EU Individual Paragraph

2014 European Year For Reconciling Work and Family Life

My paragraph's way to its perfection.

Draft #1
In 2011 the COFACE, the Confederation of Family Organisation in the European Union, proposed to the European Parliament that 2014 should be the year to focus on work-life balance for EU citizens. The European Parliament approved this proposal to be the EU's focus in 2014. Since then, the COFACE is establishing a policy plan to improve work and family life as our society is evolving towards an Europe where it is challenging for families, especially women, to combine work and having children. Therefore, COFACE's aim is to create a family policy which provides answers for obstacles that are difficult for families in Europe to overcome on their own. Besides work-life balance, other important aims for 2014 are to establish equality for women and men, more job security and a more productive workforce. However, it is not the purpose of the organisation to force anything on families in Europe, but to enable EU citizens to live a decent quality of life. So, in particular for families in the EU, 2014 is a year to look forward to. 

[185 words]

Corrections #1

In 2011 the COFACE, the Confederation of Family Organisation in the European Union,  (interrupts reading) proposed to the European Parliament that 2014 should be the  (sounds too German) year to focus on work-life balance for EU citizens. The European Parliament approved this proposal to be the EU's focus in 2014. Since then, the COFACE is establishing a policy plan to improve work and family life as our society is evolving towards an Europe where it is challenging for families, especially women, to combine (why not use verb referring back to the topic?) work and having children. Therefore, COFACE's aim is to create (wrong collocation) a family policy which provides answers for obstacles that are difficult for families in Europe to overcome on their own. Besides work-life balance, other important aims for 2014 are to establish equality for women and men, more job security and a more productive workforce. However, it is not the purpose of the organisation to force anything on families in Europe, but to enable EU citizens to live a decent quality of (you can't really live a quality) life. So, in particular for families in the EU, 2014 is a year to look forward to. 

Thanks to Alexandra and Dominik for all the constructive tips!

Draft #2

In 2011 the Confederation of Family Organisation in the European Union (COFACE) proposed to the European Parliament that 2014 to be the year to focus on work-life balance for EU citizens. The European Parliament approved this proposal to be the EU's focus in 2014. Since then, the COFACE is establishing a policy plan to improve work and family life as our society is evolving towards an Europe where it is challenging for families, especially women, to reconcile work and having children. Therefore, COFACE's aim is to implement a family policy which provides answers for obstacles that are difficult for families in Europe to overcome on their own. Besides work-life balance, other important aims for 2014 are to establish equality for women and men, more job security and a more productive workforce. However, it is not the purpose of the organisation to force anything on families in Europe, but to enable EU citizens to live a decent life. So, in particular for families in the EU, 2014 is a year to look forward to.
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Corrections #2

In 2011 (comma) the Confederation of Family Organisation in the European Union (COFACE) proposed to the European Parliament that (forgot to adjust to correction #1) 2014 to be the year to focus on work-life balance for EU citizens. The European Parliament approved this proposal to be the EU's focus in 2014.  (no need for repetition) Since then, the (organisations do not need articles) COFACE is establishing (I can't believe I got the tense wrong here) a policy plan to improve work and family life as our society is evolving towards an (pronunciation is /ˈjʊərəp/) Europe where it is challenging for families, especially women, to reconcile work and having children. Therefore, COFACE's aim is to implement a family policy which provides answers for obstacles that are difficult for families in Europe to overcome on their own. Besides work-life balance, other important aims for 2014 are to establish equality for (the preposition between works better here) women and men, more job security and a more productive workforce. However, it is not the purpose of the organisation to force anything on families in Europe, but to enable EU citizens to live a decent life. So,  (rather informal) in particular for families in the EU, 2014 is a year to look forward to.  (needs changing)

Thank you, Mirjam and Sonja, for your help!

Draft #3

In 2011, the Confederation of Family Organisation in the European Union (COFACE) proposed to the European Parliament for 2014 to be the year to focus on work-life balance for EU citizens. The European Parliament approved this proposal. Since then, COFACE has been establishing a policy plan to improve work and family life as our society is evolving towards a Europe where it is challenging for families, especially women, to reconcile work and having children. Therefore, COFACE's aim is to implement a family policy which provides answers for obstacles that are difficult for families in Europe to overcome on their own. Besides work-life balance, other important aims for 2014 are to establish equality between women and men, more job security and a more productive workforce. However, it is not the purpose of the organisation to force anything on families in Europe, but to enable EU citizens to live a decent life. Owing to the organisation's efforts, 2014 is a year to look forward to, in particular for families in the EU. 


