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IIEA1 uploaded a new video
(3 days ago)
Last year, the European Union passed an important set of legislative instruments, known colloquially as the 'six pack'. The six pack amounts to a f...
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Last year, the European Union passed an important set of legislative instruments, known colloquially as the 'six pack'. The six pack amounts to a fundamental overhaul of economic governance in the EU. Stricter and more automatic sanctions will now apply to member states who fail to maintain budgetary discipline. In addition, a new system is in place for scrutinising national economies and policy decisions, in an attempt to avoid the dangerous imbalances (such as existed in some property markets and financial sectors) that contributed to the current crisis.
The six pack was subject to a lot of negotiation between the Commission, national ministers and MEPs in the European Parliament. Our latest video infographic explains how this package of laws came into being, illuminating the process of EU law-making in the process.
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IIEA1 uploaded a new video
(4 days ago)
About the Speech:
As negotiations continue on a treaty text to give effect to the fiscal compact agreed at the December European Council, Richard C...
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About the Speech:
As negotiations continue on a treaty text to give effect to the fiscal compact agreed at the December European Council, Richard Corbett outlined the substance and political dynamics of the treaty negotiations, reflected on the wider Euro crisis, and discussed the growth and jobs agenda for the forthcoming European Council summit on 30 January 2012.
About the Speaker:
Richard Corbett advises President Van Rompuy on institutional issues and relations with the European Parliament, national parliaments, the Committee of the Regions and the Economic and Social Committee. He served as a British Labour Party MEP from 1996 to 2009 and was the European Parliament's rapporteur on the Lisbon Treaty. He has written extensively on EU affairs and is the co-author of the standard textbook on the European Parliament.
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IIEA1 uploaded a new video
(5 days ago)
About the Speech:
In a speech whose scope spanned the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), via Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Morocco, Syria, Yemen...
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About the Speech:
In a speech whose scope spanned the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), via Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Morocco, Syria, Yemen, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, Professor Tariq Ramadan emphasised the heterogeneity of the developments in each country. Hesitant to use the term "Arab Spring", Prof. Ramadan portrayed what he cautiously calls the "Arab Awakening" as a chess game rather than a domino effect.
He welcomed the progress achieved in Tunisia, and particularly commended those who succeeded in moving beyond the perceived polarisation between secularists and Islamists to a discourse based on policies and politics rather than ideology. However, Prof. Ramadan expressed concern about the situations in Egypt, Libya and elsewhere, and pointed out that Tunisia may be the only success story in the immediate term.
The role of Europe and the US in the region, both before and since the popular uprisings, came under the spotlight and Prof. Ramadan pointed to the prioritisation of economic and geostrategic interests. He suggested that the issue of whether the Arab world is ready for democracy has somewhat been overshadowed by the question "Is the West ready for the Arabs experiencing democracy?". Of particular relevance, according to Prof. Ramadan, is the West's attitude towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which he sees as framing all of their policies in the MENA region.
MENA countries, however, are now looking elsewhere for partners, investors and role models. Turkey is a particularly interesting example of a functioning, democratic state with a strong economy, where Islamic values are central. The Turkish government has been present and highly visible in the region over the past year. Prof. Ramadan also sees China, Russia, India, Brazil and South Africa as potential alternatives to Western involvement, especially from an economic perspective. Their approach is largely pragmatic, including on the Middle East conflict.
Prof. Ramadan called on the European Union to develop a vision for its future relationship with the MENA region, independent of the USA and in full recognition of the true actors and political forces emerging in each country.
About the Speaker:
Professor Ramadan is a leading Islamic thinker, active at both academic and grassroots level. He is Professor of Contemporary Islamic Studies at Oxford University, President of the European Muslim Network and Director of the Centre for Islamic Legislation and Ethics in Qatar. He was named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most important innovators of the 21st Century.
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IIEA1 uploaded a new video
(5 days ago)
About the Event:
Minister of State for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton T.D. will address the YPN on "Ireland in Europe". Drawing on her...
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About the Event:
Minister of State for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton T.D. will address the YPN on "Ireland in Europe". Drawing on her considerable experience in European affairs, Minister Creighton will discuss Ireland's experiences in the EU during the first year of the new government, and will elaborate on the challenges facing Ireland and its European partners.
About the Speaker:
Lucinda Creighton was appointed Minister of State for European Affairs in March 2011. She was first elected to the Dáil in 2007 and was returned in the General Election in 2011. A qualified barrister, she was elected to Dublin City Council in 2004 and served as Fine Gael spokesperson on European Affairs for 2007-2010.
Minister Creighton campaigned for a yes vote in the Nice and Lisbon referendums, served on the board of the Young European Christian Democrats, served on an advisory committee to the Department of Education for the Irish Presidency of the EU in 2004, and represented Ireland at the Youth Convention on the Future of Europe in Brussels.
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All the best
David