Published Friday, May 9, 2008 at 19:05
by
asa.westlund 
in European democracy & diversity (225 views and 3 comments)
Published Friday, May 9, 2008 at 11:36
by
Editor
in European democracy & diversity (181 views and 1 comments)
In a PES statement for Europe Day, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen said the real debate was not for or against Europe but what sort of European Union do we want. Zita Gurmai, President of PES Women underlined the PES commitment to develop a new agenda for Europe for the next European elections in June 2009 that recognises citizens’ aspirations and concerns for the future.
Read the press release here
read morePublished Friday, May 9, 2008 at 11:33
by
Editor
in European democracy & diversity (84 views and 0 comments)
Often we express our political ideas in words and rarely in
images. Now the PES Group in the Committee of Regions gives you
the chance to express your visions for Europe in a more creative
way. Today, on Europe Day, the PES Group launches a photo
competition on intercultural dialogue seen through the eyes of
young Europeans.
If you are between 18 and 25 years old you are invited to share
your vision of the dialogue between cultures in their city and
region.
The competition is organized within the framework of the “Europe
Works” project, in collaboration with the think tank Notre Europe
and the photo agency Agence VU'.
For more information on the photo competition and how to
participate, please visit the website of the PES Group in the CoR.
Published Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 11:49
by
Editor
in European democracy & diversity (303 views and 0 comments)
Published Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 16:48
by
martina
in European democracy & diversity (415 views and 4 comments)
Many visions have
been given to her: international collaboration in times of
mistrust, the common hymn, the architecture. With the latter I’m
not only referring to the buildings in Strasburg and Brussels,
but also the intellectual architecture in Rome, Schengen, Den
Haag, Maastrict or Dublin. My compliments for the past. Visions
tied together with a strong symbol: stars on a sky-blue – the
colour of peace – background which sparkle so positive and yet
discreet.
In spite of this everyone still is primarily focusing on his own
affairs in the community building process. In the new EU member
states you can win elections with showing hostility towards the
EU! Why is that? Because the EU is not producing enough positive
action. To be a member of the Union is profitable in terms of the
granted subsidies, not in terms of visions. EU-friendly
politicians quickly run out of arguments. In Great Britain Maggie
Thatcher and John Major could win elections with EU-hostility.
Why? Because people over there were afraid that the EU could
bring too many developments! Does that make sense? Only when you
have no clue, which is because of a lack of professional
communication! So, can Europe then agree on a common head of
communications? Of course not.
Foreign policy, pensions, health, workers’ rights – all...
Tags: blogger of the week, democracy, diversity, EU
File:
Europa - die Frau hatte Weitsicht_DE.pdf
Published Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at 14:11
by
noelhatch
in New Social Europe (236 views and 0 comments)
See more of his proposals and his debate here:
read more
Published Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 16:46
by
jonworth
in European democracy & diversity (470 views and 2 comments)
Published Monday, March 31, 2008 at 09:36
by
cafeneaua.politica
in European democracy & diversity (452 views and 4 comments)
In the last time I have participated in some interesting left
civil society and social democrat debates, under the PES
Activists auspices at Oradea and Cluj-Napoca in Romania. The
quality of the subjects and on the other hand of the speakers and
listeners prove again that “the left” has a very good future in
Romania and probably in Europe.
1. The Oradea debate subject:
”Parliamentary bureau - The feed-back connection with
citizens”
2. The Cluj-Napoca debate subjects:
”Is the Romania a success example for different cultures
joining?”
Published Thursday, March 20, 2008 at 09:20
by
cafeneaua.politica
in EU in the world (314 views and 0 comments)
Published Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 14:19
by
Duncan Anderson
in European democracy & diversity (216 views and 1 comments)
With the introduction of so many digital TV channels it would be practical for the EU to have at least one digital TV channel showing the European Parliament in work. It would also make sense to have other digital channels for the various European committees and even the Council of Ministers.
It would certainly help a lot of average Europeans find out how the EU really works rather than hearing the lies spread by the Europhobic isolationists.
read more
Published Friday, February 29, 2008 at 09:38
by
davidshoare
in European democracy & diversity (420 views and 2 comments)
I went to the debate "Unity or Diversity? What Europe do we want?" in London earlier this week. The topic was the PES manifesto and democracy and diversity and there was a lot of discussion about democracy in Europe and how we can make it much closer to the people, and more relevant to them. I would like to suggest one of the ways we can do this is by giving the people concerned more of a say in how EU initiatives, particularly regional and social ones, are conducted and where the money goes.
We have had particular success in doing this at the South Bristol
Urban 2 Programme, of which I am proud to have been involved in
and also chaired for two years, where the ultimate decision
making committee that decided what projects to support was made
up of local residents, representatives of community organisations
and particularly young people, of which the programme's main aim
was to support. We also structured it's meetings so that young
people could better access it - the meetings certainly are not
boring and if there was any jargon that anyone did not understand
then you could show a red card and shame the person into
explaining it better! In doing this, we not only made one of the
EU's most innovative programmes,...
