ITEM BRIEFS 13: Future (resistant) social security – action required?
Future (resistant) social security – action required? Two reports on the future of social security were presented in February and April 2024. Given the socio-economic and political developments in Europe, the question of what our social security will look like is becoming increasingly important. On 29 February 2024, the conference ‘Future-proof social […]
ITEM BRIEFS 12: New data on intra-EU mobility: the beginning of understanding labor mobility in the EU
New data on intra-EU mobility: the beginning of understanding labor mobility in the EU April 12, the European Commission published its report on intra-EU labor mobility in 2023. This annual report identifies trends in the free movement of workers and their families, based on the latest available data (in this case, 2022/2021). This […]
ITEM BRIEFS 11: A European degree: promoting transnational cooperation in higher education
While the Dutch Government focuses on limiting internationalisation in higher education (see ITEM Briefs no. 6), the EU Commission is clearly committed to building a European Education Area. On Wednesday, March 27th 2024, the European Commission published a higher education package, which consists of three initiatives aiming to foster deeper […]
ITEM BRIEFS 10: Dispute resolution in the Flemish-Dutch border region. Time for a border region ombudsperson?
Dispute resolution in the Flemish-Dutch border region. Time for a border region ombudsperson? Last month, four different ‘border disputes’ made the national and regional press. Flemish Minister Zuhal Demir sent a registered letter to the Dutch government, putting the Netherlands at fault for environmental pollution caused by Limburg chemical giant Chemelot (De […]
ITEM BRIEFS 9: Living together with water across borders
Living together with water across borders On 16 January, the Dutch minister of Infrastructure and Water Management (IenW) answered parliamentary questions from members of the Standing Committee for Infrastructure, Water Management and the Environment on the interpretation of the national safety policy on primary flood defences, including a cost estimate of […]
ITEM BRIEFS 7: Cross-border pension in the EU: the procession of Echternach
Cross-border pension in the EU: the procession of Echternach Our pensionland is in a state of flux; especially when it comes to the regulation of cross-border pensions. On 17 January, the Lower House debated the Future Pensions Act (WTP). It is surprising that in the more than 100 hours of parliamentary debates and […]
ITEM BRIEFS 6: “Internationalization in Balance” bill: a cross-border impact assessment of higher education
“Internationalization in Balance” bill: a cross-border impact assessment of higher education At the end of 2022, the House of Representatives instructed the Dutch government to take measures against the influx of international students in higher education. In response, the Ministry of Education requested Dutch higher education to stop actively recruiting international students and to […]
ITEM BRIEFS 5: Climate Summit COP28 – ‘An agreement is only as good as its implementation’
Climate summit COP28 – ‘An agreement is only as good as its implementation’ Global warming and its border regions From 30 November to 12 December 2023, the COP28 climate summit took place in Dubai. It is special because all parties agreed to phase out fossil fuel use, triple global renewable energy generation capacity by […]
ITEM BRIEFS 4: European Parliament and the Council support the creation of a European Health Data Space
European Parliament and the Council support the creation of a European Health Data Space: Another step towards a cross-border healthcare system By Susanne Sivonen On December 6th and December 13th respectively, the Council and the European Parliament announced their support for the creation of a European Health Data Space (EHDS). According to […]
ITEM BRIEFS 3: Citizens will get an instrument to establish associations across the border; Finally!
EC proposal for a Directive COM(2023) 516/4 on a European cross-border association: Citizens will get an instrument to establish associations across the border; Finally! By Martin Unfried Last September, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a Directive on European cross-border associations (COM(2023) 516 final). “The proposal aims to improve … the conditions for […]
