Brochure 9 Mai B 13/07/2004 11:51 Page 1 Brochure 9 Mai B 13/07/2004 11:51 Page 3
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Brochure_9 Mai_B 13/07/2004 11:51 Page 1 Brochure_9 Mai_B 13/07/2004 11:51 Page 3 !th of May –“Europe Day” On the 9th of May 1950, French Foreign Minister, Robert Schumann presented his proposal on the creation of a High Authority, under which Franco- German production of coal and steel would be placed. Schumann also invited the other countries of Europe to join the organisation. Today the 9th of May is an occasion for festivities that aims to bring Europe closer to its citizens and to bring the peoples of the Union closer to one another. The European Movement is an international organisation which was founded in the wake of the Hague Congress in 1948. Its objective is to contribute to the establishment of a united, federal Europe, founded on the respect of basic rights and democratic principles by informing and mobil- ising citizens and influencing decision makers at all levels of European society. The European Movement is currently composed of 39 National Councils and 24 international non-governmental organisations. Current officials of the European Movement: President: José Maria Gil-Robles, MEP Vice-Presidents: Catherine Lalumiére, MEP Jo Leinen, MEP Alan Dukes Alison Weston Secretary General: Henrik H. Kröner Treasurer: Alain Camu Brochure_9 Mai_B 13/07/2004 11:51 Page 4 Festival of Europe Foreword The 9th of May or ‘Europe Day’, is recognised as one of the official symbols of Europe along with the Euro, the European flag and the anthem. The International European Movement and its members in 18 countries were, once again, one of the principal promoters in highlighting this day as an important symbol of European unity. Each participating country organised various distinctive events: student competitions, political meetings, concerts, public seminars and debates on specific EU-related subjects were held across Europe and were all deemed highly successful. All events took place in a public context and attracted hundreds, and often, thousands of people. Media coverage throughout Europe ensured that the actions extended to an even broader audience than anticipated. In addition to last year’s partici- pants, Bulgaria and Switzerland took part in this years festivities. We look forward to increasing this number every year. 2 Brochure_9 Mai_B 13/07/2004 11:51 Page 5 Festival of Europe Special focus was given this year to the candidate countries which, from May 2004 shall form part of our European Union. Many held national referendums during the year and it was therefore, very important for them to raise citizen awareness in encouraging the public to vote for a Europe of 25 States. A “Contribution of the Year for Europe” was awarded to an organisation or person for their work in the promotion of Europe. The Europe-wide public awarding proved to be an effective tool to strengthen and highlight both the trans- national nature and the symbolic meaning of the project. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the European Commission for their financial support and sponsors at both the national and local level in all 18 countries. H.H. Kröner Secretary General 3 Brochure_9 Mai_B 13/07/2004 11:51 Page 6 Contents Contribution of the year for Europe page 7 Austria page 10 Belgium page 11 Bulgaria page 12 Croatia page 13 Czech Republic page 14 Denmark page 15 Estonia page 16 Germany page 17 Greece page 18 Hungary page 19 Italy page 20 Latvia page 21 Lithuania page 22 Romania page 23 Serbia page 24 Spain page 25 Sweden page 26 Switzerland page 27 Special Thanks page 28 The National Organisers page 30 Brochure_9 Mai_B 13/07/2004 11:51 Page 7 CONTRIBUTION OF THE YEAR "##$ Denmark - Lithuania - Gintaras Beresnevi Czeck Republic - P.M. Anders Fogh Rasmussen Mr. Pavel Kalasek čius Latvia - Marija Naumova Serbia - ć Duško Lopandi FOR EUROPE Brochure_9 Mai_B 13/07/2004 11:51 Page 8 BELGIUM The European Movement in Belgium chose as its European highlight of the year, the signing of the Accession Treaty of the ten new member states. This treaty marks the beginning of European reunification and the launch of a new phase in the development of Europe. BULGARIA The Bulgarian European Movement nominated Theodora Kaleiska, Director of the European Information Centre in Veliko Turnovo for his work as its choice for “Contribution of the Year”. CZECH REPUBLIC Hewlett-Packard, s.r.o. was chosen as a substantial contributor in enhancing awareness of Czech entry into the European Union for the “Contribution of the Year for Europe”, as selected during seminars, meetings and radio broadcasts. A certificate of recognition was presented to Mr. Pavel Kalasek, General Manager of Hewlett-Packard Ltd. DENMARK The European Movement of Denmark organised an election for the most deserving “European of the Year”, which went to Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen. He was selected for his remarkable work during