EUROVOICES is a multimedia platform that gives the floor to your political representatives at the European level: the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).
As the biggest European representation of entrepreneurs and business professionals with a migrant background, whom we refer to as New Europeans, UNITEE wants to play an active role in ensuring that its members, and Europeans in general, are better informed of their representatives’ positions.
This is why we conducted interviews with MEPs on issues that are relevant for UNITEE and for European citizens in general. Your daily life is directly impacted by European policies and the work carried out by MEPs. We therefore strongly encourage you to watch our videos and cast an informed vote!
How it works: You can select the videos by topic (click on a category in the platform menu or on a picture below) or by MEP (click on the name of an MEP below).
Click on the name of an MEP to watch all of his/her interviews!
Women account for half of the population but are, up to now, still not equally represented in both politics and the economy. For example, on average in the European Union, only 27% of MEPs are women and women only comprise 12% of board members of the largest listed companies. In addition, too few women choose the path of entrepreneurship, which would allow them to live up to their potential. Women with a migrant background, whom we refer to as New European women, often face even more barriers to equality and social empowerment. Strengthening the position of women in Europe is paramount for the economic and social development of European societies. Breaking with old stereotypes will benefit not only the individual but the public as a whole.
This is why UNITEE has asked your representatives about their opinions and positions on a number of issues that affect women.
SMEs
UNITEE represents only SMEs (Small and Medium sized Enterprises) in more than 115 sectors of the economy. In Europe, over 99% of all businesses are SMEs. SMEs create jobs and trigger innovation and are thus a key driver for the European economy. In the global race for competitiveness, Europe will need more entrepreneurs and more internationally active SMEs. Only 25% of SMEs in the EU are engaged in EU countries other than their own while only 13% have activities outside the EU.
This is why UNITEE has asked your representatives how important SMEs are for the European economy and what can be done to support them at the EU level.
EU-Turkey relations
Turkey is of particular interest to UNITEE since the majority of its members, even if they see themselves as fully European, have a Turkish background. Turkey is also of great interest to Europe in general. In the last decade, it has grown an average of 5.2% per year, thus becoming an increasingly appealing economic hub. The European Union is also the first economic partner of Turkey.
To know more about this issue, UNITEE has asked MEPs and other important actors for their opinion about the current developments in the EU-Turkey relationship and which challenges should be met in order for both parties to prosper.
ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP
The active political participation of Europeans is of paramount importance to social inclusion and the construction of a truly representative and democratic European Union. Nevertheless, political participation and voting turnout has been experiencing a decreasing trend. In particular, the European elections have aroused less and less enthusiasm. Only 43% of Europeans took part in the last European elections in 2009, a decrease of 20% compared to the first European elections in 1979.In view of the upcoming 2014 EU elections, it is therefore crucial to promote active citizenship among Europeans.
How do your MEPs envision the EU of the future and what is their message to encourage YOU to vote?
Youth Unemployment
Since the beginning of the economic crisis in 2008, youth unemployment has been continuously rising: it increased to over 23% within the EU-28 in 2013 which means that in November 2013, 5.661 million people under 25 were unemployed in the EU.High youth unemployment rates pose immediate and long-term risks and have a damaging effect on the economy. It has become one of Europe’s biggest challenges.
What actions are EU policy-makers taking to tackle youth unemployment? Is entrepreneurship seen as a key solution to get Europe’s youth into work?
Immigration
The question of immigration has become a sensitive issue as anti-immigrant sentiments have increased in recent years, amid accusations that immigrants take jobs from national workers and are a burden on national welfare systems.The potential of immigration to deal with labour and skills shortages needs to be further explored. In the same line, little is known about the contributions of immigrant entrepreneurs to European economies.
Are MEPs envisioning Europe’s future with more or less immigration? What sort of immigration do they favour? Do they value immigrant entrepreneurs’ contributions?
