European citizens on vacation despite the crisis It emerges that the crisis in the economy does not affect European citizens’ leisure time. These are the findings of a survey carried out on a sample of 27 thousand citizens older than 15. Accordingly, 50% of interviewees declared that each year they go on summer holidays, while many take winter holiday trips or visit cities of art. Over three quarters "take at least one trip each year". 40% of the sample said they prefer spending their holidays in their native country (last year’s figures amounted to 43%). As relates to the holiday budget, 41% said they have no problems to this regard, while 40% "will need to consider the family budget", by establishing "expense priorities" notwithstanding their decision to go on vacations. Only 11% "admitted they have financial problems affecting their holiday choices". On the whole, those who renounce leaving for several reasons (linked to financial, personal and family situations) represent 19% of the population; in 2008 figures were much higher (32%). Favourite destinations remain the same: Spain (preferred by 14% of the sample) Italy (12%), France, and Greece. Determining factors include in order of preference: the appeal and "the beauty" of the sites, the cultural patrimony, the "possibilities for leisure", resort prices. "Favourable climate conditions" was also mentioned as criteria for departure. A year of events according to the Commission Twelve months during which "the EU provided immediate and efficient response to relevant issues such as the international financial crisis, climate changes and the many world conflicts". This is the snapshot of 2008 portrayed in "the General Report on the Activities of the European Union" recently issued by the Commission. The Report, that delves into last year’s major national and international political events, points out that "as relates to institutions, the key institutional event of the year was the process of ratifying the Lisbon Treaty, which faltered in spring with the ‘no’ vote in the Irish referendum, but was revived at the European Council in December". While presenting the document (that can be viewed in different EU languages by logging on http://europa.eu/generalreport/fr/welcome.htm) President José Manuel Barroso declared: "”Fifty years on, the European institutions proved their ability to respond rapidly to the global challenges that arose in 2008. In its tenth anniversary year, Economic and Monetary Union also demonstrated the protection provided by the euro in the face of a worldwide financial crisis.” "The institutions demonstrated strong commitment on the other big initiative of 2008 – the shaping of a European energy policy that would take account of climate change". The General Report consisting in almost 250 pages – delves into other spheres of action that include foreign policy (primarily Georgia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean). It rotates around four "strategic objectives" defined by the Commission: prosperity, solidarity, security and the role of the Union as world partner. Language diversity, the EU’s cultural richness"Europe’s cultural diversity is a fundamental cultural resource" and "it would be a mistake if the EU were restricted to one common language only". Vasco Graça Moura, Portuguese MEP, drew up a Report submitted this week for Parliamentary debate in Strasbourg, aimed at safeguarding national and regional languages, and notably, "cultural diversity" of the 27 Member States. Moura upholds "the importance of acknowledging in the public spheres the equality of all the languages spoken in the European Union". Mr. Moura urged Member States "to integrate multilingualism in the areas of education and as relates to ongoing learning, social inclusion, employment, mass media and research". The blueprint addresses the role played by television, viewed as a mass media tool with a strong impact on the cultural environment. To this regard, emphasis is placed on subtitling and not dubbing – foreign-language programs, thus promoting the learning of different languages. The report endorses the Commission’s proposal to give priority to students’ "mother tongue" in school environments. Finally, attention is drawn on teachers’ language training and on the learning of languages on the part of ethnical minority groups and migrants.
