SHIFT mag [n°16] - Faraway Europe

N°16

Winter 2010

The Story

faraway europe Pieces of this Europe beyond the continent

Shifting with

caroline Wozniacki Now she has turned Danes onto tennis she wants the world to know “Woz the boss”!

2

SHIFT N°16

N°16

Winter 2010

Winter 2010

01

04-05

08-09

The Cover

Shift Map

The Bill

The Story

Faraway Europe

Pieces of this Europe beyond the continent

Cover illustration

by Jamie Adams

Faraway Europe

 21.09.2010

– 21.12.2010

Remember, erase and rewind… or not.

10-11

Shifting with

Caroline Wozniacki Now she has turned Danes onto tennis she wants the world to know “Woz the boss”!

content

The Diary  150

places

 Winter

Where to find and read the SHIFT Mag in and around Brussels

2010

Off-season: a matter of taste

12-13

06

The Controversy

Warm Up

 Schuman’s

 Edito

Europe (1950-2010)

Dead... but not yet buried

14-15

SHIFT gathers speed  Through

the lens

Light at the end of the tunnel

Europe & the world

 DrawingBoard

 International

The survivors of Turku

07

journalism

Don’t let the Press-bugs bite

16-17

Carte Blanche

Shifting with

rÉCit

un poker corse portFolio

leS BALADINs s De la cHINe L’Information Grand Format — N°12 — Automne 2010

A u t o m n e

2 0 1 0

desvilles

etdes hommes vivre ensemble Judith perrignon lÉna mauger

UNthÉeNiran reportage eN bD

OLIVIeR Kugler

 Deadly

dust in Casale Monferrato

By XXI

 Caroline

Wozniacki

Now she has turned Danes onto tennis she wants the world to know “Woz the boss”!

3

30-31

The Story

The Arts

Faraway Europe

Pieces of this Europe beyond the continent

19-20-21

24-25

Saint Pierre and Miquelon: France in North America

They want their money back too

 Bestseller

 Looking

Tatiana’s keys

 47th

parallel north

 Caribbean

rhythm ‘n’ vibes

 So-so

retirement out of place

How climate change is greening Greenland

 Brussels

bubbles

26-27

“Intimate Brussels: Fifty European Expeditions”

 FAQ

Neutrality under pressure

Falkland Islanders: who do they think they are?

 Long

Snapshots

The Dutch lion doesn’t sleep tonight

22-23  Empire

heritage

The British Crown worldwide: outdated or here to stay?

 Snowball

effect

distance call

32-33-34

Okay by me in America?

28-29  Mind

elsewhere

Reaching out for the stars  Lost

in transition

By Virginie Maillard

35

And now...?

Issue: Womanlike Europe

© Béatrice Murch Photography

 Next

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your favorite place to read SHIFT?

4

150 places in and around Brussels where you can find and read SHIFTMag for free

1000

Actor’s Studio Ancienne Belgique Belga Queen Beursschouwburg (Beurskafee) BOZAR - Ticket Booth Brussels Marriott Hotel Café Central Chalet Robinson Chilli's Food Cinéma Arenberg Cinéma Nova Cirque Royal Copenhagen Tavern Croatian National Tourist Office Cyprus Tourist Office Espace 53 Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Tourist Office Hémisphères Hilton Brussels Hotel Hotel Amigo Hotel Metropole House of Sweden Le Cercle des Voyageurs Le Châtelain - All Suite Hotel Le Grain de Sable Les Halles Saint-Gery Le Pain quotidien - Dansaert Le Pain Quotidien – Sablon

Le Passage de Milan Le Roi des Belges Librairie Tropisme Mappa Mundo Marivaux Hotel Martin’s Central Park Michael Collins Pub Brussels Museum Brasserie National Tourist Board of Andorra NH Hotel Grand Sablon Passage Fitness Passa Porta Bookshop Piola Libri Recyclart Royal Library of Belgium Russia Tourist Office Spanish National Tourist Office Sterling Books Théâtre des Martyrs Théâtre de Poche The Dominican Hotel Brussels The Green Kitchen Turkey Tourist Office USE-IT Tourist Office for Young People Waterstones

1030

Cultural Centre of Schaerbeek Les Halles de Schaerbeek Tourist Office of Malta Brussels

1040

Atelier 210 Crown Plaza Brussels Europa Denmark Tourist Office La Terrasse Le Mess Le Pain quotidien - Mérode Slovenia Tourist Office The European Bookshop White Night Youth Hostel "Jacques Brel"

1050

Aspria Avenue Louise Atelier de la Truffe noire Austrian National Tourist Office Banco Bar Billeterie Flagey Brussels Hotel Café Panisse Ciabatta Mania Cinema Vendôme Coco Eat & Drink Conrad Brussels Hotel Cosi Czech Republic Tourist Office Ecco EXKI – University Fabian O’Farrell’s Fat Boys

5

LONDON CALLING! Bar Disco Bar

Porte de Namur London Calling!

Rue de Dublin 46 Dublinstraat 1050 Brussels – Belgium Phone: + 32-2-888-83-47 E-mail: londoncallingdublin@gmail.com londoncallingdublin.wordpress.com Opening hours: Monday to Sunday — 12.00 till 02.00

French Government Tourist Office Greek National Tourism Organization Hotel Bristol Stephanie Hotel Sofitel Brussels Le Louise Hungarian Tourist Office Illy Natural Caffè Italian Government Tourist Board La Médiathèque ULB Le Belga Le Fruit défendu Le Pain Quotidien - Lepoutre Le Pain Quotidien – Louise Le Pain Quotidien – Ixelles Cimetery Le Tavernier Le WAFF London Calling Netherlands Board of Tourism Oxfam Bookshop Quartier Léopold Ralph’s Bar Rennaissance Brussels Hotel Rouge Tomate Brussels Slovak Tourist Office Sushi Factory - Louise Théâtre Varia The White Hotel Tourism Ireland Brussels Office Warwick Barsey Hotel Brussels White Night

More information on our distribution points is available at www.shiftmag.eu Want to be added to our list of stockists - then send us an e-mail at distribution@shiftmag.eu

1060

Au Pays Des Merveilles Brasserie Verschueren Centre Culturel Jacques Frank Café Maison du Peuple La librairie de Rome Midi Station SA Passage Fitness Louise

1140

Centre Culturel d’Evere Courtyard Brussels

1150

European Fitness Club Fitnastic Hotel Eurostars Montgomery Le Coach Le Jardin de Nicolas Le Pain quotidien – Stockel Le Vignoble de Margot Sportcity Wasabi Sushi Lounge

1160

Estonia Tourist Office

1170

Espace Delvaux Théâtre du Méridien

1180

Bulgaria Tourist Office Le Pain quotidien - Fort Jaco Le Pain Quotidien - Parvis Saint-Pierre L’imprimerie Royal Léopold Club Royal Wellington THC

1200

Adventure Valley À Livre Ouvert Cook & Book (English Library) European Culture Centre German National Tourist Board La Woluwe Sport Centre Royal La Rasante Sodehotel La Woluwe

1210

Café Bota

1410

Martin’s Grand Hotel Waterloo Martin’s Lodge

6

WarmUp

DrawingBoard

By Mi Ran Collin

The survivors of Turku

SHIFT gathers speed We started the year by going a new way, making SHIFT's "mag dimension" more substantive in respect of its graphic and editorial features. We end 2010 by passing an additional milestone in terms of visibility. With the opportunity to have this issue distributed on board Thalys trains, this new path we have started down is taking us faster and further than we would have expected one year ago when our new format was unveiled.

For this one issue – and hopefully for future ones as well – Europe will now be talking to Amsterdam, Cologne and Paris as well as to Brussels. Fifty years from now, the first trip on board a Thalys will be viewed as one small step towards bridging Europe; right now, though, these opening two hours by train really will seem like a giant leap for our young magazine.

We have made this old quote of Oliver Cromwell one of our mottos: “No one rises so high as he who knows not whither he is going.” This can be daunting at times, but not knowing today is really rather exciting.

© AlpTransit Gotthard AG

Laurent van Brussel, editor in chief

Under construction since February 2008, the world’s largest cruise ship The Allure of the Seas sailed from the Turku shipyard in Finland on 29 October 2010. This looks set to be the last project on a so large-scale in the foreseeable future for the 14 000 people directly and indirectly employed by the shipbuilding industry in the region.

