Friends Of Europe Podcasts

Daniel Seymour (UN Women) describes the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit's commitments in the field of gender equality.

Monique Pariat (European Commission, DG ECHO) talks of women’s role in contributing to peace and resilience in humanitarian crises.

Syrian human rights activist and Executive Director of the Badael Foundation Oula Ramadan describes the lack of media coverage on women’s activity in Syrian civil society.

Our policy insight took a close look at how the three Asian powers are reassessing their political and economic ties, in the framework of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat. Speakers included Jong-heon Lee (TCS), Xinning Song (Renmin University of China) and Julian Wilson (EEAS).

Our 8 March debate on the role of women in the new Agenda for Humanity discussed ways to empower women as change agents and leaders in humanitarian action. Speakers included Monique Pariat (European Commission), Daniel Seymour (UN Women), Yumiko Tanaka (JICA)and Syrian human rights activists Oula Ramadan and Marcell Shehwaro.

This interview clip is from BBC Radio 4's 'Analysis' programme, broadcast on 6 March 2017. Download the episode at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08gx81y

The event launched the 2016 G-FINDER report on global funding for research into neglected diseases. Top-level speakers included Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; European Commissioner Carlos Moedas; and Dr Nick Chapman of Policy Cures Research.

Carlos Moedas is the European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation.

Bill Gates is Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Viwanou Gnassounou is Assistant Secretary General for Sustainable Economic Development & Trade at the ‎African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) Secretariat

Nena Stoiljkovic is Vice President of Blended Finance and Partnerships at International Finance Corporation(IFC)

Our Policy Summit took a look at topical issues related to private investment in fragile states. Speakers included Nena Stoiljkovic (IFC), Viwanou Gnassounou (ACP), Harald Hirschhofer (TCX) and Roberto Ridolfi (DG DEVCO). Shada Islam was the moderator.

We held a conversation with the European Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn on 8 December 2016 in Brussels. Moderated by Giles Merritt, Founder and Chairman of Friends of Europe The conversation started with a special sevdah concert performed by Damir Imamovic.

The EU has pledged to continue membership negotiations with countries in the Western Balkans. But the region faces many challenges, including lack of progress in restructuring the economic model to ensure that all countries are functioning market economies driven by export and investments rather than import and consumption. Improving connectivity in the Western Balkans is also a key factor, not only in boosting economic growth and fostering job opportunities for youth but also in forging better neighbourly relations with the EU, despite the perils of radicalisation. Is the long road to membership a vision or a reality? With some of the Balkans’ top politicians and decision-makers in attendance, we debated ways of further re-energising the region’s myriad connections with the EU at a 'European Policy Summit' event on 7 December 2016 in Brussels. SESSION II - Attracting business and investments by boosting regional connectivity Increased connectivity, especially in the transport and energy sectors, will help

The EU has pledged to continue membership negotiations with countries in the Western Balkans. But the region faces many challenges, including lack of progress in restructuring the economic model to ensure that all countries are functioning market economies driven by export and investments rather than import and consumption. Improving connectivity in the Western Balkans is also a key factor, not only in boosting economic growth and fostering job opportunities for youth but also in forging better neighbourly relations with the EU, despite the perils of radicalisation. Is the long road to membership a vision or a reality? With some of the Balkans’ top politicians and decision-makers in attendance, we debated ways of further re-energising the region’s myriad connections with the EU at a 'European Policy Summit' event on 7 December 2016 in Brussels. SESSION III - Migration, youth, jobs and the perils of radicalisation The flow of refugees and migrants through the so-called “Balkans route” may have eased in recen

The EU has pledged to continue membership negotiations with countries in the Western Balkans. But the region faces many challenges, including lack of progress in restructuring the economic model to ensure that all countries are functioning market economies driven by export and investments rather than import and consumption. Improving connectivity in the Western Balkans is also a key factor, not only in boosting economic growth and fostering job opportunities for youth but also in forging better neighbourly relations with the EU, despite the perils of radicalisation. Is the long road to membership a vision or a reality? With some of the Balkans’ top politicians and decision-makers in attendance, we debated ways of further re-energising the region’s myriad connections with the EU at a 'European Policy Summit' event on 7 December 2016 in Brussels. SESSION I - EU membership: the long road from vision to reality European Union leaders have pledged to continue membership negotiations with countries in the Western

Dr Kirsty Hughes, Senior Fellow at Friends of Europe, was interviewed on BBC Radio Scotland on 30 November 2016 about her new report for Friends of Europe, 'Scotland’s choice: Brexit with the UK, independence, or a special deal?'. The report is available at http://www.friendsofeurope.org/future-europe/scotlands-choice-brexit-uk-independence-special-deal/

What will be the impact of the 4th Industrial Revolution? Through a series of events, articles and working group meetings, Friends of Europe is bringing together stakeholders from both sides of the Atlantic. Their aim is to debate and propose a set of policy measures, incentives and approaches that would help Europe to be better prepared and ready to maximise the potential of the 4th Industrial Revolution – as well as provide the stimulus for greater transatlantic cooperation. Can Europe embrace the changes wrought by the 4th Industrial Revolution? How can transatlantic cooperation help Europe compete and contribute effectively in a rapidly changing global digital landscape? To launch this initiative, we held a conversation with the European Commission Vice-President for the Digital Single Market, Andrus Ansip on 28 November 2016 in Brussels. We discussed the opportunities and the obstacles Europe is encountering as the 4th Industrial Revolution takes hold, with a focus on current issues such as data-shari

The recent outcome of the American elections has the potential to affect the global context for world energy, yet the momentum post COP21 and Marrakech suggests a turning point and consensus on tackling climate change. But will market dynamics change for oil, natural gas and coal, or is the slump in prices for some fuels a new normal? Will this provide a greater impetus for renewable technologies and greater energy efficiency? Will market dynamics change for oil, natural gas and coal or might the slump in prices for some fuels be here to stay? Can renewables continue to rise amid fierce competition from fossil fuels and other low-carbon options? What policies and measures are necessary to support stable long-term investment beyond 2020? What challenges remain for integrating renewable power into the electricity market and what are the prospects for renewables playing a greater role in heating and cooling? And how can governments address the impact of local pollution, often energy-related, on air quality, and