Adieu, ni hao: can UK universities thrive in the post-Brexit world? Commentary With the UK now less attractive to EU students, British universities have successfully pivoted to the Anglophone world and Asia, writes Ros Taylor. But in an increasingly fearful and isolationist world, this strategy is risky. Ros Taylor
Green transition in the global framework Analysis The concept of “just transition” has so far arrived in Eastern and Southeastern Europe only as a fragment of nice environmental jargon. There is a lack of protagonists strong enough to create conditions for a more powerful social and political impact. In order to act within ecological limits and remain below a warming of 1.5° Celsius, we must also consume less. Until now, consumption, like growth, has been equated with well-being and prosperity. Vedran Horvat
Bosnia and Herzegovina: dismantling monopolies in the green transition Analysis Bosnia-Herzegovina wants to phase out fossil fuels by 2050. For the country, which is largely dependent on coal, this is a serious turning point. However, the word "transition", which is often used for this process, is rather hated by the population, because it is not associated with equality and justice, but rather with an enriching political elite. Majda Ibraković
Laptop generals and bot armies: The digital front of Russia’s Ukraine war Analysis Digital technology plays a key role in the armed conflict in Ukraine – as a tool for cyberattacks and digital protest, and as an accelerator for information and disinformation. Sabine Muscat, Zora Siebert (on parental leave)
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