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07/15/09
By Maribel Rodríguez Pérez/ Seinforma Canada Correspondent
Amsterdam.- In the context of elections for the European Parliament last June, several discussions were held in parallel. In Amsterdam some topics discussed where "What you want to know about Europe and its union”, which raised arguments as: "What exactly is the European Union?" “Work and study in Europe, where and why?” "Why to vote in this election or why not?" "What are the pros and cons for our countries of origin and what are the pros and cons for the European Union?"
The forum was organized by ZEG, Zuideuropese Gemeenschap (Community of South European in Holland), and moderated by its president Jose Stevao, who is president of the Association of Portuguese in Amsterdam (APA).
The meeting was chaired by Otto Holffman, professor and political scientist at the University of Amsterdam, a specialist in European Integration, together with his counterpart and colleague, Prof. Sam Stevens, which specializes in European history.
The debate had as public a number of invited delegations from different countries, including Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Cyprus, Holland, Germany, Bosnia, Macedonia and others.
This meeting has made clear the approval given by Europeans to Europe but especially the desire for themselves of being part of it. Furthermore, they see the need for Europe to respect and protect human dignity and rights, perhaps the key to perform its unification and mutual understanding.
Seinforma Canada had the opportunity to speak with professor Holffman. One of the things he mentioned is that although everyone wants a united Europe, the disintegration is also a possibility if future generations don’t get involved in ideology. Here is the full interview with the expert on European affairs:
Seinforma: Professor, during your speech you spoke of large differences in Europe. Referred to or what are these differences?
Otto Holffman: "In Europe there are big differences not only in political and economic field but also cultural and social ones, the countries of the community from northern Europe are not the same as those of eastern European, they live in a completely different way that make the population differences, differences that create a large imbalance. To give you an example, I can tell you a German drinks beer, while a Spanish wine, and so on. Europe is different and when I say this I think for example that people of Ireland is not concerned about South America, but a country like Spain is concerned. "
Seinforma: Professor, what opportunities are offered by Europe to the rest of the world?
Holffman: "It's very difficult now for Europe to provide opportunities as we are now working on the integration of our own continent, but I can say considering all this, that we can offer others the opportunity to work, this means that many extra-Europeans have had and have the opportunity to work in Europe. Many South Americans work in Spain, many Moroccans in Holland, many Asians in England, many North Africans in Italy and so on. Another opportunity that the Europeans can offer is that of investment in others, this means that Europe can make investments or can provide subsidies to improve or help the developing countries. Many investments or subsidies have been made in Africa and Latin America, I would add that many others have been made by European companies but governments, in many cases, have not been interested. "
Seinforma: Professor, you said that illegal immigration is a problem in Europe, why?
Holffman: "Illegal immigration is a problem for the immigrants themselves and for countries that receive them. These immigrants have no rights, no legal protection, then they are at the lowest level of society, maybe they can live better than in situations in their country of origin, but they are living in the lowest scale of society, beyond this in many cases there is racism, this is what we want to avoid. "
Seinforma: Professor, what future do you see for Europe?
Holffman: "I hope, like most of Europeans, a more united Europe, stronger, a Europe that grows to improve not only itself but also the world, but on the other hand I also believe it can change to the contrary, that Europe could disintegrate and would outlive most of those problems we already have. New generations play an important role in this, young people today are more interested in material matters and not on ideological matters."
By Maribel Rodríguez Pérez/ Seinforma Canada Correspondent
Amsterdam.- In the context of elections for the European Parliament last June, several discussions were held in parallel. In Amsterdam some topics discussed where "What you want to know about Europe and its union”, which raised arguments as: "What exactly is the European Union?" “Work and study in Europe, where and why?” "Why to vote in this election or why not?" "What are the pros and cons for our countries of origin and what are the pros and cons for the European Union?"
The forum was organized by ZEG, Zuideuropese Gemeenschap (Community of South European in Holland), and moderated by its president Jose Stevao, who is president of the Association of Portuguese in Amsterdam (APA).
