|
Friends of Europe:
UN says efforts to foster human development in Arab world are making a difference
|
|
|
11/03/2010
Read more
|
Debate summary
|
|
Moving forward after Copenhagen
|
|
|
|
The recent Café Crossfire debate examined the road ahead following the drafting of the Copenhagen Accord in December. The panel agreed that, while the summit was not a complete success, neither was it a complete failure and that strong commitments from the European Union and its industries are needed to move beyond the politically-binding framework of the Copenhagen Accord and re-inject optimism into the UNFCCC process. “A post mortem requires a corpse and, since there is no corpse, the negotiations are still under way,” allowed Karl Friedrich Falkenberg, European Commission Director General for the Environment. |
| Conference report |
|
Planning Europe's healthcare revolution
|
|
|
|
Europe’s healthcare system is undergoing a revolution, with e-health leading the way. Advances in the ICT industry mean knowledge can move quickly and services can be offered more efficiently and cheaply, but guaranteeing the privacy of patient information is a key challenge. And for the time being citizens can expect to be frustrated in their efforts to have full access to a range of health services across Europe, due to a European Council of Ministers decision to reject plans for a directive making it easier for Europeans to access health services in different member states. |
| Conference report |
|
Doing business with China: Looking ahead to the next decade |
|
|
|
In his keynote address, H.E. Song Zhe, Ambassador and Chief of the Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the EU, said: “This summit sends out an important message: In the face of the profound changes in the international economic, financial and political systems, China and the EU find their common interests broadening rather than narrowing.”
'Doing business with China: Looking ahead to the next decade' was the first in a series of high-level Policy Summits within the three-year Understanding China programme that is co-organised by Friends of Europe and EUROCHAMBRES and co-funded by the European Commission. |
|
Friends of Europe has been chosen as a major partner of this European Commission programme, together with EUROCHAMBRES, the University of Antwerp Management School, EUObserver.com, and 8 European Chambers of Commerce (Unioncamere, ACFCI and the Chamber of Commerce in Rotterdam, Madrid, Hamburg, Czech Rep., Stockholm and Malta) and a whole series of knowledge partners from all over Europe. |
 |
|
Understanding China is a three year programme that aims to improve the knowledge and understanding of China by business, especially SMEs. It creates a new business dialogue on China-related issues through:
|
|
Help put together the green economy puzzle |
|
|
|
|
|
Climate change, energy security and the financial crisis have made it clear that Europe needs a transformational, competitive and green economy agenda. In his EU-2020 strategy, Commission President Barroso confirmed that economic, ecological and social sustainability will be the main driver of EU policies is the next ten years.
With its new Greening Europe Forum Friends of Europe will bring together global, European, national and local policymakers, corporate experts and entrepreneurs, trade associations, NGOs and civil society to stimulate a frank and open debate on all issues surrounding Europe’s sustainable future. |
|
|
|
Africa's billions: The global players of tomorrow
. |
DPF 'Future World' Debate- 23 March 2010
|
|
|
|
|
By mid-century, the greatest population concentration will be in sub-Saharan Africa. The region is expected to gain a billion inhabitants – from 800 million today to 1.8 billion in 2050. The urban population alone will triple from 300 million to over a billion in 2050.
Will Africa be able to use its increasing population to boost its economic performance? If so, do the EU and the US acknowledge this? Are they preparing to adjust their relationships with the continent that for so long was a recipient of aid? What is Africa’s place in the new multi-polar world?
Jean-Michel Severino, co-author of 'Le Temps de l'Afrique' and Director General of Agence Française de Développement, will be heading the debate. |
|
|
|
Human security in the Arab world: Defining a role for Europe
. |
DPF 'Future World' Debate- 09 March 2010
|
|
|
|
The DPF panellists from left to right: Malcolm Smart of Amnesty International,
Amat Al Alim Alsoswa of the UNDP, Giles Merritt of Friends of Europe,
Gie Goris of MO* and Tomas Duplá del Moral of the European Commission
|
The Development Policy Forum (DPF) ‘Future World’ debate on 9 March examined the interplay between state and human security in the Arab World. The issue of human security is crucial to the development of stability in the region, the participants heard, but the change must come primarily from within.
