Garvan Walshe Joins European Policy Centre

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The European Policy Centre in Brusses has appointed Garvan Walshe as its new Head of Communications.  A political strategist, Garvan has almost twenty years’ experience working in political strategy and communication technology with a focus on policy development. Since the Brexit referendum, he has concentrated on strengthening democratic governance in Europe. Commenting on the appointment, EPC Chief…

Cutting Industrial Emissions

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Photo by Jack Sloop on Unsplash The EPP Group says it wants to slash industrial emissions, but wants to “do it together with industry, farmers and SMEs, not against them.” This is the line the EPP Group has taken on the so-called Industry Emissions Directive. “We want less pollution, but more innovation. The new Industry Emissions Directive will…

Protection of Rights for Prisoners in Uzbekistan

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Photo by photo_comments on Unsplash The issue of ensuring human rights does not lose its relevance, regardless of whether a person is at large or serving a sentence. Convicts and prisoners also have certain rights established by law. In particular, Article 28 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan establishes that persons deprived of their liberty have…

Cotton and Corporate Responsibility

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Photo by Marcus Santos on Unsplash When it comes to their use of cotton, the vast majority of international brands (89%) are “non-transparent, unsustainable and show little progress towards improving labour conditions,”, according to the 2023 Cotton Ranking, published by Solidaridad Europe and the Pesticide Action Network UK (PAN UK). This, it is further alleged, is despite a…

Host Cities for International Organisations

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Photo by Michael Beener on Unsplash Bringing together international headquarters cities and highlighting the challenges and opportunities they face was subject of a debate hosted by Alain Hutchinson, Brussels Commissioner for Europe and International Organisations. Strasbourg, Vienna, Geneva, The Hague, Montevideo and Montreal  were represented. The discussions provided an opportunity to share best practice in this area and to gain a better understanding of…

New Round of Reforms for Uzbekistan

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Photo by AXP Photography on Unsplash Reform of public administration is seen as the key to development in Uzbekistan, writes Jorabek Nematov Administrative reforms began in Uzbekistan in 2017, by the decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On approval of the concept of administrative reforms in the Republic of Uzbekistan”. In order to correctly assess…

Promoting Farm to Fork

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Photo by Jonathan Kemper on Unsplash More than 100 environmental, scientific and social organisations have called for an end to “EU derogations that water down CAP environmental measures.” The demand is also backed by EU farmers, trade unions and church groups. They also urge Brussels to keep the EU’s “Farm-to-Fork ambitions of the Green Deal alive.” A broad…

Influencer Advertising

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Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash Influencer advertising and marketing has been one of the fastest-growing industries of the last decade.  Perceived by consumers as closer, more authentic and more trustable than traditional advertising or celebrity endorsement, influencers are attracting more and more brand investment. However, unlike traditional advertising, which is subject to very strict rules, influencer advertising…

Commission Approves Polish State Aid

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Photo by David Becker on Unsplash The European Commission has approved an amendment to an existing Polish scheme, including an overall €266 million budget increase, to support agricultural producers in the wake of Russia’s conflict with Ukraine. The amendments were approved under the State aid temporary crisis framework. These were first adopted by the Commission on 9 March to support measures in sectors which are…

European Mental Health Strategy

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Photo by Finn on Unsplash With the mental health of Europeans deteriorating, the European Economic and Social Committee is urging policy-makers at EU and national levels to make it a top priority The Brussels based Committee has called for the reform of health systems across the EU in a bid to ensure a comprehensive approach to mental health…