European countries can only have a big say in world affairs if they work together: so how far should Europe go in its common foreign and security policy? As well as facing new security threats, it is widely recognized that many environmental, health, development, trade and other issues are world problems that need global responses. So what should Europe stand for in the world? What can Europe do to promote democracy, decent work and human rights? How can it promote better global governance? How can it encourage not only development but sustainable development? How can it foster development that lifts people out of poverty and not only bring wealth to a few?
Join us at the fourth of our PES Manifesto debates, with a fantastic range of speakers confirmed:
We will be putting together all the ideas submitted both online and submitting them to the PES Manifesto!
We aim to make connections that will keep the PES in touch with the most dynamic and innovative thinking, but also enhance mutual understanding between Europeans. Through our series of debates, we will actively encourage participants to share their insights but also put forward innovative ideas and practical solutions to each of the four manifesto themes. Through this, we hope to promote a more social and democratic Europe by making it more relevant to people’s everyday lives.
How should the EU promote effective and collective international action on development and world security?
What sort of UN reform should the EU propose?
How should the EU facilitate common viewpoints and positions regarding security and defence?
How should the EU work efficiently with NATO?
What actions should be taken to improve transatlantic relations on security and defence?
How should the EU deepen its cooperation with other regional entities?
How should the EU support a better cooperation between the ILO and the WTO?
What actions should be undertaken by the EU within the international institutions to promote Decent Work and the ILO Core Labour standards?
What actions should be undertaken by the EU to achieve the UN Millennium Goals?
What should be the EU’s international trade policy?
What policies and agreements should be promoted to avoid fuelling conflicts over natural resources?
How can the EU’s development policy ensure that developing countries have the capacity to meet their current challenges, including climate change and environmental protection?
How can we achieve security of supply and tackle high energy prices in developing countries?
Europe is unique in the way it tries to combine a free market economy with social justice. But things are changing with globalization and our ageing society. Conservatives say we can no longer afford high standards of social and environmental protection. We say our welfare states are our strength, that a society in which everyone can participate, contribute and benefit will be a strong and prosperous society. We say our welfare states must be renewed - not dismantled: reformed to meet new challenges, not taken apart. The PES agreed 10 Principles for a New Social Europe at our Congress at the end of 2006. But what should be our priorities for 2009-14? What should be done at the European level in the years ahead?
Join us at the third of our PES Manifesto debates, with a fantastic range of speakers confirmed:
Before the debate, join in the debate around the questions below and submit your ideas here!
We will be putting together all the ideas submitted both online and submitting them to the PES Manifesto!
We aim to make connections that will keep the PES in touch with the most dynamic and innovative thinking, but also enhance mutual understanding between Europeans. Through our series of debates, we will actively encourage participants to share their insights but also put forward innovative ideas and practical solutions to each of the four manifesto themes. Through this, we hope to promote a more social and democratic Europe by making it more relevant to people’s everyday lives.
What should the EU’s priorities be for Social Europe?
What are the biggest problems facing working people and citizens today?
How can the EU promote social dialogue?
How can the EU promote gender equality?
Should the EU ensure a better protection of workers’ rights?
Should the EU address increasing inequalities in European society?
Should the EU set better standards for accountability, transparency and corporatesocial responsibility, for multinational companies, and hedge and private equityfunds?
Should public services be protected from liberalization under Single Market rules? If so, which public services?
Should the EU develop new and better policies and schemes to upgrade the skills of Europe’s workforce and institute lifelong learning?
Which priorities and policies should the EU develop in the area of immigration and integration of migrants?
What should a post-2010 Lisbon strategy look like?
Democracy at the EU level is stronger than ever before but is far from complete. Citizens feel more at ease with national politics than the European Union. If the EU is the 4th house of our democracy (after the local, regional and national) how can we make it more like a home? At the same time European countries are becoming more diverse with immigration and EU citizens moving from one Member State to another. What should the European Union do to make our societies fully at ease with our new diversity? How can the EU protect and improve the rights of the individual?
Join us at the second of our PES Manifesto debates, with a fantastic range of speakers confirmed:
Before the debate, join in the debate around the questions below and submit your ideas here!
In what ways should European democracy be strengthened?
How can European citizens’ participation in and understanding of European politics be improved?
