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JEF-Info English - Week 5 - Thursday 31 January 2001
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English language news and debate from the Young European Federalists
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PART 1 - FEDERALIST NEWS AND DEBATE
Info A: Report Berlin Week-end : Evaluation of Laeken
Info B: The Constitutional Convention : a great PR opportunity for
Federalism
Info C: Come to Bruxelles for the opening of the Constitutional Convention !
Info D: JEF Italy in Porto Alegre
Info E: JEF France meets high-ranked diplomats
Info F: Rebirth of the Crocodile Newsletter
PART 2 - SEMINARS and CONFERENCES
Info A: Democracy in Europe: the role of the European Constitutional
Convention
Info B: Second Call for participants: Danish EU-presidency assisted by
European Youth. 1000 young Europeans' summit, June 30 - July 13, 2002
Info C: Apply for the WFM Congress !
PART 3 - THE FEDERALIST CALENDAR
PART 4 - TECHNICAL INFORMATION
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PART 1 - FEDERALIST NEWS & DEBATE
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INFO A: Report on the Berlin week-end : evaluation of Laeken
Last weekend some 50 members of the "federalist family" gathered in Berlin
for what has become a spring tradition: a JEF - UEF - ASI task force
seminar, to evaluate the latest political development (Laeken) and to set up
federalist campaign strategies. This weekend was made possible thanks to the
support of the Altiero Spinelli Institute, UEF , JEF Germany and Europa
Union Deutschland.
Jeffers from Europe and Germany made up the bulk of the participants but
where also joined by representatives from UEF, Altiero Spinelli Institute
and the International European Movement. The topics to be discussed during
this intense weekend were:
* After Laeken, with the coming convention, what are the prospects for a
European Federal Constitution?
* Which message should we as federalists bring to the convention and to the
public, and how?
* The first session brought together the various branches of the federalist
family, (JEF, UEF, the Spinelli Institute, IEM, EUD and the Permanent Forum
of European Civil Society).
Some points of discussion surfaced early:
- Should we be optimists or pessimist (or realists)?
- Can we expect the convention to draft a federal constitution?
- Can we trust the following IGC's treatment of this draft?
- What happens if the convention fails, and which result would be a failure?
- Would any step in the federal direction be a success?
- Should we demand an all or nothing-approach, demanding that a federal
vanguard within the convention develops a genuine federal constitution,
which in 2004 could be adopted by the countries or peoples willing to do so.
- Is this our last chance in the foreseeable future for a federal
constitution?- Is enlargement the last nail in the coffin for the prospects
of European federalism? (And must this thus be established before
enlargement?)
This discussion continued into the second session, which included
professors, federalists, civil servants and not least Sofie-Yvonne Kaufmann,
MEP member of the convention.
For the third session JEF was joined by representatives of German and
European political youth organizations. This discussion clearly showed two
facts: Firstly, that the desire for a federal structure for Europe, to a
large degree, transcends party lines, Secondly, that our role as federalists
is nevertheless unique, as we focus on the democratic structure in itself,
not on filling this structure with socialist, liberal or green policies.
The closing session was an internal federalist affair, focusing on the
organisational and strategic questions raised by the convention process. The
debate was very lively, and we left Berlin eager to continue the discussion
on jeftalk and in future seminars.
Thanks to the organizers!
In Berlin
Stein Ramstad
Member of the Presidium of the Federal Committee of JEF
Mail to: stein@jef-s.org
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INFO B: The Convention : a great PR opportunity for Federalism !
Personally, I do not think that Europe will be united under a federal
structure due to some brave and committed Convention members producing a
complete federal Constitution which then is adopted by parliaments or
referenda in a few of the current member states. After this negative
statement, here are some very positive points.
I am convinced that the Convention process represents a great PR opportunity
for Europe and for federalism. These are both concepts that must be brought
closer to the citizens, and we as federalists can actively seize the
opportunity. As we elaborate the complex structure of what kind of
constitution we want and the distribution of competencies, we must continue
presenting our visions to the citizens in a coherent and understandable way.
