By Dan Jørgensen MEP, Vice Chair in the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
The Baltic region has potential to become a leader of green growth if the region increases cross border co-operation. …
By Maxime Verhagen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation of the Netherlands
As the European debt crisis deepens, economic growth is stagnating and every European is suffering the consequences of budget cuts. Across Europe, politicians, businesspeople and ordinary citizens are calling for measures to stimulate growth. I hear the same calls from European colleagues, MEPs and Commissioners. They are right. Now is the time for Europe to act for growth. Read the full story »
By Dr Henk Overbeek, Professor of International Relations, VU University, Amsterdam
On April 21st the Liberty Party (PVV) of Geert Wilders blew up negotiations with the Liberals (VVD) and the Christian Democrats (CDA) which had been dragging on for seven weeks, about a draft 2013 budget that would stay within the strict European 3% deficit maximum. The Netherlands, once known for its political stability, saw its sixth consecutive coalition cabinet fall prematurely this millennium, and is facing new elections on September 12th. VVD and CDA bear a heavy responsibility for the situation in which they have manoeuvred the country. Read the full story »
By Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy MEP
The recent collapse of the Dutch minority government provides the opportunity for radical reforms and restoration of the Dutch reputation. Over the past one and a half years the Netherlands changed from a progressive EU partner into an ‘awkward hardliner’. Strict immigration policies and a law-and-order agenda should now make way for European cooperation and investments in innovation, research, employment and sustainability. I believe it is time to change the turn of events. Read the full story »
By Bas Eickhout MEP
Windmills cheese and clogs: probably the first three things that pop to mind when someone thinks about the Netherlands. Not without reason of course. Windmills, and also cheese and clogs, are part of our history and tradition. For centuries the Dutch have harnessed wind power to drain water from low-lying marsh and turn it into arable land. No fewer than ten thousand windmills could be found in the Netherlands in the nineteenth century. But we seem to be falling out of love with this part of our heritage. Read the full story »
By Sir Graham Watson MEP, Editor, Government Gazette
Forged after World War II, the relationship between the European Union (EU) and the United States (US) is one of the strongest in the world. We have been united in fighting fascism, communism and building peace and prosperity in Europe. We share a commitment to democratic values of rule of law, transparency and due process. Read the full story »
By Sue McBreen
UK based global data capture specialist DRS Data Services Ltd, was delighted once again to support the 8th Africa Symposia on Statistical Development (ASSD) which took place at the end of November 2012 in Yammousoukro, capital city of the Ivory Coast Republic.
Following on from last January’s event in Cape Town, high on the agenda for discussion was processes and procedures for conducting civil registrations and vital statistics (CRVS) systems. Currently most African countries are being challenged with the inadequate nature of birth, death, marriage and divorce registrations and incomplete vital statistics that are negatively affecting development endeavours in building modern public administration, promoting decentralisation and democratisation programmes and measurement and monitoring of development initiatives, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
It is acknowledged that with the exception of two or three African countries, the coverage and accuracy of CRVS systems in Africa remains inadequate and below international standards.
DRS is able to share more than 40 years of tried and tested data capture expertise with a dedicated global team with experience of numerous national population projects worldwide, including African countries such as Nigeria, Ethiopia, Malawi and most recently Zambia.
As a trusted advisor, DRS is regularly called upon to offer advice and best practice techniques on census capture methodologies and technologies to National Statistics Offices around the world. The company is therefore pleased to be able to support the ASSD, particularly as it was widely reported that the 2nd CRVS Ministers Conference hosted in Durban recently raised the bar for international collaboration to tackle CRVS challenges.
DRS’ representative attending the November event, Gary Brighton, comments; “The ASSD has made great progress since inception and acknowledges the significant role that global partners are playing. DRS is delighted to continue to be one of these partners, for example contributing to improving population and housing censuses.”
Established in 1969, DRS has a highly respected global reputation for tried and tested large scale data capture expertise. DRS has the experience and skills, combined with proven innovative data capture methods and technology, to guide governments and organisations through processes with flexibility, efficiency and security for reliable results.
