PegMedia.org

Preview is only available to registered and logged in users.

Total Episode Runtime (hh:mm:ss): 00:26:08

File Size of Episode Video: 646,854,656 Bytes

Episode Description:

Coming up this week on European Journal - the news magazine from Brussels ---

Sweden: Unloved Foster Children
Until well into the 1980s, thousands of Swedish children were mistreated in children’s homes or in foster care. Only now are they receiving compensation for their suffering. Swedish authorities turned a blind eye to what happened to these children after they were taken away from their parents. Many still suffer from the consequences of their abuse and have been demanding financial compensation for years. After much hesitation the Swedish government has now apologized to the victims in a formal ceremony. They’ve also been promised compensation of close to 30-thousand euros per person.

Denmark: An EU-funded Ski Run in a Flat Land
The EU has given funds to construct a ski run on the Danish island of Bornholm – even though there’s hardly ever enough snow to use it. This winter the snow groomer has never made it out of the garage.
Bornholm is known as the “island of the sun” and is the warmest spot in Scandinavia. It’s also quite flat – its highest elevation is 160 meters. But four years ago that didn’t stop EU officials from approving 50-thousand euros in aid to build a ski run here. Then they provided addition funding for the purchase of ski lifts. Now Brussels has come in for criticism for wasting tax payers’ money.

Romania: Unused Billions
Romania's government has resigned. Its tough austerity measures brought thousands of Romanians out on the streets in protest. But with EU assistance, the country's educational system, at least, might be helped. Schools in Romania have been subject to drastic cuts. Teachers have been laid off and schools closed. School buildings in the countryside are often too small, meaning that the children have to attend classes in shifts. Romania could apply to the EU for financial aid to remedy the situation. But it appears that the eastern European nation lacks the personnel and know-how to negotiate the bureaucratic hurdles of the application process. Even when such funding does make its way to Romania, it often does not reach the people it is intended for.

The Netherlands: The Alzheimer's Village
Hogewey is a special nursing community outside Amsterdam. It takes care of around 150 dementia sufferers. The patients are given a choice of different lifestyles, to make sure they feel at home. In the cultural group the day starts later in the morning, and there’s Italian and French food. The home-oriented group has thick wooden furniture. Care is taken to ensure that residents are not reminded of a hospital or regular nursing home.

For more on the program and a Flash preview - visit the European Journal website at www.dw-world.de/europeanjournal

Please note that a one time Deutsche Welle license agreement is required to broadcast Deutsche Welle programs. See the series' general description for details or email us at dwusa@mac.com. Please include your organization's legal name and address so we can include it in an agreement.

File Name of Episode: 0059 EuropeanJournal 02202012.mpg

Date Episode Uploaded: Monday, February 20, 2012 - 10:31

Downloads of This Episode: 43