Through the lens

Light at the end of the tunnel 15 October: Bodio, Switzerland. Originally expected in April 2010, a decisive breakthrough under the Swiss Alps was made on the way to completing what has been dubbed “the tunnel of the century”. Once it is finished – by 2017 hopefully – the Gotthard Tunnel will represent the longest railway tunnel in the world (57 kilometres), at a cost of €7.5 billion – providing a massive boost to European rail transport.

2 000 workers from ten countries have dug out 24 million tonnes of rock – five times more than the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

7

CARTE BLANCHE

deadly dust in casale Monferrato A trial has been underway for several months in northwestern Italy. The two parties: the residents of Casale Monferrato, “the asbestos capital”, and the international firm Eternit, major producer of asbestos cement products.

The story of asbestos in Casale Monferrato in Piedmont takes place in a working class neighbourhood, nearby the central square and its shops and cafes. The legal battle concerns workers and local citizens alike: 2 000 people have died in Casale Monferrato, years after breathing in invisible dust.

one cULpriT idenTified A single guilty party for their loved ones: Eternit. In the early 20th century, the international asbestos-cement production firm set itself up in Casale Monferrato. This, the largest factory and mine in Europe, some 15 kilometres away, was soon providing work to men and women from the region. In total, more than 5 700 people spanning several generations worked at Eternit until the factory closed in 1986.

Niccolà Pondrano is Secretary of the CGIL, the main union in Italy. In 1974, when he entered the factory as a worker, he was only 24: “When I got there, I realised virtually straight away that it was pretty much a disused factory. The heat was unbearable, and this dust was in the air, the factory and even the surrounding areas all the time.”

Deaths increased in unusually high numbers. Mesothelioma developed, a cancer specific to asbestos, proof that the population was dying from this microscopic dust, 30 to 40 years after being exposed to it.

Several battles have already been won, notably recognition of occupational disease and the total ban on asbestos in Italy

beginning in 1992. “But the greatest victory for the moment is this criminal trial underway in Turin”, explains the unionist.

an UnprecedenTed TriaL On the bench of the accused, the former directors of the group: the Belgian Louis-Marie de Cartier from Marchienne and the Swiss Stephan Schmidheiny. They attended no hearing; instead were represented by some 20 lawyers. “A trial like this, against the big bosses of a multinational, is unprecedented in Europe.

Any progress has been due to the strength of the collective; as individuals we couldn’t fight”, comments Niccolà Pondrano.

Romana Blasotti Pavesi, 81, is the Honorary President of the Asbestos Victims Association of Casale Monferrato. Her sister, nephew, husband, then daughter only 50 years of age, died from the asbestos. “My husband was the only one who worked in the factory. My daughter died within five months. I never stop talking about what happened to us, even though it’s painful, since the dead have no voice.”

In Casale Monferrato, one victim dies every week. Even today, 50% of the town’s buildings are covered in asbestos. The majority of ill people have never worked in the factory.

The verdict of the Eternit trial is expected to be delivered in May 2011.

cLaUdia caraTori (eXTracTs froM The BLog of The MagaZine XXi)

XXI – Twenty-one The magazine XXI made in-depth reporting its trademark, like the New York Times Magazine, the New Yorker, the Atlantic Monthly and Vanity Fair have been doing for ages in the United States. Four times a year, XXI, an eye-catching, book-like magazine calls on a host of journalistic arts and talents to offer a sharp

rÉCit

eye – with no advertising – on today’s world. One thing to underline: the magazine dares to and manages to use comic strip as a journalistic style. u Check it out: www.leblogde21.com

un poker corse portFolio

leS BALADINs s De la cHINe L’Information Grand Format — N°12 — Automne 2010

desvilles

etdes hommes vivre ensemble Judith perrignon lÉna mauger

UNthÉeNiran reportage eN bD

OLIVIeR Kugler

A u t o m n e

2 0 1 0

8

TheBill

Green domination According to Eurostat, some 40% of the EU's total land area is covered by forests and other wooded areas, and 5% by water and wetland. Only 4% of the EU's area is covered by built-up and other artificial cover, such as roofed constructions, roads and rail networks.

In terms of socio-economic use, over 40% of land in Europe is used for agriculture and almost 30% for forestry. Use for residential, commercial and industrial purposes accounts for just over 10% of the total land area. The Member States with the highest proportions of land used for residential, commercial and industrial purposes are the Netherlands (37%) and Belgium (25%), while Spain and Latvia appear at the other end of the scale (both 6%). (Source: Euractiv)

21.09.2010 – 21.12.2010 remember, erase and rewind... or not.

Young enough to be taken seriously

Cultural nebula Europeana, a platform for searching European digital libraries, gives online access to over 14 million examples of Europe's cultural heritage. Despite the challenging launch due to server overload from unexpectedly high demand, the platform is now up and running.

Digitised photographs, maps, paintings, museum objects and other images make up 64% of the Europeana collection. 34% of the collection is dedicated to digitised texts, including more than 1.2 million complete books that can be viewed online and/or downloaded. Video and sound material represents less than 2% of the collection.

(Source: European Commission)

Some had hoped that Michael Jackson, Eva Longoria or the Internet would have succeeded Obama as “THE” symbol of peace in 2010. The Norwegian Committee finally awards Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo the Nobel Peace Prize.

09.11

Hungary's parliament votes by an overwhelming majority to nationalise the company responsible for the toxic sludge spill.

24.10

12.10

European Parliament approves a "readmission agreement" with Pakistan less than two months after being devastated by floods. The country looks set to welcome waves of nationals deemed to be "illegal immigrants" by the EU's Member States.

08.10

21.09

One season within one minute

Almost half of young adults still live with at least one of their parents. Amongst them is an 18-yearold boy who has become the youngest member of the Swedish Parliament.

Through Facebook, Anton Abele became recognised for having started a large protest of 10 000 people in Stockholm after a 16-year-old boy was beaten to death at a party in 2007. Anton Abele subsequently set up the association ‘Stop street violence’. Many have congratulated him on his commitment, from Snoop Dogg to the King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf. In October 2010, he entered the legislative assembly of Sweden, and alongside him, the subject of street violence has become the focus of attention at government level.

(Source: Le Monde Magazine)

Almost 6 000 people take part in a lip dub for the independence of Catalonia. The lip dub was awarded for having the highest participant turnout ever for such an event.

UNESCO adds French cuisine to the world intangible heritage list.

9

TheWord

Yu Jianhua, a spokesman for China's Ministry of Commerce at the G20, demanding that the debt-ridden United States fix up its own house first. (Source: The Times)

“This is the culmination of my life's work as a priest”

Father Zawadzki, Catholic priest, after workers in Poland erected the world's tallest statue of Jesus. The 170-foot (52-metre) statue stands in Swiebodzin, Poland. (Source: The Times)

“Now yes, I know who to call to tell me what Europe is thinking today”

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, describing her European counterpart Baroness Ashton in glowing terms. (Source: BBC)

“I would like to say, contrary to what might otherwise seem to be the case, that the clocks in France and Britain strike the same hours, precisely”

Nicolas Sarkozy, on the important defence agreement that his country signed with Britain, which will foster cooperation on these issues. (Source: The Telegraph)

“We need them as we need air. If only Russian people remembered that our courtyards and streets have not become as clean as they have ever been by magic!”

Konstantin Romodanovski, Director of the Russian Federal Migration Service, calling for an end to talks against immigrants in Russia. (Source: Rossiïskaïa Gazeta)

“The last time there was a series of competitive devaluations, it ended in World War II” Brazil’s President-elect Dilma Rouseff, speaking at a joint press conference with outgoing President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. (Source: The Financial Times)

The European Commission rejects Albania's application to become an EU candidate while accepting Montenegro as an official candidate country.

24.11

Writer Charlotte Roche proposes to spend a night with Christian Wulff, President of Germany, if he doesn't sign the controversial law extending the life of Germany’s nuclear power stations.

21.11

10.11

15.11

If dementia – Alzheimer’s in the lead – were a country, it would have the world's 18th largest economy – between Turkey and Indonesia – at €462 billion or about 1% of 2010’s world GDP. This is revealed in a report from Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) released on 21 September for World Alzheimer’s Day. ADI expects dementia cases to double every 20 years. Under this scenario, sufferers of the illness will number around 66 million in 2030 and 115 million in 2050, making dementia “the single most significant health and social crisis of the 21st century.” Aldous Huxley wouldn’t refute this report’s findings.

