Trends and Opinions

In 2007 Europe brought together 27 countries for its 50th birthday. Over the years it has celebrated its growth with very different friends. There were only 6 when it was born in 1957.

The European Union gives the most humanitarian aid in the world, and when a natural disaster has struck, it can act within hours. Yet these facts remains obscure in the minds of its citizens and little visible on the ground. Fault or virtue? Our guests MEP Michèle Striffler (EPP) and Kathrin Schick, director of a network of humanitarian aid NGOs, concur that proven effectiveness counts for more than visibility.

EP President Jerzy Buzek urged everyone "to act globally to face global challenges, but not to ignore what we do at home," when opening the "Less meat=less heat" hearing on 3 December. The idea of one meat-free day a week was highlighted as a way for an individual to make a difference to global warming. "It is very doable," said Sir Paul McCartney, the protagonist behind the campaign.

The typical Londoner for me, does not exist, since the sense is always shifting, depending on just where you are. London first seemed to me, to be a city of chaos, but the longer I am here the more London seems to me more a place full of different islands with different identities but at the same time they are all connected.

Living in a foreign country gives you a not-to-be-underestimated asset: perspective. You learn to look at your own country from a distance. This doesn’t mean being detached or indifferent. In fact, never as now have I felt so strongly about my country, my culture, my people.

The European Union is an odd creature in Britain. It seems as if its motives are always questioned and its actions are often decried. But, then again, Britain is an odd creature within the EU. Its suspicion is a source of bewilderment to other member states.

Around the date of the 50th anniversary of the EU: 25 March 2007, Kathrin Haimerl, a German student, spent ten days working in the UK Office of the European Parliament. Here she writes of her impressions of the EU debate in the UK and whether it lived up to her expectations.

On 29 March 2007, after 33 years, Avis Furness Librarian with the UK Office of the European Parliament retires. Here she recalls a mixture of historic events and personal highlights and talks about the very many changes her working life has seen in relation to developments in new technology and how they have altered our information needs and expectations.

Maria Pomes is 23 years old, and has been living in London for two years. She combines her full time job in a lobby company with some freelance journalism articles for print and online Spanish publications. She also runs two blogs about London. Maria is a Communications Graduate with a passion for politics, travel and photography.

Polska kielbasa, polskie produkty, polski sklep. Polish signs all over London are hard to miss. Wherever I go I hear Polish spoken, I meet Poles, I can buy any Polish product I want. I was literally shocked when I arrived in Britain last year and I saw Polish stores on every corner.