Uncooperative cameras and nervous waits for ministers who seem to do as they please. These are some of the impressions from the first month of Young Reporters’ coverage of the Swedish Presidency of the EU. The project gives secondary school pupils the chance to write about the EU and the Presidency from a new perspective.

Every year, hundreds of large merchant vessels worldwide are demolished and dismantled, bit by bit. The dismantling process often takes place in southern Asia in dangerous working conditions with resulting environmental degradation. Approximately one quarter of the vessels come from Europe. Discussions are being held during the Swedish Presidency to establish what measures the EU may take to improve the situation.

Politicians and public officials are not the only people involved in the EU presidency. Many Swedes outside the Government Offices and conference chambers will also be drawn into the organisational process.

European River Basin District Authorities meet in Stockholm the 19 to 21 August to exchange experiences on water management, which includes ground water preservation and improving water quality. The meeting will also address the issue of climate change and water.

The informal meeting between the EU foreign ministers takes place on 4-5 September at the Modern Museum in central Stockholm. Anna Norell at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs works with the contents of the meeting.

A piece of advice to all who wish to be climate smart: eat up what’s on your plate. And don’t imagine that locally produced food is always more eco-friendly. A couple of the many events taking place around the country during Sweden’s EU Presidency will deal specifically with climate-smart food – an area that is something of a minefield for both consumers and producers.