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Saturday, October 18, 2008 at 16:49
By Claudia Dassen
BRUSSELS (EUX.TV)— Lobbyists in the European affairs arena are always on a mission; influencing policy outcomes that is their aim. However, how can you be a successful lobbyist? One approach is to engage directly with the general public. Last week, the European plastics manufacturing industry, represented by PlasticsEurope, organized a youth debate in the European parliament.
There was a buzz of excitement in the EP building; youngsters from ten different EU member states gathered to display their debating skills. Almost one thousand high school students battled for a spot in the finals. Here in Brussels, the hundred finalists were judged by an international jury. Among the jury members were David Gow, a business journalist for the Guardian, futurologist Ray Hammond and several representatives of PlasticsEurope.
Watch the EUX.TV Video Report on the debate:
PlasticsEurope was pleased with the enthusiasm of the young participants. The plastics manufacturing industry challenged the debaters to take a stand in the question: “Are plastics part of the problem or the solution?”. They had the opportunity to hear from the next generation of European citizens about the future of plastics.
The winner of the debate was Žan Žveplan, a 17 year old student from Slovenia, argued “plastics are fantastic” and continued with “we gave the opposition the truth, but they can’t handle the truth”.
Though, what is the essence of this event? Did PlasticsEurope succeeded in finding its new ambassadors for plastics? When asking the young debaters, they say “it is about the experience” and “this is an opportunity to develop my debating skills”. The students came mainly for the learning experience. Although, some of them mentioned that the event raised their awareness of the challenges towards plastics.
– Via the EUX.TV newsroom news@eux.tv
LIFE is the EUs financial instrument supporting environmental and nature conservation projects throughout the EU, as well as in some candidate, acceding and neighbouring countries. ec.europa.eu
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Friday, October 03, 2008 at 13:23
BRUSSELS (EUX.TV) — European Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson, a controversial figure in British politics and also in international trade talks, is to return to the UK government to take up the post of business secretary.
The move is a surprise one as British Prime Minister Gordon Brown reshuffles his cabinet. Mandelson had two earlier cabinet jobs under Tony Blair.
Mandelson is expected be made Business Secretary with a seat in the House of Lords, said the BBC on its website. He is no longer an MP. Business Secretary John Hutton will replace Des Browne at Defence and Geoff Hoon will replace Ruth Kelly as Transport Secretary.
Brown’s cabinet reshuffle also is to create a new department for energy and climate changed.
In an article written for today’s Guardian newspaper, Mandelson did not refer to his imminent departure from Brussels. He wrote that the banking crisis must force political leaders to confront the need for greater European and global governance of financial markets.
Addressing the crisis, Mandelson said preserving the powerful global economic networks that have helped drive three decades of global economic growth – but which can also transit the effects of the risk-taking that have caused the current crisis – will mean a new commitment to global economic governance.
Referring to the conference that created the current institutions of global economic coordination Mandelson writes that “it is time for a Bretton Woods for the next century” – one that takes in not just Europe and the US, but emerging powers such as China.
Arguing that economic globalisation is unsustainable without effective governance, Mandelson writes: “We have nothing to gain by shutting down financial globalisation. But the networks that make up globalisation will keep transmitting the shocks along with the benefits unless we take a tougher line with excessive risk and strengthen the multilateral instruments that govern the global financial system”.
– From the EUX.TV newsroom news@eux.tv
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