babelblogs | cafebabel.com

A brief guide: EU-China Summit on Valentine's Day, 2012

Nabeelah Shabbir — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:24:16 -0000

cafebabel.com director in French radio interview about 'Germanophobia'

Nabeelah Shabbir — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:39:35 -0000

'Multiculturalism on the ground' - write for us from Seville, 15-18 March 2012

Agata Jaskot — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:14:11 -0000

cafebabel.com London is back - and supporting the British media's 'safer cycling campaign'

Nabeelah Shabbir — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:33:48 -0000

Into the white

enisa bajrami — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:52:31 -0000

Në të bardhë

enisa bajrami — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:46:22 -0000

Make the best choices for your future: studies and career advice at the EU Studies Fair this week!

blog Bruxelles — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:19:37 -0000

Theatra – a quest for fresh, high quality, independent artistic expression

Antoaneta Ivanova — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:29:23 -0000

No gashes in the Hofburg!

Claudia — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:45:59 -0000

A bitterly cold night on the 27th of January saw thousands of people to gather to protest against the annual WKR Ball. Why demonstrate against a ball you ask? What’s wrong with a bunch of people not being able to waltz and wearing uncomfortable clothes?

The Acronyms of Pragmatism

Daniel Tkatch — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:00:35 -0000

Is the new Treaty really sustainable?

Rose Kelleher — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:19:59 -0000

By Cristina Mariani Analysis: 25 Member States agreed on the new Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union. Is it sustainable?

A nowadays Student !

enisa bajrami — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:31:01 -0000

Ushqim Tradicional nga Maqedonia !

enisa bajrami — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:13:27 -0000

Skopje's playground !

enisa bajrami — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:19:25 -0000

The newest University of Macedonia- State University of Tetovo

enisa bajrami — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:12:49 -0000

Les orientations de la politique commerciale extérieure de l'Union Européenne et leurs effets sur le marché européen du travail dans le contexte de la mondialisation

iuliagheorghe — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 12:57:56 -0000

Danes use their bike as others use their vacuum cleaner

Linda Krajcso — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:26:45 -0000

From 1 January to 30 June 2012 Denmark holds the six-month rotating presidency of the European Union for the seventh time since joining the European community. In Budapest, the European Point information center’s programmes provided great opportunities in January to get to know the culture of the country. We could get informed about a special Danish high school (called folk high school or Folkehøjskole), we could assist a Danish film evening, and at the end of the month, favoring the very young generation, Danish Children’s Day was celebrated.

Those who visited the lecture 'Copenhagen by bike' on 12 January, could learn a lot about the Danish transportation system. Beyond discovering the 'City of Cyclists', we could also see the photo exhibition of Cycle Chic founder, Mikael Colville-Andersen. After the opening speech by Tamás Szűcs, head of the The European Commission Representation in Hungary, Hanne Tornøe, head of the Danish Cultural Institute in Budapest said some words about the biking culture in Copenhagen. It was followed by short presentations given by János László, president of the Hungarian Bicycle Club and Péter Dalos, traffic engineer at Danish origin architecture company, COWI. While various statistics were reported, the audience could draw obvious parallels between the biking life of Copenhagen and Budapest.

Happy birthday everyone! cafebabel.com is 11 years old on 1 February 2012

ovidiu tataru — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:22:38 -0000

Monti: “From now on, the EU sits on a rock”

Rose Kelleher — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:11:06 -0000

By Matteo Adduci

Presenting the freshly reached agreement on a fiscal pact ratified by 25 EU member states (everyone except the UK – same old story - and the Czech Republic – due to “different problems in relation to the possible adoption of the agreement”), Italian PM Mario Monti stated that Italy had had significant impact in the achievement of this “very good and successful result”.

Fashion-forward female leaders to make it right

Rose Kelleher — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:13:40 -0000

By Cristina Mariani

‘I am here with my little bag to collect a bit of money’ said IMF head Christine Lagarde in Davos recently, proferring her big LV handbag. It's big, but is it big enough? And is anyone going to offer to fill it for her?

My name is Martin Schulz, “Guardian of the European Union”

Dominique — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:57:06 -0000

By Matteo Adduci
Photo by Davide Martinotti

Youth employment pivotal to growth

Rose Kelleher — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:57:11 -0000

By Julie Kavanagh

The Party of European Socialists have dismissed as ¨empty proposals¨ a new EU draft paper detailling measures to tackle youth unemployment. With the issue expected to be high on the agenda at today´s informal summit, politicians and policy-makers alike are eager to emphasise youth employment as pivotal to growth.

