European Parliament Ambassador School Programme
NAME
CLASS/GROUP:
SCHOOL:
OUT & ABOUT
EUROPE
ACTIVITY BOOK
2021-22
Introduction to your digital portfolio
about Europe
The European Union (EU) affects your life every single day, mostly without you knowing it. For example, the emergency telephone number is the same throughout Europe. So you can dial 112 in any European country if your home is broken into, if there is an accident or a house on fire. It is also thanks to the European Union that you can travel from France to Germany, for example, without going through any border controls, and can pay in Euros in 19 different countries. This means you can quickly see if an ice cream is cheaper here than in Italy ! This is all quite normal for you, but it has not always been like this.
This presentation is made up of your personal research about the EU and the shared knowledge and activities done with other students. You will have to look for specific information to complete different sections, write your views on key topic, exchange, test and record your progress, have your say about essential European policies while you are learning to build up your European citizenship.
Content index:
1.Key aspects of the European Union
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EU key aspects
1.1.- Key aspects of the European Union
Find and add the
information about:
1
EU Symbols
1.2- Key aspects of the European Union
Write in English the 24 official languages of the EU:
1
EU Languages
Български
Čeština
Danish
German
eesti keel
Ελληνικά
English
español
français
Gaeilge
hrvatski
Italiano
latviešu valoda
lietuvių kalba
magyar
Malti
Nederlands
polski
português
Română
slovenčina
slovenščina
suomi
svenska
1.3.- Key aspects of the European Union
Name the countries of the 27 member states of the EU
1
EU Countries
1.4- Key aspects of the European Union
EU population almost 448 million people
Create a bar chart with the population of the EU
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EU Population
Latest release of information available at: Eurostat: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/11081093/3-10072020-AP-EN.pdf/d2f799bf-4412-05cc-a357-7b49b93615f1
On 1 January 2020, the population of the European Union (EU) with 27 Member States was estimated at 447.7 million, down by 12.8% as compared with 513.5 million in 28 Member States on 1 January 2019. This decrease is mainly due to the withdrawal of the United Kingdom (on 1 February 2020), which led the population of the EU to decrease by 13%. The total EU27 population change was positive with 0.9 million more inhabitants during 2019, due to net migration. The natural change of the EU population has been negative since 2012, with more deaths than births recorded in the EU (4.7 million deaths and 4.2 million births in 2019). These figures are issued by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, just before the World Population Day (11 July).
1.5- Key aspects of the European Union
1
EU Economy
Food for thought: Have a look at the information provided in the map and write a short comment analysing the differences and similarities
https://www.geoawesomeness.com/top-30-maps-charts-explain-european-union/
1.6- Key aspects of the European Union
1
EU Currency
THE EURO IN NUMBERS
74%EUROPEANS
Currently 74% of Europeans are in favour of a European economic and monetary union, with one single currency, the euro. This is the highest share ever.
340 MILLION EUROPEANS
The euro is shared by 340 million Europeans. 60 countries and territories, representing 175 million people, have pegged their own currencies to the euro either directly or indirectly.
2nd CURRENCY
The euro is the world’s second currency for international payments, borrowing, lending and central bank reserves.
https://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/html/quiz.en.html
Take the quiz and get a screen-shot to paste on your workbook with the result of the 4 questions whichever the level.
1.7- Key aspects of the European Union
1
EU History
After the Second World War, the political leaders and citizens of Europe were determined that such a war should never happen again. But this was easier said than done. France and Germany had a history of fighting each other and although this war was over, they were by
no means friends. The French Foreign Minister, Robert Schuman, presented the Schuman Declaration on 9th May 1950. This is why “Europe Day” is now celebrated every year on the 9th of May.
The cooperation between these countries was such a success that they decided to work together even more. This is how the European Economic Community (EEC) was founded in 1957.
Complete the chart with the countries accessing data:
YEAR | COUNTRIES | Nº |
1957 | | 6 |
| | 9 |
1981 | | 10 |
1986 | Portugal and Spain | 11 |
| East Germany reunites with West Germany and so joins the European Union | 12 |
| Austria, Switzerland , Finland | 15 |
| Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia | 25 |
2007 | Bulgaria and Romania | 27 |
2013 | Croatia | 28 |
2021 | BREXIT: UK leaves the UE | 27 |
1.8- Key aspects of the European Union
1
EU Facts and figures
1.9- Key aspects of the European Union
1
EU Key aspects Quiz
Quiz. Learning corner: https://europa.eu/learning-corner/quiz_en
Visit the link to play the game “What is the Euroepan Union?”.
