In memory of Frieder Wolf-Buchert Obituary Frieder Wolf-Buchert, our colleague at the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung for many years, has passed away at the age of 66, following serious illness. He built up and led our European Union office, which opened in January 1997. Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
Asylum and migration policy, Traffic Light coalition-style: a new start for Germany, new hope for Europe Analysis The chapter of the coalition agreement of the new German government on integration, migration and flight is highly ambitious. What changes does it set out at EU policy level? Neda Noraie-Kia, Anna Schwarz
Recommendations for a new role for Germany in the Eastern Partnership Analysis At the Eastern Partnership (EaP) summit on 15 December 2021, German Chancellor Scholz met with high-ranking representatives of the EU and its Member States and the EaP countries. How can the Traffic Light coalition contribute to a more effective Eastern Partnership? Dr. Sonja Schiffers
“Glass less than half full” – Glasgow climate finance outcomes leave much room for improvements despite some wins Analysis As in many previous global climate summits, progress on core climate finance issues at COP26 in Glasgow proved to be key to break negotiation deadlocks in overtime and to reach, often inadequate, compromises in a package deal delivered as the Glasgow Climate Pact. Outside of the formal negotiations a dizzying array of new financing initiatives were announced. Skepticism is warranted regarding their staying power, accountability, and impact beyond the Glasgow PR blitz that promised some action but no systemic rethinking. Liane Schalatek
How Non-Governmental Shelters Have Had to Adapt to a National State of Disaster In the news HBF's new research reveals the Department of Social Development’s dependence on NGO shelters during Covid-19, and their tendency not to provide adequate support and funding despite this reliance, writes the Daily Maverick. Jen Thorpe (Smout)
New Foundation Presidents as of April 2022 – Imme Scholz and Jan Philipp Albrecht elected with large majority Press release On Saturday 4 December 2021, the Members’ Assembly of the Green Party-affiliated political foundation Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung elected Prof. Dr. Imme Scholz and Jan Philipp Albrecht with a large majority as new Co-Presidents. The duo will take office as of 1 April 2022 and 1 June 2022, respectively. The terms of the current presidents, Barbara Unmüßig and Dr. Ellen Ueberschär, will end as scheduled on 31 March 2022 and 31 May 2022, respectively. Steffen Heizmann will stay on as the Foundation‛s CEO. Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, Jan Philipp Albrecht, Dr. Imme Scholz
More say for cities: a glimmer of hope for a new direction in EU refugee and asylum policy Analysis Whilst the national governments have been reflexively ducking responsibility for years, there are many cities in Europe, from London to Munich and Vienna to Lille, Barcelona and Lisbon, that are expressing solidarity and a readiness to take in refugees. Neda Noraie-Kia, Dr. Christine Pütz
Cities from across Europe are rethinking migration policy Project The launch of the “Moving Cities" website on 21 October 2021 is a clear indication of how much dynamic power cities and communes are generating in the hosting and integration of refugees. Claudia Rothe
Digital violence against women: what needs to be done now Event report Every single day, women are abused, threatened or slandered on digital social networks. Yet the operators of these platforms are doing very little to make the digital space a safer place for women. The whistleblower Frances Haugen talked to Spiegel journalist Ann-Katrin Müller and Alexandra Geese, Member of the European Parliament, about what needs to be done right now to stop violence on the net. Ute Czylwik
5 things you need to know about the Green fraction in the 20th German Bundestag Listicle Following the German federal election of 26 September 2021, the German Greens achieved the biggest, most female, younger and diverse parliamentary group in their history. Let’s explore some fact and figures about the Alliance 90/The Greens fraction in the 20th Bundestag! Joan Lanfranco