The Welsh Assembly

1. Who designed the building ?

Contractor: Taylor WoodrowArchitect: Richard Rogers PartnershipStructural Engineer: ArupEnvironmental / M&E Services Engineer: BDSP PartnershipProject Manager: TPSQuantity Surveyor: Northcroft


2. When was it opened and by whom ?The Senedd opened in 2006.The Senedd is not just a building for Members, it is your building. It is the main public building of the National Assembly, the main centre for democracy and devolution in Wales


3. What materials were used ?The upper part of the roof is an aluminium standing seem roof with the underside being a woven timber soffit. The roof is supported by structural steel columns. The frame is constructed mainly from steel, and the outer walls mainly from slate and glass. The plinth is made from reinforced concrete and slate. The Siambr desks and public gallery seating is made of Welsh oak.


4. What is particulary special about the building ? 
This is what this building represents. It represents sustainability, it represents democracy but its more than that too it is the symbol of the new nation that Wales has become. I hope you enjoy your visit to this site and that you will realise its value for you. This is Welsh democracy in action this is devolution and it is yours.

UK Parliament : The two Houses of Parliament

 The business of Parliament takes place in two Houses: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Their work is similar: making laws (legislation), checking the work of the government (scrutiny), and debating current issues. The House of Commons is also responsible for granting money to the government through approving Bills that raise taxes. Generally, the decisions made in one House have to be approved by the other. In this way the two-chamber system acts as a check and balance for both Houses.

                                         



                                          The Commons

The Commons is publicly elected. The party with the largest number of members in the Commons forms the government.

Members of the Commons (MPs) debate the big political issues of the day and proposals for new laws. It is one of the key places where government ministers, like the Prime Minister and the Chancellor, and the principal figures of the main political parties, work.

The Commons alone is responsible for making decisions on financial Bills, such as proposed new taxes. The Lords can consider these Bills but cannot block or amend them.

                                              The Lords

   

The House of Lords is the second chamber of the UK Parliament, it complements the work of the House of Commons. It makes laws, holds government to account and investigates policy issues. Its membership is mostly appointed and includes experts in many fields.

Britain and the European Union

1. When did the idea of a United Europe come about and why ?

 ( 1939 - 1945 )  to be a strong economy.

2. Why did Britain not want to join the EEC in the 1950s ?

 Because they joined in the commonwealth  USA

3. Why did France initially not want Britain to join the EEC ?

 Because of the Brithsh US nuclear wepons policies.

4. What is a referendum ?

 A referendum is a process that allows (citizens or politicans) to approve or reject  a laws or opitions.

5. What percentage of world trade brlongs to the EU ?

16 % of the world tading belongs to the EU.

6. What institutions are involved in the running of the EU ?

The institutions involved in the running of the EU are the European Council, the Council of Ministers, the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Court of Justice .

7. Which 2 countries joined in 2009 ? Include them on map .

the tow countries that joined the EU are Bulgaria and romania.

8. What are MEPs and how many are there in total ? How many fron the UK

27 and 1

1. What does the term ' austerity measures' mean. Find a definition.

An official action taken by government in order to reduce the amount of many that it  spend or the amount that people spend

2. Which countries of the EU are facing the greatest crisis?

 Graeec , spin , italy , Portugal and Cyprus

3. Choose one of those countries and find out what austerity measures have been made and how these are affecting the citizens of that country.

Greece 1.1 tax increase from 10 to 15 percent



4. Summarise your research on your blog and dont forget to add the referance source.

officially called the euro area, is an economic and monetary union (EMU) of 17 European Union (EU)member states that have adopted the euro (€) as their common currency and sole legal tender. The eurozone currently consists of Austria, Belgium,Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Porugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain. Most other EU states are obliged to join once they meet the criteria to do so. No state has left and there are no provisions to do so or to be expelled.

Monetary policy of the zone is the responsibility of the European Central Bank (ECB) which is governed by a president and a board of the heads of national central banks. The principal task of the ECB is to keep inflation under control. Though there is no common representation, governance or fiscal policy for the currency union, some co-operation does take place through the Euro Group, which makes political decisions regarding the eurozone and the euro. The Euro Group is composed of the finance ministers of eurozone states, however in emergencies, national leaders also form the Euro Group.

The different between Education system in the UK and Cyprus

     

Pre-Primary education : Pre-Primary Education is compulsory for all children between 4 8/12 – 5 8/12 years old

Primary Education : Primary education is compulsory for all children over the age of 5 8/12 and has a duration of 6 years.

Secondary Education : Secondary General Education offers two three-year cycles of education – (lower secondary education) and (upper secondary education) – to pupils between the ages of 12 and 18.

Higher Education :  At present, public and private universities operate in Cyprus. 

                                                     

Primary Education :

Primary education begins in the UK at age 5 and continues until age 11, comprising key stages one and two under the UK educational system.

Secondary Education :

From age 11 to 16, students will enter secondary school for key stages three and four and to start their move towards taking the GCSE's and after age 16, education is optional.

Further Education :

Once a student finishes secondary education they have the option to extend into further education to take their A-Levels, GNVQ's, BTEC's or other such qualifications. UK students planning to go to college or university must complete further education.

Higher Education :

Probably the most important subject area on this site, this explains more about the higher education system in the UK and how it works for international students. Most international students will enter directly into the UK higher education system, after completing their home country’s equivalent to the UK’s “further education.”

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_England
  http://www.highereducation.ac.cy/en/educational-system.html 










 




                                                       




                                       

The Four Nations of the UK

    The countries of the United Kingdom are the four constituent countries that together form the sovereign state of the United Kingdom. Today these are England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Prior to 1922, the entire island of Ireland was a constituent country of the United Kingdom. The alternative term home nations is also used, although today this is mainly in sporting contexts and may still include all of Ireland.





                                                                     1- ENGLAND

England are the biggest country in the UK . The capital of England and Uk are London .  Number of inhabitants is 49 million. Their Currency is Pound Sterling. The people are English and Their Language is English. Their Main Religions are Protestant, Roman Catholic, Muslim and Hindu.




                                                                     2- Scotland 
                       

The second largest country in Britain is Scotland and the capital, Edinburgh, and the most important cities and the largest city is Glasgow.  Number of inhabitants is 5 million. Currency is Pound Sterling. The people are Scots and their languages are English, Scots and Scots Gaelic. Their Main Religions are Protestant and Roman Catholic.


                                                                3- Wales

Wales is located in the south-western region of Great Britain and the capital  and biggest city of Wales are Cardiff since 1955. Number of inhabitants is 3 million. Their Currency is Pound Sterling. The people are Welsh and their languages are English and Welsh.  Their Main Religions are Protestant and Roman Catholic.

                                                              4 - Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland are with England, Scotland and Wales, the United Kingdom. Number of inhabitiants is 1.6 million. Their Currency is Pound Sterling. Their Capital City is Belfast. The people are The Irish or Ulster Men and their language are English and Irish Gaelic. Their Main Religions are Protestant and Roman Catholic.

http://www.uk.filo.pl/symbols_of_four_nations.htm 

Hi everybody,

Hey my name is Cagin Dagman. I come from Cyprus and I am 19 years old. Nice too meet you guys