Brussels Summit starts as Belgian strike action continues

Dominique — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:26:47 -0000

By Julie Kavanagh
Photo by Davide Martinotti

Today´s general strike in Belgium has seen transport ground to a standstill, but the European quarter of Brussels remains a hive of activity as the latest EU summit kicks off.

It's Not All Bad News From Greece

Elina Makri — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:36:10 -0000

'Europe's painful fight against Asia' - British prime minister quoted in Polish newspaper

Nabeelah Shabbir — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:00:11 -0000

Budapest: Another successful art center must leave its place due to political decisions

Linda Krajcso — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:38:06 -0000

After Trafó and Tűzraktér, Gödör must also go

On January 17, 2012 the management of the popular club in the heart of Budapest, Gödör, was informed about the rejection of their previously submitted plans and proposals, and they were also told to leave the territory of the Cultural Center and Park of Erzsébet Square on 1st of February 2012. From February on, the Cultural Center will be managed together with the neighboring Design Terminál as a common economic asset, and the Terminál will be responsible for the daily programs of both places. After Trafó and Tűzraktér, another successful art center must leave its previous place due to political decisions.

The Cultural Center and Park of Erzsébet Square has been hosting Gödör Club since 2002. The construction of Erzsébet Square started according to the plans submitted by the club-owner architecture firm, UNI-CO in 2000, but even until now, only the first phase of construction has been finished, the second phase is planned to be finished by 2013. The management of Gödör Club kept on submitting complex tenders for investments and operations, and they stated to the Trustee of the Hungarian Ministry of Administration and Justice that if they were forced to leave, they would need at least three months for the relocation. If so, they asked to be allowed to operate at least until 31st March, and to organize a farewell festival together with the new operators.

Welcome to Macedonia

enisa bajrami — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:56:49 -0000

26:1 – A fiscal Union in the European

kit — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:04:44 -0000

By Hans Mund

Two figures of the Eurozone safer team: Van Rompuy and Italien's Prime Minister Mario Monti

The coming week that starts on Monday 23rd, can be considered as the kick-off for the year 2012 when it comes to EU politics. It will be the first real working week of the Danish Presidency. It is the start of the last 6 months of the first permanent Council Presidency of Herman van Rompuy. It started with the meeting of the Finance Ministers of the Eurogroup members last Monday, the financial compact drafted and released by Van Rompuy, was discussed. For the Danish presidency, it will be the first test in acting as “the bridge over troubled water”; in itself, it is not a member of the Eurozone , but Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt and her Minister for European Affairs Nicolai Wammen are aware of what is ahead of them and intend on getting a solution soon.

Board profiles

Claudia — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:25:08 -0000

On August , 30th Babel Wien elected its new board. New positions were created in order to allow a better division of labour. Below you will find the are brief presentations of the new board members:

What 2012 will bring

Claudia — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:17:01 -0000

A new year begins, and how best to start off the new year than with a “what will happen in 2012” article! Below you will find Cafe Babel’s predictions for 2012, from politics, to fashion to, errm politics again! Enjoy.

YoungPress eu. – Youth Ideas for Progressive Journalism

Antoaneta Ivanova — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:46:02 -0000

ZDENA PISKER: PAINTING WITH AN IRON INSTEAD OF A BRUSH

bbecares — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:05:05 -0000

Berlinale: The official selection is almost complete, with seven new arrivals

valerio caruso — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:43:29 -0000

Zentropa examines fraud and corruption within EU in Euro-noir series Babylon

valerio caruso — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:38:56 -0000

McAvoy, Bell, Broadbent wallow in Filth

valerio caruso — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:34:19 -0000

Melding Stories | Every Given Night in Athens…

Elina Makri — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 10:56:33 -0000

National Museum in Sarajevo close to closure

Aldin Kameric — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:23:48 -0000

Journalists! Photographers! Recruiting 'Orient Express Reporters II' for 8 European/ Balkan/ Turkish cities

ovidiu tataru — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:41:42 -0000

Europe Past Forward video challenge

Mana Livardjani — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:59:52 -0000

'There is a platform encouraging public health dialogue between Asia and Europe'