How can the EU reflect Europe’s diversity better?
How can the EU contribute further to the fight against discrimination?
Should the European Parliament have more democratic powers in policy-making and holding the European Commission to account?
Should the President of the European Commission be directly elected by European citizens or by the European Parliament on a proposal by European political parties?
How should European political parties develop their democratic role in the European Union?
We will be putting together all the ideas submitted both online and submitting them to the PES Manifesto!
We aim to make connections that will keep the PES in touch with the most dynamic and innovative thinking, but also enhance mutual understanding between Europeans. Through our series of debates, we will actively encourage participants to share their insights but also put forward innovative ideas and practical solutions to each of the four manifesto themes. Through this, we hope to promote a more social and democratic Europe by making it more relevant to people’s everyday lives.
Tuesday 26th February at 6.30 - 8.30 pm House of Commons, Committee Room 16 Westminster, London SW1 0AA
Sign up on Facebook here or email noel.hatch1@gmail.com
Democracy at the EU level is stronger than ever before but is far from complete. Citizens feel more at ease with national politics than the European Union. If the EU is the 4th house of our democracy (after the local, regional and national) how can we make it more like a home? At the same time European countries are becoming more diverse with immigration and EU citizens moving from one Member State to another. What should the European Union do to make our societies fully at ease with our new diversity? How can the EU protect and improve the rights of the individual?
Join us at the first of our PES Manifesto debates, with a fantastic range of speakers confirmed:
Before the debate, join in the debate around the questions below and submit your ideas here!
In what ways should European democracy be strengthened?
How can European citizens’ participation in and understanding of European politics be improved?
How can the EU reflect Europe’s diversity better?
How can the EU contribute further to the fight against discrimination?
Should the European Parliament have more democratic powers in policy-making and holding the European Commission to account?
Should the President of the European Commission be directly elected by European citizens or by the European Parliament on a proposal by European political parties?
How should European political parties develop their democratic role in the European Union?
We will be putting together all the ideas submitted both online and submitting them to the PES Manifesto!
We aim to make connections that will keep the PES in touch with the most dynamic and innovative thinking, but also enhance mutual understanding between Europeans. Through our series of debates, we will actively encourage participants to share their insights but also put forward innovative ideas and practical solutions to each of the four manifesto themes. Through this, we hope to promote a more social and democratic Europe by making it more relevant to people’s everyday lives.
Why is it vital for young people throughout Europe to engage in European politics?
How can young activists throughout Europe collaborate?
To coincide with the launch of a new program of events and manifestations leading up to the London Festival of Europe 2008 and with the launch of the free European monthly journal Europa, European Alternatives calls a youth summit to discuss methods and means of European engagement, to promote student activism and youth collaboration.
This call is addressed to student activists and young Europeans throughout the UK, who will be joined by selected international invitees.
3 – 3.40: Introductory presentations; Niccolo Milanese and Lorenzo Marsili (European Alternatives) and Matteo Saccani (Terra del Fuoco, Turin)
3.40 – 5.30: Chaired Discussion; Themes:
The state of pro-Europeanism in the UK: future possibilities
An overview of the current situation in the UK, with reference both to the Reform Treaty and the prospect of a UK referendum, and, most importantly, the longer-term possibilities of European engagement in the UK.
What is the situation across the EU?
Brief 5-mins presentations from invited EU participants on the reality in their country followed by discussion
An overview of the overall situation across the Union. Again, both for what concerns “institutional” responses to the integration process, and “grassroots” sentiments towards the European ideal. How is “Europe” perceived in the different European countries? How is this different from the perception in the UK?
From the Europe of finance to the Europe of politics
Brief presentation by Lorenzo Marsili followed by discussion
So far European economic integration has amply preceded political integration, understood as both the pooling of national political decision-making and the creation of a truly active and pan-European citizenry. This has led to many complaints against the EU being a mere neoliberal inevitability or a seat of “technocratic” decision-making distant from its citizens. But what would it mean to invest Europe with political meaning, both at the institutional level and at that of grassroots political engagement?
How can we all collaborate?
Based on our discussion and one the personal and professional experiences of the invited participants, can we work on an initial joint initiative? The work regularly carried out by European Alternatives, and the monthly journal EUROPA, will here offer a possible seat of common involvement.
