SHIFT mag [n°20] - Generation 92

N°20

Winter 2012

The Story

Generation 92 The ‘children of Maastricht’ are now all grown up.

Twenty years after the EU was created, where do we go from here?

Looking East

We cannot afford Russophobia

Interview with Aleksander Kwaśniewski, former president of Poland

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TheContents The letter & The Drawing fYouthful f boost fThe f Merkozy recipe to keep Europe wealthy fETA f lays down its weapons for good...

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In Brief 21.09.2011 – 21.12.2011 fThe f Fact, The Date, The Picture, The Word, The Figure

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Looking east 06-09 fWe f Cannot Afford Russophobia Interview with Aleksander Kwaśniewski, former president of Poland.

The Arts 10-11 fCampaigning f with style – Culture can save us!

An encounter with Dame Vivienne Westwood, who recently took part in the launch of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)’s new ‘GreenUp’ initiative, conceived to bring the Green Economy closer to Europeans.

The Diary 21.09.2011 – 21.12.2011 fNightshift f

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Worldwide 14-15 fWomen f in science – Greenlight for girls “One woman can change anything – many women can change everything” Shifting With Professor Robin Dunbar fVirtually f friends

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The Controversy 18-19 fUSSR f 2.0 – Putin makes Russia dance to his tune Some observers may wonder what the point is of organising a campaign for the next Russian presidential election when we already know who the winner will be.

The Story fGeneration f 92 Hey YOUth! Where do we go from here? fVantage f point Europe’s youth in today’s Europe fSuccess f story Breaking with usual dancing spaces fGeneration f gap The cohorts of the ‘Now’ generation fGeneration f Tech Virtual guinea pigs in a brave new world f15-10-2011 f “The sound of the crowd” fEU–China f Year of Youth A youthful boost to EU-China cooperation

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The Snapshots fSpomenik f © Jan Kempenaers

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Visit us: u www.shiftmag.eu Like us: u www.facebook.com/SHIFTmag.eu Follow us: u http://twitter.com/SHIFTtweet Cover: © Paul Hossfeld

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TheLetter Youthful boost

After a special edition devoted to Europe’s seniors, it was only logical, almost necessary to shine the spotlight on European young people. While the first were witnesses, some the architects, of the first stones of reconstruction laid upon post-war ruins, the second were born at a time when the main pillars of European construction were being erected. Today’s young generation has always known the EU, namely the 12, which quickly became the 15, which soon announced the 27 fifteen years later. Labelled all as Erasmus students, European youth have for a long time been seen as a vicarious generation, spoilt children aware of their rights but not their duties, cloned mass-consumers; in a nutshell, a lost generation, incapable of making its mark, existing only through the experiences of its elders...

“A good war. What else do they deserve?”, would say some of them. While we may not be there yet, the current situation has dealt a completely new hand. We thought the heavy work of European construction was behind us.

The most pessimistic promise us deconstruction. The most optimistic (who we want to be) see this as an opportunity for the ‘children of Schengen, Maastricht, Amsterdam, Nice and Lisbon’ to finally take control of their destiny and remodel the Union, and more widely Europe. Even though naive and tactless, committed youth will be forgiven. In the opposite case, they won’t have any excuse.

When we talk about “young Europeans” or “new Europeans”, we also wrongly think about the States in Central and Eastern Europe that recently joined the EU or will join it in the coming years. However, while they may be new members, they have been Europeans since the old continent was continent. In partnership with two young Polish magazines ‘New Eastern Europe’ and ‘Herito’, we have decided to re-establish this truth in our own way by devoting an entirely new section to them: Looking East.

Laurent Van Brussel, Editor in chief

TheDrawing

The Merkozy recipe to keep Europe wealthy

ETA lays down its weapons for good...

By Olivier Broyart

By Mi ran Collin

Will Hu Jintao be tempted by a piece of cake?

A wry take on outlawing the wearing of the Niqab, an issue that is far from settled in most European countries, including Spain where the heated debate of 2010 has now invariably been overtaken somewhat by the crisis.

TheFact

InBrief

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By Pierre-François Baudoux

21.09.2011 21.12.2011 TheDate

22 November

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ThePicture

TheWord

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The Full Monti

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LookingEast

We Cannot Afford Russophobia Interview with Aleksander Kwaśniewski, former president of Poland.

By Krzysztof Burnetko and Małgorzata Nocuń (Translated by Iwona Reichardt) What are the goals of today’s Russia, Ukraine and Belarus?

There is no common denominator between Russian, Belarusian, and Ukrainian policies today. Let us start with Russia which is leaving a period of disorganisation caused by the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The collapse of the Soviet Union divided public opinion both in the West and in the East. In Poland it has been interpreted as cementing the road to freedom. While for many Russians, it was, as Prime Minister Vladimir Putin put it, the “biggest geopolitical disaster of the 20th century”.

Russia’s political elite, including Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev, have been focusing on integrating Russia to enable it to play an important role in the world again. They know that they can’t return to the position of being a superpower, but they believe in the possibility of becoming an important player in global politics.

Their country has nuclear power, petroleum and natural gas resources, as well as being the largest territory in the world.

Moreover, Russia’s voice is still quite important, for example in cases such as the Middle East, Iran or Afghanistan.

In wanting to rebuild the position of being a global player, Russia is trying to reach an agreement with three key actors on the international arena: the United States, China, and the European Union. To break the impasse they have been attempting to improve their relations with the Eastern and Central European countries, including Poland.

Another issue is the modernisation of the country. Many Russians rightly regard this as a necessity and a matter of key importance. Russia cannot build a global position by only counting on their high prices of petroleum and natural gas. In addition to this, their nuclear arsenal

is much less relevant than it was in the past, and is both a sign of power but also a problem: What should Russia do with Siberia? Others, while talking about modernisation, refer to an old saying, “Our intentions were good, but the results are the same”. There are also those who claim that the modernisation programme is a smoke screen, a slogan aimed at depicting the elite as correctly recognising the country’s situation.

Nostalgia for the position of being “more than just a player” on the global arena, which is, in fact, a sentiment for imperial status, is quite noticeable in certain political circles and some state institutions. However this could be explained as the change of mentality being much slower and more difficult than the implementation of political programmes.

Nevertheless, if Russia is seriously thinking about rebuilding the grandeur of their

© New Eastern Europe

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Aleksander Kwaśniewski is a Polish politician. Between 1995 to 2005 he served as the President of the Republic of Poland.

In 2004, he took the role of a mediator during the political crisis in Ukraine, which was then followed by the Orange Revolution.

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country, then they should be aware that modernisation is their only ticket to the future, and that this is closely related to the cooperation with the West. In the longterm, the condition and effect of Russia’s modernisation will be westernisation, meaning closer relations with both the European Union and the United States, although this does not automatically include membership in NATO. Time for Ukraine?

Politics are more stable in Ukraine than one would expect after the stormy 20 years of independence. It all started with an unexpected upheaval for Ukraine’s independence. It happened through a national referendum, in which almost 90 per cent of Ukrainians voted for independence. Later,

The second element of the Ukrainian strategy seeks a balance between Russia and the West. This is understandable given Ukraine’s history, and cultural and economic relations. Ukrainians would like to be in the European Union but not lose their relationship with Russia.

They would like to have the best possible relations with Russia and be as close as they possibly can to the European Union.

Which option prevails depends on who is in power, yet the overall principle is to balance these influences.

Belarus – quite a different topic?

Yes, because we evaluate it through the prism of dictatorship. Hence, the question should be: What is Alexander Lukashenko’s plan? And the answer is

support, but like all dictators, he is staring to encounter an increased social resistance, which in democratic countries is usually resolved by elections.

This is why Belarus’ partners find themselves on shaky ground about how to cooperate with this country to avoid isolation and harming society but, at the same time, not legitimising Lukashenko’s government. The Russians also have a problem with Belarus. It is not true that Lukashenko is an easy partner for Moscow. He cannot be an easy partner as he is unpredictable. For Europe, relations with Belarus are even more difficult because we have values, which are respected by all democratically-elected governments of the Western world.

“It will be interesting to see whether Lukashenko has drawn any conclusions from the fall of the regimes in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya” we saw the period of Leonid Kuchma and the policy of balance between the East and West. Then, the Orange Revolution took place and the pro-Western declarations of Viktor Yushchenko’s government.

In the end, Viktor Yanukovych returned to power as a seemingly lost politician. Nevertheless the principal goal of Ukrainian politics throughout this whole period was to strengthen the country’s independence. Ukraine’s independence is unquestionable.

clear: he only wants to stay in power.

I do not know if he too has been affected by the illness that affects all dictators and believes that his only successor is his son? However this would suggest a complete detachment with reality.

Aren’t you disappointed by how the situation developed in the Ukraine?

On a strictly personal level – when you reflect on how involved you were in the mediation during the Orange Revolution.

It will be interesting to see whether Lukashenko has drawn any conclusions from the fall of the regimes in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. He is an effective dictator with still quite significant social

Sadly, I have to admit that five years of Victor Yushchenko’s presidency did not bring the Ukraine to Europe. And there was a chance to agree on a timetable

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for the EU accession. Now this is much more difficult due to the global crisis.

What can be regarded as a big success of Poland’s Eastern policy?

First, was our contribution in solving of the Ukrainian crisis. Second, the EU endorsement of the Eastern Partnership – despite many doubts whether this program works or not.

It is important that we manage to create this programme and involve Sweden, a strong Northern European country. With all due respect, but it is for the better that it was not only a Polish-Slovak or Polish-Romanian initiative. In that case, its importance would be much smaller.

But you, yourself, mentioned the doubts whether the Partnership really works.