“If we truly aspire to investing in human capability and development, we must first ensure that human dignity is protected by the same institutions which safeguard state security”, asserted Introductory speaker Amat Al Alim Alsoswa, Assistant Secretary-General of the UNDP and Director of its Regional Bureau for Arab States, Former Yemeni Minister for Human Rights. Please click here to read more. |
|
|
 |
ACE – the Alliance for beverage Cartons and the Environment - is the European ambassador and knowledge hub for beverage carton manufacturers and their EU paperboard suppliers, studying and communicating the environmental value of cartons as a renewable, recyclable and low carbon packaging solution. ACE members include beverage carton producers Tetra Pak, SIG Combibloc and Elopak; they develop, manufacture and market systems for the processing, packaging and distribution of food, and produce packaging material at 23 plants in Europe. About 98% of the paperboard used by ACE members in beverage cartons in Europe is produced by Stora Enso in Skoghall (Sweden) and Imatra (Finland), and Korsnäs in Gävle and Frövi (Sweden), who are also members of ACE. These paper mills and the beverage carton manufacturers in ACE together employ close to 30,000 people worldwide. |
|
www.ace.be | |
 |
APCO Worldwide, an award-winning, independent public affairs and strategic communication firm, specialises in providing targeted solutions to issues and opportunities faced by clients. With offices throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, APCO’s areas of expertise include: Corporate, investor and internal communication; Crisis management; Government relations; Issue management; Litigation communication; Market entry; and Strategic philanthropy. Governments, corporations, industry associations, and non-profit organizations benefit from an array of services including strategic counsel, media relations, opinion research, grassroots advocacy, coalition building, event management, spokesperson training and technology solutions for communication programs. Founded in 1984, APCO is an independent firm with a global headquarters in Washington, D.C. Clients include seven of the top 10 Fortune 500 companies. |
|
www.apcoworldwide.com | |
 |
Cargill is an international provider of food, agricultural and risk management products and services. With 160,000 employees in 67 countries, the company is committed to using its knowledge and experience to collaborate with customers to help them succeed. For more information, visit |
|
www.cargill.com | |
 |
The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company. Along with the world's best-known brand, Coca-Cola, the Company markets four of the world's top five soft drink brands, including diet Coke, Fanta and Sprite, and a wide range of other beverages, including diet and light soft drinks, waters, juices and juice drinks, teas, coffees and sports drinks. Through the world's largest distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate exceeding 1 billion servings a day. |
|
www.coca-cola.com | |
 |
Eni is one of the most important integrated energy companies in the world committed to growth in finding, producing, transporting, transforming and marketing oil and gas. Eni ranks first among the Italian listed companies according to its market capitalization amounting to €93.8 billion at the end of 2006. |
|
www.eni.it | |
 |
|
ExxonMobil is the largest private oil, gas and petrochemical company in the world. The company explores for oil and natural gas on six of the seven continents. Activities include the refining and supply of petroleum products as well as the marketing of fuels under the Exxon, Mobil and Esso brands. The company also markets lubricants, both conventional and synthetic in every major geographic region. Other petroleum products are lube base stocks and petroleum specialties such as waxes, process oils and asphalt. ExxonMobil Chemical is a leading manufacturer and global marketer of olefins, aromatics, fluids, synthetic rubber, polyethylene, polypropylene, oriented polypropylene packaging films, plasticizers, synthetic lubricant base stocks, additives for fuels and lubricants, zeolite catalysts and other petrochemical products. ExxonMobil has been active in Europe since 1888. Today, it is the largest oil and gas producer in Europe and supplies 15 per cent of Europe's natural gas and 10 per cent of Europe's oil. |
|
www.exxonmobileurope.com | |
 |
|
The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung is a German non-profit private educational institution committed to the concepts and basic values of social democracy. It was founded in 1925 as a political legacy of Germany's first democratically elected president Friedrich Ebert. Together with its partners in the trade unions, education and research, public administration, local government and various social groups and organizations, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung fosters dialogue among all democratic forces with the aim of bringing about a balance of interests, of solving conflicts and developing policy options. Another important activity is future-oriented research work, analyzing the economic, social and political problems in Germany and Europe. The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung has activities in more than 100 countries and offices in about 90 countries. |
|
www.fes.de | |
 |
McKinsey & Company is a management consulting firm that helps leading corporations and organizations make distinctive, lasting and substantial improvements in their performance. Over the past eight decades, the Firm’s primary objective has remained constant: to serve as an organization’s most trusted external advisor on critical issues facing senior management. With consultants deployed from over 80 offices in more than 40 countries, McKinsey advises companies on strategic, operational, organizational and technological issues. The Firm has extensive experience in all major industry sectors and primary functional areas as well as in-depth expertise in high-priority areas for today’s business leaders. |