(Source: ADI - www.alz.co.uk)

“If you're sick yourself, don't ask others to take medicine”

St. Petersburg (Russia) hosts the first Tiger Summit. The target: doubling the world population of wild big cats by 2022. Today there are no more than 3 200 left; only a century ago there were 30 times as many, some 100 000.

The Irish government unveils a far-reaching austerity package to meet the tough conditions of an €85 billion EU-IMF bailout plan. This means Ireland will run a government deficit equal to 32% of its gross domestic product, the highest figure ever in any eurozone country.

The day when the French revolution didn’t happen. The big bank robbery – all in the name of King Eric – finally didn't go further than a network group in Facebook.

Serbie wins its first Davis Cup’s title.

10.12

Cost of dementia

Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, prophesying before the European Policy Centre think tank. (Source: European Policy Centre)

07.12

The Italian Minister of Tourism, Michela Vittoria Brambilla, has condemned the Apple application “What Country”, which characterises each nation with words and images, as an “affront to Italians' dignity”. She has asked Apple to remove the application from its online store, as Italy is described as the home of "pizza, mafia, pasta and scooters". What about other countries?

Britain is characterised by "tea, weird sense of humour, football hooligans and rain", and Russia “USSR, spies and vodka”. Meanwhile, the word “mafia” is replaced by “mandolin” on a screenshot presenting this key application on the iPhone AppStore webpage. Italian’s dignity seems to be spared.

(Source: The Telegraph)

“We’re in a survival crisis. We all have to work together in order to survive with the eurozone, because if we don’t survive with the eurozone we will not survive with the European Union”

05.12

Lost dignity

Closure of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancún, Mexico.

10

Thediary Off-season: a matter of taste By faBian cohen

UK

London International Mime Festival London

AUSTRIA

www.mimefest.co.uk

21-30 January

15-30 January

Founded in 1977, the London International Mime Festival is internationally recognised as a leading showcase for innovative and entertaining visual theatre. Artists perform at a number of venues across the capital, including the South Bank Centre, the Barbican and the ICA.

NORWAY

Tromsø International Film Festival Tromsø

18-23 January www.tiff.no

The Tromsø International Film Festival is Norway's largest, attracting annual audiences of around 30,000 – not bad considering that the city itself only has 60,000 inhabitants.

For one week, scores of global fi lms add international flair to this remote destination.

Founded in 1991, the Tromsø International Film Festival is also notable for its northerly location. With the festival taking place in winter it's possible to see the Northern Lights dancing across the sky – another incredible big-screen performance.

Mozart Week Salzburg

www.mozarteum.at Salzburg celebrates the birthday of its most famous son during Mozart Week. Renowned musicians, orchestras and conductors come to the Mozarteum, Haus für Mozart, Solitär and Grosses Festspielhaus to celebrate and perform music by the composer and his contemporaries.

Highlights of the hugely varied programme include performances by the Vienna Philharmonic.

SWEDEN

Kiruna Snow Festival Kiruna

29-31 January

www.snofestivalen.se The Kiruna Snow Festival has long been a popular favourite among the locals, but visitors from all over the world also know about it now. Many visitors come to Kiruna for this weekend, and the festival gives a sense of fellowship and civic pride.

Last year about 20,000 visitors arrived to celebrate the winter and the Snow Festival.

SWITZERLAND

St. Moritz Gourmet Festival St. Moritz

31 January-4 February

www.stmoritz-gourmetfestival.ch During the St Moritz Gourmet Festival, chefs from all over Europe cook together with young local colleagues, promising a fantastic combination of perfect ski conditions and exquisite food. Highlights include the Gourmet Safaris, chocolate tastings and mountain lunches.

FINLAND

Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) Lapland

1 February-31 March

www.laplandfinland.com On cloudless nights in late spring and early autumn, greenish-yellow, red and violet lights swirl across the midnight skies in Finnish Lapland. According to Sami legend, the effect is caused by the swish of a giant fox's tail hitting the snow...

The best places to see the Northern Lights are along a stretch of the northern coast of Norway and in northwest Finland.

11

andmore...

SPAIN

Granada Festival of the Capture Granada

2 January

www.turgranada.es

CZECH REPUBLIC

Anniversary of Jan Palach's Death Prague

19 January

www.visitprague.cz

WORLDWIDE

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

27 January

www.un.org/holocaustremembrance

FRANCE

Nice Carnival Nice

18 February-8 March www.nicecarnaval.com

BELGIUM ITALY

Milan Fashion Week Milan

23 February-1 March milanfashionweek.com

GERMANY

61st Berlin International Film Festival Berlin

10-20 February

© robert-paul-young

www.berlinale.de The International Film Festival in Berlin this is one of Europe's most important film festivals and has a cast of well-known directors and actors. More than 19,000 film professionals from 128 countries, including about 4,000 journalists, are accredited for this truly mega-event every year. At the same time, it is a festival of encounters and discussions, with almost 300,000 tickets sold. The main events take place at Potsdamer Strasse 5, and there are many screenings in cinemas throughout the city.

At Milan Fashion Week, Gucci, Armani, D&G, Prada and many other top international designers offer a preview of trends to come.

Although you need an invitation to see the catwalk shows, this is nonetheless a good time to visit the city, which comes alive with hordes of fashion tourists and glamorous parties throughout the week.

ICELAND

Brussels Book Fair Brussels

17-21 February www.flb.be

ITALY

Venice Carnival Venice

26 February-8 March www.carnivalofvenice.com

SWEDEN

Stockholm International Boat Show Stockholm

5-13 March

www.alltforsjon.se

Beer Day Reykjavik

IRELAND

www.visitreykjavik.is

17-20 March

1 March

Beer Day in Iceland marks the abolition, on 1 March 1989, of a 75-year prohibition period for beer. Making up for lost time, the citizens of Reykjavik indulge in a beer spree on the same day each year. Highly festive celebrations are held at pubs, restaurants, and clubs all around Reykjavik, and the festivities continue long into the night.

St. Patrick’s Festival Dublin www.stpatricksfestival.ie

PORTUGAL

Lisbon Half Marathon – 21st Edition Lisbon

20 March

www.lisbon-half-marathon.com

12

The Controversy

Schuman’s Europe (1950-2010)

Dead... but not yet buried Sixty years after its founding, European construction is set to reconstruct.

Admission of failure seems quasi universal today.

But when you look at it more closely, the glass is still half-full.

By Nathalie Brack & Cristina Stănculescu The European Union seems to be in a crisis period. Actually, Simplistic picture some even speak of a decade of crisis that started with the Irish This is, however, just one part of the picture, focused on small, rejection of the Nice Treaty and continued with the Swedish everyday events and debates. Things seem different if we put negative response to the euro, the French and Dutch ‘no’ to the them in a broader context. The founding fathers were guided Constitution, and the Irish rejection of the Lisbon Treaty. On top by several key objectives and principles: peace and the reconof that, Europe seems to be facing the toughest economic crisis ciliation between France and Germany through the creation of since its creation. Meanwhile, the EU’s legitimacy and usefulde facto solidarity and gradual interdependence, the guarantee ness continue to be put into question. More than ever, the EU of economic stability, a federal vision of Europe and a working seems to be haunted by the persistence of nationalist reflexes method characterised by pragmatism and a key role for supraand ‘survival of the fittest’ mentality, and not the interest of the national institutions (particularly the Commission). majority. To take a recent example, Viviane Reding argued that In 2010, although in crisis, Europe seems the proposition of Paris and Berlin Their vision of Europe has been to remain faithful to those principles, and to create a permanent bailout fund several elements testify to that. First of for members of the eurozone is "inassassinated by the national all, this year was proof that in a crisis pesulting" other nations by trying to interests that dominate the riod, solidarity between Member States impose decisions on all other EU European agenda can work. After endless debates and neMember States. gotiations, EU Member States took seriThe EU at first sight: 27 nation army ous and determined decisions this year, as they engaged their countries in more economic integration, acknowledging the She is not the only one to see it that way. This is why some may need for more institutionalised European economic governance. argue that Robert Schuman and, with him, the federal dream And although the euro has often been questioned this year, it of the founding fathers, are dead. Their vision of Europe has remains a huge achievement of the European project that is been assassinated by the national interests that dominate the attracting the attention of various states, especially those in European agenda. For Robert Schuman, the novelty and uniquetrouble, such as Iceland. Sure, the financial crisis has provoked ness of the European project as he, with others, conceived it, national(ist) reactions and fears of protectionism, but Europe was the way it should work: “instead of painstakingly bargainhas been able to put in place common governance and common ing over a mediocre deal between different national interests, principles. we set out together to develop a common project, drawing on each other’s experience and knowledge, without distinguishing Moreover, and this is our second point, while those national(ist) between nationalities”. And yet today, it seems that the very reactions may seem to threaten the common European project, opposite of this is happening. we should always keep in mind, on the one hand, that the

© EC Audiovisual Service

13

9 May 1950: Statement by Robert Schuman at the Salon de l’Horloge

Member States have always played an important role in Europe, and on the other hand, that Robert Schuman’s Europe was not designed to deny nations and states, but rather to encourage economic and political cooperation and integration, through gradual achievements.

