Making sense of EU - Institut d'études européennes of the ULB

International cooperation and the rules-based order as we know it is now at stake. The inauguration of Donald Trump in his second presidential term, Russia’s brutal war on Ukraine, and great power rivalry are just some of the factors that have had an influence on how countries can work together. In addition, several multilateral organisations are being criticized for a lack of efficiency in solving issues.

In the midst of this, the EU and other institutions are working to maintain international cooperation on one hand and adjusting to the new reality on the other. In a time where uncertainty reigns, we must ask ourselves: Is the era of cooperation coming to an end?

In this episode of the Making Sense of EU, we look at the state of international cooperation both between countries and in different institutions and organisations. We also visit Johannesburg to investigate what international cooperation looks like from a South African point of view.

You will meet Buhle Kokela and Amina Dossa, both students at WITS University, John Karslrud, Research Professor, NUPI, Sithembile Mbete, Executive Director, PARI, and Malte Brosig, Professor WITS University. Host for this episode is Marie Furhovden (NUPI).

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Daniel Muth from the Vrij Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) is member of the NAVIGATOR work package on climate change, which is focusing on how the EU positions itself in term of climate uncertainties within a fragmented and evolving global governance landscape. Drawing on his expertise in environmental governance and international cooperation, Muth highlights the complexity of climate diplomacy. His analysis looks at instruments like the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which illustrates how the EU combines regulatory ambition with geopolitical awareness. Through a mapping of governance structures, Muth and his team at VU assess how the EU can navigate tensions between climate leadership and strategic interests, offering practical pathways to align global action with European priorities.

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In this episode, host Anna Gelencsér from the Hungarian Helsinki Committee speaks with Anna Grudzinska of the National Federation of Polish NGOs (OFOP) and András Léderer from the Hungarian Helsinki Committee about the role of civil society organizations in monitoring EU funds in Hungary and Poland.

The discussion highlights both shared and country-specific challenges. In both contexts, CSOs must navigate slow-moving bureaucratic structures, heavy workloads, and limited resources. However, while OFOP draws on over two decades of structured experience in Poland, civil society participation in Hungary’s monitoring committees is a relatively recent development. This new engagement is unfolding in a politically hostile environment, with growing pressure on independent organizations—most notably through the actions of the Sovereignty Protection Office.

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In this special International Women’s Day episode of #TalkingwithEU, we’re tackling one of the most pressing issues in Europe today: gender equality. While the EU has made strides in closing the gap—through pay transparency, gender balance policies, and more—major challenges remain.

This episode features an eye-opening discussion with Alessia Ruta and Andrea Abril Montoya, two young voices shaping the conversation on gender equality. Together with our host Cora Rimoldi, we’ll explore:

💡 The EU’s roadmap for women’s rights and key priorities for the future
📢 The shocking findings of the EIGE’s latest Gender Equality Index
⚠️ The rise of cyber violence against women and girls—and what the EU must do to combat it

🔊 Tune in now and join the conversation! Let’s keep pushing for a more equal Europe. #IWD2025 #GenderEquality #EUvalues

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📢 New Episode Alert! 🎙️

In this month’s episode of Talking with EU, we’re diving into The European Project in Times of Change! 🌍✨ From geopolitical shifts to social movements, the EU faces a moment of transformation—so what does the future hold?

Joining us are Eyes on Europe writers Alessia Ruta and our co-host Sara Bordigato, who contributed to this month’s edition of the magazine. 📰💡 Alessia explores gender mainstreaming in peace, security, and foreign policy, while Sara tackles Europe’s reliance on NATO and the urgent need for stronger EU defence mechanisms.

🎧 Tune in now for fresh insights and a student-led discussion on Europe’s challenges and opportunities!

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🎙️ In this special episode of Talking with the EU, we’re diving into uncharted waters as we explore the Navigator Project, a groundbreaking four-year research initiative. This project examines how the European Union can navigate an increasingly fragmented global governance landscape and reinforce a rules-based international order. From climate change to digitalisation, migration to security, the Navigator Project offers actionable strategies to revitalise multilateralism.

Joining us are two distinguished experts: Frederik Ponjaert, Researcher and Lecturer at ULB and SciencesPo, specialising in comparative regionalism across Europe and Asia, and Alberto Tagliapietra, Senior Program Coordinator at GMF South, whose work focuses on EU migration policies and the intersection of technology and migration. Together, we’ll unpack the project’s seven key areas, explore its methodologies, and discuss what this means for the EU’s global role.

🔊 Tune in now to gain exclusive insights and join the conversation!

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Prof. Ole Jacob Sending from the Norwegian Institute for International Affairs (NUPI) explains his leadership role in shaping the theory and methods of the NAVIGATOR project. With extensive experience researching the evolving landscape of global governance, he highlights how the rise of non-state actors presents significant challenges and opportunities. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of "search costs," which help the EU and member states identify suitable organizations to support and align with their goals amid increasing complexity.

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“🎙️ In this episode of Talking with the EU, we bring you a first à chaud reaction to the 2024 US elections. With President Trump back in office, what does this mean for EU-US relations, NATO and the war in Ukraine? What lessons can Europe learn from the US regarding voter engagement and political participation?

Featuring special guests Rocio Rivera Torrente, Editor-in-Chief of Eyes on Europe, and Mateo Migoya, Treasurer of SAIES, we explore how these developments could reshape transatlantic ties.

🔊 Listen now and join the conversation!”

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András Léderer from the Helsinki Committee interviews both Orsolya Vincze - a lawyer at a Hungarian anti-corruption NGO, and Gergely Kovács - an associated professor at Corvinus University of Budapest

They discusses the transformation of Hungarian higher education institutions into privately owned entities managed by government-appointed boards with lifelong tenure, a process that began in 2018. These boards, which have significant control over university operations, are part of public interest trust management foundations that received substantial public assets. Concerns include reduced academic freedom, the potential creation of a parallel state, and conflicts of interest. The European Commission triggered a conditionality mechanism in September 2022 due to procurement and transparency issues, impacting EU funding and programs like Horizon and Erasmus+. Despite government commitments to address these issues, a December 2023 reassessment found no significant changes. The podcast also features insights from an attorney with a Hungarian anti-corruption watchdog and an associate professor at Northumbria University, discussing the motivations behind the transformations and the implications for academic freedom and bureaucratic versus political control.

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The NAVIGATOR project's Principal Investigator, Prof. John Karlsrud - Norwegian Institute for International Affairs (NUPI), discusses the research agenda and how it will explore the ways in which the EU should navigate multilateral corporations. After presenting himself, the international team involved as well as the project's genesis, Prof. Karlsrud details the central research questions, the empirical focus and his ambitions for NAVIGATOR over the next two years.

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