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WORKSHEETS FOR EASTER 2000

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Introduction

At the Millennium, as at any anniversary point, it is time to take stock of the past, and consider the future.

Europe has always been an area of the world in which each part influences the rest. Examples are given on the "Shared Past" sheet, and in the maps from the last 2000 years included in this pack.

European Institutions are listed on the "Present" sheet.

Participants are ask to consider, during the week, how they see the European Community developing. One possibility is to consider two points each day, Saturday to Wednesday.

Consideration of these questions may be done within the larger groups, or at the level of guest and host, reporting back to their group, who then report back to the Committee to collate for the final presentation. Please ensure that results are back with the Committee by mid-day on Thursday (earlier is acceptable!).

1. Integration

Q1. Would you prefer / do you think more likely

• Institutions for co-ordination of specific sectors, leading to the spread of integration into other areas with consequent shift of loyalties and expectations.
• Governments which pool resources in pursuit of their own national interests.
• Federalism: the ideal of a united Europe acting in the best interest of all the component states

2. Citizenship

People are essentially freedom loving and keen to develop forms of solidarity that will allow the them to govern their own affairs. This has been said to be the natural condition of European civilisation. In order to participate in the political process, one requires information and a knowledge that, together with other citizens, one has influence.

Q2: To what level do you see the citizens' political voice bearing weight in your area, your nation, the Community?

3. Europeanisation

• Education: Exchanges and co-operation
• Culture: national and regional diversity.
• Consumer Protection
• Social Protection

Q3: Give some specific examples of the pros and cons of "Europeanisation".

4. European Identity

Symbols:

• European Anthem (1972): prelude to 'Ode to Joy' from Beethoven's 9th Symphony.
• Europe day (9th May) (1985)
• European flag (1986).

Concrete measures:

• EC passports (1985)
• No need to change drivers' licences when changing residence (1996)
• The right to seek employment and to settle permanently
• Tourists receive free or reduced cost medical and dental care
• Uniform treatment of immigrants.    Police controls on illegal entrants, drugs and terrorism.

Q4: a): How many of these were you already aware of?

b): Do you see them as benefits?

c): What other factors could lead to increased awareness of European identity?

5. A Single Market and a Single Currency

Germany is an "insider" member of the single currency, the United Kingdom an "outsider" country, and so, even by now, it may be possible to consider the advantages and disadvantages. But the rise in e-commerce may affect everything.

Q5: a): Should the success of the single currency be measured now, or is it a method of achieving future prosperity?

b): Do you foresee local currencies as being of importance in fifty years, or will there be, in practice, "mundos" used world-wide, with most transactions occurring over the Web?

6. Regions within Nations within the Community

Increasingly it seems that regional areas are looking for greater autonomy, seeing their needs and identities as distinct from those of their neighbours.

At the same time, the Community, seeking the good of the whole, seeks to fund where needed, at a regional level, so that all are more equally advantaged.

Q6: a): In what order does a citizen today identify with his/her region, nation, Community?

b): Do you see this order being the same if the question were to be asked in fifty years?

7. What makes a Community?

Q7: a): Is it desirable that richer members of the Community should share by contributing to poorer members?

b): Should environmental changes, such as rising sea-levels, be considered as a problem belonging to those areas directly affected, or to the whole of the affected countries, or to the whole Community?

8. Growth of the Community

Q8: a): How large do you think the Community should grow / expect the Community to grow?

b): Where might the final boundaries be?

c): Why should / might it not extend beyond that point?

9. Technology

Q9: What level of balance should occur between the increasing use of technology and its products, and the need to moderate the use of resources, while improving the lives of Community citizens?

10. Europe over the next century

Q10: Do you envisage it as primarily:

• a continent?
• a system of interconnected states?
• a set of political ideas and practices?