Daniel Cohn-Bendit

China: Global partner or dangerous competitor?

“Cohn-Bendit meets…” 19th March 2007

China is a country of superlative and blatant antipodes: since years the world is astonished about the massive economic growth of this socialist republic. However this rapid rise goes hand in hand with severe environmental damage, poverty and exploitation. Whereas big cities are rapidly westernising externally, human rights violations are still on the agenda in China. How does the future of the world's most populated country look like? What can we expect from the „Land in the Middle"? How do we have to conduct in order to make China a global partner for the European Union and not a competitor and antagonist? About this and other issues Daniel Cohn-Bendit discusses with China experts from science and policy. --

50 years of Roman Contracts: A reason to celebrate?!

“Cohn-Bendit meets…” 2nd April 2007

In March 2007 is the 50th anniversary of the signing of the „Roman Contracts". Festive speeches are delivered everywhere and politicians evoke the values of the Union. Indeed astonishing success emerged since the six founding nations signed the contracts for the founding of the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) in 1957. However a lot still needs to be done! How can Europe overcome its institutional crisis? How can people be inspired about Europe? Those questions and more is Daniel Cohn-Bendit discussing with europe-politicians from different wings and with committed young Europeans.

Climate Change! Farewell to cars?

"Cohn-Bendit meets…“ on February 19th 2007

It is getting hot: for decades policy, economy and users did neglect the scientists warnings. Today, climate change and global warming are omnipresent. To blame are particularly exhaust emissions. Daniel Cohn-Bendit discusses with transport politicians of different parties, and with automobile- and environmental experts about cars, emission limit values, public transportation and possible ways to solve the dilemma.

The whole article in German only.

Ukraine: Europe and Democracy or Russia and Despotism?

"Cohn-Bendit meets...Jurij Andruchowytsch" on 05.03.2007

In the late fall of 2004 as Ukrainians enforced a repetition of the faked presidential elections in the so called „orange revolution", the whole world glanced at Kiev for a few weeks. However what remains from the revolution's atmosphere of upheaval? How do the Ukrainians feel today? What do they expect from Europe? Daniel Cohn-Bendit talks with Jurij Andruchowytsch, one of the most important publicist voices of the current Ukraine, about disappointment, hope and the European perspective of the country.

The whole article in German only.

Is there a solution to the conflict in the Middle East at all?

“Cohn-Bendit trifft…” Dan Diner

The war between Israel and the Hizbollah in Lebanon seems to have crashed any hopes for solving the Middle East conflict. Both sides have hardened their stance, all dialogues have failed. Together with the historian Dan Diner Daniel Cohn-Bendit analyses the current crisis and tries to unravel the complexity of the conflict.

video in German...

Will enlargement kill the European Union?

„Cohn-Bendit trifft...“, June 6th 2006

Enthusiasm for constant enlargement and an unquestioned belief in Europe's ability to integrate - such thinking seems to be belong to the past. One year after the chance of deepening the integration has passed untaken due to the failed referenda on the constitution in France and the Netherlands, a way out of the constitutional crisis is nowhere in sight. Instead vague economical fears and an ongoing debate on parallel societies have fostered a return to national patterns of thought. We need a clear idea of the future EU. Otherwise we will have to discuss the borders of the EU at each enlargement again.

video in German...

Families in Europe: babyboom, patchwork-families, gay marriage and the fear to conceive

„Cohn-Bendit trifft...“, May 15th 2006

The headlines are full of it, TV-commentators convinced and politicians deeply worried - it has to be true. German families are in a very bad state. Daniel Cohn-Bendit and his guests talk about the cliché of the academic unwilling to conceive a child, about children in patchwork families and about other forms of sharing one's life beyond the traditional concept of a family.

Football Worldcup: In love with a ball? In love with money? Or in love with hatred?

„Cohn-Bendit trifft...“, May 1st 2006

What is it? A world sport, a collusive game, a real contribution to international understanding, a sale of commercial fan gear or just a global get-together of club-type people? This week Daniel Cohn-Bendit discusses the joy and pain of football with his guests, the fun to play and watch on the one hand and the racism and riots of violent fans on the other.

Dust pollution, CO2-emissions, traffic collapse: Is sustainable mobility possible at all?

„Cohn-Bendit trifft...“, April 17th 2006

In 2005 the German Office for Statistics counted 55 million cars, busses and lorries in Germany alone. And the trend points upwards. In times of speed and mobility - can we find convenient alternatives to the worldwide rising level of traffic and the linked problems for mankind and nature? A discussion about progress and its consequences.

Islam in Europe: How secular can religions be?

"Cohn-Bendit trifft...", April 3rd 2006

The debate about the caricatures has caused numerous misunderstandings on both sides. Religion and its role are being discussed in terms of culture, highlighted as a problem and finally condemned. In a debate about religion, society and the dangers of building up a concept of the enemy Daniel Cohn-Bendit and his guests try to offer possible solutions and perspectives for a peaceful future of all cultures side by side...

