english french german greek italian lithuanian russian serbian spanish
Home arrow newsitems arrow CoE Youth Director Bunjes to EuroFora:Need+Potential for New forms of Democracy v. Corruption+Crisis

CoE Youth Director Bunjes to EuroFora:Need+Potential for New forms of Democracy v. Corruption+Crisis

Written by ACM
Friday, 22 June 2012

 coe_bujniek_400

*Strasbourg/Council of Europe/Angelo Marcopolo/- Recent developments throughout Western Europe and elsewhere  in the World, f.ex. in Mediterranean Arab Countries, etc., mainly in Movements with a large participation of Young People, for New Forms of Democracy, for the Fight against Corruption, Free Access to Internet, etc., appear interesting not only as such, but also for the Potential they could have in actively contributing to Revitalize Democracy with some Young Ideas, replied in substance to "EuroFora"s relevant questions the PanEuropean CoE's new Director on Youth policies, Ulrich Bunjes.    

- "EuroFora" observed, in a question to CoE's new Director, that, "in addition to the the Global Crisis' particularly serious effects on Young People, on which CoE has just prepared an important Report (See Infra), it seems that there are also several developments, recently, in many Countries, as far as it concerns the Participation of Young People in Democracy : It seems that there are there some Specific Phenomena, both in Europe and in the South Mediterranean, as f.ex. in Spain with the "Indignados", in Greece with "Direct Democracy", in Scandinavian Countries and Germany with the so-called "Pirate" Parties, without forgetting Arab Countries, etc. Sometimes it might be more Abstention  in Elections, or, on the contrary, an aspiration for New Forms of Direct Democracy, a push against Corruption, and/or for Access to Internet, etc.. Will CoE, probably in cooperation with the EU, be more closely interested in such Developments, which appear to have manifold important aspects in Human Rights and Democracy ?, we asked.

---------------------------  

 - "We (CoE) are following this, (even if we are not directly concerned, because, by definition, this is a movement which is kept out of traditional structures), but we are looking whether any more Structured movements might come on top of that, with a Lasting effect, and we are interested.


    Of course, a point of concern are the risks and consequences of the Financial Crisis over Young People, where many organizations are pushing for much more  action (by EU and CoE) on that,


    But, another element is that of the so-called "Pirate" Parties, which emerge in many member Countries of the CoE, they are most succesful particularly in Germany, etc. The interesting thing for us is that these are Parties which are very much supported mainly by Young People,


    Any  such Youth Movements which are in the course of developing New Forms of Participation, as f.ex. through Social Media and the Internet, what is called "Liquid Democracy", etc.


The interesting aspec t is that could be developed even in another context, also in other Political Parties, outside of parties, in Elections and/or other Social activities, etc.


    And, then, come a lot of New Forms for interaction between Young People in a Digital environment, that can Faciliate the Participation of Young People, etc., which look very positive and promising, because things are Moving and there is a lot of Potential.

We (CoE) are also Training Young People on how to face "Hate Speech" at the Internet, which has been a problem for years, and the question for the CoE is "what we can do against it ?". So, since  there is No Question of Limiting the Freedom of Expression at the Internet, becaus it's an essential Guarantee for the CoE, we are trying to enable Young People to take a more active stance against Hate-Speech at the Internet", added Bunjes. -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    The move Topically came while CoE, after 40 years of work with a PanEuropean Youth Foundation and Youth Centers in Budapest (Hungary) and at its Strasbourg's Headquarters, followed by regular "Peace Camps", and other Programs bringing togeher in a Positive and Useful environment Young People mainly from Conflict areas and/or Separated Communities, is currently preparing its PanEuropean "Youth Assembly" scheduled just before the 1st "World Forum for Democracy", that CoE co-organizes, together with the City of Strasbourg and its Region Alsace, at the beginning of October 2012, with the scheduled participatio of UNO's Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, France's President Hollande, the King of Jordany, and many MEPs, etc.
---------------------------------------

volont_400

    Meanwhile, Next week in Strasbourg, at the eve of a crucial EU Brussels Summit of Heads of State/Government focused mainly on ways to boost a sustainable Economic Growth, CoE's Parliamentary Assembly will Debate and Vote on a Report drafted by the President of its Biggest Political Group, that of ChristianDemocrats/EPP, Italian MEP Luca Volonté, on the "Social, Economic and Political Implications of the Financial Crisis" vis a vis the Risk to "Sacrifice" the current "Young Generation", more or less in several European Countries.


