The war which has changed Poland. Polish and German involvement in Afghanistan

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:58:52 +0200

Ten years after the begin of the Afghanistan intervention we invite you to a debate about the consequences of the mission from Polish and German perspective.

Outcomes of the Polish EU Council Presidency - EU energy policy for the future?

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:40:30 +0200

The Heinrich Boell Stiftung with the support of the Green European Foundation and Zielony Instytut is organising a conference discussing the measures taken in the area of EU energy policy during the Polish Presidency of the EU Council

Reaching Energy Security in Europe through Renewables

Grzegorz Wiśniewski and Zbigniew M. Karaczun — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 10:09:13 +0200

Meeting 100% of Europe’s electricity needs through renewable energy by 2050 is possible – if we succeed in pooling the potential of Europe’s renewable energy sources. The Heinrich Böll Foundation asked a number of experts to take stock of European policy in the sectors most important for the transition to renewable energy, to identify the areas in which European cooperation has been inadequate to date, and to propose possible solutions. In this publication two Polish experts, Grzegorz Wiśniewski and Dr. Zbigniew M. Karaczun, consider how the collective use of renewable energies by European countries in electric power generation can improve energy security in Europe.

Knowledge Networking and Capacity Building Program on Engendering Macroeconomics and International Economics

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 10:09:11 +0200

We are pleased to announce the first European regional program on knowledge networking and capacity building on gender, macroeconomics and international economics. Economists from Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan are welcome to apply. The summer school will take place in Istanbul on 9-17 October, 2011. The deadline for completed applications is August 15, 2011.

Energy of the Future? Nuclear energy in CEE.

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 11:18:43 +0200

The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, in cooperation with Hnutí DUHA and the Czech branch of the international organisation WISE, has attempted to describe in greater detail the causes and manifestations of nuclear energy’s exceptional position in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The result is this publication, which contains contributions by experts from five countries in the region: the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary and Bulgaria.

Myth of Nuclear Power - A Guide

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 10:45:51 +0200

To address the myths of nuclear power, the Heinrich Böll Stiftung has commissioned renowned international nuclear experts to deliver reports that provide the public with an overview of current, fact-rich, and nuclear-critical know-how.

Green New Deal in Poland

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 13:24:34 +0200

What is Green New Deal? Can it be implemented in Poland? In which sectors? These are some of the issues that will be examined during the debate on Poland’s green future organized by the Green European Foundation with the support of Zielony Instytut and Heinrich Böll Foundation in Warsaw.

Women’s Voices, Women’s Choices

Thu, 26 May 2011 11:09:34 +0200

Heinrich-Böll-Foundation presents a set of articles about the current problems women from the Central and Eastern Europe are facing nowadays. The web-dossier “Women’s Voices. Women’s Choices” was prepared on the 100. anniversary of the International Women’s Day.

Energy Security – Polish, European and Global Perspectives

Tue, 17 May 2011 16:49:06 +0200

The Heinrich-Böll-Foundation, the Polish Green Network, CEE Bankwatch Network, and the Polish Climate Coalition kindly invite you to the international conference on one of the priorities of the up-coming Polish EU-Presidency.

Fri, 06 May 2011 11:22:38 +0200

This year’s PLANETE DOC FILM FESTIVAL will again give out the Warsaw Green Award for the film that best presents ecology-related issues. The winner will receive EUR 4,000. The award accompanies the Film Section: Climate for Change. A jury consisted of Martyna Wojciechowska, Katarzyna Radzikowska, Maciej Muskat will select the winning film.

Does the end of oil mean the end of civilization? Energy that is completely renewable – a utopian vision or a foreseeable future?

