6. Public actions around the Europe day 2003
The public actions around Europe Day 2003 consisted of information stalls in the participating countries. Apart from information material of the European Institutions the project’s free card, the survey on the future of Europe and the Central European Declaration of the Final Conference in Vienna were distributed. Young people from all participating countries with European experience informed citizens on the Future of Europe and discussed questions out of the future of Europe debate.
a) Austria – Public Action in the Vienna Region
The EU-department of The Viennese Business Agency provides comprehensive information to the citizens of Vienna. Every year, the EU department is organising a bus tour throughout the Vienna region in order to ensure a direct flow of information about the actual facts in the EU to the people.
This year, as every year before, the team of the EU-service also set off to meet the people of Vienna in a face to face tour. For two weeks the people of Vienna had the opportunity to obtain information on the EU. The EU-experts could be asked any question on the EU and provided the public with a large number of information sheets and brochures.
The range of topics varied from basis EU questions to very specific financial und funding matters. The enlargement process turned out to be the focus of this year’s tour. Along with that the project „The Future of Europe – Our Opinion counts“ was presented to the public by offering the promotion material of the project, the survey carried out within the framework of the transnational project and showing huge posters on the bus. Especially, young people received this project rather enthusiastically.
This year’s tour was as successful as anyone before. In fact, it is becoming more popular and is attracting more attention every year. Almost 1000 people visited the information bus during the five days of the tour. There has been a lot of discussion and many a misunderstanding about the European Union could be cleared up.
b) Bulgaria – Public actions in Velko Turnovo and Sofia
Veliko Turnovo is a small city in the east of Bulgaria, close to the Black sea. In spite of the size of the city, Velko Turnovo hosts one of the leading Bulgarian universities. That is why a lot of students visited our information stalls.
As in any small city, where there are not that many public events happening on the streets, inhabitants were quite eager to come up and see what’s going on at this stand, full of colourful brochures and decorated with European flags. In addition, our stand was located in the centre of the city, which allowed contacting a huge number of the inhabitants. Since the level of information they already had was quite poor, we were mostly explaining the basic facts. However, there were also lots of those already informed on the issues discussed at the information stalls. They came to the stand to exchange opinions, express their point of view and to get some new brochures. The discussions were always interesting. The students coming to the information stand showed a mere scientific interest, they needed info for further diploma and course works, and, of course, student exchange programs were on the top of their interest.
In Sofia we started our work quite early in the morning. At first, we attracted the attention of some students, who curiously came to us to see what was going on. Youngsters were positive to the idea of uniting Europe and were eager to find out more about the possibilities the Union offers, such as Youth programme, Erasmus, Leonardo – work in EU institutions.
The range of people coming to us was quite different, but the questions usually covered the same area – if Bulgaria joins the Union, what will happen to salaries, pensions, and the independence of the country, language and culture. An old soldier expressed his fear to fight wars just because some western countries want it to do so.
Most people did not know that there is a Convention on the Future of Europe going on, due to the fact that the perspective of joining the EU was still quite far from their everyday life. Some interested and informed - usually those working in administration, public sector or businessmen - stated, that being not directly involved and just watching the main issues in the news, the following of the process and forming own opinion on the issue resulted very difficult to them.
In addition to the information stands a public debate on the 9th of May, with a panel consisting of prominent Bulgarian politicians and members of European NGO was organised.
As the venue where the debate took place normally is quite crowded, we decided to organise the info stand some days before the event, in order to achieve bigger publicity. Actually few of the people, who visited the info stand, came to us after the debate and thanked for the invitation, telling, that he liked the discussion a lot and that they also would like to be informed about similar activities in the future.
The debate itself was a very interesting and efficient discussion, which mostly concentrated on the Convention on the future of Europe and it’s mostly argued topics, i.e. Foreign Security and Defence policy. It was also emphasized on the situation of Bulgaria in this renewed and changed union, on questions whether if the EU would take over the new policies and roles, it would suit Bulgaria. The survey on the future of Europe carried out within the framework of the transnational was a good basis for the debate.
A part of the event was an exhibition of works made by young Bulgarians in the framework of the project’s public competition, aimed at showing their visions of the future of Europe. We had to admit, that it was a hard choice to select the winner, since any work had something special in it, but in the end the jury decided to give the prize to Galina Georgieva from Rousse with her essay “Europe of tomorrow”.
c) Czech Republic – Information stands in Mlada Boleslav and Prague
Although the membership of the Czech Republic in the EU was the near future for every Czech citizen, the knowledge of the basic facts concerning the structure and functions of the EU was still lacking. Therefore we equipped our stand with two sorts of information material – basic facts for those who did not have any basic EU-information, and specific information on the European Convention and current institutional changes for those being on ‘intermediate” level, thus being able to reach the population with different informational needs. Of course, we had also some maps and stickers for children.
