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Begin New Search Content Type Policy Brief Publishing Institution Open Society Foundations

1. Working Together to Address Health Workforce Mobility in Europe

Publication Date:
09-2020
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Open Society Foundations
Abstract:
The free movement of people is a cornerstone of an open and integrated Europe. Yet the labor migration of Europeans from lower-income countries in southern and eastern Europe to higher-income countries in northern and western Europe has had significant impact on the workforce—including the loss of skilled health professionals in their most productive years. Indeed, since 1989, hundreds of thousands of European health professionals have left their countries of origin for more promising opportunities in the west and north. Denied opportunities for decent work at home, and recruited by countries facing their own labor shortages, their mobility is a byproduct of a failure throughout Europe to develop health workforces in an evidence-based and strategic way. Ultimately, this failure threatens the human right to health. This brief offers policymakers six key insights, drawn from a literature review and interviews with European experts, on the migration and mobility of health professionals. These insights are offered within a framework that prioritizes human rights, gender equality, and worker solidarity.
Topic:
Migration, Labor Issues, Health Care Policy, European Union, Economic Mobility, and Migrant Workers
Political Geography:
Europe

2. German Priorities for Africa during Its Presidency of the EU Council

Author:
Bram Dijkstra and Marta Martinelli
Publication Date:
09-2020
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Open Society Foundations
Abstract:
2020 is a pivotal year for EU-Africa relations. Germany’s presidency of the EU Council provides an opportunity to address structural challenges—such as health care infrastructure, food provision, and managing the refugee and migration crises—revealed by the current COVID-19 crisis. The policy brief details Germany’s ambitions to foster a new partnership with Africa and offers recommendations in three priority areas: health care policy, economic development, and democratic governance.
Topic:
Agriculture, Diplomacy, Migration, Food, Health Care Policy, Refugees, Refugee Crisis, and Economic Development
Political Geography:
Africa and Germany

3. The Modern Agreement of Amity and Commerce: Toward a New Model for Trade Agreements

Author:
Beth Baltzan
Publication Date:
10-2020
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Open Society Foundations
Abstract:
Around the world, the process of economic globalization is under fire for serving the needs of corporate elites rather than ordinary citizens. But it is important to recall that trade does not have to aggravate inequality. The rules of globalization matter. If we have better rules for trade, trade will produce better results. In this paper, Beth Baltzan, a trade lawyer with extensive experience in government, proposes a new paradigm for a more equitable trading regime—outlining the key elements of an agreement with the overarching purpose of fostering positive relations between like-minded parties.
Topic:
Globalization, Economic Inequality, Trade, and Trade Policy
Political Geography:
Global

4. Does Offshoring Asylum and Migration Actually Work?

Publication Date:
09-2018
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Open Society Foundations
Abstract:
As the stalemate continues over a common set of rules on asylum within the European Union, “externalizing,” “offshoring,” “outsourcing” and, most recently, “regionalizing” asylum and migration management in non–European Union countries remain on the agenda. So does offshoring actually work? This brief takes a comparative look at offshoring asylum and migration management in Australia, Spain, Tunisia, and the United States, and lessons learned for the European Union. This brief argues that government attempts to curb irregular migration may make it harder and more dangerous for those involved, but ultimately have little impact if the drivers and the demand for irregular migrants (in certain sectors of European countries’ economies, for instance) remain unaltered. Offshoring won't be the silver bullet which will solve the European Union’s migration conundrum. Instead, the notion of outsourcing asylum and migration to non-European countries, while politically expedient, will only continue to divert resources and time away from a sustainable, workable model of migration management; to undermine efforts to build genuine partnerships with non–European Union states; and to compromise European values in the process.
Topic:
Migration and Asylum
Political Geography:
Europe and Global Focus

5. Towards Elections with Integrity

Publication Date:
10-2018
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Open Society Foundations
Abstract:
Since the 1990s, election observation has become a vital tool of the international community to support democracy and assess the legitimacy of governments. Observers receive better pre-deployment training and briefings, funding is more readily available, and methodologies have grown more sophisticated. Yet, as the election observation industry has become more professional, democracy is in decline. The European Union needs to be more strategic as both a donor and a provider of election observation. This policy brief, authored by the external policy team of the Open Society European Policy Institute, proposes six areas of reform, which include monitoring of the political processes leading up to polling day; improving collaboration with observers at a local level; strengthening and supporting the role played by civil society; setting stronger guidelines for the digital arena; developing guidelines for technology used; and finally, striking a new balance between the observation missions’ technical and political mandates.
Topic:
Civil Society, Science and Technology, Elections, Democracy, Election watch, Digital Policy, and Presidential Elections
Political Geography:
Europe

