With the publication “For democracy” and this online-dossier, we analyze the state of democracy worldwide as well as the possibilities of democracy assistance. At the same time, we provide insights into the Heinrich Böll Foundation’s political work for democracy.
Europe is going through troubled times and more than ever needs new ideas. South Africa born writer Breyten Breytenbach offers an outside perspective on the current state of the European project.
Putinist trolls are having a good time in Hungary these days. Articles published by pro-Kremlin, anti-immigrant news sites are shared by thousands of readers, often mistaken for actual news stories. Objective journalism has thus been degraded to just one of many possible narratives for interpreting the world around us.
Kurz vor den Olympischen Spielen ruft der Bundesstaat Rio de Janeiro den Finanznotstand aus. Der Bund muss helfen, um die letzten Olympia-Baustellen fertigzustellen. Eine Analyse zeigt, das Megaevent hat schon längst mehr öffentliche Kosten verursacht, als es offizielle Zahlen besagen.
Around the world, autocratic regimes, and some that consider themselves democratic, are restricting the work of civil society groups that hold them to account.
The cases of Marwen and the six students from Kairouan who were arrested and sentenced for homosexual practices in 2015 received a lot of media coverage. However, that did not stop the spiral of violence against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people (LGBTs) in Tunisia. Homophobia can be deadly.
In his new book A Heart for Europe. The Case for Europatriotism, Dick Pels postulates a new Europatriotism in times of doubt and uncertainty. Politicians and intellectuals should take responsibility of charismatic and visionary leadership to oppose the politics of fear by rising nationalist movements.
People want democracy. The surveys show anywhere in the world. But what is the right way to help people on the way to a better life in a liberal democracy? With years of active work in promoting democracy we support mainly dedicated people in the existing or emerging civil societies.
Ten experts from eight different countries share their views and perceptions of the assaults committed on New Year’s Eve in Cologne. A contribution to the ongoing debate on sexualised violence and harassment in Germany.
Nichlagarh, an adivasi village in the forest region of Southern Rajasthan, is caught between the bureaucratic regime of the Forestry Department (FD) of India and progressive legislation that claims to restore the traditional rights of commoners.
In an interview with Heinrich Böll Foundation Brasil, journalist Thamyra Thâmara, from Complexo do Alemão, speaks about the importance of digital media for popular communicators in the favelas–spaces which are stigmatized by the mainstream media and portrayed as impoverished and violent.
The German federal government sees Egypt as a state that can guarantee regional stability. But especially the support of the regime as-Sisi increases the instability in the region. It's time for a new approach to Egypt.
Divided democracy: For 25 years, the Heinrich Böll Foundation works with Memorial, the best-known Russian NGO. Through the years it has become a "political friendship" developed, is the basis for many joint projects.
Everyday democracy: Only "licensee" may use the city park Horsh Beirut - a trend which has been evident for many green areas of the Lebanese capital. Supported by the Foundation, campaigns and organizations want to conquer the city for the population back.
Our dossier on Hungary is as a forum for critical voices since the right-wing government came to power in April 2010. The contributions reflect the socio-political changes as well as long-term developments.
The recent and resounding electoral victory of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Assam, the largest of India’s North-Eastern States, carries particular importance. The journalist Ash Narain Roy, director of the Institute for Social Sciences gives a comprehensive report on the BJP victory in Assam.
Born in Benin, Cléo left her country because of her transsexuality and her activism. After living in Tunisia for several years, she was recently granted asylum there. She tells us about her fight and her odyssey.
The subject of LGBT rights is gaining more and more attention in Tunisia. The number of homophobic statements is reaching record highs and people continue to be arrested for sodomy. Thanks to the commitment of non-governmental organizations the issue is now being widely discussed in the public and the media.
Many experts are in agreement that the causes and long-term implications of the refugee issue can hardly be resolved at national level. Whether Brussels can play a more prominent role was the subject of debate at the annual European Conference held by the Heinrich Böll Stiftung in Berlin on 26 May 2016.
Lebanese bureaucracy, traumatized people, and little international support: There are numerous day-to-day problems in Syrian refugee camps in Lebanon. Majd Chourbaji helps to solve them.