    Unprecedented Hardships linked to Unemployment, Poverty, and Exclusion, which affect Young People "Disproportionaly", affect their Dignity and Access to Rights, whch are Eroding, threatening too provoek not only "a Lost Generation" of disilusioned Young People, but also undermining Political Stability and Social Cohesion, Justice and Peace, as well as loing-term Competitiveness in a Global context, warns Volonté, who includes, among a series of Measures proposed by the PanEuropean Assembly, also  to foster "Active Citizenship" for Integration, "Access to Rights", as well as the "reactivation of InterGenerational Solidarity", (an issue which is celebrated this Year 2012 Worldwide)..


    - In particular, mainly Young "European Protestors want ... a Radical Change in Party Politics, viewed as Outdated, Disconnected from Reality and Corrupt", observes President Volonté. "1 Year after the Indignados and other Demoinstrations swept through Cities in Western Countries, many Young Protesters went back to the Squares in almost 50 Countries", and "the Network of Indognados-inspired Associations will hold Seminars and Debates in many European Capitals and beyond in the coming Months", he warns.


    - "Despite their Discontent with Conventional Political Participation, Young Europeans still believe in Democratic and Civic Values", but "have their own Views on .. Politics and engage in Different Forms of Democratic activities", .. "Testing New Forms of Civic Participation (such as through Social Media Networks).. more spontaneous and informal. Internet ... Networks and the New Technologies in general have a Strong Potential to boost Youth Participation in Politics. They also become more Interesting to Policy Makers willing to engage in Direct Dialogue", he points out. On the contrary, "the more Conventional Structures for involvement of Young Representatives in Political Decision-making do Not always guarantee that their Voice and Needs are duly taken into account". "In this context", Volonté points at "CoE's New Director of Democracy, Ms Snezana Markovic'"s Warning who "insisted on the need for National Parliaments to be "particularly attentive to the "Danges of Democracy Fatigue".


    => Therefore, President Volonté's Draft Resolution, tabled for Debate and Final Vote at CoE's PanEuropean Assembly Next Week in Strasbourg, and in view of the fortghcoming CoE's Ministerial Summit on Youth Policies in September 23-24 at Saint Petersbrurg (Russia), among a series of various Measures, also calls to "Promote Active Citizenship and social Dialogue", by "making better use of New Means of Communication, Consultation and Institutional Representation, ... for building more Collaborative Social Models, that give Voice to Young People and adequately take their Input into Account".
------------------------------------------

 agross_sw.


    This marries well with the Wider, but equally Topical Report on a General "Crisis of Democracy", drafted by Swiss MEP Andreas Gross, President of the Socialist Group in CoE's Assemply, which is also scheduled to be debated and voted Next Week in Strasbourg by CoE's Paliamentary Assembly :


    - "Technocratic patterns of Decision-Making, and Concentratd Media Structures are thwarting the Transparency Principle", while "Political Equaity is being Reduced by Social and Political Exclusion and Decreasingly effective Representation", Gross' Report denounces inter alia, citting, among many examples, also that of "Greece" where "Governments have Suffered from a Dramatic BreakDown in Citizens' Political Trust", after "Decades" of "Systems based on Patronage" (Clientelism/Nepotism), and other symptoms of "a substantial Crisis of Democracy". "Does this mean", in general, "that we are witnessing more than just a Crisis of Democracy, but, perhaps, its "Death", its "Failure" or its "Erosion ?", he wonders.

gr_people_collection_of_signatures_dor_400
 
(Greek People collect "Signatures for Referendum" during Violent clashes with Police dispersing huge demonstrations in front of the Parliament, with many Wounded,
29 June 2011)


