Stories about Western Europe from December, 2009
China: ‘How did Copenhagen end up our fault?’
Did China do badly at Copenhagen? Writes one Chinese blogger: "I think Chinese officials acted splendidly at the Copenhagen summit; this was the first time for me to see China be bold like Americans in standing up tough for its own interests."
Poland: Language and Identity Abroad
Raf Uzar writes about the Polish language and identity abroad – here and here.
Belarus, Ukraine: British Literary Translator Vera Rich Dies at 73
Belarus Digest writes about Vera Rich, a British translator of Belarusian and Ukrainian literature, who died on Dec. 20 at the age of 73.
Video: Impressions from the Climate Change Conference
We bring you some video impressions from people at the Climate Change Conference that took place during the first weeks of December in Copenhagen, Denmark. From protests, to dances, arts and presentations, a small sample of COP15.
Canada said what? Phishing Spoof at Climate Change Summit
The Canadian government supposedly released an angry statement today, denouncing a spoof that supposedly made it as far as the Wall Street Journal, claiming that Canada had shifted its policy and would be agreeing to greenhouse gas reduction targets.
Greece: Riots and Police Brutality Commemorate Teenager's Death
Riots broke out in Athens and Thessaloniki during memorial gatherings for a 15-year old named Alexandros Grigoropoulos who was shot dead by police on December 6, 2008. Ample citizen media evidence of police brutality forced the government to make promises of police reform yet again.
Dispatch from Copenhagen: Demands for Climate Justice
Saffah Faroog is one of four Global Voices Authors in Copenhagen during the United Nations Climate Change Summit covering the lively conversations occurring in the blogosphere surrounding COP15.
Denmark: Ukrainian Blogger's Photos of Mass Arrests
Sergey Kovalyov (LJ user skovalyov; #skovalyov on Twitter) posts seven photos of mass arrests of protesters on Amagerbrogade in Copenhagen and writes (RUS) about it on his blog.
Video: Pitch Your Cause to the World for Davos
There is time until January 4th, 2010 to send in your video pitch for your cause if you want a chance to participate in the World economic Forum at Davos in Switzerland. Read all instructions and Conditions to participate on the Davos YouTube Channel or on their site.
Russia: Climate Change in the North
AskYakutia.com and Window on Eurasia write about climate change issues in the Russian North.
Controversies Surround French National Identity Debate
The national identity debate, launched by the French government a month ago, has had its critics on all sides of the debate: from those who speculate the official website is being run by Moroccans to intellectuals who have called for the closure of the Ministry of Immigration.
Egypt: When did Saudi Arabia become Switzerland's role model?
Reactions continue to flow forth from bloggers around the Middle East and North Africa regarding Switzerland's controversial ban on the construction of minarets.
Nominations Open for ‘Best of the Blogs’ Award
Deutsche Welle has kicked-off the sixth annual international Best of the Blogs awards: the BOBs. This year there are new prizes for the best climate change bloggers, as well as a new language category for Bangla (Bengali).
Ukraine: UK Ambassador's Blog
Leigh Turner, UK Ambassador to Ukraine, blogs about an annual charity bazaar in Kyiv and the need to establish the “world-wide recognition for Brand Ukraine.”
Ukraine, Germany: Esquire Article on the Demjanjuk Trial
Foreign Notes links to an Esquire article “on the Demjanjuk ‘trial’ currently being staged in Germany.”
Portuguese-speaking bloggers on World Aids Day '09
This World Aids Day Lusophone bloggers in different parts of the world reflect on the suffering caused by the human immunodeficiency virus.
Slovakia: Controversial Politician Opposes Construction of a Casino
TriGranit, one of Europe's largest property developers, in cooperation with Harrah's Entertainment, the world's largest gaming company, are to build a leisure and shopping complex with a casino in Slovakia. Tibor Blazko translates some of what Slovak netizens have to say about one of the critics of this construction project.
Young Leaders from Sweden and Middle East in Dialogue
Last month, the Swedish Institute in Paris hosted a meeting of 26 young people from Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and Sweden to improve dialogue between opinion leaders in Sweden, the Middle East and North Africa. Global Voices in French was there.
Climate Change Skeptics Incited by Leaked Emails
Hundreds of emails and documents from the Climate Research Unit (CRU) of the University of East Anglia (UEA) have been hacked and posted online, adding fuel to the beliefs of climate change skeptics.
Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia: Visa-Free Travel
Belgraded reports that, beginning Dec. 19, “there will be no more visa requirement for Serbian, Montenegrin and Macedonian citizens if they want to travel to the Schengen territory” – debunks “some visa-free travel myths.” Jana Orsolic thinks “it's too good to be truth” and shares some of her feelings: “…there's...
Austria: How Social Media Set “Universities on Fire”
Did you know that at this very moment many universities throughout Europe are occupied by students? This remarkable movement has been coordinated entirely via online social media.
