newsitems 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
*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.
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- "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.
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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".
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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.
=> 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).
***
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Benedict's "Source" to revitalize Europe : - "The World needs Hope", Pope says, calling to relaunch E.U. via Human Rights !
Paris - Lourdes - Strasbourg : 12 - 17 September 2008.
The vital need to re-launch Europe can be succesfully met by defending fundamental Human Rights of the People, said Pope Benedict XVI in his 1st speech in France, at his meeting with President Nicolas Sarkozy, who currently chairs the EU.
Sarkozy replied by welcoming Christian and other religions' contribution to indispensable Public Debates on crucial issues which affect Human Dignity, Europe, even Humankind, as BioGenetics.
- "When Europeans will see and personally experience that the inalienable Rights of the Human Person .., those of their free Education, their Family life, their Work, ..their Religious Rights, ..are respected and promoted, then, these Europeans will fully understand the greatness of the European construction and will be actively involved in it", Benedict XVI stressed.
- "It's important that during France's EU Presidency, there is, indeed, a desire for the Church to contribute to protect Human Person's integrity, and I think that there is also a growing Conscience, beyond any polemics, to defend Human Rights, and, thus, contribute to ensure respect for Human Dignity", added to "EuroFora" the Pope's Spokesman, Vatican's Press Director Federico Lombardi.
- "Nobody really told us here that Lisbon Treaty was good for this or that reason to the People. They only told us that we "had" to ratify it, and tried to scare us, but failed", said 2 Irish pilgrims to "EuroFora", after 2 Majority Abstentions in 1999 and 2004 EU Elections and 3 "NO" to Referenda in France and the Netherlands in 2005, followed by the Irish "No" in 2008, during a Decade of EU Crisis since the controversial Turkey EU- bid (1999-2008).
More than .."224 cases of Murders, Torture, "Disappearancies" or Destructions" by "agents of Turkish Security forces", where all those responsible for so heavy Crimes still remain scandalously unpunished, despite regular condemnations of Ankara by Strasbourg''s European Court of Human Rights from 1996 to 2008, were examined the same week by CoE's Ministers, who decided to launch a fresh call "urging" the Turkish Authorities to end this dangerous "virtual Impunity" of criminals, without comparison to European countries.
- "Why not Ukraine, instead of Turkey ?", asked EuroFora a Journalist from "Kiev : the city where it's enough to cross the streets in order to realize that it's a European town", as Sarkozy recently said, before solemnly declaring this week, together with Ukranian President Jushenko and EU Commission's chair Baroso, EU's "recognition that Ukraine is a fully European Country, linked to Europe by culture and History".
Europe's "Christian roots" and Values, with "openess and mutual respect" to other cultures and beliefs, were highlighted by Sarkozy in harmony with Benedict XVI.
The Human person should be protected "from his inception until his natural death", added the Pope, faithful to BioEthic principles defended by his predecessor and collaborator, John Paul II, of topical importance in France, Europe and the World today, as Sarkozy announced :
- "Fast and important progres in Genetic Science and procreation raise delicate BioEthical Questions to our Democracies", which "involve our view of Humans and Life, and can lead to Social Mutations. That's why they cannot remain only a business of experts", hestressed.
- "It's Politician's responsibility to set a proper framework for such Public Debates", as "France will do on BioEthics in 2009". "Religious and Philosophic traditions must take part, with their ideas and centuries' long experience : A positive Laicity is an open invitation to Dialogue", he said.
- "France engaged in Europe at another Debate on how to make Financial Capitalism more moral", and the "Social doctrine of the Church fits well what is at stake in modern Globalized Economy"
- "But, a "Real Dialogue is not for an elite of a Globalized world : It penetrates deep into the People : That's why Churches should actively participate : .. It's bringing New Oxygen to Public Debates", stressed Sarkozy.
- "Democracy must not be cut off Reason", which is "compatible with Faith", thanks to "the meeting between Christianism and Greek philosophy ", he added, referring to Pope's views. "It means to advance with logic arguments, search what's best and respect common principles of thinking :... It's an everyday need for Public Administration and the Political Debate", he added.
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Pope Benedict's 1st visit to France looked like the start of a brillant, manifold demonstration that this was well-founded and could become true in the lives of the People : After its Theoretical foundations unfolded at a "speech to the world of Culture", inaugurating Bernadins' cultural centre, and its dogmatic instrument shaped at an address to the Clergy in the Historic Notre Dame' Cathedral, he started to resolutely reach out to the People :
The move went upwards like Bach's music : Begining with a call to more than fifteen thousand enthousiastic Youngsters gathered at Notre Dame's parvis with overnight celebrations, it gained strength in an impressive open-air Mass at Paris'central Invalides'area facing Alexander III's bridge, attended by more than 150.000 people, French Prime Minister Fillon, many Ministers, Foreign Ambassadors, etc, and culminated in a series of pan-European Mega-meetings at Lourdes 150th anniversary, together with all French Bishops, EU Commission's vice-Chairman Barrot, and some 200.000 enthousiastic People from all over Europe and beyond : After a Sea of Lights astonishingly braved Saturday Night's rain, an open-air mass at riverside fields among Pyrenees' Mountains Sunday Morning, was followed on Monday by a Sea of "Compassion" to those facing Health or Life threats, surrounded by an endless gathering of People, whose gigantic dimensions obviously surprised the organisers..
Meanwhile, Benedict had the occasion to speak to the French Priests at Notre Dame of Paris, and with the Bishops at Lourdes, where they prepare a crucial November plenary meeting, due to take important decisions on imminent EU debates and choices about Europe's identity, BioEthics, etc.
