Why we should be taking the plastic crisis seriously – and how we can find ways out of it Commentary Based on current trends, a massive increase in plastic production is expected, even though it is already clear that the planet is awash with plastic litter. In this situation, “business as usual” is not an option. By Kristin Funke and Annette Kraus
The 2024 Indian Election: A New Political Landscape Unfolds Analysis On June 4, the 18th national parliamentary elections took place in India. Almost one billion voters were called upon to vote. As expected, incumbent Narendra Modi was re-elected as Prime Minister. Yet, the cards were reshuffled. By Jochen Luckscheiter, Shalini Yog Shah and Mirza Zulfiqur Rahman, PhD
Bretton Woods Revisited: Creating a Monetary and Economic Order Fit for the 21st Century Statement Ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Bretton Woods Conference, together with partner institutions, we propose reforms in eight critical areas of the international economic and financial architecture to reflect the changing global realities and challenges. By Ulrich Volz, Kamal Ramburuth, Janak Raj, Paulo Esteves, William N. Kring and Sarah Ribbert
Greens in the EU election: down in the West, up in the East, South and North Analysis 2019 was an extraordinary election year for the European Green Party, and it was clear from the beginning of the 2024 campaign that it would be tough to match it again this year. While the Greens lost seats overall, most of the losses were concentrated in Germany and Western Europe, while the bloc was able to pick up new seats in the South and East. By Tobias Gerhard Schminke
Countering online risks in a ‘Super Election Year’: Why the EU and Africa need each other Analysis 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. By Sabine Muscat and Cayley Clifford
In need of a Human Security Perspective between the River and the Sea Analysis 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. By Dr. René Wildangel
The concept of Human Security Background 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. By Dr. Siavash Eshghi
Feminist demands and right-wing pushback at UN women’s conference Commentary The 68th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) has shown, how interlinked economic and gender justice are. At the same time, the linkage between feminist grassroots and UN institutions has drastically weakened, benefiting anti-gender actors. By Derya Binışık and Adna Kalajdzisalihovic Vuga
Silenced Voices, Rising Movement: The Fight for LGBTQ+ Rights in Iran Analysis Despite enormous challenges, the LGBTQ+ movement in Iran has come a long way in the last years. Queer individuals actively participated in the Women, Life, Freedom protests. However, the isolation and solitary existence of the movement remains a challenge. By Rezvaneh Mohammadi
Fertilizers Will Not Fix Africa’s Food Crisis Analysis 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. By Silke Bollmohr and Harun Warui