This long process started when the European Coal and Steel Community is founded in 1951 to
establish a lasting peace. Afterwards, on the 5th May 1949, the Council of Europe is established. In
1957, the Treaty of Rome leads to the European Economic Community (EEC) and a new period of
cooperation in Europe. Finally on the 19th March 1958, there is the first meeting of the European
Parliament Assembly which is held in Strasbourg, France, with Robert Schuman elected President.
With this event, the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community is replaced by
the European Parliament on 30 March 1962. However, this period also see the emergence of the
World War which divides the continent for more than 40 years 1 .
Between the 1960 and 1969, there is a period of economic growth since the EEC countries stop
charging customs duties when they trade with each other. On the 3rd May 1960 the European Free
trade Association (EFTA) is created in order to promote free trade and economic integration
between Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom,
following in 1968 the removal of customs duties on goods imported from each other countries. This
allows free cross-border trade for the first time and it is also applied on their imports from outside
countries. On 20th July 1963, the EEC signs its first big international agreement to promote
cooperation and trade with 18 former colonies in Africa. Another important event during this period,
is the signing of the ‘’Merger Treaty” which merges the executives of the 3 Communities: the
European Coal and the Steel Community, the European Economic Community and Euratom. It is
signed in Brussels and enters into force on July 1, 1967. Since this date, the European Communities
will have a single administrative part that is the Commission and a single executive, the Council 2 .
Between 1970 and 1979, Denmark, Ireland and United Kingdom join the European Communities
composed of the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg
raising the number of countries to 9. Meantime, democracy spreads in Europe with the end of the
dictatorships in Greece, Portugal and Spain. In 1979, the first direct elections by European citizens
take place 3 .

​The 80’s sees the collapse of the communist regimes. In 1981, Greece becomes the 10th member of
the European Communities with Spain and Portugal following 5 years later. The Single European Act
launches a 6-year program to create a single market to make trade flowing freely across the
borders between member countries. Other two important dates are the launch of the Erasmus
Program, on the 13th June 1987, whose aim is to fund university students whose desire is to
study in another European country. On the 9th November 1989, we have the fall of the Berlin Wall. 4
In 1993, the single market is created with free movement for people, goods, services and money. In
the 1990s, we have the Maastricht Treaty and the Treaty of Amsterdam. The former is established in
1993, and it is a milestone by setting clear rules for the future single currency as well as for foreign


_________________________________________________

1 EU. History of the European Union 1945-59. EU. Retrieved from https://european- union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/history-eu/1945-59_en
2 EU. History of the European Union 1960-69. EU. Retrieved from https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/history-eu/1960-69_en
3 EU. History of the European Union 1970-79. EU. Retrieved from https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/history-eu/1970-79_en
4 EU. History of the European Union 1980-89. EU. Retrieved from https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/history-eu/1980-89_en

and security policy and closer cooperation in justice and home affairs. The European Union is
officially created under the treaty. The later is signed in 1997 and builds the achievement of the
Maastricht Treaty. On 1st January 1994, the European Economic Area (EEA) is created by extending
the single market to countries in EFTA. However, Switzerland does not take part in the EEA, but have
access to the single market. Austria, Finland and Sweden join the EU. Another important event is the
Schengen Agreement, in 1995, which takes effect in Belgium, France, Luxemburg, the Netherlands,
Portugal and Spain. This means that travelers can move between these countries with no passport
controls at the borders. Finally, in 1999 the euro is born, however, it is only introduced in 11
countries for commercial and financial transitions 5 .
With the beginning of 2002, euro notes and coins become the legal currency in 12 EU countries. In
2004, Cyprus and Malta join the EU along eight Central and Eastern European countries: Czechia,
Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia, following in 2007 Bulgaria and
Romania. On 13 December 2007, 27 EU countries sign the Treaty of Lisbon whose goal is to make the
EU more democratic, efficient and transparent. However, the 2008 is remembered for a Global
economic crisis which touches also some member states 6 .
The decade 2010-19 is a complex decade with the economic crisis, the arrival of refugees, climate
change and other global challenges. Croatia becomes the 28th member state but in a referendum in
2016, the United Kingdom votes to leave the EU 7 .
2020 sees the Covid-19 pandemic spreading and United Kingdom leaving the EU. To conclude in
January 2022, Russia invades Ukraine 8 .


