We Work Europe

Factories that used to manufacture trains or steel are now being used by the arms industry. Companies such as Rheinmetall, Thales and Leonardo are offering workers new jobs. Consulting firms promise an economic boost thanks to investments in rearmament. However, economist Nan Tian of SIPRI is sceptical. From an economic perspective, he argues against these investments. They would be better spent on infrastructure, healthcare or education.

Matteo Bracciali, vice-president of ACLI (the Christian Association of Italian Workers), also criticises the EU's approach to spending. He suggests a unified European army and much less money for military purposes. According to Bracciali...

In a 2025 press conference, EU president Ursula von der Leyen claimed that we are living in an era of rearmament. Consequently, Europe must invest more in defence and security. An EU-wide strategy would be highly effective, according to Annegret Bendiek, a political scientist at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. However, the EU's strength is also its weakness: its 27 members do not always agree on everything.

Meanwhile, questions are being asked about whether powering the arms industry brings security and peace. Scientists such as Nan Tian of SIPRI advocate a different approach.

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In February 2022, Russia attacked Ukraine. Since then, many people have lost their lives and large parts of the country have been destroyed. The population continues to fight back to this day, while also trying to lead normal lives. Meet Lyudmyla Vysotska, a kindergarten teacher in Lviv, who juggles her work with children with the constant pressure of having family on the front line.

Eleanor Hitchman, a psychologist at the International Committee of the Red Cross, manages her organisation's mental health programmes in Ukraine, but faces structural challenges.

Find more on this topic in the latest issue of the EZA...

Reducing working hours is a phenomenon that started in the 20th century. The third and final episode of this mini-series focuses on science. At the University of Münster, Germany, Julia Backmann and her team research the impact of the four-day-work week. She has conducted an experiment with dozens of organizations that have reduced working hours. Her results are in favor of this model and in line with studies all around the world. Reducing working hours may be a challenge at first, but not only workers but also employers can benefit from it.