Yes, because there is a need for new stimulation and ideas. Especially because the moment is threatening: today the EU is concentrated on itself. There are leadership problems because neither Catherine Ashton nor Jose Manuel Barroso are political strategists, especially in Eastern policy. Without our actions, the overlapping of these factors will cause that the aspirations and interests of Eastern Europe will be marginalized.

The Eastern Partnership is often viewed as an anti-Russian project as Moscow has not been invited to join it. Is it possible to combat the stereotype that supporting Ukraine and Belarus is somehow anti-Russian?

It is enough to compare the actions undertaken by the EU and Russia in the economic sphere with those that the EU is involved in with the countries of the Eastern Partnership. One quickly realises that there is nothing to discuss.

The difference in scale is enormous and is naturally to Russia’s advantage.

Our intervention and help during the Ukrainian crisis was regarded as being anti-Russian, and Putin scolded me for this, but this is not something to be worried about as it is internally-oriented rhetoric. One could just answer saying that for Russia, all roads to cooperation with the EU are open. What is more, the climate towards Russia is currently very good, much better than towards Ukraine or Belarus, with whom a serious dialogue is not being undertaken.

Those who claim that such initiatives are anti-Russian are, in essence, the supporters of an imperial aspiration.

Such ideas are put forward by some of the Russian politicians, who are convinced that the division line in Europe will no longer be on the Oder River but somewhere along the Bug River. Then we would have the EU organized according to its principles on one side, and some sort of trade or political community in the East.

But today, when the Russians themselves talk about modernisation, their chances merely depend on the EU and not on building a new empire, or even a soft sphere of economic cooperation.

In fact, the Ukrainians have the same modernization problem as the Russians do: they need to modernise their industry, technology and sales markets.

What can they offer to each other? They are multiplying the problems, because even when they sit down together at the same table in order to discuss the problems of developmental delays, all they can do at most, is start crying about how much they lack. To find a way out in the area of fast trains or poor road conditions, they should start talking to the French or the Germans.

Should Poland’s policy towards the East be idealistic or pragmatic?

Poland’s policy towards the East should be mixed. The idea to organise EURO 2012 in Poland and Ukraine was an idealistic one, but today it looks very pragmatic. This is the first World Cup organized by one country which is part of Schengen agreement and one country that is not.

We need to combine beautiful visions with pragmatic solutions. If twenty years ago somebody had said that we would be discussing whether Ukraine should be in the EU and how should it be modernized, we would not have believed it. And yet this is happening.

If so many things have changed so fast, it means that in future years we can change even more.

This interview was originally published in the Polish bimonthly Nowa Europa Wschodnia and translated for the English quarterly New Eastern Europe. You can read the interview in its entirety on the Web site of New Eastern Europe: www.neweasterneurope.eu/node/24

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TheArts

Campaigning with style

Culture can save us!

An encounter with Dame Vivienne Westwood, who recently took part in the launch of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)’s new ‘GreenUp’ initiative, conceived to bring the Green Economy closer to Europeans.

By Aoife O’Grady

With a shock of orange hair, a cheeky elfin smile and an air of mischievous glamour, age has not wearied original punk designer Dame Vivienne Westwood. Nor has it dampened her rebellious spirit. At 70 years old, she speaks zealously about climate change, our loss of appreciation for what is really good in life and why culture is the antidote to consumerism.

Westwood began her career in rebellion by teaming up with infamous Sex Pistols’ manager Malcolm McLaren in the 1970s to create provocative punk fashion that ‘raised two fingers’ at the establishment. Much has changed in the intervening 40 years: Westwood has been embraced by the mainstream, was honoured with the title of ‘Dame’ in 1992 and is one of the most celebrated British designers of her time. However, her punk spirit is still alive – she continues to question the powers that be, only now she is doing so on behalf of the planet.

quite some time, I have been traumatised by the threat we face from climate change so I have used my fashion shows as a medium to talk about it ... The ‘GreenUp’ initiative is a really great idea because it’s very simple, it gives people access to something they can do and it’s practical. Most importantly, it involves the public. Public opinion is perhaps the only thing that can save us.

Without it, I do believe we are an endangered species.”

Connecting culture and climate change As a prosperous fashion designer, the need felt by people to consume has helped to make Westwood the success she is today.

However, she herself believes that our addiction to mindless consumption is fundamental to our environmental woes. “We’ve been trained up to be consumers.

The antidote to consumerism, in my opinion, is culture and art.

We’re dangerously short of culture, we’re dangerously short of people thinking and we’re dangerously short of people’s appreciation of what really is a good life. A good life is a life that is more human, not one that is more animal where you’re just sucking things up according to your desire. It is hard, it’s difficult but this is all part of how we might, one day, have a world better than the one we have right now.”

“Public opinion is perhaps the only thing that can save us.

Without it, I do believe we are an endangered species”

Fighting for our forests Westwood has now teamed up with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to promote ‘GreenUp’, the citizens’ green economy initiative launched ahead of the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development ‘Rio+20’. As part of the push to show citizens what they can do to make a difference, Westwood has designed a collection of Tree-shirts to raise funds for re-connecting Europe’s forests. Shift mag met up with her at the launch of ‘GreenUp’ to learn more about her and her Tree-shirts!

Westwood believes that galvanising public opinion on the issue, a key aim of the GreenUp campaign, is one of our only hopes. “For

Westwood is also adamant that the increasingly alarming financial crisis cannot be separated from the environmental crisis: “The financial crisis is being presented to people in such a way that somehow we have to solve the financial crisis first and then we can talk about the environment after that. But I’m afraid they are absolutely stuck together... We have a financial crisis

© Patricia Floric

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because there is not much left of the world to exploit. The way I would put it is that the world is bankrupt, the financial system has collapsed and the only way we can have any improvement in the economy is if we have a sustainable world and if the public starts to realise about this great danger that they’re in.”

We have to behave as if there is a chance

Westwood expresses herself as only an artist can. She is not afraid to break the situation down to the startling bare essentials.

With a raised eyebrow, she reminds us: “We need the world otherwise we don’t have anywhere to live”: never a truer word spoken.

Find out more about the ‘GreenUp’ initiative here: u http://greenup-unep.org

© Patricia Floric

So, does Westwood still have hope for the future? “Most of us are programmed to be optimistic. If I was on the Titanic and the ship was going down and you said, ‘do you have hope that you will survive this sinking?’ the fact that I was optimistic wouldn’t mean a thing. I may or may not get saved. I am optimistic but that’s because I’m programmed to be. I’m not one of the pessimists.

I guess you have to believe in people and you have to behave as if there is a chance. There is no point in saying I won’t get into that lifeboat because we will probably go down anyway.”

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Thediary 21.12.2011 – 21.03.2012 Nightshift ouR sPeCiaL ‘euRoPe and the WoRLd in BRusseLs’ seLeCtion

EU

European Border Breaker Awards – vote for ‘Public Choice Award’ Online

Until 31 December 2011

www.europeanborderbreakersawards.eu The recently announced winners of the European Border Breakers Awards 2012 include Agnes Obel (Denmark), Anna Calvi (UK) and eight other artists who have proven to be successful in crossing borders.

The public can now choose their favourite among them and win a trip to the EBBA Awards ceremony at Eurosonic Noorderslag in Groningen, the Netherlands on 11 January 2012.

POLAND

Roman Polanski. Actor and Director Bozar

Until 8 January 2012

© Martin Cathrae

http://goo.gl/ugf7W Presented in Poland, London, São Paulo, and at the Berlinale, this exhibition illustrates the career of the great Polish film-maker through photographs of the actor and director in full flow, archive footage from collections held by his friends (Wajda, Kostenka, Gutowski and Nowak) and posters from the Lodz Film Museum.

EU EUROPE

Europunk BPS 22, Brussels South (Charleroi)

Until 22 January 2012 http://goo.gl/dlkqj

T he f i rst ex h ibition of pu n k ’s v isua l expressions in Europe. Remember punk and those rebellious images of fashion and anarchic pop movement? More than 30 years after its birth, a major travelling exhibition is reviving those memories with Europunk. The Punk cultural vision in Europe during the years 1976-1980. It arrives in Belgium after shows in Geneva and Rome with some 500 items from the explosive and aggressive era: clothes, posters, drawings, fanzines, album covers, collages and films.

European Charlemagne Youth Prize Online 23 January 2012 (submission deadline) http://goo.gl/DPXO9 Awarded jointly and annually by the European Parliament and the Foundation of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen, the European Charlemagne Youth Prize aims to encourage the development of European consciousness among young people, as well as their participation in European integration projects. The Prize is awarded to projects undertaken by young people that foster understanding, promote the development of a shared sense of European identity, and offer practical examples of Europeans living together as one community.

andmore...

CZECH REPUBLIC

Jakub Nepras exhibition Prague House and Galerie Waldburger

Until 21 January 2012 http://goo.gl/c48tC

INTERNATIONAL

Studyrama International Education and Career Fair – Belgium Autoworld

4 January 2012

http://goo.gl/UBGrF

EUROPE

European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations – EFID AWARDS Résidence Palace

16 January 2012

www.nef-europe.org

HUNGARY INTERNATIONAL Brussels Book Fair Tour & Taxis

Until 13 January 2012

www.flb.be

GERMANY

1 – 5 March 2012

The Brussels Book Fair at is a hive of activity, with thousands of publishers presenting their latest offerings. More than 700 authors are on hand to sign their works and there are debates, conferences and workshops.

EUROPE

EU Energy Law & Policy – 7th Annual Conference Renaissance Hotel

31 January – 1 February 2012 www.euenergyconference.com This conference, widely recognised as the most important energy event on the Brussels calendar, once more brings together all key policy makers, regulators, top market players and leading lawyers to give a unique insight in all major and hot topics in the energy field.

