Mira Alexander

AUTHOR

Mira Alexander is currently enrolled in a two year Erasmus Mundus Master in Public Policy, which she will complete at Central European University (Budapest) and the Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals (Barcelona). Prior to her studies in public policy, she obtained a BA in European Studies from Maastricht University and has gained professional experiences from internships at the Institut für Europäische Politik (Berlin), Europe Direct Info-Point Hamburg, and the Chancellery of the Senate of the City of Hamburg. Mira’s research interests include EU Governance, EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, Security Studies, State Building, and Conflict Resolution.

Saving lives or shirking responsibility? – Scrutinizing “Operation Sophia”1

According to IOM, up to June 2016 more than 2500 migrants have lost their lives in the Mediterranean Sea in an attempt to flee hunger, persecution, and war. As an effort to fight the business model of migrant smugglers and save lives at sea, the EU has initiated EUNAVFOR Med, also known as Operation Sophia, in June 2015.

Healing the European patient – Narrowing the gap between the EU and its citizens 0

It has been a rough couple of years for the EU with much debate in academia on its various deficiencies. However, with the financial crisis, the almost Grexit, the refugee crisis and now the Brexit, these struggles have also entered the everyday life of ordinary citizens. For many EU enthusiasts the past years of crisis seemed more like a minor hiccup, a difficult period that could be overcome if everyone just kept on moving forward. Yet, the Brexit vote changed everything.

A lesson for policy makers – teachers say ‘no’ to the nationalization of education 0

The globalized labor market brings a lot of opportunities – but do all of us really have the same chances? What is the defining factor that decides whether or not we will succeed in such a highly competitive environment? To be fair, it can’t be boiled down to one single element, but it all starts with quality education.

How long is ‘temporary’? – The renewed extension of the State of Emergency in France 0

The French parliament has recently voted in favor of the third extension of the nationwide state of emergency which now lasts until the end of July. The decision from May 19, 2016, has been justified as being the only way to safely carry out the major sports events taking place in France this summer: the Euro 2016 and the Tour de France. While the safety of those involved in these events has top priority, it is questionable whether the introduced measures are proportional.