Third, the Franco-German axis is also one of the main achievements of Schuman’s plan: the propositions made by the two countries, in the past and present, should be seen as a driving force of Europe rather than attempts to impose their ways on other nations or to rule by the laws of the large Member States.

Finally, 2010 is also the year for implementing the Lisbon Treaty. This shows that Europe has been able to achieve a consensus on its institutional reform to cope with the challenges of enlargement. There has been concern that the Commission is losing relevance and it has been acknowledged that its role has weakened over time. Despite this, it remains the sole body with the right of initiative.

Europe’s main engine of integration has often been crisis. The EU was born as a response to an exceptional situation where the people of Europe were looking for a way to achieve a common interest. At that time, they wanted peace and prosperity.

In 2010, in a period marked by the economic crisis, their greatgrandchildren, current EU citizens, want economic stability.

And their leaders are looking towards Europe to find it. That’s exactly the type of construction that Robert Schuman wanted to build 60 years ago.

Going further u Robert

Schuman, Declaration of 9 May 1950.

u Bino

Olivi & Alessandro Giacone, L’Europe difficile, Paris, Gallimard, 2007.

u Pierre

Gerbet, La construction de l’Europe, Armand Colin, Paris, 2007

14

EUROPE & THE WORLD

International journalism

Don’t let the Press-bugs bite The 13th EU-China summit proved an interesting one for the international Press Corps, not of course because there seemed to be a lack of concrete agreement over a number of important policy points, but more due to the end-of-Summit Joint Press Conference that never actually materialised.

By Mark Humphreys Why was this, you may ask...and we still are! Was it due to the reported political differences between Brussels and Beijing that were still yet to be ironed-out, or was this omission down to reasons of scheduling, they had simply run out of time. Maybe, but there has however been speculation of a third possibility and one backed by a number of news sources, as well as historical precedent when it comes to China and press freedom. Apparently four accredited Chinese journalists had ended-up on a not-so-creditable ‘banned list’ and were initially prevented by EU security officials from entering the Council. These journalists work for the government-critical Epoch Times and New Tang Dynasty Television, both of which also have links to the Falun Gong movement.

If you can’t ban them, then…

“How so?” you might shout, “this is not China, this is the EU...Human Rights, Freedom of the Press and all that!” Well it seems that there was in fact a misunderstanding and the Council’s security who initially tried to prevent these

journalists from entering, finally acquiesced on the side of common sense and allowed the ‘gang of four’ into the end of Summit press conference, although mysteriously the press conference was then subsequently and promptly cancelled.

Lixin Yang, a journalist for the Epoch Times and one of the four initially banned, was highly critical afterwards, “The Chinese impose media censorship everywhere they go.” No surprise there!

“But what surprised me was that it was in Following news of the the Council, an EU It has been suggestaward, the Chinese building, and that the ed in some quarters Council staff wouldn’t embassy in Oslo was of the internationadmit it.” And more temporarily shutdown al press that the worryingly for the EU’s Chinese delegation, liberal credentials, he headed by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, went on to suggest, as reported in the had made it very clear to the Council that EUobserver and other media, that it they would refuse to attend any press smacks of “...censorship imposed from conference if these journalists they apauthoritarian regimes on the EU. What parently wanted barred, were allowed does this mean for the EU-China ‘stratein. Although difficult to prove, a number gic’ relationship?” of journalists, including not surprisingly those at The Epoch Times, followed Is anywhere safe this line. Plain and simply, as Lorenzo Unfortunately there are other examples Consoli, President of the International of China’s eagerness not to cow-tow to Press Association in Brussels, notes “the press freedom outside its borders, and Chinese clearly refused to have the press in the heart of western democratic soconference, running the risk that some cieties to boot. A similar incident to the independent Chinese journalists would Brussels one took place in Canada in ask a question”.

June this year during a visit to Ottawa

© Council of the European Union

15

by the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, Hu Jintao. Hélène Buzzetti of Montreal’s Le Devoir newspaper, reported that Chinese embassy officials had tried to get the same two Chinese news outfits excluded from the Ottawa press conference. Apparently the Chinese embassy even turned to the Office of the Canadian Prime Minister, Brian Harper, who tried to negotiate a compromise with the organisers – they couldn’t, and the press conference was eventually cancelled.

2010, and Norway has been negotiating a hugely important bilateral free trade agreement with China for the past two years. Other high-level political meetings between the two countries are expected to be cut, and ahead of the Nobel Prize giving Concert in December, the Chinese embassy in Oslo has apparently been trying to encourage other embassies to boycott the event.

So it seems that when it comes to China and human rights and the freedom of the press, the road to change continues to be a long and tortuous one, and at the risk of citing a grand old Bush’ism, either you are with us or your against us!

© Council of the European Union

And now Norway has also found itself very recently on the wrong side of the line. The Nobel Peace Prize for 2010 was awarded

on 8 October to Liu Xiaobo, for his struggle for fundamental human rights in China. However, Mr Xiaobo is viewed by the authorities in China as a criminal, and therefore this ‘insult’ has not been taken lightly. Following news of the award, the Chinese embassy in Oslo was temporarily shutdown, and Norwegian Fisheries Minister Lisbeth Berg-Hansen, who was visiting the 2010 Shanghai Expo had her long-scheduled meeting to discuss trade in seafood between Norway and China cancelled. Norwegian seafood exports to China have risen by 50 percent in the past year alone, reaching a value of 1.5 billion Norwegian crowns (€193 million) so far in

The 13th EU-China Summit took place in Brussels on 6 October – no comment!

16

Shifting With

Caroline

© Edwin Martinez

Wozniacki Now she has turned Danes onto tennis she wants the world to know “Woz the boss”!

The WTA’s n°1 ranking has been held by 6 different players since 2008 – this looks set to change as the new champion has her eyes on holding the spot for some years to come.

Interview by Laurent VAN BRUSSEL

You became WTA world n°1 some weeks ago. For most tennis players – and, for sportsmen and women in general – becoming n°1 is an impossible dream; how do you feel about such an achievement so early in your career, at 20, and being a professional for only 4 years?

Becoming the n°1 ranked player in the world has always been a dream of mine. When I was young, I used to always imagine what it would be like, and it really felt amazing. 2010 has been a long and tiring year, but being the top ranked player was a huge reward.

Since 2006 you have been progressing constantly. At this rate we could expect that 2011 will be your year. Where do you set the “pass mark”? What are your next target(s)?

I would like to stay healthy, improve my game and win my 1st Grand Slam title.

Melbourne, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, Flushing Meadows: which of these Grand Slam Tournaments suits you the best technically speaking; and emotionally speaking?

I love playing all the Slams, and I’m not particularly picky about them. I think I’m best on hard courts, but I also love playing at Wimbledon because the atmosphere is very unique.

You are the sixth youngest player, since 1975, to become n°1, after players like Martina Hingis, Monica Seles and Steffi Graf. What does it mean to you? Is that an additional source of pressure?

Becoming the world n°1 always comes with pressure, and maintaining it will be a great challenge. Also, it is an honour for me to join the likes of Steffi and Monica, but I’m Caroline Wozniacki.

17

In terms of playing style you are often compared with Rafael Nadal in the men’s circuit. How do you take this?

Rafa is the toughest player on the ATP Tour. I think I was successful this season because I was able to raise my game in the 2nd half of 2010, and started playing more aggressive tennis, improved my serve, and maintained my biggest weapon, my defence game.

You are the 20th modern woman player to become world n°1 and you are 20. And you have taken part in 20 singles finals as a professional player. Are you superstitious?

20 is not my lucky number, but it is kind of funny and great.

Montreal is the most prestigious title of your early career. Is it also the one you are the proudest of?

It might come as a surprise, but the most memorable moment for me was winning the first annual E-Boks Danish Open in Copenhagen in front of my home crowd. It might be the smallest event I won this year, but to me, it was the most precious.

What is your most frustrating defeat so far – if there is one?

I don’t ever like to lose, so all losses come as a disappointment to me.

Your last doubles victory dates back to February 2009 and your best ranking is 52nd. Is the doubles game not a priority for you or is it simply not your style of game?

I like playing doubles, but singles is more important at the moment.

In 2008, to the question “Where do you see your talent taking you ten years from now?” your answer was “I would've liked to have won a Grand Slam and become number one in the world, then have a family and relax afterwards!” You can seriously start thinking about retirement then? Do you ever think about what you would like to do after tennis – professionally speaking?

Not right now. I love what I do, I get an adrenaline rush every time I’m about to set foot on a tennis court. I like travelling and I even like the hard work that comes with being a professional tennis player. I obviously have plans for the future, but everything is on hold right now. I’m living the dream and I would not trade it for anything else at this point.

Your parents left Poland to settle in Denmark in the late 80s, some years before your birth. What part do your Polish origins play in your life?

I’m proud of my Polish heritage, but I am Danish. I take pride in representing the Danish people and I hope to be able to do so at the Olympics and Fed Cup in the future. My Danish fans are very supportive, and it means a lot me.

In eight dates 1990 – Born on 11 July in Odense, Denmark.

1997 – Caroline starts playing tennis. She is 7.

2004 – First junior singles title at the Osaka Mayor’s Cup in Japan.

© Edwin Martinez

2005 – Several junior titles including the Orange Bowl tennis championship and debut on the pro circuit.

2006 – Junior girls Wimbledon singles title.

2008 – First WTA title in Stockholm. Awarded WTA Tour Most Impressive Newcomer of the Year.

2009 – First Grand Slam final at the US Open.

2010 – Player with the most titles of the year – six single titles in total. Ranked WTA world n°1.

u @ Follow

Caroline Wozniacki www.carolinewozniacki.dk www.facebook.com/CarolineWozniacki twitter.com/caroliwozniacki

18

e p y o a r w a u e far

THE STORY

is h t f o s e piec d n o y e b europe tinent the con

loser c l e e f s who n a e p t of o s r e u u E q e n s Tho hey hose i t t , d i a a c i r f r to Ame ation, those a heir link t p emanci ve to give up those , a might h home country e with th

19

47th parallel north saint pierre and Miquelon: france in north america For residents of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, the 4 500 km separating them from the European continent are a reality; a situation heavily influencing their European identity.

By cLarisse sÉrignaT On the roof of the town hall, a blue, white and red flag tells visitors: this is France! And yet… this tiny piece of territory in the vast Atlantic Ocean, the Saint Pierre and Miquelon archipelago, is situated 30 kilometres south of the Canadian province of Newfoundland. It is the only French territory in North America; a unique situation in itself.

Here people are born French, but are really only French a little, and even less, European. Locals here prefer to consider themselves as “Saint Pierrais” or “Miquelonnais”.

faced e s o h t , oned d n a b ma, a feeling reener” dilem tter e “g with a patriated for b o have x h those e , and those w e or wors nd elsewhere… i their m

“I was born in Saint Pierre, I use the euro, I have a French passport, yet I don’t feel European”, explains 32 year old Gaël. “The French people in mainland France already have trouble identifying themselves as European citizens, so imagine us!” For this young business leader, distance is not the main reason behind this feeling. “For me, Europe today is simply an ‘enormous machine’ totally disconnected from reality, and even more so, from our overseas reality.”

Proximity to Canada means that residents from Saint Pierre and Miquelon go more regularly to Newfoundland or Canada’s coastal provinces than to mainland France or Europe; this partly explains their sense of belonging to North America. The trip is shorter and cheaper, and their way of life similar. On the archipelago, as in Canada, people watch the same television channels and support the same ice-hockey teams, the houses are made of wood and the cars they drive are similar.

20

The Story

Faraway Europe – Pieces of this Europe beyond the continent

Alongside these different aspects of everyday life are local policies which for several years now have sought to develop cooperation and regional integration.

Suddenly, the economic and cultural links between the archipelago and its neighbours are becoming increasingly intense. Large numbers of students are also choosing to study in Canadian universities rather than European ones.

france and eUrope: The fUTUre depends on TheM

inter-island service. Since 1992, the archipelago has been living through a serious economic crisis. The cause: a Canadian moratorium on cod fishing. The result: fishing-related businesses, traditionally the economic lifeblood of the two islands, have disappeared and the boats sold.

Now it’s the entire local economy that needs to be recreated, rethought and di-

Country and Territory (OCT) within Europe, Saint Pierre and Miquelon is eligible for the European Development Fund (EDF). For the 10th EDF, this represents an amount of €16 million for the 2008-2013 period; a major financial godsend for the development of local infrastructure and preservation of the environment.

“The French people in mainland France already have trouble identifying themselves as European citizens, so imagine us!”

Despite these strong links with the new continent, the people of Saint Pierre and Miquelon are fully aware that the survival of the country depends, and will depend on, financial support from mainland France and Europe.

versified. So far, the archipelago has not succeeded here. Mainland France is using subsidies to compensate for the loss of earnings from fishing.

At Saint Pierre port, there is only one passenger boat running a regular

Thanks to its special status of territorial collectivity within France and Overseas

According to Gérard Grignon, former deputy of the archipelago: “the Fund is an opportunity for the archipelago. For example, it is with this money that the deepwater pier could be financed”. But for the politician, Europe could provide more help to the archipelago. “The problem is that it is too technocratic, too complicated and too burdensome in terms of administration for our little country!”

© Clarisse Serignat

Being More Than a doT on a Map Seen from Paris or Brussels, the difficulties faced by the archipelago and its 6 000 residents seem trivial.

Despite this, the current deputy, Annick Girardin, is travelling more frequently to the Belgian capital. “This is needed, she explains, to remind Europe’s representatives of the existence and specific case of our islands. This is vital work! European decisions can have

21

disastrous consequences for our island micro-economies.”

To clear it up

Another hobby-horse of the parliamentarian and overseas representatives is to have these small entities taken into account in the future partnership between the European Union and OCTs. “We want the EU to consider us no longer burdens, but rather “bridgeheads” of Europe throughout the world.”

The EU has two distinct categories of overseas collectivities: the “outermost regions” (OR) and the “overseas countries and territories” (OCT), France being the only Member State to have both – Saint-Barthélemy will soon become an OCT and Mayotte an OR. In total, there are 21 OCTs and 7 ORs. Although greater in number, the OCTs account for only 1 million inhabitants; the ORs have 4 times this.

Finally, this idea may make its way to European leaders and institutions. For their part, locals in Saint Pierre and Miquelon are endeavouring, through the economic diversification currently underway, to develop the tourism sector. One of the selling points of the archipelago is: “France in North America.” Their Canadian neighbours are keen on this. Why not one day: “Europe in North America”... That day would see a step taken towards Europe.

The ORs

The ORs are an integral part of the EU as stipulated in article 299(2) of the EC Treaty and, as a result, all Community law applies to them, though with exemptions on a case-by-case basis according to their structural shortfalls (for example, in terms of State aid, agriculture, fisheries, tax). The OCTs are not considered to be part of the EU territory; they are simply associated. As such, Community law is not u 99 953 km² of territory directly applicable to these regions which do not benefit u 4.3 million inhabitants from the Structural Funds but which do benefit from European financing through the European Development Fund (EDF).

The OCTs u 4 353

959 km² of territory u 1.8 million inhabitants Combined they account for 80% of European biodiversity

For the 2008-2013 period, €286 million are being allocated to the 21 OCTs under the 10th EDF, in comparison to the €7.8 billion of Structural Funds being allocated to the ORs over the same period.

