EU Enlargement and the Perception of the Young - Classtests [5A]
Livon Marco - 4th Classtest

The aim of the following essay is to discuss the meaning of the extract, my experience in interviewing young people about Europe and the consequent interpretation of data carried out by the different groups in my class. I will conclude with my personal opinion and some practical proposals concerning integration among European young people.

The extract refers to the Copenhagen European Council of 1993 where the Union decided the criteria to satisfy to enter the Union. EU is open to every European State which wants to become Member but it has to satisfy the “Copenhagen criteria”, concerning the stability of institutions, the presence of democracy, human rights’ protection, a competitive economy, the adherence to EU’s aims. For this reason every State is invited to join the Union, the problem is if such country is ready or not. As a matter of fact the process to reach the Union lasts many years and starts with negotiations and membership talks. This implies that the decision is based only on economic, political, administrative standards which can improve and develop. Consequently an exclusion is not based on religious or cultural reasons.

From what I could understand interviewing young people the knowledge of what standards a State has to satisfy to join the Union is still so poor. This implies the presence of prejudices and false ideas. From our analysis we can recognize a superficial opinion in the younger people as for EU.

Nobody or a few people know the “Copenhagen criteria” and from the interpretation of the fourth question, referring to the entry of Turkey, the answers seem mostly influenced by prejudices. Infact, some people link Turkey’s possible exclusion to its religion. As a matter of fact religion and culture aren’t among the criteria.

I think this lack of information by young people is caused by a lack of interest to follow politic questions and the lack of information made both by media and school.

As regards school I think teachers could dedicate more time to create a perception of what Europe is in students and European parliament must promote projects to involve young people in building up their integration with other Member’s people.

Every single State, helped by media, could promote a policy to elicit young people become more responsible.