#EUFridays by JEF Hungary #3

The European Citizen’s Prize launched in 2008 is the European Parliament’s way of recognizing exceptional achievements done by EU citizens, for the betterment of the EU community. Hungary’s winner this year is an organization dedicated to emotionally, mentally and socially vulnerable people of society. The Oltalom Charitable Organization aims to help groups of need, that have been displaced by society, be it underprivileged children and their families, homeless people, people living in sickness or poverty. The Organization was founded in 1989 by Gábor Iványi. Gábor aims to raise awareness to the problems of society, and helps any way he can, reaching out to those who almost lost their hope.

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On the 17th of November the European Commission proposed a law aimed at preventing the import of commodities linked to deforestation by requiring companies to prove their global supply chains are not contributing to the destruction of forests. Serious retributions have been set in perspective, should a company fail to comply – says Reuters. The import of soy, beef, palm oil, wood, cocoa and coffee, and some derived products including leather, chocolate and furniture could be affected. Most of the emissions caused by the land-use sector comes from deforestation, and are one of the major causes of climate change after fossil fuels. World leaders agreed to end deforestation by 2030. at this month’ s COP26 summit.

“To succeed in the global fight against the climate and biodiversity crises we must take the responsibility to act at home as well as abroad”- says Frans Timmermans.

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Russia demonstrates its massive military capability in Ukraine and Belarus, while China tests nuclear-capable hypersonic space weapons and the U.S is in motion as well - the EU is addressing the situation by releasing a policy document. EU defence ministers discussed the affected matters and their new plan meant to strengthen the European Union’s military capabilities, called the Strategic Compass. The realization that the European Continent cannot and will not be able to rely on the institutions of the U.S or NATO alone is a harsh reality affecting all our lives. The meeting marks the start of a debate on how ambitious the EU should be as it attempts to become a security provider, more able to determine its own fate when conflicts erupt.

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People travelling to Europe will soon have a new administrative method to deal with – says euronews.com. Non-EU citizens will be required to fill out a €7 application form to get inside the Schengen Zone. The ‘European Travel Information and Authorisation System’ – or ETIAS for short - is intended to “increase security and help prevent health threats to the bloc”. The EU’s ’90 day rule’ is not largely affected. People from the U.S, Brits or Australians will be able to spend up to 90 days inside Schengen borders every half a year without a visa. The process itself however will no longer be free.