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 17:40:20 +0200

Is our civilization able to renounce fossil fuels? Is achieving complete energetic independence an utopia? The Heinrich Böll Foundation and Greenpeace Poland invite you to participate in an open debate and the screening of “The 4th Revolution. Energy Autonomy” directed by Carl-A. Fechner, as a part of the 8th Planete Doc Film Festival

Events accompanying the exhibition “Streets of Enthusiasts”

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 11:01:28 +0200

The Heinrich Böll Foundation and the History Meeting House cordially invite you to the events accompanying the exhibition “Streets of Enthusiasts” that will be presented in the History Meeting House on 10-20 May 2011

Summer School for Young People from Belarus

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 10:48:24 +0200

Musterfirma The Heinrich Böll Foundation is pleased to announce the call for applications for its third „Summer School for Young People from Belarus” that will take place in Berlin from 7-21 August, 2011.

One Step Forward and Two Sideward. Regional Analysis of Climate Policy in 2010 and the Cancun Climate Conference (COP 16)

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 11:46:20 +0200

Although the outcome of the UNFCCC conference in Cancun (COP 16) in December 2010 generated positive responses, the question remains whether the Cancun conference can be called a success? Final evaluation of the Cancun conference, it seems, depends on the regional and national perspectives. This paper contextualizes the Cancun conference within the landscape of the different regional climate policy developments during 2010, analyzes the different national expectations of the conference, explains negotiation positions, and analyzes how perceptions of the Cancun conference varied between key countries and regions.

Europe in Transformation

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:57:30 +0200

On behalf of the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament we would like to cordially invite you to the international conference Europe in Transformation that will take place on the 3-4 March 2011 in Poznań.

Time for Gender Equality. The Priorities of the Polish EU Presidency Regarding Gender Equality and Anti-discriminatory Policies

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 15:55:29 +0200

Will the agenda of the Polish EU Presidency address gender equality priorities? What will be the leading issues regarding gender equality and anti-discriminatory policies? For the discussion on the priorities and agenda of the Polish Presidency in the Council of the European Union with regard to the gender equality and anti-discriminatory policies we invited representatives of the Polish government and non-government organizations.

What vision for the future of the Eastern Partnership?

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 23:38:49 +0200

Can the civil society in the countries of Eastern Europe be effectively supported by the Eastern Partnership programme? What role does the Civil Society Forum have within this process? These questions will be answered during the conference organized by the Heinrich Boell Foundation and the Institute of Public Affairs on October, 14th.

Nuclear energy in Scandinavia

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 18:07:49 +0200

It is more than likely that the Polish government will launch the public campaign on nuclear energy in 2010. The debate shall be multilateral and provide reliable information. It is worth taking into account the experiences of other countries where experts, political parties, NGOs and local communities shared their opinions. For that reason we would like to discuss the evolution of views and various choices which have been made in the nuclear field with the representatives of the Scandinavian countries. We would like to search for experiences which can be used in Poland as well.

Feminism in Post-Soviet Belarus

Elena Gapova — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 21:38:38 +0200

How does a society with a lengthy period of socialist experience in its recent past think of the oppression of women? Would it recognize the issue at all? How would it see the origin of this oppression? Finally, what needs to be done for the world to become a better place? The way these issues have been theorized in the former socialist region was quite different from how they were seen in the West.

Does the Belarusian opposition need a generational change?

Dzianis Melyantsov — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:57:28 +0200

Various crisis and occasional scandals among the leaderships of political parties erupting inside the Belarusian opposition, force numerous analysts and observers to talk about a generational conflict within the opposition. Has such a conflict really appeared and is a generational change necessary in the Belarusian democratic movement?

How to deal with Iran?

HBF Prague — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:05:27 +0200

The question posed has never been easy to answer and is hardly more timely. The Heinrich Böll Foundation Prague and the Association for International Affairs (AMO) jointly organised the International conference “How to deal with Iran?” and a series of side events (13 - 15 April) which discussed current developments in and around Iran.

Summer School for Young People from Belarus

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 17:20:11 +0200

The Heinrich Böll Foundation is proud to host the second "Summer School for Young People from Belarus" in Berlin from 4-18 July 2010. Twelve young adults from Belarus have been selected to participate based on their demonstrated interest in politics and local community initiatives.

