The refugee crisis is the issue most dividing us all, according to the early results from our Europe Talks project. It’s the issue where 56 per cent of people answer ‘Yes, we should take more refugees’, and 44 per cent ‘no’. The second most divisive issue is whether Ukraine should become a member of the EU.
But Europe Talks participants overwhelmingly agree the EU should have a European Army – by 75 to 25. An incredible 4,100 people have now signed up to take part in our border-busting Europe Talks project – discussing these issues. And you can still take part.
All you need to do is answer a few quick questions so the Europe Talks algorithm can match you with someone with different views for a chat. You then arrange your meeting – which can be by zoom, WhatsApp, google, or even in person if you like – to suit you both.
For Spring 2024, the Daily Mirror has partnered once more with Zeit Online in Germany, and more than a dozen media outlets from across the continent, in a huge year for global democracy.
More than half the world is going to the polls. In Europe alone, 17 countries are facing EU elections. While in the UK, we have imminent mayoral and local elections followed by a general election. The biggest crises we face – whether it’s climate, healthcare, cost of living, or how to tackle the migration crisis – are not just happening to us. They are happening to our European neighbours too.
As 16-year-old Rachael Chen, from Birmingham, told us – taking part in the project during 2020 made her realise “we weren’t alone in this experience” during Covid. In Europe Talks 2020 we introduced two frontline doctors working through Covid in harrowing conditions in England and Italy. Two years later, in the winter of 2022, we introduced two Santas living in Germany and Northern Ireland for a surreal discussion that included whether their beards were real.
In November 2020, WW2 veteran, Mervyn Kersh, met Dutch former resistance fighter, Theo Roeffen, then 94, for their online chat. Despite their advancing years the pair enjoyed a lively conversation - comparing notes on their time fighting the Nazis, their later lives, hobbies and the importance of human connection.
Sadly, Theo has since passed away. But Mervyn, now 98, lives in London and said he’d loved the chance to speak to a fellow veteran and to share their experiences with others. “The more that is known by younger people, the less chance there will be of letting WW2 happen again,” he says. “Having that contact with another veteran was very important to me. It was very special. I still have the copy of the Daily Mirror featuring our meeting.”
For this year's Europe Talks, the Mirror is proud to be working with newspapers and websites all over Europe, including the founder of My Country Talks, Zeit Online. In a week’s time, you could be chatting to someone from Serbia, Spain, Greece, Slovakia or a host of other countries.
Other newsbrands we are partnering with include Der Standard from Austria, Efimerida Ton Syntakton from Greece, Euractiv from Belgium, Gazeta Wyborcza from Poland, Il Fatto Quotidiano from Italy, LRT from Lithuania, N1 from Serbia, PressOne from Romania, SME from Slovakia, the media platform Display Europe and its partners, EuroZine from Austria, Krytyka Polityczna from Poland, El Diario from Spain and Voxeurop from Belgium.
What will you talk about? As well as big political issue , common topics often include food, travel, football rivalries. You might disagree about some things and find common ground on others. You might find a new friend, or just hear something you’ve never thought of. The conversation is up to you.
SIGN UP NOW: mirror.co.uk/europetalks