Then take a screenshot with the final result and paste it here:
2.The European Union and you
2
EU and you
2
EU and you
2.1- The European Union and You
2
EU Policy Areas
2.1- The European Union and You
Europe is closer than you think:
It affects us all every day in areas of food quality, the environment, roaming charges, travel, education, work and lots more.
But a large part of the decisions are taken at a different level: local, provincial or national. The European Union only makes a decision when it is more efficient to do so than at a national, regional or local level (= subsidiarity principle). Below you find several tasks. Sometimes the responsibility should be at EU level, sometimes at another level.
Responsible level | LOCAL | REGIONAL | NATIONAL | EU |
Collection of household waste | | | | |
Railway infrastructure | | | | |
Telecommunications | | | | |
Car parks in your neighbourhood | | | | |
Organisation of local public transport | | | | |
Labelling of consumer products | | | | |
Fight against terrorism | | | | |
Support for the poor | | | | |
Recreational facilities | | | | |
Farming subsidies | | | | |
Home care | | | | |
National budget | | | | |
Mobile phone charges | | | | |
2
Armchair Travelling
2.2- The EU and You
Go to www.europa.eu and choose the English version of the Kid’s Corner and play the game “Europe: what’s it all about?”.
https://europa.eu/learning-corner/the-eu-whats-it-all-about_en
Choose one of the countries you want to travel to and get as much information as possible.
You´ll have to tell your friends about the decision giving reasons and trying to convince to go there considering time, budget, transport, things to do, and activities, accommodation, places to visit, etc.
2
European Citizenship
2.3- The EU and You
European citizenship
What actually is citizenship? It has to do with the rights you have in the country you live in, but also with your place in society and your participation within it.
How do you feel about the place where you live and what do you know about your town or village?
European citizenship is not something that replaces Spanish citizenship, but is something extra. This citizenship has the following advantages:
Would you like the challenge of living, working or studying in another country? If so, which country would you choose and why?
2
Fundamental Rights
2.4- The EU and You
The European Chart of
Fundamental Rights
Binding for all the EU´s activities.
54 articles under 6 titles
2
European Values
2.6- The EU and You. EU Values
Some values are shared by people throughout the world, such as good health, happiness and love. However, there are also values such as freedom, peace, solidarity, equality and democracy, which are often determined by governments.
The European Union does not only work together in areas like the economy, security and the environment, but devotes considerable attention to upholding these values both within Europe’s borders and beyond. If a country wants to become a member of the EU, they also have to respect these values and implement them in their own country. Of course this applies to all of the countries that are already a member of the EU.
Answer the following questions about the European Values:
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European Values
2.7- The EU and You. European Values
Freedom
All European citizens are free to travel, work and live anywhere in the EU. You are also free to say what you want, think or feel as long as you do not restrict other people’s freedom by discriminating against them.
Would you want to live in a place where your religion, opinion or sexual orientation was discriminated against?
Solidarity
The European Union also includes countries that have weaker economies. There is poverty
and high levels of unemployment and the schools are often not as good as in Ireland. The
EU therefore supports these poorer countries by providing extra funding for education,
job-creation, healthcare projects and the construction of roads and bridges. As a result
everyone can benefit and a more even distribution of wealth is achieved.
What do you think of this?
2
European Values
2.8- The EU and You. European Values
Diversity, but equal before the law
Everyone is different: in their language, culture, religion, appearance, opinion and origins.
We want these differences to be respected within the European Union so that we can live, learn and work side by side, just like we do in school. We want to live in a society where there is mutual respect, where there is no discrimination and where everyone has the same opportunities. The European Treaty for Human Rights states that every EU citizen has equal rights. Which means that policemen, lawyers, teachers, farmers, carpenters, job seekers, or disabled people, in short all European citizens, must be treated equally.
Do you think that everyone in Spain has the same rights? Give an example if you agree or disagree.
