MEU Athens — Danny Vazquez Tarrau
Danny Vazquez Tarrau studies International Relations at Florida International University. Danny participated in MEU Athens as a member of the European Parliament, representing Portugal.
Being able to take part in MEU Athens was an experience unlike any other. This conference left such an impact in no small measure because it felt in many respects as if we were in Brussels doing the actual work of the EU. Having the chance to sit, debate, politic and attempt to pass a massive legislative package in conjure with the European Council was by no means a small feat. This more than anything is what helped me gain a newfound appreciation for the complexities of the European Union and its institutions. When you are sitting working towards a goal, and this would ostensibly mean to pass the legislative proposals put forward by the European Commission, in tandem with Council, the reality of the difficulties inherent in such a system become all too apparent. Yet, the flip side of this was for me, seeing the strength that undermines this sometimes arduous process. By which I mean, that the process that goes into passing (or not) legislation at the EU level, is ultimately, made that much more effective and on the surface of it, more sound policy as well.
While being a Member of the European Parliament, coming with the experience of having previously served as both a Council Member and in the Commission gave me further insight into how Europe actually works in our day and age. While much can, and has been said, on the large bureaucracy that underpins the European Union, seeing it from the prism of governance, it suddenly becomes clear why these institutions are so important and significant. It furthermore helped to illustrate, why more work has to be done to, on the one hand, better explain to Europeans the real impactful work that the EU does, while on the other hand, continue to work on, strengthen as well as modernize these institutions in order to tackle to burdens of tomorrow.
This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of UNC, Pitt, and FIU, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
