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Le 11 novembre, le village de Chargé (Indre-et-Loire) a rendu hommage aux morts de la Grande Guerre, mais également à la mémoire d’un des as de Verdun, Maxime Lenoir.

Megsérült a Wizz Air légitársaság egyik repülőgépe kedden Kolozsváron, a légi jármű víztartályának feltöltése közben koccant össze a tartálykocsival. A gép Svájcba, Bázelbe indult volna. Iuliu Pop, a kolozsvári nemzetközi repülőtér műszaki igazgatója elmondta, hogy a repülőket vízzel ellátó speciáli...

Finding reliable figures on the budgets and finances of the United Nations (UN) system is not easy, unless you know where to look for them. I’ll try to present some of this below and also bring you up-to-date on my research on budgeting and resourcing in international organizations.

First, a lot of the older UN budget data has been gathered by the Global Policy Forum, especially thanks to the help of Klaus Hüfner.

On the websites of the UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (UNSCEB), basically the body where the heads of all UN agencies and body coordinate, there are all kinds of UN system financial data, including in reusable (csv) formats for the years starting in 2010. Note that this data is annual although most UN budgets are biennial or, in some cases, even longer.

The UNSCEB (and its predecessor called ACC) have also been issuing reports on the financial situation of the UN system since the early 1990s, with the oldest reports including data going back to 1983. The latest report for the budget period 2014-15 has just been published at the end of October, and the figures above are from this report.*

My own research project in which we study UN budgeting and budget administration continues. We have just published a chapter titled “Changing Budgeting Administration in International Organizations” in the edited volume “International Bureaucracy” and are working on a special issue following our workshop on “Resourcing International Organizations” here in Munich. More is to come on the United Nations in the coming weeks and months.

If you also work on budgeting of international organizations or the questions related to resource matters in the UN system, in regional organizations or in other types of IOs, you can join our panel “Budget Formulation, Budget Administration and the Politics of Resourcing International Organizations” at the ICPP in Singapur in June 2017 (deadline of the CfP is in January).

* Note that this data does not represent budgets or expenditure but revenues that include government and private voluntary contributions made to the various UN organizations. In some of them, voluntary funds make up a large chunk of the money available (e.g. ~80% in WHO). I’ve added the figures for 2014 and 2015 for the chart.

The post The budget of the United Nations (UN) system: latest figures and research appeared first on Ideas on Europe.

Húszezer lejre bírságoltak a hatóságok több útkarbantartó céget az elmúlt hétvégén. A rendőrök 14 esetben róttak ki pénzbírságot összesen 20 ezer lej értékben; Fehér, Kolozs, Maros és Suceva megyében működő cégeket büntettek. A közúti rendőrség 59 esetben a téli gumik hiánya miatt bírságolt, újabb 2...

Did you know that 16 November is the ‘International Day for Tolerance’? This year, more than ever before, let’s take a moment to contemplate.

Talk of openness and inclusion may appear quaint in a world dominated by hate and harshness. Who wants to “respect and recognise the rights and beliefs of others” – as the United Nations would like us to do on Wednesday – when there is so much fear to spread, and so many angry ‘strong’ men and women to elect?

Life is just too short to be polite. People want tough leaders, not more soppy political correctness. Let’s leave softies like Canada’s Justin Trudeau to fight injustice, oppression, racism and unfair discrimination. The rest of us have better things to do.

Actually, we don’t.

Being mean and nasty can be exhilarating for a naughty moment. There is a thrill in breaking taboos, hurling insults and breaching red lines. Building walls and fences and deporting immigrants can sound like great fun.

But the excitement won’t last. And a permanent state of hate and anger is not a recipe for societal well-being. Living together – even without ‘them’, just among ‘us’ – requires a degree of courtesy and polite interaction.

“Being mean and nasty can be exhilarating for a naughty moment… but the excitement won’t last”

Taming the demons of racism, nativism and populism unleashed by America’s president-elect Donald Trump during his election campaign – which may be cultivated over the next four years – will not be easy. But here are six ways can be done.

First, let’s remember that millions of Americans did not buy into Trump’s toxic rhetoric. While the Electoral College certainly voted for Trump, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton secured a majority of the popular vote.

In other words, those who embrace pluralism, tolerance, inclusion – and who reject the nightmare version of a new Trumpian world order – cannot be easily shunted to the side lines. Their voice will continue to count. It may become even louder.

Second, it’s more important than ever to craft an inspirational narrative to counter and outsmart Trump’s European wannabes in France, Germany and the Netherlands.

As elections in these and other countries draw closer, instead of pandering to the ‘Populists International’, mainstream political parties in Europe must reach out with more conviction and passion to the majority of Europeans who believe in an open and tolerant Europe. Their voices are currently drowned out by extremists and ignored by others.