We started our public action in Mlada Bolesla, a city with around 45 thousands inhabitants, situated in Bohemia. The city is an industrial centre that manufactures automobiles, tractors, and agricultural machinery.
There was a big interest in our event; we managed to reach different groups of the society – youngsters, pensioners, even local government representatives. Although everybody had different question, problems and statements, they all had something in common – real concern about their destiny and the future of the country within the European Union. We had detailed debates with some businessmen about the competition situation in the further common market. Although their position was quite critical, there was no lack of optimism, since the Czech Republic already has good experiences of cooperation with EU member states.
In Prague the information stand was situated in the heart of the city, between Vaclavska namesti and the old town square. As the place was quite crowded a lot of people came by and showed their interest on the information stand. A discussion with some law students interested in politics and the current Convention took place by showing them the survey of the project.
Other people expressed their wish for more social security and values, being afraid that the Union based of neo liberalist values and market economy will endanger the state of disadvantaged and disabled. In any case, people were mostly positive talking about the enlargement; some of them were as well in favour of introducing Euro on the Czech market.
Some told us their experience with European funding programs, such as structural funds, Youth and Erasmus programs.
Of course, there were some critical opinions, telling that voting for the Union in the old shape people might find themselves in a completely different political system after the end of the Convention. People of the older generation were afraid that their country might lose its independence, culture and language might be endangered. This point was very important for them, since they were living in an independent country just for twelve years so far.
d) Greece – Public Action in Athens and Komotini
The public action around Europe day 2003 was organised by the Info Point Europe Komotini with three information stands in Komotini and by
JEF ATHENS, who organised a series of info-stalls in many places in the city of Athens for a whole week time.
The goal in Athens was to maximize the impact of the action by organising three info-stands inside the universities and three others in different places in Athens. So, one of them was close to the official celebration of the 9th of May from the Representation of European Commission and the Prefecture of Athens, another one was at the entrance of an exhibition on the Enlargement the municipality of Athens had for more than one week and the last one was in a square close to the centre.
The people discussed the big reforms of the EU and debated the draft of a European Constitution, the need for more action in the field of CFSP, etc. Another point that was stressed out by many of the citizens who visited the stands was their worries about the unification process, especially now that the new countries are about to enter the Union.
During the street referendums that we had –about whether citizens are in favour or not for a European Constitution- more than 83% vote in favour, but many of them argued that the text of the constitution is also important.
At the same time with the debate and the distribution of information, the chance was taken to get closer with younger people –pupils mainly- who are really interested on the European integration especially when they found out the similarities among youngsters all over the Continent and the chances they had –through youth exchanges- to meet other cultures and make new friends around Europe.
e) Hungary – Public Actions in Budapest and Pecs
The info stand in Budapest was equipped with all possible information materials on EU matters. Because of good weather conditions a big number of people on the streets could be reached. Firstly the information stand was observed from the distance by a couple of school kids, being interested in the preparations. Afterwards they found some courage to come and ask what was going on. They got some balloons and maps of the EU, which made them completely happy – lately they brought some friends as well. People were sometimes afraid to come and start a dialogue or to take a brochure. That is why active information work was done by contacting them directly and handing out leaflets. Some passers-by were provokingly asking the own decision of the EU-informers at the referendum.
In Pecs the information stand was located in front of the city hall, thus as many people as possible could be reached, trying to find out their opinion on the EU, as well as what would be their arguments to vote for or against the EU membership in the referendum.
Some people working in public administration were pointing out that together with the membership there will be many good and well-paid working places in European institutions, which they would be happy to receive. Even though they would have then to work in another country, in Brussels or Strasbourg, it didn’t make them less looking forward for it.
The young people, of course, were happy to receive more information on youth programmes, Erasmus and Socrates, as well as some brochures to use for diploma and course works – as they pointed out, to write their thesis on the EU is quite topical at the moment.
f) Italy – Public Action in Modena
To celebrate the 9th of May 2003, Info Point Europe of Modena organised the following events within the framework of the transantional project “The Future of Europe Our opinion counts”
* Meeting with students
10.30 at the LA TENDA, youth centre, the Town Councillor for Education Mrs. Morena Manfredini, awarded the winners of the local competition “la strada per l’Europa” targeted to schools and promoted by the City of Modena.