INTERNATIONAL

Gay and Lesbian Film Festival Cinema Vendôme

3 – 12 February 2012

20 Years – 40 Exhibitions: collection of the Folyamat Society Balassi Institute Brussels http://goo.gl/Xle6l

Bauhaus photo exhibition CIVA

Until 5 February 2012 http://goo.gl/ECxQM

INTERNATIONAL BELGIUM

Brusselicious 2012 Accross Brussels

Until 31 December 2012 www.brusselicious.be Brussels is the north ... and the south. It always has been the crossroads of everything: Europe, major cultures, food and fashion. Wellestablished Brussels culinary traditions are a solid foundation for creative cooking, capable of creating surprising dishes for every palate.

With Brusselicious 2012, the Brussels-Capital Region has decided to showcase every step of this gourmet journey – from product ingredients to the finished delight on your plate...

ROMANIA

www.fglb.org

77 Years of Romanian Comics Belgian Comic Strip Centre

Brussels celebrates gay and lesbian culture through a range of artistic media at Cinema Vendôme. The annual Gay and Lesbian Film Festival includes unpublished feature films, re-issues, documentaries, short fi lms and an exhibition of photographs and paintings.

77 years of continuous production despite the political strife experienced by the country has fuelled a wealth of original creativity bursting onto the contemporary scene. Young authors and illustrators are making the new generation a creative driving force across Europe.

Until 4 June 2012

Anima International Animated Film Festival Flagey

17 – 26 February www.animatv.be

INTERNATIONAL

International Women’s Day – AvantPremiere DIE FREMDE (When we leave) and debate Bozar

7 March 2012

http://goo.gl/Q7ydu

IRELAND

Irish Theatre – ‘She Stoops to Conquer’ Bozar

27-31 March 2012

http://irishtheatrebrussels.com

ROMANIA

The Age of Impressionism in Romania – Nicolae Grigorescu City hall of Brussels

Until 15 January 2012 http://goo.gl/xmR36

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Worldwide

Women in science

Greenlight for girls Only one out of 10 girls in Europe wants to be a scientist.

About 19% in the field of engineering are women; these statistics are slightly higher for the IT sector. How can we break this stereotype? “Greenlight for girls” is trying to encourage girls to stay in maths and science as long as possible, for nothing less than “saving the world”.

By Agata Mrowiec Young girls making their own facial scrub while learning more about the ingredients, or discovering how a solar plane can fly both day and night, were just two of the workshops that ensured the success of the sixth “GreenLight for Girls” event held on 26 November in Brussels. “They seemed very interested, it was magical for them and for me –it was good to be among these young ladies who are our future,” said the director of the Solvay Group in charge of the session. ”I took it from inside out to show them some real experience,” explained the coordinator of the workshop, who owns a beauty spa in Brussels.

from its diverse angles, presented by female professionals plus one or two men. “We aimed this event at girls starting from 11 years old as they are more closely together. It is a very important time when teenagers make their academic choices,” stressed Mellisa Rancourt, founder and chair of the “GreenLight for Girls” foundation.

“One woman can change anything – many women can change everything”

Learning by doing

eedugbooks.com © Gillian Muir - gillianmuir@w

Through a broad range of activities held in English, French and Dutch, over 200 girls between 11 and 15 years of age from the Brussels region were able to experience technology, science, mathematics and engineering

Thanks to the presence of a life scientist, young teenagers had a chance to observe the process of water filtration and composting and then take it home with them to their own back garden: “It is great to see girls in action,” commented the scientist.

The Softkinetic company presented a game that allowed girls to use the human body as a form of remote control. “You have to stand close enough to see how the colours change – the closer you are, the more vivid the image becomes,” explains Julie, a 12 year old participant.

The IT lesson taught them about the internal workings of a PC as well as fixed and mobile phones, showed using drawings of parts of the human body. “This activity taught us that not only humans have brains,” concluded 14 year old Lisa.

Under the watchful eye of a chemist, the girls were able to prepare their own lip balm. This workshop was statistically the most successful during the day.

The ‘Quick Cleaner 2000’ was a futuristic idea presented by a trio of girls during the activity session organised by Telecom. Asked about their impressions and its results, the girls unanimously declared: “It was difficult at the beginning to find an idea, we did not have a lot of time – so what we came up with is a vacuum cleaner that can clean our room and even the whole house very quickly.”

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These and many other seminars took place throughout the day at the International School of Brussels, amply meeting the expectations of Mrs Cheryl Miller, European Director & Technology Chair of the organisation, who had said in an interview a couple of days beforehand: “My wish for this event is to make it really fun and inspiring for girls as a real pay-off is only possible when you can see that what you are doing is worth it.”

True to its motto of “one woman can change anything – many women can change everything”, the foundation is seeking to promote science, technology, mathematics and engineering to girls of all ages and from all backgrounds in the name of “saving the world”, as Mrs Miller happily admitted.

Boosting girls’ power worldwide Founded two years ago, but officially recognised only last month, the non-governmental organisation consists of board members based in Europe (Belgium), Africa (Congo), India and North America (Boston/Massachusetts) along with a host of volunteers and contributors.

The actions focus on many areas: health, environment, education, technology, efforts to combat human trafficking, and involvement in different parts of the world through panels of local board members chosen on the basis of their profession.

The biggest projects have been “World Class”, for water conservation; “Green Light in Schools”, to bring technology literally into the classroom; and “Green Light at Work”, promoting marketing among women. Mrs Miller is convinced that the entire initiative will continue in the future and that forthcoming projects will focus primarily on the theme of education in the poorer regions of the world.

© Valentina De Mari

The NGO’s goal today is to grow in terms of its scope and its number of member countries. “There’s no doubt that the demand

is there. My vision is to create a ‘GreenLight for Girls European network,” stressed Mrs Miller. Thus, the projects for 2012 are already forging local and national links. ‘GreenLight for Girls’ will be hosted in Denmark in April and then in London in May. The foundation is opening its doors in Brazil, Cameroon and Sri Lanka in line with the founding principle of the project: “Doing something concrete for girls”.

“She is a woman and she has succeeded...”

During the interview, Mrs Miller repeatedly mentioned the existence of “the positive role model” which is “very very important in stimulating learning, curiosity, passion and fun for the young girls. My perspective on promoting female role models is to go into schools, organise workshops in which we will teach the girls e-skills, and show them how to use these skills in daily lifeWe should simply walk through the doors that are open...”

Asked about her personal role model, Mrs Miller swiftly replied: “Neelie Kroen, Commissioner for the Digital Agenda, for her feminine style of leadership. Intelligent, quick, passionate, making things happen, but still being a woman – she is a lot of integrity, she is what she shows,” says Cheryl. “She’s a woman and she has succeeded,” she then added.

On September 2011, Vice-President Kroen was awarded the Compostela Prize in Portugal for promoting understanding and cross-cultural communication, the prize fund for which she donated to an “organisation very close to her heart”. “ GreenLight for Girls’ are to be congratulated for their active work, so important and relevant to the digital agenda goals,” commented Mrs Kroen on the day of the ceremony. Mrs Miller, who represented the organisation at the celebrations, now recalls her impressions of this significant act of recognition: “It was a true surprise and gratifying for the voluntary service we do.”

More information: u www.greenlightforgirls.org

16

ShiftingWith

Virtually friends

Professor Robin Dunbar

Professor Robin Dunbar is the head of the Institute of Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology at the University of Oxford, and his main interest is the evolution of sociality.

In his recently published book, ‘How Many Friends Does One Person Need’, he argues that our ability to manage complex social connections – love lives, work colleagues, childhood friends and friendly acquaintances – is what drove humans to develop such large brains. So what impact are social networking trends having on the way we manage our relationships in the 21st century? Is there a clash between our evolutionary history and Facebook? Read on...

Interview by Abigail Acton The word ‘friends’ is used a lot, and indeed appears in the title of your book’s title, How Many Friends does One Person Need? Can you define what you mean by ‘friend’? Should we be using a different word?

My book title uses the word ‘friend’ in the Facebook sense. Strictly speaking, that really slides roughshod over several different types of ‘friendship’. There is an important distinction between family and friends (i.e. unrelated friends), mainly because they behave in a very different way (family relationships are very robust and long-lasting, whereas friendships are fragile and apt to decay if we don’t keep reinforcing them). These two types make up our social worlds in about equal proportions. Then, cutting across this distinction, are a series of relationship types that represent different degrees of emotional

intensity. There seems to be four layers of friendship in this respect (intimates, best friends, good friends and plain friends).

You refer to communication as ‘social grooming’ and point out it is less labour intensive than the physical grooming primates use to glue their groups together.

If using language saves time, and the internet provides immediate access to a wide audience, does easier equate to less valuable?

Language does provide a cheaper means of interacting: its main advantage is that it allows us to save time because we can talk to several people at once, whereas grooming is a one-on-one activity. That might make the digital world even more efficient: Facebook or Twitter allow us to communicate with even more people at the same time. However, it doesn’t seem to

work like that: we still seem constrained to focus on just a few key friends at a time, even on Facebook where most exchanges involve just a handful of people.

You arrived at the number 150, Dunbar’s number, when you defined the maximum number of ‘friends’ one person can have.

Why 150?

The 150 was predicted by an equation relating social group size to brain size in monkeys and apes. I plugged human brain size into the equation, and it predicted a group size of 150.

If the limit on the number of people we can relate to in any one given group is enforced by the return on effort, and that effort is greatly lessened by the joint forces of online social networking and language, then should the limit be revised in that context?

17

No. It seems that we cannot free ourselves from the psychology that underpins the everyday face-to-face world. First, the quality of interactions via Facebook, or even the telephone, is not seen as being as satisfactory as face-to-face interaction. Second, we still seem to focus most of our attention on the handful of people (typically, our 5 most intimate relationships) who are most im-

portant to us. So our Facebook friends list turns out to be about the same as our everyday real world friends list.

