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502. COVID-19 and the Climate – Energy Nexus
- Author:
- Mathieu Blondeel
- Publication Date:
- 05-2020
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- EGMONT - The Royal Institute for International Relations
- Abstract:
- Analysing the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the climate-energy nexus, raises three important questions. First, what does this global health and economic crisis mean for the future of fossil fuels, particularly oil? Because of the drop in economic activity, greenhouse gas emissions have plummeted, but how can we ensure a structural decline that is aligned with the Paris Agreement? Third, how can we embed the ideas of a “just transition” within the broader post- pandemic “green recovery”? This policy brief offers a glimpse of the direction away from fossil fuels that our global energy system must take to govern the post- pandemic world
- Topic:
- Climate Change, Environment, Public Health, Pandemic, and COVID-19
- Political Geography:
- Europe
503. No Pain, No Gain: Taking PESCO to the Gym
- Author:
- Tania Latici
- Publication Date:
- 09-2020
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- EGMONT - The Royal Institute for International Relations
- Abstract:
- It is fair to assume that at least one out of three readers of this paper have at some point in their life accepted to join a group of friends to do regular sporting activities together. While this idea sounds great in principle (we become fitter while building our friendships), when the day comes, only a few of those who committed actually show up. Excuses abound: more important commitments; too busy; jealous friends who were not invited in the first place. This is why a much more effective method of keeping commitments is through peer- pressure: having a designated buddy keeping tabs on you, making sure you show up and help you do the work. Vice versa, you are responsible for helping and motivating another friend, until the square is circled. So, what does Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) have to do with becoming fitter? Everything.
- Topic:
- Security, International Cooperation, European Union, Public Health, Pandemic, and COVID-19
- Political Geography:
- Europe
504. Rethinking EU institutions’ rules of procedure after COVID-19
- Author:
- Benjamin Bodson
- Publication Date:
- 07-2020
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- EGMONT - The Royal Institute for International Relations
- Abstract:
- Up to now, little attention has been paid to how EU institutions adapted their internal functioning to cope with the confinement measures. This policy brief offers an early overview and assessment of these internal arrangements. Their analysis is of utmost importance for democratic reasons, notably accountability. From ensuring security and publicity of virtual meetings to finding valid methods for adopting acts, challenges posed to EU institutions were enormous. Five out of the seven institutions were not ready for operational changes. This paper shows that although a great variety of rules do exist, many need to be adapted, modernised or created. The upcoming Conference on the Future of Europe might constitute a timely opportunity to this end.
- Topic:
- International Cooperation, European Union, Institutions, Pandemic, and COVID-19
- Political Geography:
- Europe
505. From emergency remote learning to a new digital education action plan: an EU attempt to mainstream equality into education.
- Author:
- Marcel Muraille
- Publication Date:
- 12-2020
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- EGMONT - The Royal Institute for International Relations
- Abstract:
- In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hastiness of the digital shift in teaching and learning exacerbated pre- existing socioeconomic disparities in national education systems. The gaps in digital accessibility left those already behind even further behind. Taking stock of the unforeseen consequences of the crisis, the Commission updated its Digital Education Action Plan (DEAP). On 17 November, the Egmont Institute and the European Policy Centre invited Commissioner Gabriel, who is in charge of the EU’s education portfolio, to outline her proposal for an education better equipped for the digital age. Although the new strategy acknowledges the need for more inclusiveness and social justice in digital accessibility, it falls short of providing a clear funding plan and a comprehensive understanding of the socioeconomic inequalities at stake. The coming months will be crucial – the first milestone is the third EU Educational Summit on 10 December – in turning this patchwork of disparate initiatives into a concrete framework for action.
- Topic:
- International Cooperation, European Union, Pandemic, COVID-19, and Digitalization
- Political Geography:
- Europe
506. Virus-proof Violence: Crime and COVID-19 in Mexico and the Northern Triangle
- Author:
- International Crisis Group
- Publication Date:
- 11-2020
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- International Crisis Group
- Abstract:
- As the coronavirus rages in Mexico and the northerly Central American countries, criminal outfits have adapted, often enlarging their turf. To fight organised crime more effectively, governments should combine policing with programs to aid the vulnerable and create attractive alternatives to illegal economic activity.
