Moderator’s remarks

European Parliament election is quickly approaching. On May 22nd till 25th, 2014 European citizens will cast their vote to decide about their representation in the European Parliament. Direct election into the European Parliament was firstly launched in 1979 and since then every European citizen have a right to vote in these elections.

Moderator’s remarks

In February 2014, European Boards Meeting took place in Lublin related to the topic of nationalism. This upcoming debate could be considered as a follow-up of the event since it is dealing with the pressing issue of relevance of nationalism in current world. We are all aware of interdependence of today’s economic relations, but that does not automatically mean we are so interdependent in other areas of our society (political, societal, environmental or cultural level). At this point, there is a room for a debate about the purpose of nation-states we live in. So, can they bring benefits to the people or they bring more harm than good? To tackle this question I am glad to welcome two speakers from the ranks of AEGEE – Mariia and Armin.

Is national identity relevant for the country? How does immigration influence it? What are the benefits of letting migrants in? And is the protection of national identity sufficient reason for regulating migration inside the country?

Is free education a right or an option? Does it help students or not? Should governments invest the big amount of public money into university system or there are better alternatives?

Moderator’s remarks

Nowadays we are witnessing on-going debate about surveillance practice of the United States launched by Edward Snowden. This issue becomes significant in the process of negotiating EU-USA free trade agreement as well. Surely, most of the citizens are not satisfied with the idea being spied over their personal matters (internet communication or phone calls). But the problem is much deeper as it might be obvious from first glance. Therefore, we invited two speakers whose aim was to argue rationally about the surveillance techniques in general.

Moderator’s remarks

In principio erat verbum et verbum erat apud Deum et verbum erat Deus. (In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.)

It is well know that philosophy is science of questions. All the time man is asking, but instead of finding answers man is just opening new questions, over and over again.

Moderator’s remarks

To enlarge or to not enlarge? To become member or not to become member? Or maybe it is better if we ask – To enlarge now or not to enlarge now?-

On our way to find answers on questions easier let first observe through short lines history of European Union.

1923 ...

Moderator’s remarks

It is well known that EU is passing through rough crisis. From all sides you can see red lights, and hear alarms. What can be done?! Austerity is being used, but it can be find as controversial measure if it is observed from different angles, ex. government and populists, or if we try to define austerity, there can be used a wide array of choice, like:

“Aust...

Moderator’s remarks

The civil war in Syria seems like a never-ending story. Two year conflict has asked its price. Let the numbers speak for a while in the introduction. The UN reckons that 70,000 Syrians, mostly civilians, have died. The true figure is probably far higher: thousands have gone missing or have been locked up. In the past few weeks an average of 5,000 people have fled every day. The UN’s High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) says the number now exceeds 860,000, but many more have left uncounted. The number displaced within the country is higher still. More than 4 million Syrians now lack fuel, electricity, a telephone line and food (The Economist).

Moderator’s remarks

During upcoming Spring Agora Rhein-Neckar 2013 Comité Directeur (abbreviation “CD”) will present one interesting and controversial proposal. Many new members of AEGEE are confused by the proposal, because they do not remember existence of regions that were abolished in 2006. Therefore, the purpose of this debate is to inform and educate the members in order to make good decision at Spring Agora by bringing arguments for and contra the proposal.