____________________________________________________________

​5 EU. History of the European Union 1990-99. EU. Retrieved from https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/history-eu/1990-99_en
6 EU. History of the European Union 2000-09. EU. Retrieved from https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/history-eu/2000-09_en
7 EU. History of the European Union 2010-19. EU. Retrieved from https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/history-eu/2010-19_en
8 The history of the European Union 2020 to today. EU. Retrieved from https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/history-eu/2020-today_en

27 EU Member states. 9

A lot of times we confuse the terminology Europe with the European Union (EU), however a
distinction need to be made. Europe is a geographic term which refers to the continent located West
of Asia and North of Africa; while the European Union is the political and economic union of 27
countries in Europe. Eurozone is used to refer to the monetary union of those member states using
the euro as their currency. Finally, the Schengen Area of the EU refers to a territory of abolished
internal borders between countries in Europe, with the recent introduction of Bulgaria in 2023. To
be clear not all European countries are in the EU, and not all EU countries are in the eurozone or
Schengen Area 10 .
But what about the EU institutions? Also in this case sometimes it is a bit confusing which institute is
in charge of what. Let’s give a quick look at the various EU institutions and their roles from
developing EU laws and policy-making to implementing policies and working on specific areas such
as health, transport, environment, etc…

______________________________________________________

9 Andrew D’ Amours (2022). The difference between Europe, the European Union, the eurozone, and the Schengen Area. Flytrippers Select City. Retrieved from https://flytrippers.com/difference-europe-european-union-eurozone-schengen/

There are 4 main decision-making institutions which constitute the EU’s administration.
 the European Parliament (Brussels/Strasbourg/Luxembourg): represents the citizens of EU
countries and is directly elected by them. It takes decisions on European laws jointly with the
Council of the European Union. It also approves the EU budget.
​
 the European Council (Brussels): defines the general political direction and priorities of the
European Union and it is constituted by the heads of state or government of the EU
countries of the European Union. It does not adopt laws except for possible EU Treaty amendments.
 the Council of the European Union (Brussels/Luxembourg): represents the governments of
EU countries and it is where national ministers from each government meet to adopt laws
and coordinate policies. The Council of the EU jointly with the European Parliament takes decisions on European laws.
 the European Commission (Brussels/Luxembourg/Representations across the EU): is the
EU’s main executive body. It puts forward proposals for new laws, which are scrutinised and
adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union and ensures
that countries apply EU law correctly.
Their work is complemented by other institutions and bodies, which include:
 the Court of Justice of the European Union (Luxembourg): ensures that EU law is followed,
and that the Treaties are correctly interpreted and applied. It examines the legality of the
acts of the EU institutions, ensures that EU countries comply with their obligations and
interprets EU law at the request of national courts.
 the European Central Bank (ECB) (Frankfurt): is responsible for keeping prices stable in the
eurozone.
 the European Court of Auditors (ECA) (Luxembourg): contributes to improving EU financial
management, and promoting accountability and transparency, and acts as the independent
guardian of the financial interests of EU citizens. It checks that EU funds are correctly
accounted for, that they are raised and spent in accordance with the relevant rules and
regulations, and that they deliver value for money 11 .
The EU decision-making process is defined by the European Parliament, representing EU citizens; the
Council of the European Union, representing EU governments; and the European Commission, acting
on behalf of the EU’s overall interests. The ordinary legislative procedure defined EU policies and it is
the process where the three institutions come to agreement on legislation. The Commission
proposes new initiatives and individuals, business and organizations and national parliaments can
provide feedback and express their reservations. Once the Commission has presented its proposal,
both the Parliament and the Council review it and can propose amendments. Typically, the
Parliament, the Council and the Commission then meet to see if they can agree on a complete set of
amendments. If the three institutions do not agree on a common final text, a second reading takes
place. During the second reading, the Parliament and the Council can propose further amendments.
Parliament can also block the proposal if it cannot agree with the Council.
If the Parliament and the Council agree on the amendments, the proposal can be adopted. If they
cannot agree, a conciliation committee is set up to try to find a solution. Both the Parliament and the
Council can block the proposal during this final second reading stage. A proposal is adopted into law
when the Parliament and Council agree on a joint text 12 .

In addition to the institutions, there are various bodies such as the European Economic and Social
Committee, the European Committee of the Regions, the European Ombudsman, etc...The EU
institutions and bodies cooperate with the network of EU agencies and organisations across the
European Union territory whose function is to translate policies (Directives and Regulations) into
realities on the ground 13 .

In the next article, we will delve into the importance of going to vote for the European Parliament this weekend!

__________________________________________________________

11 European Union. Types of institutions and bodies. European Union. Retrieved from https://european-union.europa.eu/institutions-law-budget/institutions-and-bodies/types-institutions-and-bodies_en

12 EU. How Eu policy is decided. EU. Retrieved from https://european-union.europa.eu/institutions-law-budget/law/how-eu-policy-decided_en

13 European Union. Types of institutions and bodies. European Union. Retrieved from https://european-union.europa.eu/institutions-law-budget/institutions-and-bodies/types-institutions-and-bodies_en

Sandra Diaferia

Fashion is about clothes, about a trend, and it’s more and less beautiful depending on who you’re asking. Fashion is just aesthetic and superficial. Do you believe in that? I don’t. Fashion is much more. It’s political, social, and environmental. A fashion house that makes clothes up to size L and one that makes clothes up to size XXXL are not the same, they don’t tell the same story. It’s a question of inclusivity.  Also, the origin of fabrics and the choice of materials for clothing matters and says a lot about the values of the brand you’re looking at.