You explore the role of trust and the release of naturally occurring chemicals such as endorphin as key elements in human interaction, how this is altered when the interaction is ‘virtual’ and conducted via a computer?

The digital world simply offers use a novel way of keeping contact with friends – especially when these friends have moved away so that we can’t see them in person regularly. The only respect in which the virtual world differs from the everyday face-to-face world is that we can be misled into thinking that someone at the other end of the Ethernet is our ideal: we tend to create the person in our minds, whereas in the face-to-face world our wild imaginings are reined in by the reality in front of us.

© Robin Dunbar

“We cannot free ourselves from the psychology that underpins the everyday face-to-face world”

18

TheControversy

USSR 2.0

Putin makes Russia dance to his tune Some observers may wonder what the point is of organising a campaign for the next Russian presidential election when we already know who the winner will be. But Vladimir Putin is particularly keen on simulating a democracy-like campaign and has long since been presenting an exportable image of Russia that he hopes to preserve during the 2012 election.

BY PATRICIA FLORIC From the outside, Russian politics resembles a comedy show where the actors swap roles, but without changing the leading man. “The Boss”, as many have nicknamed Putin, has carefully scripted the series in which he is the star. The story-line is simple: In 2008, after serving the maximum number of presidential terms as head of state, Putin has to leave office. Disappointed, he decides to do anything he can to take his position back and so devises a cunning plan to that end. He makes a deal with his devoted friend Dmitri Medvedev: he lets him become president if he (Medvedev) agrees to amend the constitution to allow multiple terms of office, thus allowing Putin to return as president at the next election. So he bides his time as prime minister for six years with the intention of swapping places with his friend at the next election. The fantastic voyage of a “tag team” prepared to do anything in their quest for power.

Had the story carried any suspense, it would have been exciting: would the duo resist such tension? Or would the devoted Dmitri Medvedev enjoy his position too much and break the deal? Alas, the story enacted has instead dodged as many opponents as possible and avoided any nasty surprises. The director has decided to stick doggedly to the original script, mainly by supporting the role of the famous Putin.

A MAFIA STATE Luke Harding, former correspondent in Moscow for UK newspaper The Guardian, depicts Putin’s stage management of the Russian state as a gang-like organisation.

In his latest book, “Mafia State: How one reporter became an enemy of the new brutal Russia”, Harding ex-

poses the methods used by the FSB, the secret service successors to the former KGB, to force him out of Russia.

He explained to us how the government is maintaining its dual personality inside and outside its territories and how he was shocked by these two faces: “What the Russian government says about itself and about the nature of the regime, and what the reality is, are two completely different planets,” he argues. “The gap between what is official information and what I knew was secretly happening was much bigger than in some other places where I have worked as a journalist and reported from – and I’ve been to a lot of places, like the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya – but nowhere have I come across a regime that was I think quite so dishonest about itself.”

Today, there are few candidates running against Putin. Gennady Zyuganov, first secretary of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation is one of them and is already odds-on to lose the election. Russians are no fools and have realised who will be their ‘new’

19

But on the other side, genuine opponents are still being muzzled and the free press are struggling. They are no controversial Kasparov figures on those controlled TV screens. Where is the chess champion who recommended watching the Godfather trilogy in order to understand how Russia is governed? How many journalists from the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta have been murdered for daring to voice criticism? What happened to Natasha Estemirova, a human rights activist in Chechnya abducted and killed by gunmen?

Many grey areas still remain... even if Medvedev himself said back in December 2009 at the Euro-Asia Forum in Moscow that the role of journalists is “to tell the truth”. He also specified that the government is not responsible for biased journalism and told the assembled media professionals: “How you do that depends on you!”

A paranoid Putinocracy Luke Harding arrived in Russia in 2007 a few months after the murder in London of former KGB and FSB member Alexander Litvinenko who, among other things, was accusing his superiors of ordering the assassination of Russian tycoon and oligarch Boris Berezovsky.

Ironically, on 13 April 2007 the same Boris Berezovsky gave an interview to The Guardian newspaper from London. Harding was asked to work with two other colleagues on the article.

Even though the British journalist affirms that his contribution to this article was a minor one, it did not take long before the FSB took an unhealthy interest in him. “Everything was happening so quickly.

Within a few months, they had broken into my Moscow flat, put bugs everywhere and were spying on my family life.”

y”, a documen tary by Cyril dorkovsky-m Tuschi: ovie.com

u www.kho

Luke Harding was living in Moscow with his wife and two children before being expelled in February 2011 for becoming an “enemy” of the Russian state. He noticed that being a western journalist in Russia is readily viewed by the Russian secret service as potentially akin to being a spy.

“The Russian government is paranoid,” Harding says, before adding that the fault for this lies with those in government. “Putin is a former KGB agent and, since gaining power, has repopulated the Kremlin with close allies. In his book, Luke Harding relates a sociological analysis on this. He writes: “In 2003 the number of senior Kremlin officials with a security/military background was 25%. By 2007 it was 42%. The figures include only known former agents. It excludes those whose KGB activity has been disguised with a ‘legend’ – espionage shorthand for a cover story.

By 2006 the figure for affiliated siloviki – including both official and unofficial agents – stood at an astonishing 77%. Over the past decade the FSB has acquired new responsibilities. Its budget has grown. The exact size of the agency is a closely guarded secret”.

The Web factor But Harding is still confident. Even though the result of the next Russian presidential election is no secret to him, he believes that one thing will defeat Putin in the end. “It will surely take some time to get rid of Putin, but he has an Achilles heel: he is not a modern man.” Harding adds: “The young generation is asking for a state in their image. And honestly how can Putin control the internet?” For Harding, platforms such as Wikileaks are “an uncensorable system for untraceable mass document leaking”, to quote its founder Julian Assange, and they symbolise the power of new media against such governmental secrecy. Young people have already taken to the streets to show their anger and a turnaround is always possible...

Nonetheless, readers would do well to watch the new season of the adapted “Batman and Robin”1 series: this will air on 4 March 2012 – the day of the next Russian presidential election.

© Olivier Broyart

head of state. Nevertheless, Russian state TV, the most watched by Russians and financed by allies of Putin such as Vladislav Surkov, regularly broadcasts sham “debates” in the run-up to elections.

Moreover, it devotes more air time to scandals than to real politics – another way to create an atmosphere not conducive to freedom of speech.

Recently pu the same to blished on pic Film: “Khodo rkovsk

In the last episode, Putin announced his nomination and unsurprisingly the current president, Medvedev, expressed his desire to support him. Now that his ultimate plan has been hatched, the audience cannot wait to discover what Putin’s next amazing adventure will be. The answer to this question may be in the hands of the new season’s special guest star, Mr Hu Jintao...

Enjoy the show!

1 As presented on Wikileaks cables.

TheStory

20

Generation 92 – Hey YOUth! Where do we go from here?

TheStory

Generation 92

Hey YOUth! Where do we go from here?

One young EU citizen in two says being European is one of the most important factors defining their identity. One in two is willing to work in another EU country. When trying to analyse these figures and their implications for the Union, the question we might want to ask ourselves is not so much if this means the glass is half full or half empty, but what exactly is in the glass – and who is paying for the next round.

By Friederike Endress The first generation to have grown up in a unified Europe is coming of age. The Treaty of Maastricht, officially creating the European Union and setting the controversial rules underpinning the single currency, was signed 20 years ago. Young adults under the age of 30 will barely remember the time when the Iron Curtain prevented free movement between East and West.

© Paul Hossfeld

How has this unification process impacted young people’s lives and attitudes across the EU? For many of them, the first thing that comes to mind when considering the EU’s impact on their daily lives is free movement. “I think my feeling of belonging to Europe stems from the creation of the EU, namely because it has brought about free movement through the creation of the Schengen area,” says Bastien, a 20-year old Frenchman who is currently receiving vocational training in communications.

“I have grown up with this freedom and appreciate the fact that it makes travelling so much easier.”

The latest Eurobarometer youth survey (2007), targeting young Europeans aged 15 to 30 years, revealed that the right to study and work in any EU country was the most important aspect of being a European citizen for young people, with 94% and 88% of respondents mentioning these factors. Other advantages of

21

“

being an EU citizen mentioned included the access to healthcare and social welfare anywhere in the EU, the right to move permanently to another EU country, and the right of non nationals to vote or to be elected in local elections in their country of residence.

‘Home continent’ an empty notion to many Young people’s attachment to their home countries remains considerably stronger than their sense of belonging to Europe.

Figures released in January 2011 by the

French think tank Fondapol show that 50% of the surveyed young Europeans said being European was an important aspect of their identity, while 70% said they defined themselves through their nationality.

This applies to young people from “old” and “new” member states alike. For instance, only one third of young people in the UK say being European is important to them, against two thirds in Romania. Music student Katri, 21, from Helsinki says she

I have g with this rown up fr appreciate eedom and the fact that it ma kes travell ing so much e asier.

”

Bastien

values the opportunities that the European project has brought with it, yet she cannot relate to the concept of feeling European: ”I see other cultures as a benefit or source of richness, but my identity is Finnish.” Andreia, a 22year old translation student from Lisbon, Portugal, does not feel strongly about being European either, but for different reasons: “Every day we are more globalised, and

© Paul Hossfel

d

‘WARRIORS – Generation Europe’ A few weeks ago, while pondering how to illustrate our main story, we stumbled on German (with French mother of Italian origin) photographer Paul Hossfeld’s new project, ‘Warriors – Generation Europe’, and so we decided to make his models the faces of our ‘Generation 92’. At first glance these ‘polished warriors’ may seem as though they have jumped straight out of an autumn/winter fashion collection – a far cry from the ‘Indignant’ who are protesting across Europe. And in photography it can be difficult to go beyond appearances.

