How can young people be stimulated to become more involved in the European Union? The Hansard Society believes an essay competition might be a useful instrument. In partnership with the British Council and the European Commission Representation in the UK, it encourages the citizens of tomorrow to consider what impact the EU has had on their lives. Four budding young journalists from the UK will have the chance to join their counterparts from Finland on a visit to the European Commission in Brussels to attend press conferences and briefings during the Finnish Presidency. This is the perfect chance for aspiring journalists to make their mark at the highest level of political reporting. All they have to do is submit an essay on ‘What has the EU done for me?’ The winning four entries will meet up with students from Finland and join journalists and reporters from all over Europe to cover press conferences, briefings and interviews.
Teachers can register their school and students online at www.britishcouncil.org/brussels-europe-eu-competition.htm. Lesson plans and fact sheets to guide teachers and students through this Citizenship activity are also available on the site. To enter the competition, students must write on the topic of ‘What has the EU done for me?’ The competition is open to 11-14 year olds, 14-16 year olds, and 16-18 year olds and entries should be a maximum of 800 words. One winner will be chosen from each age group.
Reijo Kemppinen, Head of the European Commission Representation in the UK said: ‘Recent opinion polls in the UK have shown that more than two-thirds of people would like to know “what the EU does for me”. It is for this reason that the Commission strongly supports this competition that will enable young people from schools across the UK to discuss this very question. The Commission is eager to hear views on how the EU affects the lives of young citizens and to learn more about their fears and hopes for the future. Do they feel that their lives have benefited from the UK’s membership of the EU? Are they confident that the EU can deliver results as we face the global challenges that lie ahead? We hope that teachers will encourage their students to take part in this excellent initiative so that young people make their voices heard.’
Nigel Bellingham, Deputy Director of the British Council in Brussels said: ‘We’re delighted to continue this competition in partnership with the Hansard Society, and especially pleased to welcome the European Commission as a new partner. Together, we are confident that this year’s competition will build on last year’s success. The British Council’s aim is to connect young people in the UK with other young people around the world, and through this to build greater mutual understanding. This competition achieves that by encouraging young people in the UK and Finland to share ideas and experience about what EU membership really means to them.’
Michael Raftery from the Hansard Society said: ‘This is a great opportunity for young people from the UK to get to grips with the effect the European Union has on their lives. Through their research they’ll find out what membership of the EU has meant for the UK in the past as well as what the future holds. The link with Finnish schools will allow them to see how their views compare with their European peers.’
For more information, surf to www.britishcouncil.org/brussels-europe-eu-competition.htm or email Michael Raftery (m.raftery@hansard.lse.ac.uk).