Published Monday, February 25, 2008 at 11:33
by
Thomas Lefebvre
in European democracy & diversity (364 views and 1 comments)
The current scandal over alleged misuses of MEP expenses raises key questions for the next PES. The dealing of the scandal has been, so far, a PR disaster for the EP, especially when Pöttering reportedly said: “we want reform but we cannot make this report available to the public if we want people to vote in the European elections next year.” Pöttering is making a big mistake here: it is, on the contrary, the absence of transparency that is fuelling populist and anti-EP commentaries. For instance, the lack of access to the report already lead to cheap eurosceptic articles, on the ‘gravy trains theme’, as highlighted by Jon Worth.
However, there is an opportunity to be taken: the PES could capitalize on the crisis by introducing transparency for MEPs expenses, as it is the case within the House of Commons, in its manifesto. The PES should also pledge to introduce a common status for MEPs assistants who deserve better working rights. Finally, the PES needs to pledge that PES MEPs who misuse their expenses are going to be excluded from the group.
These proposals would put the PES at the forefront of democracy and accountability. It would portray the PES as a modern party which can only help for wining next year elections.
read morePublished Friday, February 22, 2008 at 17:55
by
jonworth
in European democracy & diversity (442 views and 2 comments)
What is the price of
symbolism, the historic reconciliation of France and Germany in
the post-World War II Europe? Strasbourg, one of the seats of the
European Parliament, is the very embodiment of the values of
peace and reconciliation.
On the other hand the European Parliament's monthly trips to Strasbourg show how wasteful the European Union can be - getting all the MEPs, Assistants, Secretariat staff and documents there each month costs €200 million a year and 20000 tonnes of CO2 emissions (source: OneSeat, T&E). If we're cynical about it, perhaps the Member States want the EP to look like some kind of travelling circus? But as citizens and activists we should demand better than that.
So what are the options? One would be for the European Parliament to be located only in Strasbourg. This would for sure keep the city of Strasbourg content, and would maintain the historical significance of French-German reconciliation. But plenty of MEPs and staff would still have to make the trip on the motorway or train to Brussels to meet Commission and Council officials - hence the environmental impact of this might...
read morePublished Friday, February 22, 2008 at 15:45
by
jonworth
in European democracy & diversity (408 views and 6 comments)
Twice in my life I've called the
emergency services - 6 months ago, and today. Last autumn I was
in the UK and had to report a break-in, and every Brit knows that
the emergency number for police, ambulance or fire services: 999.
Easy.
Today a nasty incident was developing in the street where I live in Brussels and I was the first person to exit from my flat and do something about it. But hell - what number do I call in Belgium? No idea. Yet thanks to the EU there's one emergency number - 112. Only because I'm a geek for EU policy things did I know it - plenty of European citizens do not.
The slight problem is that when you call 112 in Belgium it takes you to ambulance and fire services, not really what I wanted when I needed to urgently reach the police - they sorted it for me though. For readers living in Belgium here is the full list of emergency numbers. Wikipedia also has a handy page will all the emergency numbers for all countries across the world.
What can be learnt from all of this? Well, first of all, thanks to European legislation I was better...
read morePublished Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at 10:35
by
mariope
in European democracy & diversity (496 views and 3 comments)
Today, economic
globalization is an obviously true. Social globalization is not so
obvious. The reason is that economic liberalism is based in
“laissez fair-laissez passer” so, they don’t need any institution
to make it happen, the
invisible hand of Adam Smith does their work very efficiently.
The capitals move freely everywhere and they go where they get more
profits, normally they go to the countries where social rights are
not so strong because the welfare state requires a lot of money in
taxes. From my point of view, the only way to avoid this situation
is to build a strong European Socialist Party. European Union must
to take enough power to became one of the main international
subjects (USA, IMF, MB, Japan…) with real capacity of influence in
the international scene. Today, decisions must to be taken in a
global way, socialists must to put together all their resources to
push for a change in the institutions, and ways of acting of the
European Union. Socialism must to became global, as global as
liberalism, other way our main institution will disappear.
read more
Published Monday, February 11, 2008 at 11:54
by
Eric
in European democracy & diversity (579 views and 4 comments)
Y’all,
As your specially invited blogger this week, I must first say
that I am very honored. And since I try to keep two blogs as it
is (in English here and in Swedish here), I have learnt that
the best blog posts are not too long. But since I have your
attention now, we must be serious to start with.
In the autumn of 1993, I attended my first seminar at university
level. I had registered for a course in economic history at
Stockholm University, a decision I had started to regret right
before the course started. The summer of 1993 had been great. I
was in love with music (rock’n’roll, that is),
literature (Jack Kerouac, that summer) and
politics (social democracy, of course. But with
a more radical socialist twist, in those days).
