Slovakia: Foreign policy agenda of political parties: the greatest differences in approach to Moscow and Beijing Studie In the run up to the September parliamentary elections in Slovakia the editors of the EURACTIV Slovakia portal have prepared a series of analyses on how individual parties imagine their performance in a potential government. The analyses cover eight topics: the future of the EU, regional policy and EU funds, energy, foreign policy, defence and security, agriculture, human rights and industrial transformation. The foreign policy analysis that is the subject of this article was made possible thanks to the support of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Prague. By Lucia Yar
Feminist foreign policy - Civil society as a driver of an innovative agenda Students from Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia reflect on their impressions of the HBS study trip on “Feminist and Climate Foreign Policy” in Berlin, Germany and stress the importance of a vital civic society for the functioning of any democratic country. By Kristína Gerová and Erika Kajuchová
Russia, Ukraine, and the Reshuffling of the European Security Order Analysis Russia’s large-scale war against Ukraine does also reflect how China and Russia are interlinked with each other to challenge the current global order. The Black Sea region has become a key area where the new European security order will be negotiated. By Iulia-Sabina Joja
Do You Feel Safe? A discussion about feminist approaches to security Záznam diskuze An edited transcript of the international debate “Do You Feel Safe?”, organized on 23 November 2022 in Bratislava. This debate, facilitated by Zuzana Maďarová (ASPEKT), Weronika Grzebalska, a Polish sociologist, and Míla O’Sullivan, Czech researcher in international relations, discussed various gender aspects of security. The event was organized by the ASPEKT organization in partnership with the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Prague office.
Ukraine Recovery needs a gender-sensitive approach Interview Social and care infrastructure should be at the focus of reconstruction in Ukraine not only for humanitarian reasons but also to avoid a backlash into traditional gender roles. An Interview with Galyna Kotliuk, coordinator of Heinrich Böll Stiftung’s Gender democracy Program in Ukraine. By Anna Lysiak
More than a military tactic: sexual violence in wars and armed conflicts Commentary War and armed conflict almost always go hand in hand with sexual violence – rape, sexual slavery, forced marriage. On occasions when it seems pertinent, such as in the context of the current war in Ukraine, politicians and the media talk about the issue and condemn the violence, but their rhetoric is short on substance. By Jeannette Böhme
More women than men in Slovak diplomacy, however, only eleven female ambassadors Referring to the low number of female Slovak ambassadors, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that Slovakia has a “historical and institutional debt”. She adds that the new board vowed to address the situation. A more transparent selection process or even a gender audit are a way to do that. By Lucia Yar
Spanish Ambassador: Above-average gender equality is the result of huge social changes Interview Two years ago, Spain, like France, Canada and Germany, subscribed to the principles of feminist foreign policy. Lorea Arribalzaga Ceballos, Spain's ambassador to Slovakia, argues that without strengthening equality within its own diplomatic ranks, it would be impossible for Spain to promote gender equality externally. By Lucia Yar
Stance of the V4 countries towards Russian military aggression against Ukraine Russia's open military aggression against Ukraine has provoked strong reactions around the world. The V4 countries, whose outwardly apparent unity seemed to be crumbling, also took a stance. How serious is the schism between Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic on the one side and Hungary on the other? Is the breakdown of V4 inevitable or is there still a room for cooperation? Slovak political scientist Grigorij Mesežnikov reflects on the current state the Visegrad Group finds itself in. By Grigorij Mesežnikov
Rape is the cheapest weapon of war Commentary Despite the high number of rapes, the judicial progress that has been made, and the judgements passed by international, national and local courts, most of the affected women are still far from receiving compensation, reparations, or recognition as a victim. By Judith Brand