The EU and Conflicts in the South Caucasus Published: 15 September 2010 Soon after 2000, the European Union (EU) began to aspire to an increasingly robust role in conflict prevention and resolution in the South Caucasus. It sought to expand its role in the Georgian-Abkhaz, Georgian-Ossetian and Nagorno-Karabakh conflict resolution efforts. A turning point for its engagement was the 2008 Georgian-Russian war. The EU’s speedy response to that crisis was impressive and the Union has been actively engaged in addressing that conflict since. By Magdalena Frichova Grono
The EU's Eastern Neighbourhood Policy after Lisbon Published: 15 September 2010 Before 1989 the world was much simpler. Belonging to the Western camp and projecting decent democratic credentials guaranteed that a country would sooner or later be welcomed into the fold of European and Euro-Atlantic organisations. Today, the relationship between the European Union (EU) and its Eastern neighbours is much more complicated, as the ultimate question of 'Europe's borders' continues to haunt the EU and its members. By Janis A. Emmanouilidis and Paweł Świeboda
“Making Transatlantic Relations Work in the Post-Lisbon Era" Published: 14 September 2010 This paper summarizes discussions held during a transatlantic workshop at the Brookings Institution on June 1. The purpose of the workshop was to analyze the impact of the Lisbon Treaty on critical security issues affecting the transatlantic relationship between the United States and the EU. The workshop focused on four topics: Russia; Iran; China and “AfPak”. A summary by By Irina Angelescu
“A legitimated government comes from its parliament transparency” Published: 13 September 2010 "A legitimated government comes from its parliament transparency”. I would like to focus on passage and approval of new and updated laws according to Afghan context. In addition I want to establish an active group who can transparently observe government work and fill the gaps present in some current laws of Afghanistan.
“Good government starts with good people.” - Democratization Published: 13 September 2010 Since women and children are both vulnerable groups in our country, I will mostly focus on and consider these two groups. They face problems by any new evolution and changes in the country, Taliban regime is a clear example of it. If I get the chance to be a parliamentarian I would like to establish an advocacy group to lobby for women and children rights.
Book launch “Media and Elections: The role of media in democracies” Published: 12 September 2010 Media in democracies is often referred to as"the fourth pillar of power", and rightfully so. Ideally, this is what they do: Exerting control over politics by reporting on what they see and learn on what is happening. To be part of a decision making process, citizens need to be informed on all aspects relevant to them. What the media finds out and reports about might, however, differ from the image politicians want to give. In this case, hardly anybody is self-critical enough to admit flaws in his or her policy but rather blames it on the media.
In Search of Economic Alternatives for Gender and Social Justice: Voices from India Published: 30 August 2010 The publication is an edited collection of short essays by Indian authors on economic structures, relations and principles that are needed to serve the goals of sustainable economic and human development, poverty eradication, social justice, and empowerment of the most vulnerable segments of society: women.
Khodorkovsky: Dangling between Conviction and Release: Is there a Solution? Published: 29 July 2010 Jens Siegert, head of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung in Moscow, states in a commentary article that a verdict of "not guilty" in the Khodorkovsky-Lebedev trial may show a sign of political weakness on behalf of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, while a "guilty" verdict could end all hope for a thorough modernization of Russia. By Jens Siegert
Myth of nuclear power - a guide Published: 29 July 2010 To address the myths of nuclear power, the Heinrich Böll Foundation has commissioned renowned international nuclear experts to deliver reports that provide the public with an overview of current, facts rich, and nuclear-critical know-how.
We see the Kabul Conference as a window of opportunity for both the Afghan government and the international community Published: 21 July 2010 The AIHRC, as an active member of the Governance cluster, is assertive and supportive of the priorities on Rule of Law, Justice and Human Rights. All of these priorities are inter-related that each of them effect the achievement of other. Achieving these priority objectives will, definitely, have positive impact on promotion of human rights and civil responsibilities, and finally, it furthers trust between the citizens and government.