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.

In 2004 Musharraf’s government was determined to retain and expand its nuclear capabilities. U.S. visits from top officials of the Strategic Plans Division, which is charged with the possession, maintenance, and safety of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, became routine, and still continue.

Democratisation, regional integration, and globalisation have led to changes in Brazil’s international standing over the last decades. Brazil is already progressively gaining international influence. At the same time, its foreign policy has become increasingly transparent, democratic, and representative of the diversity of its society.

Climate change is not at the top of Thailand’s national agenda. So far, changes in policy not been made to prevent climate change but in order to economise. Yet, there are hopeful developments at a grass roots level.

In May, President Obama submitted to Congress the full details of his first budget request, for Fiscal Year 2010. The President’s first annual budget demonstrates that the Obama administration does take seriously the role of the U.S. in supporting democracy, governance, and human rights in the Broader Middle East and North Africa (BMENA).

In his keynote speech at the conference Climate Change, Resources, Migration - Old and New Sources of Conflict in Africa? Ralf Fücks discussed the new world order. He envisions a new model of global governance based on international law, human rights, and multilateral co-operation under the umbrella of the United Nations.

China is believed to be better prepared for the consequences of the financial crisis than all other emerging countries. But how deeply has China’s economy really been affected by the crisis, and what measures are being taken by its government?

The global concept of a Green New Deal is a direct reaction to the current economic and unemployment crisis. If the Green New Deal is introduced the right way, it could lead to transformation and create the proper conditions for a sustainable green economy of the 21st century.

The financial crisis has exposed structural problems in the Chinese economy: Its export trade is suffering from the slump in global demand. Bejing has underwritten investments, social programs, and subsidies to stimulate domestic demand, with little regard to the long-term environmental consequences.

Those who think that the events in the wake of Iran's 2009 presidential election will lead to radical change will be disappointed. The movement that led to the overthrow of the Shah in 1979 was powerful and had a clear focus; today's protests are heterogenous and lack leadership.