Moreover, all those choices in fashion impact our societies, but who impacts fashion? Where does it take its influences? All cultures contribute to create fashion, even if they don’t want to, because we live in a connected world. And this also includes dominated cultures, such as queer culture, which has had a growing place in this universe for several years now. But what is its real place in the fashion industry? This is the question w will try to answer in this article, focusing on the place of queer culture in the fashion, between inclusiveness, capitalism, opportunism, gratitude, and baiting.

As a start, what is the definition of queer? At the beginning, queer was an insult against the LGBTQIA + community. It meant weird, freak, outsider. This insult was then reappropriated by the same community to make it a point of pride. Currently, the definition of queer is someone who’s gender identity, gender orientation or sexual or romance orientation doesn’t match with to the dominant model. And part of this gender identity is expressed through clothing. The identity of someone and their culture are linked, most of the time. Fashion and queer culture have one thing in common, which is to play with the established codes and redesigning the garments. Some fashion workers and creators propose something very extravagant and flamboyant, just like queer culture. Each fashion house holds a defined aesthetic, sometimes really strong like Vivienne Westwood for instance. Even if fashion wants to have an inclusive image, it remains an industry that emphasises the gap between the dominant and the dominated classes. Some will be able to buy the “proper” fashion, the rest can only afford the counterfeits. By its ways of production, it reproduces colonialist patterns, advocates for classicism and appropriates the codes of the working classes and minorities without acknowledging them.
​
How can queer culture, with its values and its diversity, can find its place in this field?
Indeed, that can be paradoxical. Marvin M'toumo, who is a fashion designer and creator, explains this during an interview. Sometimes, you don’t have the choice, especially at the beginning. If you want to have a spot in this industry, you have to make some sacrifices. But then, each choices matter. The goal is to create space for yourself, as a community, with an off-center perspective. As Marvin M’toumo says “Create a utopia in fashion, an exploration space”.  And, as we can see with years, queer culture has always inspired fashion: COCO Chanel’s tomboy in the 30s, suitcases for women by Yves St Laurent after the war, the freaky universe of Jean-Paul Gautier, the Ball Room or the work of Alessandro Michele at Gucci, and so on. All of them contributed to create something new and experiment with gender fluidity. But is it enough? There is indeed a fair amount of people from the queer community working in the fashion industry. But have you noticed anything?

All of them are close to the dominant codes, meaning that they are cis, white, and male. And they have been socialized in a sexist and misogynous world. Even today, transgender people, people of colour and lesbians are less represented in the fashion industry, if not stereotyped or fetishized. Most of the artistic directors are men, and queer men or not, it has an impact. The fashion industry becomes a vector of those bias that men have regarding the bodies of women, making the collections they present exclude certain body-types. In a few words, the industry tries to be queer-inclusive, but doesn’t include the diversity of the community.

Fashion, as a form of art, should be a tool for politics and gender reassignment. And to do this, change must be internal. Not to hire only white and cis people, to be against all deviant, misogynistic and queerophobic behaviour, to choose clean collaborators and partners who are involved in this desire for change, to pay workers well, and finally to turn away from capitalism: this is what the fashion world need to strive towards.

Be proud and change the world with a lot of little impacts! 

Axel Benaben & Olwen Delsart

Axel and Olwen are two French volunteers involved in International Day for the Elimination of Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.

 « You know, when I was your age, smoking was allowed in public closed places.» The young generation, heard these words a lot. In France, since the 1st of February, 2007,
smoking in public closed places is prohibited. It is true that 10 years before, a meta analysis on the relation-ship between second hand smoke exposure and lung cancer, showed that both was linked.
​
Our experience now of smoking indoor, in France and in a closed area, are enclosed ones reserved to smoking; in airports, nightclubs. However, we also know those parties with our friends where we all smoke inside, or in some homes with parents and children, like nothing’s serious.

One smoker, in a public space, makes the others smoking. This is how it works, and it is called: passive smoking, second hand smoke, or environmental tobacco smoke. There is first a physical discomfort of course of being near to people who smokes. But when this is about smoking inside, the people who inhales the smoke, are inhaling the same substances as well. It is diffused into the surrounding atmosphere as an aerosol polluant, which leads to cause the same effects, and diseases, even if you don’t smoke. For example, the risk to have a lung cancer is up to 24% among non-smoker who live with someone who smokes inside, what an injustice.