- Topic:
- Crime, Violence, Public Health, Pandemic, COVID-19, and Organized Crime
- Political Geography:
- Central America, North America, and Mexico
507. Socio-economic implications of Covid-19 in Cameroon and proposals to reduce the economic fallout
- Author:
- Henri Kouam and Dr. Fuein Vera Kum
- Publication Date:
- 06-2020
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- The Nkafu Policy Institute
- Abstract:
- The economic impact of COVID-19 will be broad-based, causing wages to fall due to social distancing and quarantine measures on the service sector. While communications and ICT-related sectors will be less affected, transport, entertainment and leisure sectors will be adversely affected, together with exports and domestic demand. Policymakers should utilise the $164 billion availed by international institutions to support SMEs and wages in the informal sector, whilst the 90 billion should be used in other to invest in the physical and digital infrastructure to support educational outcomes and employment over the medium term. Such actionable policies should accompany broader quarantine and social distancing measures.
- Topic:
- Economics, Pandemic, COVID-19, and Socioeconomics
- Political Geography:
- Africa and Cameroon
508. Lockdown Preventive Measure against COVID-19 Pandemic: Livelihoods Implications in Cameroon
- Author:
- Dr. Tata E. Sunjo, Adeline Kaptue Wuyt, and Dr. Yauba Saidu
- Publication Date:
- 06-2020
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- The Nkafu Policy Institute
- Abstract:
- The entire world today is, in one way or another, affected by the spread of the novel coronavirus infection which the World Health Organization (WHO) declared to be a pandemic on the 11th of March 2020. This outbreak which has spread to all continents (Figure 1) has been characterized by exponential increase in infected cases, attributed deaths and socio-economic hardship. There are already more than 3.8 million confirmed cases globally with over 265 862 deaths (WHO Situation Report, 9 May 2020). The quality of the health system in a given country appears to not be an influential factor in preventing the installation or propagation of the pandemic as the nations with relatively robust health systems like in Europe and the USA have also been hit hard.
- Topic:
- Health, Public Health, Pandemic, COVID-19, Socioeconomics, and Global Health
- Political Geography:
- Cameroon and Global Focus
509. COVID-19: GNWP Mitigation and Adaptation Strategy and Appeal
- Author:
- Global Network of Women Peacebuilders
- Publication Date:
- 04-2020
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP)
- Abstract:
- The COVID-19 pandemic has affected GNWP’s program implementation at the local, national, regional and global levels, due to restrictions on travels and group gatherings, as well as health and safety concerns for the staff, implementation partners and supporters, as well as the general public. In the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic, GNWP has adopted a number of mitigation and adaptation strategies. GNWP is also proactively identifying opportunities to continue its peacebuilding work, and support local women and youth peacebuilders’ efforts to address the impacts of the crisis on local communities and prevent escalation or outbreak of conflicts. We have developed and are currently implementing this mitigation and adaptation strategy informed by a gender-responsive conflict and crisis analysis. This strategy will be continuously updated based on our global monitoring of the COVID-19 crisis.
- Topic:
- Gender Issues, Women, Peace, Pandemic, and COVID-19
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
510. Responding to COVID-19: Guidance for humanitarian agencies
- Author:
- Ben Ramalingam, Neha S. Singh, Audrey Mahieu, and Karl Blanchet
- Publication Date:
- 04-2020
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- ALNAP: Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance
- Abstract:
- How should humanitarian organisations prepare and respond to COVID-19 in humanitarian settings in low- and middle-income countries? This Rapid Learning Review outlines 14 actions, insights and ideas for humanitarian actors to consider in their COVID-19 responses. It summarises and synthesises the best available knowledge and guidance for developing a health response to COVID-19 in low- and middle-income settings as at April 2020 The paper, supported by the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock, will be updated throughout 2020 to reflect emerging knowledge and evidence on the most effective approaches to respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
- Topic:
- Crisis Management, Public Health, Pandemic, COVID-19, and Humanitarian Response
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus