tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36227136.post4719817404971821634..comments2024-01-16T08:40:53.682+00:00Comments on <a href="http://www.openeurope.org.uk">Open Europe</a>: EU Commission officials - coming to a Uni near youOEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00556463374230498875noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36227136.post-51054298870596281482009-12-05T12:33:37.360+00:002009-12-05T12:33:37.360+00:00I think you misunderstand the role of the EU insti...I think you misunderstand the role of the EU institutions. The Treaties that establish them have as an objective of the 'ever closer union among the peoples of Europe' (NB: the full quote gives a more balanced understanding what is meant rather than our selective approach). It is in fact an obligation of the intsitutions to promote this approach and is nothing to be ashamed of. Were they to question the Treaties they would be going againts their legal mandate. In the same way, the UK civil service promotes the policies of the government of the day. They do not entertain a balanced approach. It is not their mandate to do so.<br /><br />More study and less prejedice and you might have a few more interested readers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36227136.post-78836917661839073642009-09-07T18:39:11.435+01:002009-09-07T18:39:11.435+01:00Read the internal policy documents provided. They...Read the internal policy documents provided. They have a 'policy' to promote EU integration. Fact.<br /><br />Who said anything about the EU 'obliging' universities to accept speakers? Did we not say that the email was about offering services?Open Europe blog teamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16264607701574814301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36227136.post-53474328140997150162009-09-07T18:20:09.050+01:002009-09-07T18:20:09.050+01:00You have not provided any direct evidence that the...You have not provided any direct evidence that these talks are propagandist in tone. <br /><br />And the idea that the EU can oblige any university to accept its speakers is surely laughable. If HE establishments don't want to take it up on its offer, they don't have to. Simple.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36227136.post-73102671326793728582009-09-07T18:05:02.034+01:002009-09-07T18:05:02.034+01:00Hi Anonymous,
Over the years we've been to pl...Hi Anonymous,<br /><br />Over the years we've been to plenty of talks by EU Commissioners and officials. Their job is to promote the work of the Commission, whose job in turn is to work towards 'ever closer union', as mandated by the Treaties. Therefore, and as pointed out explicitely by the policy documents we have linked to, the purpose of going into schools and other educational establishments is to promote the EU. <br /><br />The problem is that this activity is funded by the taxpayer, with no attempt to balance it with an alternative view (think of the constant pressure on the BBC to spend taxpayers' money on balanced output). If that alternative was available, it wouldn't be so bad. Is the Commission going to pay for speakers from Open Europe or elsewhere to give talks in schools, to ensure they are balanced? If indivuals want to go into educational establishments and give their opinions on such controversial topics as the Lisbon Treaty, that is fine, but they should not be paid for out of the public purse. <br /><br />And on that point, yes, Open Europe has indeed spoken at a sixth form conference hosted by Civitas. But did taxpayers pay for us to be there? Do taxpayers pay our salaries? No. The rest of civil society has to fundraise in order to put forward our views. Not the EU institutions. They have a substantial budget paid for by the very people they are seeking to influence. If that is not propaganda, I don't know what is.<br /><br />And just for the record, for the majority of Open Europe's public events on EU topics, we've gone out of our way to make sure they are balanced - inviting Commissioners and MEPs and anyone else whose views differ from our own on a particular policy. See our events page to read about them.Open Europe blog teamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16264607701574814301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36227136.post-63780993363135161022009-09-07T16:30:43.348+01:002009-09-07T16:30:43.348+01:00I would be interested to know whether anyone from ...I would be interested to know whether anyone from Open Europe has ever been to any of these presentations? Can you say with any certainty what the content is and therefore offer proof that it's propaganda? Do you think it would be possible for any civil servant to peddle "propaganda" in universities, many of which are staffed by some of the sharpest minds in EU affairs this country has to offer - and not all of them committed Europhiles by any means?<br /><br />Lastly - and most importantly - would I not be right in thinking that Open Europe has spoken at at least one conference for sixth-formers hosted by Civitas?<br /><br />Look forward to your reply.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36227136.post-55758492385605443832009-08-14T09:41:37.251+01:002009-08-14T09:41:37.251+01:00nice posts :)nice posts :)viahttp://honeygadis.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com