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John gave a talk to Campbeltown Rotary Club about his trip to Strasbourg. To buy: c13jon02 |
THROUGH a youth initiative of the European Union, myself and 30 other sixth year students, accompanied by six teachers of French from across Scotland, travelled to the eastern French city of Strasbourg, the home of the European Parliament, in a visit funded by Rotary Club International and Euroscola.
The purpose of the Euroscola visit was to attend at the European Parliament building, more of the current EU states’ young people would be present for the Euroscola day, an event held several times a year, that allows the young adults of tomorrow’s Europe to dicuss their views through democratic debate and pose some questions towards the president of the European Parliament, Dr Hans-Gert Poettering.
However, a heavy schedule was packed into the four-day trip, and arriving at the Ciarus Hostel, had proven an ordeal in itself, with a five-hour bus journey to the Alsatian city awaiting us after having flown to Brussels-Charleroi from Prestwick.
Our first day was Thursday, and as with each day it began with a short briefing on each day’s activities. The schedule for Thursday was a street survey to take place during the afternoon with questions having been prepared by us to learn of typical Strasbourgers’ thoughts on Scotland, their ‘image typique’ of our country, and of their standpoint on the European Union (EU).
Some responses were astounding, (a couple having no idea as to the existence of Scotland on a map of Europe), with a few confusing guesses at our capital city, like Liverpool, Dublin and Amsterdam.
Performing a survey takes perseverance, with some of the older generation appearing more negative towards the idea of the EU, not willing to be bothered by a band of enthusiastic young foreigners, albeit in groups of two or three, stopping them in the street and bombarding them with questions, but the younger people we talked to seemed more liberal and enthusiastic, seeing the EU as an opportunity to travel and study between member states with ease, and rightly so.
Friday was the focal point of our trip, and travelling to the parliament there was definitely a feeling of anticipation of seeing the everyday operation of the heart of European politics, integrating with other nationalities, and hopefully contributing to the debate.
After a Eurovision style introduction of each member state, (our group officially, representing the UK), a limited time for questions was put to the chamber, packed with just over 500 European students.
Three pupils from our party managed to make themselves heard during questions to the President, but it was the Irish who dominated the day’s proceedings, giving Dr Poettering a few uncomfortable moments on some notable issues of controversy, such as Iran.
The afternoon comprised a series of mini-debates, with the 70 to 80 students being separate into groups. We talked about a pre-prepared issue, mine being education throughout the European Union.
The afternoon, for me petered out a little with the large chamber re-assembling, everyone weighed down by the sheer amount of debate taken in during the day, however we headed back to the hostel having enjoyed the day without a doubt.
After learning of the efforts made by the Parliament to make a better society in Europe, and co-operation each country offered the other throughout the day it is difficult to see why so many here are distrustful of the EU and its methods.
Friday and Saturday saw the group relax more as the main purpose of the trip had been finished and it was excellent to meet Scots from all over the country. Seeing more of Strasbourg on the Saturday, visiting the magnificent cathedral, was pretty impressive.
All in all it was an excellent trip, and I’d like to thank the Rotary Club here in Campbeltown for their generous funding of my place on the trip.
