Throughout the DIALOGUE ON EUROPE process, the project’s contributors published several analyses and op-eds on specific issues related to the four main themes of the project. They also conducted a series of interviews with experts from the different project countries. In March 2018, the four Thinking Labs released their Policy Briefs with specific Policy Recommendations to be implemented at the European and national level, in order to face the main current challenges in Europe.
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Policy Brief on Sustainable Growth
2018 | Thinking Lab on Sustainable Growth
Civil society actors from six European countries present their policy brief on Sustainable Growth in Europe. The Thinking Lab developed six main policy recommendations focusing on two key priorities.
Policy Brief on Social Cohesion
2018 | Thinking Lab on Social Cohesion
Civil society actors from six European countries present their policy brief on Social Cohesion in Europe. The Thinking Lab developed seven main policy recommendations in four key areas.
Policy Brief on Populism
2018 | Thinking Lab on Populism
Civil society actors from six European countries present their policy brief on Populism in Europe. The Thinking Lab developed nine policy recommendations focusing on the creation of trust between citizens and the political sphere.
Policy Brief on Migration & Integration
2018 | Thinking Lab on Migration & Integration
Civil society actors from six European countries present their policy brief on Migration & Integration in Europe. The Thinking Lab developed nine policy recommendations divided into three main clusters.
Final results of the Thinking Labs online!
Check out the four policy briefs
Over the course of the last two years, civil society experts and practitioners from across Europe gathered in four DIALOGUE ON EUROPE Thinking Labs to deliver fresh ideas and to independently elaborate concrete policy recommendations on four European key areas: Migration & Integration, Populism, Social Cohesion, and Sustainable Growth. Discover the summary of their proposals and the full-length policy briefs below! (more…)
Second #EuropeanTownHall Meeting in Warsaw: Thoughts on the Future of Democracy
Conclusions by Laura Krause, Maciej Gdula, Paul Mason and Manuel Sarrazin
Where does the demand for populist platforms come from? How to respond to the crisis of democracy? Laura-Kristine Krause, Maciej Gdula, Paul Mason and Manuel Sarrazin present their views on the present state of and the future of democracy in Europe.
The Interconnection of Greek islands: Another Perspective on the EU’s Security of Energy Supply and Economic Growth
How Greece's tremendous natural resources could contribute to foster clean energy on a European level
Greece disposes of considerable natural resources to foster clean energy in the country itself but also on a European level. Yet, this potential remains unrealised to a large extent. The interconnection of the so-called Greek Non-Interconnected Islands (NII) opens up new opportunities in this direction. In this interview, Dr. Theodore Panagos explains the possible economic, social and even geopolitical repercussions.
“The European Union is a victim of its own success”
Cas Mudde on the root causes of populism in Europe
Cas Mudde is one of the most renowned experts on political extremism and populism in Europe. He is Associate Professor of International Affairs at the University of Georgia and Researcher at the Center for Research on Extremism at the University of Oslo. In his interview for DIALOGUE ON EUROPE he talks about the structural reasons behind the rise of populist movements all over Europe, the failure of the traditional parties and why tax havens, unlike migration issues, are not part of the political agenda.
“There has been a constant neglect of the migration reality”
Interview with Meike Behrends on migration and asylum policy in Germany
In 2015, almost one million asylum-seekers came to Germany and the country still has to cope with the repercussions of this development – in social, political and economic terms. Yet, migration and integration is not a new phenomenon to Germany. In this interview, Meike Behrends, an expert on European migration policy talks about the historic development of migration in Germany and how the country’s integration approach has changed during the last decades.
The people’s verdict – adding informed citizen voices to public decision-making by Claudia Chwalisz
Reviewed by Sophie Pornschlegel
With case studies from Australia and Canada and a short comparative analysis of deliberative formats in the UK, this short book tries to convince skeptical decision-makers that, given the right framework, people can be good, legitimate and efficient decision-makers.
