Section6.Poland

** 1.History/Background of E.U. Country **

Click on Picture to geta 360 view of Drapers Hall an ancient shopping mall.  Polish Castle  White Eagle, the Polish national coat of arms || Poland is very rich in history. The first war between Poland and Russia began in 1013. In the year of 1518, the Reformation reached Poland and rebellions spread throughout the country. On November 11, 1918, Poland was declared an independent republic. Poland was attacked by Nazi Germany and Russia in 1939 who split the country into two parts. Over four million Jews were killed in the concentration camps throughout Poland. Poland was liberated from Nazi Germany and was under the direct rule of the Soviet Union in July of 1944. On August 24, 1989, the day came when Poland was no longer under communist rule with an election of the coalition government consisting of the Peasants Party, Solidarity, and the Democratic Party. The country of Poland had been under rule for almost 45 years. Poland's constitution was taken after the U.S. constitution. The constitution was named The Seymen, the Polish Parliment. That was the second of its kind in the world. In 1991, the Warsaw Pact was ended. Since December 23, 2005, Lech Kaczynski has been president of the country.
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Poland also has a very interesting background. Polish women pay extra special attention to their apperances. U.S. sports teams and college emblem jackets and caps are very popular. Older rural women are still wearing scarves around their heads, thick stockings, and full skirts. Their main meals consist of soup, meat, or fish, salad, and potatoes. Poles purchase bread multiple times a week or even daily. Soccer is a very popular sport played by many people. This country has a tradition of music, art, dancing, and literature. Classical music is performed all throughout Poland. Carved wooden sculptures are an important folk art. To the Poles, Christmas is the most important hoilday. In fact, on Christmas Eve, when the first star is sighted, the family gathers for a meatless twelve course meal. About ninety percent of Poles are Roman Catholic. The population in Poland is about 38.5 million, and it is decreasing slightly. Most people in Poland live in or are moving to urban cities. Polish is the official langauge, and their capital is Warsaw. The currency is the Zloty. ||

Click on the flag to learn more about the E.U. at the CIA Factbook || Poland was admitted to the E.U. in 2004. Some history and general information about the E.U. is the E.U. is a supranational orginization. E.U. stands for the European Union, and it consists of twenty-seven member countries. The E.U. started from the creation of the common market. The ideas of gradually uniting the European nations economically and politically were first put forward by Jean Monnet, a French statesman, in 1945 after World War II, but they were later proposed by Robert Schuman. Robert Schuman's speech was about striving for for peace and cooperation throughout Europe. The E.U. evolved from economic cooperation between countries in Western Europe in the early 1950's. In 1952, a common market was created for coal and steel only. In 1958, three countries removed their trade barriers that crossed country borders. These countries eventually cooperated in economic affairs as members of the European Community, (E.C.). The first countries to become members of the E.U. were: Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and Netherlands.
 * 2. Year of Admission to E.U. History and General Information about the E.U. **
 * [[image:E.U._flag.gif width="217" height="163" caption="E.U. flag" link="https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ee.html"]]

The E.U. brings together economies, governments, and people. The E.U.'s main traiding partner is the United States. The members charge no tarrifs on one another. The members cooperate in many areas such as politics and economics. The main E.U. office is located in Brussels, Belgium. The European Union has created a common currency called The Euro. The E.U. has the most success in creating a single economic market without internal barriers to trade and investment. The European Union is a major economic unit. Its members have more people than the U.S. The union works to improve the economies of its member countries through trade, investment, and economic competition. The members all share a common goal. The European Union brings together its members, to work on goals they all share, that overwrite the countries own goals. Citizens of member countries can live and work anywhrere in the E.U. because of European Citizenship. To join the E.U., you have to give up some power and carry out the decisions the union makes. Their motto is, "United in Diversity." They even created an E.U. flag and anthem. The E.U . supports many cultural programs across Europe.

The E.U. has five major institutions that shape its executive, legislative, and judicial functions. European Council, which is the union's supreme political body. It also establishes the goals of the union. The Council of Ministers approves legislation for the E.U. The European Commision proposes legislation to the Council of Ministers. The European Parliament debates the proposals of the European Commision and advises the commision and the Council of Ministers. The European Court of Justice is the union's supreme court. ||

Mrozy Vacinity in Poland || The E.U. is active on climate change. They put fast start money towards global financing-Euro 5-7 billion, (U.S. dollars 7-10 billion) a year, from 2010 to 2012, as long as others contributed. They collectively put 2.4 billion (Euro), (U.S. dollars 3.5 billion) to climate-related development. The E.U. is already the biggest donor of climate-related development aid worldwide, today. The European Union and its twenty-seven member states have been active on action against climate change. In the period of 1990-2007, greenhouse gas emmisions decreased. Moving beyond 2012, the European Community's agreed objective is to limit the average global temperature to less than two degrees celcius compared to pre-industrial levels. The European Community believes that there are three key challenges to achieving this: targets and actions, financing, and effective global common market. The E.U. has made a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emmisions by at least 20% compared to 1990, by 2020.
 * 3. How does the E.U. and your country feel about global temperatures/climate change? (//environmental issue)// **
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A successful conclusion to the international climate change negotiations in Copenhagen was a key priority to the European Community. Under the Kyoto Protocol, the E.U. has come up with a target to reduce emmisions by 8% on average between 2008 and 2012 compared to base year emmisions. The European Union is currently working on the design of an Adaptation Framework to reduce the E.U.'s vulnerability to climate change. The 'Stepping Up International Climate Finance: A European Blueprint for the Copenhagen Deal' was accepted on September 10, 2009. It presents a blueprint for for bringing up international finance to help developing countries deal with climate change. There are many new initiatives to support the increased foocus on climate change such as the Global Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Fund and the Global Climate Change Alliance. There have been key developments in climate change research particularly in the seventh Frame Program for research and technological development, which started in 2004. FP7 is large and includes four main areas: "Cooperation," "People," "Ideas," and "Capacities." "Cooperation," is the main area, and it consits of ten themes that are granted Euro 1.89 billion over the 2007-2013 period.

