Nature, Inc.? As old methods have lost credibility, some governments, economists and international institutions like the UN Environment Programme have adopted a new approach, based on the view that nature is an “ecosystem service” provider. In doing so, they have shifted the onus of addressing environmental risk onto the private sector and market-based mechanisms. By Barbara Unmüßig
Quo vadis Armenia: North or West? Just one month after Wladimir Putin's official visit to Azerbaijan, where the chance for signing a binding trade agreement between Baku and Moscow was squandered, the Russian president welcomed his Armenian counterpart in Moscow. It's the latter who made headlines on September 3rd by surprisingly announcing that Armenia would join the Russian-led Customs Union. By Nino Lejava and Konstanty Kuzma
Interview about Syria: "The world should do something serious and do it quickly." The regime must not remain unpunished for the use of chemical weapons. If the U.S. and its allies do not act, the people themselves will feel even more isolated than before, and they will learn that there are no limits to the brutality.
Who we are and what we want 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.
Greece in the German Election Debate One of the most hotly debated issues in the run-up to Germany’s federal election due to be held on 22 September, is the future of Greece. Unfortunately, it is the terrible sound of populism, which dominates, and there are hardly any voices of reason to soothe our ears. By Nikos Chrysoloras
The grief of Czech politics The political crisis in the Czech Republic, which led to the fall of the government, was triggered by police investigation. The prosecution of three former MPs in the country triggered heated debates and reactions. By Václav Láska
Emphasis is not being placed on the rule of law In an interview, political scientist Vladimíra Dvořáková of the University of Economics, Prague, enumerates the causes of the current turbulence on the Czech political scene.
Hun Sen - One Man, One Nation In the recent elections Premier Hun Sen of Cambodia has learned that a large part of the Cambodians want a new political leadership. But even though his party has lost many votes, a change in the repressive political system is currently very unlikely. By Andreas Lorenz
Cambodia has voted – and faces an uncertain future Cambodia’s elections did not produce a clear winner – this alone is notable news for a country that has been governed by the same person for almost 29 years. However Prime Minister Hun Sen continues to sit tight at the reigns. What does this mean for the German development cooperation with Cambodia? By Markus Karbaum
Impressions from the Province of Kandal: Election Day and its Consequences Our Cambodia office director Manfred Hornung has registered with Cambodia's National Election Committee (NEC) as an independent observer for the parliamentary elections. In his articles he reports about worried citizens and protests on the election day. By Manfred Hornung