=> In consequence, Gross' Draft Resolution launches a call for "Stronger Democracies", "more Representative", by "including Direct Democratic elements", "in order to Increase Citizens' Participation", which could "contribute effectively to the aim that all tiers of Power should be guided by the Common Interest" : "Failing to do so, only strengthens Citizens' Aversion to Public Politics", he warns. That's why, "the World Forum on Democracy to be held in Strasbourg on October 2012", a "Dialogue sin the State of Democracy in Europe",  and "Debates to be organized in Member States", should converge in order to "Explore Ways to Strengthen Democracy... and Democratise Europe, in order to Prevent it from Losing Legitimacy", Gross warns in conclusion.

  (.../...)
 
 
***

("DraftNews", already sent earlier to "EuroFora"s Subscribers/Donors. A more accurate and Full, Final Version may come asap).

***

EUDigitalMedia

Statistics

Visitors: 59758843

Archive

Login Form





Remember me

Lost your Password?
No account yet? Create account

Syndicate

RSS 0.91
RSS 1.0
RSS 2.0
ATOM 0.3
OPML

Other Menu

 sarkozy_merkel_berlin__stras_400

Sarkozy and Merkel : June 2009 solution to May 2005 "NO" ?

 - Will French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angie Merkel live up from June 2009 to their obvious Historic European mission to revitalize, and re-launch the "European Dream", after the series of 3 "NO" since May 2005 in France, the Netherlands and Ireland, by renewing, and changing the EU with fresh stimulus, big horizons, and values attractive for EU Citizens ?

Whatever views anyone might have, it's a Fact that, recently, EU's political spectrum didn't produce other more charismatic and popular EU leaders than Merkel and Sarkozy, starting from September 2005 and May 2007, respectively.

This trend was confirmed, in one way or another, both during the German EU presidency in 2007 (shared by Merkel with the SPD), and mainly during the French EU Presidency in 2008, (with Sarkozy "free" to move).


The positive 2009 EU Polls are a natural consequence :

- Both with 72% Sarkozy and Merkel are considered by EU Citizens to be "the most Influential" leaders in Europe, by far.

- They are the only EU political leaders to attract a Majority of "Positive" views by EU Citizens, (Merkel over 60%, Sarkozy over 50%, particularly in the continent).

- 60% of EU Citizens find the 2008 French EU Presidency "Good", (and the satisfaction grows up to 67,5% in continental Europe).

The Poll was made by "OpinionWay" in big EU countries as Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, (with the only exception of France), from 26 to 28 May 2009.

sarkozy_merkel_polls_400

But the most important is that both Franco-German leaders seem willing to, at last, really start serious business on EU's indispensable renovation and Renaissance from 2009 : Year of crucial EU and German Elections.

Therefore, this time, the joint European move by Sarkozy and Merkel, which just published a common Franco-German Manifesto, aims to stimulate aspirations and action not only in their respective countries, but also in many other EU "partners", as they say.

Both on EU economy, social values and scientifico-technologic research, as well as on Turkey's controversial EU bid, obviously incompatible with a popular Political Europe, whose Citizens can find a collective Identity and popular Values, they have already started to magnetize various growing voices accross the European landscape :

"Today, more than ever, it' time for action", they stress from the outset.

Facing "an unprecedented Global financial and economic Crisis", "Europeans must get resolutely involved if they want for the World which is being built to meet their Values of Liberty, Solidarity and Justice".

"That's what we want" and "propose to our Partners" :

* "A strong Europe, able to protect us" :

- "We refuse a Bureaucratic EU, which mecanically applies burdensome rules and is afraid of change. We want a European Union which listens what Citizens have to say, which innovates, stimulates".

- "We want a strong and united EU in the World, while also respecting its Member States' Diversity", which "brings Courageous Replies to the Questions of our Times, ensuring our Prosperity :  

This implies to "favor Research and Innovation", "Economic Coordination", to "develop real Policies on Immigrationn, Energy, Defence, and modernise  common policies, particularly Agriculture".

*  "EU must bring immediate replies to the Global Crisis".

