Short History of European Integration since the 1970s

By László Molnárfi, S7HUA, EEB1 (Adapted from an essay for History).

Since its inception in 1957 with the Treaty of Rome, the European Economic Community (ECC) as it was called then was in a state of constant flux, soon becoming the European Community (EC) with the Merger Treaty of 1967, following the amalgamation of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and the EEC. By many, this is regarded as the beginning of the European Union (EU), the union that officially came into existence in 1993 with the so-called Maastricht Treaty – these changes would eventually usher in an era of closer cooperation as envisioned by Robert Schuman in early 1950s.

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Is the European Union doomed to repeat its past humanitarian mistakes when dealing with migration?

By László Molnárfi (Adapted from an essay for Geography), EEB1, S7HUA. With careless ease, the Greek and Turkish authorities have treated stranded migrants as pawns of a chessboard on the stage of international world politics, resulting in atrocities along the border. On the verge of this new crisis, it is up to those in charge, such as leaders of the European Union, to act humanely. In the past, this has not always happened to the fullest possible extent. By studying past mistakes, such as the 2015 European migrant crisis, perhaps humanity can do better in the future. So, what is the way forward for European leaders on dealing with this crisis, and what were these past mistakes?

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Boskanter – Disconnecting and Reconnecting

Living an eco-friendly lifestyle in a home called Boskanter: A very small, humble and modest house; a bit rudimentary looking to the outsider, who has just left his modern apartment in downtown Brussels. Inside we meet some of the other inhabitants and are immediately sucked into their feeling of community – wrapped by an authentic feeling of homeliness, belonging and safety.

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