European Perspective Research Articles

Europe In The World Circa 2030


 
 
 
 This article will examine how several underlying evolutionary dynamics will shape the global economy, from a European perspective. The article will also discuss some areas of multilateral cooperation focusing on climate change, the pandemic preparedness, and sustainable development. At a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, international cooperation is key to avoid fragmentation and aggravating instability in the global economy.
 
 
 

Article 2 - Europe In The World Circa 2030

This article will examine how several underlying evolutionary dynamics will shape the global economy, from a European perspective. The article will also discuss some areas of multilateral cooperation focusing on climate change, the pandemic preparedness, and sustainable development. At a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, international cooperation is key to avoid fragmentation and aggravating instability in the global economy.

Green Power K/S and SCE Solar Don Benito APS v Kingdom of Spain: How EU Law Allegedly Trumps International Investment Law

The Green Power arbitral tribunal is the first tribunal ever (and so far, the only one) that accepted the EU law jurisdictional objections raised by an EU Member State. For this reason alone, this decision is historic. Instead of adopting a public international law perspective for determining the question whether it has jurisdiction, the arbitral tribunal adopted an European law perspective and therefore considered itself bound by the CJEU jurisprudence regarding Achmea and Komstroy. With its decision, which came out only a week before the Contracting Parties to the ect concluded their modernisation negotiations in which the EU and its Member States agreed to carve out the arbitration provision for intra-EU ECT disputes, the arbitral tribunal showed that it had a good sense of what was to come in any event. The consequences of all this are that European investors will be stuck with the domestic courts of the Member States and the European Court of Human Rights – with all their limitations.

New Approach to Modelling the Impact of Heavy Metals on the European Union's Water Resources.

The present research aims to address the highly topical issue of heavy metal water pollution from an integrated European perspective, i.e., to quantify through modelling a general model of water pollution reduction in the EU. The objectives of the study are mainly aimed at identifying effective solutions to reduce heavy metal water pollution and providing supranational decision-makers with public policy directions in the field. The research methods consist of the foundation of working hypotheses based on the study of the literature, the consolidation of official statistical databases in the field, econometric modelling and the conceptualisation of a general model and its testing and validation by statistical methods. The results of the analysis consist of the following marginal contributions: the identification of a general model for combating heavy metal pollution; the calculation of the degree of contribution of regional policies to the general model; and the identification of effective solutions to improve the combating of heavy metal water pollution in Europe. The main conclusion of the analysis shows that significant progress has been achieved at the EU level in the field of combating heavy metal water pollution. However, the level of disparity and poor policy coordination are real vulnerabilities for the EU.

Can the Robot be Considered a Person? The European Perspective

Technological advances are equipping robotic entities with artificial intelligence and endowed with emotional intelligence that gives them a capacity for reflection, analysis, that is closer every day to that of humans. The growing autonomy of robotic entities raises the question of legal responsibility for acts carried out by such entities at the same time as it raises the question of the status of such entities: should they be considered as persons or as things? The European Parliament adopted a resolution in 2017 that assumes that such entities could be granted the status of "electronic person". The question is how this can fit into the legal framework of the Member States of the European Community. This article proposes a first reflection on the thing-person transition of an autonomous robotic entity. The findings show that this transition is not immediate and requires both technological advances and an adjustment of the law.

The Collapse of the Gold Standard in Africa: Money and Colonialism in the Interwar Period

AbstractResearch on Africa’s monetary history has tended to focus on the imposition of colonial currencies while neglecting the monetary upheavals which faced the colonial powers after the collapse of the gold standard during World War I. Gardner profiles three crises—in The Gambia, Kenya, and Liberia—resulting from shifting exchange rates between European currencies during the 1920s and 1930s. These three cases illustrate the degree to which colonial policies struggled to keep up with the economic turmoil affecting metropolitan states and bring Africa into the story of global monetary instability during the interwar period, which is often told only from a European perspective.

Key Habitat Factors of Breeding Birds in Agricultural Hedgerow Landscapes in East-Fryslân, the Netherlands, in European Perspective – Ecological Evaluation and Relation to Agri-Environmental Schemes

