscapes. It is time to shift policies towards preserving jobs and communities, being kinder on the environment, and encouraging young people to take up the farming profession.
EU/INTRODUCTION - Hitting Targets, Missing Goals Published: 12 July 2019 The Common Agricultural Policy is one of the EU’s oldest policies. Despite its extensive funds and regular reforms every seven years, it is poorly attuned to the needs of Europe’s hugely diverse farm sector. Goals to minimize and adapt to climate change, protect the environment and promote rural development are poorly served.
Russia and Iran: Foreign policy as a balancing act Published: 12 July 2019 Russia’s policy in the Middle East is geared strictly to the country’s interests: to fulfil its role as a major power, stabilise the region and minimise every risk as much as possible. This offers opportunities.
America’s Iran Policy: Between War-Weariness and Military Escalation Published: 10 July 2019 Donald Trump is caught in a deadlock of his own making. He does not want to find himself responsible for a new war in the Middle East right in the middle of an election campaign. At the same time, he wants to look like a tough guy who never backtracks. This is what is making the situation so unpredictable.
Nerves on edge Published: 10 July 2019 The escalating nuclear conflict between Iran and the United States is making life harder for Irans population. In particular, the emergence of a middle class is under threat.
The EU’s role in the conflict between Iran and the USA: de-escalation! Published: 10 July 2019 The High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs has appealed to the US and Iran to avoid escalation in the Persian Gulf region. The EU must continue to do everything within its power to save the nuclear deal.
Brothers in Spirit? Trump, Netanyahu and the Conflict with Iran Published: 10 July 2019 The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is supporting and encouraging Trump’s confrontational stance towards Iran. However, a military escalation would be extremely dangerous for Israel.
A painful peace in Nagorno-Karabakh Published: 11 November 2020 A war that has garnered little to no attention in the rest of the world has been raging in Nagorno-Karabakh since 27 September 2020. With its multiple casualties, tens of thousands of refugees, and confirmed war crimes, this war signifies a human catastrophe for Armenia.
Transforming the opposition in Hungary after the EP elections Published: 3 July 2019 The European Parliamentary elections have stirred up Hungarian politics. Though the support for the governing party Fidesz seems to be unwavering, the power relations have changed in the opposition.
"We can all recognize ourselves in those stories" Published: 2 July 2019 The 41st UN Human Rights Council will decide on the renewal of the mandate of the UN Independent Expert on the Protection against Violence and Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI). Caroline Ausserer spoke with the current mandate holder, Victor Madrigal-Borloz.
“Bitter experiences” reconsidered: paradigm change in Holocaust memorialisation Published: 28 June 2019 The Holocaust narrative elevated the moral command of “Never Again” into a measure of universal integrity. But now a major paradigm change is happening in Holocaust memorialisation that will have a major impact on European identity.
A Guide to the US Democratic Primaries Published: 26 June 2019 The world is watching as the United States prepares for its next election marathon. Many Europeans want to know where the Democratic presidential hopefuls stand on issues from climate change or migration to regulating Big Tech. But where to start with more than 20 candidates? We try to cut a path through the US Democratic primary jungle.
Backlash in feminism - Out of reverse gear Published: 17 June 2019 Violence against women, gender pay gap, homo hatred - the gender backlash is in full swing worldwide. That is why we need encouraging feminism.
Newsletter Debt Relief for Green and Inclusive Recovery Published: 29 October 2020 Sign up for the newsletter of our blog "Debt Relief for Green and Inclusive Recovery".
COP25: Madrid Published: 28 October 2020 The 25th Conference of the Parties (COP 25) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will take place under the Presidency of the Government of Chile from 2 to 13 December in Madrid, Spain. A key objective is to complete several matters with respect to the full operationalization of the Paris Agreement which includes a need to increase national ambition. Despite the relocation of the COP the civil society People’s Summit will take place in Santiago de Chile.
Anne Klein Women’s Award 2020 Published: 12 June 2019 We invite you to nominate candidates for the 2020 Anne Klein Women’s Award, who courageously and perseveringly advocate human rights, equality and sexual self-determination. The closing date for submissions is 1st September 2019.
A changing European Parliament Published: 11 June 2019 The European Parliament has become more pluralist and more diverse, which may mean opportunities for its future work. As part of a broader pro-European alliance the Greens will unquestionably play an important role in the newly elected Parliament.
Rio de Janeiro Office - Brazil Published: 6 June 2019 In Brazil, the Heinrich Böll Foundation works on the topics of socio-ecological justice, democracy, security and human rights, as well as gender democracy.
Jokowi’s Triumph in the 2019 Presidential Election and the Future of Binary Politics Published: 6 June 2019 On 17 April 2019, Indonesia held the world’s largest, and arguably most complicated, one-day election involved presidential, legislative (national and local), and senate elections – done simultaneously. Voters’ attention, however, was largely on the presidential election, which led to a turnout of 81%, the highest in Indonesia’s electoral history in the post-reform era.
Poland: Following the European elections, PiS maintains its dominant position in spite of the changing political scene Published: 6 June 2019 The European elections held on 26th May 2019 confirmed what was feared: The national-conservative party Prawo i Sprawiedliwość (Law and Justice, PiS) won by a clear majority. What are the reasons behind this election result and how has the political mood in the country changed?
Who we are and what we want Published: 5 June 2019 Fostering democracy and upholding human rights, taking action to prevent the destruction of the global ecosystem, advancing equalit between women and men, securing peace through confict prevention in crisis zones, and defending the freedom of individuals against excessive state and economic power – these are the objectives that drive the ideas and actions of the Heinrich Böll Foundation.
A Visit to Böll Country Published: 4 June 2019 Achill Island, the westernmost tip of Ireland, was a retreat and source of inspiration for Heinrich Böll. He immortalized it in his Irish Journal, and the local people thank him to this day with an annual Memorial Weekend.
"No Women - No Peace: 20th Anniversary of UNSC Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security" Published: 20 October 2020 On 31 October 2000, the UN Security Council adopted the Landmark Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security was signed. On the occasion of its twentieth anniversary, this dossier presents women from 20 different countries involved in peace and security.
Uncalculated Risks: Threats and Attacks against Human Rights Defenders and the Role of Development Financiers Published: 31 May 2019 Through 25 case studies, Uncalculated Risks explores the nature of the threats and attacks against defenders in development, and examines the role of development finance institutions (DFIs) in mitigating or exacerbating these risks.
Elections in South Caucasus Published: 28 May 2019 The parliamentary and presidential elections which were either held or are still planned in three countries of the South Caucasus can be considered as the most significant political events of 2018. We asked political scientists to reflect on the process and results of the elections in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia with regard to the democratic political culture in South Caucasus.