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International Human Rights Day
The international community observes 10 December annually, since 1948, as Human Rights Day – the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Continue reading
European Parliament Plenary Session, December 2018
The agenda for the final European Parliament plenary session of 2018 includes Council and Commission statements on the preparation of the last European Council meeting of the year, scheduled for 13-14 December 2018, a debate with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, on the Future of Europe, and important interventions on human rights. Continue reading
COP 24: Making the Paris Agreement operational
The 24th UN climate change conference (COP24), which starts today in Katowice, Poland, is focused on the full implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change and the adoption of the operational ‘rulebook’. In the political phase of the Talanoa dialogue, initiated by the Fijian presidency of COP23, high-level representatives of the Parties will discuss collective efforts to meet the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement, guided by the questions Where are we?, Where do we want to go? and How do we get there? Continue reading
International Day of Persons with Disabilities – Leave no woman behind
Written by Ingeborg Odink and Rosamund Shreeves, According to the UN, an estimated one in five women worldwide live with disabilities and the prevalence of disability is actually higher among women than men (19.2 versus 12 %). Women and girls with disabilities are also among the most vulnerable and marginalised, because of the multiple and intersecting … Continue reading
Digital democracy in the age of new technologies
Technologies permeate all levels of modern society and economy, the internet and electronic devices are basic tools in our everyday lives; we are increasingly dependent on technologies. Continue reading
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
This year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November marks just over a year since revelations about harassment by a prominent film industry executive and the resulting global sharing of women’s personal experiences on social media raised public awareness of the scale and omnipresence of sexual harassment. Continue reading
European elections: common rules and national provisions
Citizens are asking what are the main common rules and national provisions for electing Members of the European Parliament. The procedures for electing Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are governed both by European Union (EU) legislation, which defines certain rules common to all Member States, and by provisions specific to each Member State. Continue reading
Global Trends to 2035: Economy and society
Machiavelli wrote about the difficulty of spotting evils before they hatch; this is a good reason to build expertise about developments in the world around us. A new EPRS publication does this by analysing economic and social trends to 2035. Continue reading
Can technology help to win elections?
At the STOA-ESMH workshop ‘How to win Elections: Reflections on the use and misuse of technology in electoral campaigns’, a full house of parliamentarians, journalists and citizens heard a panel of distinguished scholars and practitioners discuss the role of technology and analytical techniques in contemporary election campaigns. Continue reading
Fighting child labour: an EU external action priority
As the world celebrates the Universal Children’s Day on 20 November, it is important to remember that many children are still victims of grave abuses. One of these is child labour. Continue reading
Supporters of value-driven trade policies [What Europe does for you]
If you, like many Europeans, are concerned about the impact of EU trade policies on other parts of the world, the EU addresses your concerns in various ways. Continue reading
Families with mixed nationalities [What Europe does for you]
EU law ensures that your family members can move with you from one EU country to another. Your spouse, children under 21 and some other dependent family members have the right to reside in the same country, irrespective of their nationality. Continue reading
What does the EU do?
It’s a common question. That can be answered in a mind-boggling range of ways. After all, the EU is huge. But does this necessarily mean it is distant, over-complicated and irrelevant to you and your life? Continue reading
Online shoppers [What Europe does for you]
Like many of us, you probably shop online. The use of devices connected to the internet like computers, mobile phones and tablets to buy goods (e.g. clothes and toys), access digital content (movies, e-books), and book services (e.g. hotel booking, car rental) online is increasing. Continue reading
Cyclists [What Europe does for you]
As a means of transport over short distances, cycling helps reduce congestion and pollution, lessens our dependence on fuels, brings new jobs and improves public health. Continue reading
Young chess players in school [What Europe does for you]
The benefits that school pupils can reap from learning chess are numerous and well-documented. Chess can help children to develop essential cognitive skills, such as concentration, memory, logical and critical thinking, and enhance their creativity, through problem solving. Continue reading
Young people involved in politics [What Europe does for you]
Young politicians have recently been elected to the highest positions of power in several EU countries, yet many young people still choose to stay away from politics. Continue reading
European Parliament Plenary Session, November I 2018
The European Parliament agenda this month is dominated by some of the big set-pieces of the EU calendar: the latest in the continued debates on the Future of Europe; the EU budget; the award of the LUX prize to this year’s winning film; not forgetting the campaign now well under way to select nominees, known as ‘Spitzenkandidaten’, for the election of the next Commission President. Continue reading
What measures is the European Parliament taking to combat terrorism?
Many citizens have written to the European Parliament expressing their unity in the face of acts of terrorism. They also ask the EU institutions to adopt measures to combat and prevent these crimes. Continue reading
EPRS workshop: the view of early career researchers on the EU’s post-2020 cohesion policy proposals
Outreach with experts and the wider policy-making community represents a key part of our work here at the EPRS. That’s why we were delighted to be involved once again in the organisation of a specialist workshop as part of the European Week of Regions and Cities’ Master Class for early career researchers, which took place in Brussels from 8 to 11 October 2018. Continue reading
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