Modern agricultural landscapes suffer heavily from biodiversity loss. To counter this loss, it is important to understand the key factors that affect biodiversity in these landscapes. We studied the relationships between breeding birds and the habitat characteristics of the small-scale hedgerow landscapes of East-Fryslân, The Netherlands, a typical agricultural landscape that is under pressure from upscaling and habitat degradation. We questioned whether our findings collaborate the results of hedgerow studies from other countries. We also analysed whether agri-environmental schemes were effective for breeding birds. In this study, breeding birds and fifteen habitat factors were surveyed along 170 transects in two different regions in East-Fryslân in 2018. 37 bird species were identified, of which 19 were woodland species, 18 shrub species and 7 hedgerow specialists. We found five habitat characteristics to be key factors for breeding bird numbers. Four of these factors were intrinsic factors of the hedges (i.e. shrub cover, cover of brambles and nettles, crown width, hedge width at the base) and one spatial factor (i.e. number of hedge corners within a 150-m radius, corresponding to hedge intersections). Four key factors were the same for the two regions, but effect sizes differed between factors and species groups. As proxies for habitat volume (amount of habitat), the intrinsic key factors for hedgerow breeding birds in East-Fryslân correspond to those found in Britain and Eastern Europe, despite considerable differences in botanical composition, structure and management of the hedges. In contrast to studies on British hedges, we found mainly quantitative key factors and only one qualitative factor (cover of brambles and nettles). We found one spatial key factor (hedge intersections) and no correlation of bird numbers with density of hedges in the vicinity. We discuss the ecology of the key factors with respect to food provisioning and breeding. We also conclude that agri-environmental schemes favour key habitat factors and through this shrub birds. Implications of our findings are that traditional management favours breeding birds, but also that management should partly be extensified.

Cross-comparing the Concept of “United in Diversity” as Expressed by European Capitals of Culture

ABSTRACT This paper examines the conceptualization and expression of cultural diversity and unity within the European Capitals of Culture (ECOC) initiative using a case study approach. Previous case studies have examined the impacts of the programmes from a single-city perspective and used quantitative and economic-focused approaches to evaluate impact. However, the ECOC initiative was intended to showcase the diverse cultures in Europe rather than focus on economic outcomes. A cultural discourse analysis was applied to eight winning cities between 2015 and 2019 (proceeding the onset of COVID-19) to answer the question: are ECOC focusing on expressing their national or regional diversity and identities or are they communicating a more generalized European perspective? The results showed that in the past five-year ECOCs have chosen to engage in more diverse and localized forms of cultural expression in their events, but not in their visual communications. Based on the analysis, a series of recommendations for future programme development are made (also published as a separate policy brief) to enhance ECOC’s ability to balance the communication of their diversity with their connection to Europe.

Actor Training as a Method of Directors. Training in Context of the Odin Teatret’s Creative Work and Higher Education

"In my recent research, I am interested in investigating the logic of actor training practices in different approaches, such as the training of the Odin Teatret, the Suzuki Method, or the Viewpoints technique, trying to compare them and expose the training's common logic. The present paper focuses on the analysis of training at the Odin Teatret and tries to employ a deconstructive analytical technique to analyze this training according to a straightforward set of standards: (1) From where? – the context and history of the training practicing company (2) What? – a comparison of several concepts of training (3) When? – the scheduling of training inside the companies (4) For what? – the training's objectives and the ideal actor image they create (5) How? – the training tools. To set the stage for my article, I will first define the term “training” as I use it, then I will examine Odin Teatret’s methods, and lastly, based on all of these, I will summarize the notion of training as a directing method from an Eastern European perspective. Keywords: Actor’s training, Odin Teatret, education, Eugenio Barba."

Climate mobility to Europe: The case of disaster displacement in Austrian asylum procedures

Disaster displacement is an increasing challenge in the context of climate change. However, there is a lack of research focusing on Europe as a destination area, including on the question how the normative protection gap with regard to cross-border disaster displacement is addressed from a European perspective. Against this background this article provides evidence from a European case study focusing on the role of disaster, such as droughts or floods, in asylum procedures in Austria. Based on a qualitative content analysis of 646 asylum decisions rendered by the Austrian appellate court (supplemented by qualitative interviews with relevant Austrian stakeholders), it is demonstrated that disasters are—to a certain extent—already taken into consideration in Austrian asylum procedures: impacts of disasters are not only brought forward by applicants for either leaving the country of origin or for not wanting or not being able to return. They are also increasingly discussed in the legal reasoning of judgments of the Austrian appellate court. The analysis shows that impacts of disasters play an important role mainly in decisions concerning persons from Somalia, and here primarily in the assessment of the non-refoulement principle under Article 3 ECHR and subsidiary protection. This can be regarded as a response to the protection gap—even though not necessarily applied consistently.

Scope of treatment and clinical-decision making in the older patient with COVID-19 infection, a European perspective.

