GPT  Illustration: A hand places a yellow star into a transparent box with more stars on a blue background. Text: "Europe – A Promise."

Böll.Thema 1/24: Europe

A Promise
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The European Union is facing historic challenges: a war in Europe, an exacerbating climate crisis, Europe’s position in the global power structure. Current polls indicate a rise of right-wing populist parties, which are stoking fears and stirring anti-Brussels sentiment, yet fail to offer any solutions to the problems we face, at a time when Europe urgently needs positive and bold ideas.

With contributions from Robert Habeck, Anna Lührmann, Daniel Cohn-Bendit, Timothy Garton Ash, Agnieszka Holland, Joanna Maria Stolarek and many more.

Product details
Date of Publication
March 2024
Publisher
Heinrich Böll Foundation
Number of Pages
64
Licence
Language of publication
English
Table of contents

Editorial
By Jan Philipp Albrecht

Whre we stand
Europe must grow larger and stronger
We have several anniversaries to celebrate in 2024, but the task of reuniting Europe has yet to be accomplished. 
by Anna Lührmann and Jan Lipavský

EU dossier
The EU and the European elections explained simply!
By Melanie Bernhofer and Joan Lanfranco

Ukraine
“We don’t have another 30 years” 
In times of war, as in Ukraine now, any moment of hesitation can cost lives.
by Yuri Durkot

Antisemitism
“We have to ask ourselves: Why are attitudes so hardened?” 
Daniel Cohn-Bendit on division in societies and the need to recognize the other side’s pain.
Interview by Marc Berthold

Poland
A glimpse of hope in Europe
In the 2023 election, Polish citizens took a strong stance against the illiberal tendencies in their country.
by Joanna Maria Stolarek

20 years of EU enlargement
2004 was a year of new beginnings – what hopes for the future do we have today?
Voices from Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary, from Roma people in Europe, and from Turkey and the Western Balkans.

The big interview
“We have to demonstrate that free societies do things better”
Timothy Garton Ash on the war in Ukraine, setbacks in democratic development, and longing for freedom.
Interview by Roderick Kefferpütz

Social policy
The Europe of shared problems In the future, our European social model must be one of “solidarity-based adaptation.”
by Heinz Bude

Ecology and the economy
The European Green Deal
Goals, key issues, pain points.
by Patrizia Heidegger

European Green Deal: Full speed ahead! (with Robert Habeck)
Green ministers of climate and economy from Germany, Austria, Ireland, and Belgium outline the necessary steps to make the European Green Deal a success.

The anti-environmental backlash 
Division, panic, and ignorance among “mainstream” society are a genuine threat.
A commentary by Matthias Quent

“We have to deliver”
Hannes Lorenzen on the causes of the farmers’ protests and on overhauling the Common Agricultural Policy. 
Interview by Eva van de Rakt

Foreign & security policy
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: a turning point 
The war has exposed blatant deficiencies in Europe’s foreign and security policy.
by Jana Puglierin

Setting the course for Europe
To leave its mark on the geopolitical landscape, the EU must strengthen its defense industry.
by Andris Sprūds and Imants Lieģis

Asylum and migration
“Make empathy great again!”
Polish director Agnieszka Holland on her film Green Border.
Interview by Eva van de Rakt

Protecting refugees in Europe
Weakened today, hollowed out tomorrow? The reform of the asylum system threatens our fundamental rights.
by Neda Noraie-Kia

In pictures
My first time
In 2024, minors in Germany will be allowed to vote in the European elections too. As six statements by first-time voters show, the EU must do more to reach out to young people.
by Christina Focken

The report
Questioning narratives: Looking for the people behind them
The Schwarzkopf Foundation’s Narrative Change Academy has launched a remarkable project.
by Susanne Lang

A fresh perspective
A view from the outside: How does the world view the EU?
Five contributions from Argentina, India, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and the USA.

The last word
Ágnes Heller

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