The EU – with 27 members - is often used as shorthand for the continent of Europe, which has 47 countries. But in opinion polls and street interviews conducted by Mostra in China, Mexico, Egypt and Burkina Faso, most citizens around the world make a clear distinction between the political construct that is the EU and the cultural, historical and geographical entity that is Europe.
In all regions of the world Europe has a better net rating (‘mainly positive’ minus ‘mainly negative’) according to a Globescan poll carried out in 2006. In the United States the net rating of Europe compared to the EU is 37 to 15, in Brazil 42 to 12 and Australia 45 to 23. The EU is also a lot less known than Europe as a brand. Asked about their awareness of the EU’s role in the world, 29% of Russians either had no answer or said they did not know, compared to 14% for Europe.

So why is Europe so loved compared to the EU?
Elie Barnavi, author, historian and former Israeli Ambassador to France
Pull-out quote: “Europe is a civilisation. The EU is a political endeavour.”
What do you think of Europe?

Mosaique vox-pops
Videoclip China: 32’’04 (sous-titres EN + FR)
P19_VOX_01_CHINA
Videoclip Mexico: 27’’05 (sous-titres EN + FR)
P19_VOX_02_MEXICO

Keywords: Clean, beautiful, green grass, blue sky, rich, cultured