Soapbox: Today, Heidi Coleran, of Blackburn, tackles people who hold a jaded view of the European Union.

EVERY time we switch on the TV or look into a newspaper we are bombarded with expressions such as 'European Market' or the 'need to work closely with our European partners.'

I belong to the majority of citizens, who get bored with this 'speak' and get annoyed when yet another Brussels regulation or edict is announced, destined to make my life difficult.

I had reason to change this prejudiced thinking on a recent visit to Germany.

Some years ago, our son took part in a student exchange between Blackburn College and a German school.

I returned the favour and received some German students to look after.

This prompted the agency concerned to invited me to a two-day conference of thought exchange about 'Innovation through Transnationality.'

It was thought my practical experience would contribute to this forum.

Once there I realised with amazement how hard a lot of people worked for disadvantaged, unemployed or merely disorientated young people in Europe.

Suddenly the expression 'advanced co-operation between member country's' took on a new meaning.

If you now mutter "probably a lot of do-gooder social workers," you couldn't be further from the truth. Attending were all manner of representatives from Europe - employment agencies, high powered union boffins, teachers and ground level bees, who all work very hard to get people off the streets and into jobs.

Not forgetting the politicians, who in their own waffle - "I'm speaking but not saying a lot" - told the experts that money for their ideas would be short and could they please use plenty of enthusiasm, but make it cheap.

Professor Georg Elwet from the Free University in Berlin, ethnologist and sociologist, mentioned as part of his guest speech that every successful industrialist in Europe has spent some time in another country, while young.

It instilled in them confidence, innovative spirit, team spirit and more positive outlook, which helped to put their ideas into practice.

Fred Balsam, successful branch manager of an international renowned car company and member of the Cologne Chamber of Trade, further elaborated that only personal experience of another language and people can bring the confidence to deal with the European and Global Market.

He is presently trying to get a training programme off the ground for Europe which is recognised everywhere and has already encouraged lots of his workforce to use exchange projects.

He has connection with the town of Blackburn through his sister-in-law, who is a very active fund-raiser for meningitis.

Next time you watch a feature film and marvel at the trick shots made by computer, have a thought for all these people who are trying to create opportunities for the young in Europe and this includes us. Our son, a drop out A-level student, who with the help of the exchange program has turned his life around, is now one of the computer animators creating the many thrills you enjoy in today's movies.

These experts work, often despite the politicians, to turn the disadvantaged of their own countries into forward looking innovative Europeans, who do not abandon their own nationality, but are helping to be part of the ever expanding market. Let's not get left behind.

Do you feel strongly enough about an issue to get up on your soapbox and tell the whole of East Lancashire about it? Soapbox is a column in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph giving people the chance to do just that.

If you want to highlight an issue close to your heart then write an article of no more than 800 words and send it to: Soapbox, c/o newsdesk, Lancashire Evening Telegraph, High Street, Blackburn BB1 1HT.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.