“The polished aspect is intentional and produced by repeating the visual concept in each photo. This derives from the composition, the position of the person, the background and the light. They (the models) range from job-seekers through to senior executives via cleaners, artists and musicians.” Hossfeld decided to call his models WARRIORS. But why, and against whom or what, are they fighting? “I chose to call them WARRIORS because our generation was raised with the values of our parents who lived through the protests of 1968. Back then society was a lot more generous and more readily accessible. Today we face a tough and complex world. Our working and family lives, and our place in society, are highly volatile. For a long time my generation has had a reputation for being lazy, pampered and directionless.

That’s why I want to showcase people who display determination and do not simply stay cocooned in their own lives, but equally are committed to an open, respectful and tolerant future.” Read the full interview on our Facebook page.

The WARRIORS series will be finalised in 2017 after covering the 27 EU countries and producing a total of around 400 portrait.

More information: www.warriorsgenerationeurope.eu

TheStory

22

Generation 92 – Hey YOUth! Where do we go from here?

there is less of a notion of what being European is.” Not everybody sees a contradiction here: “I feel European, in addition to being French. But I also feel that I am a citizen of the world,” says Bastien.

For others, European sentiment is the substitute for a missing national sense of belonging. Djivan, 28, says he feels European; after facing discrimination in Turkey as a member of a minority group, he arrived in Germany as an asylum seeker before settling in Belgium where he applied for the Belgian nationality.

“

I see other cultures as a benefit or source entity of richness, but my id is Finnish.

”

Katri

© Paul Hossfeld

This navel-gazing exercise reveals that national borders are still very much present in young people’s minds, even if crossing these borders has been made much easier in recent years.

The notion of a European identity is of course closely linked to the question of European integration, which in turn triggers the question of mobility across the EU.

For the link between integration and mobility works both ways: greater integration facilitates mobility, but more mobility also lays the groundwork for a more unified EU. Encouraging and, more importantly, enabling young people to make full use of the possibilities the EU has to offer in this regard could therefore well be the key to fostering what has been labelled the ‘Erasmus generation’. Political scientist Stefan Wolff who coined the term predicted a few years ago a profound cultural shift towards a “truly European identity” when those young people who participated in the EU’s Erasmus student exchange programme would take the reigns.

© Paul Hos

sfeld

Mobility programmes – how wide a reach?

Currently, there are various EU funding initiatives giving young people the opportunity to study or train in another EU country.

In addition to the best-known Erasmus scheme which forms part of the Lifelong Learning Programme, the Youth in Action Programme funds non-formal learning activities. These are complemented by five international cooperation programmes – Erasmus Mundus, Tempus, Alfa, Edulink and the programme for cooperation with industrialised countries.

23

Finnish music student happy to play a European tune Katri Särkkä, 21, a music student from Helsinki, is “first a Finn, then a European”. A curious, international mind, with a career focus on music, she has set her sights on European opportunities.

Being European – what does it mean to you?

To me, the best thing it means is belonging to something and having contact with people living in Western Europe. However, being “European” is also a bit of a strange concept, as I feel I am first and foremost Finnish. For me, Finland is primarily a Nordic country, where many things are different from the so called “big world”, such as the cold, darkness, endless light in summer... Many factors make the North and the people of the North unique. I see other cultures as a benefit or source of richness, but my identity remains mainly Finnish.

Are international relations important to you in general?

Yes they are: I think they are a great opportunity for my generation. I feel internationality is a privilege: to see the world, make contacts and be influenced by different cultures. Another aspect of internationality which makes it very important to me is acceptance of people of different nationalities. In Finland, there is a heated debate going on about racism and nationalism, and for me it’s important that in the midst of all this

“The existence of these different programmes means that in principle, there are opportunities for all young people to receive mobility funding. However, there is a clear political focus on higher education,” says Robert Helm-Pleuger, project coordinator at Eurodesk, a network providing European information to young people, pointing out that the Erasmus programme receives the lion’s share of funding. “Those with a relatively low level of education – which tends to correlate with social status – are those which receive the smallest share of mobility funding.”

Currently, Youth in Action is the only mobility programme open to all young people

xenophobic talk, internationality is raised as a richness, not as a threat.

Have you benefited from the EU and from being European in a concrete way in your life?

The EU gives many opportunities to students by funding exchange studies and other initiatives such as its own European Union Youth Orchestra. I haven’t been part of the orchestra, but I know several people who have and I’ve heard only good things about it. My sister did voluntary work in Ghana through an EU-funded programme and I think it’s great that the EU funds these kinds of activities.

Also, the EU makes travelling easier: having fewer controls at borders is great, I have to say, but there might be risks, such as making it easier for criminals to move around too.

Do you see yourself in European projects in the future?

I hope I can do a study exchange, maybe in Western Europe.

I study music, and in our field study exchanges are very common. I’d also like to play in another European orchestra either when studying or once graduated, on a more professional basis.

I also see the opportunity to find a permanent job abroad, or go abroad for a summer course during my studies.

regardless of their educational level.

Mr Helm-Pleuger says this type of initiative holds a huge potential for disadvantaged young people: “Geographical mobility clearly contributes to social mobility.

For many young people with a low educational level, mobility already stops at the borders of their neighbourhood. [...] When young people are given the opportunity and the necessary financial support to spend

By T.T.

six months or a year in another country, this will in most cases result in a big social leap.” He explains that the follow-up activities foreseen in the framework of the programme contribute to maximising the benefits of the trip.

“

Every day we are more globalised, and there is less of a notion of what being European is.

”

Andreia

24

TheStory

Generation 92 – Hey YOUth! Where do we go from here?

“We were second-rate citizens” Discrimination has led many members of minority groups to leave Turkey, embarking on an uncertain journey towards recognition of their rights elsewhere. A young Turkish-Armenian shared his story with us.

Djivan (not his real name) left Turkey with his family when he was 12. His personal tale and the relationship between his home country and the EU have been closely intertwined ever since.

“We were second-rate citizens”, he says, looking back to the days when he still lived in Turkey. He explains that as members of a Christian minority, they faced harassment and abuse. Bomb threats at their local church and school, insults and job discrimination finally prompted the family to leave.

Seeking asylum in Germany in 1996, the family spent six years in the country before their application was rejected: having entered into an Accession Partnership with the EU, Turkey professed commitment to human rights, and minorities officially enjoyed the same rights as any other Turkish national.

For Djivan, who had just started an apprenticeship as a mechanic, this decision was a blow. “To me, Germany was my country”, he explains. “I had my friends there, my family, my job.”

For his parents, re-establishing themselves in Turkey was not an option: “The situation for Armenian Christians there has not changed all that much”, says Djivan. Several months after having been forced to leave Germany, they turned to the Belgian authorities in the hope of finding a new home. “Belgium has recognised the Armenian genocide”, Djivan explains, recalling that Turkey still denies the mass murder of Armenians during and following World War I.

“Those who dare to speak still risk their lives” Despite a resolution by the European Parliament of 18 June 1987 in which it called on the Turkish authorities to publicly recognise the genocide, the EU has not put much pressure on Turkey in this regard. “For reasons of realpolitik, the EU has lacked the courage to make the recognition of the genocide a precondition to opening accession negotiations with Turkey”, says Anne-Marie Mouradian, member of the assembly of representatives and former Vice-President of the Armenian Community of Belgium. She adds: “Opening negotiations has not put an end to negationism or to discrimination.” She explains that those who dare to speak up against the official doctrine still risk their lives, as highlighted by the murder of the Turkish-Armenian journalist and rights activist Hrant Dink by a Turkish nationalist in 2007.

The EU’s decision to start accession negotiations prompted the Belgian authorities to reject the asylum application of Djivan’s family in 2005. Saved in extremis from deportation through a law protecting asylum seekers from ‘unreasonably long procedures’, they managed to obtain their permanent residence permit the following year.

Resilient optimism Djivan, who is now 28, combines his work in the family business, a take-away, with a second job in a hospital canteen. He says he feels confident about the future: “I have reasons to be optimistic. I have a job, a flat and a car. But I’m working very hard for it too.”

When asked about his sense of belonging, he has no hesitation: “I feel European”, he says. “I have settled in.” He has now applied for Belgian nationality. Speaking French, Dutch and German fluently, he could lay claim to being more Belgian than certain natives in some respects.

By F.E.

To him, the development of a European sense of belonging is a natural spin-off: “The lack of a European sense of identity comes from a lack of contact to other Europeans. [...] Clinging on to national identities results from a fear of the unknown.” For others, such as Katri, these do not necessarily go hand-in-hand. Her attachment to her Finnish identity is by

no means synonymous with nationalism: “In Finland, there is a heated debate going on about racism and nationalism and I think it’s important that in all this xenophobic talk, internationality is raised as a richness, not as a threat,” she stresses.

The European Commission has now tabled a proposal for the 2014-2020 programming

period that foresees bundling all existing learning mobility schemes into one comprehensive ‘Erasmus for all’ programme.

While an increased overall budget is to raise the number of beneficiaries across the board, the bulk of the funding will be set aside for higher education. The text of the proposal presents this concentration of resources as an economic imperative,

25

insisting that in times of economic and financial crisis more than ever, education and training systems must be able to “deliver the knowledge and skills needed in an increasingly globalised labour market”.

The new structure is to achieve long-term economic gains by raising the ratio of people with higher education to 40%.

© Paul Hossfeld

© Paul Hossfeld

Besides the availability of opportunities and funding, the outreach to underpriviledged population groups in an additional barrier in this context. Getting the information across to potential beneficiaries and convincing them to participate is no easy task. “Most young people are focused on obtaining a qualification in the sense of formal education and training,” Mr HelmPleuger explains. “They think activities such as a voluntary service will bring no results. We need to raise awareness that the benefits are huge – not just in terms of language learning, but also in terms of independence and personal development.”

TheStory

26

Generation 92 – Hey YOUth! Where do we go from here?