6. License to Be Yourself: Responding to National Security and Identity Fraud Arguments

Publication Date:
04-2017
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Open Society Foundations
Abstract:
In much of the world, trans and intersex people struggle to obtain official identity documents that acknowledge their appropriate names and sex or gender markers. When people are forced to rely on documents that do not match their gender identity, they risk being subjected to harassment and discrimination. In addition, they may be suspected of identity fraud and trigger security alerts because of the discrepancy between their documents and their gender identity or appearance. The lack of appropriate documentation is particularly dangerous in situations where a trans or intersex person is crossing a border and being unable to prove their identity can result in being detained or deported. This brief counters concerns that progressive gender recognition laws and policies will undermine national security and increase the risk of identity fraud. It is the fourth of four resources for activists that accompany Open Society’s 2014 report on legal gender recognition across the world, License to Be Yourself.
Topic:
Gender Issues, Law, Discrimination, LGBT+, Sexuality, Identity, and Transgender
Political Geography:
Global Focus

7. Rethinking Human Rights in EU External Policies

Publication Date:
03-2016
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Open Society Foundations
Abstract:
The EU’s Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy is an opportunity for the EU to redefine its role on the global stage in a way that builds on the norms that underpin its own progress, shows leadership and ambition, and takes a decisive stand against regressive regimes that prefer compliant partners that prioritise interest over universal values. In this paper, the Open Society European Policy Institute calls on the EU and its member states to end the false dichotomy between “values and interests” and argues that universal human rights constitute a building block of any policy aimed at supporting sustainable security, prosperity, and stability in Europe and beyond. The input builds on the main conclusions and recommendations that emerged from the expert discussion on human rights in EU external action cohosted by the Open Society European Policy Institute and the European Union Institute for Strategic Studies in January 2016. The convening brought together over 30 human rights experts (including from Egypt, Kenya, and Azerbaijan), EU officials, parliamentarians, and diplomats.
Topic:
Security, Human Rights, Political stability, Europe Union, Prosperity, and Political Rights
Political Geography:
Europe

8. Civil Society Voices: How the EU Should Engage Its Eastern Neighbours

Author:
Iskra Kirova and Sabine Freizer
Publication Date:
05-2015
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Open Society Foundations
Abstract:
The EU’s “eastern neighbourhood” is an increasingly complicated and contested space. The challenge of Russia’s resurgence and regional elites’ resistance to reform are forcing the EU to reevaluate its policies. With the launch of its Eastern Partnership six years ago, the EU was ready to offer its neighbors to the east—Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine—integration into the EU market, mobility of people, and close political ties in exchange for rule of law and democratic and economic reforms. Today, it questions whether this policy has secured its strategic interests and political influence. The Eastern Partnership reinforced domestic constituencies for change in at least three partners—Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine—that in 2014 signed association agreements. It has not lost the potential to contribute to democratic processes and support reformers in the other three: Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Belarus. The Eastern Partnership remains the EU’s most effective foreign policy instrument to build accountable and stable institutions and states, and uphold the EU’s commitment to its neighbors’ sovereignty and right to make independent foreign policy choices. This policy paper—the result of extensive discussions with experts and civil society leaders—highlights local concerns and expectations about the EU’s role in the region and its support for stability and democracy. As the EU rethinks its policies in the area, this paper offers recommendations on how to make the Eastern Partnership more effective and relevant to people, societies, and government, and to secure the EU’s interests in an increasingly polarized and unstable region.
Topic:
Civil Society, Nationalism, Regional Cooperation, European Union, Democracy, Economic Policy, Elites, and Economic Integration
Political Geography:
Europe, Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Belarus

9. License to Be Yourself: Forced Sterilization

Publication Date:
11-2015
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Open Society Foundations
Abstract:
The vast majority of trans people around the world cannot obtain legal recognition of—or official documents that match—their gender identity. Where laws do recognize trans people, they often require that trans people have undergone gender affirming surgeries or hormone treatment, which result in sterilization. This forces trans people to choose between legal recognition of their gender identity or medical treatments they do not desire. In many cases these requirements amount to forced or coerced sterilization. This brief explains legal requirements that affect the recognition of trans and intersex people. It examines case law and addresses key arguments made by those who defend required medical treatments. It is the second of four resources for activists that accompany Open Society’s 2014 report on legal gender recognition across the world, License to Be Yourself.
Topic:
Gender Issues, LGBT+, Public Health, Identity, Transgender, and Sterilization
Political Geography:
Global Focus

10. License to Be Yourself: Trans Children and Youth

Publication Date:
11-2015
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Open Society Foundations
Abstract:
The vast majority of trans youth around the world cannot obtain legal recognition of—or official documents that match—their gender identity. This means trans youth have to navigate sex-segregated situations with no formal documents that support their gender identity. This exposes trans youth to exclusion, discrimination, and abuse. Day-to-day impacts include being excluded from single-sex schools, and from gender-segregated activities such as sports teams or school camps. Often trans children and youth are prohibited from using school bathrooms that are appropriate for their gender identity, placing them at high risk of violence and bullying. This brief explains international human rights obligations and current recognition laws from across the world. It also examines key arguments made by those who opppose legal gender recognition for trans youth. It is the third of four resources for activists that accompany Open Society’s 2014 report on legal gender recognition across the world, License to Be Yourself.
Topic:
Education, Gender Issues, Youth, LGBT+, Sexual Violence, Justice, Sexuality, Sexual Health, and Transgender
Political Geography:
Global Focus