The students, guided by Mr Andrea Lucchetta - ex Volleyball world champion and leader of the Italian Team – presented their works.
Sponsor: Banca Popolare dell’Emilia Romagna
Participants: the 3 Principals of awarded schools, 25 Teachers and 300 students.
* Opening of the exhibition “la strada per l’Europa”
12.30 at LA TENDA, youth centre Mr. Andrea Lucchetta opened officially the exhibition of students works. “Texts, games, pictures to understand how the students in Modena look at the Future of Europe”
Art director: Prof. Luigi Cappelli of the Arts Institute A. Venturi in Modena
The exhibition lasts the 30 of May – guided visits organised via IPE Modena.
* EUREKA concert
22.00 at the Caffč Concerto - Piazza Grande
The concert is a long trip inside the culture and traditions of the Europe's people.
The ABBAZIA DE' FOLLI group will lead the audience, through the music and poetry, to the discovery of the Europe's culture and traditions. The show, with music, pictures, and texts, tells about a long trip inside the European land, showing facts, situations and persons that it's always possible to meet or live during a routing experience.
Every scene shows the typical situation of the site visited: you may be in a tavern in Lisbon's barrio, in a gypsy camp in Romania or in the Berlin tube, meeting different kind of people.
In this way the audience may receive a specific message related to Europe: a land lived by different people with different traditions joined in a common culture, the European culture. The objective of this event is to show that the European Union is joined not only in the market or in the currency, but also its own common cultural roots.
Participants: almost 300 people
g) Poland – Public Actions in Wroclaw and Warsaw
Number of people contacted: around 300
Booklets, cards, posters, maps, EU-flags and balloons received from European Commission Delegation, results of the survey on the institutional changes of the EU, conducted in the framework of the project
The information stand was situated in front of the town hall. Besides many tourists there were also many locals around and the discussion with them was very detailed and exciting. On the one hand, they were enthusiastic about the accession to the Union, because they put their hope for the better future of the county in it. On the other hand, there were some who were pretty aware of the fact that the situation in the country is still not very good. Unemployment and unstable economics in the country were depressing the citizens and they knew that it will be very hard for EU to change the situation.
Of course, structural funds available for the development, would surely make it easier for those who would like to bring in life own projects. The situation of farmers and changing of the structure in the sphere of agriculture was the question especially worrying the citizens.
In Warsaw 350-400 people visited the information stand. The information material distributed to the people was similar to that in Wroclaw.
At the beginning people didn’t pay big interest to the stand, thus the people were contacted directly by inviting them to have a look in the information material available.
Booklets were handed out and long conversations with some pensioners, wishing to know whether they will receive bigger pensions after the enlargements and whether the perspectives for their children and grandchildren to receive good and well-paid jobs will be higher, took place. There were also people worrying that after the enlargement the EU will use Poland’s territory for building factories, which will spoil the environment of the country, and do everything they are not allowed on the territory of the present EU member states.
Some people involved the Informers into detailed discussion on the quotas and subsidies on the agricultural sector after joining the EU, which, by their opinion, could destroy the current agricultural system in the country. They were not very keen of broadening the mandate of the EU in the security and defence sphere, assuring that the NATO is taking good care of its role. This opinion was faced also before – the EU is still regarded as just economical Union, while NATO is overtaking the defence functions.
h) Romania – Public Actions in Odorheiu Secuiesc and Sovata
With the occasion of our 10th year anniversary a conference was organized called Regional cooperation in South Eastern Europe just on the weekend of Europe Day. Taking into account that over 200 people were invited one of the 2 information stalls was set up there, at Sovata which is approximately 50 km away from Odorheiu Secuiesc.
The second information stall was set up in Odorheiu Secuiesc during the Students Days in Odorheiu Secuiesc Town, which was a couple day long event organized by the local youth forum. So thanks to this event a lot of students, young people were wondering around all weekend. 4 students from the local Collage of Modern Business Studies, who had already acquired basic knowledge about the European Union, its institutions, their purpose informed the people passing by. So besides handing out postcards they were able to make short conversations with persons interested in issues related to the EU. The students asked questions like: Will Romania join the EU in 2007? Is it a good or a bad thing for Romania to be part of the European Community? What will be different when Romania will become a member of the EU?