Source: CIA World Factbook 2010

Caribbean rhythm ‘n’ vibes The date 10-10-10 (10 October 2010) went down as a milestone in Dutch constitutional history. Since that day, the Kingdom of the Netherlands includes four constituent countries: Aruba, Curacao, Sint-Maarten and – separated by a mere 7 800 kilometres – the Netherlands. The islands of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba have acquired the status of “public bodies”, thereby increasing the population of the Netherlands by an extra 18 000 inhabitants or so.

The Dutch influence is omnipresent on each of these islands, ranging from its use as an important

language in schools, government and businesses through to the centuriesold colonial buildings. The Dutch also account for a large chunk of the islands’ major tourism sector. The six islands for now do not form part of the actual territory of the EU but their nationals are classed as EU citizens – a re-evaluation of their EU status is to take place in 2015. The Netherlands Antilles is no more but the Royal Dutch lion is not about to stop dancing the Caribbean samba until dawn!

By chrisTiaan vinkenBorg

© Charles Hoffman

The dutch lion doesn’t sleep tonight

Fort Amsterdam is the historic fort on the island of Sint-Maarten, build by the Dutch in 1631.

The Story

Faraway Europe – Pieces of this Europe beyond the continent

FAQ

falkland islanders:

who do they think they are?

Their feet are in South America but their minds are British. Despite this torn reality, Falkland Islanders have no doubt about themselves.

By friederike endress While conspiracy theorists are showof independence of its institutions – the ing sustained interest in the Falkland Falklands are internally self-governing exIslands – from secret Nazi interests over cept for foreign affairs and defence – there OFO sightings to ‘war for oil’ allegations, is still a strong link with the UK. It can be they have covered pretty much everything – “Britain has had the strongest the British Overseas influence on our culture – the Territory has not gentraditional red telephone boxes and erated much headline news in recent years. letter boxes make Stanley look like However, with the disa little piece of Britain” pute between Argentina and the UK regarding sovereignty over the islands remaining felt at many levels. As Stanley residents unsettled, the archipelago resurfaces in explain: “Britain has had the strongest the media every now and then: as reinfluence on our culture – the traditional cently as 6 November, the Argentinean Foreign Minister Héctor Timerman was quoted in the Argentinean press saying that Argentina would “regain sovereignty of the Falkland Islands through peaceful means”.

red telephone boxes and letter boxes make Stanley look like a little piece of Britain.

The food is predominantly British-style, and people drive Land Rovers.” Britain also remains the most popular holiday destination.

“I feel British”, says another resident. “I've lived in Britain and I've studied there, and I've always felt 100% at home there. I also have my identity as a Falkland Islander, which is a strong thing and a part of who I am, but I don't suppose it counts as a nationality.”

For the Falkland Islanders, this creates uncertainty as to their future – and a peculiar sense of belonging to Europe.

Some time ago, the BBC set about to find out more on the Islanders’ perception of their own identity. Readers were invited to send in questions about life in the Falklands. Answers were provided by residents, including officials, and show that there is one clear bottom line: despite the geographic distance and the high level

© Béatrice Murch Photography

22

The Argentinean flag, the Clock Tower from England and the Eternal Flame for the Falkland Islands/Islas Malvinas War Memorial

23

Empire heritage The British crown worldwide: outdated or here to stay?

The 1982 Falklands War between Argentina and the UK is still present in people’s minds – not least because it has left very visible traces such as the numerous minefields. Looking ahead, there is a general feeling among the islanders that violent conflict is unlikely, but the uncertain future of the island is an issue: “What people do worry about is changing politics”, says one resident. “What if, in years to come, the British government no longer has any concern regarding the Falklands and finally bows to the sovereignty claims and hands the Falklands to Argentina?”

The right to self-determination, often invoked as an argument for British rule, is not accepted by Argentina which argues that the indigenous Argentinean population was expelled after the re-establishment of British rule in 1833.

As reported by AFP (9 November), British Foreign Secretary William Hague said that the dispute should not keep Britain from boosting its relations with Latin America: “There will be no change to Britain's long-standing position on the Falkland Islands, but this should not be an obstacle to the positive relations we seek", he said.

© Fil.Al

1982: noT a Long TiMe ago

“The King is no longer merely King of Great Britain and Ireland and of a few dependencies […]. He is now the greatest constitutional bond uniting together in a single Empire, communities of free men separated by half the circumference of the Globe”. Such was the analysis that Prime 22nd official royal visit to Canada by Queen Elizabeth and Minister Arthur Balfour Prince Philip (June - July 2010) – here in Ottawa. delivered to King Edward VII at his coronation, in August 1902, Consequently, despite the existence of at the time of the Empire “on which republican movements covered extenthe sun never sets”. So what about sively in the media (notably in Canada today? The British monarchy has cerand Australia), the idea of breaking tainly had its fair share of crises over with the monarchy looks no closer to the last 30 years, prompting many happening for now, instead remainto think that the institution would ing within the confines of opinion polls surely disappear under Elizabeth II. and election speeches. And, in light However, somewhere between the of recent events, more than a choice media boom and underlying changes, between monarchy and republic, the the House of Windsor has managed current question for subjects of Her to restore its prestige. The Queen atMajesty is whether or not Charles will taches great importance to her role of let William take up the top position.

‘Head of the Commonwealth’, symbolBut, here again, between fantasy and ising the unity of an organisation of reality, there is the law*.

53 sovereign states, and Head of State By phiLippe chassaigne of 16 ‘realms of the Commonwealth’ (United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Belize, Jamaica, Tuvalu, etc.). Added to this, the length of her reign (68 years) – a sure sign of con*The process for handing over the crown can only be tinuity in a rapidly changing world changed by a law, adopted by the 16 realms of the Commonwealth.

– confers true stature upon her.

u After

a site on YouTube in 2007, a profile on Twitter in 2009 and a photostream on Flickr earlier this year, the British Monarchy has joined Facebook. Check it out: www.facebook.com/TheBritishMonarchy

24

The Story

Faraway Europe – Pieces of this Europe beyond the continent

So-so retirement

They want their money back too Retiring overseas, what could be more natural? Not so easy to say in English.

By LaUrenT van BrUsseL In some people’s minds, retiring to the other side of the world means living a healthy life in the sun. This is generally true for almost all pensioners worldwide who decide to move elsewhere, but maybe slightly less so if you are a (current or future) British pensioner – or an immigrant worker returning from the UK – and have decided to move to one of the 156 “frozen” countries with no reciprocal agreement with the UK – Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa leading the way. As explained on the International Consortium of British Pensioners (ICBP) website, this can lead to quite arbitrary situations: a British pensioner living on the American side of Niagara Falls gets almost twice as much as another pensioner – with the same pension history – living on the Canadian side.

John Markham, UK Director of Parliamentary Affairs, and others before him, have fought for over 20 years against the Frozen Pension Policy of the UK which today concerns about half of the 1.1 million UK pensioners living overseas – they represent 4% of all UK pensioners. However, until now, efforts made to have their state pensions linked to inflation, like those of pensioners back home, have proved fruitless. The latest episode was the rejection of their appeal by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in March 2010. And although recent studies have shown that it would quite cheap for Britain to uprate

Scale of UK pensions u Current

basic state pension: £97.65 a week (€115.57)

u Overseas

pensioners retired in the early 90s: £50 a week on average (€59.10)

u Overseas

pensioners retired in the early 80s: £30 a week on average (€35.50)

u Overseas

pensioners retired in the early 70s: £6 a week on average (€7.10)

Source: BBC

pensions than keep them frozen – according to projections the UK government could save £31 billion (€36.5 billion) over the next 15 years, compared to only £33 (€38.9 billion) billion if they weren’t uprated – no short-term solution seems to be in the offering.

The fighT is noT over Mr Markham remains optimistic and determined: “I have just spent 9 weeks in the UK attending the Party Conferences and meeting with a number of ministers, senior politicians, NGOs. Within the current economic environment, they are surprisingly supportive; it needs to be remembered that whilst they were in opposition we had the total support of the Lib Dems and many senior Conservatives. The Governments of Australia and Canada are extremely supportive and continue to bring strong pressure to bear on the UK. We are also beginning to address the Court of Public Opinion more aggressively”.

