DOCSLIB.ORG

European and International Affairs 2017

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
European and International Affairs 2017 European and international affairs2017 Fair winds keeping local governments on course 4 City Council Commission on Europe | Municipal development cooperation 5 An active player in Europe and worldwide 6 Strategy Standing up for Europe 8 Municipal development cooperation 9 White paper on the future of Europe 10 European structural and investment policy 2021–2027 11 EUROCITIES study of cities’ external cultural relations 11 Consultations in 2017 | Successful lobbying activities 12 Urban Agenda for the EU: Partnership for procurement 14 Dialogue News from the Europe Direct Information Centre 17 City Council resolution on the campaign „Munich4Europe“ | Europe Day 2017 18 Projects Award for waste avoidance concept 20 Circular economy dominates 2017 Annual Conference 21 Smarter Together: Getting around in tomorrow’s cities 22 CIVITAS ECCENTRIC: Solutions for sustainable mobility 23 Let it FLOW! | Urban mobility KIC 24 BuyZET | METAMORPHOSIS | URBACT – Good practice label for “Gscheid Mobil” project 25 Global learning to get fit for Europe 26 Erasmus+ and EUMUC: Over 180 internships in Europe 27 Martinsdorf vicarage in Transylvania | Stays abroad for teachers 27 Diversity in action in Munich | Youthful encounters 28 Building Committee trip to Amsterdam | Pooling experience on horticulture and landscape gardening 29 Munich education delegation in Québec | Youngsters from Munich in Washington 29 LOS_DAMA! huge success | EUSALP | ASTUS 30 European fire prevention regulations | Special ATF unit 31 SWM district cooling project in central Munich 31 International cultural work | Artists in residence: Exchange with East Asia 32 Creative Embassy | Munich shows Europe the way in culture and creativity 33 Economic relations and international cooperation | Hotspot Munich 33 Flight and development | Local administration survey 34 Cooperation projects: Public park project in Kasserine | Outlook 35 Work shadowing in Baladiya | Sponsoring the Subotica project 36 DRIM project: Danube Compass 37 Refugees in work and training (FiBA) | Visitors from Sweden 37 Cooperation between Munich and Harare 38 German-South African City Network 39 Munich-Kiev partnership improves energy efficiency 40 Munich-Cape Town climate partnership | Cities Fit for Climate Change | KyivPride 41 Climate partnership with the indigenous Asháninka people | Emergency relief in Peru 42 Networks EUROCITIES 2017: Municipal departments hard at work 44 CEMR Municipal Development Cooperation Committee | Meeting in Brussels 47 Equality, inclusion and diversity: “Rainbow Cities” in Ljubljana 47 Forum for Urban Security | InterCity Youth 48 Cover: Picture shows Olympic Park Munich and Kiev Monastery of the Caves. 4 European and international affairs 2017 Fair winds keeping local governments on course Preface by Deputy Mayor Josef Schmid, Head of the Department of Labor and Economic Development “The wind is back in Europe�s process is tremendously important play our part in ensuring sustaina- sails.” EU President is not the only to us. At an EU network meeting in ble and equitable global develop- one who is optimistic about Europe: November, the City Council and ment. In development cooperation In 2017, the continent celebrated about 100 locally based European in particular, local governments are the 60th anniversary of the Treaty actors explored and debated the playing an increasingly important of Rome, the EU posted economic different scenarios from a municipal role. As the world becomes more growth upward of two percent, and perspective. These are discussions I and more deeply interlocked and its own civic society brought forth would like to pursue further in 2018. interdependent, authorities and the pro-European movement Pulse administrations around the globe of Europe. All of which are good That is why I set in motion the are joining the corporate sector in reasons to be upbeat about Europe. “Munich4Europe” campaign in the cooperating more closely to find At the same time, Munich faces Bavarian capital for 2018. Its aim? shared solutions to the major huge challenges in its municipal To anchor Europe more firmly, more challenges of our day. role – in areas such as mobility, deeply in the hearts and minds of digitalisation, migration and climate the people of Munich. In effect, the What can Munich do to help change, to name but a few. These campaign builds a bridge between combat the reasons why people challenges are preoccupying local the Europe Day celebrations in May feel compelled to flee their home governments not only in Europe, 2017 and the European elections countries? The new Flight and but all over the world. The repercus- in 2019. Development coordination unit at sions for the Department of Labor the Department of Labor and Eco- and Economic Development are Britain's forthcoming withdrawal nomic Development is working very many and varied. To take just one from the EU remains a major hard to address precisely this example: Its activities relating to European policy issue for us here question. The unit is drafting a plan Europe and municipal development in Munich. Both Munich and its of action and has already establis- cooperation have converged in partner cities in the EUROCITIES hed close contacts in Lebanon, recent months. This move bundles network want to continue their Jordan and Tunisia. Our aim is to the city's expertise, gives it a wider valuable partnerships with British more sharply focus this city's scope of options to take action and cities such as Edinburgh, Birming- development policy commitments places Munich's pan-European and ham and Brighton even after Brexit on the regions from which refugees global network on an even broader has been consummated. The flee and the regions that initially footing. Council of European Municipalities take them in. We want refugee- and Regions (CEMR) will also give related development work to be On the future of Europe its backing to this concern. anchored systematically in our local In March 2017, the EU Commission administration. unveiled its “White paper on the Munich – future of Europe”. The document A globally engaged city As you can see, Munich has already presents five scenarios which out- In the international arena, too, weighed anchor and set sail! line how Europe could evolve over Munich is ramping up its activities With the wind at our backs, we are the next decade. Munich's involve- in the area of municipal develop- determined to send positive signals ment in the ongoing white paper ment cooperation. We are keen to in Europe and beyond. European and international affairs 2017 5 Yes to Europe! In response to the worrying City Council delegation radicalisation of political life and in Vienna the resurgence of anti- European At the end of October, a delegation forces in many countries of from Munich City Council visited Europe, all parties represented Vienna for discussions surrounding on Munich's City Council backed European and international affairs. a resolution “Safeguarding One focus was how the administra- European cohesion – Standing tive departments of the City of up for Europe” at a plenary Vienna position themselves at the session on April 5, 2017. Brexit European and international levels. has already marked the first Also on the agenda was an official step toward disintegration. It is visit to the United Nations Organi- therefore all the more important sation (UNO) and a visit to Aspern, to renew our commitment, our a new lakeside urban district that is “Yes to Europe!” now taking shape and will accom- modate more than 20,000 residents. The City of Munich affirms and supports the objectives of Pulse of In 2015, Munich, Vienna and Lyon The City Council Europe, a multi-party, interdenomi- were given the nod for the EU's national civic initiative that advoca- Smarter Together project. These Commission on Municipal tes a unified, democratic Europe. three lighthouse cities are develo- The fact that so many people in ping and testing innovations for the Development Cooperation Munich have come together to stand city of the future. As part of this up for Europe marks an important project, Vienna has set itself the step toward helping people see and goal of making significant changes The City Council Commission on Municipal hear the European idea once again. in its Simmering district. The Munich Development Cooperation was set up in 2012. delegation visited the area concer- Acting on behalf of municipal leaders and the ned and compared Vienna's approa- City Council, this commission formulates recom- More information ches to the Munich project area in mendations on key political issues in Munich's muenchen.de/europa Neuaubing-Westkreuz/ Freiham. partner projects in the context of development cooperation, Munich's involvement in interna- tional development policy campaigns, and Munich's commitments in the event of interna- tional emergencies and disaster relief. The The City Council commission comprises Honorary City Councillors and development experts who serve as consul- Commission on Europe tative members. Voting members are: This commission is an advisory body for the City Council. § Josef Schmid, Deputy Mayor It concerns itself with EU Commission initiatives of relevance and head of the Department to local government, applications by municipal departments of Labor and Economic Development for EU projects, funding programs, and position papers on EU § Beatrix Burkhardt, CSU consultation proceedings which Munich forwards straight to § Dr. Manuela Olhausen, CSU the EU Commission. § Ulrike Grimm, CSU § Dr. Constanze
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Europcom 2019
    10th European Public Communication Conference 7 & 8/11/2019, Brussels Programme #europcom cor.europa.eu/europcom.go EuroPCom 2019 Right after the arrival of the newly elected European Parliament and the new College of the European Commission, the timing could not be better for communication experts to gather and capitalise on the opportunity provided by the start of this new term of office. Those who communicate Europe at national, regional and local level as well as in the EU institutions are coming together to exchange new ideas and discuss methods and tools. Let us look forward together and think of a fresh start to communicate in and on Europe! Three main clusters ELECTIONS CITIZENS TOOLS AND TRENDS Looking back at Engaging (with) citizens and Tools and trends to the European elections fostering local and regional communicate Europe communication Formats Workshop Mini Trainings Ideas Labs Bringing communicators "Hands-on" sessions on Open, fully participatory together on a specific topic selected practical skills lead sessions, providing space and presenting practical case by an experienced trainer. for active interaction, co- studies. creation and cooperation. The Ideas Labs are set up by participants based on a call for interest. Market Place EuroPCom Talks Interactive opportunity Short inspiring keynote for participants to bring in speeches. their projects and ideas, to exchange experience and best practices with other participants and to learn from each other. 7 November 2019 10.30-12.00 1 Opening session HEMICYCLE, PAUL-HENRI
    [Show full text]
  • Giving Hardship the Red Card - Uninews
    Interview : Giving hardship the red card - UniNews https://uninews.unicredit.eu/en/articles/headlines/interview/?ida=13789 Home > Articles > Headlines > Interview > Details Giving hardship the red card September 12, 2012 On occasion of the UEFA Champions League final at the Munich it was announced that UniCredit Foundation and Hvb would be extending their partnership with the buntkicktgutassociation. On occasion of the UEFA Champions League final at the Olympiapark in Munich it was announced that UniCredit Foundation and Hvb would be extending their partnership with the Buntkicktgut association. It was back in 2009 that UniCredit first began supporting this association which uses street football as a tool for favouring integration among young immigrants that live in conditions of social hardship. The history and the goals of the project as described by Rudiger Heid, director and founder of buntkicktgut. Buntkicktgut is considered a pioneering project in street football. What does it consist of? Could you briefly talk about it? «It was around 1995/96 when I discovered that football and even more street football was an ideal and attractive medium for a continuous work with socially disadvantaged and marginalized young people - especially with a migration background. With my background as a geographer and a high sensitivity for issues of migration, ethnical or political conflicts and regional disparities I was engaged in so called community lodgings for war refugees and applicants for political asylum. Many individuals and families living there with their children came from Afghanistan and Africa, but most from former Yugoslavia in order to take refuge from the terrible and the whole decade lasting Balkan wars in the 1990s.
    [Show full text]
  • Der Präsident Des Amtsgerichts Tiergarten
    Der Präsident des Amtsgerichts Tiergarten Liste der Gemeinnützigen Organisationen - Stand : 29. April 2020 - In dieser Liste sind alle Einrichtungen aufgeführt, die nach Unterrichtung über Inhalt und Bedeutung der Liste um die Eintragung in das Verzeichnis nachgesucht haben. Die Liste hat keinen Ausschließlichkeitscharakter. Die Berücksichtigung anderer, nicht eingetragener gemeinnütziger Einrichtungen bleibt zulässig. Die Liste gibt darüber Aufschluß, ob die jeweilige Einrichtung / Organisation a) einen Befreiungsbescheid oder eine Freistellungsmitteilung gemäß § 4 Abs. 1 Nr. 6 des Körperschaftssteuergesetzes, § 3 Nr. 6 des Gewerbesteuergesetzes und § 3 Abs. 1 Nr. 6 des Vermögenssteuergesetzes des zuständigen Finanzamtes beigebracht oder erklärt hat, dass sie nicht veranlagungspflichtig sei, b) ihre Zielsetzung mitgeteilt oder ihre Satzung eingereicht hat und die Verpflichtung übernimmt, entsprechend Art. 96 ff des Einführungsgesetzes zur Abgabenordnung i. d. F. vom 01.01.1977 ( GVBl. Nr. 111, S. 2836, 1976 ) unverzüglich sämtliche Beschlüsse mitzuteilen, durch die eine für die steuerliche Vergünstigung wesentliche Satzungsbestimmung geändert, ergänzt, in die Satzung eingeführt oder aus ihr gestrichen, die Vereinigung aufgelöst, in eine andere Körperschaft eingegliedert oder ihr Vermögen als Ganzes übertragen wird, c) sich verpflichtet hat, über die Höhe und Verwendung der zugeflossenen Geldbeträge auf Anforderung gegenüber der listenführenden Stelle für einen bestimmten Zeitraum Rechenschaft zu geben, d) ihr Einverständnis erteilt hat, dass der Rechenschaftsbericht veröffentlicht werden kann. Stand : 29.04.2020 Anschrift Bankverbindung Name der Organisation Ord.-Nr.: PLZ Ort Strasse Kto.-Nr.: Institut BLZ IBAN "Die Arche" christliches Kinder- und Jugendwerk e.V. 126/02 12627 Berlin Böcklerstr.Tangermünder 2 Straße 7 3030100 Bank für Sozialwirtschaft 100 205 00 DE78 1002 0500 0003 0301 00 "Die Sputniks", Verenigung russischsprachiger Familien mit Kindern mit Beeinträchtigungen in Deutschland e.V.
    [Show full text]
  • Football for Hope Forum 13-Year-Old Into a Hard-Headed 2017 Goalkeeper
    July 2017 FOOTBALLTHE Quarterly MAGAZINE OF STREETFOOTBALLWORLD4 GOOD SPOTLIGHT THE FOOTBALL IN FOCUS FOR HOPE HIGH-FLYING FOOTBALL FOR GOOD FORUM 2017 IN NEPAL WHAT IS THE CONTRIBUTION OF FOOTBALL TO THE UN SUSTAINABLE Join us on our journey discovering football for good in Kathmandu DEVELOPMENT GOALS? and Bhaktapur p. 6 p. 30 FOOTBALL4GOOD TALKS NETWORK MEMBERS’ STORIES FIFA SECRETARY GENERAL FATMA SAMOURA A RAYAN OF HOPE Speaks about football for good with Jürgen How football turned a timid Griesbeck during the Football for Hope Forum 13-year-old into a hard-headed 2017 goalkeeper. And a very wishful thinker. p. 16 p. 50 www.streetfootballworld.org ABOUT FOOTBALL FOR GOOD & THE UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS I was at the beginning of my career when the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were established. For 15 years, they followed me and I followed them. In early 2016, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development officially came into force. Over the next fifteen years, with these new goals that universally apply to all, the 193 United Nations member states have pledged to mobilise efforts to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change, while ensuring that no one is left behind. The members of the streetfootballworld network, and many more friends and fellows across the globe, have intrinsically adopted such an attitude already during the establishment of their organisations. In fact, the very reason they initiated their programmes in the Mathare Valley, the streets of Dublin or the favelas of Rio was because governments had failed to address the needs of those on the margins of society.
    [Show full text]
  • Programm September 2020 Bis Januar 2021
    Programm September 2020 bis Januar 2021 Nachbarschaftsheim Neukölln e.V. Liebe Nachbarin, lieber Nachbar Vorstand des Nachbarschaftsheims Neukölln e.V. Liebe Nachbar*innen, das Leben der Menschen im Neuköllner Norden hat sich in den letzten Wochen und Monaten stark verändert – wie das Leben der meisten Menschen weltweit. Dabei treffen die Pandemie und die Folgen der Maßnahmen zu ihrer Eindämmung diejenigen am härtesten, die ohnehin die schwierigsten Ausgangsbedin- gungen haben. Als Nachbarschaftsheim haben wir versucht, auch unter einge- schränkten Möglichkeiten kontinuierlich erreichbar zu bleiben und Sie und euch als Nachbar*innen zu informieren, zu beraten und ein solidarisches Miteinander in den Kiezen zu unterstützen. Von diesem demokratischen und solidarischen Miteinander gab es viel – spontan und selbstorganisiert, vermittelt und begleitet. Diesem Miteinander wollen wir auch in den kommenden Monaten Möglichkeiten und Raum bieten: mit Information und Beratung, schulischer Nachhilfe, Angeboten für Kinder, Jugendliche und Familien, Gelegenheiten zu nachbarschaftlichem Austausch und Begegnung und vielen anderem mehr. Wir freuen uns, dass der Raum hierfür gleich an zwei Orten konkret wächst: Dank einer Förderung der Lotto-Stiftung können wir im Ganghofer Kiez neue Räumlichkeiten eröffnen. Zusammen 2 Liebe Nachbarin, lieber Nachbar mit unseren dortigen Kooperationspartnern laden wir deshalb herzlich zum Tag der offenen Tür am 16.09.2020 in der Wilhelm- Busch-Straße 12 ein – selbstverständlich unter Einhaltung der gebotenen Abstands- und Hygieneregeln. Auch der aus Mitteln der Sozialen Stadt sowie des Kita- Ausbauprogramms geförderte Erweiterungsbau des Nachbar- schaftshauses am Körnerpark macht große Fortschritte. In der nächsten Zeit wird die Turnhalle überbaut und deshalb leider nicht nutzbar sein. – Dafür stehen dann im Neubau, voraus- sichtlich ab Frühjahr 2021, neue Räume für das Miteinander im Kiez zur Verfügung! Nun wünschen wir erst einmal viele Anregungen beim Blättern durch unser Programm.
    [Show full text]
  • Listen, Understand, Respond
    2013 Annual Report 2013 Listen, understand, respond. 2013 Annual Report This report expresses UniCredit’s approach to banking by telling everyday stories about our interactions with Customers, innovations in products and adaptability in services. These brief but meaningful stories come directly from our colleagues. They are examples of the tangible benefits and concrete solutions offered by UniCredit, demonstrating how we make a difference in people’s lives. Our clear goal to improve everyday circumstances is rooted in our complete commitment to outcomes that ensure Customer satisfaction. At UniCredit, listening to our Clients and engaging with them to offer simple, direct results lies at the heart of our commercial banking operations. It is part of our determined effort to contribute to the economic and social well-being of our Customers as well as the communities where we work. We will continue with this commitment to all of you, every day. 2013 Annual Report HVB Group Profile HVB Group is one of the leading financial institutions in Germany. Our core compe­ tencies cover retail banking, corporate banking for small, medium­sized and large, inter­ nationally active corporate customers, private banking and international capital markets. In 2013, we set up three new business segments in order to achieve a greater regional focus and a stronger entrepreneurial orientation: Commercial Banking, Corporate & Invest­ ment Banking, and Asset Gathering. Customer satisfaction is the focal point of all our activities. We are committed to providing our customers with excellent, innovative and fast solutions across all business segments. HVB Group belongs to UniCredit, a pan­European banking group that holds a leading position in the wealthiest regions and fastest­growing markets in Europe, notably also in central and eastern Europe.
    [Show full text]
  • Official Journal of the European Union C 461/1
    Official Journal C 461 of the European Union Volume 61 English edition Information and Notices 21 December 2018 Contents I Resolutions, recommendations and opinions RESOLUTIONS Committee of the Regions 131st CoR plenary session and opening session of the EWRC week, 8.10.2018-10.10.2018 2018/C 461/01 Resolution of the European Committee of the Regions — The economic policies for the euro area and in view of the 2019 Annual Growth Survey . 1 OPINIONS Committee of the Regions 131st CoR plenary session and opening session of the EWRC week, 8.10.2018-10.10.2018 2018/C 461/02 Opinion of the European Committee of the Regions on Reflecting on Europe: the voice of local and regional authorities to rebuild trust in the European Union . 5 2018/C 461/03 Opinion of the European Committee of the Regions — Establishment of a European Labour Authority 16 2018/C 461/04 Opinion of the European Committee of the Regions — The contribution of EU cities and regions to the CBD COP14 and the post-2020 EU Biodiversity Strategy . 24 2018/C 461/05 Opinion of the European Committee of the Regions — Communication on a European Strategy for Plastics in a circular economy . 30 2018/C 461/06 Opinion of the European Committee of the Regions — Mainstreaming sport into the EU agenda post- 2020 . 37 2018/C 461/07 Opinion of the European Committee of the Regions — Fair taxation package . 43 2018/C 461/08 Opinion of the European Committee of the Regions — Digital Education Action Plan . 52 EN 2018/C 461/09 Opinion of the European Committee of the Regions — Building a stronger Europe: the role of youth, education and culture policies .
    [Show full text]
  • From „Guest Workers“ to „Welcoming Culture“ – Germany and Migration
    Philip Anderson OTH Regensburg From „Guest Workers“ to „Welcoming Culture“ – Germany and Migration. By Philip Anderson, Regensburg University of Applied Sciences. Publication by German United Nations Association. Germany – Poland cooperative essay collection Introductory This article deals with Germany and various aspects of migration. In common with other essays in this volume the piece will begin with a brief summary of Germany’s role in UN agreements and treaties of importance to migratory and refugee movement around the world. This will be followed by an overview of the main features of Germany’s migration history, focusing primarily on the post WWII period. At various points in the article attention will be drawn to specific points of comparison between Germany and Poland. The historical section of the article will review labour migration and the ways in which these have evolved over time, looking in particular at the post-1945 period. A further focus will then be placed on asylum from the end of the 20th century leading in to a consideration of the integration processes following the large inflow of asylum-seekers and refugees in 2014-15. There will then be a section as a case study of training integration looking at the social and vocational training programmes for young asylum seekers in Bavaria – a primary research concern of the author. Reference will be made to the methodology at the beginning of that chapter. The last section of the article will address issues around racism in German society and take up more recent developments in anti-discrimination initiatives and the efforts to combat right- wing extremist tendencies in German politics and society as both an expression of and a breeding ground for xenophobic tendencies.
    [Show full text]
  • Differences in Pain Treatment Between Surgeons
    Schaller et al. BMC Anesthesiology (2019) 19:18 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12871-019-0683-0 RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access Differences in pain treatment between surgeons and anaesthesiologists in a physician staffed prehospital emergency medical service: a retrospective cohort analysis Stefan J. Schaller1* , Felix P. Kappler1, Claudia Hofberger1, Jens Sattler1, Richard Wagner1, Gerhard Schneider1, Manfred Blobner1 and Karl-Georg Kanz2 Abstract Background: Although pain treatment is an important objective in prehospital emergency medicine the incidence of oligoanalgesia is still high in prehospital patients. Given that prehospital emergency medicine in Germany is open for physicians of any speciality, the prehospital pain treatment may differ depending on the primary medical education. Aim of this study was to explore the difference in pain treatment between surgeons and anaesthesiologists in a physician staffed emergency medical service. Methods: Retrospective single centre cohort analysis in a physician staffed ground based emergency medical service from January 2014 until December 2016. A total of 8882 consecutive emergency missions were screened. Primary outcome measure was the difference in application frequency of prehospital analgesics by anaesthesiologist or surgeon. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used for statistical analysis including subgroup analysis for trauma and acute coronary syndrome. Results: A total of 8238 patients were included in the analysis. There was a significant difference in the application frequency of analgesics between surgeons and anaesthesiologists especially for opioids (p < 0.001, OR 0.68 [0.56–0. 82]). Fentanyl was the most common administered analgesic in the trauma subgroup, but significantly less common used by surgeons (p = 0.005, OR 0.63 [0.46–0.87]).
    [Show full text]
  • Helsinki As an Open and Intercultural City Final Report
    Helsinki as an Open and Intercultural City Final Report A report by to the City of Helsinki March 2010 Helsinki as an Open and Intercultural City Contents 1. AIMS OF THE REPORT ..............................................................................3 OUR APPROACH ................................................................................................. 3 OUR CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................................ 4 OUR RECOMMENDATIONS ...................................................................................... 5 2. IMPRESSIONS OF HELSINKI ....................................................................8 ROOTS ........................................................................................................... 8 TOLERANCE ...................................................................................................... 9 EQUALITY ...................................................................................................... 10 ORDER AND DISORDER ...................................................................................... 10 DRAWING POWER AND LIVEABILITY ........................................................................ 11 OPENNESS TO COMPETITION ................................................................................ 12 SOCIABILITY AND FRIENDSHIP .............................................................................. 13 3. THE OPEN, CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE CITY........................................15 WAVES OF CHANGE
    [Show full text]
  • Tackling Populism in Europe with a New Form of Public Diplomacy
    TACKLING POPULISM IN EUROPE WITH A NEW FORM OF PUBLIC DIPLOMACY Western pluralistic democracies as we know them seem to be dissolving. Even before Brexit, the idea of “Europeanness” was being questioned. But what is weakening European democracies, and who is attacking it? Do we need less integration in Europe just because transnational democracy is not possible anymore? Or is the crisis mainly rooted in the weakness to fight populism? How much is the political leadership and the establishment responsible? How can cross-border actors and modern diplomacy keep a democratic Europe together and strengthen democracy where it is under attack? A new form of public diplomacy might be needed to strengthen cross-border pluralism and democracy. Bernd Hüttemann* Spring 2017 * Bernd Hüttemann is Vice President of the European Movement International and Secretary General of the European Movement Germany. He is also a visiting Lecturer at the University of Passau and the Berlin School of Economics and Law. This article is based on a speech for Avrupa Hareketi at Tüsiad in Istanbul on 16 February 2017. 37 VOLUME 16 NUMBER 1 BERND HÜTTEMANN iovanni Sartori underlined rightly that democracy needs to be complicated but must G be still easy enough to be explained. Europe’s landscape of societies is very di- verse. The idea that “there are not Member States, but Member Countries,” is an of- ten-undervalued reality in most of the EU and its candidate countries.1 There are mixed private-public systems including many more actors than just state authorities, with extensive differences. The classic ex- ample of a “statist country” is France, with a strong technocratic leadership which gains public support by a simple majority of the electorate.
    [Show full text]
  • The Future of Europe
    The Future of Europe The cities and regions need the European Union. The European Union needs its cities and regions. #eulocal Table of Contents Introduction 3 “State of the European Union: the view of Regions and Cities” address by CoR President Karl-Heinz Lambertz, 9 October 2018 5 “Reflecting on Europe: the voice of local and regional authorities to rebuild trust in the European Union” - CoR opinion adopted 9 October 2018 10 The “Reflecting on Europe” campaign: a dialogue between citizens, cities, regions and the European Union 22 Endnotes 35 The 8th European Summit of Regions and Cities 36 Introduction This brochure is a collation of three documents published by the European Committee of the Regions on 9 October: 1. “The State of the European Union: the view of Regions and Cities” address given by the President of the European Committee of the Regions, Karl-Heinz Lambertz on 9 October 2018. This years’ annual “State of the European Union: the view of Regions and Cities” address was held during the European Committee of the Regions’ plenary in Brussels It was followed by a debate on the future of Europe with the President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, and the Committee’s members 2. “Reflecting on Europe: the voice of local and regional authorities to rebuild trust in the European Union”, European Committee of the Regions’ opinion adopted 9 October 2018. In 2016, the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, requested the European Committee of the Regions to formally contribute to the reflection of the future of the European Union 3 The opinion is the culmination of two years of debates and consultation with local and regional au- thorities and their citizens’ collecting their views on the future of Europe The opinion was led by the European Committee of the Regions’ President, Karl-Heinz Lambertz, and its First Vice-President, Markku Markkula 3.
    [Show full text]