This is no time for old, wishy washy slogans and bland speeches. It’s time to fight fire with fire.

Third, underlining the principles of liberal democracy – as German Chancellor Angela Merkel did in her message of congratulations to Trump – is a good first step. But it will mean very little unless EU leaders take tougher action against those inside the EU – including Hungary’s Viktor Orban and the Polish government – who violate these very values.

Fourth, even as they lecture Trump, Russia’s Vladimir Putin or Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on human rights, EU leaders should make sure that they practice what they preach at home and that their own treatment of minorities – as well as migrants and refugees – is above reproach. For the moment, it isn’t.

“Not so long ago racism and discrimination in Europe led to wide-spread devastation, death and destruction – history should not be allowed to repeat itself”

Fifth, even seemingly small things matter. Christmas traditions like ‘Black Pete’ in the Netherlands may seem harmless to white Dutch people but they send a harmful message of exclusion to the country’s many black citizens.

Offensive language, of the kind European Commissioner Gunter Oettinger used recently when speaking of his Chinese counterparts, sends the wrong message to European citizens and a watching world.

Last, let’s debate and discuss the reasons for Trump’s success, the rise of populists, the flaws of liberal democrats and the pros and cons of globalisation. As with Brexit, there are important topics to analyse and reflected upon.

For the moment, the killing fields of the 21st century happen to be far away, in Afghanistan, Africa and the Middle East. But not so long ago it was here in Europe that racism and discrimination led to wide-spread devastation, death and destruction.

History should not be allowed to repeat itself.

 

Related content

• Friends of Europe: Report – Islam and the challenge of Muslim democrats
• Europe’s World: Throwing money at failing states isn’t working
• Debating Europe: Changing the Politics of Fear – new series

 IMAGE CREDIT: CC / FLICKR – Alexandros Plakidas

The post A good moment to reflect on tolerance appeared first on Europe’s World.

Génmódosított terményekkel vészelnék át a szárazságot. Többek szerint ez a megoldás csak a nagyvállalatokon segít, a kis farmereken nem.

In 2015 the global community committed itself to an ambitious programme of reform. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and implementing the resolutions of the Paris climate conference require that great efforts are made – including those of a financial nature. Many states will have to ensure that untapped or barely used sources of income are developed.
Sub-national units such as provinces, departments, districts, and cities will play an increasing role in the mobilisation of public revenues. They are also in the forefront with regard to realisation of the global reform agenda, as many of the objectives concern classic areas of activity of local government: schools, basic medical care, local road construction, public transport, construction of social housing, the supply of drinking water and disposal of waste water, refuse collection etc. These services are already the responsibility or co-responsibility of sub-national units.
The mobilisation of revenues at sub-national level is therefore not only a financial necessity, it is also prudent from a development policy perspective: if the users and funders of a good match, there is a greater likelihood that the preferences of citizens will be observed and the use of funds monitored. In addition, local taxes and levies are often paid by a broad circle of citizens and companies. This serves to strengthen the relationship between governments and the governed.
One thing should be clear in this: although many countries will exploit the scope for collecting local taxes and levies in the future, this potential is nevertheless limited. Many sub-national units will remain dependent on transfer payments from the central state. Cities, districts and the middle tier cannot solve the funding problem of the states on their own. However, they can help to place the provision of public services on a broader foundation of legitimacy and, in co-operation with the national level – for example via the exchange of information – improve fiscal policy as a whole. Consequently, they also contribute to overcoming problems of fragile statehood.

Die EU will mit der Nato enger zusammenarbeiten.

Exclusif. Tout en affirmant tirer l’ambition climatique vers le haut à Marrakech, l’Union européenne est en train de préparer une législation énergétique qui pourrait subventionner de nouvelles centrales à charbon et en affaiblir les renouvelables en Europe.

BUSH, c’est un nouveau festival qui vient de voir le jour et qui se déroulera de jeudi 16 à samedi 19 novembre dans la capitale de la Hongrie. Des musiciens venus de toute l’Europe centrale et orientale y seront !

En fait, il s’agit d’un « showcase festival », où les professionnels de la scène musicale viennent faire leurs emplettes lors de conférences et de concerts : les programmateurs, les clubs, les maisons de disque….

Mais pour le public, c’est l’occasion de découvrir des groupes triés sur le volet, une sélection des groupes les plus prometteurs de toute la région, de la Baltique aux Balkans.

Les concerts publics seront mercredi, jeudi et vendredi soir dans quatre clubs connus de Budapest : A38, Gozsdu Manó Klub (GMK), Gödör et Kuplung.

Il y aura au total 25 groupes issus de 13 pays ! Côté hongrois, notons les biens connus Volkova Sisters et Fran Palermo. Golan et Otherside feront le voyage depuis la Roumanie, Jimmy Pé de Slovaquie, Mayen et Ghost of you de République tchèque, Koala Voice de Slovénie, etc. Le programme complet.

