Welcome to the EU! On 23 June 2022, the European Council granted Ukraine the status of a candidate for accession to the European Union. With this, there are seven official candidates, some of whom have been on that list for 23 years. How should the EU contribute to the development of rule of law and good governance to aid them in their project of European Membership?
Let’s cool it! With the Arctic region warming at rates faster than the rest of the planet, Arctic States are eager to capitalise on the changing landscape as new shipping routes and opportunities for territorial disputes emerge. With Finland and Sweden bound to join NATO, and tensions in the Nordic region increasing as a result, how should the EU mitigate escalating relations and ensure peace in the region?
You Reap What You Sow: The food industry significantly contributes to harmful emissions, causing 34% of global greenhouse gas production. Considering that food poverty is a material issue within Europe, how can the EU work to ensure that the European food chain is economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable?
(Un)Stablecoins: With further digitalisation of the EU seemingly inevitable, the European Central Bank is in the preparatory stages of developing a digital euro as an alternative to the growing popularity of privately-backed crypto-assets. How should the EU ensure respect for privacy, safety and accessibility values in creating a digital euro while considering the fast-changing nature of the digital financial market?
Well fair: The Covid-19 pandemic shed light on the increasing social inequalities in Europe, with vulnerable groups such as refugees being disproportionately affected by the pandemic’s negative consequences. How should the EU ensure that all Member States support their citizens through modern and accessible welfare systems that protect vulnerable groups such as refugees?
Doctor House: With the increase of self-diagnosis and self-medication rising in Member States, the issue of mismedication puts the health of people at risk. How can Member States balance the dangers and potential benefits of people’s self-care while ensuring all citizens have access to an efficient and fair healthcare system?
Out of sight, out of mind: Having in mind the disparities in the regulation of sex work in different European countries and its impact on the living and labour conditions of the workers, how can the EU protect sex workers' rights and increase their access to social and labour protections?
Partners across the pond: the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) was established in 2021 as a diplomatic forum to coordinate technology and trade policy between the United States (US) and the European Union (EU). Considering the previous attempt at strengthening EU-US trade relations, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), was criticised for lacking labour, environmental, and data privacy standards, to what extent and how should the EU pursue a trade and technology partnership with the US?
Houston, we have a problem: The continuously increasing amount of space debris is threatening to damage communications, navigation and Earth observation technologies on which the European economy, society and citizens rely. How should the EU approach space traffic management to reduce the amount of debris orbiting our planet whilst at the same time continue to foster European competitiveness within the industry?
You’re tripping: Following Portugal’s complete decriminalisation of all drugs with its effects on reducing crime and overdoses, the (de)criminalisation of drugs has become an ongoing debate between oppositional forces. Considering this debate, what stance should the EU take on the legal status of drugs?
A house of cards: With housing prices rising by 41,6% from 2010 to 2022, it is becoming increasingly difficult to enter the housing market, leading to further increases in the wealth gap and polarisation within communities. How can the EU tackle house ownership becoming a growing indicator of its citizens socioeconomic status and provide its citizens with the opportunities owning a house brings?
We built this city: Historically many cities have been created to accommodate cars and traffic rather than the humans that inhabit them. Concepts like Mobility as a Service, the 15-minute-city or car-free inner cities are relatively new but show promising results for people and the environment. How can we rethink European urban planning to make cities more fit for the ever-changing needs of humans in the digital 21st century?