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Europe is one of the most historic regions in the world. For thousands of years, the Europeans have been at the forefront of human innovation - responsible for the shape of modern civilisation. From the ancient Roman Empire to the British, French, Spanish & Portuguese empires, Europeans have strived to expand the limits of what is known of and can be achieved in the world. Today, Europe remains an important region; economically successful, socially aware and culturally inspirational.
In the last half-century, European nations have been working towards integration, which will eventually result in a fully integrated Europe, based on the cultural diversity of its states and with the potential to improve the lives of not just its citizens but the world at-large. The current make-up of the European Union (including the ten member states that will accede on May 1st) is: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Ireland, Sweden, Greece, Netherlands, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic, and Slovenia. The next round of accessions is likely to see Turkey, Bulgaria & Romania; Switzerland held a national referendum on joining in 2000 but the Swiss voted not to join. Negotiations are continuing with Switzerland, and the country continues to implement EU law in preparation for accession. EU law overrides the laws of the member states, and a Union-wide constitution is expected to be accepted by the end of June, and ratified in 2005. There is a European Parliament, whose members are appointed by elections in the member states. There is also a common currency, the Euro, which has been adopted by 12 of the current member nations.
Young people play a large part in an integrated Europe. As in most corners of the world, people less than 28 years-old make-up the majority of the population. One of the most fundamental rights that all EU citizens hold is the right to free movement throughout all member states; this includes the right to live, work & study. For the purposes of education therefore, young people can choose to study anywhere in the Union - giving everybody the chance to freely experience other cultures, learn new languages and experience opportunities. The Youth programme is the EU’s informal education programme targeted at people between the ages of 15 and 25. The programme is currently in the form of group exchanges, individual voluntary work and support activities. Euro-Med is one of the Youth programme’s main projects; its major goals are:
•To facilitate the integration of young people into social and professional life and to stimulate the democratisation of the civil society of the Mediterranean partners.
•To improve mutual understanding and cohesion between young people across the Mediterranean region, based on and committed to mutual respect, tolerance and dialogue between the various cultures.
•To increase the importance of youth organisations, developing young people’s active citizenship, especially that of young women, and promoting the exchange of information, experience and expertise between youth organisations.
The European Union also provides support to international non-governmental youth organisations, whose activities involve/benefit young people in a European context. There is also a programme which awards monetary grants to support youth projects throughout the European Union. This supports grassroots projects in member states, and it also supports youth-led businesses and organisations.
So, in conclusion, the European Union encourages young people to take action to make a better European society and to improve the world in general. All people, young and old in the European Union are free to move about the Union as they wish; they are treated as citizens of whichever member state they are in. This is very valuable for young people who wish to take advantage of opportunities abroad. A fully-integrated Europe will facilitate economic and social prosperity, which will improve young people’s and old people’s lives, and will allow a more socially-aware generation to do better for the world.
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Luke CB
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Comments
A glance of "EU" opportunities! Jose Menacho Galiano | May 10th, 2004
Nice summary and informative article about opportunities for european youths in "EU"
Young African Immigrants ismine concern. EKHATOR CHRISTIAN OSAZEE | May 14th, 2004
How will young Africans in "The New Improved EU" benefit the small African Immigrants? The article is silient in that regard. But one thing is clear from the article, there is plenty of room for young people to aspire for better days to come.
Young eurpeons=will the EU help them! kayla |
Yes,Europe is with the most historic region in the world. It might have developed empires... But Europe isn't getting any richer and the EU isn't helping either. In all the countries in the EU :Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, Ireland, Sweden, Greece, Netherlands, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic, and Slovenia...The prices are going uper and the salaries are lower. The EU promised that in 10 years all the coutries in their program will be rich,well have a better enviroment to live but what if it didn't happen? Most of the people (not in politics or governament) disagrees with the decision to enter the EU. There is a 50% that the countries will be better but the other half might represent coutries who are very poor! I don't think it's fair that the governement decided to enter the RU without the childrens/teens opinion.The EU will make big changes in auround 10 years when it will be the children of this generation to make the political decision (by voting).So if the EU makes matters worst,the children will suffer and have to repair the damage.
Also,each country speaks for themselves,have their own traditions and belives,by making of all the countries enter the EU,every nation might be more similare instead of the different belives they have.
I think joining the Europien Union is a bad thing cbacause its all "taking a chance" not knowing if in ten years it will be better or not!
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