Le site officiel de BUSH et sa page facebook.

 

Une importante série de perquisitions a été menée en Allemagne ce mardi 15 novembre 2016. Quelque 190 appartements et bureaux ont été visités. Le mouvement salafiste visé a été récemment interdit. Il était dans le collimateur des autorités, soupçonné d'avoir encouragé environ 140 Allemands à rejoindre les rangs du groupe jihadiste Etat islamique en Syrie ou en Irak.

Az orosz védelmi minisztérium 35 millió rubelt irányzott elő a Posztszkriptum rendszer harci repülőgépeken történő alkalmazására. A Posztszkriptum rendszerrel nem csupán a célkörzetbe jutás, de akár a pilóta nélküli irányítás is lehetővé válik.

https://tvnewsroom.consilium.europa.eu/uploads/council-images/thumbs/uploads/council-images/remote/http_7e18a1c646f5450b9d6d-a75424f262e53e74f9539145894f4378.r8.cf3.rackcdn.com/222b505a-d19f-11e5-b6c6-bc764e08d9b2_207.74_thumb_169_1477322326_1477322326_129_97shar_c1.jpg

EU Ministers of Foreign and European Affairs meet in Brussels on 15 November 2016 to evaluate the Rule of Law mechanism, hear a presentation of the Commission's work programme for 2017 and start preparations for the December European Council.

Download this video here.

UN CHENE (Tim Crouch /Jean-Marc Lanteri)
DU 11 OCTOBRE AU 15 NOVEMBRE 20h30
Traduction et mise en scène : Jean-Marc Lanteri Avec : Marc Bertin, dans le rôle de l'hypnotiseur Et chaque soir, un acteur ou une actrice différent(e) Un spectacle de la Compagnie Bela Justic Coproduction : Centre national du Théâtre
L'hypnotiseur se présente au public, présente son numéro : pour déployer son dispositif, il lui faut un partenaire, homme ou femme, qui lui donne la réplique, sans rien savoir au départ de la (...)

Karim Wade, le fils de l'ancien président sénégalais Abdoulaye Wade, condamné pour enrichissement illicite, subit-il un exil forcé après la grâce accordée par le nouveau président Macky Sall ? France 24 recueilli la réaction des deux parties à Dakar.

At the EDA ministerial Steering Board which met this Tuesday morning (15 November) under the chairmanship of HR/VP Federica Mogherini in her capacity as Head of the Agency, Defence Ministers tasked EDA to review the Capability Development Plan (CDP), approved the 2017 general budget and agreed to set up a working group to study the potential creation of a Cooperative Financial Mechanism.

Ministers agreed to the review of the Capability Development Plan (CDP), to improve the capability development process by taking into account R&T and industrial aspects, and tasked the EDA to present a new set of EU priorities for military capability development for Steering Board adoption by spring 2018.

The CDP review is a key element of the new EU Global Strategy (EUGS) which states that, in order to match the level of ambition set out in the strategy, Member States will need high-end military capabilities, i.e. full-spectrum land, air, space and maritime capabilities, including strategic enablers. The CDP serves as a reference for national capability planning by informing Member States about capability requirements over time, identifying areas for capability improvements and translating capability priorities into concrete collaborative programmes.

 

EDA 2017 budget: first increase since 2010

Ministers approved EDA’s general budget for 2017: €31 million compared to €30.5 million in 2016.

 

Cooperative Financial Mechanism (CFM)

Ministers were presented with EDA proposals for the potential establishment of a ‘Cooperative Financial Mechanism’ (CFM) the objective of which would be to overcome the lack of budgetary synchronisation between Member States and the problems that this causes for the launch of cooperative defence cooperation projects.

They agreed to set up a working group within EDA in view of submitting a legal and financial package and associated recommendations in spring 2017.

Experience has shown that one of the key factors that block or hinder cooperation is budget asymmetry or lack of synchronisation of budget availability. A potential Cooperative Financial Mechanism could alleviate this challenge by supporting the launch of projects (R&T, capability development). It would potentially incentivise cooperation by tackling the problem of absence of budgetary synchronisation, but also increasing the availability of common resources/ring-fencing budgets allocated to cooperation.

The CFM will have to respect the budgetary specialty principle as expressed in the national budgetary laws and ensure that Member States keep full control of their resources and on the use of the mechanism. These aspects will be dealt with in the EDA working group.

 

Implementation of EDA key taskings

Ministers welcomed the progress made on the implementation of the Agency’s ‘key taskings’ in the various capability programmes and the work carried out in relation to the Preparatory Action, and were briefed on the planned next steps, notably in the context of the taskings that emerge from the Council conclusions adopted yesterday (14 November) on implementing the EUGS in the area of Security and Defence.

