Health Care

Has Universal Health Care This means that the government provides the health insurance, not individual insurance companies- The cost of paperwork and submitting claims is about 25% of our healthcare system. This can be greatly reduced by having universal healthcare. The government decides which procedures are and are not covered

The average life expectancy for someone in Europe is around 79 years compared to the US at about 78 years. Europe (and the rest of the world) depends on the US for advancement in medical research and procedures. We spend the money on research and the European governments decided which successful procedures they will allow and pay for.

Work Week

Europeans work the fewest hours of any industrialized nation (35 hour work week) Studies have shown that going from 40 to 35 hour work weeks has had no impact on productivity This has reduced unemployment because companies have to hire more people

Companies don’t have to pay for health insurance because it is provided by the government (fewer costs for companies) Countries who are part of the European Union (EU) must give all employees at least 4 weeks of paid vacation. (Even for new employees.)

Education

Just like the US, students complete twelve levels, or grades prior to attending a college or university School year is divided in to 2 semesters: Two separate 15 week sessions OR… 4 Quarters: 4 eleven week sessions

Several years ago most European countries did not charge students to attend college. High tax rates have started to change that. In the UK and Ireland, there is a maximum amount that can be charged to residents of EU countries, but much more for international students

European Union (EU)

The European Union: 500 Million People – 27 Countries Member states of the European Union Candidate countries

The EU Symbols The European flag The European anthem Europe Day, 9 May The motto: United in diversity Link to European Union Flag Information: information/symbols/flag/index_en.htmhttp://europa.eu/about-eu/basic- information/symbols/flag/index_en.htm

23 Official Languages

Enlargement: From Six to 27 Countries

The Big Enlargement: Healing the Division of Europe Fall of Berlin Wall – end of Communism EU economic help begins: Phare programme Criteria set for a country to join the EU: democracy and rule of law functioning market economy ability to implement EU laws Formal negotiations on enlargement begin Copenhagen summit agrees enlargement 10 new EU members: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia  1989  1992  1998  2002  2004  2007 Bulgaria and Romania join the EU Candidates Croatia, Iceland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Turkey © Reuders

Requirements of Member Countries © Reuders Member countries must have:  stable institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities  a functioning market economy and the capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union;  the ability to take on the obligations of membership, including support for the aims of the Union. They must have a public administration capable of applying and managing EU laws in practice.

EU Population in the World Population in millions, EUChinaJapanRussiaUnited States

The Area of the EU Compared to the Rest of the World Surface area, km² EUChina Japan RussiaUnited States

How Rich is the EU Compared to the Rest of the World? EU ChinaJapanRussiaUnited States EU ChinaJapan Russia United States Size of economy: 2008 gross domestic product in billion of euros Wealth per person: 2008 gross domestic product per person

How Many People Live in the EU? Population in millions, million total France Spain Sweden Poland Finland Italy United Kingdom Romania Greece Bulgaria Hungary Portugal Austria Czech Republic Ireland Lithuania Latvia Slovakia Estonia Denmark Netherlands Belgium Slovenia Cyprus Luxemburg Malta Germany

2011 EU budget: €141.9 billion = 1.13% of gross national income Citizens, freedom, security and justice 1% Other, administration 6% Sustainable growth: jobs, competitiveness, regional development 46% The EU as a global player: including development aid 6% Natural resources: agriculture, environment 41% How Does the EU Spend Its Money?

Climate Change – A Global Challenge To stop global warming, EU leaders decided in 2007 to:  reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020 (30% if other developed countries do likewise)  improve energy efficiency by 20% by 2020  raise the share of renewable energy to 20% by 2020 (wind, solar, hydro power, biomass)

Jobs and Growth Challenges:  Demography: Europeans live longer, have fewer children  Globalisation: European economy faces competition from other parts of the world  Climate change: Emission of greenhouse gases must come down Solutions: European leaders have therefore agreed on a joint strategy for:  More research and innovation  A more dynamic business environment  Investing in people  A greener economy

The Euro – A Single Currency for Europeans EU countries using the euro EU countries not using the euro Can be used everywhere in the euro area  Coins: one side with national symbols, one side common  Notes: no national side

Beating Inflation European Economic and Monetary Union: stable prices Average annual inflation in the 15 EU-countries that used the euro in 2008

The Single Market: Freedom of Choice Four freedoms of movement:  goods  services  people  capital © Getty Images The single market has led to:  significant reductions in the price of many products and services, including internet access and airfares.  40% drop in price of phone calls from  2.8 million new jobs

Free to Move “  No police or customs checks at borders between most EU countries  Controls strengthened at EU external borders  More cooperation between police from different EU countries  You can buy and bring back any goods for personal use when you travel between EU countries © Corbis

Going Abroad to Learn Over 2 million young people have studied or pursued personal development in other European countries with support from EU programmes: © Getty Images

Improving health and the environment Pollution knows no borders – joint action needed EU action has helped bring:  Cleaner bathing water  Much less acid rain  Lead-free petrol  Free and safe disposal of old electronic equipment  Strict rules on food safety from farm to fork  More organic and quality farming  More effective health warnings on cigarettes  Registration and control of all chemicals (REACH) © Van Parys Media

The EU: an exporter of peace and prosperity  World trade rules  Common foreign and security policy  Development assistance and humanitarian aid EU runs the peacekeeping operations and the rebuilding of society in war-torn countries like Bosnia-Herzegovina.