Work, Economy & the Just Transition

Work, Economy & the Just Transition

 

The social democratic understanding of progress in the 21st century combines social, economic, and ecological responsibility. The power of automation, combined with the global threats posed by increasing inequality and climate change – two of the greatest present-day challenges – prompts us to rethink much of our economic, industrial, and social models. Hence, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung is committed to a Just Transition – a socially and ecologically just structural change that enables sustainable economic activity, climate protection, and better life prospects for all.

FES UK strives to support both people and the economy for a Just Transition in the UK and Germany. We work with political and economic experts, international organisations, and trade unions to develop strategies and provide advice on how the UK and Germany can work together to achieve social justice and sustainability, especially in the aftermath of Brexit. In dialogue formats and publications, we develop approaches on how the EU and UK can successfully work together on climate and social policies. We need to safeguard and strengthen the welfare state, contribute to gender equality, and develop climate-neutral energy systems and industries.

Trade unions are at the forefront of the struggles for a democratic and sustainable world of work. International dialogue, policymaking, and strategising are essential to ensure effective workers’ representation. The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung works closely with workers, activists, and officials to promote stronger, more democratic, and more inclusive trade unions. In addition, our work in this area is supported by our Future of Work and Just Climate offices, both of which are located in Brussels and were founded in 2021. FES Future of Work aims to discuss and debate the future of work at the European level, and FES Just Climate focuses on energy, industrial, structural, and labour policies, as well as the European Green Deal.

Related Events

Uniting Europe Against Islamophobia: UK-Germany Delegation Report

Seema Syeda (2023): In mainstream discourse, it is often ›Muslims‹ who are framed as the ›problem‹. However, it is the white supremacist structures of European society, including within progressive spaces, that need to change. The burden of this work must be shouldered by the entire progressive community with an emphasis on continuous training and educating about Islamophobia, racism, and colonialism and how these issues manifest on a structural and individual level. Muslim empowerment must also be prioritised by creating spaces for Muslim-led self-organising – recognising the many different intersectional identities that exist within Muslim communities.

Why is it important to deal with the empowerment of Muslims? Why is it important to give space to Muslim experiences of discrimination? Why publish a report on policies to empower Muslim communities that seek a starting point for such empowerment?

In the 2021 Mitte study surveying German public opinion, 12.2 per cent of those surveyed agreed with the statement: ›the majority of Muslims find Islamist terrorism justified‹ and a further 15.2 per cent thought this was ›partly true‹. These resentments, influenced by a hostile media narrative, fester amongst those groups who do not tolerate Islam or even Muslims. Anti-Muslim hatred and Islamophobic attitudes result in genuine violence towards members of the Muslim community.

On the one hand, this report deals with painful topics and unresolved challenges of inclusion processes as it addresses anti-Muslim and Islamophobic resentment and thus the degradation of people. On the other hand, it looks for starting points to strengthen inclusion in democracy. In times of violence and conflict, this is what societies are forced to do if they seek to avoid abandoning their fundamental values and seek constructive solutions for the development of democratic societies.

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Related Publications

Uniting Europe Against Islamophobia: UK-Germany Delegation Report

Seema Syeda (2023): In mainstream discourse, it is often ›Muslims‹ who are framed as the ›problem‹. However, it is the white supremacist structures of European society, including within progressive spaces, that need to change. The burden of this work must be shouldered by the entire progressive community with an emphasis on continuous training and educating about Islamophobia, racism, and colonialism and how these issues manifest on a structural and individual level. Muslim empowerment must also be prioritised by creating spaces for Muslim-led self-organising – recognising the many different intersectional identities that exist within Muslim communities.

Why is it important to deal with the empowerment of Muslims? Why is it important to give space to Muslim experiences of discrimination? Why publish a report on policies to empower Muslim communities that seek a starting point for such empowerment?

In the 2021 Mitte study surveying German public opinion, 12.2 per cent of those surveyed agreed with the statement: ›the majority of Muslims find Islamist terrorism justified‹ and a further 15.2 per cent thought this was ›partly true‹. These resentments, influenced by a hostile media narrative, fester amongst those groups who do not tolerate Islam or even Muslims. Anti-Muslim hatred and Islamophobic attitudes result in genuine violence towards members of the Muslim community.

On the one hand, this report deals with painful topics and unresolved challenges of inclusion processes as it addresses anti-Muslim and Islamophobic resentment and thus the degradation of people. On the other hand, it looks for starting points to strengthen inclusion in democracy. In times of violence and conflict, this is what societies are forced to do if they seek to avoid abandoning their fundamental values and seek constructive solutions for the development of democratic societies.

No items found