On 18. April, a group of students left Sofia on a one week trip around Europe. During those few days, they have visited a number of European institutions, cultural centers and other important cities that have left their mark in what we call the European Union today. Their goal was to get to know all aspects of the political and economical life in the EU, its history and the role of each member country. Their program included a tour in the European Parliament, the Council of Europe and the European Commission, a lecture on the eurozone in the ECB, a discussion in the Court of Justice of the European Communities and a lecture on the Schengen agreement. They have spent the rest of their time sightseeing in attempt to feel the spirit of those cities that historic decisions are made.
The trip was organized by EU Prospects - a groups of ex-employees of various EU institutions, who use their knowledge, experience and contacts in order to help young people with keen interest in working for the EU. They supply information, advice and initiatives like this one as well as offers for internships and work. It has already been suggested that this trip should become a regularity and include even more locations and presentations. You can find more information on their website.
During that trip the boys and girls would gather a lot of detailed information on everything that is happening in the EU. Most probably not everything on their schedule would be of interest to them and I’m rather sure that part of the presentations would be straight boring. It’s a fact though that every wish would be served - from the economists, who are interested in the eurozone, though the law students, who want to know about the rulings of the European court, to the politics students, who seek insight in the work of the European Parliament and Comission.
Afew days ago - right after the beginning of their trip, I met them in Frankfurt and we visited together the ECB. After that we talked about their knowledge before the trip and their feelings about the EP elections. You can find part of the interviews below. After their trip is over, I will contact them again to learn how their knowledge and opinion of the EU has changed. I am most interested in their impression of the EP and the work of the MEPs.
Job: Programmer
Studies: Computer Science at NBU
How do you estimate your knowledge about the EP and European institutions as a whole?
I’m just a beginner in this field, but it’s all very interesting to me and I hope to gain more confidence in my knowledge.
Will you vote on the EP elections and why?
I will most probably vote, because I feel that every person has the right to vote and should use it, so that things would get better in Bulgaria and around the world.
Do you think the EP elections are less important than the Bulgarian parliament elections or just different?
I think that in the EU we are a dependent on the EP elections and follow the musketeers motto: “All for one, one for all”.
Would you like to get to know the MEP candidates or will you just vote for a party list?
Yes, I would like to meet the candidates, to get to know them and to see what their goals are, so that I can have more confidence in the man/woman, who I appoint as my representative. Thus I will be sure that he/she fights for my interests.
How do you think the parties should approach the young voters on these elections?
They should make their slogans more presentable for the young. They should make their programs more accessible for all. Finally they should manage to make it all more interesting for us, because after all, we are the new generation and we are most interested in an improvement in the political and economical situation in Bulgaria and around the world.
Do you think they should use blogs, social networks, etc.?
They are the 21 century media, so I think it is essential that they are represented in all social networks and have their own blogs. This is the easiest and most accessible way of communication.
Studies: Law at NBU
How do you estimate your knowledge about the EP and European institutions as a whole?
As basic. They are rather vague, but I have an idea what is going on. I follow the news.
Will you vote on the EP elections and why?
I haven’t though about it… Probably I will vote.
Do you think the EP elections are less important than the Bulgarian parliament elections or just different?
Just different - definitely, because they are about a whole another thing. We are a part of a community, so we have to have representatives there.
Would you like to get to know the MEP candidates or will you just vote for a party list?
I will see them. After all, we are sending our representatives and we should make sure that they are good. However I don’t trust most of them, so I don’t really know…
How do you think the parties should approach the young voters on these elections?
There should be a serious outburst of information about the possition and work of our MEPs, because at the moment if you don’t search deep for information, there is no way you can learn what are they doing there and why are we sending them.
Do you think they should use blogs, social networks, etc.?
Yes, definitely, because the young are hanging out there all the time.
job: translations to and from French
Studies: Political Sciences at NBU
How do you estimate your knowledge about the EP and European institutions as a whole?
Considering that I study political sciences, I wouldn’t say that my knowledge is very thorough. That is why I’m trying to broaden it as much as possible though books and research. So far however, I would say it’s not enough.
Will you vote on the EP elections and why?
Absolutely! I will vote, because I think that not voting is a sign of apathy towards the European future, if I could sum it up like that. I just think that voting is obligatory.
Do you think the EP elections are less important than the Bulgarian parliament elections or just different?
Absolutely not. As for if they are different… maybe yes, but not less important. They simply go together.
Would you like to get to know the MEP candidates or will you just vote for a party list?
I will definitely get to know the candidates and their programs.
How do you think the parties should approach the young voters on these elections?
They should include them in the process and integrate them - something that we don’t see much today. There are some signs that it will happen, but it’s not enough. How should this happen? Well, as always - from the lowest level and depending on the persons talent, he/she would go further and higher.
Do you think they should use blogs, social networks, etc.?
Absolutely. All sorts of communications should be used.
Studies: Financial Control at SA Svishtov
How do you estimate your knowledge about the EP and European institutions as a whole?
I think that my knowledge is on a high level.
Will you vote on the EP elections and why?
Yes, of course. I think each on of us should vote and give his opinion.
Do you think the EP elections are less important than the Bulgarian parliament elections or just different?
I think they are just different.
Would you like to get to know the MEP candidates or will you just vote for a party list?
I would like to get to know them.
How do you think the parties should approach the young voters on these elections?
We should have more information on the candidates and they should be closer to us.
Do you think they should use blogs, social networks, etc.?
Yes, of course. I think there should be accessibility and transparency in the communication with the voters.
Bulgarian version of this article here: Обиколка на Европа и мисли на младите за евро-изборите.
(62 votes, average: 3.84 out of 5)
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Nice post, Boyan!
Good use of pictures and it’s nice to see more interviews! One tiny thing: a couple of Plamena’s questions and answers are mixed up - but it’s very minor!
Regards,
Joe
Thanks a lot. I really think that such voices are important, because we get a very good glimpse at the image of EP and how it is important in the eyes of the young voters.
I’ll fix Plamena’s anweres. It seems I’ve switched them during the translation from Bulgarian.
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