History, Society & Culture

Transnationalism and non-EU communities in Europe

In one way or another, non-EU communities face very serious problems with adopting the identity of their host countries because of transnationalism and multinationalism.

Towards Pereustroika? Why “failed multiculturalism” sparks the need for change

Nearly 30 years ago, Russia and other former USSR states entered an active phase of perestroika (restructuring), when Soviet society started to experience radical changes after deep socio-cultural, political, demographic and economic stagnation that lasted for over two decades.

Austerity and isolation in immigrant communities

It is important to mention that EU policies have encouraged austerity measures that affected the welfare policies of nation states including Belgium and France, and that this appears to be harmful for people belonging to non-EU communities who depend on state support. Such a situation was provoked by the global recession and the eurozone crisis that began in Ireland and other Southern European nation states including Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Most EU member states were left with no other choice but to reduce spending on social programs in order to balance federal budgets and avoid any serious form of bankruptcies in the future.

Attack on European Civilisation

Islamist terrorists attack Brussels and kill many people, in a manner similar to the Paris attacks – similar scenarios in different European cities. Do extreme right-wing nationalists like Le Pen and Wilders have a point? Are Muslim minorities posing a threat to Europe? Or is it ourselves that dismantle our own civilisation?

Memory cannot live while amnesia survives

The PiS government’s dealings with memory are an attempt at fostering a selective memory of the 20th century, which can do no good to Polish society and Polish reputation worldwide.

The United Nations, Sport and the Environment

The world of sport was thought to be “hostile to environmental issues” for a long time, but it is now becoming an important actor in the field of sustainable development.

The new pillar of social rights – more ’business as usual’ than serious reform

In the new pillar of social rights the European Commission missed the chance to introduce clear cut indicators to monitor member states´ social performance. As a result, the social dimension of the economic and monetary union (EMU) will remain in the shadow of macroeconomics.

National History or Selective Memory?

I was taught many things at school when I was younger. I was told when the printing press was invented, how Rome won the third Punic War and how Constantinople valiantly lost in a hopeless defense against the Ottomans.

I had to learn how this country beat that country, simple as that.

Do barriers need to burn again?

What remains 65 years after the “attack” on the French-German border riot and 25 years of Schengen

Albania: a Sport Government’s Policy for a Healthy Society

Although today much of the attention by institutions interested in a more healthy population is focused on nutrition, recent studies have shown that people, including children and adolescents, who do a moderate physical daily activity, have more chance of having a better quality of life.