On the occasion of international women’s day, this podcast takes a closer look at the recent policy developments on the EU gender equality agenda. Taking stock of the persisting barriers in the way of gender equality and women’s rights, Laeticia Thissen – FEPS Policy Analyst on Gender Equality – engages in conversation with Swedish MEPs Evin Incir. Whilst identifying the remarkable set of landmark breakthroughs on major EU policies for gender equality, the discussion also reveals that the road t...
Mar 06, 2023•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Bohdan Ferens, founder of the SD Platform of Ukraine answers questions by László Andor, FEPS Secretary General, about the shock of the invasion in February 2022, and the dynamics of war that has devastated Ukraine by triggering large-scale emigration and resulted in a destruction of productive assets, physical infrastructure, and natural environment alike. They assess the development of EU—Ukraine relations, the various forms of solidarity but also the deficits in support. No illusions are creat...
Feb 14, 2023•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jamila Madeira, MP and International Secretary of PS in Portugal shares with Ania Skrzypek, FEPS Director for Research and Training the key rules that determine Portuguese Socialists’ Governmental Strategy. Integrity, trustworthiness, the ability to learn from mistakes, and determination, laid fundaments to a new kind of politics. It was needed to modernize the country, lift people from poverty and safeguard a more prosperous, European future for everyone.
Jan 19, 2023•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Professor Gerhard Stahl, member of FEPS Scientific Council, and Dr László Andor, FEPS Secretary General, talk in this episode of FEPS Talks about the latest book of Stahl, which is focusing on China (published in German). After taking stock of the developments of recent years, they analyse the future scenarios of EU-China relationship. They explore specificities of Chinese economic and social development, and expand to various other aspects of China's relations with the rest of the world: techno...
Jan 12, 2023•30 min•Ep 126•Transcript available on Metacast Ana Sofia Fernandez, President of the Portuguese Platform for Women's Rights, and Laeticia Thissen, FEPS Policy Analyst for Gender Equality, exchange on the gendered nature of economic policy and governance mechanisms at EU level. How do budgets mirror political priorities? What is their influence in perpetuating or redressing persisting gender gaps? How do they discriminate by building on gendered assumptions about society and the economy? How can they be used as a powerful tool in transforming...
Oct 06, 2022•23 min•Ep 125•Transcript available on Metacast Professor Rob Manwaring, Flinders University in Adelaide and Dr Ania Skrzypek, FEPS Director for Research and Training connect to discuss the recent unprecedented victory of Antony Albanese Australian Labor Party and inspiration that it may provide for sister parties across the globe. On 21st May 2022 Australian Labor Party led by Anthony Albanese noted an unprecedented victory, forming then a government and preventing 4th term of the Liberal Party. What led to that success, what is on the agend...
Sep 16, 2022•34 min•Ep 124•Transcript available on Metacast Julia von Blumenthal, President of the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder) and FEPS Secretary General László Andor discuss the effects of the Russia—Ukraine war on universities, especially in the case of the institution she leads which plays a special role in German -- Eastern European relations. They highlight the humanitarian as well as the educational aspects of Viadrina’s response to the shock of Russian aggression, and explore the possibilities of opening a new chapter in the a...
Jul 07, 2022•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Professor Arne Westad, Yale University, is interviewed by Aline Burni, FEPS Policy Analyst for International Relations, on the relations between Russia and China in the context of the war in Ukraine. Professor Westad is an expert on modern international and global history and specialised in the history of eastern Asia since the 18th Century. In the episode, he explains the developments of China-Russia relations, raising awareness to the fact it is much more complex than often understood. In the ...
Jun 17, 2022•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast Prof Dr Jens Südekum (Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf) and Dr László Andor, FEPS Secretary General, assess the ongoing debate on the sanctions on Russia in Germany and in the rest of Europe. They discuss what could be the consequences of harder decisions related to the oil and gas imports from Russia and how the current situation can affect the EU competitiveness and economic growth potential. Prof Südekum highlights the need for a more autonomous Europe in terms of defence as well as energ...
May 13, 2022•28 min•Ep 121•Transcript available on Metacast In order to explore the different care inequalities that directly feed into gender imbalances across all spheres of life, Labour MP for Birmingham and Shadow Minister Jess Philips is interviewed by Laeticia Thissen (FEPS Policy Analyst for Gender Equality). Building on the realities made evident by the EU Care Atlas launched by FEPS and the Friedrich-Ebert Stiftung and the complex relationship between motherhood and equality, this podcast puts the finger on how care deficits permeates into vario...
