PES Manifesto

The brand 'Europe': from a 'No' to a 'Go'

Published Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 12:25
by bverdeyen (347 views and 0 comments)

‘Which impact does Europe and the European Union on your everyday life?’ It would be quite interesting to ask this question to people in the streets of Europe. The results would be meagre though, I fear. Knowledge of Europe and what the Union does for its inhabitants is poor. The European Union doesn’t really live in the hearts of most European, let alone to say that they feel ‘Europeans’.

The answers, let’s say in Portugal, would be quite different from those you’d get in, let’s say, Germany. The identity of one European Union today is hardly existent. Even worse, due to (mis)communication of more locally oriented political groups, the EU is sometimes even seen as meddlesome and negative.

Democracy begins with citizenship, but if your citizens don’t feel like a part of ‘the European Nation’, it is no wonder that referenda are treated with a resolute ‘no!’ So perhaps Europe needs to turn its’ attention towards itself again and develop it’s image within the member states.

Better information, a stronger presence within education and clear visibility of the use in people’s everyday lives. A strong democracy and a social Europe also starts within the people’s minds and hearts.

Tags: citizens, democracy, EU