As I’m sure many of you know, 2007 is the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. To celebrate heads of governments will issue the Berlin Declaration, a text which will contain the Union’s values and aspirations.

I have set up my own 50th anniversary page on my website where I will compile readers’ thoughts and feelings about what should be in the text and what the EU’s ambitions should be over the next 50 years. There is also a dedicated set of links to other websites commemorating the anniversary.

Many thanks to Una O’Dwyer who is the first contributor. If you would like to take part please get in contact by emailing your ideas to richard@richardcorbett.org.uk

Another European institution that is celebrating this year is Erasmus, the student exchange programme which is now in its 20th year and has allowed over half a million young people to study abroad.

It provides students with a wonderful opportunity to expose themselves to a different culture, and new cities and countries. Just as importantly they develop their language skills which, while obviously benefiting them personally, also gives them the ability to work abroad when they graduate, which consequently encourages unity, understanding and integration.

You can read several articles on Erasmus on the Café Babel website, which also reveals the EU’s ambitious plans to expand the programme over the next few years.

Between 2007 and 2012 3.1billion euros has been pledged to Erasmus, who hope to see another million and a half people take the chance to study abroad in this five year period.