Older patients were particularly vulnerable to severe COVID-19 disease resulting in high in-hospital mortality rates during the two first waves. The aims of this study were to better characterize the management of older people presenting with COVID-19 in European hospitals and to identify national guidelines on hospital admission and ICU admission for this population. Online survey based on a vignette of a frail older patient with Covid-19 distributed by e-mail to all members of the European Geriatric Medicine Society. The survey contained questions regarding the treatment of the vignette patient as well as general questions regarding available services. Additionally, questions on national policies and differences between the first and second wave of the pandemic were asked. Survey of 282 respondents from 28 different countries was analyzed. Responses on treatment of the patient in the vignette were similar from respondents across the 28 countries. 247 respondents (87%) would admit the patient to the hospital, in most cases to a geriatric COVID-19 ward (78%). Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was found medically inappropriate by 85% of respondents, intubation and mechanical ventilation by 91% of respondents, admission to the ICU by 82%, and ExtraCorpular Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) by 93%. Sixty percent of respondents indicated they would consult with a palliative care specialist, 56% would seek the help of a spiritual counsellor. National guidelines on admission criteria of geriatric patients to the hospital existed in 22 different European countries. This pandemic has fostered the collaboration between geriatricians and palliative care specialists to improve the care for older patients with a severe disease and often an uncertain prognosis.

Ammonia Cycling and Emerging Secondary Aerosols from Arable Agriculture: A European and Irish Perspective

Ammonia (NH3) is a naturally occurring, highly reactive and soluble alkaline trace gas, originating from both natural and anthropogenic sources. It is present throughout the biosphere, yet plays a complicated role in atmospheric acid–base reactions resulting in the formation of inorganic secondary inorganic aerosols (SIAs). While the general mechanisms are recognised, factors controlling the reactions leading to SIA formation are less explored. This review summarises the current knowledge of NH3 sources, emission and deposition processes and atmospheric reactions leading to the formation of SIA. Brief summaries of NH3 and SIA long-range transport and trans-boundary pollution, a discussion of precursor species to SIAs (other than NH3), abiotic and biotic controls and state-of-the-art methods of measurement and modelling of pollutants are also included. In Ireland, NH3 concentrations remained below National and European Union limits, until 2016 when a rise in emissions was seen due to agricultural expansion. However, due to a lack of continuous monitoring, source and receptor relationships are difficult to establish, including the appointment of precursor gases and aerosols to source regions and industries. Additionally, the lack of continuous monitoring leads to over- and underestimations of precursor gases present, resulting in inaccuracies of the estimated importance of NH3 as a precursor gas for SIA. These gaps in data can hinder the accuracy and precision of forecasting models. Deposition measurements and the modelling of NH3 present another challenge. Direct source measurements are required for the parameterization of bi-directional fluxes; however, high-quality data inputs can be limited by local micrometeorological conditions, or the types of instrumentation used. Long-term measurements remain challenging for both aerosols and precursor gases over larger areas or arduous terrains.

Corporate Arbitration and Listed Companies: A Nice Couple in Capital Markets? The Case of Italy and a European Perspective

Recent amendments to the Italian Law of Civil Procedure (‘ICCP’) have not removed the existing ban on intra-corporate dispute (‘ICD’) arbitration for Italian listed companies. As we believe that ICD arbitration can provide redress to shareholders and improve management accountability, we criticize this approach and develop a ‘model’ for ICD arbitration that brings together (1) the corporate governance perspective, for a proper balance between the flexibility of the adoption of the arbitration clause and the protection of minority shareholders; (2) the capital markets perspective, for the disclosure to the public of relevant information in order to protect investors and build trust; and (3) the arbitration perspective, for the adoption of specific rules (a) to allow the participation of a potential great number of parties to the procedure, (b) to ensure the appointment of qualified and independent arbitrators in a typical multi-party dispute, and (c) to ensure that arbitrators may adopt conservatory and interim measures. Finally, we suggest that it might be beneficial to promote such model also at the EU level, as such benefit would be, at least, two-fold, both in terms of harmonization (or, better, level playing field) of the corporate law enforcement mechanisms and of serving the purposes to which recent EU corporate legislation seems to be leading. Corporate Arbitration, Listed Companies, Intra-Corporate Disputes

The roles of organic farming, renewable energy, and corruption on biodiversity crisis: a European perspective.

