Philanthropy needs protection in stormy times
To stand up to the challenges of populism and closing societies, foundations need to step up quickly.
We must renew Europe for all Europeans
A call for socialist values and rights at a time when Europe is facing a number of existential threats, says a group of progressive European affairs ministers.
Stakeholders' Views
This EUobserver section provides a platform for EU stakeholders to communicate positions, views and activities.
News in Brief
- Polish parliament adopts controversial justice reform
- GMO opt-out plan unlikely to go anywhere in 2017
- Slovak PM threatens to boycott inferior food
- France takes Google's 'right to be forgotten' to EU court
- Turkey accuses German companies of supporting terror
- Israel's Netanyahu caught calling EU 'crazy'
- UK does not collect enough data to expel EU nationals
- Polish president threatens to veto justice reform
Nordic bioeconomy for sustainable change
The bioeconomy holds the solutions to many of the most pressing environmental and ecological challenges of our time.
Fighting environmental injustice in Europe
In the face of new threats from multinational companies, global environmental justice movements are springing into action in an unfamiliar arena - Europe.
A new vision on clean tech: Balancing energy efficiency, climate change and costs
The COP22 conference in Marrakech proved the international community's readiness to realise the ambitious decisions of the Paris agreement. Now the task of policymakers is to pay attention to innovations that can help reach the goals that were set.
EU and Chinese SMEs matchmake in Brussels
While EU and Chinese political leaders discussed climate change and trade at the European Council in Brussels, hundreds of small and medium-sized enterprises from China and all across Europe participated in the EU-China SMEs Matchmaking Event at the Bozar.
LGBTI activists and businesses fighting inequality together
Multinational corporations can play an important role in creating a more inclusive society, through the workplace.
Closer China and EU cooperation vital for global prosperity
Interconnectivity, investment, innovation: The Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation outlines a potentially winning partnership for the EU and China.
Let’s not put European public health at risk
Following Brexit, there are many different cities across the EU vying for the coveted prize of hosting the displaced European Medicines Agency, but Copenhagen might just be the perfect fit.
Letter
Childhood obesity: Time to put words into action
MEPs from all parties have repeatedly voiced their concerns about the rising levels of childhood overweight and obesity. Yet, when the opportunity arises to put declarations into action, the response falls short.
UN could step in where EU fails in child migrant protection
With the European Union failing to protect migrant and refugee children, it could be up to the United Nations to make a positive impact.
The EU cannot let its patients down
Public health is being pushed into the background at EU level, while a cooperative and patient-centred approach could help to achieve a fairer and better healthcare system for European citizens.
Help 112: How EU cooperation saves lives and money
The European emergency service number 112 has struggled with emergency location accuracy since it was introduced in 1991. Location services, used every day to order a taxi or a pizza to our front door, is the solution.
Restoring trust and confidence in the European Parliament
Helga Stevens MEP will be standing for the presidency of the European Parliament because she wants to make it a place of open, transparent debate once again, where the voices of all 751 MEPs and the people they represent matter.
EU’s gender equality progress under threat of conservatism
The persistent and deep problems of gender discrimination and economic disadvantage can only be solved by concrete actions at both the national and the European level.
Unleashing the sharing economy
The size of the sharing economy has doubled between 2014 and 2015, according to the European Commission. Along with it are new business models that EU legislation have yet to keep up with.
Stakeholders' Highlights
- Jean-Marie Le Pen Faces Trial for Oven Comments About Jewish Singer
- Announces Belt & Road Research at Shanghai Conference
- Food waste in the field can double without crop protection. #WithOrWithout #pesticides
- Estonia Allocates €1 Million to Alleviate Migratory Pressure From Libya in Italy
- Fethullah Gulen's Message on the Anniversary of the Coup Attempt in Turkey
- Weeding out Fake News: An Approach to Social Media Regulation
- EJC Concerned by Normalisation of Antisemitic Tropes in Hungary
- Out for Summer Episode 1: How the EIB Sweeps a Development Fiasco Under the Rug
- CESI to Participate in Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee on Postal Services
- Malta Keeps on Rocking: Marriage Equality on Its Way
- EuFoA Director and MEPs Comment on the Recent Conflict Escalation in Nagorno-Karabakh
- Estonian Presidency Kicks off Youth Programme With Coding Summer School
Latest News
- Dutch coalition talks lengthiest in 40 years
- Polish parliament steps up showdown with EU
- EU urges UK to clarify its Brexit positions
- Law expert: direct EU powers have become too complicated
- Winter is here for Spitzenkandidat, but he'll survive
- Mafia money pollutes the EU economy
- Central Europe should be wary of Brexit stopping
- Poland's 'July coup' and what it means for the judiciary
EU-Canada trade deal is 'value-based'
At the ALDE pre-summit meeting, Syria, Russia, the Turkey migration deal, the refugee crisis and Brexit were among the topics discussed. But Ceta was the big issue.
