EU. 1 What is our identity ?

• Global awareness
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 1

New topic= What is the EU?   What is our Identity?

Let's start with an activity......

The EU was founded after World War II as an economic cooperation of six countries. The main aim was - in the words of the French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman in 1950 - to make another war ‘not only unthinkable, but materially impossible’. Have the founders succeeded?

One great common market

In 1993, the twelve EU members decided to form one big common market in which there was free movement of goods, services, people and money. Within this area, the borders disappeared so the citizens from these European countries were in more contact with each other. The EU also promoted programmes that brought people together to share knowledge and ideals and, in this way, to work on a European identity. Students could get grants to follow part of their education in another member state. In 2002, the euro was introduced. Most member states exchanged their own currency for new coins and notes.

61% of Europeans say they see themselves as a “Citizen of the European Union”. However, before pro-Europeans get too excited, it’s important to point out that fully half of those polled also say they feel that EU Member States DON’T share close values, versus only 42% who believe there are common European values.

Logo of the Erasmus programme, one of the EU community programmes in education.

Brexit

Currently political parties in many member states want to limit EU influence in their country or even to leave the Union. They do not believe in the added value of the EU anymore. This view is called euro-scepticism. In June 2016, a small majority of the British voted in a referendum to leave the EU. Procedures for a British exit were started in 2017.

British prime minister Theresa May has tried to get a Brexit Deal passed in parliament. Three times the deal was rejected.

Pro and Anti Brexit demonstrations in London

Write a description of cultural differences within Europe in 100 words

The main aim of founding the European union was to prevent:

1. competition
2. war
3. food shortages
4. economic crises

What is the correct order?

1. EGKS, EU, EG, euro
2. euro, EU, EG, EGKS
3. EGKS, EG, EU, euro.
4. EGKS, EG, euro, EU

Which of the following countries is a member of the European Union?

1. Finland
2. Norway
3. Switzerland
4. Turkey

This source shows:

1. Britain coming to join the EU.
2. Greece coming to join the EU.
3. Brexit.
4. Grexit.

This source shows:

1. Churchill
2. The founder of the EU
3. Erasmus.
4. Beethoven who composed the EU anthem (Ode to joy)

Do you feel a citizen of the EU ?

1. Yes
2. No
3. I don't really know

What would strengthen your sense of EU identity mostly ?

1. Common social welfare systems like healthcare and education
2. EU ID cards
3. one language
4. Directly elected president of the EU

Finish the following sentence: In the near future, I see myself as......

1. Only my nationality
2. Only Euroopean
3. My nationality and European
4. a global citizen

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