25

Looking out of place

how climate change is greening greenland As the country most heavily affected by climate change, Greenland has a huge challenge to overcome. But the phenomenon does have positive side-effects: though not yet a sunbathing destination, rising temperatures present new opportunities for Greenland’s economy. Prime Minister Kuupik Kleist tells us how the island is coping. inTervieW By friederike endress

Fohn Fjord, Renodde, Greenland

How is climate change already affecting Greenland’s economy and society today?

Basically, every area of society is affected by climate change, and we need to work hard to adapt to the new situation.

Greenland is a very big area; the impact on the North and on the South is very different. To put it simply, the southern part of Greenland is dominantly affected in a positive way by climate change in terms of agriculture and sheep breeding, but the fisheries have suffered. Fisheries and sea mammals account for 90% of Greenland’s economy, so we are heavily affected by this.

What kinds of policy efforts are underway to make the most of this situation?

We are looking at the potential of southern Greenland in terms of food provision for the rest of the country – and it might sound a bit odd, but we are also

Transportation of goods in Greenland is mainly by ship. Most of the coast is now ice-free virtually all year round, so you can currently reach almost every settlement and town by ship. The new situation also holds prospects in terms of the international transportation of goods.

Another big issue is the strong international focus on mineral resources in Greenland; areas which were previously closed are now accessible, and this goes hand-in-hand with a greater demand from the global market for minerals and oil that can be found here.

What is the main challenge in terms of adaptation strategies?

A major difficulty is that climate change is much more rapid than scientists have predicted, so we seem to be one step behind all the time.

Adaptation strategies have to be constantly revised.

Given the fact that we are so dependent on living resources, what we are looking at first and foremost is a way to predict change in

this regard. Through scientific research, we are trying to find out how different species of fish react to climate change.

What is your stance with regard to the UN Climate Conference in Cancún?

My analysis is that you cannot talk about any kind of agreement with regard to climate change without addressing the issue of global distribution of wealth, and also of political power. The developing and poor countries are demanding their right to economic development – which ultimately brings with it a need for bigger quotas of CO2 emissions. At the same time, it requires that the wealthy part of the world make more serious reductions than it has done so far.

© Kevin S. O'Brien

© Rita Millaert

considering the possibility of exporting agricultural products to other countries.

We see a lot of potential for growing vegetables and breeding cattle.

NUUK, Greenland. Prime Minister of Greenland Kuupik Kleist accompanied by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, in the background.

The Story

Faraway Europe – Pieces of this Europe beyond the continent

Snowball effect

neutrality under pressure In a recent article, Beatrice Classman, correspondent at Deutsch Press-Agentur, shows how a nasty diplomatic conflict between Switzerland and Libya has highlighted how geopolitics and foreign trade may hit both European governments and their citizens.

By yUri MaLU The dispute seemed to be over when the mediation of the EU has quickened in June 2010 Swiss Foreign Minister, positively the resolution of the “Hannibal Micheline Calmy-Rey, announced the affair”, the journalist says “the visa ban release of businessman Max Göldi and had severe consequences for Europeans the return to normal bilateral relations. residing in Libya, but who were outside Beatrice Classman recounts the affair: Swiss citizens “Nobody has the illusion that they Max Göldi and Rachid are untouchable here... not even if Hamdani, working in Libya, you try to stick to the law” were jailed in Tripoli for alleged visa offences a few days after the strong arrest in a Geneva the country when the ban was installed. hotel of Hannibal Gaddafi, son of the Foreigners who were inside Libya did not Libyan leader, and his wife, on charges dare to leave the country”. of abusing their domestic servants in fear of The LiByan pLaneT July 2008. Two years on, with diplomatic pressure following commercial embargo, The above shows the reality of interthe EU has finally been forced into this national relations. Several European crisis. countries and companies have extensive trade relations with Libya and nearly all TraveL Ban BeTWeen eUrope Libyan oil is sold to European countries.

and LiBya

Libya banned travel (mid-February – 31 March 2010) for all Europeans from the Schengen area in response to a Swiss travel blacklist including high-ranking Libyans like Colonel Qaddafi.

According to the correspondent, political blackmail is thus not unusual and expats may be caught in the middle. “Nobody has the illusion that they are untouchable here”, says a German representative of an international company in Tripoli.

He adds “not even if you try to stick to the law” . Clasmann cites the case of a Belgian hotel and restaurant manager in Tripoli who was recently imprisoned for serving cans of lemonade past their expiry date! He was released only after Brussels intervened.

Western foreigners are encouraged by companies and governments to stay in gated communities, like Palm City, just outside Tripoli, where rents (fluctuating between €2150 and €9 600 per month) are in most cases paid by employers. Is the game worth the candle? Maybe Max Göldi can answer this question.

© StartAgain

26

Germany and Spain helped resolve the visa dispute, while Italy and Malta (and others) have accused Switzerland of abusing the Schengen system and holding the EU hostage in a bilateral dispute. Miguel Angel Moratinos, Spanish Foreign Minister, flew to Libya to apologise for the EU travel ban. Swiss parliamentarian, Mario Fehr, called it “a regrettable collective gesture of boot licking”. Even if Dhat Al-Imad Towers, Tripoli

27

Long distance call

okay by me in america?

Personal views from two who took the big leap.

By friederike endress Alfonso, originally from Italy, is working as an Export Manager in New York City. Johanna moved from Finland to Bogotá, Colombia to volunteer as a Climate Change Reporting Officer for the UN. They recently shared some thoughts with us on how their transition is going and their faraway homes.

on Their hosT coUnTry...

“In the 10 years leading up to the US experience, I devoted a lot more passion and energy to my daily work, but I never had the chance to get it acknowledged and rewarded. […] There’s a part of me that isn’t getting what it needs. We need friends, not just colleagues. We need philosophy and good food, not just statistics and McDonald’s. We need community and not just high density population.”

“The complexity of Colombia, with its immense natural resources, biodiversity, multitude of inhabitants, and the famous internal conflict, offers a really interesting and challenging working environment.

The social norms here are really different to those of Finland.

Here people do not always say what they mean, or mean what they say. You have to learn to read between the lines.”

on hoMesickness...

“I miss a country that takes care of you no matter what. The peace of mind that your country will help you if you get sick, help you find a job if you lose it. I also miss the opportunity to enjoy a weekend out visiting a different culture. This is something that the EU must preserve. The difference between states is the beauty of our Europe.”

“What I miss most [about Finland] is the clean air of Helsinki.

And Europe, I really miss the food, especially cheeses that actually taste like something. And the availability of ethnic food.

I'm not going to say I miss the efficiency of Northern Europe, because I feel that things actually work really well here.”

on Things They are happy To have LefT Behind...

“Italian politics.”

“The Finnish winters, because they can be quite tough with the darkness and the freezing cold. I'm happy to have left behind the negative traits of Finns, such as envy, pessimism, and prejudice.”

...and is There soMeThing To The cLichÉs?

“The Italians are recognised for the fact that they are gentlemen and they like to cook and talk. That is right. We do.”

“[People say] that we are excellent Formula 1 drivers who drink a lot of vodka, but for some reason have very smart kids.

Actually, that is how I myself would describe Finnish people in one sentence.”

The Story

Faraway Europe – Pieces of this Europe beyond the continent

Mind elsewhere

reaching out for the Looking from space, Europe is shaped by the sea, no borders seem to exist – astronauts see the world with different eyes. What is the perception of Europe(ans) if viewed from space?

By JULiane gaU “Europe is one of my passions”, said Frank De Winne, astronaut at the European Space Agency. “We astronauts do not consider each other as ‘Italian’ or ‘Belgian’, but as European with Italian or Belgian origins”, said Frank De Winne, who in 2009 was the first European commander of the International Space Station (ISS).

“Astronauts are people with the same mindset” , he added. Travelling about 390 km above our heads exploring space, the ISS is a joint project of the United States, Russia, Japan, Canada and Europe.

Looking for ansWers Doubting, questioning and discovering how things work and a helicopter flight when he was 12 years old led to Frank De Winne combining engineering and flying in his career. Is the universe infinite? Where does time start and end? Are we the only

intelligent beings in space? Why are we here? Exploring space is very much about doubting, questioning and discovering. Like scientists today, Galileo and Copernicus looked up to the stars, trying to find answers on the universe and explain why mankind exists on this planet called earth.

“Shaping space by bringing European values to preparation, support and operation of the space flights that advance peaceful human exploration” are the aims of the European Astronaut Corps, as set out in its Charta. From May to December 2009, Frank De Winne was on the space station; missing most from Europe – his family.