When autumn arrived, I didn’t want to study economic history. It
sounded too... serious. I tried to swap for literature, but
thanks to the rigid rules at Stockholm University, I had to stick
to the original plan.
At the first seminar in economic history, our very old and
brilliant professor (who taught his last semester that year),
rose from his chair and wrote on word on the chalkboard:
Interdependence.
I had never heard of ”globalization”...
Published Friday, February 8, 2008 at 10:45
by
The3rdColumn
in European democracy & diversity (431 views and 3 comments)
Published Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 11:01
by
raphi sternfeld
in European democracy & diversity (519 views and 0 comments)
The turnout of the elections in the German region Hessen has
shown that targeted left policies pay out.
Nevertheless it is clear that progressive policies have to be
combined with a certain amount of pragmatism. What counts in the
eyes of the voters is the factor of trust. In the framework of
this European election campaign, we social democrats should only
be promising what can be realized. We must not fool the voters.
Let’s concentrate on our core issues like social equality,
education and secure pensions.
Furthermore we clearly need to take distances from every form of
right wing populism. If we manage to lead a good and convincing
election campaign, we will have a realistic chance to make a good
result. Our capacity to mobilize the members of our movement will
be decisive. The participation in the elections will be quite
low. We might succeed. Now our task is to come up with reliable
content - this will enable us to fight for a New Social
Europe!
A German version of this post is attached.
Tags: EU, political parties
File:
Raphi_Sternfeld.pdf
Published Monday, January 28, 2008 at 11:08
by
Editor
in European democracy & diversity (533 views and 2 comments)
As a part of the newly started ‘Year of Intercultural
Dialogue’ the European Parliament has invited a number of state and
religious leaders to speak in its midst. Some weeks ago the grand
mufti of Syria, Sheik Ahmad Bader Hassoun, spoke in Strasbourg –
which triggered a heated debate among parliamentary members. Some
have aired concern that the list of guest speakers is more an
attempt to encourage ‘inter-religious’ rather than ‘intercultural’
dialogue. Others are worried that there are no women among the
invited guests - all speakers are men.Published Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at 13:19
by
Editor
in European democracy & diversity (954 views and 2 comments)
Why are there so few
women in power at European level?Published Monday, January 7, 2008 at 10:49
by
lolomodrego
in European democracy & diversity (691 views and 3 comments)
There is a clear
disconnection between the EU and its citizens. Although this is
easily explainable it is not sustainable in the long term.
Democratic regimes cannot afford to cut citizens loose, citizens’
participation being itself the principle of democracy. How can we
develop citizens’ interest in EU activities?Published Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at 12:47
by
pierre-carole
in European democracy & diversity (477 views and 0 comments)
Published Friday, November 30, 2007 at 11:38
by
together
in European democracy & diversity (770 views and 3 comments)
European political parties can play an important role in shaping European democracy and therefore they should play an important part in our manifesto theme on European Democracy and Diversity. In order to start a discussion, I would like to present two short texts. One is a translated paragraph from the new SPD (German social democrats) manifesto "Hamburg Programme". It is taken from the chapter "Democratic Europe". The second text is composed of a few paragraphs drawn up by me.
1.) This is a quote from the German social democrats on "Democratic Europe":
European democracy requires a European public scope. European media, organizations of civil society, social partners, but even strong European political parties are indispensable for this. Our aim is to develop the Social Democratic Party of Europe to become a functioning members’ and program party. We are favouring the elaboration of a program of social democratic principles for Europe. In the elections to the European Parliament we want to present a pan-European candidate.
If you are interested in reading the whole chapter, you can download the SPD "Hamburg Programme" here
2.) This would be my...
read morePublished Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at 16:08
by
Rambert
in European democracy & diversity (552 views and 2 comments)
On the 8th and 9th of
November, the European Parliament organised an “Agora”, a big consultative event with and for
civil society. About 400 representatives of different civil
society organisations had been invited to Brussels by different
committees of the European Parliament, in order to discuss the
institutional novelties of the Reform Treaty and how the European
Union could look like in the future. According to the main
initiators, Gérard Onesta, Vice-President of the European
Parliament, and Jo Leinen, president of the Constitutional Affairs
Committee, it was the first time the Parliament engaged in a
consultation exercise with such a large audience. Divided in five
different workshops, the participants discussed “Tasks”,
“Rights”, “Tools”, “Borders” and “Horizons” of the EU and came up
with conclusions for the closing plenary session.
