“Rule of law is crucial for promoting a sustainable economy”

Cristina Barbetta

Interview with the rapporteur of the EESC own-initiative opinion on "The rule of law and its impact on economic growth." A fundamental EU value, “the rule of law is instrumental for the functioning of society, fundamental rights, civil society, as well as the economy." (..) “Investments crucially depend on having stable and reliably and impartially enforced common rules. Strengthening the rule of law by promoting reforms in areas such as effective justice systems and the fight against corruption would also reinforce the competitiveness and sustainability of the economy,”explains Jukka Ahtela

Lucian Gramescu: «This is how I make social enterprise grow in Romania»

Cristina Barbetta

Interview with Lucian Gramescu, Scaling Manager at Impact Hub Bucharest, the first hub for enterprises in Romania. Over the last two years the social enterprise sector has evolved a lot in Romania, with much more professionalised and quality products

Is sharing mobility the future?

Monica Straniero

Vita International posed the question to Veronica Aneris, Senior policy officer at Transport & Environment (T&E), Europe's leading NGO campaigning for cleaner transport.

The wrong anti poverty recipes of the left according to Deirdre McCloskey

Monica Straniero

Economist Deirdre McCloskey challenges the theories of liberal pundits such as Stiglitz and Piketty and takes a swipe at foreign aid and universal basic income.

Ed Mayo: Why we need to integrate ethics in business

Monica Straniero

Only ethics has the power to bring us together. Vita International asked Ed Mayo, secretary general of Co-operatives UK, what ethics really means and how we can build a culture that insists on putting societal welfare ahead of profits.

Patrick Gomes (ACP Group of States):«Diversifying partnerships is key for our future»

Joshua Massarenti

Ambassador Patrick Gomes shares his views regarding the main and most pressing challenges that the ACP (The African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States) is facing.

Bernardo Bini Smaghi: the Italian Development Cooperation secures funding

Joshua Massarenti

The head of Management and Support of Development Policies Department at Cassa depositi e Prestiti S.p.A. (CDO) outlines his plans for the Italian public-sector financial institution and the historic step which is set to bring the CDP into the world of Italian development aid and international cooperation.

Ken Loach:The European Union is a neo-liberal project

Monica Straniero

Since the 1960s, Ken Loach has been known for his hard-hitting social dramas exploring issues such as poverty, homelessness, unemployment and exploitation. The acclaimed film director and passionate socialist arrived yesterday in Rome to promote I Daniel Blake, which won the Palme d’Or at last month’s Cannes film festival.

Bringing gender equality to Europe

Ottavia Spaggiari

Joanna Maycock, Secretary General of the European Women's Lobby (EWL), talks to Vita International about feminisms, Beyoncé and why compliance and austerity are the worst enemies of gender equality

Civil society organizations' support in building inclusive institutions

Martino Pillitteri

The social situation and the threat of terrorism are the two main factors that could undermine the gains of the revolution. However, civil society organizations are not passive nor afraid to play a role in the promotion of democratic values and practices. Just as PASC-Tunisie is doing with its Programme d’Appui à la Société Civile program.