Demystifying Russian security engagement in the Sahel: Can Europe fill the emerging security vacuum?

28 February 2023 - European Parliament - Follow the link to register.

The Youth Action Plan in EU external action – a new era of global youth empowerment?

By Theresa Rohrhirsch and Janne Leino

On the 12th of December the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Multinational Development Policy Dialogue (KAS MDPD) organised discussion round titled "The Youth Action Plan in EU external action – a new era of global youth empowerment?". Invited speakers from the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Youth Sounding Board (YSB) of the European Commission Directorate General for International Partnerships and the African Union (AU) Diaspora Youth Initiative discussed how the new "Youth Action Plan in EU external action" (YAP) published by the EU Commission could strengthen global youth engagement.

European knowledge pool - is it leaking?

Event Report - Monday, 26 September 2022 - Brussels, Belgium

Event report - Authors: Theresa Rohrhirsch, Janne Leino.

Young Voices: European Engagement and the EU's Image

Policy Workshop

15. July 2022 - (CEST) - KAS MDPD is hosting a closed-door policy workshop with youth representatives and EU decision makers on the future of EU's youth engagement. Take a look at the program and apply to participate!

"China’s and Russia’s Security Engagement in Central Asia - Suggestions for a European Response"

Authors: Constantin Knuhr, Janne Leino (KAS MDPD Brussels).

In cooperation with the European Neighbourhood Council (ENC), KAS MDPD organized a closed-door, Chatham House rules background talk “China´s and Russia's Security Engagement in Central Asia – Suggestions for a European Response”. The event was hosted by the EPP Group Coordinator for Foreign Affairs MEP Michael Gahler (DE) and brought together around 35 experts from the institutions of the European Union, NATO, academia, and the think tank sector.

Global Business Perspectives on the EU Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence

Business Dialogue for Sustainability

In February 2022, the European Commission published its proposal for a Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDDD). The directive aims to prescribe large companies and smaller companies in high-risk sectors to carry out human rights and environmental due diligence in their business operations, as well as in their subsidiaries and in global value chains.

China's security cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean: Implications for Europe

Brussels, Belgium - Wednesday, 11 May 2022

On the 11th of May 2022 the Multinational Development Policy Dialogue (MDPD) Brussels of the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation in cooperation with the European People´s Party (EPP) and MEP Javier Zarzalejos organized a closed-door Chatham House rules Expert Exchange on the topic of “China´s security cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean: Implications for Europe”. The event brought together around 25 experts, policy makers and academics working on the topic to openly discuss the challenges the European Union faces through China´s rising influence in the region.

Perspectives on Southeast Asia

China's Security and Defence Cooperation in Southeast Asia and possible German and European responses

On January 18th, 2022, the KAS Department Asia and the Pacific (Berlin) and KAS Multinational Development Policy Dialogue (KAS MDPD) in Brussels co-hosted a closed-door online event dedicated to discuss China´s security and defence cooperation in Southeast Asia (SEA) as well as the new German governments policy towards the region.

Advancing the accountability of the judiciary and justice for women in Indonesia

What role for the EU?

Access to effective and fair justice systems is essential for addressing the root causes of inequality and for contributing to shared prosperity. Democracy, sustainable development, peace and stability are all dependent on the accountability, transparency and credibility of justice systems and the access to justice for all citizens. Yet, women often face various difficulties and barriers in accessing justice. It is therefore crucial to make justice systems more gender-responsive by enhancing women’s admittance to justice and improving the quality of legal representation provided to women.

Parliaments during the Covid-19 Pandemic: Involved adequately or by passed by the executive?

Case Studies from India and the Philippines

For more than 2 years, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has affected lives in almost every country on earth. Governments around the world have taken measures to prevent the spread of infection. Some of these measures, such as (in)travel restrictions, bans on public gatherings or curfews, triggered intense controversy because they amounted to restrictions on basic civil and political liberties as laid down in numerous constitutions. With regard to parliaments as the most important institution of representative democracy, the first question asked was whether parliamentary functions and parliamentary procedures were affected by the pandemic. Fears were also expressed that at least some governments might use the corona pandemic as an opportunity to restrict fundamental rights or to change the system of separation of powers in their favor. It is true that crises are generally regarded as "moments for the executive" because it has the necessary resources to deal with crises and the public rightly expects governments to solve problems. Nevertheless, since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been global concern that the executive branch of some countries might abuse the pandemic to expand its own powers at the expense of parliament and other constitutional bodies.