EUR Opinion for a better Europa ♥
Essence
LovEuropa♥?
Europa: Union or Community?
What do YOU want from the European Union?
The opinion of the Europeans on the European Union, in the way it works now, is divided. Basically there are three points of view: stay the same, change or exit.
At first glance, which statement best reflects your position right now?
Do you know Europa as community of people?
One thing is the EU as a political entity, that you may like more or less, or not like at all.
But how about Europa in a non-political sense, in fact, as a community? Our continent enjoys a rich diversity of peoples, cultures and languages. How well do you know the community of people within this political union you are living in?
To start with, how much interaction do you have with other europeans in your daily life?
and then:
- Which European countries have you ever visited?
- Have you ever lived, worked and/or studied in any of them? (say, a year or more)
- From our rich offer in languages which one(s) do you speak?
- And, very important, from which countries do you have friends or maybe even (had) a love?
It may seem a long list, but you can skip your own country and the countries that don't apply.
(the countries are subdivided in blocks of decreasing EU commitment (open borders, use of Euro), within that ordered by year of entry and then alphabetically - source 1, source 2)
Do you understand the European Union?
In theory, the European Union is an entity that exists for the good of its citizens. Therefore it seems obvious that, to begin with, EU inhabitants should actually understand it: knowing how it works, what advantages it offers or how they can actively participate to improve it, amongst other.
How well do you feel you understand the European Union?
There are some topics in the newspapers and on tv-news we receive information about every day. How do you rate their importance and how would information about the EU (news or how it works) compare to that?
The European Dream?
A fresh look at Europa?
Europa's potential?
Our world is facing many fundamental problems that exceed the capacity of individual countries to solve them. If we do not deal very quickly with these problems in a large-scale collective human effort, global society or even the planet itself may not reach the end of this century, at least not in a healthy way. In fact, a considerable part of the human and animal population, and disturbing portions of the Earth have already reached that point and do nothing but fight for their mere survival. The situation is becoming increasingly unstable and unsustainable.
Unfortunately, most people are so busy simply keeping up with daily life that they do not even find the time or energy to think about it, much less to act. Others prefer to avoid any worrying and choose to let themselves be distracted. And then there is a small but privileged number of people who benefit from all this and have the power to keep other people so occupied, distracted and even in that sorry state of mere survival.
Fortunately enough, small but growing groups of people all over the world are waking up to this reality. Each group faces it from one of the various perspectives, be it climate, ecology, evolution, a humanitarian or social approach, psychology, education, health and nutrition, science, art, sports, justice and sometimes even politics, law, business or economy.
Europa's colourful history is full of people from very diverse cultural backgrounds that have contributed to global society with brilliant and constructive inspirations: from Galilei and Newton to Tesla, Einstein or Bohr; from Dante or Cervantes to Voltaire and Kafka; from van Gogh and Mozart to Picasso and Freddy Mercury. Precisely in this diversity lies Europa's wealth and strength. It offers a far broader and richer basis for creativity and inspiration than is possible in a homogenious society where everybody eats the same food, has the same traditions and speaks the same language. Europa is an old tree with strong roots that carries many different and sometimes unexpected fruits.
Being also the territory of the world with the highest degree of freedom and justice, it is precisely in Europa where those innovative social groups sprout and grow more easily. At the same time, Europa also disposes of the essential resources, such as capital and knowledge. This makes Europa the place par excellence, possibly the only one, with enough potential to unleash the change that the world needs NOW to reach the 22st century in a healthy way.
But this change can only happen in a Europa that is truly united in diversity for and with its people. So not exactly this EU which essentially is just a political, monetary and market union where the representatives of each country are still mainly guided by national interests. It should be a Europa united by its conscientious citizens, in a human and social sense with a true spirit of "union", of coexistence and sharing. In fact, a community.
Europa's potential: its people and diverstity?
Something radical for Europa like: Democracy!
Europa of the people
Is a united Europa is a political question or a human question?
For EurOpinion the united Europe is not a political issue or, certainly, not only. Rather than political we deem a united Europa to be a human issue, a community of citizens, of people in all their diversity that live together within this political construction now called EU. Each individual person, citizen, human being, is the smallest element of a whole that collectively makes up our united Europa (of course, extensible to the rest of the world, but for practical reasons just EU countries for now).