Situation of Individuals with Non-heterosexual Orientation

Alaksandr Palujan — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 09:12:10 +0200

International organizations are beginning to pay attention to the problems of the Belarusian LGBT community. This year, reports about violations of the rights of gays and lesbians in Belarus have been published by the majority of international organizations. However, this does not translate into an actual government effort. For the time being, state authorities try to avoid addressing publicly the issue of LGBT rights, thereby hindering any public debate on this subject.

Political Participation at the Local Level

Tatyana Vodolazhskaya and Andrey Yegorov — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 09:06:26 +0200

The society of Belarus was under the influence of the Soviet regime for 70 years, the consequences of which can be seen to this date – in political and social culture, in how institutions and social structures are organized, and in the way governance is exercised and power is enforced. Without awareness of this heritage it is impossible to understand how local communities function or how citizens participate in the decision-making process.

Belarus – Russia: Dependency or Addiction?

Tatiana Manenok — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 08:47:34 +0200

Belarus is able to meet only 13-15 percent of its energy needs from its own reserves and its basic basic fuel is natural gas imported from Russia, which constitutes from 75 to 80 percent of energy consumption. Of course, not only Belarus is dependent on Russian energy supplies, since the Baltic States and several Central European countries are in a similar situation. However, Belarus is most vulnerable, because Russia is virtually the sole supplier of its energy.

In Spite of Copenhagen – The Green Future Has Begun

Thu, 20 May 2010 12:18:59 +0200

No doubt, Copenhagen was a major setback. Although much remains to be done, the great transformation is on its way: within the energy sector, in construction, in industry – and in Europe, the US, and China alike. To be sure, political decisions will be a major factor in how swiftly and powerfully change will occur. Yet, the future is not the exclusive domain of governments. All of us can be and will have to become actors in an ecological turnaround.

European Union and its Eastern Neighbours.

Sat, 08 May 2010 13:07:10 +0200

On March 18-19 2010 experts, representatives of national administrations and the world of politics from Poland, Germany, other European countries, states taking part in the Eastern Partnership initiative and Russia met in Warsaw to discuss the perspectives for developing the European Union’s Eastern Policy for upcoming years – specifically during the period of the Polish Presidency of the EU Council. The conference – an open meeting (March 18) for the general public and an expert meeting (March 19) – was organized by the Warsaw office of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, the German Bertelsmann Foundation and the Polish Centre for European Strategy demosEuropa.

Into the Problem. The Atom and Sustainable Development

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 13:20:31 +0200

The Heinrich Böll Foundation invites you to participate in an open debate and the screening of “Into Eternity” directed by M. Madsen as part of the 7th Planete Doc Review Film Festival.

The Class of 2009: Green Visions for Europe

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 11:13:48 +0200

To the surprise of many opinion pollsters and political commentators it became clear late in the evening of 7 June 2009 that the real winners in the European elections were the Greens. They were the only political group in the European Parliament that had managed to increase their number of seats. Few would have forecast this even a few days before. The European Union office of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung has invited eleven new Green Members of the European Parliament from five different countries to write about their ambitions for Europe. What are the goals of the new Greens and how do they want to achieve them?

Polish shades of green.

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 10:48:08 +0200

The publication of the European Green Foundation attempts to find answers for the question about the future of Green politics in Poland. The publication stems from the research ordered in 2008 by the Heinrich Böll Foundation and coordinated by Przemysław Sadura. The research concerned the prevailing reception of Green ideas and perception of Green political powers by the Polish society. On its bases, the Author analysed the Greens’ chances of finding a permanent place on the Polish political scene.

Gender in the EU. The Future of the Gender Policies in the European Union

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 11:11:46 +0200

The publication was elaborated within the framework of the Regional Program “Gender Democracy/ Women’s Politics”.

It contains contributions presented at the regional conference “Gender in the EU. The Future of Gender Policies in the European Union” which took place in Warsaw on 28 October, 2009.

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 09:30:42 +0200

The publication was elaborated within the framework of the Regional Program “Gender Democracy/ Women’s Politics”.

Final Statement concerning Beijing +15 process Review at Commission on the Status of Women

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:07:13 +0200

Women’s organizations and feminist network are deeply dissatisfied with the final conclusions adopted by the governments at session of the Commission on the Status of Women on 4th March, 2010. We invite you to read their final statement.