MasTering graviTy

Is there any question Frank De Winne would like to find an answer to? “Gravity.

If we understood how to master gravity, we could use it like electricity”, he said.

Thunderstorms and lighting – electricity has always existed in nature, but it was only when u “A brief history of time”, by Stephen Hawking

humans could master electricity that it changed the world – and u “The Physics of Star Trek”, by Lawrence M. Krauss

is now used to power computers, u European Space Agency: www.esa.int

mobile phones, etc. Will gravity ever be mastered? Time will tell u COSMOS. Be a star.

– whatever time might be.

Space exploration, philosophy and arts Exposition in the Atomium, Brussels (until 25 April 2011) www.atomium.be/cosmos.aspx

Going further

© NASA

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30

THE ARTS

Bestseller

Tatiana’s keys

Her two last books – “Sarah’s Key” and “A Secret Kept” – have turned the French-English writer Tatiana de Rosnay into a million-selling author. But one thing has stayed the same since she started writing: her knack for telling stories. inTervieW By LaUrenT van BrUsseL

I’m convinced now that it was all about timing. It’s like waiting for love. It’s only when you give up that it happens. My encounter with the publisher Héloïse d’Ormesson was the catalyst.

She believed in me, I trusted her. She published “Sarah’s Key” and “A Secret Kept”, but also republished my earlier books, giving them a new lease of life.

“Sarah’s Key” has been a really huge success. Yet it almost went unpublished. How do you explain such a tough ride?

First, because the book was in English and many French publishers don’t speak it. I also think that the subject of my book – the Vel' d'Hiv Roundup and the underlying role of France in the deportations – played a part. Publishing on this topic is always a risk. But there’s also an element of subjectivity: a successful book doesn’t have to tell a 100% attractive story.

How did you stay cool when sales rocketed from dozens to millions of copies?

The fact that people now read my books the world over has made me happy, but hasn’t changed me at

all. I remain lucid about what is happening. Two other things also help me keep my feet on the ground. Success has come to me late in life: I’m almost 50. If I were 30 or 35, maybe I would have let it go to my head. Secondly, I’m fortunate to have a stable and very full family life, my own personal firewall.

At different stages of your life you have successively written in English and in French. Is there a logical reason for writing in one language or the other?

It’s difficult to explain, because it’s as if I was asked to justify my bilingualism.

When you have been educated in two languages you associate them with key periods of your life. The first story I wrote as a child was for

my mother – who is English. I wrote my first published book in French after I met my husband – who is French. Then I kept writing in French for 10 years. I don’t know why I returned to English in 2002 for “Sarah’s Key”. Then, as I gave up on the idea of ever seeing it published, perhaps I subconsciously gave up on English and wrote two new books in French. The writing in English of my last book, “A Secret Kept”, coincides with when I learned that “Sarah’s Key” would finally be published. Maybe it’s the subtle hand of fate. Today, I can say that English is my writing language, but that life is made up of cycles.

Your books have now been translated into several languages. Are you not afraid of the essence being lost?

Having confidence in the people who translate my books is something I have had to accept. But I feel lucky about that. This is a unique door onto the world. My English really helps me in this view. If I were a Franco-French author, I would be disconnected from many of my readers.

Do you still feel like a French author since you had to prove that you were actually French?1 My background is a melting pot: my mother is English, born in Rome; my father is Franco-Russian, born in Mauritius; I was born in Paris (Neuillysur-Scene). I have always had a French passport and identity card. But my grandparents and parents were born

Julien Bonet © 2010 Hugo Productions - Studio 37 - TF1 Droits Audiovisuels - France 2 Cinéma

You have been writing since you were ten and published your first book in 1992. Since 2007 you have become a top author. How do you explain that success came so late?

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u @

Follow Tatiana de Rosnay

www.tatianaderosnay.com

http://twiter.com/tatianaderosnay

1 In September 2009, as she sought to renew her passport for a trip to the United States for the filming of “Sarah’s Key”, her nationality was queried by the French Government.

© Agence Opale

abroad, so I had to prove that I was truly French. I felt really humiliated.

I had to fight for my nationality and track down a mass of old official documents. But I have learned many things that I never know before about my family past, which is some consolation. So I feel French, because I had to prove it, but what does it mean to be French today if you have to do that? I feel French, but I’m proud of my origins, which have made me the woman and writer I am today.

Her next book is set for publication in March 2011. After the film version of “Sarah’s Key” – released last October – four more of her books have secured film deals: “A Secret Kept”, “Moka” (Mocha), “Spirales” (Spirals) and “Le Voisin” (The Neighbour). At a cinema near you soon.

Brussels bubbles

“Intimate Brussels: Fifty European Expeditions” EU lobbyists or Albanian drug dealers – in “Intimate Brussels”* journalist Martin Leidenfrost traces the lives of people living in the same EU capital, but inhabiting different worlds.

by Juliane Gau A lurid scene in an EU staff canteen?

Leidenfrost writes not as a news reporter within the EU firmament, but as a hidden observer, painting with a subtle pinch of irony a picture of the private and public lives of 50 000 Europeans who “iron out rules for the other 500 million (...). Perhaps an elite, perhaps not”. In fifty stories, compiled over one year, Leidenfrost takes his reader to places with names such as “the meat market”, or to the African area of Brussels, Matongé.

“In Brussels nearly everyone is foreign. European guests are like strangers to each other. In turn, they

are like strangers to the Belgians, the Belgians are like strangers to their guests, and the Belgians – the Flemish and the Walloons – are also like strangers to each other as well,” remarks Leidenfrost early on in his book. It is well worth a read for those living within the Brussels bubble and its parallel worlds, as a means for them to retain a critical eye on themselves; but also recommended to those outside the Brussels bubble, so that they can gain a handle on the human faces behind the EU machinery.

The author Born in 1972, Martin Leidenfrost grew up in Lower Austria.

He studied Film and Slavic Studies and has resided in Vienna, Berlin, Kiev and Brussels. He currently lives in Slovakia. In 2007, he was awarded the “Writing for CEE” international journalism award for his work, “The World behind Vienna: 50 Central European essays”.

u @ Martin

Leidenfrost www.leidenfrost.net

*Original German title: “Brüssel zartherb. Fünfzig europäische Expeditionen” – Picus Publishing House, Austria. English version coming soon.

32

SNAPSHOTS

Lost in transition In Nord-Pas-de-Calais, immigrants in transit to Great Britain have to make themselves inconspicuous. Hidden, they have become invisible to the eye, but still look like giants in people’s fears.

By virginie MaiLLard Eight years after Sangatte refugee camp was closed, asylum seekers are less numerous and less visible, but still there, always with the same goal – to join their new world: Great Britain. They come from Afghanistan, Nigeria, Pakistan, Eritrea or Sudan, but are stopped just kilometres away from England’s coast. They can only touch it with their eyes or smell it in the wind of the Channel. Since 2002 they have learned to live clandestinely in illegal camps – regularly dismantled by police forces.

As she explains, Virginie Maillard’s work is not a journalistic view on immigration in Northern France – her region – but a transfiguration of the reality of these people, lost in transition. At first sight, the result appears to be in complete opposition to the situation in the field – under permanent control of authorities hiding the limit contacts with associations that help feed and clothe them. Afraid that their families may see their reality in newspapers or on the Internet, they often refuse to have their pictures taken. This made her job difficult.

Virginie Maillard’s giants are giants walking human steps, trapped in harsh landscapes. Unable to cover the few kilometres left to reach their new world, they have come too far to turn back. Authorities want them invisible, but they exist through the scared eyes of people who see them as inhumane creatures straight out of urban legends invading all places. Under daily surveillance, every tiny step they take towards Britain is a giant leap.

Virginie Maillard’s giants all have names from Greek mythology. The areas that she chose – stations, parking areas, harbours, roadsides, etc. – are all isolated places of transition.

u @ Virginie Maillard

virginiemaillard-photographie.com

Eurymédon

© Virginie Maillard

© Virginie Maillard

© Virginie Maillard

Antee Pallas

Arba

Atlas

© Virginie Maillard

© Virginie Maillard

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© Virginie Maillard

Agrios and Orios © Virginie Maillard

© Virginie Maillard

© Virginie Maillard

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Eurymédo

Arba

Atlas

35 4

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