- "Lawless liberalism failed". "The Model we want is that of a Responsible Market Economy, which favors Enterpreneurs and Workers, above Speculators ;  Long-term Investment, over immediate profiits".

- "We appeal upon the EU to take, from June, the first decisions to ensure a real European Regulation of Financial Markets, based on coordination and cooperation". "On speculative funds, on fiscal heavens, CEO's and financial operators' earnings, EU must give the example".

- "We call to change the rules of accounts, which are important for our Economy's revival : The competent normative authorities must take action". "The issue of a sufficient Credit offer is of central importance for our Economy". "We don't accept that, during this Financial Crisis, the European Banks' capacity to lend money might be unjustly reduced by Capital's requirements and accountant's rules

* "During the German and French Presidencies, EU has resoçlutely prepared itself for the fight against Global Warming... EU is the 1st and only area in the World to have adopted a package of ambitious and legally binding rules to comply with International Aims"

- "We have now to convince our Friends and Partners, to get involved, in order to atteint, next December at Copenhagen, a Global Agreement worthy of whay is at stake. Our closer ally, the US, but also other big industrial countries, must commit themselves with the same force as the Europeans".

"Green Growth is a Chance ... and an opportunity to create jobs turned towards the Future. Europe must be a leader".

- But, at the same time, we must ensure that our companies remain competitive in the World. The ambitious European involvements on Climat must not lead into a position where EU industry might become a Victim of Unfair Competition. Climat protection and Competitvity must go together. If our International partners refuse to associate themselves to our efforts, we are determined to take measures to protect European Industry"

* "Europe must be more ambitious for its Industry" : "It must favor the emergence of strong European enterprises at a Global level".

- "As long as an International mechanism" to "monitor Public Aids at WTO level, and hinder 3rd Countries to give abusive subsidies to their enterprises, provoking unfair competition", is "not yet set up, we must consider Transitory European Solutions".

* "The current Public Debt is too heavy... We must head anew towards sound public finance, as soon as we'd have passed the crucial stage in this crisis".
-------------------------------------------------

* Last, but not least :  "Europe must play a top-level role in the World"

- "For that purpose,  it needs efficient Institutions. That's why we need Lisbon Treaty". "The 27 Member States decided, last December (2008) that the Treaty should enter into force before the end of this year (2009)". To obtain that, June EU Council must agree "on the Guarantees for Ireland".

- But, "to be able to act, EU needs Borders. An Enlargment without Limits is not possible", Sarkozy and Merkel stressed in an obvious reference to Turkey, etc.

- "In order to be strong, Europe must assume its Values and its Identity". "Human Rights .. are at the basis of our commitment for a Peaceful Development accross the World".

- "For that purpose, we shall strengthen our common Defence and Security policy".
----------------------

* "We are ready to contribute to activate the EU towards the realisation of these aims, with our EU Partners".

"In order to succeed", Europe  "needs the active involvment of all, starting by Citizens themselves. That's why the June 7 rendez-vous is important", and "we are calling all Europeans to vote".

"We are convinced that, if Europe wants, Europe can", they conclude.
-----------------------

Precisely : - What can better forge "Europe's Will" than a "European Consciousness" emerging from political, democratic struggles to face Global Challenges, and open big New Horizons, including by crystal-clear Public Debates, with active EU Citizens' involvement, before the most important EU Decisions affecting People's lives ?

Precisely what "EuroFora"s project warns since 1997-2007, and unprecedented Majority Abstentions, since 1999-2004, added to 3 "NO" to EU Referenda in 2005 and 2007, proved meanwhile..

Let's hope that the Time wasted by some scandalous anti-European and anti-Democratic obstacles of the Past, will stimulate faster, simplified but substantial and persistent, efficient action.-

Polls

2009 EU Elections were won by Parties against Technocracy and Turkey's controversial EU bid, while the 1999-2004 Majority Abstention trend decelerated. What should be done in 2009-2014 ?

Results

SMF Recent Topics SA

PHP WARNING 
PHP WARNING 
PHP WARNING 
PHP WARNING