An Analysis of the National Nuclear Power Programme

Prof. Krzysztof Żmijewski — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:29:32 +0200

It is worthwhile to try and provide a discussion of the National Nuclear Power Programme in a manner that makes them accessible to the general public, so that it can be used as a sort of “terms of reference” for the project currently being developed by the government, or rather by the State Commissioner for Nuclear Power. In particular, this analysis concerns the economic aspects of introducing nuclear power to Poland.

Poland and the challenges of the climate package

Dr hab. Zbigniew M. Karaczun — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:20:40 +0200

Poland now faces a major challenge. Considering the near-disintegration of the energy generating infrastructure and the very bad condition of power transmission lines, the absence of an active energy policy could lead to catastrophe in the energy sector within the next decade – mass black-outs and power switch-offs, energy shortages in the network, the stifling of the development of innovative sectors of the economy needing stable voltage in the power network and secure energy supplies. On top of this, the energy sector, already in a difficult situation, will have to invest in pursuing the aims of the climate package. The development of nuclear energy in Poland will not prevent the breakdown of the Polish energy sector in the second decade of the 21st century and will not solve problems connected with the implementation of the climate package.

Pro-nuclear propaganda with no counter-arguments

Radosław Gawlik — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:14:26 +0200

The sustainable development of our country is being decided today, and the choice of energy supply is a determining factor. A real threat exists that we will commit to a technology which is past its peak, and faces a future of neverending unresolved problems. Abandoning the construction of nuclear power stations in Poland could accelerate our country’s entry into the truly modern current of developing an economy that uses alternative energy sources.

Nuclear power program in Poland

Prof. dr hab. inż. Władysław Mielczarski — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:06:11 +0200

The Polish government has undertaken the nuclear power program, which aims at the construction of at least three nuclear power units before 2030. However, large costs of nuclear power stations and the associated costs of the transmission system upgrade to accommodate the electricity produced by large nuclear units rise doubts if such a program can be implemented in accordance to the time table and whether the Polish energy users can with stand very high electricity prices.

Nuclear energy in Poland – a source of energy for future?

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:29:26 +0200

The necessity of establishing nuclear energy seems to be a political consensus in Poland, regardless of the general orientation of the main political parties. The decision to build new nuclear power plants has been made and now the Polish government takes steps to implement the plan.

Eastern dimension of the EU policy. Challenges for the Polish EU Council Presidency

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:43:21 +0200

We invite you to a discussion about strengthening the Eastern dimension of the EU policy during the Polish Presidency of the EU in 2011 from both perspectives - Warsaw and Brussels.

Velvet Revolution in Slovakia

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:28:07 +0200

We present you with a series of memories of women who were engaged in the Velvet Revolution in Slovakia in November 1989.

Failure or Opportunity? A Regional Analysis of the Copenhagen Climate Conference and How Its Outcome Has Been Perceived.

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:09:32 +0200

From a sheer climate protection perspective, various experts claim that the outcome of the Copenhagen climate conference has been a failure. Yet politically, it remains unclear whether Copenhagen can be called a failure, or whether it can be called a step forward. This, it seems, much depends on the regional and national perspectives. Two months after the Copenhagen climate summit, this paper sheds some light on the different regional and national evaluations of the conference and analyzes how perceptions on the outcome of the conference vary between key countries and regions.

Eastern Partnership and Belarusian Civil Society

Alaksandr Lahviniec — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 19:27:11 +0200

The fact that Belarus joined the EU Eastern Partnership is a major event that gives a new momentum to the recent dynamics in EU- Belarus relations. The reanimated public debate raised hopes of civil society groups about the future of the Belarusian relations with the EU. Will the partnership be however able to meet the expectations and lead to a true change for example in the country’s rigid association laws? Are the public rapprochement with the European partner an authentic agenda for change or merely a facade?

The Class of 2009: Green Visions for Europe

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 21:54:44 +0200

Eastern Partnership – new wrapping for old policy?

