The 9th of May is a time to celebrate European Union’s birthday. Celebrations will take place all around the 28 European Union member states and the EU delegations around the globe. European institutions, in Strasbourg, Brussel and Luxembourg, will open their doors to the public, and initiatives such as debates, concerts and other events will be held to celebrate the day and raise awareness about the EU. Make sure you do not miss it! “It’s about Europe, it’s about you”.
Sixty-five years ago, on May 9th 1950, six European countries responded to the invitation made by French Foreign minister, Robert Schuman, to start and join a functional integration of European economies. All great projects start from a first step. Since Schuman’s proposal, Europe has grown bigger by small and progressive steps, acquiring new competences ranging from economic growth and development to cultural promotion, enlarging its frontiers, increasing its population, campaigning in favor of a more sustainable and efficient use of natural resources and promoting human rights and the active participation of European citizenship via European and international cooperation.
All of this was made possible thanks to European funding devoted to the enhancement of European values and the construction of a common European identity and sense of belonging. Many initiatives were and are still funded by the EU to ensure everyone can access similar opportunities and live in a sound, safe and clean environment. Thanks to the commitment and efforts of member states and NGOs to cooperate with European institutions, the EU has overcome many challenges, achieving important goals and becoming an acknowledged and active player in the international community as an aid donor and peace promoter.
CESIE, actively supports European goals and values through a number of new projects addressing a variety of fields. Here are some examples of our most recent projects:
- DISCO DIgital Second Chance Opportunities – the project aims to mainstream youth and citizens to regular education and employment promoting opportunities in the labour market of European societies, and to sensitize teachers and trainers to improve the educational skills and be aware of digital media support at work.
- SCIENT – A European University-Business Alliance aiming to foster young SCIEntists’ ENTrepreneurial spirit – the project aims to enhance scientific entrepreneurship levels within EU Universities, decreasing over the long-term youth unemployment and boosting job creation and growth across the EU.
- ArtS – Skills for the creative economy – the project aims to design and deliver a joint vocational training programme for low-skilled, unemployment and self- employed artists
- JOB-YES! Choose a job not a dole – the project aims to increase motivation of people with disadvantaged background and fewer opportunities to integrate into the labour market using participatory approach based on self-need analysis
At present, following the admission of Croatia in July 2013, the EU includes 28 member states covering 4 million square kilometers and a population of about 500 million inhabitants. In spite of the economic hardship, Europe today continues to represent an opportunity for millions of people. The overall European Union idea of integration, since Schuman’s declaration in 1950 up to this year’s celebrations, is aimed at uniting people with different cultural backgrounds into a common space where peace, security and prosperity can be nurtured.
This is why we are glad celebrate the EU turning 65 on May 9th. You can find the nearest Europe day activities in Europe and around the globe visiting the EU official website, follow news and updates on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (#EUopendoors).
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