As a trusted advisor to the United Nations, DRS implements complete solutions for logistically challenging projects and in 2009 managed the Malawi census which was critical for UN funding because all feeding stations and healthcare are dependent on census results. In 2011 DRS undertook the planning and development for the process and capture of data for the 2011 Pakistan census, including the printing and delivery of over 42 million census questionnaires designed to enable the swift and accurate capture of hand-written data.
For more details visit www.drs.co.uk
By Maxime Verhagen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation of the Netherlands
As the European debt crisis deepens, economic growth is stagnating and every European is suffering the consequences of …
By Dr Henk Overbeek, Professor of International Relations, VU University, Amsterdam
On April 21st the Liberty Party (PVV) of Geert Wilders blew up negotiations with the Liberals (VVD) and the Christian Democrats (CDA) which had …
By Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy MEP
The recent collapse of the Dutch minority government provides the opportunity for radical reforms and restoration of the Dutch reputation. Over the past one and a half years the Netherlands changed …
By Bas Eickhout MEP
Windmills cheese and clogs: probably the first three things that pop to mind when someone thinks about the Netherlands. Not without reason of course. Windmills, and also cheese and clogs, are …
By Sir Graham Watson MEP, Editor, Government Gazette
Forged after World War II, the relationship between the European Union (EU) and the United States (US) is one of the strongest in the world. We …
By Tabitha Mutemi, Kenya Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s Manager for Communications and Corporate Affairs
Ghana held its sixth consecutive elections since its democratic transition in 1992 on December 7, 2012 to elect a president and …
By Dr John Coulter, Political Columnist with the Irish Daily Star and Tribune magazine
The United Kingdom could leave the European Union by default if British Prime Minister David Cameron’s proposed referendum is not decided by …
By Vangelis Agrapidis, Editorial Researcher, Government Gazette
Two elections in six months; a double test for the Venezuelan electorate and the Chavismo regime.
On 7th October 2012, the Venezuelan electorate recorded a historically high …
By Tony Munoz, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, The Maritime Executive
The European short sea shipping network has been an enormous catalyst in building the world’s most efficient and environmentally friendly transportation infrastructure over the last two decades. …
By Naeem Ahmad, Editorial Researcher, Government Gazette
Europe woke up on Wednesday, 7th November 2012 with a sense of relief. Polls conducted in many European countries in the pre-election period were constantly showing a preference for …
By Sanaullah Baloch, former senator from Balochistan
Balochistan faces a multitude of problems, including worsening human rights violations, economic stagnation, Talibanisation, sectarian targeted killings, political assassinations, abductions for ransom, mass migration, deteriorating health and education …
By Naeem Ahmad, Editorial Researcher, Government Gazette
For the most part, political instability, ascending violence, and diminished hope that Afghanistan will be able to withstand Taliban resurgence after 2014 when foreign troops withdraw, have …
By Rebecca Lowe, Senior Reporter, International Bar Association
The Taliban’s shooting of a young activist in the name of sharia law last year confirmed many people’s worst fears about the attitude of Islamists towards human rights …
By Takis Hadjigeorgiou MEP
Almost ten years since the launching of Turkey’s membership negotiations, Turkey finds itself somewhat isolated, lacking the support of some member states, which could, if granted, push the country back into the …
By Professor Dr Meltem Muftuler Bac, Professor/Jean Monnet Chair, Sabanci University
On his visit to Berlin in late October 2012, the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared that the EU needs to decide whether …
By Nikos Chrysogelos MEP, Vice-Chair, Committee on Regional Development
The Greek crisis stems from a truly unsustainable development model that was followed for decades, as well as from Eurozone’s structural problems. However, it is not …
By Minister Csaba Hende, Hungarian Minister of Defence
We often take it for granted that Europe is supposed to have a common security and defence policy. We should not forget, however, that this rather unique endeavour …
By Paulo Esteves Veríssimo, Faculty of Sciences, Lisbon University
Cloud computing is a business model that has delivered its promise, not only in cost and environmental efficiency, but also, and perhaps surprisingly, in terms of stimulating …
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