Poland is also devoted to helping in the battle with climate change. Their goal is to maintain a unified ecosystem of protected ares in 30% of the country. As of 2003, 23.5% was protected. Poland is participating in international agreements on air polution, climate change, and Climate Change Kyoto Protocol. Poznan, Poland held an international climate change conference for the United Nations in December of 2008. The meeting was held by the Polish Ministry of Environment. They focus on finding effective ways to limit greenhouse gas emmisions and adapting to global climate change. They will give special attention to financing, development issues, diffusion and transfer of relevant technologies. Poland's goal is to present the most important examples of working technologies which are climate friendly and can be transferred to other countries. They are particularly interested in new products to reduce greenhouse gas emmisions, such as use of renewable energy sources. Also, in technological solutions supporting the adaptation to climate change. media type="file" key="Ashley 1.wav" width="300" height="50" Click on the link to hear our view! ||


 * 4. How does the E.U. and your country feel about supporting the war in Afghanistan? //(political issue)// **
 * || The E.U. is one of the biggest supporters of the war in Afganistan. They are already one of the largest donors of money. The joint declaration was declared on November 16, 2005. Across a range of areas, the joint declaration outlines increased cooperation based on Afgan ownership. The European Union supports the announcement made by President Obama to reinforcement, engaged and commited to Afganistan and Pakastan. The E.U. is ready to work closely with Afganistan, the U.S., and other partners to help address challenges. They spent close to one billion a year Euro on activities in Afganistan. All the E.U. countries make large contributions. In return, the E.U. expects political support by the international community for security, governmance, and economic development. There is a need for capacity building in Afganistan. The union focuses on enabling the government of Afganistan to national and supernational levels. Created in a London conference in January of 2006, the Afganistan Compact provides political framework for cooperation between Afganistan and the international community for a five year period. The E.U. has strong commitments to promate stability and development in Afganistan and Pakastan. The E.U. has a need to maintain a comprehensive approach to challenges in Afganistan. Overall, the European Union has a long term commitment to Afganistan.

Poland is making contributions to the war in Afghanistan; even though most of their troops were killed in 2004. Unlike Germany and France they have kept making contributions and keep fighting. In the beggining of the war in Afghanistan Poland was in the lead with the most contributions made to Iraq. Warsaw, the capital, will be sending more troops Afganistan to help in the war. In the future Poland will keep fighting and making contributions just like the country has been doing. media type="file" key="Ashley 2.wav" width="300" height="50" Click on the link to hear our view! ||


 * 5. What is the economic background of your country and how does your country feel about supporting the economies of weaker countries in the E.U? //(economic issue)// **
 * || Poland has an economy that is recovering from communist rule. Since 1990, Poland has transitioned to an independent economy and is a success story. Before 2009, the Gross Domestic Product had grown 5% annually. GDP per capita is still below E.U. average, but it is similar to the three balitc states. Since 2004 E.U. membership and access to structural funds have provided a major boost to the economy. Unemployment fell rapidly in 2008, but picked back up again in 2009, and remains about E.U. average. Poland's economic performance could improve if the country addresss some of the remaining lacking structure in its business department. GDP is $686.2 billion (purchasing power parity 2009). Poland is progressing toward a free market economy. The 1990, "Shock Therapy," plan during during the period of hardships suffered by the people is followed by steady economic growth. Foreign investment in 1998, hit record levels in Poland and has remained high. The country remains committed to succeeding with the E.U. and developing a strong free market economy. The gap between rich and poor is expanding. Poland is the only country in the E.U. to register economic growth at 1.2%. Unemployment rate is 11% (2009 est.). Economic reform has led to increased unemployment. Population below poverty line is 17%. Agriculture products include: potatoes, fruits, vegetables, wheat, poultry, eggs, pork, and dairy. Their industries include: machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, and textiles. Natural resources are: coal, sulfur, silver, natural gas, copper, lead, and salt. Poland is a major producer of minerals and steel, and has a strong industrial center. Tourism is growing rapidly.

Poland does not want ot support the economies of weaker countries because they are one of the weaker countries in the E.U. Since 1989, Poland has no longer been under communist rule, but they are still progressing towards a free market economy. They have only been an independent economy since 1990, and they are still trying to make their economy grow and expand. The country still has to improve its economy by adressing the major deficiencies in the business environment. The population below poverty line in Poland is below 17%. The unemployment rate is still 11%. Therefore, we do not want to support the economies of weaker countries in the E.U. media type="file" key="Ashley 3.wav" width="300" height="50" Click on the link to hear our view! ||