The Department of Public Policy brings you the Policy Talks Series as a way to engage critically with today's global and local issues. Our speakers range from policy practitioners and researchers to diplomats and agency leaders to NGO and social responsibility leaders. The events feature a panel discussion, followed by a Q&A session, and a reception.
Drinks and snacks will be offered.
Summary
Civil society is one of the cornerstones of democracy. Yet, activists across the EU are facing many challenges in doing their work. What is the civic space situation in the EU? What is the impact of threats and attacks on activists? What can be done to support, protect and empower civil society activists to be able to continue their work?
About the Speaker
Waltraud Heller leads the work on civic space and human rights defenders for the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), the EU’s expert body on human rights. Her areas of expertise also include civil society development, networking, communication, participatory engagement and facilitation. She joined the Agency's precursor organisation, the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) in 2005 and was head of communications before becoming the Agency's spokesperson. Since 2014, she has been working on civil society and civic space issues. Before joining FRA, she worked for a humanitarian aid NGO, as a speechwriter for a European Commissioner, for the European Trade Union Confederation, and for the Wall Street Journal Europe. Waltraud Heller holds a master's degree in social and economic sciences, and a postgraduate diploma in European studies from the College of Europe, Bruges.