Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit
News
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FNF Connects - One Month in Istanbul
Greta Kiss from the Brussels office of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom worked in Istanbul for five weeks as part of the "One Foundation Worldwide" programme and gained insights into the work of the team on the ground and the challenges facing Turkey, an indispensable but very challenging partner of the EU. The country was mourning thousands of losses in the earthquake of the century, and all eyes turned to the region in Southeastern Turkey. This, of course, has had a significant impact on Turkish society and also on the staff and local partners of FNF’s Istanbul office. The humanitarian disaster also has domestic implications, especially as the sad event comes at a time of planned presidential and parliamentary elections, the outcome of which is uncertain.
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Thinking about Taiwan
In a global comparison, Taiwan is one of the top countries in the freedom ranking: The island has a free press, a freely debating parliament and the rule of law prevails. But it is precisely these democratic qualities that put the country under strong pressure. Xi Jinping, for example, has sharpened his rhetoric towards Taiwan in recent years, so the possible prospect of an attempted occupation is not so far-fetched. What matters now is that Taiwan develops an intelligent and successful defence strategy to fend off a possible Chinese attack.
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From Poland with Love - February
The first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine dominated the news from Poland in February. The news of the month was clearly the visit of the US President to Poland. Meantime in Belarus, a Polish journalist who reported on the protests against Lukashenko in 2021 was imprisoned. And on a more positive note, Warsaw was named European Best Destination 2023.
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Friedrich-Naumann-Foundation opens new "Global Innovation Hub" in Taipei
On March 21st, 2023, in the presence of with Germany´s Research-Minister of Education and Research Bettina Stark-Watzinger, the Friedrich-Naumann-Foundation for Freedom opened its new „Global Innovation Hub“ in Taipei, Taiwan. The "Global Innovation Hub" will coordinate the foundation´s activities related to innovation and digitalization around the world. The "Global Innovation Hub" used to be in Hong Kong until 2020, when it was decided to close the office there due to the "National Security Law".
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"New Kids on the Block" – Farmer party wins Dutch elections
A new populist party has rocked the political landscape in the Netherlands by winning the provincial elections last Wednesday. The BoerBurgerBeweging (Farmer-Citizen Movement/BBB) won more than one in five votes nationwide, with a campaign that capitalised on rural anger at the current government’s environmental policies. The result will put pressure on the government’s ability to pass legislation, as the provincial elections determine the makeup of the Dutch Senate, and may lead to increased tensions within the four=party governing coalition.
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Circumventing Russia: Can the South Caucasus connect the West to the East?
“The South Caucasus - a region considered by its inhabitants as the center of the world and by outsiders as the edge of nowhere” goes a saying. However, the Russian war in Ukraine and the war in Nagorno-Karabakh shifted the geopolitical situation radically. The region can play a bigger role because of recent geopolitical events: the Russia-West conflict, Chinese expansion, EU energy crisis. Probably one of the biggest in the long history, if communication networks are opened: potential East-West corridor that will connect China with Europe and the South-North corridor that will connect India with Europe.
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The Foundation for Freedom in Germany and the World
Based on the principles of liberalism, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom offers political education in Germany and abroad. Our headquarter is located in Potsdam, and we maintain offices throughout Germany and in over 60 countries around the world.
With our events and publications, we help people to become actively involved in political affairs. We support talented young students with scholarships.
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Innovation and politics: an intertwined relationship
One of the goals of policymakers should be to make sure that AI is being used to correct some of the past mistakes and to avoid replicating human bias or repeating history even when historical data is skewed.
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German Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice visited Jordan and met with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation to discuss the foundation's goals and projects.
The German Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice visited Jordan and met with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation to discuss the foundation's goals and projects.
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The identity question as a sticking point
About 540,000 Montenegrin citizens are called to vote for one of the seven presidential candidates on 19 March. Incumbent Milo Djukanović wants to do it again, although he has already held this position twice. Even 17 years after the proclamation of independence, the political disputes in the capital Podgorica are marked by the question of identity: Do the country's inhabitants feel they belong to the Montenegrin or Serbian nation? Which language do the inhabitants speak - Serbian or Montenegrin? Does the Serbian or the Montenegrin Orthodox Church exercise spiritual power in Montenegro? These questions determine the political reality of the small country and have already brought down several governments.
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Diplomatic thaw between Turkey and Armenia?
Once again, two earthquakes shook the Turkish-Syrian border region yesterday, killing six people in Turkey. To ensure better care for the survivors, Turkey opened a border crossing despite deep enmity with neighbouring Armenia. Armenia was one of the first countries to send rescue teams to both Turkey and Syria. Through humanitarian cooperation, the two countries are now seeking to normalise their relations. Can a rapprochement succeed despite the disputes that have lasted for almost a century?
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EU summit on migration: far from consensus
On February 9 and 10, a special summit was held in Brussels to focus on the EU's migration policy. One of the topics at the summit was the European Union's cooperation with relevant countries of origin in joint migration management. What was not addressed was the fact that many people set out precisely because they have no legal means of entry. However, the polarizing issue that continues to divide member states became a sideshow in light of Ukrainian Prime Minister Selenskyi's visit.
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Anwar Ibrahim is finally head of government
For more than 30 years, Anwar Ibrahim fought for his political goals - and was even thrown into prison for it. He stands for multi-ethnic and progressive politics - standing up to rising Islamism and Malay ethnonationalism in the Southeast Asian country. His Justice Party is a long-standing partner of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom. Now, for the first time, the progressive politician will lead Malaysia's government. However, Anwar faces the challenge of unifying the divided country and stabilizing the stumbling economy.
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Blitz action: President Maia Sandu replaces prime minister
The Republic of Moldova has had a new head of government since Friday. This was triggered by a lightning action of the popular President Maia Sandu. In the morning, Sandu had invited the government cabinet to a meeting behind closed doors, which led to the resignation of Prime Minister Natalia Gavriliță at noon. Then, in the afternoon, the new Prime Minister Dorin Recean, former Minister of Interior (2012-2014) and until then a close confidant and advisor to the President on defense and national security, as well as Secretary of the Supreme Security Council of the Republic, was presented at the Presidential Office.
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Liberal Impulses for Europe's Future
The Treaty of Nice came into force 20 years ago today and increased the efficiency and legitimacy of the EU's bodies and prepared for the eastern and southern expansion of the EU. Today, the EU is more united than ever. But it is also facing a multitude of challenges in 2023: a war, EU membership applications, and the need to realign global supply chains. At the New Year reception of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in Brussels, Europe's liberals exchanged ideas for a future EU that is capable of action: shaping an open social market economy, fighting disinformation, redefining Europe's role in the world, and designing a future model of Europe by 2050.
