News

15 Nov 2019 | Venice

City councillor Jakub Eltman on Venice under the acqua alta

15 Nov 2019 | Venice

City councillor Jakub Eltman on Venice under the acqua alta

City councillor Jakub Eltman on Venice under the acqua alta

Konin city councillor Jakub Eltman is one of the young local politicians whom the European Conservatives and Reformists Group of the European Committee of the Regions invited to participate in the Study Days in Venice.  Here is the report from this young politician from Poland.

On 14-15 November I took part in the first-ever Study Days of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group, which works within the Committee of the Regions. The European Committee of the Regions is an advisory body of the European Commission consisting of representatives working at the local and regional level from all Member States. As part of the programme aimed at young politicians, I was invited by members of the ECR Group, which financed my trip. The meeting was hosted by Roberto Ciambetti, Head of Veneto Regional Council. The event was a chance to meet local politicians from other countries, exchange experiences and present our cities.

The first topic at the conference was the principle of subsidiarity, which was set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on the European Union. It aims to ensure that decisions are taken as closely as possible to citizens and that constant checks are made to verify that action at the EU level is justified in light of the possibilities available at a national, regional or local level. In the panel, politicians and experts discussed how our cultural heritage has helped shape Europe, how it can be preserved, and why it should be protected. Speakers included: Member of the Senate Erika Stefani, former Minister for Regional Affairs; Matteo Bianchi, Member of the Italian Parliament; Fenna Pols, Director of Europa Decentraal and Władysław Ortyl, Marshal of the Podkarpackie region.

The second topic of the conference was particularly relevant given the current situation in Venice. This region's cultural heritage is being destroyed by high waters that are flooding the city and many precious monuments. The expression "acqua alta" describes a particularly high tide. This phenomenon was amplified by strong winds. Venice has not seen such a high level of water since 1966, when it reached 194 cm. Despite the flooding, the residents of this city on the water continue to go about their daily lives. Venetians are very welcoming to guests and tourists despite the huge amount of work involved in getting the city back in order and rescuing property from the lowest floors of buildings. I was extremely surprised by how quickly the water level changed. I went out with dry feet and when I came back half an hour later the water was up to my knees. It would be impossible to get around without rain boots. The biggest waves happen at specific times. Venice will not be able to cope with the challenge of changing water levels without support from the Italian government and the European Union.