Many in Sweden believe the Scandinavian country is facing the hardest “refugee crisis” in a long time. According to Migrationsverket, the official Swedish migration agency, more than 160.000 asylum seekers have arrived in Sweden in 2015, mostly from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. What are the responses of civil society and the State authorities in the response to crisis and are they conducive to successful integration of refugees in Swedish society?
READ MOREBiofuels have been a matter of conflict in the EU policy agenda. Until recently, the EU had an “unlimited” biofuel production policy which was heavily criticised by NGOs like Oxfam, Greenpeace or political faces like the Green Party of the European Parliament. But not all biofuels deserve their criticism.
READ MOREAfrican states have performed dual roles producing refugees while offering asylum to others. However the economic status of many receiving countries is too low to support provision of adequate basic services to their own citizenry and refugees are perceived as an extra burden. Civil society organizations have therefore taken on provision of vital services to fill this gap, complementing the work of UNHCR, the body mandated to safeguard and protect the rights of refugees.
READ MOREThe migration crisis is the biggest crisis in Europe since the Second World War. Millions of people follow migration land and sea routes, but not all reach their destination. Missing and dead migrants are largely neglected in the current European migrant policies.
READ MORESince the mid-1990s, the EU has endorsed diesel fuel and promoted it as the green alternative to petrol. A policy not only harmful for the environment but which also steered the industry into a blind alley: The farfetched dream of “clean diesel” has turned out to be a dirty nightmare.
READ MOREThe weaknesses of EU policies has been displayed in times of refugee crisis, but the strength of social movements and NGOs has been shown in addressing it. The void of political inaction is being partially filled by civil society: Houses, universities, shelters have been opened, blankets, food, money have been distributed, and especially, it has made visible the social and human consequences behind such a migration process. However, actions of civil society are to be complementary to State ones, not to substitute them.
READ MORERefugees in Dunkirk are denied even the most basic of human necessities, whilst aid agencies face a seemingly futile battle to keep their heads above the water.
READ MORENo matter how many people fleeing war and death arrive, this is an obligation that the developed world must fulfill.
READ MOREThe rise in the number terrorist attacks carried out by nationals and citizens to their own states has brought to the fore the problem of youth radicalization. What is most striking is the changing profile of the terrorists who are perceived as intelligent individuals, mostly university students and graduates. There is therefore an urgent need for measures that reduce or altogether eliminate opportunities for youth radicalization. Security and community institutions need to be strengthened to provide deterrence and appropriate responses.
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