Direct economic effects of globalisation are beneficial, but what about its side effects such as pollution and emission of greenhouse gases? Should we be concerned about increasing amounts of goods transported via international trade flows or can the opening of countries to international trade actually bring an improvement to their environment?

Earth provides us with many goods and services, such as water and clear air, for "free". Can the destruction of the environment be stopped by putting a price on "free" ecosystem services or is it a false solution, creating more problems than it solves?

In response to the annexation of Crimea and the ensuing destabilization of Eastern Ukraine, the European Union resorted to economic sanctions against Russia. Are these 'restrictive measures' the best way to restore peace and stability to the region?

On November 12, 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the threshold of 5000 deaths caused by Ebola has been crossed. Since December 2013, more than 5000 people were killed by this disease in western Africa, especially in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. Since Ebola is a very lethal disease, on the verge of becoming a world epidemic, the wealthiest countries certainly have an interest in helping the infected territories to avoid a global contamination. But are their efforts good enough?

The Bulgarian right wing party,GERB, arrived ahead of the legislative elections, organized in advance, the 5th of october 2014. But no one of the three main parties obtained the majority. So the two centre-right political forces agreed a coalition agreement in November and will form a minority government. But the question is whether or not this new government has a chance to succeed?

Finland is often considered as an ideal compared to the other European countries’ educational system. It seems really performing by being at the top of numerous international rankings. But do the Finnish have the same vision within the country? Is the system as perfect as it is often said and a model to follow?

Last saturday the United Nations launched the new campaign, HeforShe promoting gender equality all over the world.

European politicians in Brussels make decisions which increasingly influence the lives of the EU citizens in their daily routine. Those who are concerned, however, often feel excluded - some people are calling this a democratic deficit. Is it wise to increase the legislative competence of the European Parliament?

For the sake of sovereign debt crisis European Union institutions have to change. In particular a centralised economic government has been suggested. Is it an antidemocratic insanity? Or is it rather the only solution which may get Europe out of the crisis?

Should one believe the current President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, who said 'the Polish Presidency has undoubtedly been one of the best in recent years'? Or rather has it been just a mediocre one, with some successes and well unrevealed failures?