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NL Three years after 'February 24' - the crucial role of women in Ukraine
Three years after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, uncertainty remains high. Although there are talks of a possible ceasefire at the urging of Donald Trump, the war continues and the consequences remain dire. Millions of Ukrainians, both inside and outside the country, have gone through hard times. Their voices must play a central role [...]
Political Café: All Eyes on Sudan on June 26
All Eyes On Sudan A humanitarian disaster of unprecedented proportions is currently unfolding in Sudan. Two warlords are waging a bloody battle in which sexual violence, mutilation and ethnic cleansing are the order of the day. Some 25 million people are in urgent need of humanitarian aid, 9 million of whom have now fled the [...]
Elmar Smid on the barricades for the worker: "The motivation is very deep"
When you say Elmar Smid, you say 'work and income, that's really my big passion.' Because I think that's a great equaliser.' He is number 9 on the GroenLinks-PvdA list and plans to campaign fully for European workers' rights in the European Parliament. The FMS spoke [...]
EP candidate Ralph du Long on international cooperation & hope for Ukraine
Ralph du Long, number 13 on the GroenLinks-PvdA list for the 2024 European elections, is a veteran within the party. Besides his years of experience in politics in the north of the Netherlands, he has been active as a human rights trainer for 25 years and is a site manager in a crisis shelter for asylum seekers. Du Long makes [...]
In conversation with Tineke Strik on European 'cash for migrant control' deals
Photo: Tineke Strik at a European Parliament debate - X Migration remains a hot topic in political debate - both during the recent parliamentary elections and now, ahead of the European Parliament elections on 6 June. The call for control over immigration and borders is central to this. The European Union then [...]
Opinion: Exporting arms? Don't become complicit in the war in Yemen
Photo: victim of Yemen attack, 20-04-2018 - Flickr This opinion piece originally appeared in the Trouw edition of 14 May We are about to sign a treaty whereby we can no longer stop arms deliveries to Saudi Arabia, among others. Why does it remain so quiet on this, master's student in international law Maurits van Es asks [...].
After 50 years of commitment to a better world, Jan Pronk may say "Don't look away"
In journalist Ellen Mangnus' new book, she talks to Jan Pronk about politics with vision and looking through the eyes of the other. A fascinating book unfolds that is at the same time light-hearted, writes Bram van Leeuwen in this review. How do you read the title "Don't look away"? If [...]
Review of our political café on our role in European democracy & rule of law
Photo: (from left to right) Iris Vrolijks, Pieter de Wilde, Thijs Reuten, Elene Amiranashvili (FMS) On Wednesday 17 April, politically interested people gathered in Groningen for an enriching evening of debate and reflection on our role in European democracy and the rule of law. The political café provided a stage for lively discussions and deep insights, with [...]
FMS president Bert Koenders visits Prague to commemorate Van der Stoel
Exactly a week ago, the historic meeting between Max van der Stoel (1924-2011) and philosopher Jan Patočka was commemorated in Prague. During the Cold War, Van der Stoel, as Dutch foreign minister, stuck his neck out to support human rights defenders like Patočka. Our president and former foreign minister, Bert Koenders, was [...]
The ongoing struggle for women's rights in Afghanistan
Photo: Afghan women speak at the UN: "Give us a seat at the table." - Flickr Today, 8 March, we celebrate International Women's Day: a day when we honour the contributions and achievements of women, highlight their right to gender equality and reflect on the challenges they face. As the world reflects on the progress made and [...]