Some first simple questions focused on the individual european person
For EurOpinion each individual person is a basic building block that is just as important as the whole, so we consider it interesting, necessary, and, in fact, useful to know how we are individually. Probably this will give a greater understanding about Europa as a whole. Probably also about each other of and maybe even about ourselves. More ahead EurOpinion thinks about getting into deeper and more significant issues, but let's start with some simple questions.
Europa of politics
BREXIT better for Europa?
Scotland independent after BREXIT?
A Green New Deal for Europa?
Are the lobbies in the EU acceptable?
Dragging EU legalization: abortion, cannabis, prostitution...
The current EU model, obsolete?
Does Europa need a new level of thinking?
European Elections, 23 - 26 May.
You cannot solve problems at the same level that created them.
Einstein was wise. You can be to, letting them hear your voice (again).
All those in Europa who defend Nature, Climate and Future, especially young people, now have an exceptional opportunity to take one step more beyond manifesting in streets and spread awareness. You have the chance to let them hear your voice again and this time to bring about real political change towards the kind of society you were manifesting for. Don't miss this chance!
BE the change!
An essential step to unlock the true potential of Europe and the Europeans is an EU more directed from the citizens up (bottom-up), than from the politicians down (top-down). The common sense, creativity and inspiration of the collective European citizens themselves can bring very valid solutions, improving or even exceeding those of the politicians. If citizens can be more participatory in our continental community we can, as a whole, really be involved in the change we want to see.
However, the current trend of EU institutions is precisely the opposite, to reduce the possibilities of active and direct participation of citizens in proposals or decision-making at European level.
You yourself can avoid this and in the future continue to contribute to the change you want to see in Europe, starting by making your voice count in these elections.
Nature First?
A better Europe for a better Climate?
People and Planet
Open letter to Greta and Polly
How to keep the Climate Movement alive?
What priority do you give to climate in these EU Elections?
Do you consider mass destruction of nature a crime?
Does Earth need a law to make Ecocide an international crime?
You can help StopEcocide accelerate the process of turning Ecocide into the fifth international crime against peace by becoming an "Earth Protector". This is an officially and legally recognized title in almost all countries of the world, that is valid for life, with a one time contribution starting from 5 Euro!
It also helps increase the legal backup of the front-line activists in case they get arrested.
Only when ecocide is fully stopped our Earth can maintain and maybe even recover its natural splendour as shown in this beautiful nature and music video (credit).
Related articles in EurOpinion:
- Open letter to Greta and Polly
- How to keep the Climate Movement alive? - the Guardian, George Monbiot
- Can climate awareness be a starting point for a better Europa?
- Do you consider mass destruction of nature a crime? - Mission LifeForce, Polly Higgins
- Does the Planet need a law to make ecocide an international crime? - Mission LifeForce, Polly Higgins
- Do you support the Global Strike(s) for Future?
- Should Greta receive the Nobel Peace prize?
- Global Climate Strike street polls Milano (evening march)
Do you support the Global Strike(s) for Future?
Should courts condemn governments for bad climate policy? In the Netherlands it already happened.
Should Greta receive the Nobel Peace prize?
Related articles in EurOpinion:
- Open letter to Greta and Polly
- How to keep the Climate Movement alive? - the Guardian, George Monbiot
- Can climate awareness be a starting point for a better Europa?
- Do you consider mass destruction of nature a crime? - Mission LifeForce, Polly Higgins
- Does the Planet need a law to make ecocide an international crime? - Mission LifeForce, Polly Higgins
- Do you support the Global Strike(s) for Future?
- Should Greta receive the Nobel Peace prize?
- Global Climate Strike street polls Milano (evening march)
Nature First!
Global Strike 4 Future - Milan, polls in the street
Climate emergency
What is a Climate Emergency Declaration? (The Climate Mobilization)
A Declaration of Climate Emergency is a resolution passed by a governing body such as a city council, a county board of supervisors, a state legislature, or even a national government. It puts the government on record in support of emergency action to reverse global warming. Resolutions vary around the world, with many governments including local climate impacts and new climate goals in their resolution.
Climate Crises declared:
- 2019/04/28 - Scotland
- 2019/04/29 - Wales
- 2019/04/30 - Proposed by Corbyn for UK
- 2019/05/01 - 508 cities in english speaking countries and switzerland
(Città e governi cominciano a dichiarare lo stato di emergenza climatica - Pressenza) - 2019/05/14 - Cataluña, España
- 2019/05/20 - Milano, Italia
Free Speech?
