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EUROPE DAY, 9 MAY... :: Do You Know Europe? It Sounds Cliché but You Do Not Love What You Do Not Know

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EUROPE DAY, 9 MAY... :: Do You Know Europe? It Sounds Cliché but You Do Not Love What You Do Not Know PROYECTO COMENIUS Departamento de Lengua Castellana y Literatura :: EUROPE DAY, 9 MAY... :: Do you know Europe? It sounds cliché but you do not love what you do not know... :: EUROPE DAY, 9 MAY “I love Europe” E.With the theme of ‘I LOVE EUROPE’, in May 2009, the European Commission launched a poster competition aimed at young graphic designers from the 27 Member States. When the initial submis- sion phase closed on 30 November, the Commission had received 1703 original designs. A European jury pre-selected their favourite 10 projects, but the final de- cision of the official poster was put into the hands of Europe’s citizens, and more than 60 000 of them voted for their preferred design to be the official poster of the Day of Europe. When the vote closed on 31 January 2010, the young Polish artist Ma- ria Milenko was announced as the winner of the Europe Day 2010 poster competi- tion. Her fresh, innovative design of a “Eu- rope cocktail” won the hearts and votes of the jury and public alike. Her design got 416.974 points. In the poster, Europe is represented as a cocktail, a mix of people, places and cultures. “I love Europe” country which democratically chooses to What is the European Union? Do you know Europe? It sounds cliché but accede to the European Union endorses A unique economic and political partner- you do not love what you do not know. its fundamental values of peace and soli- ship between 27 democratic European The European Union, through its institu- darity which are the cornerstone of the Eu- countries. tions, no effort spares to educate in Euro- ropean building. pean citizenship. What are its aims? While Europe as such has existed for cen- Peace, prosperity and freedom for its 498 To begin with ‘9 May’ has been elected to turies, the elements which united it, in the million citizens — in a fairer, safer world. be the Day of Europe. You may have come absence of rules and institutions, have in across a reference in a diary or elsewhere the past been insufficient to prevent the What results so far? to the fact that 9 May is “Europe Day” and most appalling tragedies. Frontier-free travel and trade, the euro perhaps asked about its significance. You (the single European currency), safer food might wonder what happened that day Even today, some countries that are not and a greener environment, better living and what year. part of the European Union have been ex- standards in poorer regions, joint action posed to these tragedies, such as the war on crime and terror, cheaper phone calls, Probably very few people in Europe know in the former Yugoslavia. millions of opportunities to study abroad... that on 9 May 1950 the first move was and much more besides. made towards the creation of what is “I love Europe” now known as the European Union. That It is now clear that our future is in Europe, How does it work? day the French Foreign Minister Robert but European dimension in many people To make these things happen, EU coun- Schuman read to the international press go through a time of uncertainty or is miss- tries set up bodies to run the EU and adopt a declaration: he proposed the creation ing. Knowing the European Union can its legislation. The main ones are: of a supranational European Institution help to strengthen the sense of European The European Parliament (representing indispensable for peace keeping. Every citizenship. the people of Europe) “e-QUERCUS” PERIÓDICO BIANUAL IESO Quercus, Terradillos, Salamanca - http://e-quercus.es/ - 22 de junio de 2010 - Año IV - Núm. 7 17 PROYECTO COMENIUS Departamento de Lengua Castellana y Literatura The Council of the European Union (rep- closely together on trade issues and de- the first decade of the 21st century offers resenting national governments) velopment policy. The EU is also develop- brighter prospects, but it also brings Eu- The European Commission (representing ing a common foreign and defence policy. rope new difficulties and challenges. the common EU interest). In economic, trade and monetary terms, the European Union has become a major How has it adapted its mission and core Which is the European flag? world power. It has considerable influence values to the 21st century? Twelve yellow stars on a blue background. within international organisations such as Europe’s mission in the 21st century is to: The stars in a circle symbolize the ideals the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and - provide peace, prosperity and stability of unity, solidarity and harmony among the the specialised bodies of the United Na- for its peoples. people of Europe. tions (UN), and at world summits on the - overcome the divisions on the continent. environment and development. - ensure that its people can live in safety. Which is the European anthem? - promote balanced economic and social The melody comes from the Ninth Sym- What future for Europe? development. phony by Beethoven. When used as Eu- Today EU covers a whole continent. It has - meet the challenges of globalisation and ropean anthem, it has no words. to represent the interests of European preserve the diversity of the peoples of citizens in a globalised world. To make the Europe. Which is the European motto? EU act more effectively on our behalf, a - uphold the values that Europeans share, United in diversity. new treaty, the Lisbon Treaty, has been such as sustainable development and a signed by the EU leaders. If ratified by all sound environment, respect for human When is Europe Day? member states, it is expected to provide rights and the social market economy. The ideas behind the UE were first put for- the Union with the legal framework and ward on 9 May 1950 by French Foreign tools necessary to meet future challenges “I love Europe” Minister Robert Schuman. So 9 May is and citizens’ demands. ‘Lifelong Learning Programme’ is a pro- celebrated as the UE’s birthday. gramme that gathers together the edu- ‘A day will come when all the nations of cational activities of the European Com- Why the European Union? this continent, without losing their distinct mission aimed at education for European The EU was set up in the aftermath of qualities or their glorious individuality, will active citizenship. World War Two to bring peace, stability fuse together in a higher unity and form and prosperity to Europe. the European brotherhood. A day will The programme enables individuals at all come when the only battlefield will be the stages of their lives to pursue stimulat- What are the rights of the EU’ citizens? marketplace for competing ideas. A day ing learning opportunities across Europe. In addition to the rights that a democratic will come when bullets and bombs will be There are four sub-programmes focusing system gives, thanks to the European replaced by votes’. on different stages. One of them is called Union, citizens of its Member States can Comenius: Europe in the classroom. travel, living and working anywhere in the Victor Hugo spoke those prophetic words EU. in 1849, but it took more than a century The Comenius programme focuses on the for his utopian predictions to start coming first phase of education, from pre-school Which is the European Union role on the true. During that time, two world wars and and primary to secondary schools. It is world stage? Europeans have more influ- countless other conflicts on European soil relevant for all members of the education ence on the world stage when they speak caused millions of deaths and there were community: pupils, teachers, parents and with a single voice. EU countries work times when all hope seemed lost. Today, other educational staff. Eight schools in eight countries, coor- dinated by the school IESO QUERCUS are developing the Comenius programme ‘Beyond Words’. Project coordinators have assumed the responsibility to contribute to education for European citizenship. We have used the Day of Europe to reflect on the European Union through workshops, exhibitions, worksheets and lectures. The aim was to bring the EU closer to our education com- munity: teachers, students and parents. We believe that the feeling of European citizenship will be developed more easily if we feel that the European Union is an institution close to us, and the first step to achieve this is knowing it. Domingo González Calzada Secretario del IESO Quercus Profesor de Lengua Castellana y Literatura Coordinador del Proyecto Comenius [email protected] “e-QUERCUS” PERIÓDICO BIANUAL 18 IESO Quercus, Terradillos, Salamanca - http://e-quercus.es/ - 22 de junio de 2010 - Año IV - Núm. 7.
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