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This blog is written by staff at the Quaker Council for European Affairs. Our aim is to promote discussion on issues relating to our programme areas. For more information on QCEA and what we do, please visit our website at www.qcea.org
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- After NL YM & Swiss YM, looking forward to meeting more #Quakers interested in @QCEA advocacy at #EU level at Britain Yearly Mtg. #BYM13 ab 7 hours ago
- All at #BYM13 welcome: @QCEA talk on how to get involved w our work on #human rights & #sustainability ow.ly/lk8nF #quakers ab 9 hours ago
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Category Archives: Democratic Accountability
Democracy in the EU – Time for Citizens to Take the Initiative
On 11th February this year, the “Water is a Human Right!” initiative became the first European Citizens’ Initiative to succeed in gathering 1 million signatures. In this first of two blog posts, I look at what Citizens’ Initiatives are and … Continue reading
Posted in Democratic Accountability
Tagged Democracy, democratic deficit, e-activism, e-petition, ECI, european citizens initiative, european union, Politics
Where is Inequality Headed?
The European Union (EU) was created from a desire for peace and prosperity after the carnage of World War II. It all began with the formation of the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951 which aimed to unify and … Continue reading
Posted in Democratic Accountability, Economic Justice, Human Rights
Tagged Christine Lagarde, cooperation, Disparity, economic crisis, economic growth, economics, equality, European Trade Union Confederation, European Trade Union Institute, European Union (EU), Germany, inequality, International Monetary Fund (IMF), oppressed, poverty, QCEA, Quaker Faith and Practice, Social justice, Tony Atkinson, trade unions
Is there room for civil society in the concept of stakeholder engagement in European research?
The name for the next European Research Framework Programme which will apply from 2014 for the following 7 years – is Horizon 2020 – a name arrived at through means of a public consultation. That might suggest that there is … Continue reading
Social Protection in EU Development Cooperation
In December 2011, the European Commission launched a public consultation under the title: Consultation for the preparation of a Commission Communication on Social Protection in European Union Development Cooperation. The consultation period is just about to expire and QCEA made … Continue reading
Democracy at Work – Watching the Debate on the EU Budget
We often hear thatBrusselsis imposing its will on Member States and ‘telling us what to do’. Well, let’s have a look at this in relation to an important discussion which is at the heart of EU decision-making this year. Yes, … Continue reading
Posted in Democratic Accountability, Economic Justice
Transparency: who really makes the decisions?
This isn’t about EU bashing. Nor is it about having a go at civil servants or diplomats. Most of these people work very hard and for the common good and deserve more of our attention and support. But how can … Continue reading
Posted in Democratic Accountability
Tagged Accountability, Council of the European Union, decision-making, transparency
The European External Action Service (EEAS) one year on
Ashton Reports to the European Institutions European Foreign Policy matters. The European Union encompasses 27 countries, representing 500 million people, 25 per cent of the world’s GDP and 20 per cent of the world’s trade. What the European Union does … Continue reading
Posted in Democratic Accountability, Peace
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Budget 2020 – European Commission Proposals revealed
It is the 29th of June 2011; the European Commission unveils its long-awaited proposals for the next budget framework for the European Union. This proposal sets the framework for decisions which will affect EU spending from 2014 to 2020. QCEA … Continue reading
