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To ‘Europeanize’ Islamic Education1
An increasing Muslim population in Europe, presenting new integration challenges such as a heightened risk of radicalization among Muslim youth, has led to policymakers seeking to mitigate such risks and promote integration by establishing programs in Islamic education and developing a ‘Europeanized’ interpretation of Islam. To truly ‘Europeanize’ Islamic education, however, it is first necessary to ‘Europeanize’ and standardize the underlying core components of these programs: the curricula as well as the training of Imams.
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The Crisis Between Russia and the West: Who gets to be right?0
- International Relations and Global Affairs, Op-ed
- 28/10/2016
Conflicts are not only about incompatible interests. They are equally disagreements over why the conflict started in the first place. In the crisis between the West and Russia, diverting opinions and beliefs are evident, and both sides go at lengths to distort the narrative of the other. In this context “being right” should however not be the objective. Rather focus should be on how to address the underlying mistrust and feelings of betrayal expressed by both sides.
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Positive implications of CETA on the wood industry sector in the EU and CANADA0
- Environment and Energy, International Trade, Op-ed
- 24/10/2016
The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between EU and Canada promises to create a better business environment on both sides of the Atlantic. When applied, the CETA will strive to remove customs duties, open up to the services market, end the restrictions on access to public contracts and support future investors. Moreover, the agreement is designed to support standards, especially those that Europeans are sensitive about such as food safety and worker’s rights.
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European solidarity corps: An IKEA guide to social cohesion0
The Commission proposal for a European Solidarity Corps comes at a time when solidarity between and within states is at a low point. By marrying solidarity with paid work experience the initiative breaks a vicious circle of non – solidarity in the age of individualism. There is, after all, nothing like a bit of self-interest to build social cohesion from the ground up. Flexible security is the missing component in rigid social security systems that have long ceased to offer real security to Europe’s youth.
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Why are we neglecting refugee women and children?0
- Human Rights and Migration, Op-ed
- 18/10/2016
Calais and Nauru. Two places in the world that could not be further from each other, both in distance and culture. However, there is one dark similarity that mirrors these two distinctly different regions; the astonishing human dumping ground that their governments have created within them. Dumping grounds we commonly refer to as refugee camps.
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Apple, Ireland and the EU: considerations on just corporate tax regimes15
The preferential treatment granted by Ireland effectively configures as state aid, a practice which is not only incompatible with the internal market principles of free competition and non-discrimination, but also unethical.
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Wasting food or creating waste?1
- Environment and Energy, Op-ed
- 12/10/2016
Organisations working to reduce food waste, and those calling for a reduction in packaging, are competing for attention these days. Which of the issues is the most pressing? When looking at the bigger picture there can be no doubt; wasting food is creating hunger and potentially a lot more environmental problems than surplus packaging.
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TTIP, CETA, TPP and… another secret trade deal1
- International Trade, Op-ed
- 11/10/2016
TTIP and CETA have stirred up quite a debate lately. Less discussed is the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA), a trade deal for global services negotiated among the EU and 22 other countries since 2013. The EU should take firmer action in defending its values regarding corporate power and global cooperation.
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Could Brexit farm nature back to health?0
- Environment and Energy, Op-ed
- 10/10/2016
Following Brexit, the UK farming industry will lose £3 billion in EU subsidies. In its place a sustainable, logical reform has been proposed by the National Trust to pay farmers for environmental services. This should be seized.
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