It’s time for the Green family to show its support for Ukraine Commentary Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine is a tragedy of an unprecedented scale. The struggle for independence of the Ukrainian society will go down in history, and the heroism and determination of the resistance movement will be remembered by successive generations of Europeans. These values are also dear to our Foundation. We are convinced that people who support our activities also want to help Ukraine. There is more than one way to do it. Dr. Andriy Korniychuk
The cookie crumbles? Belgian ruling on tracking software puts screws on ad industry Interview Choice architecture. Nudging. Manipulation. Whatever you call it, asking users to consent to tracking cookies that can be used for targeted advertising is far from straightforward. On 2 February 2022, the Belgian Data Protection Authority issued a momentous ruling that could make them a thing of the past. Tech journalist Jennifer Baker speaks to renowned privacy guru Pat Walshe about the ruling and the wider implications. Jennifer Baker
Solidarity with Ukraine Statement We declare our full solidarity with Ukraine. We stand by the side of our Ukrainian partners and colleagues, and at the same time also by the side of our partners in Russian civil society who are under harsh state repression. Dr. Ellen Ueberschär, Barbara Unmüßig
Wallonia’s CAP Strategic Plan: better late than never? Analysis This article intends to shed some light on the bumpy road that led to Wallonia’s not yet finalised CAP Strategic Plan. Focussing first on understanding the delays, we’ll then expose how an originally inclusive debate has lowered itself to the level of their neighbour’s. Finally, we’ll take a look at the decision taken on coupled payments for livestock, what it implies in terms of economic sustainability and try to understand if this decision can be balanced by eco-schemes intervention. Mathieu Willard, Matteo Metta
The French “meanwhile” on vaccine equity Commentary While nearly 82% of Europeans are fully vaccinated, this is the case for just 11% of Africans. This vaccine gap could overshadow discussions between the heads of state of the two continents at the summit to be held in Brussels on 17 and 18 February between the European Union and the African Union. France, which currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU, has been called upon to act to waive patents on Covid-19 vaccines. Emmanuel Macron is the champion of the “global licence” project. Nicolas Kirilowits
Why won’t Germany support a Covid-19 vaccine waiver? Anna Cavazzini answers this and more ahead of the EU-AU summit Interview Four civil society representatives ask MEP Anna Cavazzini (Greens/EFA) about the Covid-19 vaccine patent waiver, as the wane of some countries’ Omicron winters poses a new threat to global vaccine equity. Laura Lopez Gonzalez
Covid-19 pandemic, vaccine distribution and global justice: the story so far Analysis We are experiencing two very different pandemic realities between low-income and high-income countries. Unfortunately, instead of seeking a solidarity-based response, the international community has once again demonstrated its disunity in this health crisis. The task now is to regain credibility and rebuild trust. Barbara Unmüßig
Promoting irresponsible AI: lessons from a Brazilian bill Commentary In the following months, the Brazilian Senate will vote on a 10-article bill establishing principles for the development and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Its content, however, may help perpetuate recent cases of algorithmic discrimination through provisions that hinder the accountability for AI-induced errors and restrict the scope of rights established in Brazil’s General Data Protection Legislation and in the Brazilian Constitution. José Renato Laranjeira de Pereira, Thiago Guimarães Moraes
Ill feeling between continents ahead of the EU-AU summit Commentary The travel restrictions imposed by the European Union on people traveling from southern Africa after the discovery of the Omicron variant, will potentially have a long-term impact on the EU-AU relations. Dr. Melanie Müller
Ukraine: Germany is not to be relied upon? Commentary Ukraine is facing a challenge that could threaten its very existence. It is relying on negotiations, sanctions and its army and needs solidarity and assistance from all European democracies. Johannes Voswinkel