The immediate effects, of passive smoking are: an irritation of the eyes, nausea and dizziness, asthma attacks, problems linked to your throat or lungs. Well, the long-term
effects are more than that. We can refer to lung cancer, which is a risk between 20 and 30% for a non-smoker, coronaropathie with a risk between 25 and 30% for a non-smoker and especially a heart attack. Passive smoking is the reason of 1.3million of deaths each year. Those people are not even responsible for that, and we keep romanticizing the fact
of smoking inside, maybe for a more « particle » way. Those habits needs to change.
​
We need to respect our surroundings, especially the most fragile people, for example: pregnant women. Smoking next to a pregnant woman is affecting her health but mostly the baby; they are more sensitive because of their small lungs, and immune system less developed. Among newborns exposed either in utero or after birth, there is an increased risk of premature birth and low birth weight and a doubling of the risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The side effects of second hand smoking for the baby can also give as consequences a decrease of the weight, oxygen, some difficulties to learn, the physical development is also reduced, and the worst part is children cancer.

The theme of the the 2024 year is linked to youth people: being targeted by the tobacco industry, or, that we do not consider enough. It’s a fact, in our society now, more and more children and teenagers start to smoke really early. What increase these news habits are for example the new trends of vapes with fruits flavors, that are not really framed in stores because we don’t really know the exact consequences of smoking e-cigarettes (and romanticized) but also the fact that having parents who smokes in the house, can generate the desire to smoke. In the mediterranean region, 38% of the students aged between 13 and 15 are exposed to passive smoking in their homes. The children that are exposed to second and smoke can go trough asthma, respiratory infection, sudden infant death syndrome, which also causes around 600 000 death per year, and bacterial meningitis.

Passive smoking became a major motivation for smoking bans in workplaces, or indoor venues such as restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Since 1970, the tobacco industry has viewed public concerns over this topic a serious threat to its business interests. Despite their awareness, in 1980, they coordinated a scientific controversy with a purpose of stopping regulation of their products. Giving restrictions in a country about smoking in closed spaces and public spaces is one of the best way to reduce the amount of smokers around the world. Working places without tobacco can allow smokers to stop smoking, or
reduce tobacco consumption from 4 to 10%. No tobacco politics also allow people, especially youth generation, to not start smoking. This is not the same everywhere. In the United Kingdom, there is a law that prohibit smoking in a car with someone under 18.

Tobacco industry tend to illustrate that banning smoking goes against the rights of smokers and their free will. But, no one has the right to harm the free will of others. Anti smoking laws do not infringe the rights of individuals: they’re here to protect the health of the population by regulating where smoking is permitted, and where it is forbidden. The bad habits needs to change, for a more healthiest world.

Sources:
https://www.emro.who.int/fr/tfi/quit-now/secondhand-smoke-impacts-health.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_smoking
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/smoking-and-cancer/
what-is-passive-smoking

Nina Lemarquand

Nina is a  French volunteer involved in World No Tobacco Day.

Do you have any idea of what is biological diversity? We will explain everything to you in this article! In 22th of May we celebrate the international day of biological diversity, and this way more important than it looks, the concept of biological diversity was created in 1986, with the American biologist Edward Osborne Wilson. But what is biodiversity? Biodiversity is all the different kinds of life you’ll find in one area—the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms like bacteria that make up our natural world. Each of these species and organisms work together in ecosystems, like an intricate web, to maintain balance and support life. Biodiversity supports everything in nature that we need to survive: food, clean water, medicine, and shelter. Did you know that 1.6 billion people are supported by forests globally? The forests are really important for us, they help regulate our climate and provide us with everyday products, and the Amazon Rainforest is the highest concentration of biodiversity on the planet. Trees and other plants clear the air we breathe and help us tackle the global challenge of climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide, the loss of biodiversity can have severe consequences for human health.  Another very important ecosystem in biodiversity is the oceans, they are really important for our lives and our biodiversity, the ocean is a vast body of saltwater that covers around 71% of the planet´s total surface, and is connected throughout the world. We usually split into five primary ocean basins due to historical, cultural and geographical factors: the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Artic, and Southern Ocean basins. The ocean holds about 97% of the world´s water and supports 90% of the planet´s biosphere. The ocean is also vital importance for life on our planet, serving as a support system that helps to mitigate climate change, produce oxygen, and provide food and economic possibilities for humanity.  Another curiosity fact is only 5% of the ocean has been explored and documented by humans due to its size. The rest of it, particularly its deepest regions, is still undiscovered! Our planet depends on the vitality of the ocean to support and sustain it.
 