Apr 21, 2022•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this podcast Mohammed Chahim, Vice President of the S&D group a gives a broad overview of the rationale for and the functioning of as well as the political debates on the proposal of a European Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). MEP Chahim, who is the rapporteur for the proposed CBAM regulation, outlines the role of the proposed mechanism for establishing a global level playing field in a world of unequal carbon prices. In addition, he touches on the issues of how a CBAM can replace t...
Apr 07, 2022•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Former EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Stefan Füle and FEPS Secretary General László Andor analyse in this episode the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the consequences for the European Union. They argue that the common answer given by the member states will eventually make the EU stronger. Strategic autonomy will mean that the EU becomes a more united and autonomous actor with a global role. Füle and Andor also discuss the future of EU enlargement and what could potentially cha...
Mar 24, 2022•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Stephen Bevan, Head of HR research development at the Institute for Employment Studies and László Andor, FEPS Secretary General, discuss the impact of COVID-19 in the working conditions, based on the results of the new study about the UK, and compare the main conclusions with the situation in the countries and regions of the European Union. They highlight how the pandemic created the concept of “key workers” and gave rise to new practices like homeworking. The impact on social inequalities and f...
Mar 10, 2022•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast This FEPS Talks episode focuses on the issue of fair pay in Europe. Building on some key insights and contributions from the brand new policy study “Creating momentum for fair pay: assessing policies with leverage” co-published by FEPS, Fondation Jean Jaurès and Fair Pay Innovation Lab (FPI), one of the co-authors of this publication, Katinka Brose (Senior Strategy Agent, FPI), is interviewed by Laeticia Thissen (FEPS Policy Analyst for Gender Equality). From the many underlying reasons to concr...
Mar 03, 2022•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this FEPS talk episode Katherine Trebeck, co-founder of the Wellbeing Economy Alliance, and Andreas Dimmelmeier, Policy Analyst on Climate and Environment, introduce and debate about the concept of a Wellbeing economy. Trebeck outlines what a wellbeing economy means for people, businesses and governments and how it differs from existing views on "the economy".
Feb 23, 2022•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Cedric Wermuth, Co-Chair of the Swiss Socialist Party, engages in a conversation with Ania Skrzypek, Director for Research and Training about why ideological integrity matters so much; how to translate an ambitious agenda for equality and social justice into concrete economic proposals; as also what ways are there to move on from the persistent cliff-hanger in EU – Switzerland negotiations.
Feb 17, 2022•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dr Reinhard Krumm, Director of the FES Baltic States office, and Dr László Andor, FEPS Secretary General, analyse in this episode the dangerous tensions around the Russia--Ukraine border. First, they go through the last decades and review the main developments in international relations in the last 30 years that brought us to the current situation. They look back to key episodes like the enlargements of NATO, the war in Georgia, and the annexation of Crimea by Russia. Dr Krumm insists on the fac...
Feb 10, 2022•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Amandine Crespy, Associate Professor in Political Science and EU Studies, and David Rinaldi, FEPS Director of Studies and Policy, discuss in this FEPS Talks episode the main developments of Social Europe over the recent period. Building on Crespy's book "The European Social Question - Tackling Key Controversies", the podcast examines the legitimacy of the EU in this policy area of shared competence. They agree that the EU Pillar of Social Rights was a turning point that helped the current Commis...
Feb 03, 2022•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dr Anneliese Dodds, Chair of the British Labour Party and Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities, joins Dr Ania Skrzypek, FEPS Director for Research and Training in this FEPS Talks episode to speak about the Labour’s vision for Britain 2030. Discussing the new document “Stronger Together”, they explore short term and long-term political challenges, offering the sneak-peek ahead of this weekend’s FEPS – Fabians New Year’s Conference and the panel about the future of social democracy.
Jan 13, 2022•26 min•Ep 111•Transcript available on Metacast Professor Andrew Gamble and Dr Ania Skrzypek, FEPS Director for Research and Training, look at the challenges that democracies in the EU are facing, searching for answers on how to make the ideal persevere, the system reform and the individuals in societies reconnect. Examining the sense of isolation and need for togetherness in the COVID times, they suggest ways in which way progressives should reclaim the debate on state and empower citizens restoring credibility of deliberative processes.
