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AI’s speed and innovation against Covid-19 points the way for the battle against climate change, too

The Covid-19 pandemic has spurred radical measures worldwide to stem the spread of the virus, and specialists from different fields have taken up the challenge, using new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). Similar momentum and coordination also could supercharge efforts in the equally challenging drive against climate change.

By Sasha Luccioni

Can a national ID database ease the burden of Covid-19 in the Philippines?

The pandemic has increased calls for a national ID system, but experts say that the plan as proposed may backfire.

By Jasmine Shewakramani

Activists in Asia fear anti-disinformation efforts will suppress free speech

In Singapore and South Korea, fact-checking initiatives have been effective in fighting Covid-19 disinformation. But other tactics – like confusing or overly broad laws – could be used to maintain political power.

By Christy Tsang

Poland remains divided

Following a suspense-packed election thriller, Poland has elected its new president. What seemed like it would be a walkover for the incumbent, Andrzej Duda, turned out to be an attempt to shift the direction of Polish domestic affairs.

By Joanna Maria Stolarek

Pandemic strengthens China’s platforms as infrastructure providers

From rural live-streaming to coordinating medical care, technology platforms in China have taken on a central role during the Covid-19 crisis. The pandemic accelerated trends that further cement these companies as key infrastructure providers working in close tandem with the state – but this cozy relationship comes at a cost to many.

Sheffield's Women of Steel - COVID-19: We can beat this

The great leveller? How Covid-19 responses could widen gender inequality in the UK

The coronavirus pandemic – just like society – runs along fault lines of gender, race, class and other inequalities. With women over-represented in vulnerable frontline jobs, there are fears that technologies proposed to tackle the pandemic could inflict harms that differ based on gender.

By Ella Jakubowska

Vacancy - Head of Programme: Protection of Human Rights Defenders

The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union Office in Brussels is welcoming applications for the open position “Head of Programme: Protection of Human Rights Defenders” as of 1 October 2020.

Vacancy - IT-Technician: Digital Infrastructure Support

The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union Office in Brussels is welcoming applications for the open position “IT Technician: Digital Infrastructure Support” as of 1 October 2020.

Events

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Online discussion Thursday, 13. August 2020

A feminist exploration: demography

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Tech and Covid-19

Tech and Covid-19

Insect Atlas

Playing with fire: are the US and Iran risking war?

Focus on Hungary

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Our latest publications

Closed ports, dubious partners

Closed Ports, Dubious Partners

E-Paper

This study shows that port closures are governed not only by the law of the sea and human rights law, but also by WHO law and that non-refoulement obligations continue to apply even in emergency situations while a derogation is not permissible under international law.

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The World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2019

The World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2019 (WNISR2019) provides a comprehensive overview of nuclear power plant data, including information on age, operation, production and construction.

pdf

Radioactivity Under the Sand

E-Paper

More than half a century ago, France tested its first atomic bombs in the Algerian desert. This E-Paper examines the environmental and political legacy of these tests: a story of post-colonial injustice and radiological irresponsibility.

pdf

International Relations

Street Art George Floyd

“Trump’s election defeat won’t end structural racism”

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

EU-Neighbourhood Policy

Masculinity as a project – new film series from Russia on gender politics

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

more on "EU-Neighbourhood Policy"

International Policy

Picture of Earth with the corona virus around it

Between confrontation and cooperation: Coronavirus and the international order

The coronavirus crisis comes at a time when the international order is already under stress, mainly driven by a new rivalry between “great powers”. Coronavirus could either exacerbate this trend, or it could breathe new life into international cooperation. Another possibility is that rivalry will remain central to the coming order, but one in which democracies come closer together to push back against autocratic bids for global power and influence. A geopolitical analysis.

By Dr. Ulrich Speck

more on "International Policy

Democracy

Main traffic road during quarantine in the capital city Bogotá

Colombia and SARS-CoV-2: Will the storm pass?

In Colombia too, public life and the economy have been at a standstill due to the coronavirus pandemic. There is, however, hope that the early measures taken to stem the pandemic will pay off in the medium and long term. The country is currently between hope and fear regarding the measures to ease the social and economic lockdown in place since March.

By Florian Huber

Democracy & Human Rights

Black lives matter demo shield

Black Lives Matter!

George Floyd just had time to tell his executioners “I can’t breathe”. His words were heard in Belgium, where they succeeded in toppling King Leopold II, whose face was daubed with red paint when he was not simply torn down. Black lives matter! An autopsy of the controversial movement, which is no longer in its test phase.

more on "Democracy & Human Rights"

Digitalisation

How the pandemic kickstarted a health tech renaissance in Nigeria

Covid-19 has accelerated innovation in the Nigerian health tech sector, providing opportunities for growth in an industry that has typically lacked investment, government endorsement, and attention.

By Ayodeji Rotinwa

more on "Digitalisation"

Ecology

Flawed but vital, “Planet of the Humans” poses several inconvenient questions

Michael Moore and Jeff Gibbs new movie, Planet of the Humans (POTH) serves to uncomfortably remind viewers that in many ways, despite our increased awareness of the growing biodiversity and climate crises, often our “environmental” and “sustainable” solutions, such as “natural” fossil gas, biomass and biofuels, have proven as bad or worse than the coal and petroleum they were intended to replace.

By L. Michael Buchsbaum

European Energy Transition

Red Alarm: Europe’s Next Drought is Already Upon Us

In much of Europe, this April is proving one of the driest in history. According to climate scientists, this could be the new normal as global warming enhances the frequency of severe droughts. Farmers though could do more to secure stable harvests: by growing more diverse crops.

By Paul Hockenos

more on "European Energy Transition"

International Climate, Energy & Agriculture Policy

CAP Strategic plans

How Transparent and Inclusive is the Design Process of the National CAP Strategic Plans?

After the first steps made towards designing the National CAP Strategic Plans, this article analyses transparency and stakeholder inclusivity in six selected Member States: France, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Poland.

By Matteo Metta

more on "International Climate, Energy & Agriculture Policy"

Dossiers

Feminicide: A Global Phenomenon

The Role of the European Union in Its Neighbourhood and in the World

Energy Atlas 2018: Facts and Figures about Renewables in Europe

The State We’re in – the European Union: Still Alive but under Continuing Pressure

Workshop European Neighbourhood Policy (South)