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- "A new way of thinking about Laicity has become necessary", agreed the Pope with President Sarkozy at Elysee. While keeping the "distinction between Politics and Religion, to guarantee Citizens' Liberty", "religion is important for shaping Consciousness and contributing, together with others, to create a basic Ethical Consensus in society".
- "Searching Essential realities", (as "God" for christians), needs "Speech : "Logos" in greek, i.e. Reason", "able to shape a Community","with creative work transforming Human History". But "Dialogue" is instrumental for "Reason", because it's the way to "search" for Truth", in "Liberty", according to Greek Platonic Philosophy, with Socrates' dialectics. "Reason" implies "Spirit and Liberty", hence the polyphonic "Music" of "Dialogue", in a responsible, "well balanced" way, to avoid "destruction".
Starting with a "Dialogue between christians and intellectual or artistic movements" highlighted at Bernardins' Cultural Center. with former Presidents Chirac and Giscard d'Estain, UNESCO's chair Anastassopoulos, etc., as well as representatives of Muslim Communities, (including a separate Turkish), after contacts with Jews at Vatican's Embassy, the Pope turned towards the People :
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To French Priests : "Church built on the rock" !
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- Speaking to thousands of French Priests at Notre Dame's Cathedral, Benedict highlighted a solid "Church built on the Rock" of conscious and active persons, transmitting "a lively, energetic and sharp" "God's Speech, actively working on Human History".
"Praying together" with "representatives of Christian Churches and ecclesiastic communities", (as Orthodoxes, Armenians, Protestants, etc), he called "to reinforce the Unity of the church", against "any form of Division", around Holy Spirit', "the Word","Christ's Justice", and "Love" to fellow- humans : Essentials which "resume all holy scripts", as he said.
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To Young People : "New Horizons"
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To some 15.000 enthousiastic Young People at Notre Dame's parvis, along Seine's river, Benedict spoke about "the Energy of the Holy Spirit" and "the Mystery of the Cross" : - "The Holy Spirit opens New Horizons to Human Intelligence .. and makes it conscious of the real greatness of Christ's sacrifice, dying and resurecting for World's life".
Some "may slander you as crazy, laugh at you, or even persecute you. But, "the Holy Cross is a symbol of God's love", and "givesmoral strength" : "Witness of People's pains, it's at the same time, a precious, unique expression of their Hopes", he told them at Paris' dawn.
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Invalides' plateau : "People chosen to become God's friends"
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At the 1st open-air Mass in Paris' center area of Invalides, facing the Grand Palais, along the river Seine, during an impressive gathering of more than 150.000, French Prime Minister Fillon, Ministers Alliot-Marie, Bachelot, Dati, Jouyet, Assembly's President Accoyer, Senate's Chair Poncelet, former 1st Lady Bernadette Chirac, former Prime Minister Raffarin, many foreign Ambassadors, and other political personalities were present. (While earlier, from the Socialist opposition, Paris' Mayor Delanoye, artist Robert Hussein a.o. assisted at the Elysee meeting).
But the "Entry Song" focused on the "People chosen to become God's Friends". The September 11 mass was Dedicated to "Saint Chrysostomus, that great priest of Constantinople", with his "wonderful eloquence and great courage to face challenges", who "made out of despaired and godless people, a people of brothers", opening a possibility to "become all one complete entity", as Pope Benedict reminded.
- "Reason never enters in real contradiction with Faith", stressed Pope Benedict, who prepared his speeches for France during a short Summer rest at Brixen/Bressanone's Seminar, whose Library honors both "Faith and Science".. - "We must use not only our Reason, but also our Faith" : "Get away from Idolatry", "cupidity", "avidity for money, power or even knowledge deviating from essential aims", and other "falses appearances". and "build your Home on the Rock", "with the force that Holy Spirit gives to those who let it act in them", he said to the People of Paris.
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Benedict at Lourdes : - "Become Light (even) in the Dark !"
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- "Our World needs Hope", stressed Pope Benedict, addressing an impressive TorchLight procession at Lourdes' sanctuaries, where a Sea of Lights held by Hundreds of Thousands of People gathered at Pyrenee's Mountains from all over Europe astonishingly kept their flames despite a heavy Rain at a windy Dark Night...
- "150 years earlier (1858 - 2008), ..here, in the cave, ... a simple young girl, Bernadette .. saw a Light". "The everyday life of her Family was, however, made of Misery, Sadness, Sickness, Misunderstandings, Rejection and Poverty... It was hard to live in Jail". Today, "we think to all Human Beings who suffer : The innocent Victims who face Violence, War, Terrorism, Hunger, Injustices, Catastrophes, Hate and Oppression, Violations of Human Dignity and of their fundamental Rights, of their Liberty to act and think. We also think to those who face Familial problems, sufferings from Unemployment, Sickness, Infirmity, Isolation, or their situation as Immigrants, without forgetting those who suffer and die for the name of Christ", he said.
- "But the Shadows of the Earth, did not hinder Sky's Light to shine : <<The Light shines in the Dark>>" ..."A Way full of Light opens in Human History even in its Darkest moments" : ..."As Night falls, Christ tels us : <<- Keep your Lamps alight !>>."Hold a Light while walking in the Night .. sums up our condition as Christians on their way : "We need light, and we are called to become Light !", Benedict stressed to People setting in motion Lights, Flags and Songs with enthousiasm.
"<<- She looked at me as a Person, who speaks to another Person>>, the poor girl had noted."Light emerges from such a Dialogue", stressed the Pope : "A small Flame called Hope, Compassion and Tenderness dwells inside those who return after being moved by Lourdes' experience". "Christ .. entrusts us with the Mission to let the Light of Charity shine : To make of our Prayers an Act of Love to our brothers and to Fraternal Charity", he concluded.
(../..)