European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
Podcasts
Enforcement of consumer protection legislation [Policy Podcast]
European consumers enjoy a high level of rights, but when the rules protecting them are broken, they need to be enforced. The main goals of enforcement are to prevent and punish infringements, and to enable consumers harmed by infringements to get wrongs put right (consumer redress). Continue reading
Single market and the pandemic: Impacts, EU action and recovery [Policy Podcast]
The coronavirus crisis caused an asymmetric shock to both supply and demand in the EU, inflicting unprecedented economic harm: the deep recession in 2020 is likely to be followed by a fragile recovery in 2021. Continue reading
EU agricultural policy and climate change [Policy Podcast]
In December 2019, the European Parliament declared a climate and environmental emergency in Europe and across the globe – a recognition of the challenges that the EU faces in this area. Continue reading
Understanding EU data protection policy [Policy Podcast]
The near-ubiquity of data in the lives of ordinary people, along with its exponential growth in generation rate and potential misuse, has made the protection of personal information an increasingly important social, legal and political matter for the EU. Continue reading
What if AI could advance the science surrounding dementia? [Science and Technology podcast]
Dementia is a growing public health concern, with no reliable prognosis or effective treatment methods. In the age of big data and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, the goal of more precise, early diagnosis and prediction of the progression of dementia may not be very far away. Continue reading
Impact of coronavirus on EU aid to the most deprived [Policy Podcast]
Around 24 million people in the EU, or 5.6 % of the population, are ‘severely materially deprived’. Fighting poverty and social exclusion is therefore a key priority, and to this end the EU supplements its Member States’ aid to those most in need through the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD), which has a budget of €3.8 billion. Continue reading
Digital culture − Access issues [Policy Podcast]
The digital shift has touched all aspects of human activity, and culture is no exception. Cultural assets and works have been digitised and digital technology has become a tool for novel creations. Continue reading
Demography on the European agenda: Strategies for tackling demographic decline [Policy Podcast]
The EU faces a number of demographic challenges such as ageing, a declining birth rate and depopulation in some of its regions. Continue reading
Understanding the EU’s approach to cyber diplomacy and cyber defence [Policy Podcast]
Despite its expertise in cyber public awareness campaigns, research and development, and educational programmes, the EU is still subject to constant cyber attacks. Continue reading
How digital technology is easing the burden of confinement [Policy Podcast]
The coronavirus pandemic is bringing an unforeseen acceleration in the digital transformation of societies around the world. Continue reading
What if we could fight antibiotic resistance with probiotics? [Science and Technology podcast]
Recent research suggests that the future combat against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) may involve probiotic-based approaches. Their use in our microbial ecosystems, including humans, animals and the healthcare environment, may provide a novel approach which deserves exploration. Continue reading
Organ donation and transplantation: Facts, figures and European Union action [Policy Podcast]
The issue of organ donation and transplantation gained renewed political momentum as one of the initial health priorities of the current Croatian Presidency of the Council of the EU. Continue reading
Protecting the EU agri-food supply chain in the face of COVID-19 [Policy Podcast]
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, EU countries’ governments have taken a host of measures, including reintroducing border controls and setting limits to free movement of people within their territory, in an attempt to stem the spread of the disease. Continue reading
Addressing shortages of medicines [Policy Podcast]
Medicines shortages have been a growing problem in the European Union (EU) in recent years. As the coronavirus outbreak unfolds, the risk of bottlenecks in the supply of medicines to patients has become particularly high. Continue reading
EU imports and exports of medical equipment [Policy Podcast]
The crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic has, with tragic consequences, brought to the fore the fact that the European Union (EU) is dependent on non-EU sources for medical equipment such as personal protection equipment (including masks) and artificial respiratory equipment, as well as other products needed in the fight against the virus. Continue reading
European Green Deal Investment Plan: Main elements and possible impact of the coronavirus pandemic [Policy Podcast]
The von der Leyen Commission launched the European Green Deal as the new growth strategy of the European Union (EU), with a view to promoting the transition to a climate-neutral economy by 2050. Confirming the importance of financial resources for such a major objective, its investment pillar was the first initiative of the strategy to be presented. Continue reading
Towards a joint European approach on vaccination [Policy Podcast]
Vaccines have revolutionised modern medicine and have helped to reduce the spread of – and in some cases even eradicate – deadly diseases. As the main tool for the primary prevention of communicable diseases, vaccines are amongst the most efficient and cost-effective measures in the fight against such illnesses. Continue reading
Terrorist content online: Tackling online terrorist propaganda [EU Legislation in Progress][Policy Podcast]
Dissemination of terrorist content is one of the most widespread and most dangerous forms of misuse of online services in the field of internal security. In line with the 2015 European agenda on security and taking into account the impact of this propaganda on the radicalisation, recruitment and training of terrorists, the European Commission launched a voluntary system for tackling terrorism online, based on guidelines and recommendations. Continue reading
What if we could fight coronavirus with artificial intelligence? [Science and Technology podcast]
Analytics have changed the way disease outbreaks are tracked and managed, thereby saving lives. The international community is currently focused on the 2019-2020 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, first identified in Wuhan, China. Continue reading
EU policies – Delivering for citizens: Transport policy [Policy Podcast]
Transport is a strategic sector of the EU economy. Essential to ensuring free movement, it enables people and goods to overcome distances, borders and natural barriers, directly affecting the everyday lives of all EU citizens. Continue reading
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