However, our planet and our biodiversity are in dangerous, over the past few decades, the variety of the life on earth has decreased significantly. Some of the key factors that contributed to this loss is climate change, pollution, changes in land and sea use, invasive species, species overexploitation and deforestation. The way we use the land and sea is one of the biggest drivers of biodiversity loss. Since 1990, around 420 million hectares of forest have been lost through conversion to other land uses. Combined with skyrocketing levels of pollution, the degradation of the natural habitat and biodiversity loss are having serious impacts on communities around the world. As global temperatures rise, once fertile grasslands turn to desert, and in the ocean, there are hundreds of so-called “dead zones”, where scarcely any aquatic life remains. The loss of biodiversity affects the way an ecosystem functions, leading to species being less able to respond to changes in the environment and making them increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters. Between 2001 and 2021 the world lost 437 million hectares of tree cover - 16% of which was primary forest. The destruction of mature forests, which have taken hundreds - if not thousands - of years to develop, can have a very serious impact on biodiversity.
But, despite all these problems, there is still time to save the planet and biodiversity and there are some things we can do to help, such as supporting local farms, regularly buying from small local farmers helps to keep money in the economy and supports agricultural efforts to conserve biodiversity. We can also take shorter showers to save water, reduce the amount of invasive species, restoring habitats that are damaged by humans’ impacts bringing back the plants or animals that are naturally found there, reduce the climate change by reducing the amount of fossil fuels and huge more alternative energy sources and sustainable products.

By way of conclusion, biodiversity is vital to the health of our planet and the survival of all species, including humans. It ensures ecosystem productivity, stability, and resilience, offering invaluable benefits such as clean air and water, fertile soil, pollination of plants, and climate regulation. The intricate web of life that biodiversity represents is essential for innovation and adaptation in a rapidly changing world. People need to understand that when we talk about biodiversity we also talk about a proper human right. Respect and protection are fundamental values, without them biodiversity resources wouldn´t exist and neither civilization. Educating people about the importance of biodiversity is crucial, as awareness and understanding foster a deeper appreciation and a stronger commitment to conservation efforts. By integrating biodiversity education into our communities and schools, we can empower individuals to take meaningful actions to protect and restore the natural diversity that sustains life on Earth. Preserving biodiversity is not just about protecting nature; it is about securing our own future. Therefore, it is imperative that we take conscious, collective action to safeguard and restore the biodiversity that sustains us all.

​Rodrigo Duarte & Laura Savoini.

Rodrigo is a Portuguese volunteer and Laura is an Italian volunteer, both of them are involved in International Day for Biological Diversity.

“Protect Insects, Protect Birds”, the World Migratory Bird Day’s motto is quite a simple yet powerful one this year, because this year we’re focusing on the main source of nutrition for most of the migratory birds - insects. Despite people usually disliking these small creatures, they’re a vital part of, not only bird life, but most lifeforms in general, even if they’re not direct consumers of them.

So why is the focus on these insects this year? A big reason for the attention brought to them is due to endangerment. An analysis in 2020 found that globally, terrestrial insects appear to be declining in abundance at a rate of about 9% per 10 years, and the whole globe itself has lost somewhere between 5%-10% of all insect species in the past 150 years. A third of insect species are already considered endangered, and it’s predicted to only get worse as we go on!

Why are they even important? As the official WMBD team puts it: “insects are essential sources of energy for many migratory bird species, not only during the breeding seasons but also during their extensive journeys and greatly affect the timing, duration, and overall success of bird migrations. Along their migration routes, birds actively seek out insects in fields, forests, wetlands, and various habitats during stopovers. The timing of bird migration often coincides with peak insect abundance at stopover locations, supplying nourishment for birds to replenish their energy reserves before continuing their journeys. The loss and disturbance of insect populations at breeding sites and along avian migration routes threaten bird survival and well-being.”
So how can we help? There’s quite a few actions a person can do to help our little critters! The list includes, but isn’t limited to: turning off unneeded lights during the night, in order to not confuse the insects. Supporting food companies that don’t use pesticides, allowing life to thrive in your gardens, supporting wildlife and wildflower fields, and protecting their habitats.
I hope this can give you a bit of an interest in learning how to protect and sustain our world’s insects and, by extension, birds, and happy migration season!
​
References:
World Migratory Bird Day 2024 to focus on insects | World Migratory Bird Day. (n.d.).
https://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/news/2023/world-migratory-bird-day-2024-focus-insects

Sofija Anna Gaumiga

Sofija is a Latvian volunteer involved in World Migratory Bird Day.