|
www.mckinsey.com | |
 |
|
For more than 20 years, Microsoft has been operating in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), enabling people and businesses throughout the region to realise their potential. The Microsoft EMEA organisation encompasses more than 60 local offices and delivers products and services in 139 countries across the region. The company’s 12,000 regional employees engage in a wide range of functions including research, product development and distribution, sales and marketing, customer service and support, and partner support. An industry leader, Microsoft is also committed to corporate responsibility and community participation. The company works with all levels of government and academia, and supports numerous programmes for social and economic development. Neil Holloway, president of Microsoft EMEA, sets the direction of the company in this vast and varied region. |
|
www.microsoft.com | |
 |
|
Novartis AG is a world leader in offering medicines to protect health, treat disease and improve well-being. Our goal is to discover, develop and successfully market innovative products to treat patients, ease suffering and enhance the quality of life. Novartis is the only company with leadership positions in both patented and generic pharmaceuticals. We are strengthening our medicine-based portfolio, which is focused on strategic growth platforms in innovation-driven pharmaceuticals, high-quality and low-cost generics (Sandoz), human vaccines (Vaccines & Diagnostics) and leading self-medication OTC brands (Consumer Health). In 2005, the Group's businesses achieved net sales of USD 32.2 billion and net income of USD 6.1 billion. Approximately USD 4.8 billion was invested in R&D. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 99,000 people and operate in over 140 countries around the world. |
|
www.novartis.com | |
 |
Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company and a world leader in diabetes care. In addition, Novo Nordisk has a leading position within areas such as haemostasis management, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. Novo Nordisk manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and services that make a significant difference to patients, the medical profession and society. With headquarters in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs approximately 26,550 employees in 80 countries, and markets its products in 179 countries. Novo Nordisk’s B shares are listed on the stock exchanges in Copenhagen and London. Its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ‘NVO’. |
| www.novonordisk.com | |
|
|
With Group sales of EUR 20.04 bn and a workforce of 33,665 employees in 2007, OMV Aktiengesellschaft is one of Austria’s largest listed industrial companies. As the leading oil and gas group in Central Europe, OMV is active in Refining and Marketing (R&M) in 13 countries. In Exploration and Production (E&P) OMV is active in 20 countries on five continents. In Gas & Power (G&P) OMV sells more than 13 bcm gas per year. Via Baumgarten, one of the most important turntables for gas in Europe, approximately 64 bcm gas is transported annually. OMV’s Central European Gas Hub is amongst the three largest hubs in Continental Europe. |
|
www.omv.com | |
 |
PlasticsEurope is one of the leading European trade associations with centres in Brussels, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Milan and Paris. We are networking with European and national plastics associations and have more than 100 member companies, producing over 90% of all polymers across the EU27 member states plus Norway, Switzerland, Croatia and Turkey. The European plastics industry makes a significant contribution to the welfare in Europe by enabling innovation, creating quality of life to citizens and facilitating resource efficiency and climate protection. More than 1.6 million people are working in about 50.000 companies (mainly small and medium sized companies in the converting sector) to create a turnover in excess of 300 billion € per year. The plastics industry includes polymer producers - represented by PlasticsEurope, converters - represented by EuPC and machine manufacturers - represented by EUROMAP. |
|
www.plasticseurope.org | |
 |
As a leading global pharmaceutical company, sanofi-aventis is dedicated to the discovery, development, manufacture and distribution of innovative, effective and well-tolerated medicines, for all people throughout the world. In keeping with its principle that there are “no small countries and no small products”, sanofi-aventis offers an extensive range of innovative medicines, vaccines, mature prescription medicines, consumer health (OTC) products and generics. This product portfolio, which is intended for all patients, whatever their medical condition, whatever their resources provides the foundation of the Group’s economic performance. |
|
www.sanofi-aventis.com | |
 |
|
Schuttelaar & Partners is a large communications consultancy firm deeply rooted in stakeholder dialogue on issues related to the life sciences. From our offices in Brussels and The Hague, we help our clients build public support for innovations that we firmly believe will lead towards greater health and sustainability. Such clients include multinational corporations and SMEs, governments, research institutions, and NGOs. Our 60 consultants cover a wide spectrum of backgrounds and operate in areas such as sustainable commodity supply chains, the role of nutrition in public health, global development, and application of bio- and nanotechnologies. |
|
www.schuttelaar-partners.com | |
 |
