>> >> hello and very warm welcome to "european journal coming to you from dw studios in berlin. uncertain future. subsidize destruction -- how eu money is threatening a greek tradition. and eu citizens in the south american jungle. you are looking for peace and quiet? do not go to the alps. they have become far too crowded. that is with the tourism brochures of the small but impressive mountain range suggest. they stretch across polish and

slovak as territory. both countries have overcome border disputes and have established it as europe's first cross-national park, but that the subject of heated debate, in particular on the slovakia inside. >> eric is a nature conservationists. for 18 years, he has been observing wildlife here. the wilderness is home to more than 40 bears. >> the bears are everywhere here. it is very difficult to grow in the calamity, and if you do, you can hear broken branches or some noise, but when you disturbed it, they run away. >> this wild landscape may look remote and pristine, but there

are problems -- natural and man- made. in 2004, a huge storm blew down 3 million trees. the park administration has authorized some logging and wants the land cleared of dead trees, but the nature conservationists want to let them rot and decay and let the forest regenerate, all on its own. >> i think there are different groups of people who want to do different things. but in all the area of the national park, everybody must understand that the national park must have different zones and in different zones, we can do different activities. >> slovakia has no clear policy on conserving its ancient

forests. at least hunting has been banned from the valley. he says this was his doing to protect the bears. that led to show you how the bears are -- >> to show you how the bears are eating. the docks are broken because of the bears. >> he was 16 when he discovered the area. he set up an environmentalist action group and two years ago, he made a documentary with some friends. the film is a homage to the valleys he still loves.

half an hour away by car, it looks quite different. steve rounds have been carved out of the wooded slopes. it began three years ago. the marketing manager of the ski resort is proud of what they have achieved. >> this 90% of artificial snow on the slopes, so we can guarantee five months of skiing here. >> this pond supplies the water for the snow guns. he used to be the director of the national park. he criticized the building of skiing facilities and promptly lost his job. >> i think the current

government is somehow reflecting the political, social, and economical context in slovakia today. unfortunately, we are still living in a period where government is not able or willing to make decisions to value the land we are living on. >> conservation is not a high priority in slovakia, even 22 years after the end of communism. government policy is to encourage tourism to boost the economy. the skiing resort is where local politicians authorize the development of the slopes and infrastructure five years ago. they had great plans, but the cable car up the mountain is now

broken, and tourist numbers are way below expectations. in the town hall, the mood has changed. local planner does not want any new projects to be approved. >> there is always a conflict between economic interests and conservation. some people still want to develop new sites, but we have a new plan and it is now in effect. >> but major conservation activists say even this new plan is too generous to commercial interests. so eric continues to work hard to protect what is left of the unspoiled hi attached is. his hometown is some distance from the national park.

he prefers to be up in the mountains and forests with the national -- with the bears. >> from spring to autumn, it is very difficult to be here. in the wintertime, i am fine. >> that is when the bears remain out of sight, hibernating in their dens. >> if there's one thing the eu is known for, at his the subsidies that brussels gives out. brussels spends billions every year, and many farmers benefit, but when your money is handed out to fund ski slopes in a not very hilly part of denmark, questions are raised. for years, brussels has invested large sums to stop overfishing

in european waters. the intention is good, but in effect, it means many fishermen are being paid to decommission their votes. in greece, it helps the demise of their traditional way of life. >> it is as if he is sawing off his own limb. this boat builder is wrecking an old fishing black -- old fishing boat. for him and his son, every boat has a soul. wooden ships are his life. >> which ever way you looked at it, what we're doing here is not nice. i feel bad when i break up a boat that i build my own hands. >> but his boat yard has become a breakers' yard in recent years. to prevent overfishing, the european union is granting fisherman subsidies to have their boats back.

