Communication is the key for our progress as one people. In my Europe 2030, there is a union-wide internet network, which can be accessed by anyone. The open border policy has until now been the most significant communication structure, but the game is changing. In the same way as the first commercial airlines connected the world in the beginning of the 20th century, the internet is connecting the world now in the 21st century. Wars can be prevented, economic growth promoted and equality in the union could become a reality, with a network accessible by every citizen of the EU.
Internet availability of today
Differences are considerably great inside Europe when it comes to accessing the internet. Rich countries are generally more connected than inadequate ones. In Sweden for instance, about 95 % of the population has access to the internet. In Italy that number is closer to 50; according to the World Bank. There are today many other countries where internet access is not as far developed. This does not only mean that fewer people in Italy are on Facebook, compared to a country with more internetconnected people such as Sweden. This also means less communication with the world and within the individual country. Less communication comes with less knowledge and development. In the end, the already struggling countries fall even further behind in the development, and this affects the whole economy in the union.
Communication as a peace keeper
I believe that the two basic functions of the union are the development of the economy and the position as a central peacekeeper and guardian of human rights. These two parts have a common feature – communication. Many dictators would not have the same possibilities to systematically indoctrinate people with destructive ideas as resistance movements gain strength through communication. Conventional flyers certainly cannot be compared to the power of a strong leader or dictator who can collect unknowing or frightened people. The receiving and uploading of information to a continuously updating system such as the internet would reduce the risk of strongly corrupt authorities. The holocaust is a sad but great example of this, and as we never want anything like it to reoccur, a strong network of communication, accessible by everyone, would establish the means to prevent just that.
The vision of a connected world 2030
The whole world could follow the events of the Arab Spring, which resulted from the access to technology and the internet. This actualized the question of the importance of internet accessibility in our modern society. By this, the internet communication can be seen as a tool in the process to create or maintain peace. However, we will hopefully and most certainly not face these events in Europe, such as those having come up in the Middle East, but the idea can be applied to more insignificant occurrences. I hope that this was the beginning of a new era that will lead to a connected Europe and world in 2030.
In “my” Europe of 2030, the internet is available to everyone within the EU. This requires a help to the countries which have fallen behind. This union- wide internet would be just like a giant subway running through every small village to every grand city, with the speed of light. This kind of network would not only connect and unite nations, but the whole European Union.
Economic equality
Today, the internet is clearly being used all over Europe on a large scale. The price, however, for the exact same service can be a few hundred percent more depending on which country one is a resident. With the union-wide network, these problems would be eliminated. A system like this would also eliminate prejudice and racism to some degree, as people can talk and share thoughts and ideas easier. Thomas Piketty, the author of the newly released “Capital in the Twenty-First Century”, is about economic perspectives in Europe. His thesis is to create equality in the world through progressive taxation and my opinion is that the internet is one of the corner stones in this process. However, we also share the conclusion that communication and knowledge are the most important forces for our common development.
We want the EU to survive the concurrence from nations such as the BRIC countries and the US. We need to work and develop together as one big union, and not small nations to make that happened. With the union-wide internet access, the people of Europe are provided with the means for a development of completion and improvement, towards a united Europe, without discrimination, hate and other destructive forces. We, the citizen of Europe, need to work and develop as one, to progress as individuals.