2014 World Cup live blog: political protestor invades field at US vs Belgium

Retirado do Vice News.

Differences in the perception of interest representation: a comparision of Brasília and Brussels lobbying activity

The research topic of this paper is focused on the analysis of how trade associations perceive lobbying in Brussels and in Brasília. The analysis will be centered on business associations located in Brasília and Brussels as the two core centers of decision-making and as an attraction for the lobbying practice. The underlying principles behind the comparison between Brussels and Brasilia are two. Firstof all because the European Union and Brazil have maintained diplomatic relations since 1960. Through these relations they have built up close historical, cultural, economic and political ties. Their bilateral political relations culminated in 2007 with the establishment of a Strategic Partnership (EEAS website,n.d.). Over the years, Brazil has become a key interlocutor for the EU and it is the most important market for the EU in Latin America (European Commission, 2007). Taking into account the relations between EU and Brazil, this research could contribute to the reciprocal knowledge about the perception of lobby in the respective systems and the importance of the non-market strategy when conducting business. Second both EU and Brazilian systems have a multi-level governance structure: 28 Member States in the EU and 26 Member States in Brazil; in both systems there are three main institutions targeted by lobbying practice. The objective is to compare how differences in the institutional environments affect the perception and practice of lobbying, where institutions are defined as ‘‘regulative, normative, and cognitive structures and activities that provide stability and meaning to social behavior’’ (Peng et al., 2009). Brussels, the self-proclaimed "Capital of Europe”, is the headquarters of the European Union and has one of the highest concentrations of political power in the world. Four of the seven Institutions of the European Union are based in Brussels: the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council and the European Commission (EU website, n.d.). As the power of the EU institutions has grown, Brussels has become a magnet for lobbyists, with the latest estimates ranging from between 15,000 and 30,000 professionals representing companies, industry sectors, farmers, civil society groups, unions etc. (Burson Marsteller, 2013). Brasília is the capital of Brazil and the seat of government of the Federal District and the three branches of the federal government of Brazilian legislative, executive and judiciary. The 4 city also hosts 124 foreign embassies. The presence of the formal representations of companies and trade associations in Brasília is very limited, but the governmental interests remain there and the professionals dealing with government affairs commute there. In the European Union, Brussels has established a Transparency Register that allows the interactions between the European institutions and citizen’s associations, NGOs, businesses, trade and professional organizations, trade unions and think tanks. The register provides citizens with a direct and single access to information about who is engaged in This process is important for the quality of democracy, and for its capacity to deliver adequate policies, matching activities aimed at influencing the EU decision-making process, which interests are being pursued and what level of resources are invested in these activities (Celgene, n.d). It offers a single code of conduct, binding all organizations and self-employed individuals who accept to “play by the rules” in full respect of ethical principles (EC website, n.d). A complaints and sanctions mechanism ensures the enforcement of the rules and addresses suspected breaches of the code. In Brazil, there is no specific legislation regulating lobbying. The National Congress is currently discussing dozens of bills that address regulation of lobbying and the action of interest groups (De Aragão, 2012), but none of them has been enacted for the moment. This work will focus on class lobbying (Oliveira, 2004), which refers to the performance of the federation of national labour or industrial unions, like CNI (National Industry Confederation) in Brazil and the European Banking Federation (EBF) in Brussels. Their performance aims to influence the Executive and Legislative branches in order to defend the interests of their affiliates. When representing unions and federations, class entities cover a wide range of different and, more often than not, conflicting interests. That is why they are limited to defending the consensual and majority interest of their affiliates (Oliveira, 2004). The basic assumption of this work is that institutions matter (Peng et al, 2009) and that the trade associations and their affiliates, when doing business, have to take into account the institutional and regulatory framework where they do business.

