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NL Thaw the frozen search for Russian property
On 4 May, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky came to the Netherlands. Besides a nice symbolic moment, the visit actually served a purpose. First, Zelensky called for the formation of a tribunal against Russian war criminals. His second request: provide more military support. The Ukrainian president has been pleading for the latter for some time and to [...]
Undertake some responsibility
Ten years ago in Bangladesh, the Rana Plaza garment factory, where major brands like Mango and Primark had their clothes made, collapsed, killing more than a thousand people. A major global shock wave full of outrage followed and the question of corporate responsibility became the focus of discussion. Since then, steps have been taken [...]
Growing shouldn't bother you so much
Last Monday, the IPCC released its latest report on the current state of the climate. A brief summary: global warming of 1.5 degrees is almost inevitable, but if drastic action is taken now, it is not too late. One of the common causes of all climate problems is our constant drive [...]
International Women's Day: International issues need female leadership
Belarusian activist Tasha Arlova gives a lecture in The Hague, 2022. Photo: FMS Today is International Women's Day. On this day, we reflect on the emancipation of women in our society, and stand in solidarity with women and other marginalised groups fighting for equal rights worldwide. International Women's Day is observed every year on 8 [...]
Resistance from the sinking island
Wherever you look, climate change is a topic that comes up everywhere. However, some countries are hit harder by its effects than others. One place where this is very evident is the small island state of Vanuatu. To hold Western countries accountable for this, a coalition of 18 countries led by [...]
Throw that development aid through the letterbox...
The Netherlands and tax haven, two words you increasingly hear in the same sentence. A total of 55 of the 100 largest companies are based in the Netherlands for tax reasons. The tax evaded by these companies through the Netherlands has many adverse effects on African countries, among others, to which the Netherlands gives development cooperation. To combat this tax evasion [...]
Building walls? Forging partnerships
It was unmissable last week: in Brussels, the heads of government of the 27 EU member states gathered for a special European Council summit. Partly at the request of the Netherlands, migration, especially asylum migration, was high on the agenda. And one of the main questions: should fences and walls along the external borders of the [...]
Call on cabinet: stop fossil industry undermining international climate summits
450 civil society organisations worldwide including 35 Dutch organisations, such as Milieudefensie, Greenpeace, Oxfam Novib, FNV, Both Ends, CARE Netherlands, Simavi and Natuur & Milieu, are sounding the alarm. We are deeply concerned about the fossil industry undermining the effectiveness and credibility of international climate negotiations. For instance, the upcoming climate summit in November will be led by [...]
More than just development cooperation: the Great Coherence Debate
On 18 January, at Nieuwspoort, the Great Coherence Debate took place. This debate was co-organised by Building Change - the partnership consisting of the FMS, Partos and Woord & Daad. It was a great success, with the hall literally bulging with interested parties. Led by our director Kido and table host Danielle Hirsch (Both Ends), [...]
Interview Policy Coherence & Circular Economy: 'Companies aren't going to do it themselves'
On 18 January, Vice Versa, Building Change and the Fair, Partos and Green and Global Alliance are organising the Great Coherence Debate together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In the run-up to it, Vice Versa is building a knowledge file with interviews and articles around the topic of policy coherence. Our colleague Anne sat down with Paul Roeland of the [...]
