ELOS

WORLD CAFÉ

Lakua, Vitoria-Gasteiz.

Elos Basque Country team

17th October 2018
 TABLE 1:
GENERAL ASPECTS
● What does the European Union mean for
you?
● What type of decisions are made in the
European institutions? Who are making
those decisions? Can you think about any
specific examples?
● Have those decisions any influence on
your everyday life?

ec.europa.eu
TABLE 1 What does the European Union mean for you?

● It means decisions. We have to

follow their rules.
The European
● No meaning, it´s there. Just Union is all about
that. They don´t represent all money and
the people around us. economy, just that.
● Their aim is to unify all the They should try to
continent and make us stable. protect native
● We are shown a general overview cultures.
of the EU but , in fact, we don´t
know much about it
TABLE 1 What type of decisions are made in the European institutions?

● Political, environmental,
economic, cultural, social and
educational issues. Immigration,
taxes… That is, all about our They make
everyday life. decisions regarding
different aspects
● Some leading European but they seem to be
countries are leading the quite far away from
institutions.They tell countries in us
need what to do, tricky, isn´t it?
● We can help each other, we are
part of the same world.
TABLE 1 Who are making those decisions?

● It´s a very big organization and

to be honest, we don´t really
Decisions are taken
know who is in charge.
by the ruling
● European citizens give our vote
countries trying to
but we become less independent.
serve their own
We don´t get the impression of
interests for the sake
making decisions at all.
of the common good.
● We want to be like the
Americans, to counterbalance
their power.
TABLE 1 Can you think of any specific examples?

● Roaming: what we pay to be ● More opportunities even when

connected. we don´t have a “European
● Diesel or electric cars. feeling”. We just belong.
● First Certificate exam.
● Refugees among us.
● Our rights as citizens. Equality. We are not emotionally
● Taxes. attached but life is
better for us living
● Easy travelling all around
together.
Europe.
● We belong to the same
community
TABLE 1 Have those decisions any influence on your everyday life?

● European decisions have a great

impact on us. However, we don´t
get much information about all
this in the media. We should try
to make an effort to keep
updated. Will Brexit make a
difference in our life? Will
politics become more relevant
than economy? Can we decide?

scdd.ca.gov
 TABLE 2:
EUROPE IN
● Do you feel European? What can we do to
work in this aspect? What type of YOUR LIFE
activities related to Europe are organized
in your school? Do you take part in those
activities?
● Do you know the customs of any other
(European) country? Do those customs
influence your everyday life? How did
you get to know them? What do you think
about them?
● Do you speak any other (European)
language outside school? When? Where?
Why? With Whom? Do you participate in
any social network?
TABLE 2: How is Europe present in your life? Do you feel European?
● How could we not feel Europeans?
● Where are we from?... EUROPE!!!
● But on the other hand,
● What does it mean to be European?
● The presence of Europe in our schools is
irrelevant:
We study about the EU & an eurocentered
history but we don’t really know much
about Europe.
● We take part in the celebrations of the
European day of Languages shooting
videos (minority languages) and other
activities (quizzes and contests).
We have heard about the Day of Europe
the 9th of may.
● But our main concern are the Exchanges,
any one is good, doesn't matter where to
go: Italy, Germany or Poland...
We love EXCHANGES!!!
TABLE 2: Do you know the customs of any other European country?
All in all, our
country
doesn’t
Stereotypes define us. Customs
We are all
the same. Those who have stayed longer living
We haven't travel extensively with a family, we know a bit more.
abroad so we don't know much When we We are shock by:
about foreign customs. join others, - the timetables; how early they have
We have impressions or we adapt and dinner.
stereotypes about countries far from - how conscious they are about their
(italians are noisy, french stylish, criticism, we personal space.
german "square heads"). - their quietness (not Italians
are proud of
though).
our identity.
TABLE 2: Do you speak any other European languages outside school?
Do you participate in any social
● Everybody speaks at least three network?
languages: Spanish, Basque and
.
English and some we have studied
another language in the school
(mainly French). ● All of the students we use social
● Out of the school we study English networks (Instagram, Twitter,
in academies and some we would Snapchat...)
like to learn languages as Japanese
or Korean. ● When we have foreign friends we use
● Among the European languages English as the "lingua franca".
German is very appreciated
because of its work opportunities.
TABLE 2: Do you know any schools in Europe?
● We do not know much about
educational systems. If we have an
European friend we do not talk much
about school!
● But we have heard about other
educational systems:
-The Finish system is excellent.
- Transitional year in Ireland.
-in the States you can get a grant if
you are good at sports.
.
● We believe we should change our
model from an Exam based system to
a Project based one, with a creative,
practical, active method.
● It is a contradiction between those
alternative relaxed methods and the
stress about needing high marks to
join some careers!!!
 TABLE 3: THE
EUROPEAN DREAM ● Do you know the European motto?
“United in diversity” What does diversity
mean?
● Are we all European? Are we all equal?
Think about different European countries
and come to conclusions.
● Your opinion about refugees and the
answer of European countries to their
needs.How do you feel about it?
● Differences between refugees and
immigrants. Have you experienced this in
your own family?
● How do young people see Europe living in
any European country? How do people
from other parts of the world see Europe?
Can we really speak of a “European
dream”
“Unity in diversity” What does diversity mean?

●Diversity is the state of different things; respect ●Even if we are different, that is good. We benefit
among the different culture and races , not thinking from other cultures copying what we like better.
that we are better than others, but being aware that We also learn to accept and respect the differences;
we are at the same level. empathy is important.

