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)) Diversity Europe Group in Belfast A Civil Society Perspective Séamus Boland, Michael Smyth and Jane Morrice Séamus BOLAND (IE) Irish Rural Link Member of the Diversity Europe Group © Shutterstock At the Belfast conference on Brexit, members demonstrated clearly the huge role played by not so distant past, were tackled in an atmos- from Diversity Europe were presented with a the EU in supporting the peace process. In phere where people lived in a state of constant range of issues that will affect people in Ireland financial terms the spending in the period threat; where violence was never far away. and Northern Ireland as a result of the UK’s exit 2007-2013 was 3.5 billion euro and projected There are no commitments to bring an end to from the European Union. Clearly civil society in the current period 2014-2020 is 3.6 billion. the need of peace walls, which although in ex- is a huge beneficiary, in terms of shared Euro- Most of this spending is designed to support istence as a necessary evil, continue to act as pean Union values, particularly those concen- communities who are working to achieve long feature that prolongs the evil of sectarianism trated on securing lasting peace. Delegates term peace. Many of these projects are target- and makes the process of integration almost were reminded of how communities in North- ed at communities who are affected by poor impossible. ern Ireland suffered during thirty years of con- socio economic conditions. Conditions, that if Whether Northern Ireland remains outside the tinuous violence. In many ways the legacy of unchecked, lead to the growth of sectarianism EU or inside, civil society organisations believe these years, even after twenty years of peace, and ultimate violence. that the support of the EU in whatever form can be found behind the so called ‘peace walls’ However, the EU support is not just about is essential to the long term reconstruction of which are physical manifestations of the deep finance. It is also about solidarity from a Eu- a society, which has lost over three thousand sectarian divisions that remain. rope that came through two world wars, was lives in the space of thirty years. Such a recon- Speakers reminded delegates that Brexit is not divided by the Berlin wall and extreme politi- struction is still in its early stages; yet the Vol- just about the impact it brings to trade and cal ideologies. A Europe that despite its many untary and community sector are clear their how it is regulated; it is also about the main- problems, values above all else long term work will need another fifty years, in terms of tenance of peace. The peace in this instance, peace in all its re- eradicating the encapsulated in the Good Friday agreement, gions, especially deep divisions which is an international agreement brokered Northern Ireland. which delegates by the Irish and British Government. Heavily It is this reason, were able to see supported by the USA and the European Un- that the EU is de- for themselves ion, the agreement is a product of the huge termined that a when they visited desire of communities most affected by the vi- hard border is not the peace walls. olence. It is still a fragile peace and will require a consequence Like all walls; it is the unstinting support of all international ac- of Brexit. Such only when they tors to ensure it remains permanent. a border would come down that return commu- true healing be- While there is a realisation that Brexit is the © Shutterstock nities especially gins. overall wish of the people in the United King- those living there dom; there was also agreement that civil to the troubled years, when they lived in a society in partnership with the political in- permanent state of fear. Civil society organi- stitutions will have to overcome enormous sations in Northern Ireland demonstrated the challenges in order to maintain the benefits of challenges they face. Challenges that in the the Good Friday agreement. The presentations 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.