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.