the enlargement process. Furthermore, his work during the Presidency was characterised by determination and professionalism which contributed to the historic reunifi- cation of a Europe marked by peace, democracy and prosperity. GERMANY Student Omar Al Kassab was selected for his CD-Rom Presentation, “Roll On Europe” (Europa – Rolle vorwärts) as the choice for the German European Movement’s nomination of “Contribution of the Year for Europe, 2003”. The CD examined the construction of the European Community from its beginnings in the early 1950’s to the EU as it stands today, as well as the role of the citizens of Europe, their common history and diverse characteristics. HUNGARY The Hungarian nomination for contribution of the year reflected the work of Ambassador Endre Juhász, who in recent years has worked diligently in preparing for Hungary’s admission to the European Union. The Hungarian government recently appointed him Minister for European Union Joining Affairs. Brochure_9 Mai_B 13/07/2004 11:51 Page 9 ITALY A questionnaire with nominations for “Contribution of the year in Europe” was distributed by the European Movement Italy to those who participated during the festivities and resulted in Mr. Romano Prodi being nominated as “European Man of the Year”. LATVIA The highlight of Europe Week 2003 in Latvia was the European Movement Latvia’s nomination of Marija Naumova, winner of the 2002 European Song Contest as its “Contribution of the Year for Europe”. The event was marked with a press conference at which former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Valdis Birkavs and senior official of the European Commission in Brussels, Eduards Bruno Deksnis attended. The occasion was covered by all of the principle Latvian TV and radio stations and newspapers. LITHUANIA Participants of Lithuania’s Europe Day agreed that the original and interesting book on Lithuanian membership to the EU, “Imperijos darymas” (“Making Empire”) by Gintaras Beresnevičius be nominated as its “Contribution of the Year for Europe”. SERBIA Duško Lopandić, Head of the Government of Serbia’s Office for European Integration and President of the European Movement Serbia’s European Forum received the “Contribution of the Year” award, which was presented by Živorad Kovačević, President of the EM in Serbia. SPAIN The European Movement in Spain nominated its President Eugenio Nasarre de Goicoechea for his speech at this year’s Flag-hoisting ceremony on the 9th of May as its selection for “Contribution of the Year”. SWITZERLAND A special commission elected Mr. Marc F. Suter, Member of the Swiss Parliament and President of NOMES since 1993, for his work “Alors que l’Europe est en mouvement; la Suisse continue à s’isoler”, as its choice for “Contribution of the Year”. Brochure_9 Mai_B 13/07/2004 11:51 Page 10 Austria Several information stalls were set up in major Austrian towns, including Vienna, Graz, Linz, Wels, Innsbrück, Salzburg and Villach from the 3rd to the 10th of May. This kind of street action was a noteworthy occasion for people to meet each other and discuss European issues. It proved to be highly successful in uniting people of all ages whose different visions on Europe produced a constructive debate, in which themes such as the role of the High Representative for the CFSP, the Convention, a single representation for the EU in the UN, WTO and in NATO and competition and legislation within the EU were discussed. Enlargement of the EU This issue proved to be the most controversial of the week, with many fearing a loss of national identity if the Schengen zone was to be opened up to a further ten countries. However, fears were dispelled following discussions with European activists who presented the future benefits of the enlargement process to existing member states. Enlargement of the Union was also recognised as a vital measure in ensuring peace and stability in Europe. Erasmus and Leonardo Programmes There was a general consensus throughout Austria on the success of European exchange programmes such as Erasmus and Leonardo, with young people expressing a keen interest in the possibilities they have to offer and sharing their experiences of living and studying abroad. Furthermore, it was realised that the future enlargement of the European Union would offer citizens even more opportunities to discover new countries, their culture and history. 10 Brochure_9 Mai_B 13/07/2004 11:52 Page 11 Belgium Under the framework of the 9th of May project, the European Movement in Belgium organised many activities aimed at increasing European awareness amongst the citizens of Belgium, with a particular focus on the diversity of cultures as well as our common destiny in the construction of Europe. “Festival of Europe” activities In accordance with an open-day of EU Institutions on May 3rd 2003, the European Movement Belgium organised a range of activities for 200 youths aged 17- 25, under the framework of the trans-national project “Festival of Europe”.