Archive for March, 2010
Youth policy included in the 2020 strategy
The economic crisis has hit European youngsters disproportionately hard. Today, more than 5.5 million young Europeans under 25 are unemployed (21.4 %), which is twice as high as the overall unemployment rate. Earlier this month the Commission launched its new economic “10 year plan”: the so called Europe 2020 strategy, which is based on three [...]
Made in Italy
Italian fashion enjoys a worldwide reputation for quality and style. However, products originating from elsewhere and receiving finishing touches in Italy can also carry the label ‘Made in Italy’. Couturiers hopes the EU can put a stop to this. Watch EuroparlTV on this, and then, if you like, join in the discussion on Facebook.
Low inflation with a limbo-dancing euro!
“The euro keeps its balance as it dances under the limbo bar of low inflation, keeping inflation stable and low – for you!” The Commission picks its moment to promote the inflation-busting virtues of the euro, to the rhythms of calypso. Check out the new EUTube video here.
10 things you should know about me!
1. My name is Lyuben, Bulgarian, one of the new interns in the Web Communication Unit of the European parliament. Pleased to meet you! 2. My name means ‘beloved’ in Bulgarian and I got it tattooed on my back when I was 16 3. As the Bulgarian editor – Svetla will not be at her [...]
A coffee with Klaus
An excellent idea But it would have been even better if I was not eating a biscuit when he stretched out his hand and smiled: “Klaus Welle”. Me, mouth full: “Baffabella Be Mabte”. For those who don’t know Klaus: he is the Secretary General of the European Parliament. Basically the Boss of the bosses of all [...]
The 7% moment
One of the benefits of western capitalism is the high degree of personal freedom it affords us, they say. People have choice they say. They can do this, that or the other without fear of censure (well, more or less) and go here or there at will. It is actually true – to a certain [...]
10 truths about babies
Babies are born with an in-depth knowledge of Murphy’s laws
The graphical mood
They are the lucky ones who don’t deal with words but with pictures, colours and also things called CSS, html and other things we can’t spell. We are jealous because they work on Macs. We work daily with them and they proposed the photo below to illustrate their current working mood. They are the designers of [...]
International heartbreak
Till death do us part is no more the reality in Europe. Currently 20% of all divorce cases annually are between spouses of a different nationality. This poses a huge legal conundrum which the EC hopes to resolve. See more.
Pécs’ facelift
As one of the European Culture Capitals 2010 Pécs, Hungary had to put in a bit of effort before it received its culture capital tourists. With a calendar jam packed with cultural events, this UNESCO world heritage site will hopefully reap what it sows financially. Watch it.
Reforming the EP? – a digital debate
EUDO is an observatory based in Florence interested in European democracy. They are setting up a discussion café on various EU democracy issues. Their first post is on the question of how to reform the European Parliament and is written by the eminent English professor Peter Mair. They would like to engage every EU interested people [...]
Three to tango
EU institutions have had a makeover and this means their roles have changed somewhat. It’s up to EP President Jerzy Buzek to mediate the new roles with both Commission and Council, which is not an enviable position to be in. (See more)
The R-word
We know we need to talk about it, but who dares to pronounce it, the R-word? In the era of political correctness, no hot potato is a potato. Euphemisms encroach. We change candy wrappings, we are ready to give up school plays and customs not to offend. But how relevant are these gestures if we don’t talk about the real problem.
The Office or… Transformational Digital Engagement.
A day in London today for a digital communications workshop at the UK Central Office of Information (COI). The event brought together public sector (mainly governmental) communicators from across the EU and a smattering of hipsters from Google, Facebook, Microsoft and the like. Organised with firm-handed devotion to timing, the workshop was intensive, leaving a [...]
I don’t believe in those e-things (or do I?)
Borderline heresy from our current trainee Davide from Italy. Maybe after hanging out with a bunch of hard-core internet obsessives such as us for a while, he’ll come round…
How Privacy Vanishes Online
If a stranger came up to you on the street, would you give him your name, Social Security number and e-mail address? Probably not. Yet people often dole out all kinds of personal information on the Internet that allows such identifying data to be deduced. Services like Facebook, Twitter and Flickr are oceans of personal [...]
Social media forum debrief
“Less stories more creatively told” was one of the phrases ringing in my ears as I departed the recent “Social Media World Forum” in London. These words were uttered by Adam Parker of RealWire who was speaking about the relative merits of press releases and whether they work or not in the social media age. [...]
Mads Mikkelsen – let your voice be heard!
What should governments do to fight climate change? The European Commission launched a campaign in order to encourage EU citizens to post a message and show their commitment to fighting climate change. Among its many supporters is also Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen. In an EUTube video, he appeals to viewers to inform their governments what [...]
Young, dynamic, creative? It’s time to join!
The rumours were louder and louder in the last weeks… And now it’s official. The new competition to enter the European institutions has been launched this week. I was in this situation about two years ago, I know how it is, how people feel… Let’s hope the competition will reach its aims: recruiting specialists and opening its door to people from all over Europe.
Forum: Rail safety
On 15 February this year, 18 people died and 200 were injured when two passenger trains collided on the outskirts of Brussels. Who or what is to blame? Two MEPs and the director of the European Railway Agency debate liberalisation of the sector, lack of technical harmonisation and the need for supervision and substantial investment.Watch [...]
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