The European Union was born on 25 March 1957, when Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg signed the Treaty Establishing the European Economic Community, more commonly known as the Treaty of Rome. These were the times of the Cold War, the clash of the Titans between democratic countries led by the USA, and the bloc of Communist nations grouped around the Soviet Union. Europe needed to find her own voice and face up to the threatening global climate of tension and division. This could only be achieved through unity. Year by year, treaty by treaty, the EU grew to 28 members and came to be a driving force admired by all, not just economically but for its spirit of freedom, cooperation, security and social welfare. However, after half a century of existence, the process of European construction has stalled. [...]
The voices
The voice of an academic codirector of Journalism Specializing in International Politics

Elections in a time of increasing EuroscepticismChristopher Tulloch
Codirector of Journalism Specializing in International Politics programmes, UPF-IDEC
One of the most interesting factors for analysis during the European elections of 25 May will be the translation –or not– of booming Euroscepticism affecting the polls. However, this lack [...]
The voice of the Head of the Department of Law and the Academic Council of the Master in Legal Practice

Unity in DiversityAlejandro Saiz Arnaiz
Professor of European Constitutional Law, UPF-IDEC
To avoid a new war that would devastate Europe. This was the ultimate aim of the European leaders who came up with the idea of supranational integration following two world [...]
The voice of an academic director of Creative Brand Strategy and Management

Evaluating the Europe brandJordi Torrents
Codirector of Creative Brand Strategy and Management, UPF-IDEC
Towards the end of 2010 as I codirected a study on the Barcelona brand, my attention was caught by results demonstrating the deterioration of the Europe brand. For Asians and [...]
The voice of an academic director of International Business programmes

Europe at a crossroadsMercè Roca
Director of Master of Science in International Business, UPF Barcelona School of Management Academic coordinator of ESCI-UPF
With the eruption of the financial crisis the European integration project has been called into question. Founding members of the Union have taken up Eurosceptic positions, and adopted protectionist measures [...]
The voice of an academic director in Sports Management

Sport and EuropeansCarles Murillo
Director of director of Sports Management programs, UPF Barcelona School of Management
From its beginning, the process of European construction has involved the productive, financial and social activities of the populations of Europe. From an institutional perspective, efforts have focused on creating [...]
The voice of a Public Policy Director

Reasons for the huge unemployment and low employment figures in the European UnionVicenç Navarro
Professor of Public Policy, UPF-IDEC
Something that is currently occurring in the European Union (in addition to the very worrying high unemployment figures) is a drop in employment, that it, in the number and percentage [...]
The voice of a student, UPF Barcelona School of Management

Reshoring of businesses and the effect on job creation in the European UnionLena Raps
Talent Scholarship-holder, Master of Science in International Business, UPF Barcelona School of Management
As nearly graduates, we all come across this topic at one point or another – the difficult job situation in Europe. The unemployment rate in Spain of 25,6 % in [...]
The voice of an academic director of Banking and Finance programmes

Banking union developmentsXavier Freixas
Director of Banking and Finance programmes, UPF Barcelona School of Management
The financial crisis has been an important lesson for Europe and its institutional and legal structures. The good news is that a European banking union has been created due to [...]