Equality?
Go non-profit?
Abolish Bank Secrecy?
Abolish Bank Secrecy!
Bank Secrecy, Britain's second empire.
"The Spider's Web: Britain's Second Empire" is a documentary on the dominant role of "the City of London" in global Banking Secrecy.
Bank Secrecy is probably the greatest, but scarcely mentioned, threat to global society and in fact the planet itself. It is the gateway to corruption on the highest level, which then allows other forms of organized crime, maffias and illegal trafficking that destabalize global society:
- Trafficking of Weapons
generally known as the biggest business in the world, it pobably maintains all the wars around the world, either declared or non-declared, the cause of the endless flow of immigrants to Europa amongst other. - Trafficking of Drugs
maintains the world's drug-cartels like those in Mexico destabilzing all of south-America and ruining millions of lives of young people in Europa and all over the world. - Trafficking of People
Done by international mafias which covers from, again, trafficking of immigrants by the thousands to trafficking of women for prostitution and trafficking of children or even organs. - Trafficking of animals
Specially the exotic animals that generally are already on the edge of extinction. In this sense, Bank Secrecy and (political) corruption are in fact the greatest threat to bio-diversity and survival of nature. This extends to illegal deforestation and polution.
The so-called global financial 'crisis'
According to the documentary:
"We can end taxhaven and financial secrecy jurisdictions. Here are 5 steps to put and end to them:"
- Stop public councils from issuing public contracts to companies operating out of tax havens.
- Create public registries of beneficial owners of companies, trusts and foundations.
- Introduce full transparency of deals and secret agreements between companies and governments.
- Introduce public country by country reporting by multinational companies.
- Introduce automatic information exchange between all countries.
The question is who these "we" are. It seems it refers to politicians and political legislation. But since Bank Secrecy and corruption involve politicians in the first place, this route gives little hope, although Europa should be at least a bit better off than other regions of the world. However, simply observing how fearcefully the Netherlands, Luxembourg or Ireland defend their internationally recognized, and by some very appreciated, positions as tax havens, makes it clear there is a long way to go before politics and politicians take true actions against more serious Bank Secrecy.
Possibly only we, the people, are willing to truly fight this disease and we should find creative and intelligent ways do so ourselves, bottom-up, as in fact should be European politics anyway. How to break this priority European and Global problem also needs common sense and creativity.
Education
Do schools help our children find and develop their passion?
Does Europe need a different school system?
In his popular TED talk "Do schools kill creativity?" Sir Ken Robinson questions the validity of the modern education and schooling system for the future. An entertaining but at the same time profound talk that makes you think.
I believe our only hope for the future is to adopt a new conception of human ecology, one in which we start to reconstitute our conception of the richness of human capacity.
Our education system all over the world came into being to meet de needs of industrialism. It has mined our minds in the way that we strip-mine the earth when we search for a particular commodity. And for the future it won't serve us.
We have to rethink the fundamental principles on which we're educating our children.
We have to see our creative capacities for the richness they are and see our children for the hope that they are. And our task is to educate their whole being so they can face this future. Our job is to help them make something of it.
Some decades ago Finland radically moved away from this globalized education system with astonishing results.
Should Europa adopt the educational system from Finland?
Should human values also be thaught and measured at school?
Should human values also be thaught and in some way be measured at school?
for example (ordered as in image):
critical thinking - independence
empathy - entrepreneurship
decisiveness - compassion
leadership - wonder
courage - reflect
humor - discipline
resilience - critical thinking
creativity - curiosity
flexibility - collaboration
out of the box - reliability
motivation - responsibility
xxx - tolerance
Science
Science as love for nature, the universe and the world that surrounds us!
The Fibonacci sequence
Quantum theory - entanglement
Quantum physics stands at the base of all existence. It implies matter, space, energy and possibly vibration and maybe even time and reality. Until some hundred years ago life was simple and all matter was supposed to be build out of atoms. They were thought to be the smallest undividable parts of matter as if they were tiny marbles.
