Tema 1 Learning Corner Review – tema 1 practica – Evelina Ciobotaru

Learning Corner Review (Learning Corner)

• from the perspective of the communication and learning about the European Union

The first interaction with the platform leaves no space for uncertainty regarding the authenticity of the page and affiliation with the European Union, as it clearly states from the beginning that it is an official website of the EU. This is a useful thing considering how fake news and scaming initiatives are more an more present in the online world nowadays.

Next, as I went through different sections, I was pleased to notice how well the content is structured, from having separate sections based on age groups, to having the possibility to choose between different topics (topics that are of course relevant to the European Union). This makes the content not only available to youth, but also for younger kids, mainly because the content is designed to catch the eye through gamification, videos, quizzes and so on. As I wanted to test the usability of the platform, I played a game about how my life could look like in 2050, a game where you could choose what you eat, what you buy, how you commute etc. This is in line with the EU initiatives of promoting sustainable development, the energy transition and even a better agri-food system. The end of the game positively influence how you can live your life in a more sustainable way, through actions that don’t have to wait until 2050 to be implemented, but that can now be included in our everyday lives.

As I was pleased with the diversity of content and learning options, I wanted to have a deep dive into learning about the EU, how it works, what it does and how I can get involved, which in its essence is not an easy task, considering its complexity, number of institutions and processes inside the EU. However, I liked that you have many ways of absorbing this information, many found in the “EU made easy” section. However, besides this section, you can have a look at the “Institutions, law, budget” and “Priorities and actions” for a better understanding, going from history, to maps and languages, and even future prospects regarding the EU enlargement. Moreover, it’s nice to notice that up-to-date topics, such as the war in Ukraine, are mentioned here as well. And, if you get more curious about the EU, you have the chance to contact people working there directly or even visit the institutions, a great chance to experience the Brussels vibe or any other city where the EU institutions are present.

Another interesting area is the “Live, work, study” section where opportunities for all kinds of people, including those who are not part of the EU, are centralized, making it easy to find jobs, internships, volunteering opportunities and even events in the EU. This is super important especially for a young person like me, who is looking for all kinds of development opportunities. Moreover, the news and events area is up-to-date, with events coming up, made available in one place.

Overall, I consider this website a treasure for people looking to learn more about the EU, either out of curiosity or to develop some skills that can be used to apply for opportunities inside the EU. The website is user friendly, the information is up-to-date, there are many learning ways suitable for different age groups and variable topics to learn about and ooportunities to apply to. If I would’ve known this website 10 years ago, this would have been a key point in my development as a young person. However, I still consider it relevant for me and I wish to make it known by many other people.