The South China Sea Arbitration: Illegal, Illegitimate and Invalid
China hopes the EU will respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and play a constructive role in the resolution of the South China Sea disputes through bilateral negotiations rather than arbitration, says the Chinese Ambassador to the EU.
The British must not hold the EU to ransom
"The result of this referendum is a wake-up call which we should use to move forward," said Guy Verhofstadt, at the ALDE party pre-summit meeting, in response to the Brexit vote.
Kremlin lies: EU's response to disinformation
Russia's disinformation campaigns have become a homeland security issue inside the EU. Pro-Kremlin disinformation campaigns are not only targeted at Ukraine or the Baltic states.
Challenges for a driverless future
Advancing towards a driverless future brings on a new set of challenges and questions on how connectivity and mobility will affect all aspects of life.
EU-Cuba agreement: A path to human rights and democracy?
The ALDE group recently hosted a conference to discuss the EU-Cuba agreement and Cuba's path towards human rights and democracy. Civil society representatives from Cuba said the agreement failed to consult the people.
When it comes to corruption, perception and reality do not (always) match
The world’s least corrupt country is not Denmark. It is Norway. A new Index of Public Integrity aims at measuring corruption levels around the world using big data and quantifiable criteria.
Deal with Greece will not work, says Guy Verhofstadt
Guy Verhofstadt, leader of the European Liberals and Democrats, is very critical of the deal reached between Greece and its creditors.
Some prevailing arguments and perceptions over the South China Sea issue are simply wrong
China and the EU have shared strategic interests in maintaining the freedom and safety of navigation and promoting stability and prosperity in the South China Sea area.
Europe lacks intelligence capacities and capabilities
"Terrorism and insecurity in Europe today is another proof that there is a lack of Europe," said ALDE Group leader, Guy Verhofstadt.
Europe needs integrated energy solutions
Europe needs secure, affordable and sustainable energy for all - the integration of power generation, heating, cooling, buildings, transport and ICT is part of the solution.
Liberal leaders united on European Border and Coast Guard
At the ALDE pre-summit on 17 March, liberal leaders agreed that EU-Turkey cooperation is necessary but will not solve the refugee crisis without also having a European Border and Coast Guard.
Social Europe on the Horizon
The European Union is facing the crisis of its life. The economic crisis, the nationalist response to it, the euro crisis and the lack of solidarity shown towards refugees have brought the very spirit of Europe into question.
Strengthening Russia's European Foundations
A year after the murder of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, the ALDE Group in the European Parliament hosted a series of events to commemorate his fight for a free and democratic Russia.
Stakeholders' Highlights
- EP Support for Corporate Tax Transparency Principle Unlikely to Pass Reality Check
- European Parliament Improves the External Investment Plan but Significant Challenges Ahead
- PM Ratas: EU Is Not Only an Idea for the 500mn People in the Bloc, It Is Their Daily Reality
- Closer Energy Co-Operation Keeps Nordic Region on Top in Green Energy
- Germany Finally Says Ja - Bundestag Votes for Marriage Equality!
- Japanese and European Public Sector Unions Slam JEFTA
- EU, Young Leaders and Civil Society Join Forces to End Violence Against Girls
- Narrowing the Gaps: The Power of Investing in the Health of the Poorest Children
- Estonia to Surprise Europe With Unique Cultural Programme
- EU-Kyrgyzstan Human Rights Talks Should Insist on Ending Reprisals Vs. Critical Voices
- EFA Is Looking for a New Intern
- Conservation of Atlantic Tunas: International Measures Become EU Law