Building Europe
Hello,
My name is Halil Cikmazkara. I worked on this idea « Building Europe » together with my friends. Personally, I come from the Turkish ethnic and cultural minority in Europe. However, having grown up in Rotterdam, therefore I am also Dutch. I did Economics in Rotterdam (bachelors degree) and I studied Law at Leiden University. I did an specialization in International & European Law in Brussels (LL.M - course).
Across Europe we have witnessed a raising of the right and a renewal of nationalism and xenophobia. This can be seen in the recent German elections, as well the Dutch and Belgian (Flemish) ones. In such times, it seems to me primordial to stop the development of such a cycle, whose outcome is all too known to Europe, and also support the marginalized communities. « Integration » is the general term put on this issue, but underlying this « problem » is not cultural incompatibility but rather a social problem of poverty and education. If we tackle these social issues, then integration issues will fall into place.
The building project’s objective has a central objective of tackling poverty, to educate and to stimulate diversity while simultaneously benefiting the environment, but also helping to contribute to battle climate change. Thus, by having the youth renovating housing in an environmentally way. Through this approach all three subject fields are addressed;
I) Climate change : increase of environment friendly real estate, energy saving.
II) poverty reduction :
A) Education is the key to reduce poverty – the reward system (access to fund) creates these opportunities.
B) The established fund will also create opportunities for the youths to realize any creative projects or investments, which also stimulates creativity and teaches them empowerment and to plan for the future.
C) The energy bill will be decreased
IV) Diversity :
A) Different youngster of different walks of life come together and work with each other. This encourages social cohesion, as the youth learn to participate in society.
B) The real estate needs to be scattered over the city, to avoid the formation of ghettos and to ameliorate integration. The people living in the accommodations will also come from a variety of backgrounds.
C) The benefits reaped, not only form the the experience of working on the project but also through the access to the fund and the consequent education; helps to prevent exclusion from society and alienation.
