BlueLink Stories

24/10/2024

A state has the obligation to effectively protect its people against serious effects of climate change. This clear statement by Dr Elisabeth Stern (photo left) highlighted the message and spirit of an international conference held in Brussels on October 15, 2024. Sterm is the Board Chair of KlimaSeniorinnen - the Swiss collective which won an landmark ECHR decision in favour of climate rights back in April. Six months later in Brussels over 150 lawyers, legal experts, researchers and climate advocates from across the EU debated over connecting human rights to climate change at the European Committee of the Regions in Brussels.

The event was held by the Jusice and Environment (J&E) network in conclusion of its pilot EU-funded project entitled Climate and Environment Discussions and Actions (DACE). “Our work reflects upon the increasing global dynamics of the climate change agenda by applying the rule of law and relevant rights”, said Csaba Kiss (photo right) - a Hungarian environmental lawyer and J&E co-ordinator, who opened the conference. The DACE project explored and promoted climate rights - a novel concept capturing the existing and nascent categories of rights at international, EU and national level with relevance to climate change, including all substantive and procedural rights related to or affected by climate change.

All details in the story at https://www.bluelink.net/en/novini/climate-rights-for-legal-action-and-policy-making.html

11/10/2024

How do journalists in Ukraine work at times of war to:
🪖investigate war crimes;
🔍watch over corruption, social and environment problems; and
🎙️hold high professional and ethical ground, resist pressure and
🇪🇺make sure that Ukraine complies fully with European democratic values?
Hear this first hand account by Alla Sadovnyk, Chief Editor, Investigative Department, at the Ukrainian Public Broadcasting Corporatin, shared with BlueLink.net Editor Pavel Antonov at the XVI International Forum for Information on Safeguarding Nature by Greenaccord Onlus

02/12/2022

In spite of government claims, oil extraction industry poses serious environmental risks on neighbouring communities in Albania. A new assessment of environmental pollution of the country's's oil extraction hinterland around Patos, Marinez and Roskovec reveals high levels of toxic and harmful elements in the air, water and soil. They significantly affect local people’s health. These threats and the ways to resolve them were the subject or a heated discussion at the Patos Municipality today, involving local authorities from the area, civic groups and people, University of Agriculture scientists.

In spite of government claims, oil extraction industry poses serious environmental risks on neighbouring communities in Albania. A new assessment of environmental pollution of the country’s oil extraction and processing hinterland around ​​Patos, Marinez and Roskovec reveals high levels of tox...

12/09/2022

At a time of great global environmental peril and during a period in which its own environmental defenders are facing ever-increasing penalization, persecution and harassment, Belarus leaves the Aarhus Convention - the UNECE's landmark treaty for public participation, access to information and justice on environmental matters. The country's decision cause alarm, but also relief to many.

Belarus withdraws from landmark UN environmental rights treaty Following a heated exchange of arguments, Minsk has ultimately withdrawn from the Aarhus

26/05/2022

The attack on Ukraine has proven that nuclear and fossil fuels are dangerous to security. It is time to resolutely abandon them. An interview by Pavel Antonov with Todor Todorov, Coordinator for Energy Transition at For the Earth and CEE Bankwatch Network broadcasted originally on March 22 2022 in Evromegdan.

16/04/2022

An update from wartime Kiev and memories of rescuing the Chernobyl Power Plant back in 1986 and participating in the rebuilding of the area and founding Chernobyl Tour - the company that pioneered bringing visitors to the disaster's site. Shared by Sergii Mirnyi in part 2 of his BlueLink Stories interview.

14/03/2022

Ruslana Koziienko, a PhD student from the Central European University in Budapest is telling the story of the nightmare at Hungarian-Ukrainian border and how the life of many Ukrainians changed for just one day.

13/08/2021

An European view towards green policies in Bulgaria- an interview with Thomas Whaitz, co-chair of the European Green Party.

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The video was prepared within the framework of the project № GEF-21-17 “Fostering Public Debate on Green Recovery and Resilience Process in Bulgaria”. The project is organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of Bluelink and with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this video.

23/06/2021

For over 1.5 century the Novitet weaving mill in Bezdan, Serbia, has been producing fine damask silk products. How its technology is part of the Danube basin's shared heritage and why its business model can inspire and help other depopulated communities along the river, explains Balint Kadar, Lead at the DANUrB+ project, co-financed by European Union funds (ERDF and IPA), during a project partners' visit to Bezdan. .net is a partner to the project.

The video was prepared within the project DANube Urban Brand + Building Regional and Local Resilience through the Valorization of Danube's Cultural Heritage (DANUrB +) . The project is co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA), as well as the national budget of Republic of Bulgaria through the budget of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works.

17/06/2021

Hackberry trees imported from the Mississippi valley and precious historic architecture shape the landscape of Sombor, on Vojvodina's Danube bank in Serbia. Urban planner Dragana Siljanovic Kozoderovic tells about her love for it, and her efforts to protect it. DANUrB+.

The video was prepared within the project DANube Urban Brand + Building Regional and Local Resilience through the Valorization of Danube's Cultural Heritage (DANUrB +) . The project is co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA), as well as the national budget of Republic of Bulgaria through the budget of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works.

12/11/2020

In a paradoxical ruling a Russian court used anti-COVID legislation to sentence a journalist who criticized the Orthodox Church services for spreading COVID. Pavel Antonov tells the story of Александр Пичугин's case and its reflections in Bulgaria.

In Russia and Bulgaria alike institutions exempt the Orthodox church from anti-COVID restrictions and use them to prosecute critics. A Russian journalist