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:12:01 +0200

On the 7th of May 2009, the Eastern Partnership was launched in Prague – a Polish-Swedish initiative for the strengthening of the Eastern dimension of EU policy within the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). What does it mean for the relations of the EU with its Eastern neighourgs? Can we considere this programm as a 'big succes' or it has rather a symbolic meaning?

1989 and its heritage - meeting with Garri Kasparow

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:29:30 +0200

After the Polish premiere of Masha Novikovska's film In the Holy Fire of Revolution the Heinrich Böll Foundation invites you to a meeting with the film's protagonist – world class chess champion Garry Kasparov moderated by journalist Jacek Zakowski.

Gender in the EU. The Future of the Gender Policies in the European Union

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:41:25 +0200

The newest publication of the Heinrich Böll Foundation’s Regional Office in Warsaw contains contributions made at the regional conference “Gender in the EU. The Future of the Gender Policies in the European Union,” which took place on 28 October, 2009 in Warsaw.

"Eurobelarusian"

Aleksander Klaskousky — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 10:13:16 +0200

Undoubtedly, Belarus could already be an EU member. According to experts, its starting conditions in the early 1990s were no worse than those of Poland or the Czech Republic’s.

Civil society – long traditions, lack of strategy?

Yuri Chavusau — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:04 +0200

The case of Belarus is unique, even when compared to the neighboring countries. Its specific character is proved by the low level of national identity caused by severely underdeveloped nation-shaping processes. The authoritarian state remains, until this day, the main architect of the Belarusian national project.

Warmer relations between Minsk and Brussels – dilemmas of the opposition.

Yuri Drakakhrust — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 22:40:18 +0200

Once the EU’s policy towards Minsk has changed, instead of increasing their popularity in the European capitals, leaders of the Belarusian opposition need to focus on winning the sympathy of Belarusians. Under the pressure of the West, Lukashenka should come to terms with the opposition, which will be given access to the parliament and local governments, in exchange for certain concessions in favor of the authorities.

The whole hope in the Hope. Women’s movement in Belarus

Yelena Yaskova — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:19:25 +0200

Even though independent women’s organisations have managed to gather some experience and skills, and gain recognition and authority in the women’s issues, it cannot be called a mass movement that would be able to influence the social development and political decision making.

Equal chances remain a declaration. Women’s status in Belarus

Yulia Mitskevich — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:12:36 +0200

On the one hand, the state declares a will to improve women’s status and promote equal rights, but on the other, women are still deprived of opportunities in professional advancement, salary increases, access to professional positions and power.

Renewable energy in Belarus

G. W. Kuzmich; I.P. Usova — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:03:14 +0200

At present, a complex bureaucratic system is in place in the Republic of Belarus that constitutes an obstacle for the growth of the renewable energy sector. Numerous concepts and programs have been drawn up, whose effectiveness is rather doubtful.

Nukes for Belarus?

Tatiana Novikava — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:55:27 +0200

About the plans of building a nuclear power station in Belarus, about hopes of the authorities and position of the NGO's writes

Belarusian shade of Green – little politics, much ecology

Natalya Ryabova — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:43:46 +0200

In Belarus, ecology surfaced as a subject of the public debate after the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl. But the popularity of the Greens is not only the aftermath of Chernobyl.

Gender Issues 2009: Gender Equality Discourse in Times of Transformation, 1989-2009: the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:42:40 +0200

The year 2009, which is drawing to an end, brought about many recaps and analyses as we celebrated the twentieth anniversary of democratic changes in the old Eastern Bloc. Despite many new studies dealing with the successes and failures of the transformation, an evaluation of the past two decades from the perspective of gender equality was still missing. Looking at the changes initiated in 1989, such as the introduction of market economy and the adoption of neoliberal ideology as the foundation of the new political, economic and social system, it is important to see how they influenced the situation of men and women.

Ukraine five years after the revolution – a success or a failure?

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:35:31 +0200

The Heinrich Böll Foundation in cooperation with Gazeta Wyborcza and Nasze Słowo invite to an debate on five years of changes started with the Orange Revolution, chances for solving the current political crisis and perspektives for the change of political elite.

