1. etwinning
In Love with EuropeIn Love with Europe
GETTING TO KNOWGETTING TO KNOW EU
Istituto Comprensivo Castell’Umberto (Me), Italy
by Elisa Lupica 3°A
2. etwinning
GETTING TO KNOW EU
Istituto Comprensivo Castell’Umberto (Me), Italy
Member states of the EU
•Austria (1995) VIENNA
•Belgium (1952) BRUXELLES
•Bulgaria (2007) SOFIA
•Cyprus (2004) NICOSIA
•Czech Republic (2004) PRAGA
•Denmark (1973) COPENHAGEN
•Estonia (2004) TALLIN
•Finland (1995) HELSINKI
•France (1952) PARIS
•Germany (1952) BERLIN
•Greece (1981) ATHENS
•Hungary (2004) BUDAPEST
•Ireland (1973) DUBLIN
•Italy (1952) ROME
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Latvia (2004) RIGA
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Lithuania (2004) VILNIUS
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Luxembourg (1952) LUXEMBURGH
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Malta (2004) LA VALLETTA
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Netherlands (1952) AMSTERDAM
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Poland (2004) WARSAW
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Portugal (1986) LISBON
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Romania (2007) BUCAREST
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Slovakia (2004) BRATISLAVA
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Slovenia (2004) LUBIANA
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Spain (1986) MADRID
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Sweden (1995) STOCKHOLM
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United Kingdom (1973) LONDON
3. etwinning
GETTING TO KNOWGETTING TO KNOW EU
Istituto Comprensivo Castell’Umberto (Me), Italy
EU symbolsEU symbols
The EU is recognisable by several symbols, the most well-known being the
circle of yellow stars on a blue background.
•The European FlagThe European Flag
The European flag is the symbol not only of the European Union, but also of
Europe's unity and identity in a wider sense. In 1983, the European Parliament
adopted the flag. In 1985, it was adopted by all EU leaders as the official
emblem of the European Union (called the European Communities at the
time).The 12 stars in a circle symbolise the ideals of unity, solidarity and
harmony among the peoples of Europe. The number of stars has nothing to do
with the number of member countries, though the circle is a symbol of unity.
4. etwinning
GETTING TO KNOW EU
Istituto Comprensivo Castell’Umberto (Me), Italy
•The European anthemThe European anthem
In 1972, the Council of Europe adopted
Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" theme as its
anthem. In 1985, it was adopted by EU
leaders as the official anthem of the
European Union. Without words, in the
universal language of music, this anthem
expresses the European ideals of freedom,
peace and solidarity. The melody used to
symbolise the EU comes from the Ninth
Symphony composed in 1823 by Ludwig
Van Beethoven.
5. etwinning
GETTING TO KNOW EU
Istituto Comprensivo Castell’Umberto (Me), Italy
Europe Day 9 MayEurope Day 9 May
This date is now celebrated as a key moment in the creation of the EU.
9 May, or Europe Day, is the anniversary of the 'Schuman declaration'. Speaking in
Paris in 1950, Robert Schuman (the French foreign minister) proposed a new form of
political cooperation for Europe, which would make war between Europe’s nations
unthinkable.Schuman’s proposal is considered to be the beginning of what is now the
European Union.At an EU summit in Milan in 1985, it was decided that 9 May
would be celebrated as 'Europe Day'
6. etwinning
GETTING TO KNOW EU
Istituto Comprensivo Castell’Umberto (Me), Italy
The EU mottoThe EU motto
"United in diversity", the motto of the European Union, first came into use in 2000.
It signifies how Europeans have come together, in the form of the EU, to work for
peace and prosperity, while at the same time being enriched by the continent's many
different cultures, traditions and languages.
Here, in the different EU languages, some of the posters that feature this motto.