●When you travel in Europe , you must adapt to the ●We have different cultures but we must help one
different habits, customs, traditions… There are lots of another. We need to know about one another;
things that might be different within the same knowledge is respect.
continent: timetables, driving, languages, school
systems, landscapes, history, gastronomy, the way we
dress. However, there are some things we share as
well: the currency or the way we see the world.

http://www.euintheus.org/
Are we all European? Are we all equal? Think about different European
countries and come to conclusions.
●Some countries, like Germany, are richer than
others and those are the ones that set the rules for
the rest to follow.

●In theory all Europeans should have the same

rights, but the truth is that it all depends on the
legislation of each country. We should end
discrimination through education: if you teach
someone not to discriminate others, we will get a
more equal society. However, if a country wants to
join the European Union, they must respect human
rights and change their laws accordingly.

●Neverhteless, it is good that we preserve our

identity.
Your opinion about refugees and the answer of European countries to their
needs. How do you feel about it?
●There are two different opinions mong students:
●On the one hand, there are some who believe
refugees deserve an opportunity because they are
escaping from a difficult reality. It is not fair to suffer
because of our laws. It is good to welcome them in
our country. Aswe should have the same rights, they
should be given the chance to have a better life.; they
are human beings, the same as we are. Europe has
somehow to pay for what they did to these countries
in the 19th century. And, in our case, we must not
forget that Basque children were refugees during the
Spanish Civil War.
●On the other hand, there are others who think that
we should provide for ourselves before we think of
helping others. Although they are human beings and
not guilty of anything, they have a different culture.
Thus, they should either be helped in their own
countries or, if they come, have their own schools,
live apart.
●Nevertheless, they all agree that governments
take refugees because they are forced to, not
because they want to. There are even some
countries, like Italy, that have already closed their
borders. However, they are aware of the Civil
movement that exists all around the European
Union that is trying to help refugees.
Differences between refugees and immigrants. Have you experienced this in
your own family?
●Refugees are people who escape from wars or
threats whereas immigrants go to another country to
get a better life, or to study and work there.
●Students elaborate their ideas further. They
mention that Spain is a good country for refugees
that have fled from their country for being
homosexual, as Spain is gay-friendly.
●Some of the students know about immigration first-
hand: they talk about the different experiences their
parents or siblings have gone through as immigrants
in Europe.
How do young people see Europe living in any European country? How do
people from other parts of the world see Europe? Can we really speak of a
“European dream”

●The European dream is to get people to have equal ●Despite the downsides, all the students would
opportunities and have other countries admire what choose a European country to live.
they have achieved. It is klike the American Dream: to
have a nice house, a good job and be happy.

●The idea of a European Dream is idealized (the same

as the American Dream). It is not really working.
When we think of Europe and the advantages of living
in Europe, we always think of France or Germany, but
we forget about Lithuania or Russia, which are also in
Europe but may not be so nice to live in.
TABLE 4: YOUR FUTURE
➢ What plans do you have for your future? Will you continue learning other
European languages? Will you start learning any other language? Do you
think you will participate in ERASMUS programme when you go to
University?

➢ Have you ever considered living in another country? Do you see yourself
working in any European country in the future? What do you think can help
you to find a job in Europe? Would you ever consider having a relationship
with someone from another European country and living together abroad?

➢ Do you think it is positive for us to know about the European Union, to

learn its languages and to live different experiences abroad? Can it help in
spreading our culture, traditions and language?

➢ What do you think will happen with the European Union in 25 years? And
the Basque Country? And what about yourself? (In 2035 you'll be around
40 years old)
 What plans do you have for your future? Will you continue learning other
European languages? Will you start learning any other language? Do you think
you will participate in ERASMUS programme when you go to University?
● Some of the students want to stay home and study degrees such as Criminology, Physiotherapy, Psychology… in
Basque Country.
● Most students think that speaking Basque, French, Spanish and English is enough. So, they do not intend to learn
more languages. Anyway, there are also a few students that, for different reasons, want to study Italian, Japanese,
Korean, Scottish Gaelic, Catalan, Ukrainian, German or Russian.
● All students are planning to go abroad to study someday. Some of them in Erasmus and others willing to travel to
non European countries in Asia or the USA.
● Erasmus is a good choice and chance.
● Some people should look for financial support to go abroad.
 Have you ever considered living in another country? Do you see yourself working
in any European country in the future? What do you think can help you to find a
job in Europe? Would you ever consider having a relationship with someone from
another European country and living together abroad?

● They would like to live and work abroad, e.g., in England, Scotland, Belgium, Italy, Korea, Japan…
● Some would prefer to stay here but think it wouldn’t be a big problem if they had to move abroad for some time.
● “Travelling broadens your mind and I would even stay abroad for the rest of my life if needed.”
● Most would not mind starting a family abroad.
● Some of them would always return home sooner or later if they had to leave.
● But there are a few who would be ready to leave forever.
● They would like to move around different countries.
 Do you think it is positive for us to know about the European Union, to learn its
languages and to live different experiences abroad? Can it help in spreading our
culture, traditions and language?

● We can spread our culture by going abroad or by social networking.

● The contacts and cooperation among UE countries can help spreading our culture too.
● But, we realise that the farther away we go from Basque Country, the less they know about us.
● Globalisation may also be an insurmountable problem: Cultural diversity may fade away into a digital culture.
 What do you think will happen with the European Union in 25 years? And the
Basque Country? And what about yourself? (In 2035 you'll be around 40 years
old)

● It’s difficult to see what will happen with the European Union in 25 years.
● But we hope that the immigration problem will be fixed.
● Also we think that the economic issues from all Europe will be solved
● And Finally we hope that Europe will become a model to follow all over the world.
Elos Basque Country. October 2018