Application of information and communication technologies for health systems in Belgium, Denmark, Spain, the United Kingdom and Sweden

Incluye Bibliografía

Pianificazione d'emergenza per il trasporto di sostanze pericolose intorno ai siti Seveso studio di un caso reale-Polyol Belgium sprl

La prima parte del lavoro è stata dedicata a definire il contesto legislativo in cui si colloca la pianificazione d’emergenza per il trasporto di sostanze pericolose. Dopo una breve introduzione riguardante le direttive Seveso ed il loro recepimento in Italia e in Belgio, è stato effettuato un confronto tra le normative dei due Paesi, con specifico riferimento all’aspetto della pianificazione d’emergenza. Successivamente si è messa in luce l’attualità del tema degli incidenti che hanno origine durante la fase del trasporto delle sostanze pericolose, sia analizzando alcuni verificatisi negli ultimi anni in Europa, sia descrivendo le norme che regolamentano il trasporto di questa tipologia di merci. Tali norme non forniscono informazioni per gestire una situazione d’emergenza che potrebbe verificarsi durante il trasporto e non impongono la predisposizione di piani d’emergenza specifici per quest’attività. E’ proprio alla luce di questa considerazione che, tramite il presente elaborato di tesi, si è voluta mettere in evidenza l’importanza di definire un approccio metodologico a carattere generale per la pianificazione d’emergenza nel trasporto delle sostanze pericolose. Nello specifico, la metodologia utilizzata in Belgio per la pianificazione d’emergenza nell’intorno degli stabilimenti (che rappresentano delle sorgentidi rischio puntiformi) è stata estesa alle linee di trasporto (che rappresentano delle sorgenti di rischio lineari); la descrizione di questa estensione rappresenta la parte più importante e corposa dell’elaborato. Nella parte finale del lavoro la metodologia per la pianificazione d’emergenza nel trasporto è stata applicata ad un caso di studio reale, costituito da uno stabilimento della Polyol Belgium ; in particolare si sono considerati il percorso stradale e la linea ferroviaria tramite cui le materie prime (sostanze infiammabili e tossiche) arrivano all’azienda. GIANFRANCO PUSTORINO Pagina 2 L’applicazione al caso di studio ha confermato la validità della metodologia proposta. Il lavoro effettuato ha evidenziato come sia necessario colmare la lacuna legislativa che vi è in merito alla valutazione del rischio ed alla pianificazione d’emergenza nel trasporto delle sostanze pericolose ; una legislazione specifica a riguardo ridurrebbesenza dubbio l’impatto degli incidenti durante il trasporto sulla popolazione, sull’ambiente e sui beni materiali.

Legal presumptions in national tax systems (Italy and Belgium) and in EU law

The thesis deals with the concept of presumptions, and in particular of legal presumptions, in the context of national tax systems (Italy and Belgium) and EU law. The purpose was to investigate the concept of legal presumption under a twofold comparative perspective. After having provided a general overview of the common core concept of presumption in the European context, an insight in the national approach to legal presumptions was given by examining two different national experiences, namely the Italian and Belgian tax systems. At this stage, the Constitutional framework and some of the most interesting and relevant at EU level presumptive measures were explored, with a view to underlining possible divergences and common grounds. The concept of (national) legal presumption was then investigated in the context of EU law, with the attempt to systematize under a uniform perspective a matter which has been traditionally dealt with either from the merely national point of view or, at EU level, through a fragmented form. In this instance, the EU law relevant framework and the most significant EUCJ case-law, in particular in the field of customs duties, VAT, on the issue of the repayment of taxes levied in breach of EU law and in the area of direct taxation, were examined so as to construe the overall EU approach to national legal presumptions. This was done with the finality of determining if and to what extent a common analytical framework may be identified, from which were extracted certain criteria governing the compatibility of national legal presumptions with EU law.

Recommended indications for the administration of polyclonal immunoglobulin preparations

The following recommendations, which aim at standardising and rationalising the clinical indications for administering polyclonal immunoglobulins in Belgium, were drawn up by a working group of the Superior Health Council. To this end, the Superior Health Council organised an expert meeting devoted to"Guidelines for the use of immunoglobulins". The experts discussed the indications for immunoglobulin use, the'ideal'immunoglobulin preparation, its mechanisms of action, the practical issues involved in administering immunoglobulins and their potential side effects. The recommendations formulated by the experts were validated by the Superior Health Council working group with the purpose of harmonising immunoglobulin use in Belgium

René Sand (Belgium), President 1946 – 1953

The extraordinary significance of the life and work of René Sand lies in his central position as a mediator, promoter and coordinator of social work on an increasingly international level during the interwar-period and it can hardly be overestimated.