This page sets out the English summaries of the research papers published by the Research Services. A link from the end of the summary will take you to the complete research paper in German.

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• Art in architecture in the GDR
  In the former GDR, numerous artistic works were created for administrative buildings, factories, and buildings of cultural and social institutions, as an integral part of public building projects. The promotion of art for buildings dated from a decree issued on 16 March 1950. This was based on the assumption that art could best fulfil a political and ideological function when located at heavily used buildings. Although the architecture-related art at the end of the GDR took in a wide spectrum of works from socialist propaganda to autonomous artistic expression, the more important works are seen as symbols of the Socialist Unity Party dictatorship, a fact that, to this day, influences the debate about how to treat art for buildings that originated in the GDR.

  Topical Term of 02/18/2011
  
  

• Collective renunciation of panel doctor licences (licences to practice within the statutory health insurance schemes)
  For years now, general practice doctors (GPs) have been complaining about excessive bureaucratisation, budget-capping, and inferior remuneration compared to their consultant colleagues. It is argued that the latter situation, in particular, results from the GPs having too weak a negotiating position in the associations of statutory health insurance physicians vis-à-vis the health insurance funds, for remuneration and other issues. The GPs' representatives hoped that a mass declaration renouncing panel doctor licences would, sooner or later, cause a crisis in the system of panel doctor care, which would henceforward force the health insurance funds to negotiate agreements with the GPs on the basis of private law. This issue of the Topical Term discusses the plan for collective renunciation in Bavaria, and describes the legal consequences of such a move.

  Topical Term of 02/17/2011
  
  

• The Coptic Orthodox Church
  One of the churches which have repeatedly been the target of terrorist attacks recently is the Coptic Orthodox Church. It is one of the oldest Christian communities in the world and traces its origins back to Mark the Evangelist. It is estimated that Coptic Christians represent up to 10% of Egypt's 80 million inhabitants. Approximately two million people outside Egypt are members of the Coptic Orthodox Church; half of them live in the United States. It is estimated that over 3000 Coptic Christians live in Germany.

  Topical Term of 01/31/2011
  
  

• The Animal Welfare Commission at the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection
  This issue of the Topical Term deals with the Order of the Federal Constitutional Court (Federal Constitutional Court, Order of 12 October 2010, 2 BvF 1/07) stating that the procedure followed in the adoption of provisions on keeping laying hens was unconstitutional, as the Animal Welfare Commission at the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection was not consulted at a sufficiently early stage. This Topical Term examines the Animal Welfare Commission and its working methods.

  Topical Term of 01/27/2011
  
  

• The Standing Conference of the Ministers of Consumer Protection of the Länder and the Federation - coordinating measures to protect consumers in the dioxin scandal
  The Standing Conference of the Ministers of Consumer Protection, an institution established by Germany's federal states, or Länder, coordinates measures taken by the Länder and the Federation in dealing with issues relating to consumer protection. Particularly in the current dioxin scandal it is clear that, in view of the complex distribution of responsibilities and tasks in a food safety crisis, the Conference is a useful and effective instrument.

  Topical Term of 01/27/2011
  
  

• The ordinary legislative procedure
  

  Publication of 01/21/2011 (2 pages)
  
  

• New EU employment guidelines
  

  Publication of 01/18/2011 (2 pages)
  
  

• The Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union
  

  Publication of 01/18/2011 (2 pages)
  
  

• International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion on Kosovo's Declaration of Independence
  In its advisory opinion of 22 July 2010, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concludes that Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence on 17 February 2008 does not represent a violation of international law. The ICJ does not, however, state its position on the highly controversial question of the importance of the right to self-determination in the case of Kosovo. ICJ advisory opinions are not legally binding. They do, however, have considerable authority, since they set out the views of the main judicial body of the United Nations. This Topical Term sets out the background to and the reasoning behind the advisory opinion and analyses it.

  Topical Term of 01/11/2011
  
  

• Annual days of action, topic days and days of remembrance: selection for 2011
  The list includes days of action, topic days and days of remembrance for the year 2011, which are intended to mark important national and international political, societal, religious or historic events and draw attention to major issues and problems within society, or in the fields of medicine and science. The list is intended mainly to assist the Members of the Bundestag in their work, but is also targeted at users outside the German Bundestag.

  Factsheet of 12/13/2010 (90 pages)