Blog 3 Columns

The collapse of Schengen: The beginning of the end?0
- EU Governance and Politics, Op-ed
- 01/04/2016
Bloody wars and instability in the Middle East are inducing immense migration flows into Syrian neighbouring countries (Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon) but also into Europe. Europe, where 26 countries pledged to abolish their common internal borders and agreed on one common external border, might be facing its limits
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How to solve the EU gas problem? Build the Energy Union on true solidarity 2
- Environment and Energy, Op-ed
- 30/03/2016
The European Commission recently presented a sustainable energy security package, which concludes that natural gas is the path to “energy security”. Unfortunately, this gas pivot will intensify tensions in an already wobbly union and extend the EU’s fossil fuel dependency. An efficient and effective Energy Union will require true solidarity – between Eastern and Western Europe and between present and future generations.
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The lost generation: Euro-skepticism among European youth 0
- EU Governance and Politics, Op-ed
- 29/03/2016
As a result of multiple crises, Euroscepticism, defined as criticism of the EU and opposition to the process of political European integration, has been on the rise in the EU. Where the youth of the EU stands on this issue, explains Karina Oborune, education expert from Latvia
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EU climate policy: Energy market integration as political disintegration?0
- Environment and Energy, Op-ed
- 29/03/2016
Climate and energy policy are no match made in heaven. For Poland the EU’s climate policy ambitions are particularly hard to swallow. The government’s reluctance to transform its coal-based electricity sector puts the EU climate policy and energy market integration to the test.
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Closing the doors on refugees; who will be our brothers’ keeper?0
- Human Rights and Migration, Op-ed
- 28/03/2016
The EU-Turkey deal has set a bad precedent to other countries in the world especially those hosting large numbers of asylum seekers and refugees. The deal has the implication that asylum seeking is no longer a right (at least not in the EU) and neither are the provisions of the 1951 Refugee Convention nor the 1967 Protocol binding to state parties.
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Who pacifies the market? Community policing and gentrification in Rio de Janeiro 0
- International Relations and Global Affairs, Op-ed
- 24/03/2016
Imagine Rio de Janeiro. The dilapidated colorful shacks boom up majestically from the exotic beaches of Ipanema and Leblon. Recently pacified favelas like Rocinha and Vidigal are open for business. Yet, formalizing the informal via policies like community policing (UPP), has once again shown Rio’s obstinate urban exclusion and the persistence of its fragmented democracy.
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What the discussion on UBI should really be about 0
- Op-ed, Social and Economic Policy
- 21/03/2016
The universal basic income (UBI) is in the limelight. Discussion around it is largely technocratic, with UBI being one of many possible fixes to counter the economic woes welfare states are currently faced with. I propose to realign UBI with its foundation as natural entitlement.
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Firewood in Afghanistan: An example of weak sustainability 0
- Environment and Energy, Op-ed
- 18/03/2016
A famous proverb says “Firewood yields ash”. But the established practice of using firewood as a source of energy in Afghanistan yields more than ash. Rapid deforestation, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions are the costs of depending on firewood. These challenges first require establishing the rule of law. Then the government must show determination by implementing relevant policies.
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The devil is in the detail: Trade secrets protection vs accountability?0
- International Trade, Op-ed
- 16/03/2016
Next month the European Parliament will discuss adopting the Trade Secret Directive. Are accountability and rule of law jeopardized by this regulation?
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