EU Smart Cities

In the last years, the European population is concentrating, primarily, in the metropolitan areas. This urban sprawl is accompanied by relevant challenges concerning sustainability, social cohesion, adequate housing and efficient transport services. By 2050, 80% of the global population will live in a town or a city. For this reason, the European Commission is working to carry out the urban sustainability … Continue reading EU Smart Cities

Accepted When You Win Attacked When You Lose

On Sunday, July 11th, the Football Euro Cup Final took place. Individuals across the globe, especially in Europe, traveled to parties, bars, houses, and gathered to watch the final game between England and Italy. Tensions high, within the first two minutes of the game, England scored a goal, setting the tone and leaving Italians worried … Continue reading Accepted When You Win Attacked When You Lose

COVID-19 Health Crisis and the European Court of Human Rights

Last year the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled on certain issues strongly connected with the Covid-19 Health Crisis in some relevant decisions. The plaintiffs, indeed, were complaining about the violation of several articles of the European Convention on Human Rights in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Convention on Human Rights violation in this case-law was affecting, essentially, the Right … Continue reading COVID-19 Health Crisis and the European Court of Human Rights

Denmark VS. Refugee Rights: Andersen’s Fairytale Country is Turning Into Asylum Seekers’ Nightmare

Denmark was one of the first countries to sign the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and ratify its Protocol in 1968. As established by the Copenhagen criteria (symbolically "hosted", indeed, by the Danish capital), respect for human rights and migrants' dignity is considered a founding, irreplaceable pillar of Danish society and its established liberal democratic … Continue reading Denmark VS. Refugee Rights: Andersen’s Fairytale Country is Turning Into Asylum Seekers’ Nightmare

Smart-Workers Right to Disconnect

On January the 21st, 2021, the European Parliament voted a resolution, 2019/2181(INL), containing recommendations to the European Commission on the Right to Disconnect. These recommendations are concerning the new requested directive on the Right to Disconnect. It should be noted that, currently, a specific legislation related to the Smart-Worker's Right to Disconnect does not exist. … Continue reading Smart-Workers Right to Disconnect

EU Digital Strategy

In February 2020, the European Commission presented the Communication, COM (2020) 67 final on Shaping Europe's digital future.  Communication COM (2020) 67 final reiterates the principles and continues the actions already present in Digital Agenda for Europe communication. In the Shaping Europe's digital future communication, the European Commission is expressing its vision on digital technologies, calling for a "European society powered … Continue reading EU Digital Strategy

Wuthering Clouds on the Horizon: The Shadows of the Past Come Back to Threaten Northern Ireland

Last April people in Northern Ireland witnessed the resurgence of tensions and clashes that had long since been set aside in the drawers of memory. No matter how irrelevant random protests and scuffles may appear for the global public opinion, the flare up of incidents in this little part of the world brings back to … Continue reading Wuthering Clouds on the Horizon: The Shadows of the Past Come Back to Threaten Northern Ireland

The Balkan Route to Human Rights Violations at the EU External Borders

The Western Balkans have been dealing with internal displacement and refugee issues since the 1991-95 conflict. While still coping with the aftermaths of the refugee flows within the region, those countries have more recently also become one of the most important transit areas. The “Balkan Route” involves migrants smuggling routes starting in Turkey or Greece and proceeding all the way … Continue reading The Balkan Route to Human Rights Violations at the EU External Borders

The Labour Principle to the Test: Happy Republic Day Italy…

“Italy is a Republic founded on work”. This is the first sentence of the Italian Constitution. We are talking about work rather than workers; we are talking about a principle rather than people. Why? Well, the answer is simple: the Republic is founded on a collaboration principle among different people who work and participate to … Continue reading The Labour Principle to the Test: Happy Republic Day Italy…