This process can, if handled wisely, also greatly benefit the euro-campaigns
in Sweden, UK and Denmark (in that order). In the long term this process is
also crucial for the overall public support for a federal Europe.
I am, however, also convinced that the Convention, lobbied well by us, might
bring the federalisation of Europe a big step, if not a giant leap, forward.
We must let the Convention members know that we are watching them. They must
be aware of the historical opportunity facing them and the great
responsibility resting on their shoulders.
The Convention convenes at February 28th in Brussels. I will do anything
short of walking in order to get there, and I hope to see many federalist
friends there.
Stein Ramstad
Member of the Presidium of the Federal Committee of JEF
Mail to: stein@jef-s.org
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INFO C : Come to Brussels for the opening of the Convention !
The Federalist organisations will seize the opportunity given by the opening
of the Convention in order to promote our requests to public opinion.
On Thursday 27th, the opportunity will be given to citizens to dialogue with
representatives from the 4 componants of the Convention: representatives of
the European and national parliaments, of the governments of the EU and
candidate countries, and representatives of the European Commission.
Organised by the UEF with the support of the EP Constitution Intergroup,
this public debate will take place in the European Parliament.
Furthermore, on Friday the 28th, the Federalists will organise a public
action for the opening of the Convention and will present to the members of
the Convention our key requests for a European Federal Constitution and a
European Federation.
Join us in this request! Come to Brussels!
More info: Contact the European Secretariat
Mail to: jef.europe@euronet.be
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INFO D : JEF Italy in Porto Alegre
A delegation of JEF Italy is currently present at the World Social Forum in
Porto Alegre, representing the European Federalists (JEF and MFE). They will
have a stand with divers information materials. They are also actively
involved in the organisation of a workshop on international democracy, where
they will promote federalism as a way to achieve peace and democracy in the
world.
Source: Nicola Vallinoto
Mail to: nicola.vallinoto@tin.it
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INFO E : JEF France meets high-ranking diplomats
On Thursday the 24th of January 2002, the Executive Bureau of "Les Jeunes
Européens - France" have been invited by M. SELLAL, "Directeur de Cabinet"
of M. VEDRINE the French minister of Foreign affairs, to present its vision
of the future of Europe and of the Convention of Laeken. This meeting is
meaningful, especially in the period of the opening of the debate on the
political future of Europe.
JEF France wanted to share this hopeful experience with JEF-Europe and to
invite you to take the initiative on such a meeting in your countries. The
collaboration between the Civil Society and the representants of the Peoples
of Europe, between the new generations and the political deciders will be
crucial for the elaboration by the Convention of a text including our
aspirations.
Amitiés européennes.
Les Jeunes Européens - France
Cécile Liv MÜLLER
Mail to: relations-internationales@jeunes-europeens.org
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INFO F : Rebirth of the Crocodile Newsletter
Dear Readers,
In one week we will send the first issue of Crocodile, a new Letter to the
members of the Constituent Convention created by the European Council in
Laeken. So, it will be diffused twenty years after the first meeting of the
Institutional Committee born in the European Parliament on the basis of the
initiative launched by Altiero Spinelli and the Crocodile Club.
In each issue of our Letter, we will give you our opinions on the works of
the Convention and on the debate on the future of Europe, some information
about the Convention and around it and some pieces of our archives on the
History of the Union. We will publish also some letters from our readers.
The Letter will be send via email, free of charge, but we will try to put it
online. You can receive it in English, French, Italian and Spanish: if some
friends in Europe will support us, we can send it in other European
languages.
If you want, you can give us a financial support addressed to: "Club
Crocodile pour l'Union Européenne - BBL - 310058667710 - Agence du Parlement
Européen".