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Corrections #3

In 2011, the Confederation of Family Organisation in the European Union (COFACE) proposed to the European Parliament for 2014 to be the year to focus on work-life balance for EU citizens. The European Parliament approved this proposal. (too short, disconnected sentence that ends apruptly) Since then, COFACE has been establishing a policy plan to improve work and family life as our society is evolving towards a Europe where it is challenging for families, especially women, to reconcile work and having children. (men can't do this) Therefore, COFACE's aim is to implement a family policy which provides answers for obstacles (wrong collocation) that are difficult for families in Europe to overcome on their own. Besides work-life balance, other important aims for 2014 are to establish equality between women and men, more job security and a more productive workforce. However, it is not the purpose of the organisation to force anything on families in Europe, (outside information, not neccessary to include) but to enable EU citizens to live a decent life. Owing to the organisation's efforts, 2014 is a year to look forward to, in particular for families in the EU.



Final Version

In 2011, the Confederation of Family Organisation in the European Union (COFACE) proposed to the European Parliament that 2014 be the year to focus on work-life balance for EU citizens. After the European Parliament approved this proposal, COFACE has been establishing a policy plan to improve work and family life as our society is evolving towards a Europe where it is challenging for families, especially women, to reconcile work and taking care for children. Therefore, COFACE's aim is to implement a family policy which provides solutions for problems that are difficult for families in Europe to solve on their own. Besides work-life balance, other important aims for 2014 are to establish equality between women and men, more job security and a more productive workforce. In short, the purpose of the organisation is to enable EU citizens to live a decent life. Owing to the organisation's efforts, 2014 is a year to look forward to, in particular for families in the EU.

Possible EU paper topics

Our first blogging homework is to think of five possible topics, related to this semester's main topic, namely the EU, which we would consider writing a paper about. Also we are expected to explain why we chose that topic.
These are the topics I chose:

• The path of the Gaelic language into the EU

Why did Gaelic become an official language of the EU? This is the question I asked myself when I learnt that this language got official EU status a few years ago. So, I'd like to answer this question, mainly for myself. 

• Why did the EU receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012?

Last semester we had to write a text for MuK regarding the EU. I stumbled upon an article about why so many people do not understand (and do nor appreciate) The EU receiving the prize. I found that interesting but unfortunately I didn't research on the topic any further.

• European Union of the Deaf

As my second language is Austrian sign language it is obvious that I'm interested in deaf culture and so it probably would make a interesting topic for me to research about. 

• European Union of the Blind

When I was googling the European Union of the Deaf I stumbled upon the European Union of the Blind and thought that this topic could be interesting as well. Maybe there is even a chance to combine these two topics somehow.

• EU symbols- flag, anthem, motto, Europa and Zeus, Europe Day

How many stars are there on the European flag? Who composed the anthem? And what has Greek mythology to do with the EU? Well, I these are a couple of interesting questions which are just waiting to be answered.

Hallo and welcome...

...back to my English Adventures blog to everyone who already is acquainted with my scribbling and a friendly wave to all new readers. As blogging was fun the last year, I'm looking forward to writing some more ideas of mine. So, I hope you are enjoying my entries as much as I enjoy writing them.

Just a few words about me in form of a Q&A survey. Although the Qs come from me. As well as the As.

Q: Why are you called that? 

A: I'm called Natascha because my mom was very into Russian literature and when she got me she called me after the main character in Tolstoy's War and Peace. At the same time it was her best friends name as well. Ramic is quite self-explenatory as it is my family name.

Q: How old are you?

A: I'm twenteen. ;)

Q: What is your second language at the ITAT?

A: Austrian Sign Language (ÖGS)

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: I would say dancing is my "main hobby". At least, it is the hobby I spend most of my spare time on. I think I don't have to stress how much I enjoy it and that there would be a big black hole in my life without it. Another hobby I enjoy, nearly as much as dancing, is reading. I have this awful problem that when I'm currently reading a book, I usually buy another ten. So, I never really catch up with reading all the books I possess. In addition, I'm a very slow reader. 


Q: What is your favorite color?

A: red.

Q: Favorite book?

A: I have no answer to this question. Picking a favorite book would be like a mother picking her favorite child.

Q: Favorite food?

A: Lasagne, Pizza, chocolate and tea.

Q: In which English speaking countries have you been so far?

A: I fear not in as many as I'd like to. I've been in Edinburgh and London so far but unfortunately never stayed longer than ten days.

Q: What are you known for?

A: I'm not entirely sure how other people see me. However, I'd say that I'm know for not being able to be completely serious. Perhaps also for my tendency to be a little cheesy and a little hyper sometimes. And, of course, for being a huge tea addict.

Q: Favorite Disney song?

A: At this moment: A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes. But it  changes constantly.
 
Q: What is your favorite place in the entire world?

A: I was in Edinburgh two years ago and it was simply amazing. Hauntingly beautiful is the best way to describe it! But the happiest I've ever felt is when I've been in a room that is full of my favorite people.


I hope this little Q&A helped you to get me know a little. If you feel the urge to ask me something, a little tingly feeling in your fingers to write a comment or if you just want to tell me something, feel free to do so. 
Bye and hakuna matata.