On the Way to Copenhagen

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:49:19 +0200

What are the current EU objectives for the climate summit in Copenhagen? What do the other key actors expect from the EU in the process of climate negotiations, and what are the expectations of the EU towards other major players, such as the USA, China or India? Is it still possible for the EU – despite the internal tensions – to play a leading role in this process? What is the role of Poland in the process of agreeing on a common position? What are the greatest challenges towards the conclusion of an ambitious climate change agreement and how can they be overcome?

Religion, Politics and Gender Equality in Poland

Jacqueline Heinen and Stephane Portet — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:20:33 +0200

The prestige and the influence of the Polish Church is closely linked to the role it played historically when Poland was occupied by foreign countries throughout the 19th century. It then appeared as the only centre of stability and resistance against the invaders, giving force to the equation: ‘Polish = Catholic’.

The Quagmire Effect. On the Special Role of the Catholic Church in Poland

Agnieszka Graff — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:15:06 +0200

The sentence ¬Poland is a Catholic country is not a statement of fact but a sort of a spell, a self-fulfilling prophesy sanctioning existing power relations. The conviction that ¬Poland is a Catholic country is like a quagmire or swamp, sucking us all in, Catholic or not. The more we sink in it… the more we sink.

Women in Times of Change, 1989-2009

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:32:06 +0200

The twentieth anniversary of the 1989 breakthrough is an occasion for summaries. In spite of the twenty years of democratic transformation, women did not manage to reduce their distance from men enough for their voice to be clearly heard in public debate.

Old and new walls in Europe

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:16:54 +0200

So how does the vision of the “coming back to Europe” compare with reality? What boundaries have disappeared, what social and political divisions are still posing a challenge for Europe, and how should the European Union and Europe look from the perspective of experience with democratic transformation in the next twenty years?

Gender in EU. The Future of the Gender Policies In the European Union

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:28:39 +0200

What challenges in the field of gender equality will the new European Parliament and new European Commission have to respond to? Are there any chances to overcome the existing status quo?

Women in the European Parliament election – the Slovak perspective

Zuzana Kostkovciková from Aspect — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:18:15 +0200

Although in this year's election women stood from far worse positions, with less chance to win, preferential voting helped them. Voters, given a chance to indicate two candidates from their chosen list, were more inclined to go for women – writes

The election deadlock

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:29:48 +0200

The current 22% share of women in the Polish representation to the European Parliament is an improvement, compared to the 15% after the 2004 Euro-election. It remains an open question, whether women will be able to rely on any of the new MEPs about important issues. Anna Czerwińska reports on the Polish EP election campaign in the context of equality.

Gender. The Great Absent Issue in Polish Euro-Elections

Piotr Szumlewicz — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:24:35 +0200

The lack of postulates connected to gender equality in the electoral campaign is connected not only to the fact that the largest parties neglect this issue. This oversight is also a result of the weakness of feminist movements among non-governmental organizations – writes

Women in the European Parliament election – the Czech perspective

Alexandra Jachanova-Doleželova and Linda Sokačova from Gender Studies — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:18:59 +0200

The percentage of women among the EMPs from the Czech Republic fell from 20,8% to 18.2% - it is one of the lowest results among all EU countries. According to experts from women's organisations, it happened because of the lack of binding instruments securing fair gender representation.

Polish shades of green.

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:52:42 +0200

Pink World, Blue World. The Colour Matters.

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:12:01 +0200

Gender stereotypes are one of severe factors which generate inequalities between women and men in social, economical and political life. They prescribe specific roles for women and men determining their participation in public sphere and their access to resources and decision-making. Unequal gender division of power is affected by socialization processes in which boys and girls participate in their schooldays and at their homes. Available schoolbooks are often full of gender biases and stereotypes and they present traditional female and male roles.

Family Policy in Europe. An Efficient Tool of Gender Equality or Rescue in front of Demographic Crisis?