the capping got 106,000 euros. >> i wanted to convince the captain not to wreck it, but he needed the money. >> breaking up the boat is crazy. it will not do anything to save the fish. >> he says people do not have any money at all because of their debts. some of them have used the money to buy smaller fishing votes. -- smaller fishing boats. they agree it is a shame that a traditional way of life is being broken up along with the boats. with the aid of the eu, a two will share the fate of a third of the small fishing boats. marcos says he wants to keep the main mast from his black -- his

boat. the men in the cafe along for the days gone by when there were give them enough to live on and overfishing was not an issue. but now -- >> i have been through everything here. world war ii, occupation. there was always a ray of hope. now there is no light at the end of the tunnel. i feel for our children and grandchildren. i cannot say more. >> the fishermen are not high- tech. fishing has been a tradition here. even if they could, they would not bring in more fish than they need to live. that is not their way. the fish until 2:00 a.m. but their catch rarely brings them enough to make a living. they work on the ferry in the afternoon to bridge shortfalls. they say the big trawlers are

catching all the fish. just about everything they caught today is headed for the fishmonger. the catch was in atcocococococot of the fishing trip, and fishmongers have to sell more than local fish. they used imports to round out their earnings. fish that are caught by indiana boats. average spending on fuel of over 4000 euros a month is killing his business. nicolas is the scent of the sea, but even he could do nothing to save this families fishing tradition. >> it does not pay at all. the fish docks have become much smaller. it just does not pay. >> said the st. nicholas will never be put to sea again.

the 100,000 euros from the eu will just about cover the family's debts. a bit more of the island's charm will disappear along with the boat. the key building fishing votes, despite the steering 40 degree temperatures -- they keep building fishing boats. they have been doing it for four generations. a good with an boat is serviceable for up to 43 years. even if the economy is poor, the country is rich in experience, and fishing could have been a way for young people to remain employed. today in greece, any job is better than none at all. >> as soon as the fisherman your money, it is like they go mad, as that money is everything. they are blind to the fact that they are selling their own future. money -- that is here today, gone tomorrow, but a boat is always there for you.

today you can fish even if it has got to be repaired later. boats make work. >> it gives them an opportunity to argue with his friend. both are pleased that he is still breaking up fewer votes -- boats then he builds. >> a smartphone can be anything from your photo album, diary, e- mail and backs, customized weather forecast, and also your telephone. new applications are taking the market by storm almost every day. things at developing so quickly that the telecommunications giant's fear missing out on new trends. if they do, they pay a high price. cuts and layoffs are the result. people in a small town in finland have their own story to tell. >> we intended to meet her outside the nokia plant, but it was too painful. she worked at nokia for 25 years up until two years ago when she lost her job.

the wind is still fresh, so we are meeting her at the market -- the wound is still fresh. >> it is okay at the moment. i take it one day at a time. i break it down into four-week phases because that is how often i get my unemployment benefits. that is how i live. >> it is a small town in the south of vinland, 100 kilometers west of helsinki. almost everyone here makes their living from nokia, directly or indirectly. >> people are waiting on what is going to happen. >> are they afraid of the future? >> yes. >> the nokia plant is on the edge of town. 100 workers are expected to lose their jobs this year alone. when she was fired two years ago, she did not even get any compensation.

>> i was on holiday in greece for a week while the severance packages were being handed out. they were about -- there were about 300 packages, and they went like hotcakes. when i came back, there was nothing left over for me. >> the story of the former world market leader goes back 100 years. back then, the company produced paper, bicycle wheels, and wellington's. its rise to glory began in the early 1990's when it developed the first mobile phone with internet capability. it became the biggest manufacturers in the world and reigned over the mobile market for years, but the company could not keep up with new trends and innovations. the iphone now dominates the market. those who still buy nokia phones

would probably go for apple products if they could afford to. >> i like the nazis. there is a lot to do. when i am board at school, i can go on my phone and do something to keep myself busy. >> it is a lot for nokia to contend with. this man says the fans did not grasp the significance of touch- sensitive screens. he has also just been made redundant. and nearly 40 years old, he now wants to study and start again from scratch. >> nokia should have reacted straightaway, brought out the new generation of touch- sensitive screens. then i am sure everything would have turned out differently. nokia went from being pioneers to being chased out of the market.