The loss of biodiversity has profound implications for nature's contributions to people and their health. This study intends to examine the factors responsible for biodiversity loss as well as the coping mechanisms to address this crisis in the context of 35 European economies covering the 2009-2018 period. The study utilises both the static and dynamic panel estimation techniques to examine the above issue. Specifically, the study applied Driscoll and Kraay (1998a), Driscoll and Kraay (Rev Econ Stat 80:549-560, 1998b) and Panel Corrected Standard Approach (PCSE) for the static panel models. As for dynamic panel models, the study employs linear dynamic panel model by Arrelano and Bond (Rev Econ Stud 58:277-297, 1991) and Arrelano and Bover (J Econom 68:29-51, 1995)/Blundell and Bond (J Econom 87:115-143, 1998) system generalised methods of moments (GMM). Morandeover for robustness purposes, fixed and random effect models are also applied. The findings indicate that renewable energy use increases biodiversity crisis whereas organic farming is beneficial for biodiversity preservation in Europe. Corruption and gender gap were found to increase the biodiversity crisis. The evidence also suggests a positive and significant effect of forest area, e-governance and social progress on biodiversity. Finally, the study provides insightful implications for stakeholders and practitioners associated with energy and biodiversity conservation in Europe.

Advanced Practice amongst Therapeutic Radiographers/ Radiation Therapists. Exploring the potential of the four pillars: preliminary results from a European perspective

Advanced Practice amongst Therapeutic Radiographers/ Radiation Therapists. Exploring the potential of the four pillars: preliminary results from a European perspective

EE488 How Is Real-World Data Used in Health Technology Assessments to Inform Reimbursement Decisions for Multiple Sclerosis Drugs? A European Perspective

EE488 How Is Real-World Data Used in Health Technology Assessments to Inform Reimbursement Decisions for Multiple Sclerosis Drugs? A European Perspective

Cultural diversity and clashing narratives about national culture: A Central European stoic pragmatist perspective

Abstract It is amazing how polarizing and, at the same time, ahistorical narratives can be heard about the problems discussed, especially in Anglophone countries in recent times, and on social media: identity policy, cultural policy, racism, patriotism, white privilege, patriarchy, sexism, gender, and others. Stoic pragmatism is not in agreement with the most recent populism and neo-tribalistic class of narratives, which highlight division and the polarization of groups of people against other groups of people as the very axis of argumentation. Even more importantly, stoic pragmatists, especially those who happen to have a Central and Eastern European sensibility, may insist on the specificity of the situation of the region as a whole, and the current war in Ukraine only makes this specificity much more articulated. What I mean is that it is difficult to confront active identity and diversity issues when historical contexts and the geographical space have their own narratives about identity, including national identity, in the name of which, for example, Ukrainians fight against Russians these days, and Poles and Balts fought not that long ago.

COVID-19 Impacts in the New Technological Era: Cross-Border Privacy Issues With Emphasis on AI

Apart from the impacts on the economy, health, and society, the systematic, essential, and massive processing of personal data during the management of the global pandemic of COVID-19, demands the analysis of specific legal issues regarding privacy. Many issues affecting data protection have been emerged as a result of this global crisis and are been analyzed in this research work, including the proper balance between public interest and data protection, the classification of privacy impacts and the analysis of cross-border data flows, considering current technology. In particular, this paper focuses on the privacy impacts of COVID-19 by examining the type and the context of these impacts, the cross-border data flows tools from a European law perspective, taking into consideration the contribution of artificial intelligence in scientific research during the global pandemic.

Artificial Intelligence and Data Protection: How to Reconcile Both Areas from the European Law Perspective

Abstract Artificial intelligence (AI) is the latest in a long wave of disruptive technology, offering significant benefits but also creating risks if deployed in an uncontrolled manner. Recognizing this, many countries around the world, including Vietnam, are making efforts to research and build a legal framework to regulate and manage the development of AI to ensure that this technology supports their socio-economic development. In this context, the legislative experience of the European Union, one of world’s leaders in digital technology, is of high significance. The European GDPR, adopted in 2016, has become the international standard in terms of data protection. The EU AI Act, which is currently in a draft stage and will come into force not before end of 2024, sets out horizontal rules for the development, commodification and use of AI-driven products, services and systems, including the AI system and data protection. This article particularly scrutinizes the interplay between both the AI Act/AI systems and the GDPR and considers the regulatory state of play as at October 2022.

The Gaps in the Regulation of Prohibition of Reformatio in Peius in Slovak Administrative Law in Central European Perspective

Summary The prohibition of reformatio in peius is an important procedural institute of the remedies procedure. The prohibition of reformatio in peius means the prohibition of changing a decision for the worse, i.e. to the detriment of the person who has been affected by the contested decision and has himself brought an appeal against that decision or in whose favour such an appeal has been brought. The legal regulation of this institute in the Slovak Republic is unsatisfactory, since there is a different legal regime in the application of the prohibition of reformatio in peius in the derivation of administrative liability for offences and other administrative offences. In the present article, the author compares the legal regulation of the institute of the prohibition of reformatio in peius in the Slovak legal system with the aim of possible inspiration of the legal regulation of this institute in the legal systems of selected states (Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic).