European Economic and Social Committee

The voice of Diversity Europe Group Europe III March 2019

Arno METZLER (DE) President of the Diversity Europe Group

Ulster Unionist Party (UUP). Together with a very active participation from the audience, the event demonstrated the importance of open democratic debate on challenging topics where strong differing opinions prevail. Much of the discussion was of course on the consequences of the Irish ‘backstop’. As a German from Berlin, I fully understand both the symbolism and the impact of physical barriers and On 15 February, the Members of the Bureau of the walls. I understand the need to look forward instead of backwards and ‘Diversity Europe Group’, in addition to the UK and the importance of forgiveness. Editorial Irish Members of our Group met local politicians, As a European, I am convinced that our most valued assets are Peace, academia and civil society organisations at Democracy and Partnership. And although not everyone agrees on what Queen’s University in Belfast. Our objective the impact of Brexit will be on the Island of Ireland, there is no doubt EDwas to take stock of the Brexit process and to exchange views on its that all of us, the other 27 EU Member States, European civil society and consequences for both civil society and the Peace Process on the Island the European Institutions, will do everything in our means to ensure that of Ireland. the spirit of cooperation enshrined There was a great deal of interest in the Good Friday Agreement, in our visit, during which we had continues in the minds and daily the pleasure of meeting the Lord lives of all peoples on the Island of Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Ireland. Deirdre Hargey at the Belfast City Being in Belfast before Brexit Hall. Moreover, media coverage of was the first step in this process. the conference was the highest Reaching out in a spirit of ever for an event by our Group. partnership to civil society on both Some 24 radio and television sides of the border and listening interviews, plus written press by to their concerns. Beyond the key media players covered the implications on the Peace Process, event. For example, BBC Northern there are many implications for Ireland radio, Radio France the border communities and International, ITV network for serious economic concerns and, Northern Ireland (UTV), the Times, which would result from a re- Daily Mail, the Irish Independent, introduction of border controls Irish Times, the Irish News, Belfast Diversity Europe Group at Queen’s University, Belfast. between Northern Ireland and the Telegraph, etc. Republic. The current Common At the event, we were honoured by high level political speakers, Travel Area and cross border trade of agri-food products would be including Brian Cowen, former Taoiseach of the Republic of Ireland, severely impacted because of the closely integrated markets. So it is Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and imperative that we stand by local civil society, whatever happens in the MLAs Caoimhe Archibald from Sinn Féin and Mike Nesbitt of the next few weeks. Europe III The Implications of Brexit Editorial for Civil Society and ED the Peace Process >>

Civil society knows no borders and we should already be thinking about how to continue to work together in the months and years to come. I am convinced that civil society has a pivotal role to play in complementing and enriching the political debate surrounding Brexit. It is precisely its diversity and its capacity to reflect the human, social and economic dimensions of the Brexit negotiations, which renders these actors as crucial interlocutors. For these reasons, our engagement should continue post Brexit and we support the idea of establishing a UK-EU Round Table, regrouping civil society representatives from the four nations of the UK. However, it is also of paramount importance that we work together to dispel the negative myths and disinformation on the EU. The ‘Brussels blame game’ is in nobodies’ interest. On the contrary, we must join forces to inform, explain and communicate on the practical benefits of the EU on the lives of European citizens. The future relationship between the UK and the EU is still unclear, but the EESC and the ‘Diversity Europe Group’ in particular, will without doubt continue to explore joint solutions for the peoples of Europe, on both sides of the Channel and of the Irish Sea. The Group meets Lord Mayor of Belfast Deirdre Hargey of Sinn Féin

Rt Hon Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, Brian Cowen, Caoimhe Archibald (Sinn Féin); Michael Nesbitt (Ulster Unionist MP at the UK Parliament, former Taoiseach Party Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly); Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) of the Republic of Ireland Arno Metzler (EESC); Jane Morrice (EESC)

John Bryan (EESC); Professor David Phinnemore (Queen’s University); Diversity Europe Group President Arno Metzler Séamus Boland (EESC); Dr Katy Hayward (Queen’s University); Séamus McAleavey (Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA)) the Good Fridaythe Good agreement. The presentations challenges inorder to maintain the benefitsof stitutions willhave to overcome enormous withthepoliticalin- inpartnership society dom; there was alsoagreement that civil overall wishofthepeopleinUnited- King While there isa realisation that Brexit isthe tors to ensure itremains permanent. ofallinternational ac the unstinting support olence. isstillafragile peace It andwill require desire ofcommunities most affected by thevi- ion, theagreement ofthehuge isaproduct by theUSAandEuropeansupported Un- by andBritishGovernment. theIrish Heavily which isaninternational agreement brokered encapsulated Friday intheGood agreement, tenance ofpeace. The peace inthisinstance, how itisregulated; itisalsoaboutthemain- itbringsto trade and just abouttheimpact Speakers reminded delegates that Brexit isnot divisionsthat remain.sectarian which are physical manifestations ofthedeep can befound behindthesocalled ‘peace walls’ these years, even years twenty after ofpeace, tinuous violence. many In waysof thelegacy ern Irelandyears of sufferedcon- duringthirty were reminded- ofhow communities inNorth trated on securinglastingpeace. Delegates thoseconcenpean Unionvalues,- particularly is ahugebeneficiary, in terms ofshared Euro from theEuropean civilsociety Union.Clearly Ireland asaresult oftheUK’sand Northern exit rangeIreland ofissuesthat peoplein willaffect from Europe Diversity were presented witha At conference theBelfast onBrexit, members , Boland Séamus Diversity EuropeDiversity Group the of Member Irish Rural Link Séamus Michael Smyth Morrice andJane BOLAND (IE) - - A CivilSociety Perspective in Belfast Diversity Europe Group peace inallitsre problems, values above allelselongterm cal ideologies. AEurope that despite itsmany walldivided by andextreme politi- theBerlin rope that camethrough two world wars, was fromfinance.It isalsoaboutsolidarity a Eu- However, isnotjustabout theEUsupport and ultimate violence. unchecked, lead to the growth of sectarianism socio economic conditions. Conditions, that if ed at communities whoare affected by poor term peace. Many are of these projects target communities whoare to working achieve long ofthisspendingisdesignedMost to support in thecurrent period2014-2020 is3.6billion. 2007-2013 was 3.5billioneuro andprojected financial terms thespendinginperiod the peace process. the EU in supporting In demonstrated the hugerole clearly played by challenges they face. Challengesthat inthe Ireland demonstrated sations the inNorthern permanent state offear. organi Civil society - to thetroubled years, whentheylived ina those livingthere nities especially return commu- a border would of Brexit. Such a consequence hard border isnot termined that a that theEUisde is thisreason, It Ireland. Northern gions, especially - -

© Shutterstock - work will need another fifty workyears, willneedanotherfifty in terms of are sector andcommunity cleartheir untary stages; yet isstillinits early the struction Vol - years.lives Sucharecon inthespace ofthirty - a society, which has lostover three thousand is essential to thelongterm reconstruction of oftheEUinwhateverthat thesupport form EU orinside, organisations civilsociety believe Ireland remains outside the Whether Northern impossible. and makes theprocess ofintegration almost feature that prolongs theevilofsectarianism evil, istence continue as asanecessary to act the need of peace walls, which although in ex There are nocommitments to bringanendto threat; where violence was never faraway. phere where peoplelived inastate ofconstant not sodistant past, were inanatmos- tackled gins. true healingbe come down that only whenthey Like all walls; it is the peace walls. when theyvisited for themselves were ableto see which delegates deep divisions eradicating the - - © Shutterstock Europe III