The current ‘refugee crisis’ represents a political crisis for Europe as lack of coordinated action. Our dossier is an attempt to see how national differences present themselves and what common ground might still be achievable for a common European policy.
On 8 November 2015, a new Parliament will be elected after decades of military rule in Myanmar. The elections will decide how the reform process of the past five years will be continued. This dossier will accompany the next months until a new government is formed by offering policy and economic analysis.
The implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015/2016 will have drastic impacts on the socio-economic development and democratization of the ten member countries. This dossier and the lecture series seek to explain current political developments, societal changes and economic trends in the region.
The Rio Olympics have already cost more public money than official numbers show. An analysis by Julia Bustamante and Caio Lima, Instituto Políticas Alternativas para o Cone Sul (PACS).
In many countries around the world people are protesting against injustice, abuse of power, dire living conditions, and they are campaigning for higher standards. In the process new forms of citizens’ participation in political and administrative processes are evolving. We support all attempts to achieve greater democratisation and participation.
Subscribe to RSS
Dossier: For Democracy
With the publication “For democracy” and this online-dossier, we analyze the state of democracy worldwide as well as the possibilities of democracy assistance. At the same time, we provide insights into the Heinrich Böll Foundation’s political work for democracy.
An outsider looks in (or, further Notes from the Middle World)
Europe is going through troubled times and more than ever needs new ideas. South Africa born writer Breyten Breytenbach offers an outside perspective on the current state of the European project.
Putinist trolls in Hungary are a threat to objective journalism
Putinist trolls are having a good time in Hungary these days. Articles published by pro-Kremlin, anti-immigrant news sites are shared by thousands of readers, often mistaken for actual news stories. Objective journalism has thus been degraded to just one of many possible narratives for interpreting the world around us.
Brazil: More public funds for the Olympics
Kurz vor den Olympischen Spielen ruft der Bundesstaat Rio de Janeiro den Finanznotstand aus. Der Bund muss helfen, um die letzten Olympia-Baustellen fertigzustellen. Eine Analyse zeigt, das Megaevent hat schon längst mehr öffentliche Kosten verursacht, als es offizielle Zahlen besagen.
Behind global crackdown on NGOs, recognition of their power
Around the world, autocratic regimes, and some that consider themselves democratic, are restricting the work of civil society groups that hold them to account.
Movements & Participation
In Tunisia, homophobia is deadly
The cases of Marwen and the six students from Kairouan who were arrested and sentenced for homosexual practices in 2015 received a lot of media coverage. However, that did not stop the spiral of violence against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people (LGBTs) in Tunisia. Homophobia can be deadly.
A heart for Europe
In his new book A Heart for Europe. The Case for Europatriotism, Dick Pels postulates a new Europatriotism in times of doubt and uncertainty. Politicians and intellectuals should take responsibility of charismatic and visionary leadership to oppose the politics of fear by rising nationalist movements.
Democracy must be fought for and renewed - The Heinrich Böll Foundation’s work for democracy abroad
People want democracy. The surveys show anywhere in the world. But what is the right way to help people on the way to a better life in a liberal democracy? With years of active work in promoting democracy we support mainly dedicated people in the existing or emerging civil societies.
Feminism & Gender
Gender equality in Europe
The programme "Europe for Citizens" pools activities fostering tolerance promotion, gender equality and the protection of fundamental rights.
Sexual violence is a global problem affecting all cultures and religions
Ten experts from eight different countries share their views and perceptions of the assaults committed on New Year’s Eve in Cologne. A contribution to the ongoing debate on sexualised violence and harassment in Germany.
India: Women Protect Common Forest Rights in Rajasthan
Nichlagarh, an adivasi village in the forest region of Southern Rajasthan, is caught between the bureaucratic regime of the Forestry Department (FD) of India and progressive legislation that claims to restore the traditional rights of commoners.
Net Politics
Digital Media Stimulates Prominence of Local Perspectives in Favela Narratives
In an interview with Heinrich Böll Foundation Brasil, journalist Thamyra Thâmara, from Complexo do Alemão, speaks about the importance of digital media for popular communicators in the favelas–spaces which are stigmatized by the mainstream media and portrayed as impoverished and violent.