Nabeelah Shabbir — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:48:47 -0000

'For the first time in the history of the Philippines...' Peachy impeachment in Manila

Nabeelah Shabbir — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:08:30 -0000

Piyush Mistry: From India with Love

Lilian Maria Pithan — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 05:51:50 -0000

cafebabel.com, ‘intercultural innovation’ prize-winner thanks to UN Alliance of Civilisation and BMW group

Nabeelah Shabbir — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:56:22 -0000

Berlin announces 10 more Golden Bear contenders, including some prestigious names

valerio caruso — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:19:29 -0000

End Game Approaches on Nuclear Iran

Ari Rusila — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:28:22 -0000

Red sludge still threatens

Andras Szirko — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:01:21 -0000

Greenpeace: the reservoir of Almásfüzitő leaks

More than one year had passed since the red sludge catastrophe in Kolontár. On the 4th of October 2010 the dike of the red sludge reservoir between Kolontár and Ajka ruptured and more than half a million cubic metres of toxic waste spread across the area. The highly alkaline, corrosive liquid caused serious damages in three villages: Kolontár, Devecser and Somlóvásárhely. Since then new houses have been built but the environment is still not recovered from the contamination. The media and certain NGOs started to deal with the case of the red sludge reservoir of Almásfüzitő and the risks it poses after the tragedy in Ajka. We asked Gergely Simon the chemicals expert of Greenpeace Hungary about the problems and dangers of the reservoir.

Cafebabel: First we should talk about what happened in Kolontár. What has changed over the last year? Is the red sludge completely transferred?

Gergely Simon: The contamination is mostly removed. Few months ago when Greenpeace carried out measurements there, we found some the toxic metals in the soil which can be the consequence of the red sludge contamination, but they were below the threshold limit value. The current problem is that the factory lets out the liquid that used to be on top of the reservoir. Although it is neutralized, its salt content is still high. Furthermore its molybdenum content is also very high and every now and then it contains other toxic materials too. The problem is that instead of obliging them to pay an indemnity, the authorities raise the threshold limit values so that the recorded values can not be regarded as contamination. It is not good either when the contaminating material is let out on occasional permissions, nor is it better when cement is mixed with the red sludge, mainly because it is a bit inexperienced method and threatens to pose more risks. On the whole, we can say that the cleaning of the area has been carried out properly but the spending of the 15 billion Hungarian Forints meant to cover the restoration raises another issue. Even the Members of the Parliament would like to know that in detail.

Southern Philippines storm: two sources to check for information

Nabeelah Shabbir — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:47:35 -0000

We belong here?

Linda Krajcso — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:26:23 -0000

Last December the Hungarian government put out a new campaign video about youth and Hungary with the title Minden ideköt (We belong here). I had rarely seen so many dislikes on Youtube before! The video was made in accordance with the latest trends but in the end it didn’t work out as wanted. It is no coincidence.

The Hungarian Ministry of National Rescources and the Ministry of Justice and Administration ordered this video as a trailer for their project 'For the Future of the New Generation', having just started in January of 2012. It is okay that they wanted to show the government’s Christian values to the youth in a more simple way, but it doesn’t show the real problems of this generation. The purpose of the video is to keep the youth in Hungary. But the young Hungarians are not staying here or moving abroad for partying or finding a partner. They can have these almost everywhere. They simply want to make a good living, which is sometimes very hard in Hungary for a young entrant. And the short movie doesn’t speak about how the shown young couple makes money or has success in their studies in a way that makes them stay in Hungary.

Wonderland: The ABC of this year’s travels

Daiva Repečkaitė — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 13:19:14 -0000

Cross-posted from DaivaRepeckaite.com - you can comment there.

I found a fun questionnaire on this blog and decided to use it to ‘close’ 2011 on Wonderland. This year was exceptionally full of travelling, for which I feel grateful. I went somewhere almost every month. I visited 3 continents, 12 countries (6 of them – for the first time) and 21 cities. True, I didn’t blog on Wonderland much, as there were so many things to do and so much to share on my Lithuanian blog. The loss of the possibility to interact with my readers on Cafe Babel blogs was also very discouraging, and this is why I started cross-posting. Anyway, let’s hope the next year will be equally interesting and less busy.

'Asian countries train twice as many scientists compared to European member states, and three times as many engineers'

Nabeelah Shabbir — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 17:34:13 -0000