Masculinity as a project – new film series from Russia on gender politics Published: 5 June 2020 Informative film The new online course on masculinity has now been released in a version with English subtitles, making the cooperation project of the Heinrich Böll Stiftung Moscow available internationally to anyone interested. By Katja Giebel
A critical point for EU–UK relations: The British perspective on the German Council Presidency Published: 4 June 2020 Background Britain is in the midst of finalising the Brexit transition process while also being hit especially hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. The German Council Presidency has to protect public health all over Europe while also preventing another financial crisis from happening. But this might also give new momentum to systemic change towards a more sustainable economy. By Molly Scot Cato
“Trump’s election defeat won’t end structural racism” Published: 11 June 2020 Interview The murder of George Floyd has thrown the United States into a state of unrest. President Trump is throwing fuel on the fire in an attempt to increase his re-election chances. The main problem, however, is historical, structural racism – and not just in the U.S. An interview with Bastian Hermisson, Head of the Foundation’s office in Washington, and Mekonnen Mesghena, Head of Migration and Diversity at the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Berlin. By Bastian Hermisson and Mekonnen Mesghena
How does the Covid-19 pandemic affect LGBTI+ community in Turkey? Published: 26 May 2020 Background For many LGBTI+ people, staying home raises domestic violence concerns. Already among the most vulnerable groups regarding access to employment, LGBTI+ individuals are now facing job and income losses. Moreover, the risk of discrimination in healthcare is higher for LGBTI+ individuals. To make matters worse, hate speech targeting the LGBTI+ community in the pretext of Covid-19 is on the rise. By Yıldız Tar
Expectations of the Greek government and Greek civil society of the 2020 German EU Council Presidency Published: 12 June 2020 Background At the beginning of 2020 it looked as if the Greek economy would recover with above average growth from 10 years of financial crisis.The corona pandemic has shattered these prospects. Greek society is now hoping for support from the German Council Presidency. By Olga Drossou
Every day stories of survival during the Covid19 crisis, a report from the streets of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Published: 26 May 2020 Background Dara(*) is an edjai, the local term in Khmer language to designate a street waste picker. In a country lacking a formal recycling system, he is one of the many thousands roaming the streets in search for aluminum cans or plastic bottles he can find to sell to collectors, composing the backbone of the recycling ecosystem.
Spanish demands on the EU and the German EU Council Presidency Published: 25 May 2020 Background Europe and European politics do not currently play a central role in the social debate in Spain. This makes it all the more important for Europe to come up with clear proposals to overcome the crisis. By Susanne Rieger
Italian expectations of the German EU Council Presidency Published: 25 May 2020 Background The disappointment in Italian society in relation to the EU at the beginning of the corona crisis has now changed to confidence. Now the expectations of financial solidarity are particularly directed towards the forthcoming German EU Presidency. By Christopher Hein
Council Presidency as a chance? Germany’s new role for the EU Council Presidency Published: 25 May 2020 Background On July 1st, Germany will take over the EU Council Presidency in midst the Corona pandemic. This presents opportunities for Germany to redefine its European policy. How does Germany perceive its role in the European Union and what are the expectations of other member states for the German Council Presidency? By Christine Pütz and Claudia Rothe
A (partial) defense of the Frugal Four Published: 25 May 2020 Background Sweden has recently become known as one of the members of the Frugal Four group in the negotiations concerning the new European long-term budget. These member states are skeptical towards the idea of corona bonds, and, as net contributors to the EU budget, they are open to paying more to the EU but “there are limits”. By Anders Schröder