MENA STORIES – 1st Episode

More than a year has passed since nationwide protests broke out in Iran following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini under mysterious circumstances in a Tehran police station. The slogan 'Women, Life, Freedom' has long echoed through Iran’s streets, but what does the protest movement look like one year later? How is the government reacting? Has the movement been successful? And if so, to what extent?

This is MENA Stories, the EST Observatory EU-MENA’s podcast series that uncovers and narrates facts and events from the region.

This episode has been hosted by Hafssa Fakher Elabiari

Research by Hafssa Fakher Elabiari

Edited by Luca Saviolo

Edited and sound-engineered by Eden Salviato

Urban environments play a pivotal role in addressing today's pressing environmental challenges, serving as both the epicentre of these issues and the potential crucible for innovative solutions. This episode dives into the challenges and opportunities of giving citizens a voice in shaping their cities, as we discuss the power of localized knowledge, contrasting opinions, and the delicate balance between environmental goals and public preferences. Discover why participatory democracy is key to creating sustainable and resilient urban environments.

This episode was hosted by Marta Schwarz and Remina Aleksieva.

Edited and sound-engineered by Eden Salviato.

Ski tourism in Europe has been facing severe challenges in recent years, the most pressing one being climate change and its diverse consequences. Some ski resorts with its local businesses are dependent on constant ski tourism while others have started engaging in a path towards more diversified and sustainable tourism. We talked to Christian Zwanziger, the spokesperson for tourism of the Bavarian Green Party, and Irene Berthod, the president of the merchants, bars and restaurants association in the popular ski resort Cervinia, Italy. Find out what this entails and how ski tourism can answer fundamental questions about its future, in the light of an ongoing climate, biodiversity and energy crisis. 

This episode was hosted by Hannah Kleine and Silvie Carrel.

Edited and sound engineered by Hannah Kleine.

This week Silvie together with two professors- Serhan Afacan and Gabriel Garroum- will analyze some important questions on the Iran protests. What was the situation before? Will this be a revolution? And much more.

This episode was hosted and researched by Silvie Carrel edited and sound engineered by Hannah Kleine.  Music by John Sib and Winking Fox Music.

This week, Silvie and Anna - Researchers for the podcast team- and Hafssa Elabiari -Deputy Head of the Observatory on EU and MENA relations- dive head first into the current situation in Iran. What lead to this point and how does it impact the country and its relation with the West?

This episode was hosted by Silvie Carrel. Edited and sound engineered by Pauline Oléon. Research and content by Silvie Carrel, Anna Scherer and Hafssa Elabiari. Music by John Sib and Winking Fox Music.

Numbering half a million and making up an estimated 10 percent of Slovakia’s population, Roma are the second-largest ethnic minority in the country.

Yet, they are also one of the most discriminated against, both in the country and all o Europe.

This week, Hannah -host and researcher from our podcast team- unpacks with the help of Abel Ravasz -Sociologist and founder of the NGO Purt- the current situation of the Roma community in Slovakia, and what is being done (or should be done) to improve their condition.

If you want to know more about Purt, or find out how to support them, please visit their website https://purtdotorg.wordpress.com or ollow this link:  https://imb-bmi.org/en/

This episode was hosted by Hannah Kleine. Edited and sound engineered by Pauline Oléon. Research and content by Hannah Kleine.

Music by John Sib and Winking Fox Music.

This week, Hannah, host and researcher from our podcast team, has the pleasure of speaking with Paul Hutchings, co-founder of Refugee Support. 

Founded in 2016, this organization's mission is to compensate for the failures of States when it comes to humanitarian help and to 'create a system that put dignity, equality and fairness' in the life of Refugees. In this episode, Paul tells us about their work since their creation, the double standard with which Europe treats refugees according to their country of origin, and the role of media representation in the public's perception of refugees. 

 If you want to know more about Refugee Support, or find out how to support them, please visit their website https://www.refugeesupporteu.com

This episode was hosted by Hannah Kleine. Edited and sound engineered by Pauline Oléon. Research and content by Hannah Kleine.

Music by John Sib and Winking Fox Music.

When the UK officially left the European Union in January 2020, much speculation was made regarding the economic and social impact this would have on the country. One area has however been overshadowed: that of education and research. What impact has Brexit had on this field, and what could be the future of British Research? In this Episode, Niamh Axe answers all your question with the help of Giovanni Travaglino, Professor of Social Psychology and Criminology at Royal Holloway University in London and Director for the Institute of the Study of Power, Crime, and Society.

This episode was hosted by Niahm Axe. Edited and sound engineered by Pauline Oléon. Research and content by Niahm Axe and Victoria Bergström.

Music by John Sib and Winking Fox Music.

Since its candidacy in 1989, Turkey has been at the heart of the E.U Enlargement debate.

Ioannis Grigoriadis, associate professor at Bilkent University will help us today to understand what are the challenges for the accession to the European Union for Turkey, and what impacts the debate has on the two entities relation.

This episode was hosted by Semina Melissi. Edited and sound engineered by Pauline Oléon. Research and content by Semina Melissi and Pauline Oléon.

Music by John Sib and Winking Fox Music.

Following the European Parliament recently declaring that Hungary 'no longer is a democracy', Silvie Carrel and Anna Scherer - Researchers for the Podcast Team- dive head first in the E.U vs Poland and Hungary case. What is going on, and what could be done?

This episode was hosted by Silvie Carrel. Edited and sound engineered by Pauline Oléon. Research and content by Anna Scherer.

Music by John Sib and Winking Fox Music.