Globalisation and Transformation

Over the past years the Heinrich Böll Foundation has developed a large number of EU-funded projects in over 60 different countries worldwide, both as a project co-ordinator and a project partner. The foci of our EU projects are ecology, democratisation, international understanding and gender democracy.

The international relations coordinator of the new Hungarian Greens analyzes the countries results of the European Party Elections. The radical right Jobbik has risen, while the left is in disarray. The new green party surprisingly also won a seat.

With Barack Obama the USA will become both more american and more european. By entering into dialogue with its international partners, America will also expect them to shoulder more of the responsibility. This will not necessarily be comfortable for Europe.

Th EU needs to seriously address its democratic deficit and the disillusionment that many Europeans feel for the Union. Dealing with these issues will surely not be an easy task but it will, without a doubt, enrich European democracy and the very ideals that we stand for and wish to promote in the world.

Independent of the EU’s internal debates on reform and enlargement the extension of co-operation beyond the borders of the EU will remain pressing. An updated European Neighbourhood Policy could enable the EU to engage its neighbours flexibly, keeping options open for closer future integration.

Russia and the European Union are increasingly bound together – if not by common values, then by virtue of their interdependence. Beyond strong economic ties, both actors have a mutual interest in maintaining international stability and a secure neighbourhood.

With contributions by Renate Künast, Milan Horácek, Marieluise Beck, Michaele Schreyer and many others