Welcome to the February edition of AG. As it is the first one of 2017, I would like to wish all of our readers and contributors a very Happy New Year. 2017 has started with a bang, with the inauguration of Donald Trump in the US and the Supreme Court ruling that the UK government must consult Parliament before triggering Article 50.

Change is also afoot in the European Parliament, where Antonio Tajani has been named as the new President. This issue starts with a foreword from President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Georges Dassis. In his opening article, Dassis gives thought to events of last year and looks forward to how we can progress this year.

The health section starts by highlighting World Cancer Day 2017, with a special focus headed up by EU Commissioner for Health, Vytenis Andriukaitis. The Commissioner’s article stresses the need for prevention and joint efforts to tackle rare forms of cancer. AG also interviews Dr Percy Ivy from the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health in the US. She sheds light on clinical trials and their integral role in cancer research. The focus also features articles from SIOPE, Cancon and Cancer Research UK.

Our extensive health section highlights a number of key healthcare challenges, including obesity, with articles from RCPCH, WHO Europe and the Canadian Institute of Health Research. HIV/Aids in Sweden, low vision, innovative medicines, and smart hospitals are also discussed.

Another area we give focus to in the February edition is wildlife crime prevention, in the environment section. EU Commissioner for Environment Karmenu Vella and MEP Catherine Bearder both highlight this problem. “We need tougher action on wildlife trafficking’, states Bearder in her informative piece, and Commissioner Vella highlights the EU Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking.

In the environment section, we also look at polar research, in the Arctic regions of Canada, as well as Antarctica. An article from Polar Knowledge Canada outlines how they bring together indigenous and scientific expertise to look at issues faced by Arctic communities today.

Other topics within the publication include Erasmus+, Hungarian rail infrastructure, renewable energy sources in Canada, Digital Society, and cyber security in healthcare.

Elsewhere in this winter issue, we shine the light on a number of key HR topics, including women in leadership, HR compliance and retaining talent. Articles come from such key organisations as CIPD, Acas, and PPMA to outline these areas.

As always we hope you find the February edition informative and useful, and we welcome any feedback you may have.

The end of 2016 – and what has been an eventful year – is fast approaching. In the November edition of AG, thought is given to a range of topics that have been at the forefront of policy makers’ minds in the last few months

We start the edition off with a foreword from one of the Vice-Presidents of the European Commission, Jyrki Katainen, who outlines the idea behind the Investment Plan for Europe. He also discusses how the European Commission is supporting the development of cities, to help deliver better services more sustainably.

In our health section this quarter we continue the discussion about antimicrobial resistance and the global challenge to reduce its impact. In the second part of my interview with Alan Johnson from Public Health England (PHE), he details how they are monitoring the problem in the UK and its link with infection control. We also feature articles on this topic from the Minister of Health in Sweden, Gabriel Wikström, and Professor Mark Sharland from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

Elsewhere in the publication, we focus our attention on Italy, particularly on science and research efforts there. The special focus highlights three articles from key organisations involved in promoting and funding research throughout the country. The focus kicks off with an article from the Minister for Education, Universities and Research, Stefania Giannini, who highlights how the Italian government are aiming to boost research talent in order to create scientific excellence. Two further pieces come from the Research Council of Italy and AIRC Italy – the Italian Association for Cancer Research.

Consideration is also given in this issue of a number of key issues, including: the value of MBAs, investment in infrastructure, data protection, advocacy and the social care sector, neurodegenerative diseases, and digitalisation in healthcare.

Another topic we highlight is neurodegenerative diseases. Through a number of thought-provoking articles, we tackle key topics from traumatic brain injury and the value of treatment, to Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Features within this section come from leading experts in organisations including the US National Institutes of Health, the Alzheimer’s Society, and the European Brain Council.

As always, we hope you find our November 2016 edition informative and useful and we welcome any feedback you may have.

Since the last edition of AG, some major changes have taken place in Europe, mainly in the UK. The result of the EU referendum meant that the UK will indeed be leaving the EU. As well as the Brexit, the UK now has a new Prime Minister. Following the result, David Cameron felt he could not lead the UK and stepped down, opening the door for Theresa May. The former Home Office minister stepped up to the mark and became the new PM last month.

Although a UK publication, AG still intends to keep open the communication between the UK and Europe. And this August issue is no different. In what has been a wet summer, we highlight a number of key issues worldwide, including, eHealth; the future of agriculture; malaria transmission; security; water quality; and, heritage and culture.

