PES Manifesto

Manifesto2009 barometer: European democracy and diversity II

Published Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 11:49
by Editor in European democracy & diversity (300 views and 0 comments)

Since the last barometer on European democracy and diversity participants have been keen to continue the debates. Here’s an overview of last month’s input:

Fighting discrimination by promoting understanding and tolerance
As socialists and social democrats, participants agree that the PES should make the promotion of tolerance one of its key priorities, by campaigning and by enforcing legislation on the matter. Some underline this as a way of countering stereotypes on discriminated groups.

Promoting European citizenship and identity
Participants in the debate have also made a number of specific proposals to promote European citizenship and identity. Many highlight that politicians and the media should take a greater role in better talking and reporting on Europe; the ‘abuse’ of Europe for national or personal purposes is strongly criticized in the debate. For Scandinavian PES activists, encouraging diversity and promoting dual citizenship are also crucial to enabling a common European identity. David adds that the PES should give the people a say in the way EU initiatives, particularly regional and social ones, are conducted. Scandinavian PES activists recommend focusing on decent work to improve the daily lives of the citizens and therefore increase their interest in EU politics.

Making Europe more social
PES activist and previous blogger of the week, Victor, concludes that we need to counter the neoliberal idea that social rights and struggles are ‘fantasies’ and over the capacity of European economies: Europe’s socialists and social democrats should continue questioning the status-quo and work for a more social Europe – we should envision and work hard for greater social justice in Europe and beyond..

Campaigning together
Debates have also evolved around proposals to encourage European socialist and social democratic parties to campaign together as one family. Participants at the Danish PES manifesto conference came up with several ideas to increase coordination of campaigning activities for the European elections. PES activists in Romania centered a meeting on the connection with the citizens, with several specific social proposals to win the next elections. These included targeting campaigning on population groups open to socialist-democratic ideas, providing a programme with credible actions, and the use of new technologies and of PES activists' knowledge and logistics.

EU democratic deficit
Debates on the EU democratic deficit continued. Among other suggestions Jon proposes that the PES reinforces the powers of the President of the Commission, elected by and accountable to the European Parliament.
Transparency was once again considered as crucial: Participants noted that the PES should propose suitable candidates for top jobs at the EU, also reflecting geographic and gender balance considerations.

In your opinion does this cover the last month’s debate on European democracy and diversity? Add a comment and have your say!

Tags: activists, barometer, citizens, decent work, democracy, discrimination, diversity, EU