Human rights and foreign policy
Everyone has particular rights just by being human. These are things that you can do or
have, such as the right to education, healthcare, freedom of speech and privacy. There are also rights to protect you from people who might want to damage or hurt you. For example, the police are not allowed to arrest you without a reason, threaten you or have your telephone tapped. There are organisations that try to persuade governments to respect human rights.
Look up an organisation that is involved in protecting human rights at an international level. Try to describe what it does.
2.9- The European Union and You
2
EU and You Quiz
Quiz. Learning corner: https://europa.eu/learning-corner/quiz_en
Visit the link to play the game “How is the EU relevant to your daily life?”.
Then take a screenshot with the final result and paste it here:
2
European Values
2.5- The EU and You
European Values:
You have probably heard of moral standards and values. But actually, what are they? Values are ideals that are very important to you or to a group of people: happiness, security, being social, freedom, respect or love, for example. In order to uphold these values, you need standards. So standards are kind of rules of conduct. The value of safety, for example, requires you to keep to the standard maximum speed limit and not drive through a red
light. The value of respect needs you to treat people equally.
People sometimes think very differently about (moral) standards and values. Your background, religion or country of origin can influence this.
Which values are important to you?
BEST FRIEND | DIFFERENCES | SIMILARITIES |
1 | | |
2 | | |
3 | | |
Someone of your age in … | DIFFERENCES | SIMILARITIES |
1 | | |
2 | | |
3 | | |
When you have been on holiday in France or Italy, you probably noticed that lots of things
are different than in Spain. Not only the language, but also the food, clothes, people’s
behaviour and all kinds of other things. But when you travel outside Europe, you will notice
that Europeans also have a lot in common.
Write down three differences/similarities
3.The European Union Institutions
3
EU Institutions
3
European Institutions
3.1- The EU Institutions
3
European Institutions
3.2- The EU Institutions
27
3
European Institutions
3.3- The EU Institutions
3
European Institutions
3.4- The EU Institutions
3
European Institutions
3.5- The EU Institutions
3
European Institutions
3.6- The EU Institutions
______________________
__________________
Court of Auditors
Economic and Social Committee
______________________
Council of Ministers
(The Council)
_____________________
European Investment Bank
______________________
Agencies
_______________________
The European Parliament
(voice of the people)
_____________________President of the European Parliament
The European Council
(voice of the Member States)
____________________ President of the European Council
The European Commission
(promoting the common interest)
__________________�President of the European Commission
Fill in with the missing information about the institutions and their representatives
3.7- The European Institutions
3
EU Have your say
Have your say
Sometimes you have a definite opinion on a particular subject. And sometimes you would like to get involved in all kinds of issues. There are also occasions when you really believe that something needs to be done, and want to talk about it and put forward ideas.
If you have an opinion, you make yourself heard and say what you feel or think.
Your vote makes a difference! This is all about you, your vote and your opinion. You are officially allowed to vote in Spain as soon as you turn 18. From then on, you can influence your local councils, the national government and even Europe. Sometimes people think that their vote does not count, but is this true? Of course not! Imagine that you want to be elected on to the students’ council at your school and there are 100 students who are entitled to vote. Fifty out of the 100 do not come to the election and their vote is wasted.
Choose five words that are important for ‘your Europe’ in the following list.
Solidarity, environment, terrorism, border controls, foreign workers, food safety, work, human rights, discrimination, good wages, a fair share for all, culture, song festival, European football competition, clean seas, fisheries, free market, no border controls between EU countries, freedom to work anywhere, euro, animal testing, security, equal rights for men and women, studying.
How can you make your views heard on what you want for Europe’s future? One way of doing that is to vote in the European elections. You can elect a Spanish MEP who represents your views. Your MEP works together with MEPs from other European countries who have similar ideas in a political group.
3.8- The European �Programmes. Erasmus+
3
Erasmus+
If you could choose any European destination to study with an Erasmus project, Where would you like to go and why?
3.9- The European Institutions
3
EU Institutions Quiz
Quiz. Learning corner: https://europa.eu/learning-corner/quiz_en
Visit the link to play the game “How does the EU work?”.
Then take a screenshot with the final result and paste it here:
4.Main issues on the EU agenda
4
EU Agenda
4.1- EU Agenda. Policy areas
4
EU Agenda
The EU is active in a wide range of topics, from human rights to transport and trade. Click on a topic title below for a summary of what the EU does in that area, and for useful links to relevant bodies, laws and documents.