Bzzz bzzz… Do you recognise this sound ? I’m sure you do, and I’m also sure that as soon as you hear it, you immediately run away from it. And I can understand you dreading this tiny animal, or insect I should say. It's fascinating to think that such a small beast has so much power in its sting. Some people, instead of running away from them, try to kill them to make sure they can't sting them again. 
But is this the solution ? Is it a good thing to kill these little flying creatures we call bees ? 
​As you can well imagine, if I ask you this question, the answer is inevitably negative. Nevertheless, what's interesting is not just knowing that bees shouldn't be killed, but why shouldn't they be killed ?
On 20 May, we celebrate the World Bee's Day, and to mark the occasion I'd like to talk to you about the importance of bees in maintaining our well-being and that of the planet as a whole (yes, that's right). Firstly, you should be aware that the bee is a member of the pollinator family, which also includes butterflies, moths, bats, hummingbirds, squirrels and certain species of monkeys and birds. Of all the animals in this family, the bee is the most important. But how exactly does pollination work, you ask? The most common form of pollination involves an animal pollinator, generally bees, in what is known as zoogamy. In this case, pollinators are attracted by the nectar produced by plants. When they come to forage, they feed on the nectar and pollen. The pollen then clings to the animal's hair, feathers or skin. As they move from flower to flower, the pollinators disperse the pollen, enabling the flowers to be fertilised. In all, bees contribute to the survival and evolution of 80% of flowering plant species. Nowadays, bees are badly treated. In fact, their extinction rate is now 100 to 1000 times higher than normal! Their mortality rate is estimated at 30%, a figure that rises sharply every year. But the worst thing of all is that statistics predict a total extinction of bee species within the next few years! And who do you think is primarily responsible for this mass extinction ? I'll give you a mile: it's mankind, mainly because of the excessive use of pesticides such as neonicotinoids. These are toxic products used in agriculture and the home to protect plants and get rid of so-called harmful insects. In the agricultural sector, they are mainly used to treat areas such as rapeseed fields, which are grown on 8.2 million hectares in Europe. These neonicotinoids act on the bees' nervous system. They slow down their development, create malformations and, above all, lead to a loss of orientation and an inability to recognise flowers. These harmful effects have a direct impact on plant pollination and are contributing to the disappearance of the species. In countries such as China, the intensive use of these products has led to the eradication of the species. Farmers now have to pollinate by hand. What's more, pollinators help improve food production for 2 billion small farmers around the world, making a major contribution to food security for the world's population. Hunting honey from wild bee colonies also remains one of the means of subsistence for forest-dependent populations in many developing countries. Conversely, the decline of these species has numerous consequences for ecosystems and the quality and quantity of food crops, with the direct consequence of unbalanced diets and impoverished natural resources, as well as impoverished populations. The health, and even the lives, of billions of people will be affected, and many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as the goal of eliminating world hunger and the goal of preserving and restoring the earth's ecosystems, will no longer be achievable.
So you'll understand how important it is to leave bees alone when you come across them. We must all fight together to preserve them and our beautiful planet. Let's stop thinking of bzzz bzzz as a threat and start thinking of them as the saviours of the planet who come to visit you. Isn't that nice ?

Maya Audras

Maya is a French volunteer involved in World Bee's Day.

There are plenty of international days, and of course, there had to be one for our museums around the world. Institutions that, as the theme for 2024 stands, aim to promote education and research among visitors and public opinion. In other words, this year “we acknowledge their contribution to research, providing a platform for exploration and the dissemination of new ideas. From art and history to science and technology, museums are vital spaces where education and research converge to shape our understanding of the world.”
International Museum Day (18th of May) has been organized by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) since 1977, to raise awareness about the fact that, "museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples”. In 2023, more than 37,000 museums participated in this celebration in about 158 countries and territories.
Since 2020, International Museum Day has supported different goals from the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. In 2024, museums are focus on:
-Goal 4: Quality Education – Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
-Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation.
18th of May is the official day, but during the week we can find different events and activities to celebrate this day, acknowledging the impact museums have on our society. One of these events is a common and very interesting one. Celebrated for the first time in 1997 in Berlin, the Long Night of Museums consists of a variety of museums opening until late the night, usually with free entrance to all of their exhibits, trying to reach new types of public. Apart from the commercial point of view, there is also a willingness to spread culture between people.
Since 2005, the Council of Europe, UNESCO and ICOM joined this initiative to transform it into a European Night of Museums during the third Saturday of May. In 2021, 1200 museums in 120 cities throughout Europe, as well as other nations including Argentina and the Philippines, welcomed nearly 2 million visitors to their collections during this special night.
But this goes from big to small all around the globe. That’s why also in Serres we, Praxis, will host an activity based on a visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art “Konstantinos Xenakis” Gallery. We need to recognize the value of every single museum. An essential tool for culture, education, research and innovation. Moreover, a fantastic way to entertain yourself, to fill your spirit. Cause when you might think the art, the science, the culture contented in museums is superfluous, then is when it hits you the harder, changing your predefined ideas and giving you a new point of view. Therefore, you will probably redefine your time.
​
So take the time to visit a museum, it is worth it!

Mario Formisano Fernández

Mario is a Spanish volunteer involved in International Museum Day.

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) has been celebrated since the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Antalya, Turkey, in November 2006. It was during this conference that the decision was made to combine the celebrations of World Telecommunication Day and World Information Society Day into one. But what do these two events specifically entail?

