Archive
Author: Corporate Marketing
-
Challenge accepted! It’s time to have some ‘FHun in the Oven’….
October 16, 2013
Any regular reader of this blog knows that we tend to take ourselves pretty seriously. I mean, we're serious consultants with serious work to do and serious policy areas to ponder! We’re passionate about the issues of the day that will affect our work, our clients, and life in general out there in the wild blue yonder; whether it be how the German elections could impact the direction of energy policy, or how the twittersphere is chiming in on...
-
Rebuilding resilient and innovative healthcare systems – Gastein Forum 2013
October 7, 2013
Last week, high in the Austrian mountains the health policy community gathered for the annual Gastein European Public Health Forum (EHFG). With a dramatic mark left on health and healthcare systems by the crisis, and economics (and fiscal governance) part of today's reality, the focus was on how Europe can build resilient and innovative healthcare systems. Recognising that health is a value in itself and a key driver of economic growth and prosperity, ensuring health...
-
How to explain what lobbying is all about “en français”?
September 30, 2013
This summer time I was Asked to write an Article for the online outlet catholic " Acting informed Christians "as (Belgian) readers of this publication Were curious to know more about the concept of lobbying Given the bad picture somehow That the HAS activity in the country. So, I Had to think about the basics of my day job and by doing so I found it refreshing to 1. Apparently still be ble to explain...
-
A Digital Wakeup Call for Underperforming Europe
September 30, 2013
Getting Europe into a truly connected mode is proving to be especially difficult. It has been left to the EU’s 72 year old Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes to tackle the gridlock on Europe’s networks. Kroes has unveiled a series of bold telecoms reforms to bring Europe up to speed. They are described as the biggest regulatory overhaul in 26 years. But no sooner than the proposals were tabled than they came under attack from...
-
How Much Do Chemical Bans Really Cost?
September 26, 2013
Yesterday ECHA produced a report entitled “Estimating the abatement costs of hazardous chemicals. A review of the results of six case studies”. The report looks at how to work out the cost of the substitution of hazardous chemicals. The costs of substituting one chemical for another are a key issue in REACH. It is not new to EU product regulation. Working out the financial merits, or the lack of them, for phasing out the use...
-
German Election Outcome for Energy: Bring on More Coal?
September 23, 2013
Frau Merkel won big in Germany's federal elections on Sunday, but not big enough; and that has negative implications for German energy policy. Merkel's third time around as German Chancellor will require a grand coalition that produces the typical lowest common denominator style decision-making that such coalitions bring. That doesn’t bode well for the decisive action required to address Germany’s outstanding energy issues, namely, runaway electricity costs and the future of shale gas development. Merkel personally won commandingly, of course...
-
Brazil’s lower house bans secret voting after protests – will Brussels follow?
September 19, 2013
Brazil’s Parliament has recently voted to ban secret voting by Brazil’s Members of Parliament. The BBC reported that the public became appalled at the wide spread secrecy of voting in Brazil’s Parliament. The public took to the streets in mass demonstrations again the widespread political corruption. One of their demands was to end secret voting by Parliamentarians. Brussels Could Learn From Brazil The EU is now a long way behind Brazil in terms of open and accountable law...
-
Assembling the Policy Pieces to Keep Nuclear Power’s Needed Place in Europe
September 18, 2013
In a matter of weeks, the European Commission is expected to roll out new guidelines around state aid for energy and environmental matters that may, through verbal gymnastics, green-light Member States’ legal ability to put financial support behind nuclear power. On Tuesday, the European Commission announced a fresh agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency to reinforce its long-standing nuclear safety cooperation with the nuclear watchdog agency. Or, in other words, to reinforce the type...
-
You don’t know you’re born. When I were a lad…
September 16, 2013
Some people don’t know how lucky they are (not). Last week it was with some astonishment that I found myself explaining to someone what happened when a legislative dossier did not reach a first reading agreement. In theory they knew this possibility existed, but in reality they’d simply not experienced it on anything they’d worked on in the last two years. It made me reflect. Are things better now than when I were a lad?...
-
FH Brussels Food & Agriculture Practice – Infographics
September 16, 2013
The European food, beverage and agriculture sectors are an important driver for innovation and growth – they also play a key role in empowering consumers to make informed, healthy and sustainable choices. For more on the FH Brussels’ Food & Agriculture Practice, click here.