Diversity, Unity, and Fragmentation are three terms that have been dominating the Palestinian political discourse since the emergence of the Palestinian National Movement in the twentieth century. The internal Palestinian division since June 2007 has given more intensity to the discussion about Diversity, Unity, and Fragmentation.

The perception is widely held that Fateh represents secularism, enlightened and modern secularism, open to the West, reformist, capable for democratic transformation and Hamas represents fundamentalism, backward, traditional (if looked at positively), anti-Western, pro-Iran, authoritarian, incapable for democratic transformation, simply using democratic slogans in order to reach power.

While the international community has over the last decade converged around a two-state vision, it has neither worked convincingly to implement this vision nor to prevent or stop processes that have the potential of making a two-state settlement impossible.

There is and there cannot be any democracy or the development of a democratic system under occupation. It follows, therefore, that in our discussion today we can only pose the question about the amount of freedom needed to end occupation and build a free society and, perhaps eventually, achieve the “dream” of a democratic state in Palestine.

Are you interested in blogging from a high-profile international conference “The Great Transformation – Greening the Economy”, from 28-29 May 2010 on climate change and the economy, and take a look behind the scenes? For this event we are offering three blogger scholarships!

In a globalised world, energy independence can not be achieved. Successful energy policies require inter-sectoral co-operation, supervision, and long-term public policies concerning employment, the environment, and investment.

Die Büros Brüssel, Washington und Prag bilden zusammen The Climate Network.The Climate Network- Transatlantic Solutions for a Low Carbon Economy is the new program of HBS' offices in Brussels, Prague and Washington, DC.

How to address challenges to the NPT regime by the threat of new arms races by so far non-nuclear states and by non-state actors? The Japanese and German cooperation has to strengthen in the field of multilateral arms control and non-proliferation.

Japan has been the only country in the world that suffered from a nuclear attack. Today, security and stability in Asia are at risk because of a potential nuclear arms race from the Persian Gulf to North Korea.

Prof. Lawrence Lessig spoke at the Heinrich Böll Foundation's "Spielstand Spezial" event on Copyright Wars. Enjoyment and Discomfort in a Digital Culture.