The meeting was chaired by Otto Holffman, professor and political scientist at the University of Amsterdam, a specialist in European Integration, together with his counterpart and colleague, Prof. Sam Stevens, which specializes in European history.
The debate had as public a number of invited delegations from different countries, including Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Cyprus, Holland, Germany, Bosnia, Macedonia and others.
This meeting has made clear the approval given by Europeans to Europe but especially the desire for themselves of being part of it. Furthermore, they see the need for Europe to respect and protect human dignity and rights, perhaps the key to perform its unification and mutual understanding.
Seinforma Canada had the opportunity to speak with professor Holffman. One of the things he mentioned is that although everyone wants a united Europe, the disintegration is also a possibility if future generations don’t get involved in ideology. Here is the full interview with the expert on European affairs:
Seinforma: Professor, during your speech you spoke of large differences in Europe. Referred to or what are these differences?
Otto Holffman: "In Europe there are big differences not only in political and economic field but also cultural and social ones, the countries of the community from northern Europe are not the same as those of eastern European, they live in a completely different way that make the population differences, differences that create a large imbalance. To give you an example, I can tell you a German drinks beer, while a Spanish wine, and so on. Europe is different and when I say this I think for example that people of Ireland is not concerned about South America, but a country like Spain is concerned. "
Seinforma: Professor, what opportunities are offered by Europe to the rest of the world?
Holffman: "It's very difficult now for Europe to provide opportunities as we are now working on the integration of our own continent, but I can say considering all this, that we can offer others the opportunity to work, this means that many extra-Europeans have had and have the opportunity to work in Europe. Many South Americans work in Spain, many Moroccans in Holland, many Asians in England, many North Africans in Italy and so on. Another opportunity that the Europeans can offer is that of investment in others, this means that Europe can make investments or can provide subsidies to improve or help the developing countries. Many investments or subsidies have been made in Africa and Latin America, I would add that many others have been made by European companies but governments, in many cases, have not been interested. "
Seinforma: Professor, you said that illegal immigration is a problem in Europe, why?
Holffman: "Illegal immigration is a problem for the immigrants themselves and for countries that receive them. These immigrants have no rights, no legal protection, then they are at the lowest level of society, maybe they can live better than in situations in their country of origin, but they are living in the lowest scale of society, beyond this in many cases there is racism, this is what we want to avoid. "
Seinforma: Professor, what future do you see for Europe?
Holffman: "I hope, like most of Europeans, a more united Europe, stronger, a Europe that grows to improve not only itself but also the world, but on the other hand I also believe it can change to the contrary, that Europe could disintegrate and would outlive most of those problems we already have. New generations play an important role in this, young people today are more interested in material matters and not on ideological matters."
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Multimedia
Migrations: Routes, Dreams and Reality
"Immigrants in Europe Live in
Lowest Level of Society”
Lowest Level of Society”
Otto Holffman, professor and political scientist at the University of Amsterdam, and specialist in European Integration, says that in many parts of Europe there is racism against immigrants. Exclusive interview.
"Immigrants have no rights, no legal protection. Maybe they can live better than in their countries, however (in Europe) they are living in the lowest scale of society." : Otto Holffman (Photo Maribel Rodriguez / Seinforma Canada Correspondent)
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*Maribel Rodríguez Pérez, our correspondent in Holland, takes part in several volunteering programs in Europe. Her journalistic work has been related to the South of Europe, especially to the Balkan countries.
Another conclusion of the parliamentary forums held in the Old Continent is that there are more private aid than government aid for developing countries in Africa and Latin America. From left to right, Menno Postma, representative from Belgium and ZEG coordinator; professor Holffman; Sam Stevens, professor of European History; and Jose Estevao, president of the Association of Portuguese in Amsterdam (APA) and of ZEG. (Photo Maribel Rodriguez / Seinforma Canada Correspondent)
"Immigrants in Europe live in
lowest level of society”
lowest level of society”