Lost dreams

Driven by necessity Data from different sources consistently indicates that willingness to cross the internal borders to study or work among young people is on the rise. While Eurodesk has seen a steady increase in the demand for advice on the EU mobility programmes, the results of a survey published by the Commission in May 2011 show that half of young Europeans would be ready to work in another EU country. Yet less than 3% of the EU’s working population is living outside their home country. Many of those who said they would have liked to go abroad could not afford to do so.

“We have serious problems right now” says Ioannis Ziomas, professor of chemical engineering at National Technical University of Athens. “Prior to the crisis, students could find a job related to their studies within one or two years” he says. Teaching to third year students, aged in average 21, the professor observes in current times of crisis “a bad mood to study amongst the young. They feel that their studies are meaningless, they are not happy, have no motivation” sums the 55 year old up. “Before, students were happy with their studies, preparing to find a job. Finding a job today is almost impossible today” he adds.

“A lot of young people, myself and those I am discussing with think about leaving Greece” says Nikiforos Valtinos, 21 year old student of communications in his final year at the American College of Greece in Athens. “It is impossible to build up a career in the current situation” he says. Shops closing down, media headlining “crisis”, “deficit” and “money” all the time, the overall pessimistic atmosphere ranges between bad and worse, between sadness and fear, tells Nikiforos. “I think to go for a master abroad, or try to find work elsewhere” he says.

Leaving friends and family, a whole life behind? For those who stay, loosing dreams is a reality: “I know that I am going to have a difficult future.

I was made to believe that my life would turn out to be easier and more affluent than my parents’ lives, but currently I am considered lucky, just because I have a job at a café. My friends and I have stopped planning for our future, because no matter how much we plan, nothing is to materialise” said a young women in Athens according to the Greece@LSE blog (http:// blogs.lse.ac.uk/greeceatlse/about).

“If the situation continues longer, people might become very angry” estimates Ziomas. “People were not prepared for the crises, they have the feeling that this is not their fault, but of the people governing the country” he adds. Quiet streets, less cars and people going out for dinner, are everyday life signs of the crisis. “Have Greek any say of what they are going to do in the future? Is the country responsible for its course or other powers?” wonders Nikiforos. “Young people have already expressed their feelings to politicians” he adds. “But this is like talking to a dead body”.

Severe changes in the university budgets, colleagues leaving the university and no money for new staff: “Last year, in 2010, we had in our laboratory 40 000 Euro at our disposal” tells Ziomas. “Today, it is only 3 500 Euro. We cannot even afford to make photocopies to students, in those times it is difficult to do our job” he added. “In the past, Greek liked to go abroad for studies, curious to see what is elsewhere. Today, it is quite sure that they won’t come back when they find a job. In 5 to 10 years, we will have difficulties in finding qualified and well educated people in Greece” he thinks.

“But hope dies last. After a crisis, everything will be better. We just do not know when” Ziomas adds. History will tell.

© Paul Hossfeld

By J. G.

27

Gábor Kertész or the optimist Gábor Kertész grew up in Tószeg, a small Hungarian village with a population of 4 500. He was 20 in 2004 when his homeland joined the European Union.

Today, he is 28 and works as a programme manager at the National Development Agency in Hungary. “I’m responsible for planning and implementing EU funds, leading working groups, preparing calls for proposals and chairing Decision Preparatory Committees”, he said.

His new position reflects his own experience of Europe and the reality of the difficulties faced when entering the professional world. Looking back at his career, he remembers: “After I had finished my European Voluntary Service in Spain and came back to Hungary, I thought I would easily find a job, because of my experiences, language knowledge, etc. But I couldn’t find anything for 6 months, until finally the European Commission offered me a position as a Blue Book trainee at DG Education and Culture... After the Commission experience, I also had a few tough months until I got my current job.”

“

The rejection of unemployment, welfare cuts, the current political system, capitalism, banks and political corruption is the first sign of a change, but it is not strong enough.

Gábor is undoubtedly critical about the way the EU is functioning and noticed some ongoing issues in the Union: “People don’t trust the EU because of its bureaucracy, slow reactions and inability to find common solutions for problems. Fundamental changes are needed; most importantly they need to overcome the petty interests of different groups. If the EU can take these steps, a European future is possible.”

Although he recognises that the European machine is not well oiled, he did not join youth movements such as those led by the ‘Indignados’ to show his anger. He agrees with most of their opinions but asks for more: “The rejection of unemployment, welfare cuts, the current political system, capitalism, banks and political corruption is the first sign of a change, but it is not strong enough. What are missing are the facts, the real content, the goals and the programme of these movements. Until they know what they really want, the system will be the same.”

Fortunately, in spite of the European crisis, Gábor is confident and sincerely believes that there is a prosperous future to come: “Our generation will see and form a change and I hope that world will be better.” He adds: “Of course, I’ve also struggled a lot finding a proper job over the last few years... and I hear even worse stories from other youngsters, but I still believe that if you do your best, sooner or later you’ll achieve what you want.”

”

Gábor

For Gábor Kertész, it is now important from a professional standpoint to improve his skills in Hungary: “Since I’ve already lived abroad, I can imagine going somewhere again, but not now. I think I need to stay in Hungary for a few years and gain proper professional experience first. I don’t want to be just a

The economic situation might act as a driver for a new surge in demand for job opportunities abroad: for young people in crisis-hit countries, looking for a job elsewhere is a way of escaping the desperate job market situation in their home country. “It is impossible to build a career in the current situation,” says 21-year old

trainee anymore...” He reckons that the current situation is not ideal for his generation: “There are so many talented young people who just don’t get the chance to fulfil their dream and find their way in the current system. If the EU can’t find a solution for that soon, can’t invest in our children’s advancement, we will waste lots of opportunities.”

Keeping a smile on his face, his advice to people of his generation is: “You can enjoy life anywhere; you can find positive and negative things around you everywhere, so why not focus on the good things?”.

Nikiforus Valtinos from Athens. “A lot of young people, myself and those I am discussing with, think about leaving Greece”.

The Greek unemployment rate for young people under 25 has doubled in the last three years, soaring to 43.5%. Even those who have a job often cannot afford to rent a flat. The low entry salaries for young

By P. F.

skilled professionals have inspired yet another label: the ‘Generation 700’, earning an average 700 € per month and often living with their parents to get by, has little in common with Stefan Wolff’s Erasmus generation whose mobility is driven by ambition rather than necessity.

28

TheStory

Generation 92 – Hey YOUth! Where do we go from here?

Minimum wages (EUR/month)

These data apply to the situation on 1 January 2011. In some countries the basic national minimum wage is not fixed at a monthly rate but at an hourly or weekly rate. For these countries the hourly or weekly rates are converted into monthly rates. The national minimum wage is enforced by law, often after consultation with the social partners, or directly by national intersectoral agreement (this is the case in Belgium and Greece). The national minimum wage usually applies to all employees, or at least to a large majority of employees in the country. Minimum wages are gross amounts, that is, before deduction of income tax and social security contributions.

Such deductions vary from country to country.

Cases 122.71 -

278.02

4

278.02 -

319.22

4

319.22 -

565.83

4

565.83 -

862.82

4

862.82 - 1 757.56

6

Data not available

12

Minimum value: 122.71 Maximum value: 1 757.56

Source: Eurostat 2011

A state of flux Across the EU, youth unemployment has risen significantly since 2008. Young people are increasingly aware of this trend and take it into account when making career choices. “I was looking for a type of training that would allow me find a job quickly,” Bastien recalls. “I chose to follow training in the field of communications a few months before the sub-prime crisis.

That’s when I realised that communication departments were the first target of budget cuts and lay-offs. I reckoned I had made a mistake.” He explains that he feels privileged to get the opportunity to work

in the family plumbing business after finishing his training course: “This is a crisis-proof field of activity.”

Andreia from Portugal expresses a similar view of things. “I am not very optimistic about my professional future,” she says.

“Nowadays in my country it’s very hard for young people to get jobs, even if they have a degree. You really need to be lucky.”

In a time when more bad economic news hits the headlines day after day, the bigger picture of risks and benefits attached to European unification tends to be obliterated by the immediate effects of austerity

plans and plunging stock markets. When the Fondapol survey in January 2011 unsurprisingly revealed low trust in the EU institutions and widespread pessimism among young Greeks, the sovereign debt crisis had not even reached its peak.

The direction that the crisis will take, and the changes that this might involve for the ways in which EU countries work together, might redefine the relationship that the young generation develops with the European aspect of their identity, and with their European neighbours.

29

Vantage point

stayinG aBRoad foR eduCation PuRPoses

europe’s youth in today’s europe Based mainly on the Fondapol (“Fondation pour l’innovation politique”) worldwide survey “2011, World Youths”, conducted in June/July 2010 and involving 32,714 individual respondents aged 16 to 29 in 25 countries, this mix of facts and figures gives us a partial, but firm idea of how young Europeans currently perceive themselves on a personal level and in relation to Europe and the world beyond. is the faCt of BeinG euRoPean iMPoRtant to younG PeoPLe’s identities?

90

88

87.9

87.1 79.2

20.6 12.1

11.8

Lower secondary level

Yes

Upper secondary level, general education

10 Upper secondary level, vocational education and training, including apprenticeships

11.6

Post-secondary, non-higher education

Higher education

No

Sources: Flash Eurobarometer survey: Youth on the move, 2011

What does BeinG an eu Citizen Mean to younG PeoPLe?

