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Second Star on the Right and Straight on ‘til Morning

THE EU

Letizia

The economic association of over two dozen European countries which seek to create a unified, barrier-free market for products and services throughout the continent, as well as a common currency with a unified authority over that currency.

The European Union has brought peace and stability to Europe. In 2012, the Union was even awarded the Noble Peace Prize.

As a Union citizen, we enjoy four importants right, that are very symbolic :

1.

You can travel freely and stay in any EU member state. You can find work in another EU member state.

2.

You can vote in the European Parliament elections in the member state in which you live permanently.

3.

If you travel outside Europe and need help, the Finnish foreign mission will assist you.

4.

If you have been treated unfairly by any EU official, you can appeal to or ask for help from the European Ombudsman.

EU AND CITIZENS

What does it mean to be a European citizen?

All citizens of an EU country are automatically citizens of the EU. Being an EU citizen gives you some important extra rights and responsibilities.

If you are an European citizen you can work,

Fundamental rights The fundamental rights are: • the right to strike; • the right of workers to be informed and consulted; • the right to reconcile family life and professional life; • the right to healthcare, social security and social assistance throughout the European

• The right to travel in all European countries

For all EU citizens, citizenship implies: • the right to vote and to stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament and in municipal elections in the Member State in which they reside, under the same conditions as nationals of that State • the right to access European Parliament, Council and Commission documents, subject

REALIZZATO DA DI MIRA FRANCESCA DI NINNO GIOVANNA D’EMMA FRANCESCA

THE EUROPEAN UNION & HUMAN RIGHTS

THE EUROPEAN The EU was not always UNION as big as it is today.

The euro (â‚Ź) is the official currency of 19 out of 28 EU member countries. These countries are collectively known as the Eurozone.

When European countries started to cooperate economically in 1951, only Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands participated.

HUMAN RIGHTS The European Union is based on a strong commitment to promoting and protecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law worldwide. Human rights are at the very heart of EU relations with other countries and regions.

Promoting human rights work can help to prevent and resolve conflicts and, ultimately, to alleviate poverty. •

EU policy includes: •

working to promote the rights of women, children, minorities and displaced persons

•

opposing the death penalty, torture, human trafficking and discrimination

•

defending civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights

•

defending the universal and indivisible nature of human rights through full and active partnership with partner countries, international and regional organizations, and groups and associations at all levels of society.

EU CHARTER OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU brings together in a single document the fundamental rights protected in the EU. The Charter contains rights and freedoms under six titles: Dignity, Freedoms, Equality, Solidarity, Citizens' Rights, and Justice. Proclaimed in 2000, the Charter has become legally binding on the EU with the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, in December 2009.

The provisions of the Charter are addressed to: - the institutions and bodies of the EU with due regard - for the principle of subsidiarity; - the national authorities only when they are implementing EU law.

For example, the Charter applies when EU countries adopt or apply a national law implementing an EU directive or when their authorities apply an EU regulation directly.

In cases where the Charter does not apply, the protection of fundamental rights is guaranteed under the constitutions or constitutional traditions of EU countries and international conventions they have ratified.

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The EU and the environment The EU has some of the world's highest environmental standards. Environment policy helps green the EU economy, protect nature, and safeguard the health and quality of life of people living in the EU.

Green growth 'Green growth' entails developing integrated policies that promote a sustainable environmental framework. Environmental innovations can be implemented and exported, making Europe more competitive and improving people's quality of life.

Fairness is paramount in all this.

Protecting nature Nature is our life support system, so we need to look after it. Europe is working to safeguard these natural resources and halt the decline of endangered species and habitats. Natura 2000 is a network of 26,000 protected natural areas, covering almost 20% of the EU's land mass, where sustainable human activities can coexist with rare and vulnerable species and habitats.

Safeguarding the health and wellbeing of people living in the EU Water, air pollution and chemicals are among people's top environmental concerns. To safeguard people from environment-related pressures and risks to health and wellbeing, EU policy aims to: • guarantee safe drinking and bathing water • improve air quality and reduce noise • reduce or eliminate the effects of harmful chemicals.

Global challenges Global environmental challenges become more pressing. More action is needed to ensure that air, oceans and other water resources are kept clean land and ecosystems are used sustainably climate change is kept to manageable levels.

As a global actor, the EU plays a key role in international efforts to promote sustainable development globally.

Lamanda Lorenza Fedele Denise Panzini Maria Pia Maione Castillo Viannaci

The European Commission's priorities

• The European Commission is the executive of the European Union and promotes its general interest.

• • • • • • • • •

Jobs, growth and investment Digital single market Energy union and climate Internal market A deeper and fairer economic and monetary union A balanced and progressive trade policy to harness globalisation Justice and fundamental rights Migration A stronger global actor

Jogrowth and investmentbs,

Digital single market

Energy union and climate

Internal market

A deeper and fairer economic and monetary union

A balanced and progressive trade policy to harness globalisation

Justice and fundamental rights

Migration

A stronger global actor

Democratic change

THE HISTORY OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

1.

A peaceful Europe – the beginnings of cooperation The European Union is set up with the aim of ending the frequent and bloody wars between neighbours, which culminated in the Second World War. As of 1950, the European Coal and Steel Community begins to unite European countries economically and politically in order to secure lasting peace. The six founding countries are Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. The 1950s are dominated by a cold war between east and west.

Protests in Hungary against the Communist regime are put down by Soviet tanks in 1956.

2. A growing Community – the first enlargement Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom join the European Union on 1 January 1973, raising the number of Member States to nine. The short, yet brutal, Arab-Israeli war of October 1973 results in an energy crisis and economic problems in Europe. The European Parliament increases its influence in EU affairs and

The first step in the process of foundation of the European Community was given by the French Foreign Minister, Robert Schuman. In a speech inspired by Jean Monnet, Schuman proposed that France and Germany and any other European country wishing to join them pool their coal and steel resources. This plan of economic integration looked for developing the approach between France and Germany, moving definitively away the haunt of war in Europe.

The foreign ministers of the Six,

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