History & Challenges

Ralf Fücks visited the United States in the week after the elections for talks and events in New York and Washington DC. Reflections and highlights from a nation in shock.

The world has grown more complex. We must take people’s insecurities seriously and rebuild their trust in the ability of politics to provide solutions. Openness, patience and firmness of purpose: in the fight for modern liberal democracy, this triad is our only hope.  Article by Marieluise Beck, German green politician.

Today’s central line of conflict runs between open societies and various forms of Identitarian radicalism. The challenge we face is to reconcile rapid changes in a globalized modern age with our need to belong and our need for security.

Democracy must be fought for, revitalized, and renewed. Institutions, like the Heinrich Böll Foundation, have been struggling against a significant headwind. With the publication “For democracy” and this online-dossier, we analyze the state of democracy worldwide as well as the possibilities of democracy assistance.

From China to Russia to Iran, voices questioning the universality of liberal democracy are growing louder. How confidently can and should the West stand up for democracy and human rights in the world? 

Poland has elected its new government. Not a single left-wing party has made it through the elections. Director Irene Hahn-Fuhr comments the outcome of the Polish parliamentary elections from a European perspective.

The upcoming parliamentary elections are likely to bring several changes to the Polish political scene that could visibly influence the Polish European policy. Institute of Public Affairs and Heinrich Böll Foundation are pleased to invite you to a post-election briefing.

“Are Poles good Europeans?”, “Will Poland finally return to Europe?” – these questions, as strange as they may sound to today’s readers, were seriously raised ten years ago, when Poland was about to become a member of the EU. After that decade, Poland has become a completely different country.

When trying to summarize the nature of the relationship between the EU and women's/gender groups and organisations, we form picture full of contradictory moments. There has been a fundamental shift and a raised visibility of gender equality as an issue. The NGOs accessed European finance, which enabled their professionalisation, a degree of stability and, especially, allowed them to be considered trusted entities. On the other hand, some gender topics (as well as some groups and organisations) have been marginalised. Visible and audible activism, criticism and the ability to combat issues have faded. Learn how the EU accession transformed the Czech Republic from a gender perspective.

Big Book Festival – a book lovers celebration. Two days, several thousands of readers, 150 guests, 50 events in an international company, discussions, literary walks, public readings, virtual meetings, dozens of places. From serious tone to tongue in cheek – extraordinary urban spaces, streets, authors’ private rooms. An up-to-date festival engaging its audience in literary activities. Surprising and created together. Fully open.