The debates were quite interesting. Many were centred on the very purpose of the Agora: participatory democracy. Is a consultation...
read morePublished Monday, November 5, 2007 at 10:32
by
Editor
in European democracy & diversity (507 views and 0 comments)
At the recent congress of SPD, the German social democratic party, we talked to Martin Schulz, president of the Socialist Group in the European Parliament, about the PES manifesto:
read more
Published Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at 14:08
by
Editor
in European democracy & diversity (576 views and 0 comments)
The new SPD program,
adopted at the party’s congress in Hamburg this weekend, defines
essential elements of European democracy in a sharp and clear
way. For German social democrats European democracy means
government based on responsible and accountable parliamentary
procedures.
For the SPD this implies that the European Parliament must stand on equal footing with the European Council. The Parliament should at the same time control the other European institution: for the SPD it has to be the European Parliament which elects the President of the European Commission.
A strong parliamentary democracy needs parties: the SPD wants to develop the PES into a real member party based on a long term program and the capacity to act effectively. At the elections for the European Parliament the SPD proposes one top social democratic candidate.
The SPD proposes structured cooperation of those member states which want to go further down the road towards a more democratic Europe. Such cooperation, however, needs to be open for all other member states.
What do you think: is this the right vision for a more democratic,...
read morePublished Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at 11:18
by
Editor
in European democracy & diversity (585 views and 1 comments)
What is going on in
Brussels? Who is deciding what?Published Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at 11:37
by
Editor
in European democracy & diversity (407 views and 0 comments)
More equality, fighting climate change and childcare for every child – these are some of the issues that the Socialist Group of the Committee of the Regions suggests should be in the PES manifesto.
The Committee of the Regions is an assembly that gathers representatives of local and regional governments in Europe. 111 of its members belong to the PES group.
read more
Published Thursday, October 18, 2007 at 09:35
by
ccarnero
in European democracy & diversity (562 views and 1 comments)
The European Council is meeting
today in Lisbon to close the deal on the new Treaty of the
European Union. Without the Convention, there would not have been
a European Constitution and without a European Constitution, we
would not have a treaty to replace Nice and to strengthen a more
democratic and efficient Union.
I think European socialists have been and still are part and parcel of this new step forward. This new progress however is not a final step in the history of the European construction, since we still have to round it up with a political Union.
The preparation of our Manifesto will coincide with the ratification process of the new treaty. Let us use this opportunity to make the new treaty known and link our proposals for the future of Europe to this process.
We can do this by underpinning the most important matters: for instance, from the moment the new treaty is enforced, the Union’s institutions will be more transparent and the Charter of Fundamental Rights will be legally binding.
- Member of the European Parliament Carlos Carnero, Spain
read moreTags: EU, fundamental rights, political parties
File:
Carlos_Carnero_ES.pdf
Published Thursday, October 18, 2007 at 09:30
by
Editor
in European democracy & diversity (533 views and 0 comments)
Tonight Europe‘s
leaders will, hopefully, agree on a European Reform Treaty to
improve the EU’s decision-making. The new treaty is an important
step on the way to strengthening democracy in Europe. But what
will the new treaty mean for socialists and social democrats in
Europe – and for European party politics?
With the new treaty the European Parliament will elect the President of the European Commission in the future. This means that member states will have to take into account the results of the European elections when they nominate a candidate! The citizens will have a much greater influence on the political leadership of the European Union.
The Charter of Fundamental Rights is also incorporated into the treaty framework. The charter has existed since 2000, but with the new treaty Member States will be more committed to abide to it. How can the PES use the charter to promote a more social democratic Europe?
read morePublished Wednesday, October 10, 2007 at 15:12
by
Editor
in European democracy & diversity (565 views and 0 comments)
The PES Group in the Committee of the Regions – over 100 socialists and social democrats from local and regional government all over Europe – today gave their full backing to the manifesto2009 consultation.
Group President Mercedes Bresso – also President of the Italian Region of Piemonte – Committee of the Regions president Michel Delebarre – Mayor of French port city Dunkirk – Guillermo Fernandez Vara, President of the Spanish Region of Extremadura all gave their support to PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen’s call for Group Members to get involved. “I need your help, I need your engagement,” he told the assembled Mayors, Regional Presidents and local and regional representatives.
The Group agreed to get their debate going at a seminar in Warsaw later this month, and...
read morePublished Monday, October 8, 2007 at 16:57
by
Editor
in European democracy & diversity (674 views and 0 comments)
"The EU can only exist if there are committed citizens that participate in the debate - either to agree or disagree. So this is the moment: this is a golden opportunity that socialists give you to reinforce participation. This is the opportunity you can't miss," says Jamila Madeira, member of the European Parliament for Partido Socialista, Portugal.
Hear what else she and other socialists from the European Parliament have to say about Yourspace:
read more
Published Tuesday, November 30, 1999 at 00:00
by henningdotcom in European democracy & diversity ( comments)
contribution to the workings of politics
http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/.../is_political_responsiveness_de.html
loading...