The European Union

1. The European Union By: Stephen Neumann Mackenzie Stenger Charlotte Gagnon Kevin Macchio Collin Bosse

2. Roll Call... • Austria • Belgium • Bulgaria • Cyprus • The Czech Republic • Denmark • Estonia • Finland • France • Germany • Greece • Hungary • Ireland • Italy • Latvia • Lithuania • Luxembourg • Malta • The Netherlands • Poland • Portugal • Romania • Slovakia • Slovenia • Spain • Sweden • The United Kingdom

3. How to be a member • To join the EU a country must meet the Copenhagen criteria: • These require a stable democracy that respects human rights and the rule of law • a functioning market economy capable of competition within the EU • and the acceptance of the obligations of membership, including EU law. Evaluation of a country's fulfilment of the criteria is the responsibility of the European Council

4. A brief history of the EU • After World War II the original six were created • the first member countries created one European Coal and Steel Community in 1952. • In 1957, the member countries signed another treaty. Now it was a community for coal, steel and for trade. Later it changed the name to the European Community. • In 1993, the Treaty of Maastricht caused the final name change European Union. Now the member countries work together not only in politics and economy, but also in money, justice, and foreign affairs. • With the Schengen Agreement, 22 member countries of the EU opened their borders to each other. • Now already 16 member countries have replaced their national currencies with the euro. • 10 new countries became members of the EU in 2004 and 2 more became members of the EU in 2007. Today there are 27 member countries altogether.

5. Objectives of the EU • 5 immediate objectives: • Effective information sharing and learningEU and national policy- decision-makers and stakeholders together identify the best practice, and assessment tools to help improve policy-making, implementation processes and outcomes • Evidence-based EU policies and legislationProviding high-quality comparative policy research and analysis, collecting information that is relevant, credible and accurate in the interest of stakeholders • Integration of cross-cutting issues and consistencyIncorporating equality issues (such as gender and disability) into all policy sections and activities and collecting data on gender participation when relevant • Greater capacity of national and EU networksinvesting in the capacity of national and EU networks to participate in and influence decision-making and policy implementation at EU and national level. • High-quality and participatory policy debateEnsuring there is productive debate at EU and national levels on law, policies and objectives, including all those affected

6. Objectives • 3 intermediate objectives • Effective application of EU rules on worker protection and equalityPromoting better standards of inspection, monitoring and enforcement by EU countries and reviewing how EU legislation has been applied • Shared understanding and ownership of EU objectivesEU countries have agreed to common guidelines and goals to inform, coordinate and strengthen national-level reforms • Effective partnershipsInvolving stakeholders throughout the policy process: problem definition, information gathering, consultation, development of options, decision-making, implementation and evaluation

7. Ultimate Objectives • the promotion of peace and the well-being of the Union´s citizens • an area of freedom, security and justice without internal frontiers • sustainable development based on balanced economic growth and social justice • a social market economy - highly competitive and aiming at full employment and social progress

8. Advantages of the EU • Transaction costs will be eliminated no currency exchange between countries • Prevents war Among EU countries • Rivals the “Big Two” Japan & USA • Increases trade Seamless borders, same currency and similar taxes • Slows inflation

9. Disadvantages of the EU • Deflation tendencies When one goes down another goes up, as seen in the U.K. • Over estimation of Trade benefits Are we better off now? • Loss of Sovereignty Governments will not be able to control banks

10. How this benefits us • the EU represents Canada's second largest trading partner in goods and services. In 2010, Canadian goods and services exports to the EU totaled $49.1 billion, and imports from the EU amounted to $55.2 billion. • the EU is also the second largest source of FDI in Canada, with FDI amounting to $148.7 billion at the end of 2010. • The EU identifies us as their 4th largest investment of FDI • Look at our local greenhouses- Amco, CanPol etc.

12. Members Israel (1961) Chile (1961) Estonia (1961) Slovenia (1961) OECD currently has 34 members worldwide.

14. Brief History • Organization for European Economic Cooperation (OEEC) was est. in 1947 • Made governments recognize the interdependence of their economics • Introduced co-operation of countries that changed Europe. • Countries joined forces by signing with a new branch called the OECD Convention. • The organization for Economic Co-operation and development was officially started up in Sept. 30, 1961 with members including Canada and USA

15. Objectives of the OECD • With the help of 34 members plus for countries they have close relations to giving it an essential role in addressing the challenges facing the world economy. • They use their wealth of information to help governments’ gain prosperity and fight poverty through economic growth and financial stability • Environmental • They make recommendations to countries

16. Core values • Objective: Our analyses and recommendations are independent and evidence base • Open: We encourage debate and a shared understanding of critical global issues • Bold: We dare to challenge conventional wisdom starting with our own • Pioneering: We identify and address emerging and long term challenges. • Ethical: Our credibility is built on trust, integrity and transparency

17. Benefits to Global Trade: • OECD undertakes analytical and innovative work in order to settle or clarify issues dealing with trade. • By hosting global trade conferences and bringing countries together the OECD is able to exchange views and review current trade policy issues. • One of the areas that the OECD has truly changed trade is the taxes they have been able to make agreements or tax treaties with certain countries to reduce the amount of taxes paid. • The OECD has also put a lot of efforts into reducing tax fraud, they’re goal for the future is so that it is evident who is paying taxes and how much. This is to ensure that everyone is paying their taxes as they’re supposed to.

18. Limitations of the organizations: • OECD reported, “Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden have the lowest prices for mobile phone calls among OECD countries, according to the latest OECD Communications Outlook. • The OECD is an organisation that makes predictions in order to advise countries although the uncertainty in economic forecast is not always correct. • Trade creates economic growth therefore any opportunity to reduce trade barriers is a good thing. The OECD does not have any authority which may be their biggest limitation.

19. Interesting facts on the OECD and the EU • Key issues that the OECD is confronting today are: • Restoring public trust • New sources of growth, boosting job and skills • Restoring public finance • Headquarters are in Paris, France • If tariffs were eliminated, more than half of the benefit would go to developing countries • Global trade grew from 40% GDP in 1992 to 50% today • 250 publicized articles per year EU • The 12 stars in a circle symbolize the ideals of unity, solidarity and harmony among the peoples of Europe. • On 12 October 2012, European Union is awarded Nobel Peace Prize. • The EU spends around 6% of its annual budget on staff, administration and maintenance of its buildings. • The euro –used every day by some 332 million Europeans – is the most tangible proof of cooperation between EU countries. Its benefits are immediately obvious to anyone travelling abroad or shopping online on websites based in another EU country.

20. Bibliography • ilibrary, http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/docserver/download/fulltext/0109121e.pdf?expires=1351102488&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=16D20D31720709FFA3A8946D8B4C938B, 2009   • OECD, http://www.oecd.org/sti/industryandglobalisation/measuringtradeinvalue-addedanoecd-wtojointinitiative.htm, Nov. 2011 • BMI, http://www.bmi-t.co.za/node/130, 2012 • International Trade, http://www.oecd.org/insights/42732710.pdf, 2009 • The Global Transparency Resource, http://www.ifitransparencyresource.org/oecd-organisation-for-economic-co-operation-and-development.php, 2012 • http://www.oecd.org/about/history/ • wiseGEEK. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-oecd.htm.Tricia Ellis-Christensen 24 July 2012

21. Quiz • Name 5 countries in the EU and 2 that belong to OECD • One Main Benefit of the Eu and OECD • How many members of the EU and OECD • Where is OECD’s headquarters? • What year did the EU win the Nobel Peace Prize?