"Who owns the water?"

"Cohn-Bendit trifft..." March 20th, 2006

Water, the resource no life can do without, has increasingly become a political issue. Shortages in many parts of the world and often careless handling of the most important resource force us to think about criteria for sustainable water management. Daniel Cohn-Bendit talks with specialists and politicians about dangers and possible solutions.

"The cheaper, the better! – Does this count for food, too?”

"Cohn-Bendit trifft..." March 6th, 2006

How much money are consumers willing to spend for their food? In spite of scandals regarding spoiled meat in Germany, discounter supermarkets are still highly attractive thanks to their low prices. Daniel Cohn-Bendit and his guests wonder, if consumers really care about the quality of their Sunday roast.

"Election victory of Hamas in Palestine: Should Europe stop the transfer of money?"

"Cohn-Bendit trifft..." , February 20th, 2006

How should Europe deal with Hamas? In this week's programme Daniel Cohn-Bendit discusses with Avi Primor, former ambassador of Israel in Germany, and other Middle East experts, about the preconditions for a continuation of a relationship between the new Palestinian government and the EU.

"Social Europe put to test: the services directive"

"Cohn-Bendit trifft...", February 6th, 2006

Every two weeks terranova, a TV-channel for nature documentaries based in Cologne, broadcasts a one-hour talkshow from the European Parliament hosted by the publisher and politician Daniel Cohn-Bendit. The programme is produced in turns either in Brussels or Strasbourg. The focus is on current political, ecological and economical issues. This time the topic is the EU services directive.

Video

"No oil, no nuclear energy – is that feasible at all?"

"Cohn-Bendit trifft..." Dezember 26th, 2005

Is the Green dream possible: A phase out of nuclear energy AND an end of oil dependency? Or do we see a renaissance of nuclear power as stopping climate change won't be possible without? A few days before the new year "Cohn-Bendit meets..." once again picks up the topic of the future: energy. His guests: the MEPs Dr. Werner Langen (EPP), Rebecca Harms (Greens), Stefan Schurig (Greenpeace Germany) and Dr. Rolf Linkohr (former MEP, PES).

Video

"Refuge Europe: the political and moral challenge of immigration and integration“

"Cohn-Bendit trifft..." November 28th, 2005

Thousands of Africans press into Europe. In France the suburbs are burning. Which immigration and integration policy do we need in this moment? In his fifth edition of "Cohn-Bendit meets..." Daniel Cohn-Bendit analysed the complex political situation with the MEPs Wolfgang Kreissl-Dörfler (PES) and Manfred Weber (EPP) as well as Peter von Bethlenfalvy (Director of Int. Organization for Migration) and Dr. Christopher Hein (Director of the European Council for Refugees).

"Refuge Europe: the political and moral challenge of immigration and integration“

"World trade – curse or blessing?"

"Cohn-Bendit trifft...", November 14th 2005

Under which circumstances is fair world trade possible? Which agricultural reforms make sense? How legitimate are European export subsidies? Daniel Cohn-Bendit debates with the MEPs Friedrich-Wilhelm Graefe zu Baringdorf (Greens) and Jorgo Chatzimarkakis (Liberals) as well as the experts Benoît Chevalier (German Marshall Fund) and Armin Paasch (FIAN).

Video

„The European welfare state – an illusion?"

"Cohn-Bendit trifft...", October 31st, 2005

Unemployment and increasing social expenditure - many EU member states struggle with similar problems. Is the European social model the perfect solution? The guests discussing this question are: Dr. Sylvia-Yvonne Kaufmann (PDS/GUE) , Alexander Graf von Lambsdorff (German Liberals), Dr. Bernd Schulte (Max-Planck-Institut) and Thomas Klau (Financial Times Germany).

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"Does Europe need Turkey?“

"Cohn-Bendit trifft..." October 17th, 2005

The heated debate about the EU-accession of Turkey runs through all parties as was clearly visible during this edition of "Cohn-Bendit meets..." Above all Joost Lagendijk (Greens/Netherlands) arguing for Turkey's entry and Johannes Voggenhuber (Greens/Austria) taking the opposite standpoint entered into a fascinating discussion.

Video

"How toxic is Europe?"

"Cohn-Bendit trifft..." Oktober 3rd, 2005

On October 3rd the German TV-channel terranova from Cologne started the first talkshow from the European Parliament with Daniel Cohn-Bendit as host. In the first show he and his guests, among them the MEPs Gisela Kallenbach (Greens) and Hartmut Nassauer (EPP) talked about the unknown dangers of chemical substances and the fight of the industry against the new EU chemicals legislation.

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