Economic Integration and the Welfare State

Wirtschaftsintegration, Sozialstaat, Mobilität, Europäische Wirtschafts- und Währungsunion, Economic integration, Welfare state, Mobility, European Economic and Monetary Union

Revitalizing Multilateral Governance at the World Trade Organization Report of the High-Level Board of Experts on the Future of Global Trade Governance. Bertelsmann Policy Brief 2018

If international trade is not governed by rules, mere might dictates what is right. The World Trade Organization (WTO) serves as a place where trade policy issues are addressed, disputes arbitrated, legal frameworks derived and enforced. Through these functions, the WTO ensures that the rules of trade policy are inspired by fairness and reciprocity rather than national interest. It is more important than ever to vitalize the global public good that it rep-resents against various threats that have been undermining it. Therefore, the Global Economic Dynamics project of the Bertelsmann Stiftung has called into life a High-Level Board of Experts on the Future of Global Trade Governance. Composed of eminent experts and seasoned trade diplomats, it elaborated a series of feasible policy recommendations that will increase the effectiveness and sali-ence of the WTO. We hope that this Report provides helpful suggestions in a time marked by increasing trade disputes and protectionism and instead contributes to stronger multilateral institutions and fora.1 The Bertelsmann Stiftung owes a debt of gratitude to Prof Bernard Hoekman, the Chairman of the Expert Board and author of this report. His invaluable expertise and experience, guidance and ability to bridge controversial opinions have been crucial in defining the work of the Board. We would also like to express our sincere thanks to all our Board Members, who generously contributed their expertise, time and networks. Without their dedication, this Report would not have been possible. Finally, we would like to thank Robert Koopman and Aik Hoe Lim of the WTO for their support throughout the whole process and Christian Bluth of Bertelsmann Stiftung for managing this common endeavour

Revitalizing Multilateral Governance at the World Trade Organization Policy Brief based on the Report of the High-Level Board of Experts on the Future of Global Trade Governance. Bertelsmann Policy Brief 2018

If international trade is not governed by rules, mere might dictates what is right. The World Trade Organization (WTO) serves as a place where trade policy issues are addressed, disputes arbitrated, legal frameworks derived and enforced. Through these functions, the WTO ensures that the rules of trade policy are inspired by fairness and reciprocity rather than national interest. It is more important than ever to vitalize the global public good that it represents against various threats that have been undermining it. Therefore, the Global Economic Dynamics project of the Bertelsmann Stiftung has called into life a High- Level Board of Experts on the Future of Global Trade ominant view among the members of the Expert Board. Members of the Board participated in meetings on a Governance. Composed of eminent experts and seasoned trade diplomats, it elaborated a series of feasible policy recommendations that will increase the effectiveness and salience of the WTO. We hope that this Report provides helpful suggestions in a time marked by increasing trade disputes and protectionism and instead contributes to stronger multilateral institutions and fora

Seizing the moment for euro area reform: a three-step action plan

On 31 May, the European Commission published a reflection paper on the deepening of the economic and monetary union. Henrik Enderlein, Enrico Letta and Aart De Geus outline proposals that they believe should have been contained in the paper. Their plan includes three key building blocks for a lasting and workable reform: a first aid kit, a structural reform and investment agenda, and significant risk-sharing

The SolabCool®, Cooling of Dwellings and Small Offices by Using Waste or Solar Heat

AbstractThis article describes the development of the SolabCool®. The SolabCool® is an air-conditioning unit for one family dwellings and or small offices. It is based on solar or waste heat driven adsorption cooling. The process is intermittent, so 2 tanks with silica gel at reduced pressures are used. To make the machine cost-effective and easy to use, two completely new valves were developed, patented and implemented, in combination with an advanced control unit. A pilot manufacturing plant is in operation since end of 2013. The first modules were produced and tested. The maximum so-called cold factor for the SolabCool® is 0.55. The cold factor is rather stable at a large variety of operation conditions, i.e. climate conditions. This is a very good result compared to other semi-intermittent air-conditioners. Demonstration in the market in The Netherlands started in 2014. The design freeze of the SolabCool® is carried out in the summer of 2014 and the pilot production will start