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NL Presidential elections in Taiwan: a continuation of the status quo?
On 13 January, the eyes of the world were on Taiwan. Lai Ching-te, leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) since 2023, won the election with a clear lead. The DPP is now delivering the president for the third time in a row. It is the first time in Taiwan's history that a party [...]
Max van der Stoel Foundation looks back on 2023
This week, the Max van der Stoel Foundation team looks back at 2023 - an eventful year in which democracy, human rights and international cooperation were under great pressure. Autocracy reigned supreme worldwide. In Serbia, autocrats remained in the saddle despite a combative opposition, in Tunisia, President Saied suppressed the opposition and people, [...]
UN General Assembly 2023: key talking points
Photo: Basil D Soufi Today begins the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly. During the General Assembly, world leaders from around the world gather in New York to discuss the most pressing developments facing our civilisation. The meeting gives an impression of international relations and offers [...]
Brazil: Lula beats Bolsonaro - but Bolsonaro beats the polls
Former president Luiz Inácio "Lula" da Silva is expected to have won the first round of Brazil's elections. In doing so, Lula defeated Jair Bolsonaro, the incumbent president, by more than five percentage points. However, the victory was celebrated far less euphorically than anticipated beforehand - as Bolsonaro scored well ahead of all polls up to then [...]
Pakistan is under water: hope for breakthrough at climate summit
After weeks of record high temperatures and extreme drought in spring, Pakistan was ravaged by months of extreme rainfall during the monsoon season from mid-June. In some regions, five times as much rain fell as 'normal' for this time of year. A third of the country is under water, the floods have left at least 1,500 people, at least [...]
The Afghanistan lecture: Afghan women fight for rights and equality
On the 23rd of October FMS, together with the PvdA, organised the Afghanistan lecture with as special guest Dr Massouda Jalal, former Minister of Women's Affairs. The session was focused on women's rights in Afghanistan and international solidarity.
UNited for a different migration
It's UN week in New York City! That means: Heads of State and Heads of Government from almost all the countries in the world visit New York to join the General Assembly of the UN. This 73rd session of the General Assembly opened on the 18th of September and lasts until the 5th of October. Besides everything going on in the buildings of the UN itself, there are many side events in the city. Including the "UNited for a different migration" conference, organised by the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), of which FMS is a member.
