9th of November, 1989, one of the greatest days Europe has ever seen. That day, the Berlin Wall fell, fundamentally changing virtually everything in Europe. The reunification of Germany reopened communication not only between European states, but also between Europe and the rest of the world.

Today, 21 years later, how have we developed? Does any of that still affect us? We never stop to think about what shaped our society or the European Union into their present form. You cannot speak of Germany or Romania without speaking of the European Union, as you cannot speak of the EU without including all of its members. Our nations and organizations are built upon the basic concepts of cooperation, integrity and most importantly, equilibrium through equality.

Needless to say, the world is a global marketplace. And it is rapidly becoming a unity designed to support and provide for everyone. Some might even say the world is flattening. Though a metaphor, it captures the tumultuous and crucial phases that our society is currently enduring.

One of the most important factors of globalization is the Internet. Though it already is such a highly evolved system, by the end of year 2070 it will have gained gigantesque proportions. As of 2010, only 28.7 % of the world population uses the Internet. Internet has a huge growth rate and, even if it is mainly seen as an entertainment device, it is of the utmost importance to any hope of evolution. Through the internet everyone stays connected. Data travels at unthinkable speed. News traverses the globe in a matter of seconds, and so, brings a great many people and cultures together. I cannot begin to imagine what the Internet would be like in 50 years’ time.

We consider ourselves to be pertaining to this evolved society. We consider this technology, this speed and our abilities to think and “be” global as evolution. Encapsulated, they prove to be some of our best friends, but sometimes they can be our worst enemy. Presently, most companies are able to pack up and move to less developed countries, where the labor force and production costs are cheaper.

The flattening of the world means that we are all equal, therefore leveling the odds. With everything available to us, it is only our hard work and determination that will take us further. It will not matter whether I come from Romania, England or Germany. This is the magic of technology, of relocation, outsourcing and off shoring. Being able to travel, to work at home, or at an office for a multinational company, starting an international project, being part of organizations, making future happen; this is what each and every one of us will be able to do.

On a retrospective basis, we can see that none of these would have been possible without the impact of the downfall of the “Iron Curtain”, and especially that of the Berlin Wall. Germany has become a role model for every country, by its ability to become the greatest European power, rising from ashes and rubble, after having to overcome such hardships in its past.

One thing is for sure: the world and times are changing; ergo we must keep up with it. Where will Europe be in 50 to 60 years? It might become the world’s greatest power, working as a well-oiled machine. Future is indeterminate, but the EU is going to have to withstand the test of time. Globalization makes it easier, technology makes it bearable and evolution makes it natural. For what it’s worth, I can avow that the best is yet to come.

Cosmina Simona Mihalca Colegiul National Bilingv “George Cosbuc”

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