When Citizens Require Smarter Cities
Singapore ranked first in the 2020 edition of the Smart Cities Index, which aims to assess cities in terms of citizens’ needs. Bratislava ranked 76th out of 109 cities with a year-on-year improvement of 8 places.
Society
Surrealist and Tragic State of Polish Fight with COVID-19
I keep hearing news about yet another ambulance with COVID-19 patients driving around between hospitals looking for beds, the lack of a basic coordination system for allocating patients to hospitals, and I really have the impression that Poles live in some surreal, tragic reality.
Pragmatism or Sign of Weakness? Visegrad Countries React Cautiously to Refugee Pact
Refugee policy has gained momentum. In the run-up to the EU summit, the EU Commission wants to accommodate the representatives of the Central European countries of the Visegrad Group (V4): “Flexible solidarity” is the motto.
COVID-19 Is Not the Biggest Issue Pride Organizers Face in CEE
As news about cancellation of world Pride events started coming, Prague Pride team decided to hold the event as originally scheduled in August, and despite obstacles provide Czech LGBT+ people with a chance to enjoy a week of solidarity.
Importance of Human Relations during Pandemic: Lessons Friends TV Series Taught Us
The popularity of the Friends TV series couldn’t be illustrated better than by looking at Netflix statistics, according to which it is still one of the most popular content. In the times of social isolation and distancing imposed by COVID-19, the lessons the sit-com teaches us can provide some welcome solace.
Winning at All Costs? On Value of Honesty
Have you ever been told you cannot put a price on peace, love, etc.? It’s a lie. Everything has a price, albeit not necessary a monetary one. Failing to understand this usually leads to a failure in securing one’s goals. This is why we need to talk about the price of victory.
What Were You Thinking? Future of Think Tanks
“[…] [T]hink but not make thoughts your aim”, to quote Kipling. Thinking is important, but if it is not followed by action, ideas will forever wander aimlessly in the cerebral labyrinth of neuron paths. Why then do we still have think tanks and not more do tanks?
Bulgaria’s March Against Corruption
The protests in Bulgaria have been going for almost two months now. As the government has failed to provide a meaningful alternative that could satisfy the demands of the demonstrators and thus solve the ongoing political crisis, let us examine the root causes that have driven it.
Dreamful Thinking: Anti-Reforms of Health Care in Georgia
Many of the projects and ideas presented by the Georgian government are good examples of wishful thinking. However, when the ruling party is called Georgian Dream, a pursuit of wishes and dreams should not surprise anyone.
What Will Universities Lose If New ‘‘Normal’’ Stays with Us?
In the last few months, life at the universities has changed dramatically and involuntarily. Lectures and tutorials have shifted online, Zoom became the new lecture hall and seminar room, and students had a taste of what it is like to have their exams or finals take place online.