94% Being able to study in any EU country

88% the right to work in any EU country

82% de

ee

eL

es

fi

fR

hu

it

PL

Ro

se

uK

access to healthcare and social welfare anywhere in the EU

de

77% the right to move permanently to any country in the EU

49% 49% 51% 49% 48% 51% 42% 56% 55% 55% 61% 47% 33% 49%

the right of non nationals to vote or be elected in local elections in the EU country where they reside Sources: Eurobarometer survey: Young Europeans, 2007

PRoPoRtion of younG euRoPeans Who haVe stayed aBRoad foR eduCation oR tRaininG PuRPoses

no: 86% yes: 14%

Sources: Flash Eurobarometer survey: Youth on the move, 2011

"Only 27% of young Europeans state that they are satisfied with the general situation in their country"

TheStory

30

Generation 92 – Hey YOUth! Where do we go from here?

Let’s Go GLoBaL!

MayBe, We Can!

76%

Young Europeans on the whole perceive globalisation as an opportunity.

of young Europeans think that people can change society through

their choices and actions.

23 76 25 74 30 70 30 69 30 69 31 68 31 67 34 66 34 65 34 64 47 52 49 49 50 49

Sweden Finland Estonia Spain

Threat (%)

Poland

Italy

Romania Germany

UK

Hungary France

Turkey Greece

Opportunity (%)

tRust in the eu

Less than five out of ten young Europeans trust the EU but almost nine of them predict a more important role for it in the future.

50% 55%

37%

south africa ............................................. 91% Brazil....................................................................... 90% usa ............................................................................ 87% China ...................................................................... 84% eu .................................................................................. 76% japan ....................................................................... 70% easteRn youth: MiRRoR, MiRRoR?

47%

75%

hungarians

78%

Poles

79%

Romanians europeans

47% 92%

hungarians

61%

61%

87%

Poles

84%

Romanians

60%

76%

europeans It’s important to be in style

It’s important to look good

finLand and sWeden: tRustinG youth

LeVeL of tRust in the national government: 25%

the police forces: 51% People in general: 55%

the national parliament: 23%

the army: 54%

the medias: 28%

the national government: 40%

the police forces: 74% People in general: 68%

the national parliament: 36%

the army: 67%

the medias: 61%

the national government: 51%

the police forces: 68% People in general: 71%

the national parliament: 50%

the army: 56%

the medias: 32%

31

haVinG ChiLdRen is a PRioRity foR… 58% 56%

51% 48%

47% of young Germans see war as one of the greatest threats to society, just behind poverty and famine.

“Pollution” is cited by 32% of young Europeans as the greatest threat to society. The least concerned are the British (22%), the Poles (18%) and the Turks (16%).

52%

49%

46% of young Europeans consider themselves to be Christian while 38% of them choose to be agnostic or atheist.

45%

Only 7% of young Europeans have the desire to pass on religious faith to their children at home.

uK: teLeVision, WeB, and no sPoRts!

30% of young Turks think that the EU will play a far less important role in the future.

85% 82% 89% 69%

69% 59%

55% 50% Leisure activities: watching television EU

Leisure activities: Internet

Cultural and artistic pursuits

Doing sport

UK

77% of Europeans consider family to be the bedrock of society compared to 87% of Brazilians and 92% of Indians.

Owning a house or a flat within the next 15 years is the foremost aspiration for 68% of the French and 65% of the Poles.

Being in love is the key of a good life for 55% of the British, 35% of the French, 32% of the Italians and 29% of the Spaniards.

Breaking the law to fight injustice is acceptable for 47% of young Europeans

a suCCessfuL CaReeR Means

#1

A good salary

#2

A good working atmosphere and friendly colleagues

#3

An interesting job the ideaL soCiety

59% of young Europeans reject the idea of dying in a war to defend their country.

Although voting is perceived as a duty by about 80% of young Europeans – with the exception of Finns (66%) – less than 20% of them might consider becoming a political party activist.

39% of young Europeans do not wish to pay their elders’ pensions (vs. 83% of Indians).

52%

48%

One where wealth is evenly distributed

One where individual performance is rewarded

85% of young Europeans are in favour of a free university education and of the right to get free healthcare for people who have no income.

44% of Europeans believe that spiritual values should be given more importance in society vs. 56% of the Americans and 89% of the Chinese.

TheStory

Generation 92 – Hey YOUth! Where do we go from here?

Success story

Carl is a UK break-dancer from Birmingham. He and his friends are always looking for unusual places to practise their passion. The “Somewhere to_” project helped their group, called Sunset, to find places where dancers usually cannot go.

r

Breaking with usual dancing spaces © Finn Taylo

32

By Emmanuel Freson 4 pm, Birmingham, and rush hour is already in full swing on Soho Road. Drivers are desperately trying to make it through the dreaded tailbacks here without losing their cool. Traffic signals are turning red and pedestrians start to cross the road. Then five of them stop in the middle and start dancing. They flick, spin, body pop, break dance, somersault, bringing the traffic to a complete standstill but, surprisingly, without any negative reaction.

Everyone is delighted by the unexpected display! People on buses as well as in cars have their mobile phones out to record or take pictures. Nine, the leader of Sunset, reveals: “We showcased our art form and people were entertained. Well, we like to think that the horn honking was a sign of approval!”

This amazing performance would not have been possible without the support of “Somewhere to_”. Under the impulse of Livity, a communication agency specialising in youth communication, this project addresses young people from 16 to 25 and helps them find a place to do the things they love within the world of sport, culture and the arts. “Space is often considered as inaccessible to the majority. ‘Somewhere to_’ is there to inspire young people to look for space and overcome social and geographical barriers,” points out Almon Caspersz, public relations consultant at Livity.

This initiative has been set up within the framework of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games thanks to Legacy Trust UK, an independent charity, to help build a lasting cultural and sporting legacy across the UK. Moira Swinbank, chief executive of Legacy Trust UK, specifies the target to be reached: “We are striving to get young people involved with London 2012 in a real and meaningful way.”

A win-win strategy Finding somewhere is not always a piece of cake, especially when it comes to more inaccessible spaces like a festival stage, for instance. To make it easier, “Somewhere to_” encourages potential venue providers by stressing the image benefits of involvement in such an initiative. Another incentive that further reinforces

33

the venue provider’s commitment is the presence of Channel 4 Education within the project, ensuring extensive TV coverage.

Since the start of the pilot project in 2009 and its official launch in 2011, “Somewhere to_” has already accessed numerous spaces to cater for various requests and also enabled some lucky young people to make their dreams come true. Hannah was given the chance to write an article for a newspaper, Lalona organised a women’s football tournament, and Mungo was appointed as official photographer for a PR agency covering London Fashion

Week, to mention just three of the many examples.

Do you feel like doing what over 1 000 other young people have already done? If so, get in touch with “Somewhere to_”, who will be endeavouring to create your very own performance space between now and the end of 2012. A chance to jump over the fence, 100% legally!

More information: u www.somewhereto.com

34

TheStory

Generation 92 – Hey YOUth! Where do we go from here?

Generation gap

The cohorts of the ‘Now’ generation Baby Boomers created youth culture ‘apparently’, Generation X were the ‘children of the 60s’, they were cool, and now there are Generation Y... and don’t forget the coming hordes of Generation Z, after all, these new ‘digital natives’ are probably our future!

By Mark Humphreys But then again, some in the media are already calling Generation Y the ‘Lost Generation’ – struggling to find work, to afford to leave home, let alone start a family. Zygmunt Bauman, Emeritus Professor at the University of Leeds

and one of Europe’s foremost sociologists, has even suggested, “This is the first after-war generation facing the prospect of downward mobility.”

Generations of parents expected their offspring to have greater choices and

opportunities than they had, “be yet better educated, climb yet higher in the hierarchy of learning and professional excellence, be richer and feel even more secure”, explained Bauman, but not so it seems!

Generation Tech

Virtual guinea pigs in a brave new world How would you book a flight without the Internet? How would you research a new city, or even a new friend for that matter?! Tech-savvy Generation 92 (let’s call them Generation Tech) would probably have to take a beat before answering these questions

By Aoife O’Grady By the time they were turning five years old, the Internet was already diallingup in the background of their nursery rhymes and, as they grew into their teens, it was a firmly settled wireless

presence amongst the angst and crushes of their adolescence.

Now, whether these emerging 20 year olds choose to travel, study, trawl for

jobs or simply ponder the meaning of life (via Facebook procrastination), the Internet is there to aid and abet. Their computers are all-in-one TVs, radios, DVD players, newspapers, books, phones

35

Knowing however, what makes today’s young Y and Z Generations ‘tick’ is hugely important when we try to understand how our society is going to grow, and not least how the work environment will need to adapt, and how these new generations can succeed.

From WWI to MTV There have been many generations before that have had their own ups and downs to contend with. From the heroically named “Greatest Generation”, those people born between 1901 and 1925 who have turned 18 after World War I, to the ominously named Silent Generation, born between 1923-1944. Then from 1945-1964 came the Baby Boomers, living in a time of relative prosperity and peace, they were the Hippy Generation, the Flower Children, the great consumers – two cars in every garage and a holiday in the sun – but they also fought for environmental protection, while putting a man on the moon. Next were Generation X, born between 1961 and 1985, and witness to the fall of the

and even shops. On a societal level, the Internet has transformed the concept of privacy and changed the power dynamics of information creation and access, both for good and, well, not so good: while the net offered many Arab Spring demonstrators the chance to mobilise and communicate, it is also used to radicalise new recruits to fundamentalist causes. While it can be a medium for exposing injustice to global contempt (such as the viral images of American police officers nonchalantly pepper spraying unmoving demonstrators), it is also means of capturing and manipulating our personal information for targeted advertising.

“The Internet could literally and fundamentally alter the way we think”

Berlin Wall, the splitting apart of the Soviet Union and the first Gulf War, this was the MTV generation.

networking is de rigueur, with androids, Facebook, digital networking and sharingall order of the day. These are the real DNs or “digital natives”.

