We're Still Standing: According to a recent report by Amnesty International, across Europe, the right of peaceful assembly is coming under severe attack as Member States increasingly stigmatise and criminalise peaceful protesters and pass repressive new laws. What can the EU do to ensure the rights of protest in its Member States and protect against violence whilst simultaneously fostering national agency?
A Home Away from Home: After over 800 days of full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine, almost one million Ukrainian refugees continue to seek asylum in Poland. Recent surveys have deduced that only half of Ukrainian refugees want to return to Ukraine post-war. What continued support can the EU offer to Ukrainian refugees in a post-war setting given the war's socio-economic effects on the Ukrainian population?
War on the Climate: Additional to the humanitarian horrors of war, it is also increasing vulnerability to climate change, proliferating security risks, complicating efforts on decarbonization and hindering multilateral climate action. What actions can the EU take to create greater accountability for the climate effects of war?
Cutting of the TurkStream: Given the sanctions imposed by 45 countries as a consequence of the war, energy prices soared across Europe as one of its key suppliers of gas was no longer readily available. With the growing popularity of the TurkStream which provides Russia with direct EU-generated gas profits, Europe still heavily relies on Russian gas somewhat negating the effects of the aforementioned sanctions. Given a proposed phase out of Russian gas by 2025, what measures can the EU take to minimise the economic, environmental and social effects of the switch?
A Hard SLAPP: In 2023, Europe counted 820 strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP) cases. Recognising the growing concern over the prevalence of SLAPP cases, how can European countries safeguard freedom of speech while reinforcing the protection of journalists and human rights defenders against unfounded and abusive legal proceedings?
The Digital Battlefield: The World Economic Forum’s 2024 Global Risks Report has highlighted the dangers of misinformation and disinformation as the number 1 threat in the current global landscape. What should the EU's role be in countering the effects of misinformation, especially in the context of active conflict such as in Ukraine?