Most of the people believe that in spite of the fact that Romania needs to improve its legal system, to really confront corrupcy, to deal with environmental issues it will be given the opportunity to join the European Community in 2007. Those ones who answered to these questions believe that being part of the EU can only be a positive thing for Romania and they hope that membership will bring better opportunities and better life for Romanian inhabitants.
i) Slovakia – Public Action in Bratislava
The aim of the street action was to inform people about the historical importance of the Europe day, the European Union, its structure and the current dialogue within the framework of the Convention, as well as the enlargement of the EU. The passers-by were either very curios and interested, or untrusting. That is why it was tried to speak to the people to wake their interest and involve them into discussion, coming to them and handing out the brochures. Many of them denied the discussion, but the brochures were accepted.
The great majority was surprised that their attention was drawn to the historical date of the emergence of the Coal and Steel treaty. Most of them did not know what actually happened 53 years ago and why the 9th of May is the Europe Day. A short historical outline of the main development stages of the EU was given, which made the people interested and opened them the new horizons in the EU. Very important was to outline that there is not only economical interest in the platform of the EU, but the fundamental values such as democracy, human rights, and one of the main prerogatives of the development is the creation of the social union.
We managed to reach not only citizens of Bratislava, but also tourists from the whole Europe.
Many people were afraid of the enlargement of the EU, but were not closing the eyes on the future. They were ready and glad to involve themselves into discussion and get more information about the current processes in the EU. There were very comprehensive discussions about the candidates for enlargement and the risks that might occur.
The tourists were also thankful for the action and emphasized that they are happy to get an insight to Slovakia as a future member of the EU.
j) Slovenia – Public Actions in Koper, Celje, Ljubljana and Maribor
On the 9th of May, Mladi evroski federealisti (JEF Slovenia) organized four info stands in various cities around Slovenia. We received information materials, posters and cards from the Delegation of the European Commission in Ljubljana. On all stands we also had flags (European, Federalists’ and Slovenian), postcards of the project and special T-shirts to make ourselves more visible. We tried to attract as many people as possible, without being annoying of course, and present them the historical reason for the celebrations on the 9th of May, the work of the European Convention on the Future of Europe and the current debate about the reform of the European Union. Most of the passers where interested and also listened to our ideas and thoughts, but also many sceptics approached us and gave their views and opinions. Both types of discussions where pleasant and made our day on the stands really enjoyable.
We placed one stand in Koper, the largest city on the Slovenian coast. We decided to put the stand at the entrance of the main shopping centre called “Supernova”, since we knew that on Fridays this is the most crowded place in town. The stand became “operational” already in the morning (around 9) and was closed around 6 o’clock in the evening. During these 9 hours we spoke to more than 200 people and gave away a lot of promotional and information materials. To those interested we also presented the results of the survey we conducted in December and January. The only missing thing perhaps was young people, but the day was sunny and there is no one who can blame them for having spent the Europe’s day on the beach.
The second stand was situated in Celje on its main square (Trg Celjskih knezov) just in front of the City hall. Again, the stand was set up in the early morning and it was full of various information materials about the 9th of May and the EU in general. The info stand turned out to be perfectly placed in the walking zone and a lot of people devoted a couple of minutes of their time to discuss Europe with us. By the end of the day we spoke with approximately 150 people of different age groups.
The third stand was placed in the capital Ljubljana. We decided to set it up in the park called “Zvezda” (the star), which is one of the most frequented places in Ljubljana. Since there are many schools and faculties nearby, we had pleasant company throughout the day. In a few cases we ended up in heated debate on the Future of the EU presidency, on Slovenia’s “weight” in the future Union policies and the changes after the enlargement. Despite this exception however, the work on the Convention was known to a very few people, so we spent most of out time explaining what this new model of discussing the “Future of Europe” brings, who is involved and what should we expect from the final result. Not surprisingly the fist question that many brought up was the possibility to influence this process. We were glad to explain that for the first time such a body works in a truly transparent way and is accessible to the public. To most of the passers this was a surprise.
Our last stand was placed more on the East, in Slovenia’s second biggest town, Maribor. We set it up in the shopping centre called (cot a coincidence) “Europark”. Most of the people we spoke to did not know about the 9th of May celebrities all around Europe, so we first explained them the reasons that lay behind the event and then introduced them the 9th of May activities in the framework of JEF and a transnational project “The Future of Europe – Our Opinion counts”. Judging by their reactions some of them were a bit sceptical about celebrating such a complex “monster” as the European Union. But our aim is to simplify it!
To sum it up, we spoke to almost 1000 people in four different places in Slovenia. Their reactions showed us that there is still, even after the referendum on the accession, the will to learn and discover new things about the EU: The work of the Convention gets a lot of attention in the Slovenian media, but the institution itself perhaps seems to abstract to ordinary citizens. For one day we tried to bring it closer to them. Will the Union do so with herself after the Convention proceedings are over?