>> the city library may not look like much from the outside, but its interior hints at the towne's affluence. but even this place is feeling the pinch of the mobile crisis. its branches face an uncertain future. >> it comes perhaps the other way because as a company, nokia has paid quite a lot of taxes, and that has helped them maintain services. it is going to be a lesson, so that is one way to affect the activities on the libraries. >> until then, visitors can enjoy high tech self-service and the newest technology. but the steep drop in tax revenue means some new equipment is being put on hold. it is a modern masterpiece built just half a year ago. already, it has become a

reminder of another era. the mayor bob height-adjustable desks for every employee, but it is time to say now that nokia's commercial tax has taken such a hit. >> we will have to consider everything. even the social sector and education will not be scared. of course, the future is challenging, but we will make it. we just have to tighten our belts. >> she is not so quite -- she is not quite so optimistic. her chances of employment are not looking good. >> the people here are trying to be happier than they really are. they cannot really process what has happened with nokia. >> and so, the people hope that conditions will improve, but nobody is holding their breath.

>> it is not that long ago the europeans treated the world like a gigantic market place where the motto was first-come, first- served. the britons, the dutch, and french all conquered overseas colonies, treating the in ditches populations like commodities. the era of the great colonial powers is over. many countries have since regained their independence. a bit of french right in the middle of the south american jungle. >> the only way to get to the village is by boat. there is no road or path leading there. the river is the most convenient route. 130 people live in the village. they are indigenous people. they say they are pleased to be removed from the westernized parts of french guyana, even if

you would not know that from their clothing. the men hunt and fish for the food they need. the women are matriarchs. they run the family's. -- families. >> the only white frenchman is daniel, the village teacher. his pupils love him. teaching in the village has become a life's vocation for the man from lorain. he has been doing it for eight years. >> the children learn by imitation. they watch how their fathers built tradition within boats or how their mothers prepare food, and a copy them, so i teach the same way. i showed the kids something and let them copy it.

then i tell them what it means. >> and, of course, classes are held outside, and there are no written lesson plans, even for zoology. when the older children are at school, the youngest looked on while they're mother makes jewelry. >> i learned from my mother when i was still a child. >> and you are teaching your children? >> certainly. i hope my children will carry on with the indian traditions here. >> but because she has nine children, there's plenty of other work to do as well. it is time to make lunch -- in the casserole.

the kids love it. they convinced me to try it. it is good, but it tastes quite gamy. the french government has built a large new school, and the teachers' quarters are being renovated as well. until the work is finished, daniel is living here. a family has cleared a corner so he can hang up his hammock. they have moved into the little partitioned area next door. >> it is taking longer than planned, but the people are very friendly, and when i pulled the curtain closed, at least in my head, i have something like a bit of privacy. >> otherwise, daniel maintains a respectful distance. he does not want to behave as if he was one of them himself. >> sometimes it gets lonely, but

i am only hear from monday to friday. the weekend, i go into town. in the evenings, my life here is somewhat like a monk at a monastery. on the weekends, it is like i am used to. >> the town is an hour away by boat. it is small, but compared to the village, its population of 3000 makes it a real bustling metropolis. and it quickly becomes apparent that this town is french. it is a blend of the tropics and france, which daniel likes a lot. he has long been living away from family and friends, but he can always give them a ring from st. george where he can also stroll, shop, and meet friends. >> sometimes i need 10 minutes to cross the street. people yell. we talk.

you forget about time. i like that. >> refreshed by a weakened in town, daniel is ready and looking forward to getting back to the isolated indian village. the chief of the tribe is full of praise. >> we are really happy with daniel. he has helped us all a lot and taught us a great deal. >> like playing chess, even the youngest children know how to play. daniel says it is the best way to make the children understand that -- the calculated european approach to planning. >> think about it. take a look. understand it. reassess it. make your move. win. that a few of the villages adults attend school in the

afternoon as well. he does not want to function like a missionary, but the locals here are french citizens and members of the eu and should have the same right to an education as anyone else. as well as filling a real connection with faraway friends. ♪ >> that report wraps up this edition of "european journal." thanks very much for watching. bye for now! captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org--