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Greek islands going green
Greek islands going renewable and intelligent: a driver for the energy transition in the EU?
Greek non-interconnected islands are small isolated systems bearing the great potential to become autonomous in terms of energy, using renewable and intelligent systems. Is there a potential for small islands to drive Europe’s transition into a sustainable, low-carbon and inclusive economy? What role can Greek islands play in this process?
Migration crisis in Greece: the need for a European action plan
An expert interview with Dimitris Varadinis for #DialogueOnEurope
Long considered as an emigration country, Greece started receiving immigrants in the 90’s. Over the last few years, the country had to deal with huge number of newcomers and despite the engagement of the social society, it doesn’t have the means to properly assist them. Greek authorities repeatedly asked for the support of the other European member states, which are reluctant to take responsibility.
The French migration policy: a tragic lack of long-term vision
An expert interview with Marie-Laure Basilien-Gainche for #DialogueOnEurope
Marie-Laure Basilien-Gainche comments on the way France and Europe fail to deal with the so-called “refugee crisis”. If some improvements have been achieved, in particular regarding the relocation system, integration remains a major issue, even for second or third-generation immigrants.
Adapting to increased immigration: the problems faced by Italy
Insider perspective on working towards integration and refugee inclusion with Valentina Fabbri
In this interview for #DialogueOnEurope, Valentina Fabbri highlights flaws and particularities of the Italian system and its effects on refugees living in various capacities in Italy, comparing these to the European context.
Migration and Integration in Portugal: An example to follow?
A look at a country with one of the world's best level of protection for refugees' human rights, by Cláudia Pedra
Claudia Pedra, Director of the Network for Strategic and International Studies, comments on the way Portugal deals with the refugee crisis. Even in a country with one of the best asylum laws worldwide, integration and tolerance seem to remain problematic issues.
Local Energy Communities and priority corridors of north-south energy connections
An integrated approach to the promotion of a renewable energy market in Europe
The development of Local Energy Communities is a vision which aims to address the pressing future global issues of energy efficiency, healthy food sources and water management. The fact that a very large percentage of EU regional development funds remain unused represents an opportunity for the Member States to review the European energy market strategy and develop a policy program aimed at funding these projects.
Populism is not the problem
Why we should focus on values in political debate instead of style
Populism is everywhere these days. Not only as a phenomenon but also as a topic in political discourse. Yet, the closer you look at it, the more you will realize that populism is quite a messy term. It signifies everything from an unease towards dissent, to the fear of a weakened democracy. More importantly, once you get a grip on how you define the term you will realize that populism may be destructive and inflammatory but is not the real problem. It is mostly a symptom for fundamental conflicts in society.
Tackling the exclusion of minorities in Europe
Mentoring: towards a culture of inclusion in Europe
In Europe we know that Portugal, France and Italy are the most unequal countries according to OECD household incomes. In addition to income inequality, inequality of opportunities may result from different types of discrimination, including discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, or religion. Widespread inequalities lead to the exclusion of minorities. Despite the fact that ethnic, cultural and religious diversity is a central feature and value of the European Union minority exclusion still persists in the EU.
Does Tony Blair have an answer to Shakespeare’s Hotspur?
Professor Richard Rose analyses the result of the Brexit referendum
Tony Blair’s call to spirits to rise up from the deep to throw off Brexit was worthy of Owen Glendower’s faith in his magical powers. So too is the reply that Shakespeare gave Hotspur: ‘Why so can I or so can any man. But will they come when you do call for them?’ Blair’s cosmopolitan audience showed there are people in the City of London welcoming his call to remain in the European Union. But his talk gave no hint of how troops raised in the Square Mile could successfully capture Parliament. (more…)
Smart thinking is needed to control immigration
Might it be possible for the government to copy Switzerland and focus on internal controls?
Internal controls are a smarter modern way of controlling immigration and should be examined carefully before a unilateral Home Office decision – almost certainly unworkable – turns Article 50 into a train crash.