The publication kicks off with a foreword from President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), Markku Markkula. The CoR co-hosted the 7^th Summit of Cities and Regions in Bratislava last month, which I attended. In his introductory foreword, Markkula highlights the key aims from the summit and what Europe must do in order to reconnect cities and regions.

Our health section features a number of key articles, headed up by an exclusive piece from the Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Vytenis Andriukaitis. In it, Commissioner Andriukaitis highlights to AG how eHealth has the potential to help Europe live healthier and stronger. Professor Alan Johnson from Public Health England also told me in an interview feature about Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs).

The health section also looks at key issues such as, efficiency in the NHS; malaria transmission; environmental health; mental health in the workplace and paediatric diabetes.

We shine a light on quantum technologies in this edition. A number of articles look at the new industry, including an interview with Richard Murray from Innovate UK. We highlight how they can be used in different sectors, including defence and communications. An article from The Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), details new technologies in the defence sector, including quantum technologies.

Gender equality is looked at closely, with an exclusive article from the EU Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Věra Jourová. In her piece, Commissioner Jourová takes stock of the progress and the remaining challenges in the way of gender equality. Women in STEM and engineering is also celebrated, in an article from BSRIA, discussing National Women in Engineering Day and how there has never been a more exciting time to be an engineer.

As always, we hope that you find this summer publication of AG informative and useful, and welcome any feedback you may have.

The coming months could prove to be very important for the UK. In June voters will be heading to the polls to decide whether they want the country to remain as part of the European Union. If the result is a Brexit, this could prove tricky for a number of areas, including science and research. A great deal of funding for UK research comes through the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme.

In the May edition of AG, we look at both sides of the argument. Standing on opposite ends of the debate, MEP’s Vicky Ford and Andrew Lewer put across their thoughts on the Referendum and how they feel people should vote.

Elsewhere in the publication, we shine the light on Canada. In a special focus, we highlight science and healthcare in the country with a number of editorial pieces. A feature by Yves Joanette at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research – Institute of Aging focuses on brain health and the differences between men and women. We also highlight key priorities from the Minister for Health, Jane Philpott, and Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science. The environment section sheds further light on the circular economy and what more Europe can be doing to make this a reality. Karmenu Vella opens the section detailing why Europe needs a positive vision for economic development – in short, a circular economy. Other articles that highlight this include a piece by the European Environment Agency, and MEP Sirpa Pietikäinen.

We also feature impressive articles from German Federal Minister for the Environment Barbara Hendricks; Norwegian Minister for Fisheries Per Sanberg, and Norwegian Minister for Climate and the Environment Vidar Helgesen. Each minister details environmental and climate policy for their respective countries. As always the health section has an array of features, including a piece from Richard Bergstrom, Director General at the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries Association, on the importance of collaborative efforts to tackle the global problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Other areas of focus in this edition include: cancer prevention; the Zika virus; STEM investment in Ireland; education exchange programmes; and The Norwegian Climate and Forest Initiative. As always, we hope you find the articles featured informative and useful, and welcome any feedback you may have.

Welcome to the first edition of 2016. As we head into a New Year, growth and jobs remain the key priority for the European Commission – despite the European Union managing a number of crises, such as climate change.

In the President’s New Year Conference, President Jean-Claude Juncker underlined his determination to focus on this priority within the Commission. Juncker called on Member States to pursue the strategy set out by the Commission a year ago and announced major progress from the €315bn Investment Plan.

The edition kicks off with a Foreword from President of the Committee of the Regions Markku Markkula, who outlines challenges that Member States have faced over the years and the importance of sustainable growth and investment to build a better Europe.

Other areas of crisis in Europe at the moment include the refugee crisis and climate change. In this February edition we look at the COP21 Paris conference and hear from organisations as to whether opportunities were missed at the December conference.

We shine the light on COP21 in the energy section, with articles from the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the European Geothermal Energy Council looking at what needs to be done now to turn promises into actions.

The security section focuses on another key crisis. Paris and Brussels saw unprecedented violence last year with terrorist attacks affecting both cities. AG looks at The European Agenda on Security and how biometrics can help in the fight against crime and terrorism.

An article from EUROPOL outlines how the internet has become a powerful tool for terrorists and how the organisation is combating this problem through the European Union Internet Referral Unit (EU IRU). A piece by INTERPOL similarly highlights how biometrics can be used globally to investigate and tackle terrorism.

Other areas of focus in this early edition include: the circular economy; ocean research & climate change; fire safety management; the obesity crisis; digital health for the ageing; and the value of vaccines worldwide.

