What does the
European Union mean to you? When I first asked myself
this question, I did not think the European Union (or
EU) meant anything to me. What could it possibly have
to do with a young Muslim girl born in Kenya, who moved
to the United States in 1998? I have since learnt that
I was terribly wrong. The EU directly affects my life
as well as that of everyone else around the world and
without it, our world would not be the same. The EU is
a coalition of 27 European countries that deals with issues
that my generation especially should teach ourselves about
because we are the future of this world. One issue that
is very important to me now and in my future plans is
world peace, and the European Union is crucial stepping
stone on the road to achieving it. The EU teaches people
that if you work together to reach a common goal you can
achieve almost anything. One example is the African Peace
Facility, created by the EU, which provides the African
Union and other regional organizations with the means
to mount effective peacekeeping operations. In Africa,
I have witnessed with my own eyes riots and violence occurring
in open daylight in the market streets of Nairobi. The
EU addresses the need people to educate others about how
much better the world would be without the fear of leaving
your house for a mere 10 minutes to buy a loaf of bread
and never returning. World peace is something that can
be achieved only if everyone is dedicated to it. Small
steps like the African Peace Facility are what lead to
the big product in the end. I really appreciate the EU
starting a program like this in Africa, because now someone
somewhere else can see this happen and see what a big
difference it makes; they could ultimately start it in
their own country and like a link or chain reaction, the
world can become better one country, city, or even town,
at a time. The European Union’s program in Africa
is something that inspires me to keep going with my goal
of being a peaceworker some day and helps me believe that
if you really want something in life, the entire world
and universe will help you to achieve it. Helen Keller
once said, “The best and most beautiful things in
the world cannot be seen, nor touched… but are felt
in the heart.” Even though I cannot see it, I can
feel it in my soul, and I know will come to us one day,
if we want it enough, believe in it, and work hard to
achieve it. In helping find solutions to problems that
affect our fellow citizens of the world and may affect
us in the future, the EU does a very important thing.
It is a very important presence in my life that really
does control all aspects of it. Even though it is so important
to me, I never before noticed its presence in my life;
everyone, no matter where they live, should be aware of
what it does. If the European Union did not exist, I might
not be sitting in my room writing this essay.
Bibliography:
Africa: The African Peace Facility." EUROPA - European
Commission - Homepage. 29 Oct. 2008<http://ec.europa.eu/world/peace/geographical_themes/africa/african_peace/index_en.htm>.
"Britain in the European Union." British Embassy
in the United States. 29 Oct. 2008 <http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/working-with-usa/international-institutional-refo/britain-in-the-european-union/>.
"European Union - Wikipedia