Now (since the beginning of the 20th century) the atom itself is known to consist of quarks. And quarks at their turn might consist of even smaller and more weird stuff called strings, which would be no more than just a kind of vibrational substance that might present itself as matter or energy or even "nothing". At these tiny levels normal, intuitive and understandable (Newtonian) laws of physics do not apply anymore. Everything at this level is 'weird', a mistery and frequently incomprehensible.
Some of these weird characteristics of subatomic particles:
- they can be at two or more places at the same time
- they can go through solid objects
- they can, seemingly, go backwards in time and change the past
- they react to conscious observation
- they can be linked and "communicate" instantly over any distance (entanglement)
All these caracteristics were first theorized through mathematical equations and then confirmed over and over again in scientific experiments.
About
Riccardo
About me, in short
In summary, it comes down to the first thought chain, but then in full:
- I want a better world and I consciously choose to think so.
- I have faith that this "better" world is possible.
- I am convinced that a better Europe contributes to a better world.
- I know that Europe has the potential to be better.
- I think that Public Opinion should help shape and steer this potential.
- I see that public opinion must be made aware and informed, not least for the European elections in May.
2019. I am working on it and I invite you to participate. What is Eur Opinion?
Thankyou :)
Riccardo
Happy 2019! ♥
A Dream!
EurOpinion has a dream. A European Dream.
The Dream of a better Europa that eventually can lead to a better World. Until a few decades ago, the vast majority of European citizens shared this Dream. Unfortunately, that dream has now faded or disappeared for many Europeans because the European Union, as it currently exists, clearly does not cover that dream at all. Nowadays many people are Eurosceptic or even want to step out.
However, that European Dream and the current European Union are two completely different interpretations of the "united Europe" and often even opposite. Europinion is convinced that the European Dream has the strength to overcome this failing EU if the European citizens are provided with the knowledge and awareness to make this distinction.
Decline of world society
Europinion thinks that this loss of the "European Dream" in recent decades is part of the general decline of world society and our planet in the same period. It is experienced by many people all over the globe through financial and social crises, through wars and migrations, through artificially manipulated food and the increase of chronic diseases and through large-scale destruction of nature (Ecocide) with loss of biodiversity and climate change as result. These and many other problems are interlinked. Each of these problems transcends the capacity of individual nations to solve them and it is clear that they can only be overcome if several countries work together to form a block that is strong enough to at least start the great change, that is needed to stop this decline and possibly set an example for the rest of the world
EurOpinion's vision is that the united Europa of the Dream has the potential to be that block.
Generic
Other languages, including GENeric are work in progress.
Reactie op het commentaar van Donna op een Verenigdestaatse sociale web.
Sorry iedereen. 't Doet niets af aan de boodschap maar ik krijg er ZO ENORM de kriebels van dat de voertaal voor Nederland inmiddels het Engels is...Brrr.
Hélemaal mee eens Donna!! Erger nog, Engels als invasieve, dominante en monopoliserende taal in de hele wereld!
Niet omdat het zo mooi is (wel lekker simpel natuurlijk), maar omdat de Engelsen al sinds eeuwen geleden het agressief opgelegd hebben in al hun koloniën (de halve wereld). Een werk wat na WO II via de massamedia net zo agressief is voorgezet door de Verenigdestaters met Hollywood, multinationals en marketing. En in deze tijd dus 'dankzij' de monsters FB, Google en de hele rest.
IMHO is het van het grootste belang dat Europese (continentale) landen hun eigen taal, karakter en cultuur beschermen tegen die homogeniserende invasie. Ik ben er van overtuigd dat "Culturo-diversiteit" voor een gezonde wereldmaatschappij net zo hard nodig is als Bio-diversiteit voor een gezonde natuur, te beginnen in Europa!
Vandaar ook dat ik "die" taal GENERIC genoemd zou moeten worden, zoals ik doe op EurOpinion: de internationale versie van die taal, gesproken door mensen uit andere landen die een andere moedertaal hebben.
En vandaar mijn bijna obsessie om zoveel mogelijk van wat DiEM25 doet, te vertalen van GENERIC naar een échte Europese taal, liefst allemaal, maar in mijn eentje kom ik niet zo ver
Engels is namelijk voor de Engelsen uit Engeland.
Schots is voor de Schotten uit Schotland.
en zo ook Iers of Welsh.
Maar ook:
Australisch voor de Australiërs in Australië
Canadees voor de Canadezen in Canada
en vooral
Verenigdestaats voor de Verenigdestaters in de Verenigde Staten.