Thank you in advance,
The Editor - Pier Virgilio Dastoli
To subscribe to the Crocodile Newsletter, please mail to:
crocodile_letter@hotmail.com
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PART 2 SEMINARS and CONFERENCES
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INFO A: Democracy in Europe: the role of the European constitutional
convention
University of London Union, Malet Street, London WC1
Saturday 2 February 2002
Last month's summit in Laeken agreed to create a convention to discuss the
future of the European Union. For the first time, the European Council, in
its Declaration, has looked forward to the opportunity of adopting "in due
course a constitution for the citizens". But what should that constitution
say? And how is it to be written? This seminar will discuss how the
convention will work and how it might be influenced. Non-members welcome.
Speakers include:
- Andrew Duff MEP
- John Stevens, former leader of the Pro-Euro Conservative Party
- Keith Best, Chairman, Executive Committee, World Federalist Movement
- Peter Facey, Director, New Politics Network
- Professor Stephen Haseler, London Guildhall University
Places are £10 (waged), £5 (student/unwaged) - includes seminar papers,
refreshments and lunch.
For info, contact Federal Union at seminar@federalunion.org.uk or visit
http://www.federalunion.org.uk
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INFO B : Second Call for participants: Danish EU-presidency assisted by
European Youth. 1000 young Europeans' summit, June 30 - July 13, 2002
This is the second call for participants for the summer event Youth 2002,
co-organised and supported by the Danish Youth Council and the European
Youth Forum. The new deadline for the second selection round is March 1st,
however it is best to apply as soon as possible. Over 800 applications have
already been received, but more is still needed. We would like to encourage
its member organisations to become involved in this activity - the biggest
youth activity during the Danish Presidency!
Youth 2002 is organizing a European summer event for 1000 young people from
the EU-countries, the EU-applicant countries and from the Balkans. The event
has the same name as the association, Youth 2002. The Danish Youth Council
is a partner in the project and European Youth Forum has also been invited
to support the project. The event is seen by the European Commission as one
of the possibilities for consultation on the White Paper - A new Impetus for
European Youth in 2002. Youth 2002 will be taking place from June 30th to
July 13th 2002 at 13 folk high schools and institutions in Denmark including
a common opening in Copenhagen, as Denmark takes over the presidency of the
EU. We are convinced that it is of utmost importance that citizens
contribute to the debates in preparation of the EU Intergovernmental
Conference scheduled to open in 2004 (IGC 2004). This is why our event has
as its main topic the probable EU- constitution in particular and the future
of Europe in general. Our guiding question of the summer event is: If a
European constitution should come into being, what then would we want it to
contain?
During 2 weeks at the schools and institutions, the 1000 participants are
going to draw up a proposal for a prospective future EU constitution. The
proposal is going to be handed over to the EU-presidency during a common
ceremony finalizing the event. With this we are inviting you to consider the
participation of young people of your network in this outstanding and maybe
even historical event and to draw their attention to the project.
It is of the utmost importance for us to invite participants from as many
backgrounds as possible, in order to make sure that they are as
representative of the European reality as possible even though we have to
admit only participants able to communicate in English and young people and
networks believing in dialogue.
Travel, lodge and board will be covered but there will be a participation
fee of 100 EUR. An on-line application form as well as more detailed
information are at the address www.youth2002.org
Deadline for the second selection is March 1st.
Our very best regards,
Asbjørn Lyby, chairman
Nina Nørgaard, deputy
john@youth2002.org
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INFO C: Apply for the WFM Congress !
Dear Friends,
Just a friendly reminder that the early registration deadline for the WFM
World Congress in London, UK is swiftly approaching. After January 31, the
discount for early registration will be over.
If you have never been to a WFM World Congress, this is your opportunity to
meet hundreds of World Federalists, as well as key government, UN and NGO
leaders who will be joining us.
To register, go to http://www.wfm.org/congress . You can register online
with a valid credit card, or download forms that you can print out and send
to us with your payment. If you would like us to fax or mail the forms to
you, please contact me.
In addition, we encourage folks to make their travel and accomodations plans
as early as possible, particularly if you are planning to come earlier or
have special housing needs. Note that the congress dates are now July 11
through 15, not the 16th as previously reported.