English: United in diversity
German: In Vielfalt geeint
Greek: Ενωμένοι στην πολυμορφία
Italian: Uniti nella diversità
Portuguese: Unidade na diversidade
Romanian: Unitate în diversitate
Spanish: Unida en la diversidad
8. etwinning
GETTING TO KNOWGETTING TO KNOW EUEU
Istituto Comprensivo Castell’Umberto (Me), Italy
Nobel Peace Prize 2012
The European Union has received the
2012 award for advancing the causes
of peace, reconciliation, democracy
and human rights in Europe.
The EU’s most important achievement,
according to the committee, has been
"the successful struggle for peace and
reconciliation and for democracy and
human rights".
The European Union is the 21st
international organisation to win the
award since 1901.
9. etwinning
GETTING TO KNOWGETTING TO KNOW EUEU
Istituto Comprensivo Castell’Umberto (Me) Italy
Money and the EUMoney and the EU
The euro is the common currency of most EU countries.
The euro
The euro – used every day by some 332 million Europeans – is
the most tangible proof of cooperation between EU countries.
Where does the money come from?
The EU obtains revenue not only from contributions from
member countries but also from import duties on products
from outside the EU
Living in the EU
Prosperity levels, attitudes, education spending and language
learning reveal some of the similarities and contrasts between
EU member countries.
10. etwinning
GETTING TO KNOW EU
Istituto Comprensivo Castell’Umberto (Me), Italy
The economyThe economy
The creation of the single market and the
corresponding increase in trade and general
economic activity transformed the EU into a major
trading power. The EU is trying to sustain economic
growth by investing in transport, energy and
research, seeking to minimise the environmental
impact of further economic development.
The EU spends around 6% of its annual budget on
staff, administration and maintenance of its
buildings.
11. etwinning
GETTING TO KNOWGETTING TO KNOW EU
Istituto Comprensivo Castell’Umberto (Me), Italy
EU PresidentsEU Presidents
The 3 main institutions of the EU are each headed by a president:
•President of the European Parliament
•President of the European Council
•President of the European Commission
12. etwinning
GETTING TO KNOWGETTING TO KNOW EUEU
Istituto Comprensivo Castell’Umberto (Me), Italy
European Parliament President
Martin Schulz
Term: January 2012 - July 2014
Elected by: Members of the European Parliament
Role:
•Ensures parliamentary procedures are properly
followed
•Oversees Parliament's various activities and
committees
•Represents Parliament in all legal matters and in
its international relations
•Gives final assent to the EU budget
13. etwinning
GETTING TO KNOWGETTING TO KNOW EUEU
Istituto Comprensivo Castell’Umberto (Me), Italy
European Council PresidentEuropean Council President
Herman Van RompuyHerman Van Rompuy
Term: June 2012 - November 2014
Appointed by: national leaders (heads
of state or government of EU countries).
Role: Leads the European Council's
work in setting the EU's general political
direction and priorities – in cooperation
with the Commission
14. etwinning
GETTING TO KNOW EU
Istituto Comprensivo Castell’Umberto (Me), Italy
European Commission President
José Manuel Barroso
Term: January 2010 - December 2014
Appointed by: national leaders (heads of state
or government of EU countries), with the
approval of the European Parliament.
Role:
-Gives political guidance to the Commission
-Calls and chairs meetings
-Leads the Commission's work
-Takes part in G8 meetings
-Contributes to major debates both in the
European Parliament and between EU
governments in the Council of the European
Union
15. etwinning
GETTING TO KNOW EU
Istituto Comprensivo Castell’Umberto (Me), Italy
The Founding Fathers of the EU
•Konrad Adenauer
•Joseph Bech
•Johan Willem Beyen
• Winston Churchill
• Alcide De Gasperi
• Walter Hallstein
•Sicco Mansholt
• Jean Monnet | Robert Schuman
• Paul-Henri Spaak
• Altiero Spinelli
These visionary leaders inspired the creation of the European Union we live in today.
Without their energy and motivation we would not be living in the sphere of peace and
stability that we take for granted.