The annual EU budget in 2019 was around €165.8 billion – a large sum in absolute terms, but only about 1% of the wealth generated by the economies of the Member States every year.
4.2- EU Agenda. �Energy and Environment
4
EU Agenda Environment
Energy is essential in our lives; we
need energy for transport, our central
heating and air conditioning, as
well as to keep factories, offices and
farms running. But will our oil and
gas reserves run out at some point?
Are these fuels responsible for global
warming? The EU wants the Member
States to pursue better and more
energy-efficient policies and to carry
out more research into wind and solar
power. Every citizen should also take a
look at their own energy consumption.
This includes simple things like using
a car, hot water, central heating, air
conditioning and lighting. And did you
know that the ordinary light bulb is
going to disappear?
Becoming the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050 is the greatest challenge and opportunity of our times. To achieve this, the European Commission presented the European Green Deal in December 2019.
The Green Deal is an integral part of the Commission’s strategy to implement the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda and the sustainable development goals.
4.3- EU Agenda. Health
EU action has helped bring about:
4
EU Agenda Health
Supporting public health in Europe
The EU complements national health policies by supporting local EU governments to achieve common objectives, pool resources and overcome shared challenges. In addition to formulating EU-wide laws and standards for health products and services, it also provides funding for health projects across the EU.
No borders – joint action needed
When visiting another European country what document do you need if you have to see a doctor or go to hospital?
4.4- EU Agenda. Security
4
EU Agenda Security
The EU’s foreign and security policy is centred on:
• Promoting international peace and security,
• Development cooperation,
• Human rights and the rule of law
• Responding to humanitarian and climate emergencies.
Internationally, the EU uses its diplomatic, political, economic, security and humanitarian tools for peaceful solutions to conflicts, in particular in Libya, Syria and Ukraine.
In December 2017, 25 Member States agreed to establish a Permanent Structured Cooperation, a legally binding framework to work together more closely on security and defence.
In April 2019, the European Parliament endorsed plans for the Fund to receive an estimated €13 billion in the EU’s next long-term budget between 2021 and 2027, and finance collaborative research projects mainly through grants.
Should we fight drug-related crime as a country, or at a European level? Write your opinion.
4.5- EU Agenda. �Migrations
4
EU Agenda Migration
Thousands of migrants lose their lives annually trying to get to Europe. This tragic situation has now made the issue one of the most urgent topics for the continent. Watch the film clips with your students and get them to write some answers to the following questions.
It is not just people from outside Europe who dream of building a better life for themselves on the continent. Within Europe itself, millions of people are moving across borders. Such movement has led to rising fear in some countries that their public services cannot sustain new populations. More diversification within communities across Europe has in turn led to an increase in racist sentiment in some places.
4.6- EU Agenda. No borders
4
EU Agenda. No borders
Why are there security checks for liquids at airports?
Airports want to use a body scan in the future. What does a body scan do?
Would you like to be scanned before boarding a plane?
The single market has led to:
Four freedoms of movement:�
Schengen area:�
4.7- EU Agenda. �Digital Single Market
Since May 2015, the European Commission has delivered most of the proposals announced in its Digital Single Market strategy. These include:
4
EU Agenda. No borders
4.8- EU Agenda. �Consumers´ Rights
4
EU Agenda. Consumers
As a consumer you are protected by basic laws all over the EU, even when you travel or shop online
Set an example of clear labelling according to EU standards.
Take a picture and analyse the information provided:
4.9- The EU Agenda
4
EU Agenda Quiz
Quiz. Learning corner: https://europa.eu/learning-corner/quiz_en
Visit the link to play the game “What is on EU agenda?”.
Then take a screenshot with the final result and paste it here:
European Parliament Ambassador School Programme
Credits:
Learning Corner https://europa.eu/learning-corner/learning-materials_en
House of European History https://historia-europa.ep.eu/en/educators-teachers/classroom-activities
Kahoot Quiz https://kahoot.com/schools/
What Europe does for me https://what-europe-does-for-me.eu/en/home
EU & ME - https://www.what-europe-does-for-me.eu/
European Parliament multimedia centre https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/
European Parliament YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/EuropeanParliament