Social issues

How integration of migrant children can succeed

by Marita Brune-Koch

(4 April 2023) Almost every day you can read or hear in all the media about major problems in schools, about a decline in pupils’ performance (especially in Germany), about violence against fellow pupils and teachers, and about serious teacher shortages.

Covid-19 pandemic

Testimony of Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs,* Chairman of the Lancet Covid-19 Commission To the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability

(28 March 2023) After more than three years of the Covid-19 pandemic, and more than 18 million deaths worldwide according to one authoritative estimate (IHME, 2023),1 we still do not know the origin of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. We do know, however, four things:

France

Let’s help each other to live, not to die

(14 March 2023) (sv) The French association "Alleviate but don't kill" makes an appeal to the whole of society in view of the Civic Convention that has been meeting in France since 9 December 2022 on end-of-life issues (see box).

France

Euthanasia and assisted suicide must not be considered as care

(14 March 2023) (sv) Representatives of 13 professional nursing associations in France have taken it upon themselves, with a view to possible changes in the law, to reflect on the consequences of legalising assisted suicide and euthanasia (see Box 1) on daily nursing practice and to inform legislators and the population about the results. – We print here the abridged version of their statement, which received wide attention in France. It deserved this attention in many Western countries where the ban on killing has already been challenged or abolished.

Russia

A new life: four student portraits

A report on young people who, despite the conflict in Ukraine, decided to make a success of their lives

by Maria D.*

(7 March 2023) No one knows in advance what life will bring, and therefore, you can hardly prepare for unpredictable twists of fate. At present, the whole world is watching the great drama unfolding in the Slavic area.

Call for peace

Stand up for survival

written on 31 January 2023, published on 4 February 2023
The list of signatories was updated on 25 February 2023

Deeply concerned about life and survival in the centre of Europe, we address this appeal primarily to the people of German-speaking European countries. With a diversity of socio-political views, we are sustained by the common conviction that at no time since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 has our world been so close to catastrophe. If the delusional enthusiasm for war currently being fomented in the mass media is not effectively counteracted, there is a great danger the Ukraine war will lead to the use of nuclear weapons in Europe.