Veolia Environnement is the only world-wide Group dedicated wholly to environment-related activities and capable of offering a complete range of services covering the fields of Water (Veolia Water), Cleaning (Onyx), Energy (Dalkia) and Transport (Connex). The group deploys an integrated services offer providing made-to-measure solutions to the challenges facing local authorities in France and abroad. Research & Development play a central role in Veolia’s sustainable-development policy, designed to enable the group to anticipate the needs of tomorrow and to implement effective technological solutions and services meeting the expectations of our customers. Veolia Environnement commits itself to caring for the environment wherever the group operates, in particular by stringent application of international and local environmental regulations and by the commitment of its employees to improving inhabitants’ everyday quality of life. |
|
www.veoliaenvironnement.com | |
 |
With operations in more than 100 countries, the Group's activities span all aspects of the energy industry from Upstream oil and gas exploration and production to Downstream transport, refining and marketing of refined products as well as international trading in both crude and refined products. Total is also a major player in the Chemicals market. |
|
www.total.com | |
 |
Tyco International is a highly diversified global company that provides thousands of products and services vitally important to residential and commercial customers. Those products range from electronic security and alarm monitoring to fire-fighting equipment and breathing apparatus, and from water purification and flow control solutions to galvanized steel tubes and armored wire and cable. Tyco International is composed of five business segments: ADT Worldwide, Fire Protection Services, Safety Products, Flow Control Electrical & Metal Products. |
|
www.tyco.com | |
 |
Unilever is a multi-local multinational with consumers, employees, business partners and shareholders on every continent. It makes and sells brands. The Unilever Group consists of Unilever N.V. in the Netherlands and Unilever PLC in the UK and has two divisions – Foods (including frozen foods) and Home & Personal Care. |
|
www.unilever.com | |
| OUR VIP MEMBERS: Adecco – Amgen – APCO Worldwide – Areva – BP Europe – BT Group – Cargill – Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen and Hamilton – Confederation of Food & Drink Industries of the EU (CIAA) – CropLife International – Deutsche Post DHL – Dow – Embassy of Qatar to Belgium – EUnited – European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) – ExxonMobil Petroleum and Chemical – Hewitt Associates – Hill & Knowlton International – Intel Corporation European Affairs Office – International Fragrance Association (IFRA) – Logos Knowledge Network – McKinsey & Company – Merifin Capital – Microsoft EMEA – Novartis – Novo Nordisk – ÖMV Aktiengesellchaft – Pfizer – Schuttelaar & Partners – Shell International – Solvay – Europe – Statoil – Suez – Telefónica – Total – The Alliance for beverage Cartons and the Environment (ACE) - The Coca-Cola Company – The McGraw-Hill Companies – Toyota Motor Europe – Tyco Safety Products – Unilever – Veve Group – Veolia Environnement – Vinyl 2010 – Volvo Group – WWF |
| |
|
|
With the support of the European Commission:
Support for bodies active at European Level
in the field of active European Citizenship |
|
|
Friends of Europe is privileged to be headquartered in and enjoy the use of one of Brussels' most prestigious architectural landmarks, the 100 year old Bibliothèque Solvay in the Parc Léopold next to the European Parliament. |
|
|
|
The building houses the Friends of Europe team and hosts almost all of the think-tank's events in Brussels.
|
|
Understanding China is a three year business dialogue on the challenges and opportunities related to China. It is an important source of information on the world’s most populated market, and is a key resource for business representatives to ‘know before they go’. Implemented by EUROCHAMBRES and Friends of Europe amongst others, the European Commission-funded programme also includes the China Advisory Council - a group of 17 China experts providing policy recommendations to the European Commission.
|
|
Giles Merritt, Secretary General of Friends of Europe:
It’s becoming clear that the Greek debt crisis and the troubled outlook for the eurozone and all the EU offers an unhappy glimpse into Europe’s future...
|
|
|
02/03/2010
Read more
|
|
The Only EU-wide Policy Journal
|
|
|
|
How governments should compensate for defence spending cuts
Many European governments cut their defence budgets last year, intensifying fears that the EU’s military outreach, and thus the goals of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), will be seriously weakened. The European Defence Agency’s Dick Zandee puts his case for a European approach to defence cooperation.
|
|
The climate challenge now offers the EU a global role
With so much of the climate change agenda linked to development aid priorities, Steen Gade, chair of the Danish Folketing’s environment committee, sets out his vision of an EU action plan
|
|
It's high time the EU and NATO worked shoulder to shoulder
Afghanistan and Kosovo are worrying examples of the inefficiencies created by the impasse in relations between the EU and NATO. Soren Gade Jensen, Denmark’s Defence Minister, makes the case for improved cooperation between the two, leading to a more effective and comprehensive approach
|
|
How the rich OECD nations should handle the emerging giants
A new world is dawning, warns Patrick Messerlin, in which the comfortable certainties enjoyed for so long by the world’s industrialised countries are to be challenged by the emerging economies. The answer should be to improve their own governance and to lead by example
|
 subscribe to the RSS feed
|
|
www.securitydefenceagenda.org |
|
Our sister think-tank, the Security and Defence Agenda (SDA), is Brussels' leading think-tank on security and defence issues, and aims to raise awareness of how EU and NATO policies can complement each other. |
|