Human Rights
Egypt: End the illusions!
The German federal government sees Egypt as a state that can guarantee regional stability. But especially the support of the regime as-Sisi increases the instability in the region. It's time for a new approach to Egypt.
Balancing act in Russia: Memorial - a little complicated and very successful
Divided democracy: For 25 years, the Heinrich Böll Foundation works with Memorial, the best-known Russian NGO. Through the years it has become a "political friendship" developed, is the basis for many joint projects.
Beirut: Recapture the City
Everyday democracy: Only "licensee" may use the city park Horsh Beirut - a trend which has been evident for many green areas of the Lebanese capital. Supported by the Foundation, campaigns and organizations want to conquer the city for the population back.
Political Partys
Dossier: Focus on Hungary
Our dossier on Hungary is as a forum for critical voices since the right-wing government came to power in April 2010. The contributions reflect the socio-political changes as well as long-term developments.
Election in Assam: After the Bubbly, Bites of Reality
The recent and resounding electoral victory of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Assam, the largest of India’s North-Eastern States, carries particular importance. The journalist Ash Narain Roy, director of the Institute for Social Sciences gives a comprehensive report on the BJP victory in Assam.
LGBTI
Cléo, a transgender activist who has sought asylum in Tunisia
Born in Benin, Cléo left her country because of her transsexuality and her activism. After living in Tunisia for several years, she was recently granted asylum there. She tells us about her fight and her odyssey.
LGBT rights in Tunisia: The fight will be televised
The subject of LGBT rights is gaining more and more attention in Tunisia. The number of homophobic statements is reaching record highs and people continue to be arrested for sodomy. Thanks to the commitment of non-governmental organizations the issue is now being widely discussed in the public and the media.
Migration
Conference report: Crossing boundaries in European asylum and refugee policy
Many experts are in agreement that the causes and long-term implications of the refugee issue can hardly be resolved at national level. Whether Brussels can play a more prominent role was the subject of debate at the annual European Conference held by the Heinrich Böll Stiftung in Berlin on 26 May 2016.
History
“Even dying is a problem here” - a glance into Syrian refugee camps in Lebanon
Lebanese bureaucracy, traumatized people, and little international support: There are numerous day-to-day problems in Syrian refugee camps in Lebanon. Majd Chourbaji helps to solve them.
Dossiers
Dossier: Crossing borders – refugee and asylum policy in Europe
The current ‘refugee crisis’ represents a political crisis for Europe as lack of coordinated action. Our dossier is an attempt to see how national differences present themselves and what common ground might still be achievable for a common European policy.
Dossier: Elections in Myanmar
On 8 November 2015, a new Parliament will be elected after decades of military rule in Myanmar. The elections will decide how the reform process of the past five years will be continued. This dossier will accompany the next months until a new government is formed by offering policy and economic analysis.
Dossier: Understanding Southeast Asia
The implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015/2016 will have drastic impacts on the socio-economic development and democratization of the ten member countries. This dossier and the lecture series seek to explain current political developments, societal changes and economic trends in the region.
Publications
Private Games?
The Rio Olympics have already cost more public money than official numbers show. An analysis by Julia Bustamante and Caio Lima, Instituto Políticas Alternativas para o Cone Sul (PACS).
Forced Pregnancy During The Khmer Rouge Regime
During the last decade, there has been growing awareness of the issue of sexual and gender-based violence during the Democratic Kampuchea (DK) regime.
Democracy
In many countries around the world people are protesting against injustice, abuse of power, dire living conditions, and they are campaigning for higher standards. In the process new forms of citizens’ participation in political and administrative processes are evolving. We support all attempts to achieve greater democratisation and participation.
Events
The EU-Turkey Refugee Deal: Failure, Success or Betrayal of European Values?
Panel "Género y Medios de Comunicación: Los pendientes para una prensa no sexista"
Aborto Libre: Saberes y Prácticas Feministas
Parlons Climat ! Speak up for the Climate !
Social Links