The EDA was invited to develop a structured dialogue with industry, including not only prime companies but also national defence industry associations (NDIAs) and SMEs from Member States, in support of Key Strategic Activities (KSA) the first five test cases for which have also been welcomed.

More information:

• Council conclusions on implementing the EU global strategy in the area of security and defence (adopted on 14 November 2016)

Der Rat hat am 14. November 2016 einstimmig Einigung über die zulässigen Gesamtfangmengen (TAC) und Quoten für Tiefseebestände in den EU-Gewässern und internationalen Gewässern des Nordostatlantiks für 2017 und 2018 erzielt. Die davon betroffenen Fischbestände sind Tiefseehaie, Schwarzer Degenfisch, Rundnasen-Grenadier und Nordatlantik-Grenadier, Kaiserbarsch, Rote Fleckbrasse und Gabeldorsch.

Angesichts der Empfindlichkeit der Tiefseearten, und um ihre Überfischung zu vermeiden, hat der Rat beschlossen, die TAC für die allermeisten Bestände zu verringern.

"Mit der heutigen Entscheidung haben wir weitere Fortschritte hin zu einer nachhaltigen Bewirtschaftung der Tiefseebestände erzielt. In den nächsten beiden Jahren müssen die Fangmengen für einige Arten verringert werden, damit sichergestellt ist, dass die Bestände sich erneuern können und längerfristig nachhaltig befischt werden können. Dies ist eine grundlegende Investition in die Gesundheit unserer Meere und in die Zukunft unserer Fischerinnen und Fischer".

Gabriela Matečná, Ministerin für Landwirtschaft und Entwicklung des ländlichen Raums der Slowakei und Präsidentin des Rates
Weiteres Vorgehen

Dieser Punkt wird nach der Überarbeitung des Rechtsakts durch die Rechts- und Sprachsachverständigen als A-Punkt in die Tagesordnung für eine der nächsten Ratstagungen aufgenommen. Die Verordnung gilt ab dem 1. Januar 2017.

Hintergrund

Mit der vorgeschlagenen Verordnung über die Fangmöglichkeiten für bestimmte Bestände von Tiefseearten (siehe nachstehenden Link zum Kommissionsvorschlag) werden die Fangbeschränkungen für die Fischereiflotten der EU in Bezug auf die kommerziell wichtigsten Tiefseearten in den Unionsgewässern und internationalen Gewässern des Nordostatlantiks festgelegt.

Bestände von Tiefseearten sind Bestände, die in Gewässern außerhalb der Hauptfanggründe der Festlandsockel gefangen werden. Sie machen etwa 1 % aller Fänge im Nordostatlantik aus.

Die Befischung von Tiefseearten wird von der EU seit 2003 durch zulässige Gesamtfangmengen (TAC) für die verschiedenen Arten und Gebiete und durch den höchstzulässigen Fischereiaufwand im Nordostatlantik geregelt. Die Fangmöglichkeiten für Tiefseearten werden gemäß der Verordnung (EU) Nr. 1380/2013 über die reformierte Gemeinsame Fischereipolitik (GFP) alle zwei Jahre auf der Grundlage wissenschaftlicher Gutachten beschlossen.

Die wissenschaftlichen Gutachten werden vom Internationalen Rat für Meeresforschung (ICES) bereitgestellt, der sein jüngstes Gutachten über die biologische Lage der Bestände von Tiefseearten im Juni 2016 veröffentlicht hat.

Elemente des Vorschlags beruhen auch auf einer eingehenden Prüfung durch den Wissenschafts-, Technik- und Wirtschaftsausschuss für die Fischerei (STECF) vom Juli 2016.

Im Rahmen der reformierten GFP sollten die Fangmöglichkeiten auch im Einklang mit dem Vorsorgeprinzip festgelegt werden und auf die Wiederherstellung und Aufrechterhaltung des höchstmöglichen Dauerertrags (MSY) abzielen.

Gemäß Artikel 43 Absatz 3 des Vertrags über die Arbeitsweise der Europäischen Union (AEUV) erlässt der Rat Maßnahmen zur Festsetzung und Aufteilung der Fangmöglichkeiten im Rahmen der GFP.

Flüchtlinge und Migranten, darunter Kinder und Schwangere, erhalten in Europa oft nur eingeschränkten Zugang zur Gesundheitsversorgung.

C’est la première étape de son dernier voyage en Europe. Barack Obama est arrivé ce mardi matin en Grèce pour y rencontrer le président Prokopis Pavlopoulos, puis le Premier ministre Alexis Tsipras un peu plus tard. A l'issue de leurs premiers entretiens, les deux présidents ont pris la parole.