For information on discounted accomodations for the Congress, please go to
http://www.ad.ic.ac.uk/conferences/wfm.htm . You can also call them at +44
(0)20 7594 9507 or 9511.
In Peace,
Rik Panganiban
Membership Director
WFM
Mail to: wfm@igc.org
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PART 3 - THE FEDERALIST CALENDAR
Please, inform us of your events, mailto:JEF-info.English@jef.de
JANUARY
* 30-03.02, Croatia, Zagreb, International seminar "EU Enlargement: Past
Experiences and Future Challenges", mailto:info@europe-house-zagreb.hr
FEBRUARY
* 2, Conference of the Federal Union about "Democracy in Europe, the role of
the European Constitutional Convention", London, info:
richardlaming@yahoo.co.uk
* 27, Belgium, Brussels, Public debate for the start of the Convention on
the Future of Europe, info: jef.europe@euronet.be
* 28, JEF event for the start of the Constitutional Convention on the Future
of Europe, Brussels, info: jef.europe@euronet.be
* 28, Start of the Constitutional Convention on the Future of Europe
MARCH
* 15-17, Germany, Kiel, Baltic Sea Federalist prep meeting in combination
with regional seminar, mailto: sebastian.kosok@jef-sh.de
* 17-24, Hungary, Budapest, JEF Europe international seminar "Europe's role
for global security, democracy and justice", mailto: jef.europe@euronet.be
* 22-24, Hungary, Budapest, Meeting of the Federal Committee of JEF Europe
* 22, publication of The New Federalist, 1st issue 2002
APRIL
* 5-7 Sweden, Uppsala, Baltic Sea Federalist Newspaper meeting together with
JEF-Sweden Congress, mailto: jesper@ungaeuropeer.org - same date also
deadline for articles for BSF
* 19-21, Spain, Mallorca, Meeting of the Federal Committee of the UEF
* 29-6 May, Austria, Steyr, "The Charter of Fundamental Rights: a new model
for Europe?", mailto: europazentrum@nextra.at
MAY
* 1-5, Belgium, Brussels, study visit - training for activities around the
Convention [tbc], mailto: jef.europe@euronet.be
* 4-12, JEF transnational campaign days
* 9, First issue of "Baltic Sea Federalist" (BSF)
JUNE
* 10-16, Netherlands, Rotterdam, JEF Europe international seminar "Europe
and the challenges of Globalisation", mailto: jef.europe@euronet.be
* 14-16, Sweden, Lurbo gard, near Uppsala, meeting for Baltic Sea F summer
camp, mailto: jesper@ungaeuropeer.org
* 28-30, Germany, Kiel, JEF Schleswig-Holstein weekend seminar together with
Kiel Week, mail to: sebastian.kosok@jef-sh.de
JULY
* 11-15, United Kingdom, London, Congress of the World Federalist Movement,
http://www.wfm.org/congress
* second issue of the Baltic Sea Federalist
* seminar in Finland [tbc]
AUGUST
* 3-11 or 10-18, Sweden, Lurbo gard, near Uppsala: International Summer
Camp, mailto: jesper@ungaeuropeer.org or anders.ekberg@web.de
* mid-August till early October: Europe@School campaign with international
(JEF) speakers touring in whole of Germany, mailto: jan.seifert@jef.de
SEPTEMBER
* 15-22, France, Tours, international seminar [tbc]
OCTOBER
* 21-28, Denmark, Copenhagen, JEF Europe international seminar "Regional
co-operation: meeting the environmental challenge" [tbc], mailto:
jef.europe@euronet.be
* Third issue of the Baltic Sea Federalist
* 30-03.11, France, Lille, Franco-German Seminar, mailto:
cecile.muller@liberysurf.fr
NOVEMBER
* 22-24, Sweden, Malmö/Öresund: youth leader education training seminar,
mailto: jesper@ungaeuropeer.org
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PART 4 - TECHNICAL INFORMATION
The English language version of JEF-Info is published by JEF-Europe.
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