1. The European Union

2. Major Themes: What does the EU help us teach?
Interdependence and Cooperation
Nationalism, Language and Identity
Diversity, Multiculturalism and Immigration
Enlargement of countries who are members to the EU and political unification; much like that of the US)

3. Major Themes: What does the EU help us teach?
Interdependence- mutually dependent; depending on each other
Multiculturalism- the policy or practice of giving equal attention or representation to the cultural needs and contributions of all the groups in a society

4. Interdependence and Cooperation
European Union is the most successful example in world history of countries working together to solve common problems
EU countries are interdependent. They face common challenges that none can solve alone such as:
Environmental issues
Economic Globalization
Defense and Security

5. Nationalism, Language, Identity
Nationalism was discredited by WWII after the abuses witnessed
But languages and identities still remain national

6. Nationalism, Language, Identity
23 Official Languages

7. Major EU Achievements Peace Enlargement Internal market The Euro
Environmental Policy
..and many more

8. From war to peace … to the ‘Love Parade’ in Berlin
From the rubble of Dresden…

9. From war… Centuries of warfare culminating in:
WWI – over 15 million casualties
WWII – over 50 million casualties, including 6 million Jews killed in the Holocaust

10. …to peace
On Bastille Day 1994, a German battalion marched down the Champs-Elysées… and they were invited!
War between France and Germany is now unthinkable
EU is moving toward a common defense policy

11. EU Enlargement: Membership in the EU went from 6 countries to 28

13. Enlargement
Enlargement of the EU helped spread and stabilize democracy across Europe
And brought prosperity to ailing economies

14. Internal Market Education Investment Travel Communications Free Trade
Retirement in the sun

15. Internal Market
Market power: The EU has the world’s largest market and is America’s biggest trading partner
Businesses benefit
Consumers benefit
Economic performance improves

16. From many currencies….

17. … to one: the Euro

18. Environmental Policy
EU has become world leader on environmental policy
EU has spread high environmental standards across Europe
- Climate Change Policy
- REACH Chemicals law
Automobile recycling

19. Europe as model? We mostly hear bad news about Europe
But ‘European Model’ is attractive to many around the world
Less militaristic foreign policy
Stronger support for environmental protection
More social security
Can it be sustained?