Generation Y

In today’s fast evolving working environments, companies need to understand the changing personalities of each generation of students, whether X, Y or Z. And so perhaps the last word here should “In today’s fast go to Penelope evolving working Trunk, founder of environments, Brazen Careerist, companies need a career manageto understand ment tool for next-generation the changing professionals, personalities who wrote on her of each generation blog, “...the next of students, [Z] generation whether X, Y or Z” will be so good at processing information that they will open doors we can only knock on today.” So while times are hard, maybe the future is going to be brighter.

Today’s ‘30 something generation’ are the Millennials or Generation Y, born between 1980 and 2000. The first really ‘connected’ generation, growing up with mobile phones and the start of the Internet, but also witness to 9/11, al-Qaida and the beginnings of the worst economic decline since the great depression of the 20s.

Another designate for this group today is the ‘Generation of €700’, a reference in the Greek media to those young Greeks unable to establish a career, or who are forced into temporary low-paid jobs, where they only receive the minimum monthly wage of €700.

But what about the next generation, Generation Z, Generation Net or simply iGen. They really are the connected generation, having never known a world without the web, laptops or tablets. Social

The vortex has spit Generation Tech out into this brave new world. Then again, they have never known any different and, after all, isn’t everything ‘forever changed’ with the emergence of each new generation? The children of the 70s could not imagine the world pre-sexual revolution; while most privileged 80s babies could not conceive of a life without TV. Not the same thing, commentators say these changes were mere ripples compared to tidal wave that was the advent of the Internet.

Generation Tech are involuntary guinea pigs scrambling forward into the great unknown.

The Internet could literally and fundamentally alter the way we think, according to a team of researchers from the independent research group Ciber, at University College London, that is working on a series of experiments to test whether the architecture of the web is transforming the connections in our brains. As practically the first children to grow up immersed in the net,

According to Aleks Krotoski, British presenter of a ‘Virtual Revolution’, a series on the history of the net, Generation Tech are better at multitasking and quicker at sourcing information than their predecessors. For all the positive effects of ‘net brains’, we probably don’t yet know the negatives. It will be up to Generation Tech to report back from the future - may the force be with them!

“The vortex has spit Generation Tech out into this brave new world”

36

TheStory

Generation 92 – Hey YOUth! Where do we go from here?

15-10-2011

© Jason G

2011 has seen the re-birth of popular outrage and the rise of “The Indignant” (“los indignados”).

Their movement has also spilled over onto Europe’s streets.

But who are they really?

rant

“The sound of the crowd”

By Patricia Floric In the European parks where they have set up camp, the protesters are scathing about how the world today is being run.

Initially the movement involved a group of young people, most of them younger than 30, and sprang up in Spain and Greece, where the economic crisis was being most keenly felt. Quickly, however, those denouncing spiralling unemployment rates and the financial mess were joined by people spanning the generations and social classes.

On the 30 November, Eurostat, the platform for European statistics, announced a European unemployment rate of 10.3%.

According to this official headline statistic, “23 554 million men and women in the EU were unemployed in October 2011.

Compared with September 2011, the number of persons unemployed increased by 130 000.” This precarious situation has prompted an entire generation to ask questions about its future.

As one such individual, Marco, declared, “I am 32, but have been unemployed for four years now!”

Mounting disappointment

Former Spanish prime minister Felipe González has compared the protests to the Arab spring and reckons that, although the movement is “an extraordinarily important phenomenon”, it displays a different motivation: “In the Arab world they are demanding the right to vote, but here

© Patricia Floric

Since the first protest on Madrid’s Plaza Mayor in Spain back in May 2011, the anger of “The Indignant” has spread throughout Europe and beyond. People are occupying business centres to express their dissatisfaction with the banks in London, Madrid and even on Wall Street.

they are saying that voting is pointless.” As an anonymous individual said from behind a ‘V for Vendetta’ mask in the French city of Nantes: “We want to be heard. Today, we don’t think that Europe is listening. That’s why I’m following the movement.”

On 15 October 2011, the protest movement decided it was time for their action to go global, and so they called for a first global day of action. SHIFT mag was present on this occasion in London, Brussels and Barcelona to find out about the people behind the “indignados” protest banner.

© Jason Grant

37

tista © Camerar Floric

Barcelona © Patricia

© Patricia Floric

Brussels

© Camerartista

© C am

erartis

ta

© Jason Grant

London

600 000 More than half a million indignados marched on Barcelona on October 15th. This is the largest number of protestors among the 951 protests that took place that day in 82 countries.

TheStory

Generation 92 – Hey YOUth! Where do we go from here?

EU–China Year of Youth

A youthful boost to EU-China cooperation EU Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth Commissioner, Androulla Vassiliou and President of the All-China Youth Federation, Mr Wang Xiao, launched the EU-China Year of Youth in Brussels back in January 2011, to promote ‘people-to-people’ exchanges within the EU-China partnership.

The initiative was born from a desire to complement EU–China political and economic cooperation, by enhanced contacts among people, in particular young people. The Head of Unit of the European Commission’s Youth in Action Programme at DG Education and Culture, Pascal Lejeune, explained that the EU and China now intend to further deepen contacts by establishing high-level people-to-people dialogue to complement existing political and economic relations, and that “the Year of Youth has been a pioneer in this direction”.

sion, 2011

By Mark Humphreys

©European Commis

38

A Joint Action Plan was signed before the launch of the Year to set the framework for the development of joint activities. It was based around three objectives: build “bridges of friendship” by strengthening and expanding understanding between Chinese and European youth; encourage young people to support the development of EU-China relations in the long-term; and finally, ensure cooperation between policy makers as well as between youth organisations will remain sustainable beyond 2011. These objectives, explained Mr Lejeune, “highlight the importance of encouraging closer cooperation between Europe and China’s young generations for the development of more solid future relations”.

At the final flagship event of the year, the EU-China Youth Leaders Summit in October, European and Chinese youth representatives put forward joint recommendations on how to deepen exchanges and develop EU-China relations further. Recommendations included the need for Chinese and European youth organisations to be more involved in the formulation, implementation and monitoring of the EU-China strategic parnership. They also highlighted the

need for a more structured dialogue between youth stakeholders, academia, the private sector, civil society and decision-makers.

The young participants also agreed that support of activities aimed at empowering Chinese and European youth mechanisms such as the Youth in Action programme of the EU, the international youth exchange programme of the All China Youth Federation and other existing exchange programmes, should continue. Fostering youth entrepreneurship, finding an appropriate way to deal with ageing societies and the question of sustainable development were also considered as building blocks for the future.

Over the course of the year, more than 100 programs with largescale participation and broad out-reach have strengthened intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding, and developed networks between European and Chinese youth.

All in all this new cooperation, developed through the EU-China Year of Youth, explained Pascal Lejeune, “has been an important step towards strengthening the EU-China strategic partnership, by putting people and not least youth, at the heart of our relations, which will mark a very important step forward in EU-China relations”.

Thesnapshots

spomenik “I’m an image-maker – I want to capture the feeling in the image”, Jan Kempenaers.

PoRtRait By soPhia KaBiR

The project grew out of Kempenaers’ long-term relationship with the Balkans, starting in the early 1990s. Having briefly assisted a film-maker in the region, he returned to Sarajevo shortly after his first visit to capture landscapes and the warshaken cities with his lens. During this period, small local libraries in Zagreb became his getaway on rainy days, and were where he had his first encounter with the mysterious monuments while skimming through an encyclopaedia. He learned that the numerous futuristic sculptures were built during the Communist era under the Tito regime to serve as World War II memorials. As they were placed directly on the sites of former battlefields where partisans fought the German army, they

are scattered all over the country, largely hidden away in secluded places in the woods and the mountains. Despite this, the remoteness of their locations could not keep Kempenaers away. In 2006 – together with a local friend, an old map and a few hints from residents in the area – he decided to head out and capture the monuments with his camera. Four years and six trips to the Balkans later, Kempenaers has not only incorporated this project into his PhD thesis, which he is currently completing at art school in Ghent,

but also published a book, simply titled Spomenik, meaning “monument” in SerboCroatian. Kempenaers explains that the title Spomenik also makes a link with Sputnik, the Russian satellite programme.

“I found a certain connection between these two things, because some monuments do look a bit spacey”.

Both the historic and the artistic aspects of this work are equally fascinating.

Historically, it is the rather unheardof facet of the Communist regime that draws attention to these unusual figures.

Being directly associated with the closed totalitarian past, the population was never particularly interested in these

© Jan Kempenaers

When speaking to Antwerp-based photographer Jan Kempenaers, it is instantly obvious what exceptional passion he has for his most recent project “Spomenik”.

Although previous projects, mainly focused on natural landscapes, led him to travel all around the world (“Japan, all over Europe, a bit in the States, the Philippines”) – it is only when asked about the series of photographs he took of memorial monuments in the Balkans that the tone of his voice changes and his eyes spark in the noisy Café De Markten, even before his first espresso kicks in.

Š Jan Kempenaers

43

TheOffice Founder and publisher: Juan ARCAS Editor in chief: Laurent VAN BRUSSEL Deputy Editor: Friederike ENDRESS Editors: Abigail ACTON, Pierre-François BAUDOUX, Patricia FLORIC, Emmanuel FRESON, Juliane GAU, Mark HUMPHREYS, Sophia KABIR, Aoife O’GRADY, Agata MROWIEC Sub-editors: Kevin BIRDSEYE, David BYWELL Contributors to this issue: Olivier BROYART, Jan KEMPENAERS, Krzysztof BURNETKO and Malgorzata NOCUN (New Eastern Europe) Design and graphics by Tipik Studio: Mi Ran Collin, Benoit Goossens, Frédéric Hayot, Brieuc Hubin Web: Grégory Courtois Printed and delivered by Manufast-ABP, Brussels Production and coordination: editors@shiftmag.eu Advertising: medial@swing.be Distribution: distribution@shiftmag.eu

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