Paris Hilton for President? That’s hot! Not…

By Kate Manning

Ten university students from the East Constituency were asked if they knew who their MEPs were. Only one of these ten was able to name all three. Four students managed to name one MEP and five were unable to name any. All ten knew who Paris Hilton is, who she is dating and are partial to reading about her in magazines and on websites. This is the same person who when asked about whether she sees the swine flu as a worry, allegedly replied “I don’t eat that”. Classic.

Elaine, a Politics and Philosophy student from Kilkenny said that her only awareness of the European election campaign is down to the posters on the street. She does not see herself as part of Europe and thinks that her input will have little results. Elaine recommended speakers coming to her university but that “they would have to make it more appealing to us for example an MEP outlining their life in the Parliament”.

Joanne, a Law student from Naas said that she just looks at the posters on the streets and looks at how young they are. Her choice is determined by how appealing their posters are. She doesn’t look at the programmes on television about the EU because she finds the issues too dull. She also agrees with Elaine about feeling far away from the action and said “if I’m honest I don’t really feel European”.

Michael is from Wexford and he feels that he is well up to date on the current European election campaign. He joined Ógra Fianna Fail when he first came to university and gets regular emails and text messages about what is happening. He works in a pub that has an older male clientele and listens to them debating about the European candidates. His parents also have a big interest in the elections so he would hear their observations at home. Michael said “I keep up to date with the news as much as I can because I think that it’s important if an election is looming”.

Diana Panke, a lecturer in European Politics in UCD said “I feel that UCD students are not equally interested and knowledgeable about EU themes, but those who are interested (usually the ones that participate very actively in classes) have a very good knowledge”.

Anna Gwiazda is also a lecturer in European Politics but she teaches in DCU. She said “I discussed the European Parliament and the 2009 elections on 12 March. I did attempt to involve the students by asking questions relating to the EP and elections.”

It would seem a vicious circle has emerged: if you don’t take any interest in European politics, you don’t feel European and because you do not feel European, you do not get involved in European politics. If you are out and about and you spot candidates out canvassing, stop them and have a chat - befriend them, grill them or share a joke. They are real characters (well most of them anyway) and they can answer your questions without saying “that’s hot” at the end of every sentence.

Trust me – there is nothing worse than having a few drinks with your friends when you have no idea what the conversation is about. Picture Joey in Friends when he felt left out of the conversations his friends were having so he went and bought an encyclopedia. Nobody likes to be left behind. Unless you are oblivious to it – right Paris?