Since 1969, World Telecommunication Day (WTD) has been annually celebrated on May 17th, commemorating the founding of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865 in Paris. This observance was officially established at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Malaga-Torremolinos in 1973 under Resolution 46. Meanwhile, World Information Society Day (WISD) came into being in November 2005, following the call by the World Summit on the Information Society for the UN General Assembly to designate May 17th as WISD. This designation aimed to highlight the significance and challenges associated with information and communication technology (ICT). Notably, alongside telecommunications, information technology, particularly the internet, has surged in importance, warranting greater public awareness. 1

First event celebrating the World Telecommunications Day. 2

Since then, every year, a specific theme is chosen for WTISD. The purpose of the event is to raise awareness about the opportunities that the use of the Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICTs) can bring to societies and economies, as well as ways to bridge the digital divide. 3
​This year, the focus is on how digital technologies could help tackle the world’s most pressing challenges, such as fighting climate change, eliminating hunger and poverty,
connecting everyone, and unlocking sustainable prosperity for all. 4
However, before delving into how WTISD could contribute to achieving some of the goals
established by the SDGs (17 Sustainable Development Goals), let's first address the following questions: what is telecommunications, and what does it mean that we currently live in an information society?
Telecommunications entails the exchange of information over vast distances through various mediums such as fiber optics, electromagnetic fields, light, and cables. It involves both a transmitter and receiver, facilitating communication across great distances. Telecommunications devices, like
smartphones, have seamlessly integrated into our daily lives, proving essential for the success of businesses and facilitating basic day-to-day operations among suppliers, employees, and clients.
Thanks to telecommunications, we enjoy the privilege of accessing, processing, and exchanging information rapidly and efficiently. It's difficult to imagine where we'd be without it. Since its inception, telecommunications has experienced exponential growth with each passing decade. From
humble beginnings such as smoke signals, it has evolved to encompass groundbreaking inventions like the internet, revolutionizing communication with innovations like wide-area networks, WhatsApp messaging, emails, and broadcast networks including radio and television. 5

An old model of telephone (author’s picture).
​
“Voice was the original medium of communications, but these days, video, data, and text are also sent back and forth to communicate” (Mitel, 2024).

However, telecommunications continue to expand, and we are far from its culmination, particularly
within our information-driven society. Here, the creation, distribution, and utilization of information
and knowledge hold pivotal roles in driving social, economic, and cultural progress 6 .

ITU wants to reach most SDGs through digital technologies. 7

ITU, the UN specialized agency for ITCs, is working towards harnessing digital innovation for development and connecting everyone to ensure a better future for all 8 . ITU believes that digital technologies and data can help achieve 70% of targets under the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The SDG Digital Acceleration Agenda highlights 34 digital solutions which are helping to advance the SDGs. Indeed, it is estimated that digital technologies, such as mobile devices, digital public services, and emerging innovations including Artificial Intelligence are reshaping the global
landscape. They are working towards financial inclusion, increasing the effectiveness of government
and providing people and providing people with platforms and channels to make sure that their voices are heard. But what is the relationship between digital maturity and SDG progress? Firstly, economic growth and wealth have a significant role in both SDGs progress and digital maturity.
Analysis of more than 120 countries with different income levels enlightens that counties expanding their digital infrastructures and turning mobile data more affordable in the past decades have made more progress towards the achievements of the SDGs than other countries in the same income group. 9

Let’s explore how the digital technologies could contributing to achieving some of the 17 SDGs:
2. Zero hunger: drone technology can monitor crops and provide information on how much water is needed. Software systems available through mobile apps can monitor and analyse data to help farmers to decide when to plant, fertilize, irrigate and harvest their crops.
4. Quality education: accessible and affordable connectivity allows young people to use open, free and high-quality digital skills and training platforms. Smart digital platforms can be made accessible in local languages and used to align curricula with internationally recognized standards and certification.
5. Gender equality: connectivity enables women and girls to access information and communicate for their safety and development. It can allow girls to reach support services, learn about sexual and reproductive health and express their views.
7. Affordable and clean energy: next-generation digital networks have lower energy consumption, and smart grids can support electrification and more affordable connectivity.
Artificial intelligence technology can be used for predictive maintenance of electrical utilities, enabling automatic backups and limiting downtime.
9. Industry, innovation and infrastructures: mobile digital technologies are enabling high-quality communications infrastructure and networks to expand into underserved remote and rural areas. Data and artificial intelligence technologies can accelerate innovation and productivity in key sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing.
10. Reduce inequalities: digital public goods and applications such as mobile money are enabling access to financial and other services for all members of societies, including women and girls, rural communities and displaced people.
12. Responsible production and consumption: digital technologies such as 3D printing, the Internet of Things, big data, cloud computing and blockchain can support a circular economy and supply-chain resilience, particularly in manufacturing industries.
13. Climate action: information and communication technology solutions can help to cut nearly 10 times more carbon dioxide than they emit. Digital technologies combined with ecological design can help to reduce the amount of natural resources used in products by up to 90 percent, lessening the impact of material extraction.
14. Life below water: satellite imaging and machine learning can help find and collect the 5 trillion pieces of plastic trash in the ocean. Online portals and mobile-based tools can
connect the plastics supply chain, track the flow of waste materials, and help create transparent digital marketplaces for plastic waste.
16. Peace justice and strong institutions: public technologies and government services, where well designed and applied, enable people to access public services, reduce waste and
corruption and create data that allow public institutions to target needs more effectively.
17. Partnership for the goals: partnerships between States, private sector and civil society
leverage the capacity of digital tools to provide solutions for development across the
Sustainable Development Goals. Examples include the Digital Public Infrastructure Alliance, the Coalition for Digital Environmental Sustainability and public-private partnerships for disaster response. 10

