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Assembly

Benjamin
November 13, 2012

 Assembly

School Assembly Slideshow

Benjamin

November 13, 2012
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Transcript

  1. As citizens of Wales we are aware of our identity,

    traditions, customs and history within a British context but what does it mean to be Welsh in Europe? What does it mean to be a European citizen? What do I understand about being Welsh and a member of the EU?
  2. The EU has helped to deliver half a century of

    peace on a continent previously ravaged by war. In fact, this year, the EU received the Nobel Peace prize to celebrate this achievement. The importance of being part of a larger political bloc in a globalised world in which size matters has helped greatly. A European Charter of Human Rights and a Common foreign security policy has also contributed to this success. As a result, Wales and Europe have benefited immensely.
  3. The Single Market of the EU has meant that companies

    going about their business in EU member states have been forced to lower the prices of their products to become more competitive. As a Welsh and European citizen you can ‘shop around’ for bargains. No customs tax is charged on goods that are sold or transported between member states. The EU also tries to make each market as similar as possible to ensure fair competition across national borders.
  4. European citizens have the freedom to live, work, study, and

    travel in any other EU country. Since 1995 alone, about 100,000 young Britons have spent time studying in another European country.
  5. As European citizens we have a louder international voice. By

    working together in the EU member countries can ensure our concerns are heard, and taken more seriously, on the international stage. When the EU speaks it represents about 500 million people. This is more than the combined population of the United States & Russia!
  6. As Welsh employees in a European labour market there is

    greater protection for workers: The European Working Time Directive is an EU initiative designed to protect workers from exploitation by employers. The directive lays down regulations on matters such as how many breaks an employee can take, and how many holidays they are entitled to each year. It also aims to limit the average time an employee can be compelled to work to 48 hours a week.
  7. As Welsh and European citizens we now have greater Environmental

    protection: The Environment knows no border and so the only effective way to tackle environmental pollution is through international co-operation and action. Britain has cleaner water, cleaner air and cleaner beaches because of action at the EU level .
  8. As EU members Welsh citizens have enjoyed greater equality and

    social inclusion: The EU has done a lot of work to raise the standard of equality for its citizens. Through EU directives citizens are protected from employment discrimination on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, disability and age.
  9. There has also been greater co-operation in Law Enforcement: EU

    co-operation is helping to crack down on terrorism, drug trafficking and organised crime.
  10. As European and Welsh citizens in the 21st Century we

    are more educated about our national neighbours. We are more aware of the linguistic wealth of Europe as well as its diversity of customs and traditions at all levels. This awareness has blossomed from tolerance into appreciation of the rich cultural heritage of the European Continent.
  11. However, in order to take full advantage of our Welsh

    position in Europe, in order to reap full benefit both culturally and economically, in order to appreciate and be fully appreciated within our European family it is important to communicate in other people’s languages. How else can we continue to develop greater understanding and create a better standard of living?
  12. So what are the advantages of learning other languages? Learning

    another language makes it possible to move and find a job in another country. It improves your employment potential. Business is global! It makes Welsh employees more economically attractive in this difficult economic climate. In a globalised world characterised by international links and intercultural connections, linguistic skills and international experience are crucial for employment and career. This mobility in the labour market helps create new jobs and stimulate economic growth.
  13. It helps to improve your cognitive ability such as your

    social skills, communication and confidence.
  14. Learning another language actually helps to improve your ability in

    English. It greatly benefits reading and writing in our own language; there's evidence that, like musical education, it contributes significantly to the development of individual intelligence; and concretely it improves overall results at school.
  15. It improves your chances of entry into college or university

    and expands your study options abroad.
  16. It helps you to get more out of foreign travel

    because many students take a gap year after A Levels or university to do so.
  17. Learning languages helps you to increase your awareness of the

    world around you and to make you more open-minded to other people and their culture and what they can offer. Conversely, to lose a language is to lose a whole culture. This realisation has led to determined efforts to preserve minority languages, including, for example, in Britain, with the renaissance of the Welsh and Gaelic languages.
  18. As Welsh students, learning a Modern Foreign Language can help

    you to better understand your own culture as well as helping you to appreciate the international culture of other countries such as their literature, music and film.
  19. Knowing other languages promotes cross-cultural contacts, mutual understanding and direct

    communications between individual citizens. It enables different nations to integrate more closely.