expresso
'Generation 112': the civic erasmus programme
The 'euro-militants' of this French initiative feel the need to expand the erasmus student exchange programme, by adding a spirit of civic service
expresso, civil society, european voluntary service , euweek, volunteer, eurogeneration, voluntary service
Europe is more like a granddad than mother courage
Once more, the EU puts nation-state logic above mutual interest. The European virus strikes again with the nomination of the Belgian Herman Van Rompuy for the post of the permanent president of the EU council, explains Jean-Dominique Giuliani, director of the Robert Schuman foundation
expresso, european council, fondation robert schuman, herman van rompuy, catherine ashton, politics
Ikea, H&M, Nokia, Zara: a fairytale EU life built on brands
The products we buy all bear the CE marking, French for 'European Conformity'. What if our lives were also conforming to the advertising messages of the leading brands in the European market? The big fishes are swallowing the small ones. Are they also picking away at our identity?
expresso, identity, consumers, consumption society, debate, ikea, culture
Italian man and woman discuss 'women & Berlusconi', their national tragicomedy
Sex scandals. Unending gaffes about women. A premier's embarrassing inability to stop talking about himself, showcased once again at a press conference with Spanish PM Zapatero. Two nationals discuss whether Italy become a tragedy or a farce
expresso, italy, scandal, women's rights, media, customs, silvio berlusconi
Eurofreaks, eurosceptics and euroabstainers: youth parliament talks
We’ve had 30 years of the right to elect representatives in EU parliament, which has moved from an advisory board to a fully-fledged legislative institution. However, the increase in power of the only EC institution to be elected directly via universal suffrage has coincided with a consistent fall in voter turnouts. Voter turnout in the EU elections is around 20 points lower across the board than in national elections
expresso, youth, élections européennes, eudebate2009, eudebate 2009, power, european elections 2009
Poland in mourning after Kamien Pomorsk hostel fire
On 12 April, a terrible tragedy at a hostel fire in a northwestern Polish town killed 21 people, including 13 children, whilst 23 still remain missing
Island fever: Martinique and Guadeloupe’s 'people are suffocating'
The fuse lit in Guadeloupe in reaction to high living costs and an alienating 'cultural integration' has ignited Martinique. Could French Guiana in South America and La Réunion in the Indian Ocean follow, before the flames reach mainland France? Opinion from a young Martinican
expresso, protest, guadeloupe, martinique, manifestation, house, france
Bologna Process: French universities react
At the end of 2008, Spanish, Italian and Greek universities showed their discontent. In 2009 it is France’s turn to denounce the consequences of the Bologna Process, which recommended a more hierarchical ‘management’ of universities. A professor explains why
expresso, university, bologna process, school, education system, professeurs, professor
ETA kill again: Bombay's terrorist echoes in Europe
I hear the echo on 3 December less than 100km from my house. A man falls to the floor after repeated shots in the chest and head. It hurts to be Basque at these moments, when the pride of belonging to this magic and milenial people is torn out of you again; the terrorist group condemn us to living in the hell of identity
Expresso: 'scandalous' use of asbestos-ridden EU parliament building
The Cypriot environment and health MEP Marios Matsakis, a professional forensic pathologist, calls for transparency on the health risk to all MEPs in the ten-year old building
expresso, health, best of cafebabel.com, death, building, asbestos, marios matsakis
Expresso: do we say gypsies, Roma or Rroma?
Saimir Mile, president of the 'La Voix des Rroms' (The Voice of the Roms) association in France, says that the European media should spell Roma like the people themselves do. First in our 'expresso' series launching common linguistic bones of contentions
expresso, spelling, political correctness, politicially correct, borrowed words, roma, minority
