student blogger

On Thursday 18th September, people in Scotland will hold a referendum on independence from the United Kingdom. This comes 15 years after the devolution of some powers to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, which most Scots now agree was a good decision.

However, the architectonic critics consider the futuristic design of the new parliament building (above) ruined the historical skyline of the capital. The building was designed by Catalan architect Enric Miralles who died even before its completion. By coincidence, another Spanish architect, Anthony Gaudi, did not live to see the final version of the Sagrada Familia cathedral in Barcelona, which is where thousands of Catalonians now gather demanding referendum on independence from Spain. According to the Catalonians living in Scotland, for Scotland independence is an option, but for Catalonia a necessity.

Although I live in Slovakia, I know and like both of the concerned countries, and Scotland is even often compared to Slovakia. Plus, the topic of my Master's thesis was Scottish and Welsh independence. 

Erik Redli attended this year's Charlemagne Prize, and is bringing us a series of posts bringing out the key issues of the forum.

"Berlin is becoming a melting point of Europe." These were the words of John Holten, an Irish writer and translator living in Germany, at the European Karlspreis Forum 2014 in Aachen, Germany. For a few days, the whole of Europe focusses on Germany whilst Aachen hosts the traditional Charlemagne Prize ceremony. It rewards personalities that have fostered the process of ‘Europeanization' and this year's laureate was Herman van Rompuy, the president of the European Council.

Where is Europe heading and what can the young people expect from the Europe of tomorrow? Today's European election has become the forum for parties dissatisfied with their national politics and a presidential campaign for the Europhiles. Who will be the new 'Father of Europe' - bearer of the legacy of Charles the Great? Now, his successor must save Europe from the commercialism, Asian growth and Russian hegemony. Apart from that, there are many problems on the inside. Instead of closer European integration, some parts of the member countries pursue further fission - view the situation in Ukraine. These are some of the opinions that I collected on various social networks and magazines.

But the truth is, that decision, and thereby the future, lies in our hands. Obviously, there are big differences in opinion between the particular generations. The Baby Boomers are loyal to the traditional values and rules, and still hold the majority of the senior offices. The following Generation X are rather resourceful individualists who create their own rules and opportunities. Of course that they will find central control from the EU more restrictive. Finally, there is the Generation Y majority, of who are young people and students whom I want to address.