Dec 23, 2021•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Michael Miebach, Chair and Co-Founder of Das Progressive Zentrum, and László Andor, FEPS Secretary General, analyse the legacy of Angela Merkel in Germany and Europe after 16 years in office: her strengths and flaws and her role in decisive episodes like the crisis of the Eurozone or the 2015 refugee crisis. Focusing on the latest developments, Miebach and Andor discuss the reasons behind the SPD victory under the leadership of Olaf Scholz and they also explore the critical issues that the “traf...
Dec 16, 2021•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Brikena Xhomaqi, Director of the Lifelong Learning Platform (LLLP), and David Rinaldi, FEPS Director of Studies and Policy, discuss in this episode about the right to lifelong learning just after the launch of a Commission’s proposal for a Council Recommendation establishing individual learning accounts. They exchange on how to attain the ambitious EU headline target for adult participation in training and reflect on the need to expand access to formative opportunities. The conversation focused ...
Dec 12, 2021•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast With more than 30 years of existence, the Erasmus programme is one greatest success of the European Union. Alfonso Aliberti, Project Officer at the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EC), and François Balate, Head of Office of FEPS President, discuss about the conclusions we can draw from it and what is the next frontier to ensure that all young people have access to opportunities in Europe and see their rights fulfilled.
Dec 02, 2021•20 min•Ep 107•Transcript available on Metacast Martin Seeleib-Kaiser, Professor of Comparative Public Policy at Tübingen University, and László Andor, FEPS Secretary General, discuss in this FEPS Talks episode important chapters of Social Europe: starting with new developments related to minimum wage. Prof Seeleib-Kaiser explains the centrality of the concept of human dignity, and the purpose of promoting minimum income schemes at EU level. The conversation links the new social agenda to sustainability and reaches out to questions of youth e...
Nov 27, 2021•33 min•Ep 106•Transcript available on Metacast In this extremely timely episode, Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz, MEP and former Prime Minister of Poland, talks to Ania Skrzypek, FEPS Director for Research and Training, explaining how the border tensions are instrumentalized to change the narrative in Belarus and Poland, how the rights of the migrants have to be in focus and the aid must be extended, as also how the situation requires better understanding and stronger political will from the side of the EU.
Nov 18, 2021•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast This edition of the #fepstalks features Samantha Smith, director of the Just Transition Centre that has been established by the International Trade Union Confederation, in conversation with Andreas Dimmelmeier, FEPS policy analyst on climate and environment. Samantha talks about the importance of coming up with and implementing just transition plans that feature contributions from social partners and outlines positive examples including in South Africa, Spain and Germany. The podcast also touche...
Oct 30, 2021•19 min•Ep 104•Transcript available on Metacast Will the EU be successful in defending democracy and rule of law? Will the conditionality mechanism be used for the first time? Is Poland to be used to make an example? Will there be a Polexit? What about Polish protesters? – these and other fundamental questions remain at the focus of this episode of the FEPS Talks, which feature This Reuten, S&D Member of the European Parliament, and Ania Skrzypek, FEPS Director of Research and Training. Together they try to explain why the last ruling of the ...
Oct 23, 2021•21 min•Ep 103•Transcript available on Metacast Guy Ryder, ILO Director General, and László Andor, FEPS Secretary General analyse in this episode the main transformative challenges in the world of work: new technology, climate change, digitalisation and aging population. The International Labour Organisation proposed innovative solutions in three different fields: people and their capacities (social protection, lifelong learning), institutions of work (labour regulations/law) and jobs of the future (green economy, care economy etc.). The two ...
Oct 08, 2021•29 min•Ep 102•Transcript available on Metacast September 28th marks the International Safe Abortion Day. It therefore presents an opportune moment to recall how a fair and safe access to abortion constitutes a crucial condition for the respect of women’s fundamental rights and to eliminate gender discrimination. What is the importance of international solidarity for gender justice? How do we end the stigma and discrimination towards abortion? How do we ensure access to safe and affordable abortion healthcare services? How did the Covid-19 pa...
Sep 27, 2021•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dr. Hannes Swoboda, former S&D group leader in the European Parliament, and current President of the International Institute for Peace, is our special guest in the #100 FEPS Talks episode. In a conversation with Dr László Andor, FEPS Secretary General, he shares his view about the erosion and current reconstruction of social democracy, pointing to examples of revitalisation like Norway or (according to the latest polls) Germany. Swoboda and Andor also reflect on the role of the progressives in t...
Sep 23, 2021•26 min•Ep 100•Transcript available on Metacast 