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:46:14 +0200

The focus of the September 20, 2007, conference, organized by the Warsaw Office of the Heinrich Böll Foundation and the Network of East-West Women/NEWW-Polska, was a debate on different models of modern family policy in the EU states. The starting point of the discussion was a presentation of changes to family models resulting from the transformation of gender roles and the activities of emancipatory movements.

European Union and gender

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:42:05 +0200

Women organizations from Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine present the results and outcomes of the national reports on gender sensitive education to the EU structures and gender and women institutions.

Confined party club

Maciej Gdula — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:46:36 +0200

How do the European Parliament election and its results in Poland differ from those in other EU countries by

Hungarian Elections: New Green Party Achieves Unexpected Success, But so Does The Radical Right

Kristóf Szombati — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:19:00 +0200

Barely three months after its official formation Hungary’s new green party, LMP (Lehet Más a Politika / Politics Can Be Different) has managed to entrench itself on the country’s political map. Standing in coalition with the small Humanist Party, LMP obtained 2.6 % of the votes, coming in fifth place, well before the liberals, who have reached an historic low and may well disappear from the political landscape.

Unfortunately, no EP mandate for the Czech Greens

Eva van de Rakt — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:14:07 +0200

The Czech Greens (Strana zelených, SZ) were not counting on such a poor result in the recent EP elections. SZ won just 2.06 % of the vote and ended up in ninth place.

The results of the European elections from the green perspective

Claude Weinber — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:06:39 +0200

From 4 – 7 June, EU citizens were called to the polls to elect their European Parliamentary members for the next five years. The results of the Greens/European Free Alliance club at the EP are more than impressive, but also alarming, given that the expectedly low voter turnout was only 43.09 %.

Gender Issues 2007: Violence against Women, Gender Pay Gap, Access to Childcare Facilities, Implementing Gender Policies

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:12:00 +0200

The aim of reports prepared by Gender Studies from the Czech Republic, Aspekt from Slovakia, Feminoteka Foundation from Poland and Liberal Society Institute from Ukraine was to analyse how gender equality politics was implemented in the countries mentioned. In 2007, the focus in the Czech Republic was on accessibility of childcare facilities for children under 3 years old of age; in Poland – implementation of the act on counteracting domestic violence; in Slovakia – gender pay gap; and in Ukraine – implementation of the issues of gender equality in the context of European Union’s Strategy for Ukraine in 2007-2013.

Women in the European Parliament – Parliament for Women

Tue, 26 May 2009 16:35:56 +0200

Will the new European Parliament (2009-2014) play a role in creating political space for gender equality policies? Will the stronger role of the European Parliament which is set forth in the Lisbon Treaty not only increase effectiveness of the European Union and make it more democratic but enhance gender equality initiatives as well? The new Parliament will need to initiate a debate on the budget of the European Union, which will be in force in 2014. Will this new budget guarantee enough sources for the initiatives aimed at equalizing opportunities of women and men?

Europe is different but is it equal?

Wed, 20 May 2009 12:43:05 +0200

Despite subsequent initiatives, undertaken by the European Union, which are supposed to ensure wider protection from discrimination (e.g. establishing of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights or the European Gender Institute), nationalistic and xenophobic attitudes are still quite strong both in the “new” and in the “old” EU member states. Thus it seems that existing EU strategies and instruments are insufficient in order to ensure effective implementation of the promoted values. If so, the following question arises: will Europe remain helpless towards conservative tendencies in some of the EU member states where equality policy and tolerance for diversity is put into question?

60 years NATO, 10 years Poland in NATO, the future of the Alliance

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:00:59 +0200

In this anniversary year 2009 is time to look back and forward in to the future of the sixty years old (or young) organisation. How does Poland estimate its 10 years membership and the future role within the Alliance read in the articles of Polish known experts.

European Shades of Green. Green Ideas and Political Power in Europe

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 20:48:09 +0200

In Western Europe Green political parties have been present in politics for a few decades now and they shape the politics on both, a national and European level. The weakness of Green political forces in “new EU member states” is often explained by the means of the “post-socialist syndrome”. In spite of the fact that the acceptance of “green” values such as ecology, equal rights or democratic freedom is growing in the post-socialist societies, most of the Greens in this countries have not managed to enter politics. In this context, the weakening Green representation on the European level can also be seen as a consequence of EU enlargement.

