The EU-VALUES Network (EU Research and Education Network on Foreign Policy Issues: Values and Democracy) unites 21 leading higher education institutions from Europe and beyond to enrich the debate and deepen understanding of values and democracy in the EU's foreign policy.
Comprising nearly 100 academic experts from six continents, this coalition was formed with a focus on scholarly excellence and inclusiveness, emphasising gender equality and geographic diversity. Our network recognises the urgent need to bolster the EU's external legitimacy as a force for good amid global challenges.
Ideas and Insights from the EU-VALUES Network
Finland’s updated Integration Act, effective from January 2025, shifts the burden of integration onto immigrants, aligning with the EU’s growing trend toward assimilation over inclusion. With the rise of right-wing politics, policies once designed for mutual adaptation now emphasise individual responsibility, placing immigrants in precarious labor while limiting access to social rights.
In this in-depth analysis, researcher Dionysia Kang explores how migrants in Finland face systemic barriers, from job discrimination to exclusion from welfare programmes. Through real-life testimonies, this piece reveals how Finland’s new policies create differential inclusion, reinforcing economic dependence while denying social protections.Read more to uncover the lived realities of migrant precarity, the shifting landscape of immigration policy, and the urgent need for a human rights-based approach to integration.
In this article, Thomas Aubineau examines how democracies around the world are grappling with rising authoritarianism and declining public trust. As leaders like Nayib Bukele in El Salvador and Viktor Orbán in Hungary centralize power in the name of stability and security, many citizens—disillusioned by inequality, corruption, and political gridlock—are turning away from democratic norms. Yet, as Aubineau argues, these authoritarian "fixes" often mask deeper systemic failures and create long-term risks. Drawing on case studies from Latin America, Europe, and sub-Saharan Africa, the article explores not just how democracy is eroding, but how it can adapt and resist.
By highlighting democratic innovations such as participatory budgeting in Brazil and constitutional courts in South Africa, the piece makes a compelling case for reform—not abandonment—as the path forward.
Dr. María Belén Herrero explores how Argentina’s decision to withdraw from the WHO threatens public health and democracy, undermining international cooperation and the constitutional right to health. Without parliamentary debate, this move isolates Argentina from vital global health initiatives, limiting access to vaccines, essential medicines, and epidemiological intelligence.
Proponents argue withdrawal enhances sovereignty and reduces costs, yet the WHO’s recommendations are non-binding, and Argentina’s modest contribution is far outweighed by the economic and health benefits of membership. Exiting the WHO weakens Argentina’s voice in global health governance, hindering its ability to shape policies that impact its population. Belén Herrero examines the far-reaching consequences of this decision, highlighting the risks of a fragmented health response, particularly in future pandemics.
The Rise of Personalistic Regimes with Abel Escribà-Folch
The Evolution of Gender Equality and the EU with Esther Barbé
Introducing EU-VALUES Talks
Welcome to EU-VALUES Talks, a video series dedicated to unpacking the values, principles, and policies that define the European Union and its global influence. In each short video, hear from scholars as they delve into the key issues shaping the future of Europe— covering everything from democracy, human rights, and sustainable development to international cooperation and cultural exchange.
Whether you are a policy enthusiast, academic, or simply curious about the EU, this series will offer insights into how European values continue to impact global affairs. Stay tuned and explore the heart of Europe with us! Videos are in both English and Spanish.
‘Expanding Horizons: Lessons and Geopolitics of EU Enlargement’ with Prof. Veronica Anghel
‘Climate Change in Regional Perspective’ with Prof. Andrea Ribeiro Hoffmann
Listen now on Soundcloud, Spotify or Youtube
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