Digital technologies have the potential to greatly benefit society and address numerous global challenges. However, are these impacts solely positive, or are there also negative and potentially dangerous aspects associated with the digital society?

Sandra Diaferia

Sandra is an Italian volunteer, involved in World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.

Are you one of those people who love to know useless things? This article is for you!
To celebrate International Europe Day, here are 10 fun facts about different European countries. Very helpful for shining in society or filling in the blanks in a discussion.

1. There are not mosquitos in Iceland. Thanks to the lack of shallow ponds and cold temperatures true kryptonite of mosquitos.

​2. Norway knighted already three penguins since 1972. Actually, the last penguin which was knighted is named Brigadier Sir Nils Olav III. He is the mascot and colonel-in-chief of the Norwegian King’s Guard.

​3. There is a rainforest in Europe. Found in Bosnia and Herzegovina, this forest is named the Perućica Rainforest. 

4. The Vatican is the smaller country in the world.  

​5. Much of the Game of Throne landscapes were shot in Europe, particularly in Northern Ireland, Croatia, and Iceland.

​6. Andorra has no airport or train station. Therefore, Andorra is accessible only by road.

​7. The Czech Republic has the highest beer consumption per resident in the world.  

8. Citizens of Monaco are, by law, banned from gambling and they are not allowed in casinos. 
9. Switzerland has not been involved in any wars since 1815. A source of exemplarity.
10. In Denmark, new parents must name their kids one of the 7000 pre-approved names. Creative spellings of common names are also not permitted under these laws. And if you to name your child something unique, you need to get permission from the government.
​
​So, did you learn anything today? 

Olwen Delsart

Olwen is a French volunteer involved in the Europe Day.

​Every year on April 30th, we can hand our attention to the smooth rhythms and soulful expressions of jazz music for International Jazz Day. The day is centered around understanding the cultural bridges, the history of this genre and a mere appreciation for it. First established by UNESCO in 2011, International Jazz Day aims to highlight the diplomatic role of jazz in bringing together people from diverse backgrounds in the spirit of harmony and mutual understanding. Once the day got recognised, it's since been filled with a variety of events! Such as informative activities, concerts, jazz nights at bars, and many other types of events. Take the event at Fuzzy Logic this year as an example! On the 25th, we hosted a trivia night all about Jazz and its history. Jazz has roots that stretch back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, coming from African American communities in the southern United States, more specifically New Orleans. Over the decades, it has evolved and adapted, incorporating influences from all around the globe to become a genre that's adored all around the world, now with local artists in nearly every country! One of the key features of jazz is its emphasis on improvisation, allowing musicians to express themselves freely and spontaneously. This spirit of improvisation mirrors the dynamic and ever-changing nature of human interaction, making jazz a fitting symbol of cultural exchange and collaboration. International Jazz Day celebrates not only the music itself but also the values it embodies – freedom, creativity, and inclusivity. Through jazz, artists and audiences alike are invited to explore new horizons, challenge conventions, and find common ground, transcending barriers of language, ideology, and nationality. Each year, International Jazz Day adopts a theme that reflects current global issues and challenges. Past themes have focused on topics such as gender equality, youth empowerment, and environmental sustainability, demonstrating jazz's capacity to address pressing social issues and inspire positive change. In addition to its cultural significance, International Jazz Day also serves as a platform for promoting music education and fostering the next generation of jazz musicians. Through workshops, masterclasses, and outreach programs, young talents are given the opportunity to learn from experienced artists and connect with peers from around the world. As we celebrate International Jazz Day, let us not only revel in the music's timeless beauty but also reflect on its message of unity and cooperation. In a world often divided by differences, jazz reminds us of our shared humanity and the power of music to transcend boundaries, bringing people together in a spirit of harmony and joy.

Sofija Anna Gaumiga

Sofija is a Latvian volunteer involved in the International Jazz Day.