As always, we hope you find the articles featured informative and useful, and welcome any feedback you may have.

As we head towards the end of 2015, Europe will come together next month at a crucial meeting in Paris, with the aim to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate change. This will be the first time in over 20 years of UN negotiations that this will happen.

COP21, also known as the 2015 Paris Climate Conference, is crucial in the fight to reduce global warming. As we eagerly await the outcome of COP21, which is held from 30 November – 11 December, the November edition of AG highlights some areas that could be considered integral to that mission of reducing global warming by 2 degrees Celsius.

For example, an article by Dr Johnathan Cobb at the World Nuclear Association asks the question: Is nuclear energy the answer to climate change? Judith Shapiro of the Carbon Capture and Storage Association also outlines how CCS can help Europe in the fight. Our environment section also features key editorial from Karmenu Vella, Commissioner for the Environment, and the International Arctic Research Centre on how the Arctic impacts on climate change.

We kick off the November edition with a foreword from the new President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), George Dassis. In his introduction, he details key challenges heading into 2016, and the importance of political, social and economic cohesion throughout the EU.

In this final edition for 2015, we also focus our attention on key health challenges. Our cancer research focus shines a light on the importance of key research to develop treatment and new drugs in the fight against cancer.

The focus takes a look at a number of different areas including paediatric oncology and gynaecological oncology. Key articles within the section include a piece from Professor Giles Vassal at the European Society for Paediatric Oncology and a piece from the European Organisation for Research for Treatment of Cancer.

We also give thought to educational standards; CBRN; infectious diseases; sexual health; obesity; and fraud within healthcare, in this winter edition. As always we hope you find the articles informative and useful, and welcome any feedback you may have.

Future challenges are always at the forefront of people’s minds, and although the future sounds far away, these challenges are closer than you might think.

There are a number of areas where these challenges are the most significant. This includes healthcare, the environment, the economy, and ICT. In this August edition of AG, consideration is given to a number of these challenges that face Europe.

One of the major solutions lies in the field of digital technology, which has the ability to revolutionise the way in which these challenges are overcome. Opening the publication, Commissioner for the Digital Society, Gunther. H. Oettinger, outlines the great opportunities digital services and technologies could bring to Europe.

We also give consideration to the ageing population in this summer edition. With populations growing throughout Europe and people living longer, we consider if health services and care providers are prepared. With articles from Francesca Colombo, of the OECD and Professor Carol Jagger, of Newcastle University, we find out the opportunities that an ageing population could bring, as well as the challenges.

In a special focus, we discuss how heritage and culture plays a vital role in society-in particular the impact of museums for local communities. The focus includes stimulating articles from Dr. Jet Bussemaker, Minister for Culture in the Netherlands, The Heritage Lottery Fund and Museum Galleries Scotland.

Another challenge we face is climate change. Innovative technologies are key for overcoming this. In a speech, Commissioner for Energy, Miguel Arias Canete outlines the role of innovative and environmentally-friendly technologies while Daniel Johns, of the Committee for Climate Change explains why 2015 is an important year for climate change action.

Other topics that we give consideration to include: science and research; electric vehicles; economic development of towns and cities; the EU Urban Agenda; and, Lean Six Sigma training.

We hope you find the August edition full of interesting and thought provoking articles, and as always welcome any feedback you may have.

In this May edition of AG we give thought to the key policy areas in the forefront of people’s minds throughout Europe. We kick off with a Foreword from Markku Markkula, the President of the European Committee of the Regions. In his introduction to the publication, he details how we must make the most of EU investment to further help the economic recovery.

Consideration is also given in this spring edition to science and research throughout Europe. How Horizon 2020 can make an impact, and the importance of excellence in research. In a special focus we highlight articles from Science Europe, ANR – The French National Research Agency, and AG looks at the European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation’s priorities for investment in these areas.

The health section is packed as always and includes an interview with Danilo Lo Fo Wong from the World Health Organization. The interview details the growing problems of antibiotic resistance and how it can be a silent killer. Andrew Miller MP, Chair of the Science and Technology Committee in the UK also gives thought to this important topic.

Security is an important aspect of any country, and in AG, we shed light on the new technologies and developments that help keep Europe safe. CCTV is highlighted in an article from the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), and we also outline the growing trend of drones being used throughout UK airspace, with an interview from Gerry Corbett at the Civil Aviation Authority.

Topics also highlighted include: air quality; the Energy Union; agriculture investment; road safety; the digital agenda; and boosting trade growth.