International
Reflections |
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Reflections this week mark the accession of ten new countries to the European Union on 1st May. Friday 30th April During my higher education, mostly spent in the UK, Polish EU accession seemed very distant. Now it is finally happening, our membership is principally being portrayed from the economic perspective. However, to me, the cultural aspects of enlargement always seemed just as important as the economic ones. Poland played an important role in developments that brought the European continent to its present shape, starting with the Battle of Vienna in 1683 when the Polish Hussars halted the invasion of the Ottomans about to overrun the continent. In 1791 the first written constitution in Europe was adopted by Poland shortly after one was created in America. A multicultural Commonwealth of Poland and Lithuania existed for over 150 years, embracing several European nations long before the first concepts of the EU emerged. Comparable contributions can be found in the past by Czechs, Lithuanians, Slovaks and others from the ten European nations accessing the community. Maybe years form now 1st May 2004 will be seen as marking a similar historical moment, who knows? However, I am certain that Poland and the others have more to offer than seen at first glance and can contribute in ways far beyond just the euro or pound.
Konrad Werpachowski |
 STAFF AND STUDENTS REFLECT
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