In her State of the (European) Union, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, unfolded an ambitious ‘post-COVID-19’ plan for Europe and beyond.

As the epidemic rages in Europe, let us not forget that worldwide inequalities mean that some countries will be more affected than others.

A report from an independent commission advised in February to slow down euthanasia to prevent abuses.

One in fifty Belgians dies euthanised. In 2015, there were more than 2,000 euthanasia cases, an average of six per day.

Students and young graduates will participate in the Biblenomics conference in Berlin (Germany), October 21-23. Economist Arttu Makipaa shares the vision behind this European network. 

The European Evangelical Alliance (EEA) welcomes the appointment. President Juncker announced that the former Education commissioner Jan Figel’ will take on a one year mandate.

Brussels, devastated by the attacks, honours the victims and tries to go on. Photos by Joëlle Philippe

The people of the “capital of Europe”, natives and European workers are mourning separately because they do not speak the same language and their frame of reference is different.

Resignation is the most spread feeling amongst Brussels inhabitants. Even the Belgian Prime Minister, Charles Michel, said in the first press conference: “What we feared has happened. Our country has been struck by vile attacks”.

In the last EU Council meeting of the year the Member States have been unwilling to address the refugee crisis and the four points Cameron asks in order for the UK to stay in the Union. 

EU officials, politicians and diplomats met in Brussels for the 2015 European Prayer Breakfast. The aim of the 370 participants, to “gather together around the person of Jesus Christ” and pray for the issues the continent faces. 

Three days of metro lockdown and public forces operations in the capital of Europe. An assessment on the situation of a city invaded by soldiers and journalists (and social media users).

The summary of a key week in the migrant crisis: The European leaders met in Malta while member states continue their individual efforts to deal with the refugee flow... and Mr. Cameron sent a letter.

The Control Commission that supervises the conditions stipulated by the law of 2002 decided to send the case to justice by unanimity

Students and graduates interested in politics were invited to the first Youth European Prayer Breakfast held in Brussels. “We cannot leave our faith at the door when going into politics.”

The country chairs a consultative panel in the UN Council on Human Rights. Today, Ali Mohammed Al-Nimhr, 21 years old, was to be beheaded and crucified.

The Belgian federal government asks for the evacuation of the Maximilien Parc camp. Politicians accuse each other of permissiveness. Volunteer say alternative offered by the administration is an “excuse to say they are doing something”.

Comradeship and solidarity mark the daily life of the refugee camp in Brussels, as NGOs and volunteers serve asylum seekers waiting for an appointment at the Foreigners’ Office. 

In the first speech given by a president of the Comission elected directly by the EP, Juncker focused his State of the European Union address almost exclusively on the refugee crisis. 

“Christians are easily intimidated and fear for their lives”, says a witness. Since the beginning of the political crisis in April, hundreds of thousands have fled to the borders of the country.

MEPs ask the EU to clearly promote freedom of belief in its external action. European Parliament Intergroup on Freedom of Religion and Belief introduced its first annual report on the state of religion in the world.

The vast majority of Massachussets citizens oppose the death penalty. Appeals could last for more than a decade and finally end in a life sentence.

A graduate programme across Europe empowers the next generation of Christians as their start their professional life.

The bill, which complements the previous law of 2005 about the end of life, is perceived as a compromise between pro-life and pro-euthanasia.

Deputies from the left sought to push the “end of life” draft bill further, but the three amendments were rejected by 89 to 70. Next week sees the definitive vote on the new bill.