There is a saying “the grass is greener in the neighbour garden”. It has a meaning that we, as human beings, tend to underestimate the value of what we have, and we always search for something better elsewhere.
70 years ago, on the 9th of May 1950, Robert Schuman, the then French foreign minister, set out his idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe, which would make war between Europe's nations unthinkable.
In 1950, the nations of Europe were still struggling to overcome the devastation wrought by World War II, which had ended 5 years earlier. Determined to prevent another such terrible war, European governments concluded that working together to produce coal and steel (two materials so much needed for the weapons) would unite historic rivals France and Germany, and instead of competing, would encourage both countries to cooperate. It was thought – correctly – that merging of economic interests would help raise standards of living and be the first step towards a more united Europe.
The 9th of May thus became the Europe’s Day marking the Schuman declaration. A treaty creating such an organization governing such cooperation was signed just under a year later. Schuman's proposal was the beginning of what is now the European Union. The peace is the biggest achievement we've got. Living without war, in a safe and stable environment, going to school without shootings around, living without worry that your father is sent to fight and you risk of loosing him is what we are grateful for.
As European enjoy the privileges which no other people have elsewhere. Let’s look why we should be happier than anyone else:
In Europe, on average, people have 24 days of paid holiday and we also celebrate several bank holidays. In the USA for instance, people have only 14 days of holidays per year.
In Europe we have a free basic health security system, and if we travel within the EU or EEA countries, then our national health security travels with us and if something happens, we can expect the primary emergency health support for free.
The EU Roaming directive makes all of us happy: when travelling within Europe, we pay the same price for our phone calls as in our country.
We can study in whatever European country and to transfer our study credits form one university to another, thanks to Bolognia process and the recognition of the value of European education. This is not a case if you study elsewhere: then one needs to go through “equivalence check” procedure.
Thanks to the European Erasmus program, all European students can choose to study for some time in another country. The price students pay in their country is transferred into the visiting country and education credits are recognized as a fully equivalent when back home.
If someone loses a job, there is a state unemployment allowance which would guarantee some basic living income and training needed to get a new job.
If there is a drought, fires or our farmers have dry summer and no harvest, the European funds will help them at difficult times and the emergency support and solidarity will be offered. Europe shows its solidarity with each other, but also globally. Europe is the biggest aid donor in the World helping the poorest global countries to achieve their development.
Europe is leading the climate change. We produce the biggest share of renewable energies and we continue investing in research and innovation to make or companies and homes green.
Europe cares about the environment: we have so many directives through which national authorities must observe and treasure their nature, wildlife, waters, protect form pollution, plastics, chemicals and to ensure that we breathe a clean air.
It was Europe that imposed stricter car manufacturing rules for the CO2 emissions. By this it prompted not only cleaner European cars, but also improved the quality of air globally as many car manufacturers sell their cars internationally so these cleaner cars became available also in other continents.
Europe is innovative and competitive. The Scandinavian region is the most innovative in Europe but is also leading globally.
What we eat or buy is controlled by the health authorities, ensuring that what reaches us is compliant with health standards. Not all medicines or even toothpastes can be therefore imported into Europe from abroad.
Do you want to know what else the Europe did for you to make your life better? Check this online website WHAT DOES EUROPE FOR ME, in all European languages and stay proud being European!
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