GIUSEPPE GUERINI (IT) is the Rapporteur of the study group for the opinion Diversity Europe in Belfast on: “Fostering an entrepreneurship- and innovation-friendly single market – promoting new business models to meet societal challenges and transitions” A Civil Society Perspective – INT/881 CARLOS TRIAS PINTÓ (ES) is the Rapporteur of the study group for the opin- Jane MORRICE (UK) ion on: “The role of consumers in the Circular Economy” – INT/882 Equality Commission for Mihai IVASCU (RO) is the President of the study group for the opinion on: Northern Ireland “Use-value” is back: new prospects and challenges for European producers” – Member of the Diversity INT/883 Europe Group JORGE PEGADO LIZ (PT) is the President of the study group for the opinion on: “Evaluation of the Consumer Credit Directive” – INT/884 Jean-Marc ROIRANT (FR) is the Rapporteur of the study group for the opinion on: “Investor Citizenship and Residence Schemes in the European Union” – It is always a challenge to bring new people to Northern Ireland to SOC/618 visit parts of Belfast few would believe still exist in the European Un- RUDOLF KOLBE (AT) is the President of the study group for the opinion on: ion of the twenty first century. Many are shocked, even saddened “Digitalisation, Al and Equity - How to strenghten the EU in the global race of to witness the deep division which exists between Catholics and future skills and education, while ensuring social inclusion” – SOC/622 Protestants exemplified by the ‘so-called’ peace walls which have TERESA TISZBIEREK (PL) is the President of the study group for the opinion separated these communities for years. It is true that shiny new de- on: “Summary of the costs and benefits of Investments in occupational safety velopments have sprung up elsewhere, like the star-shaped Titan- and health” – SOC ic museum, where local Protestants and Catholics mix and mingle VLADIMÍR BÁLEŠ (SK) is the Co-Rapporteur of the study group for the opin- with tourists of every colour and creed from far away places in a part ion on: “The changing world of work and the longevity/ageing population - The of Belfast which once would have been considered a ‘no-go area’ for preconditions for ageing workers to stay active in the new world of work” – SOC anyone from outside. Now tourists flock to see the murals marking BERND SCHLÜTER (DE) is the Rapporteur of the study group for the opinion loyalty and allegiance to British or Irish traditions daubed in the col- on: “The European Pillar of Social Rights – evaluation of the initial implementa- ours of the flags of two EU Member States joined at the hip by an tion and recommendations for the future” – SOC/614 invisible border which will soon become an EU frontier marked by SÉAMUS BOLAND (IE) is the President of the study group for the opinion on: the departure of one of its own. “Implementation of the global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration The visit of Diversity Group Members to Belfast was a wakeup call based on EU values “ – SOC/615 for all. Not only could they see, touch and feel the fragility of the IOANNIS VARDAKASTANIS (EL) is the Rapporteur of the study group for the Northern Ireland Peace process but they could appreciate the im- opinion on: “Shaping the EU agenda for disability rights 2020-2030: a contribu- portance of the role played by the EU as the protector of peace on tion from the European Economic and Social Committee” – SOC/616 these islands and promoter of peace-building worldwide. MINDAUGAS MACIULEVIČIUS (LT) is the President of the study group for the opinion on: “The sectoral industrial perspective of reconciling climate and en- ergy policies” – CCMI/167 MICHAEL SMYTH (UK) SIMO TIAINEN (FI) is the Rapporteur of the study group for the opinion on: Habinteg Housing Association “Blue bioeconomy” – NAT/770 Member of the Diversity GENEVIÈVE SAVIGNY (FR) is the Rapporteur of the study group for the opin- Europe Group ion on: “Promoting short and alternative food supply chains in the EU: the role of agroecology” – NAT/763 CILLIAN LOHAN (IE) is the Rapporteur of the study group for the opinion on: “Developing synergies across different circular economy roadmaps” – NAT/764 Diversity Europe Bureau members were confronted with what could JOHN BRYAN (IE) is the Co-Rapporteur of the study group for the opinion on: be described as “the acceptable face of Brexit” in the person of Jef- “Evaluation of the Impact of the CAP on Generational Renewal” – NAT/766 frey Donaldson MP. He told us what for him and his party, the Dem- ARNAUD SCHWARTZ (FR) is the Rapporteur of the study group for the opin- ocratic Unionist party, Brexit is all about sovereignty. Brexiteers want ion on: “Evaluation on Environmental Crime Directive” – NAT/767 to “take back political control” from an undemocratic and overly bu- EVANGLEIA KEKELEKI (EL) is the Co-Rapporteur of the study group for the reaucratic EU. So, presumably xenophobia, racism and immigration opinion on: “Transport, energy and services of general interest as drivers of sus- were not important in the referendum campaign and the result? tainable European growth through the digital revolution” – TEN/691 Furthermore, Sir Jeffrey conveniently overlooks the facts that the Eu- KRZYSZTOF BALON (PL) is the Co-Rapporteur of the study group for the opin- ion on: “For a better implementation of the Social Pillar, promoting essential ropean Council is comprised of the elected Prime Ministers of the 28 services” – TEN member states; that President Juncker was appointed by the co-de- cision of the Council and the elected European Parliament. These are ARNO METZLER (DE) is the Rapporteur of the study group for the opinion on: “External aid, investment and trade as instruments to reduce economic migra- inconvenient truths for Brexiteers. Bureau members also confronted tion, with a special focus on Africa” – REX/516 another inconvenient truth – the peace Walls in West Belfast. Tant pis! PANAGIOTIS GKOFAS (EL) is the President of the study group for the opinion on: “The role of the EU’s trade and investment policies in enhancing the EU’s economic performance” – REX/517 CHRISTIAN PÎRVULESCU (RO) is the President of the study group for the opinion on: “Binding UN agreement on business and human rights” – REX/518 ALFRED GAJDOSIK (AT) is the Rapporteur of the study group for the opinion on: “International Trade and Tourism - A Global Agenda for Sustainable Devel- opment” – REX/521