Ideas and goals

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Ideas and Goals

 

We understand that what unites Europe is its roots and history:

  • particularly the values of the European antique, Christianity and the Enlightenment

  • a sense for the lack of perspective and destructive force of war

  • the willingness to build communities on the basis of freedom, democracy and social justice

 

These are historical facts which have to be understood appropriately to serve as a stable basis for a common political future. An organisation which is solely a partnership of convenience will not satisfy the individual’s need for cultural and political identification and therefore not create a feeling of belonging , nor will it be able to successfully compete internationally.

We are convinced that in a thoroughly changing global environment it is time to take Europe a step further by profiting from its experience towards a politically integrated community, which provides a prosperous space for a life in cultural diversity based on common values and visions.

We want concerns and problems related to the development of the community taken seriously. This has not always been achieved in a satisfying, let alone, best possible way. To avoid frustration, disappointment and resistance to further integration it takes a creative search for fair solutions which has to go beyond what has been done on the political level so far.

We want to contribute to changing the widespread perception that “those in Brussels” are interfering - inappropriately - with our national affairs. This view is utterly wrong because “those in Brussels” are us.

There have been made considerable achievements along the path towards this goal. Moving forward, however, has become increasingly difficult. Problems of any dimension will only be dealt with successfully in the long term, if there is a strong commitment and growing cohesion on the governmental level, but, even more so, on the individual’s level.

We do not want to be the audience in a play that is our present and future. We want to act – responsibly, with a sense of realism and space for visions.

 

Therefore, we want a Europe which is designed

in accordance with:

 

Freedom

Considering freedom as a basic value of utmost importance we want the community to be a place where this value is respected in a universal way with the purpose to offer a space for the best possible self-actualization of the individual. However, freedom is inextricably linked to responsibility, tolerance and respect for other individuals’ legitimate interests.

 

Justice

Understanding that perfect justice will be hardly to achieve by the human being we want to make sure that every effort is made to come to this goal as close as possible. The rule of law as well as social justice is the basis for an internally peaceful and flourishing community.

 

Commitment to its values

As a matter of historical fact, the values that have been the determinant force for the evolution of European culture and achievements are primarily rooted in the European antique, Christianity and enlightenment. Many of these values are definitely not exclusive to European culture, but are essential to other cultures as well, if not of universal character. The set of values that constitutes Europe’s identity has to be respected, well interpreted in a way that is adequate to the present and developed according to the challenges of the future. Searching successfully for a balance between freedom and social responsibility has proved to be a distinctive attribute of European political culture and should be flexibly developed in the future.

 

Crossborder-solidarity / Honesty / Transparency

Solidarity among the members of any community is one of the pillars it is built on. It takes solidarity not only of the well performing with the poor performing members, if they need support, but as well solidarity of the supported to the supporters to make sure that their assistance is made use of in the best possible way. In fact, solidarity means to make every effort to avoid the need for support. Honesty and transparency are basic for a well working and sustainable solidarity. However, solidarity is not only to be seen in an economic context but needs also to refer to other fields of politics and life.

 

Mutual respect / good manners

The way of dealing with each other and cooperating has to be determined by mutual respect and sensibility for the others’ interests and positions. It is appropriate to interact in a way that takes into account differences. Thus, it will be easier to find common solutions and develop the community successfully.

 

Education

Access to best possible education is of fundamental interest for the human being and has to have very high priority on the political level. Therefore, the adequate infrastructure has to be provided in the short term as well as in the long term by adapting timely to the demands for education. Europe will only be competitive globally, if it can build on high education in all fields of science. However, high education is not only to be valued with respect to usefulness for economic or medical purposes, but is of highest value for the immaterial well being of an individual.

 

Security

A community can only prosper, if the personal integrity and all kinds of property are effectively protected. The members have to decisively confront in their respective areas of responsibility criminal activities in order not to put a burden on others. A close cooperation wherever necessary that could lead to the creation of a common police force is imperative for providing a space of high living quality standards.

 

Social welfare and health care

A strong commitment to affordable and sustainable welfare systems is an expression of solidarity and fairness. This is not a matter of luxury, but of course for highly developed societies and contributes essentially to their inner peace. However, welfare systems must not foster a comfortable lack of willingness to participate actively in the economy, but give those in need of support realistic, appropriate and feasible perspectives. Demographic changes have to be addressed in an open-minded, realistic and flexible way. State of the art health care that is generally accessible is indispensable for a community which appropriately values the dignity of the human being. Developing a culture of health oriented life-styles and preventive medical care will contribute to keep the cost as low as possible.

 

Environmental ethics

High quality of life is only possible in an environment which is to the highest possible extent free of effects damaging to physical and psychical health. Clean air and water, safe food and the prevention of noise pollution are not optional for an individual’s wellbeing, but imperative. To strike a balance between the requirements and implications of technological progress and those basic needs is a challenging task which has to be addressed decisively and in innovative ways. Since emissions do not respect borders sustainable prosperity and environmental protection need local, regional, national and global solutions which have to be economically reasonable and ethically sound.

 

Mobility

We understand mobility as a cohesive force in Europe. It is not only a necessity, but the willingness to mobility is an attitude which is basic for taking advantage of the cultural, scientific, innovative and economic potentials in the best possible way. Therefore, schooling systems of European dimension should be installed in addition to national or regional ones and changing between universities has to be easy. Many things have been achieved, but there is still tremendous room for improvements. To attain these goals it takes the willingness to break with out-of-time traditions and to design solutions without building administrative barriers. A mobile workforce will be increasingly important to meet the challenges of the globalizing economy. However, concerns of those feeling threatened by migrant workers have to be taken seriously, in order to avoid resistance to or even rejection of European integration.

 

Building an effective and efficient organization

Institutions and administration have to be lean, transparent, efficient and effective. The guideline has to be giving service to members and citizens by avoiding any bureaucratic complacency. It is of great importance to communicate activities and purpose to the public to successfully fulfill the tasks. The organization has to find a place in the minds and in the hearts of those it serves.

 

Acting on the global level

Globalization and the development of a multipolar world urges for an appropriate adaptation of political structures in Europe. Speaking with one voice and acting concertedly will be the only way to participate in building the global future. Europe has contributed essentially to the development worldwide by spreading values, knowledge and political achievements. It has a history which is not only rich in creation and progress, but also marked with war and destruction. It has gone through a learning process and there has been achieved the basic understanding that only cooperation and integration serves the real interest of the people. This experience is of priceless value, not only for Europe, but can be so globally. Based on this understanding Europe has a global obligation which meets her very interest.

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