Social justice
Trade unionist: Von der Leyen has to deliver on Social Europe ‘if she wants to gain trust’
The Workers Group of the Economic and Social Committee welcomes European Commission president-elect Ursula Von der Leyen’s announcements on social policy but if she wants to be trusted, she needs to deliver, president Olivier Röpke told EURACTIV.
‘Unrealistic’ to think Libya can operate all rescues at sea, UN Special Envoy says
In spite of the drop in numbers of crossing, the death rate in the Central Mediterranean has increased over the past few months. EURACTIV talked to UNHCR Special Envoy Vincent Cochetel about the situation in the world deadliest border.
Sport can help bring Europeans together, education expert says
In a period when Europe appears to be increasingly divided, sports can help bring people together and promote social integration, the president of the International School Sport Federation (ISF) and education expert Laurent Petrynka told EURACTIV in an interview.
Sylvie Goulard: Putting an end to the abuse of power
In honour of International Women’s Day, Sylvie Goulard talks about women and their place in Europe in an interview with EURACTIV.fr.
S&D chief: ‘Employment for young Africans is a huge challenge’
On the eve of the EU-Africa Summit, Gianni Pittella says that European short-termism in migration policy will not address its root causes, and looks at agribusiness to leverage the continent out of poverty - 'but not at any cost'.
Juncker is ‘sincerely in favour of social Europe’
Jean-Claude Juncker deserves credit for making social issues a priority for the European Commission, Socialist MEP Maria Joao Rodrigues told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
Rajeev Kher: ‘A social business does not remain a social business forever’
Social businesses are supposed to address social and environmental issues. But when the social issue is resolved, the social business becomes a business like any other, according to Indian social entrepreneur Rajeev Kher.
Corazza: Society can benefit from ‘gendered’ responses to disruption
In this new disrupted world, conventional thinking will not be enough to address the challenges posed by rapid changes, meaning a gendered perspective is needed to reveal fresh points of view, said Chiara Corazza in an interview with EURACTIV.
Czech analyst: Eastern Europeans have lost faith in the EU
When countries in Central and Eastern Europe joined the EU, their expectations were high. Above all, they thought that they would quickly reach a Western standard living, Irah Kučerová told EURACTIV Czech Republic.
Polish government adviser: Commission position is ‘grotesque’
The European Commission has launched infringement proceedings against Poland and has threatened to strip Warsaw of voting rights if it does not respect the rule of law. But a government adviser insists Brussels is being hypocritical and has little legal reason to get involved.
Women’s Forum chief: EU should stop infighting and regain ambition
At a time of deep reflection on the future of the EU, the executive president of the Women’s Forum insisted Europe should regain its ambition, adding that the biggest market in the world and its well-educated labour force have enormous potential.
Arancha González: ‘Fair’ is a bit of a difficult word
In an exclusive interview, the International Trade Centre's executive director managed expectations about fair trade, as well as broaching the subject of child labour and transparency in the value chain.
Mimica: Private sector has a key role in reaching the SDGs
The massive need for investment in projects of public interest in developing countries cannot be met by the public sector alone, this is why the involvement of the private sector in reaching the SDGs is key, the European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development told EURACTIV.com in an exclusive interview.
Czech Regions VP: Cohesion policy must serve citizens
Czech and Slovak national delegations to the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) recently presented a joint opinion on the future of cohesion policy after 2020, in which they set out seven common principles and priorities for the next programming period.
Vestager: Men have had informal quotas for hundreds of years
Margrethe Vestager won the “European woman of power” award last night (1 December). She told EURACTIV.com in an interview that she supports gender quotas in the public institutions. She also said Günther Oettinger was the wrong Commissioner on the wrong plane.
UfM representative: ‘Obligation’ to protect Mediterranean from climate change
COP22 kicked off this week and achieving the goals set by the last instalment in Paris will top the agenda of the Marrakesh conference. EURACTIV Spain spoke with Miguel García-Herraiz about the climate challenges facing the countries that border the Mediterranean.
Bokova: My advantage is multiculturalism
In a wide-ranging interview with EURACTIV's Editor-in-Chief, Daniela Vincenti, Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO and candidate for the post of UN Secretary-General, spoke of her experience and goals, as well as discussed her strengths.
UN environment chief: ‘Without growth, there can be no end to poverty’
The new head of the UN's environment programme (UNEP) spoke to EURACTIV's partner Der Tagesspiegel about capitalism and development.
UNITAID: Health spending in developing countries brings a ‘five-fold return’
Access to new treatments for the big pandemics in Africa has improved, thanks to falling prices, and the ending of medical patents, Philippe Duneton told EURACTIV France.
Tech entrepreneur: ‘Africa is a very, very long game’
E-commerce has been slow to take off in Africa, but Africa Internet Group, the continent’s first online business worth over €1 billion, has big ambitions. EURACTIV's partner La Tribune reports.
Grybauskaite: Politics will stop being a men’s club if women dare to dream
It is a long path to the EU leaders' table, but if women dare to pursue their convictions in political life, politics will stop being a men's club, said Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė, one of only three women leaders in the European Council.
EU rights watchdog: Challenging gender stereotypes begins at home
Legislation is only part of the solution. We need a mix of legislative and non-legislative instruments to tackle persistent gender inequalities, especially in advancing women in high-level positions, but that has to start from the grassroots, says Michael O’Flaherty.
Expert: Somalia, Niger, Congo victims of humanitarian aid ‘gap’
Humanitarian aid is not keeping pace with needs on the ground, partly due to the affects of El Nino and climate change in eastern and southern Africa, according to a new report from World Vision - and as a result already malnutrioned children are going hungry.