European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
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Digital human rights and the future of democracy: Lessons from the pandemic
Digital technologies are increasingly shaping our economy, politics, and society. As many online activities leave a digital trace, our digital activity allows automatic gathering of a wealth of behavioural data. Continue reading
STOA establishes a centre of dialogue and expertise on AI
With the launch of its Centre for Artificial Intelligence (C4AI), the appointment of a new International Advisory Board (INAB) focusing on AI, and a partnership on AI with the OECD, STOA is intensifying its activities on artificial intelligence. Continue reading
Coronavirus and the shadow pandemic of violence against women
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November is a time to take stock of what has been done to root out this violation of women’s and girl’s human rights. Continue reading
What is the European Parliament’s position on artificial intelligence?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a technology that combines machine-learning techniques, robotics and automated decision-making systems. It is central to the digital transformation of society and it has become a priority for the European Union (EU). Continue reading
Citizens’ enquiries on the ECB consultation procedure for the implementation of a digital euro
The President of the European Parliament has recently received a large number of messages calling on the Parliament to intervene and prevent a public consultation on the possible introduction of a digital euro by the European Central Bank. Continue reading
European Parliament Plenary Session – November II 2020
Parliament’s second plenary session of November 2020 sees Members again able to speak in debates from the Parliament’s external offices in EU countries (and as has been the case since March, they can follow the debates and vote from home) Continue reading
Uniform and fair asylum procedures at the EU borders have not been achieved
Fast-tracking procedures at European Union external borders for determining whether individuals are entitled to international protection is a priority in the proposed Pact on Migration and Asylum Continue reading
Citizens’ enquiries on the EP position on armed hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan
The President of the European Parliament has recently received a large number of messages calling on the Parliament to condemn the hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Continue reading
European Parliament Plenary Session – November I 2020
The first item on Parliament’s agenda for the November I session, now that the outcome of the US presidential elections is clear, is to take stock of the results, which are likely to have considerable impact on political and trade relations worldwide. Continue reading
Citizens’ enquiries on the rule of law in Spain
The President of the European Parliament has recently received a large number of messages on the current situation of the rule of law in Spain. Continue reading
Towards strategic autonomy in European security and defence: The EU role in promoting peace in today’s world [EPRS online policy roundtable]
Strategic autonomy – what does it mean? what for? from whom? and how? – were some of the questions that were discussed during the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) online policy roundtable on strategic autonomy in security and defence and the EU’s role in promoting peace. Continue reading
What measures has the European Union taken on seasonal clock changes?
The European Union (EU) first unified summer-time arrangements in 1980, to ensure a harmonised approach to time switching within the single market. Continue reading
European Parliament Plenary Session – October II 2020
Parliament’s second plenary session in October will be the first ever to be held entirely virtually, due to the ongoing pandemic. Continue reading
EU Just Transition Fund: how does it work? [Animated Infographic]
The Just Transition Fund will support European Union (EU) regions relying on fossil fuels and high-emission industries in their green transition. Continue reading
The European Parliament: a key actor in German unification
During the night of 9 to 10 November 1989, with absolutely no warning, the Berlin Wall opened at the same time as the communist government of the German Democratic Republic collapsed. Continue reading
EPRS Ideas papers – Coronavirus crisis and the aftermath
While the coronavirus crisis continues to strain Europe’s resilience to the very limit, there are nevertheless some positive outcomes. Many have come to question arrangements that previously seemed immutable – swapping the workplace for working from home, or recognising an opportunity to move towards greater strategic sovereignty for instance. Can the European Union harness such innovations to continue to make life better for Europeans? How can the European Union prepare to face such world-changing shocks in the future? Will we emerge stronger from the crisis? Continue reading
European Week of Regions and Cities 2020
This year’s European Week of Regions and Cities will truly be like no other. Not only will the event be taking place online due to local Coronavirus restrictions but it will also extend over three consecutive weeks for the first time ever in the event’s history. Continue reading
The United Nations at 75 [EPRS online policy roundtable]
Seventy-five years after the 24 October 1945 ratification of the United Nations (UN) Charter, the UN remains at the heart of the multilateral system. Continue reading
European Parliament Plenary Session – October I 2020
Despite Parliament’s efforts to return to Strasbourg for its plenary sessions, the first session of October will again take place in Brussels, to avoid hundreds of people travelling to France during the coronavirus pandemic. Continue reading
World Tourism Day
To raise awareness of the importance of tourism, we mark World Tourism Day each year on 27 September. Continue reading
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