GLOBSEC Weekly Roundup – Tourism, German Presidency and New Alliance for Healthy Infosphere
Europe reopening its external borders on 1 July has been the talk of the past few days. EU Member States hope this move will help pump cash into the sectors hardest hit by COVID-19 – hospitality and tourism.
How will this endeavour pan out? Will people be not afraid to travel? What changes will the industry have to endure? Could the unknown, once the main driver of excitement, adventure and exploration of new countries, prove to be a setback this time?
Apart from the EU’s efforts to reinvigorate tourism, the EU’s agenda is still centred around other hot topics - the boost of its economy following the EU Recovery Plan, the Multiannual Financial Framework, European strategic autonomy in the fields of defence and economy. Next week, French Minister of State for European Affairs Amélie de Montchalin and Slovak State Secretary for European Affairs Martin Klus will reflect on these topics, sharing French and Slovak perspectives and priorities, respectively, in an online event jointly organized by GLOBSEC and Austro-French Centre for Rapprochement in Europe.
The lack of operational transparency among digital platforms, the uncontrollable spread of malign content has prompted GLOBSEC’s Democracy and Resilience Programme to launch a new initiative Alliance for Healthy Infosphere. Together with experts from other think tanks, civil societies and private sector, the initiative will address the issues of the digital space on a European level, providing research-based recommendations for the ongoing discussion about the digital services policy.
On 1 July Germany assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. In the light of the corona pandemic, Germany will have to undertake a Sisyphean task to get the EU back on track. Alena Kudzko, Director of the GLOBSEC Policy Institute reflects on how Slovakia could become an important player in the building of a new Europe, while at the same time strengthening its economic and political ties with one of its key partners, Germany.
UPCOMING WEBINARS
Under the umbrella of #Hub4Europe, GLOBSEC organises another online discussion with the Slovak State Secretary for European Affairs Martin Klus. This time he will be joined by Amélie de Montchalin, French Minister of State for European Affairs to discuss the future course of the EU in the post-COVID-19 world.
ALLIANCE FOR HEALTHY INFOSPHERE
NEW INITIATIVE
Hate speech, disinformation, harmful narratives plague our digital space. These phenomena have a detrimental impact on democracies worldwide as they undermine trust in public institutions and contribute to the growing polarization of societies.
Together with partners in the Czech Republic and Hungary, GLOBSEC's Democracy and Resilience Programme has kick-started a new initiative which aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on European digital services policy formulation by providing quality research-based insights and recommendations. The Digital Services Act is to strengthen the single market for digital services and foster innovation and competitiveness of the European digital environment. In its feedback sent to the Commission, the Alliance reflects on the impact of the Digital Services Act.
WHAT TO WATCH
Europe (Un)Divided? Southern and CEE States' Post-Pandemic Position
Shaken out from their inexcusable lethargy and nationalist instincts, the EU Member States appear to be committed to a course defined by unity. Could Europe become the strong pillar that its neighbourhood and the post-COVID-19 global order so desperately need?
The Post-COVID-19 Challenges to the European Union
In an exclusive chat with Alexander Stubb, the Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Ivan Korčok reflects on the post-COVID-19 challenges to the European Union as seen from Slovak perspective.
Slovensko a globálne výzvy | Slovakia and Global Challenges
In cooperation with SME Daily, we’ve created a new format Slovakia and Global Challenges/Slovensko a globálne výzvy. Daniel Milo, Senior Advisor at the Democracy and Resilience Programme at GLOBSEC discussed disinformation and hybrid threats with the State Secretary for European Affairs Martin Klus. Available in Slovak only.
COOPERATIVE SECURITY INITIATIVE
By asking questions and presenting opinions of experts from different areas, Cooperative Security Initiative launched by GLOBSEC and FES ROCPE, strives to engage global citizens in shaping our common future.
Günther Baechler, Adviser and Senior Mediator to the Swiss MFA, contemplates the importance of shared values for peace & cooperation.
TIMELY & CRISPY DEBATE SHOW ON INSTAGRAM
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