Latest Policy Briefings

International Development, Global Europe, Publication, Policy Briefing
24/04/2012
Investing in Afghanistan's future
Stability in Afghanistan after the NATO drawdown in 2014 demands urgent action on an array of fronts. With security in the country still precarious and volatile, the international focus on building Afghanistan’s security forces is important. However, a strong army and police force cannot of themselves ensure growth and development.
International Development, Global Europe, Publication, Policy Briefing
29/02/2012
Encouraging Myanmar’s Transition: A Role for Europe
By Shada Islam and Patricia Díaz Europe can play a vital role in encouraging sustainable democracy, reform and economic progress in Myanmar. European Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs has pledged a 150 million euro two-year aid package, while European businesses are looking to invest in Myanmar.
Global Europe, Publication, Policy Briefing
20/01/2012
Pakistan: Charting a course for revival

By Shada Islam The EU is not alone in finding it difficult to understand Pakistan. The country presents many different facets, making it difficult for friends or foes to develop adequate policy responses. Persistence and patience are necessary. 
Global Europe, Publication, Policy Briefing
25/11/2011
Europe and China: Rivals or Strategic Partners?
By Shada Islam To coincide with our upcoming China Summit, Shada Islam, Head of Policy at Friends of Europe, has compiled this policy briefing. China looms ever larger on Europe’s foreign policy  agenda, eclipsing ties with other Asian countries.  Increasingly, relations with Beijing are also a key  European domestic concern. Europe’s focus on China, the world’s most dynamic economic  powerhouse and an increasingly influential international political actor, is understandable.
Greening Europe, Agriculture and Food, Publication, Policy Briefing
10/11/2011
The future of farming
This background briefing for the Greening Europe Forum’s Autumn 2011 roundtable “The Future of Farming” focuses on two essential dimensions of the Commission’s recent reform proposals for a Common Agricultural Policy from 2014: ecological sustainability and social equality.
International Development, Publication, Policy Briefing
04/11/2011
The private sector and development cooperation
Official Development Assistance from rich industrialised countries to poorer developing nations was once considered pivotal in achieving growth and development. In the 21st Century, however, the global architecture of development cooperation is changing rapidly. Official and private aid can complement each other and it is increasingly important that official and private donors work together to promote development.
Global Europe, Publication, Policy Briefing
20/06/2011
Europe and the Asian Century
By Shada Islam Intensified strategic cooperation between Europe and Asia will be critical in tackling the key global challenges of the 21st century. Together, the two regions represent more than 60 per cent of the world population, half of global GDP and more than 60 per cent of international trade. As such, Europe and Asia can speed up efforts to achieve global governance reform, combat climate change, ensure green growth and manage urbanisation. Joint action will help achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), attain social cohesion and ensure food and energy security.  Asian support is also essential in tackling global flashpoints, including Afghanistan, Iran and North Korea.
Global Europe, Publication, Policy Briefing
12/04/2011
Time for a new EU-ASEAN strategy
By Shada Islam For years, members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) sought inspiration and advice from the European Union. The EU’s single market, common currency (current Eurozone problems notwithstanding) and efforts to craft a single foreign and security policy, still attract Asian attention.
Greening Europe, Publication, Policy Briefing
06/01/2010
Biodiversity: a crisis in search of a policy?
In the last five years, climate change has been catapulted onto the global political agenda. Although last year’s Copenhagen Summit failed in its lofty ambitions, the fact that nearly all important heads of state and government were present in the Danish capital can be seen as proof that the challenge of moving to a low-carbon society is now a political priority worldwide.