While I was half watching his debate with Nick Clegg, half scrolling through his Wikipedia last month, I learned that Nigel Farage—2014’s very own Toad of Toad Hall—had only just turned 50. Which makes him ten months younger than Johnny …
In defence of lobbying
Five young consultants take on critics of the public-affairs profession We are young, European, and working in the ‘Brussels bubble’. Former political-science students, we chose to become public-affairs practitioners because we were passionate about politics and the prospect of a …
Life in the EU bubble
Ask British expats about Brussels life and some will admit that they don’t feel as if they live in Belgium. British newspapers are printed here and can be delivered to your door. English is the language of business, while private …
Sexism thrives in the EU bubble
It began a few years ago when I, a few years younger and somewhat naive, took up a job with the guardian of the treaties, the European Commission in all its glory. A few weeks into the job, I was …
Brussels expats: better integrated than you think
Does the image of the Brussels expatriate who lives on an elitist island actually reflect the truth? Whatever you may believe, a survey about how the international community in Brussels lives provides a more nuanced picture. Expats are greener, more …
The EU’s Tower of Babel: break it down or build it up?
One cup of coffee per EU citizen. This is a rough estimate of the translation costs of the European Parliament on a yearly basis. A small price to safeguard an important feature of democracy you might argue. The EU has …
Perspectives of separatist regions’ participation in DCFTA
Georgia’s aspiration for Europe is the link connecting the country’s long-term development with democratization, while safety and conflict regulation are the most important tasks on the way to Georgia’s European integration. Given the present political and geo-political situation, progress …
AEGEE Europe/The European Students’ Forum demands a change in the European direction
AEGEE Europe — European Students’ Forum launched the Y Vote 2014 project. Following the success of the first edition of the Y Vote Project which was aimed at raising awareness of the European elections in 2009 and increasing youth participation, the Y Vote …
Why We Need Bilderberg in Brussels
Reading the reports of the Bilderberg Group meeting last week set me thinking : we need Bilderberg in Brussels. The Bilderberg Group is the secretive annual conference of world leaders from the domains of business, politics, and finance. It met …
Previewing the 2014 European elections: ALDE’s struggle to remain Parliament’s 3rd largest group
There has been a considerable amount of discussion in the European-centric media about the battle between the European People’s Party and European Socialists to secure the largest number of seats in the European Parliament in May’s elections. Aside from …