Brussels
Ambassador Series with Stephan Klement
Main takeaways: International Organizations are more than ever needed to provide spaces for strategic diplomatic negotiations between different nations to enhance security for the public. This also includes coordinated efforts between like-minded states as seen in the current war in Ukraine or the JCPOA negotiations with the Islamic Republic in Iran. Representing the EU and…
Read MoreThe politicization of Humanitarianism in Africa
Main takeaways: The world we live in today is one that is defined by humanitarian assistance provided by national and non-state actors on a global scale. Africa represents a continent that is heavily dependent on humanitarian aid. The main reason is the emergencies, both natural and human, that fuel famine, inequalities, and violent conflicts. In…
Read MoreHumanitarian Aid in Times of Crisis
Main takeaways: The EU provides assistance for countries and populations affected by disasters or humanitarian emergencies in line with the four main principles grounded in IHL. The DG ECHO mainly functions as a donor to NGOs or agencies with a solid commitment to maintaining support. Its annual budget is just over €1 billion. The DG…
Read MoreCommunicating Defence the European Way
Main takeaways: The future of European defence lays in the hand of a young European thinking generation. Main problem in making EU security and defence policy easily understandable is the fact, that everything in this regard has always to be communicated on behalf of the 27 Member States which partly have rather different approaches to…
Read MoreBuilding a European Strategic Culture: The Pursuit for a New Security and Defence Identity of the EU
Main takeaways: The EU, and its members, share a basic ‘set of beliefs, values and norms towards the use of military force’ with foundations in the EU’s policies and adherence to international law. There is a difference in nature between the Union’s and member states’ strategic culture. Whereas states develop strategic cultures from historical experiences,…
Read MoreForeign Interference: the European Parliament’s Response
Main takeaways: Propaganda and disinformation are not new phenomena, but 30 years ago there was not yet technology which allows them to be spread at such speed and with so little transparency. Present-day disinformation and foreign interference present real threats to democratic societies. A strong rules-based EU response is needed to even the playing field…
Read MoreDisinformation Threat in Europe
Main takeaways: The COVID pandemic has sparked an infodemic – a whirlwind of mis- and dis-information, spanning traditional media platforms, social media, and countries across the world. A key component of the infodemic has been the mushrooming of conspiracy theories, which have aided extremist groups and foreign actors in their efforts to undermine democratic governments…
Read MoreHumanitarian Affairs and Coordination in International Organizations
Main takeaways: The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), headquartered in New York, and currently active in twenty countries, coordinates the global emergency response to save lives and protect people in crisis areas. OCHA cannot deliver its mandate without the support of its donors and therefore receives voluntary contributions from a diverse…
Read MoreHow A.I. will shape the future of defence?
Main takeaways: • Artificial Intelligence (A.I) is transforming several dimensions of warfare, including intelligence gathering and analysis, strategic and operational planning, procurement and logistics• There is increasing competition in the international arena regarding A.I., with countries aiming to develop technologies that give them military advantage• The security and defence sector should prepare to leverage the…
Read MoreThe Role of Education in Post-Conflict Settings
Main takeaways: Peace education is a necessary tool for teaching children and young people, through parents and teachers, so they can learn how to manage and transform conflict. Regardless of religion, culture, beliefs and interests, these should not impact the community and the way the community interacts amongst one another. Education can play an important…
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