ERENE - European Community for Renewable Energy

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:28:05 +0200

ERENE - European Community for Renewable Energy – Climate protection and a secure energy supply both are questions of our future. The European Union must set itself ambitious goals if it wants to maintain its political dynamic. A feasibility study by Michaele Schreyer and Lutz Mez in collaboration with David Jacobs.

NATO in a Changing World - Outdated Organisation or Indispensable Alliance?

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 11:48:06 +0200

Is there a future for NATO? And, should the answer be in the affirmative, what might it look like? The question whether NATO is an outdated organisation or an indispensable alliance is a moot point. We hope that the conference and dossier prepared by our Headquarters in Berlin will help foster an enlightened debate on these issues.

ERENE

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 10:20:36 +0200

Climate protection and a secure energy supply both are questions of our future. The European Union must set itself ambitious goals if it wants to maintain its political dynamic. A feasibility study by Michaele Schreyer and Lutz Mez in collaboration with David Jacobs.

Gender Mainstreaming. How Can We Successfully Use Its Political Potential?

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 12:12:48 +0200

The publication was elaborated within the framework of the project „Reflections on Gender Mainstreaming” supported by the Program „Globalisierung, Entwicklungsfinanzierung & Gender”, Heinrich Böll Foundation.

The war in Georgia from the perspective of Warsaw and Kiev

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 21:16:14 +0200

Russia’s return to imperialist tendencies, observed in Moscow for some time, caused concern
among the political elites and societies of the post-soviet block. The outbreak of war in Georgia
only heightened these worries. The countries most actively engaged in the Georgian conflict
included Poland and Ukraine. Following the events in Georgia, Poland’s position on the European arena was strengthened and Poland’s local expertise and engagement in Eastern Europe was acknowledged. Ukraine, and similarly Georgia found themselves the centre of interest among the political elites of both the EU and the USA.

Belarus – lost chance for change?

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 19:51:17 +0200

Despite the political system in Belarus being far from democratic, consecutive elections awaken hope of democratic standards being introduced and of the Belarusian opposition becoming stronger. Prior to the elections, the general situation was full of contradictory signals, at the same time the Georgia conflict changed the West’s outlook on the whole post-soviet region.

Introduction Democracy

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 16:24:22 +0200

Welcome

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 15:31:01 +0200

Welcome to the website of the Heinrich Böll Foundation's Regional Office in Warsaw, which, along with the offices in Prague and Kiev, is responsible for the Foundation's work in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine and Belarus. We are particularly glad to introduce the new layout, which will enable us to present our operation in a more interesting and accessible manner.

In the topic sections (democracy, ecology and international politics) we write about events organised independently, or in cooperation with other organisations, as well as about publications on the subjects we consider important.

The site contains information in Polish and English. We would also like to invite you to access chosen information available in German. We hope you will enjoy your read. Please, feel welcome to participate in our events and do not hesitate to contact us.

Gender mainstreaming. How to effectively utilise its political potential?

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:32:10 +0200

For some, gender mainstreaming, the basis of the EU’s gender equality policy, has been the most effective tool for its implementation. Others indicate that its main weakness is the fact that it does not allow for radical critique of the existing relations of power. Usually, an important barrier is the lack of political will, making implementation of gender equality policies purely declarative. Should gender mainstreaming really be put to the side, since it lost its political potential for change? The authors of the latest publication by the Warsaw Office of the Heinrich Böll Foundation attempt to answer this question. Some of them took part in the debate promoting the Polish version of the publication, which was held on 3rd October 2008 in Warsaw.

Gender Issues 2008: Gender-Sensitive Education

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:13:30 +0200

Assuming that it is important not only to implement the “hard core” EU legislation concerning the equality policy, but to implement it in the areas within competences of EU member countries as well, in 2008 the Warsaw Office of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, in cooperation with partner organisations from the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine, implemented a project analysing the system of education in individual countries in the context of gender equality.