(America is namelijk een continent van iets van 26 landen, waar in feite meer Latino gesproken wordt dan Anglo-Saksisch.)
The potential of Europa, our vision
Our world is facing many fundamental problems that need to be solved very soon if we want to reach the next century with a healthy planet and society. Each of these global problems transcends the capacity of individual nations to solve them and it is clear that they can only be overcome if several countries work together to form a block strong enough to at least a start the needed great change to stop the global decline of society and nature, and maybe set an example for the rest of the world.
Vision
EurOpinion's vision is that the united Europe of the "Dream" can be such a block, hopefully not the only one in the world. This potential of Europe can be found in the financial, technological and social fields, but we think certainly also in awareness, will and willingness amongst its population. If Europe is actually able to free this potential in harmonious cooperation, effective steps can be taken towards a better Europe which is a possible step towards a better world.
EurOpinion strongly believes that the essence of Europa's potential lies in the collective of its individual citizens and shared common sense, more than in current politics and elaborated expertise, where oftenly only national or even personal interests prevail, undermining the whole point of a truly united Europe.
Mision
That's why EurOpinion, as its mission, aims to build, stimulate, strengthen and amplify awareness and the voice of the European Public Opinion.
Mission: stimulate and strengthen European Public Opinion
Europa is worth a fresh look
EurOpinion sees its mission as contributing to a fresh look at and a more positive image of the united Europe in the general knowledge and collective awareness of European citizens and, where possible, bringing the European Dream back to life.
We think the European elections in may of this year 2019 are an excellent opportunity for this fresh look.
A new model for Europa!
We aim to stimulate and reinforce the European Public Opinion in order to gain strength in the current outdated and stalled model of the European institutions, so that a new model can be built that makes this existing model obsolete. The European elections are an exceptional opportunity to initialize true change.
A different level of thinking!
The change will not be drastic or sudden, more than in a revolution we believe in an evolution. Nature itself has taught us that it is the most harmonious and sustainable way of development. Just being able to plant the seed that brings us to a higher level of thinking is a satisfaction. And a pleasure to see it grow up to to solving problems where Europe and the World are stuck in today.
The elections are also an opportunity to introduce another level of thinking.
Be the change you want to see in Europa!
We consider a new model to be a fundamental step towards unlocking the true potential of Europe, from the citizens up rather than from politics down. We believe that the inspiration, creativity and common sense of the collective of citizens can lead to valuable solutions. When the citizens can participate more in their community then they will also feel more engaged and together really will be able to bring about the change they want to see.
You can contribute to this change, starting by expressing your preferences in the elections.
It may be a long and difficult journey, but all that counts is taking the first step.
A different level of thinking?
A first step
As a first step, EurOpinion has developed a simple working model for a platform that, through ongoing opinion polls, aims to stimulate the Public European Opinion and give a voice with the aim to investigate together with the participants, in a public, transparent and interactive way, the underlying reasons for the loss of European Dream. At the same time, it examines which existing or future tools and solutions are preferred by Europeans.
Europa as a whole
For the initial course, EurOpinion wants to focus on five fundamental values, principles, for Europe as a whole, which are best expressed in their "Generic" terminology:
A better Europa for a better world:
1. Nature First
2. Free Speech
3. Gender Equality
4. Go NON-profit
5. AB$ - Abolish Bank $ecrecy
Each of these principles covers considerably more than the short term suggests and is essential for a truly just and sustainable world society on our fragile planet. Of course there is also room for other important issues such as, among other things, education, health or science. Politics or economics can also be discussed, but EurOpinion thinks the essence lies in human values and emotions.
Europa as collective of all individual persons
EurOpinion also wants to give attention to the European as an individual. After all, Europe is made up of the total of all individuals, and as such, each in itself is decisive for the whole. A simple anology are individual atoms that build up the universe as a whole. We believe that European and in fact Human "values" and "identity" start with the individual.
Therefore, there will also be a section dedicated to personal issues. From simple things such as routines of everyday life, to more heavy issues such as the credibility they give to their government or the media, to deeper or more intimate things such as, for example, the extent to which a person feels traitsof the other sex in his/her own being.
Taken together, this can yield interesting, unexpected and perhaps revealing results or correlations.