Job Alert – A difficult End to the Year: Values in Conflict

Whilst climate backlash, yellow vests and Brexit would have more than filled this editorial, this week’s first words need to address the tragedy in Strasbourg, where a shooting at the Strasbourg Christmas market left 3 people dead and 12 severely injured.  It was “Strasbourg week”, Members of the European Parliament, their staff and many lobbyists were in town, in addition to a multitude of tourists who wanted to enjoy the famous Christmas market. Apart from so many EU people present, Brussels folks can relate – it has only been slightly more than 2 years since the deadly attacks on the Brussels airport and the underground. We do not know what is behind the Strasbourg attack yet, but in all clarity and also in the light of the recent violent “Gilets Jaunes” protests: our democratic systems allow for active engagement with a dissenting voice, for the creation of new democratic parties and for peaceful conflict seeking outcomes that can at least more or less work for all. There is no need and absolutely no justification for violence, let alone murder.

Before the Strasbourg shooting, the past weeks were dominated by climate change. COP 24, the 24th session of the UN Climate Change Conference, is dividing opinions amongst governments and citizens alike. The ambitious goal of finally putting meat to the famous Paris commitments aiming to limit global warming is more than challenged by the interests of poor versus wealthy nations, more versus less affected countries – and French citizens taking to the streets in anger over seemingly unfair policy decisions, not only, but also in the name of climate change. A big Brussels protest led to a burning police car, French shopkeepers and the Paris Marianne statue suffered much greater damages.

Meanwhile, the British are dealing with their problems not necessarily more successfully, but in a civilised way: since the Parliament is not likely to support May’s Brexit agreement with the EU, Theresa May faced a vote of confidence on Wednesday – which she won, given that no alternatives exist in the light of the Brexit D-day only a few months away. Meanwhile, the European Court of Justice decided that the UK may revoke Article 50 unilaterally – which means that Brexit may not come after all…

This is the last editorial for this year. The politjobs team wishes you a merry Christmas and a good start into the new year. And if you want to help democratic engagement to prevail over violent means of conflict, no matter how weak, how chaotic or how much nonsense it is filled with sometimes, find attached some jobs and as usual more on politjobs.eu!

Irina Michalowitz


Featured Job

365 Sherpas seeks Associate for Corporate Affairs & Policy Advice (m/f/x)
Brussels | Apply by: ongoing | Start: instantly | Full Time

365 Sherpas is a political strategy consulting company providing services to corporate clients, associations and institutions. They develop communication strategies with their clients that enable them to anticipate developments, position themselves accordingly and communicate relevant key messages to political decision-makers and the general public. They have an immediate opening for an Associate for Corporate Affairs & Policy Advice (m/f/x) based at the new office they are setting up in Brussels. ➡️ See full job ad

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14. December 2018