The New Federalist

the newFederalist

Special edition - November 2013

years of actiontowards afederal

Europe40JEF - EUROPE

JEF-Europe celebrated its 40th European anniversary in Copenhagen in 2012 and has used this occasion to take a look back. This is a time to remember that European integration is not only the result of nations and governments, that it is also an idea supported by thousands of activists long since before the last war, and amongst them the Young European Federalists. Forty years after our European revival, let us remember the actions of our predecessors for a united and federal Europe. As Young European Federalists, we are those who pioneered peace as our main political target, who were the first to state that peace and the rule of law were inestimably more important than national differences. We are those who contributed to the creation of the single internal market and the single currency, to the removal of border controls, to the creation of the Erasmus project. We are those who have stood up for European democracy over decades, for common supranational institutions and for supranational parliaments.

As JEF is an organisation in which the citizen is key, in which people thought and fought for their ideas, as JEF has been from its very beginning a great human adventure, let the story be told by those who made it.

Pauline Gessant, President of JEF-Europe 2011-2013, editor-in-chief of this special TNF edition

[Jef-Europe]40 years of action towards

a federal Europe

40 years of action towards a federal Europe How and why JEF was revived 8

Testimony by Peter Osten 10

1979 The first European elections 12

1980s Action towards a United Europe 14

1990s Evolution within a very European Union 16

2000s Towards a Constitution 21

Content

Jef’s landmarks

One word: Federalism 34

One place: Ventotene 35

One action: the pan-European actions 39

One motto: “Simply A generation ahead” 47

One song: Europe United 48

One date: 9th May 50

JEF major European projects 52

JEF Communication 54

Once a JEFer, always a JEFer! 58

The JEF spirit 62

Happy birthday JEF! 73

Content

40 years of action towards a federal Europe

�8

TheFederalistMovementwasfoundedin1947inMontreux,Switzerland.JEFwasbornastheyouthsectionoftheFederalistMovementandbeganitsactiv-ity in severalEuropean towns in1948.Youngpeople inparticularplayedamajor role in thismovementand theYoungEuropeanFederalistsorganisedthemselves into JEF sections, establishing a new European structure with aEuropeanofficeinParis.Thatwasin1949.

ThedefeatoftheEuropeanDefenceCommunityin1954causedamajorcrisisamongFederalists,includingJEF.WiththeinternalsplitinUEFinthe1950sbetween ‘gradualists’ and ‘maximalists`, the internationalyouthorganisationalsofellapart.AlthoughJEFsectionswereactiveeverywhere,nointernationalcoordination existed.Nevertheless, the variousgroups continued theirworkonlocal,regionalandnationallevels.Severalcommonactionswereorganised

How and whyJEF

was revivedSummarywrittenfromanarticleby

TobiasFlessenkemper(JEF-EuropeSecretaryGeneral1996-1998)in1997.

JEF street action

in the late sixties, among which thecampaignforthedirectelectionoftheEuropeanParliament.Forinstance,in1967youngpeopleheldmocknego-tiations in Brussels. The idea was toworkoutatreatyofaccessionfortheUK to the Community. In March1969theyorganisedademonstrationonthespectators’benchesoftheEu-ropeanParliament,demandingdirectelectionsoftheEuropeanParliamentbyuniversalsuffrage.InmanyEuro-peancountriesprotestdemonstrationswere organised against the Colonel’scoupanddictatorshipinGreece.

�

9

9

Theseactivitieshelpedthefirstgroupsofyoungfederaliststocollaborateveryclose-lyandtotightentheirlinksagain.ThiscollaborationbecameconcretethroughthecreationofJEF’sliaisonofficein1970.Itwastherethattheinternationalas-sociationtookthenameof‘YoungEuropeanFederalists’andhelditsfoundingCongress.TheCongresswasheldinLuxembourgon25and26March1972.The reason for re-establishing an international JEF can also be placedwithin the context of the development of youth culture and youth move-ments in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In most western Europeancountries but also on the other side of the “Iron Curtain”, young peo-ple and students revolted against society, asking for more democracy.Theyoungpeople’sprotestshockedpoliticianssomuchthattheystartedtoreflectonhowtobetterinvolveofyoungpeopleinpoliticsandsociety.AttheEurope-anlevel,theCouncilofEuropeinStrasbourgtookaleadingroleinthisprocess.AroundthesametimeJEF-Europewasfoundedinitscurrentform,theCoun-cilofEuropewassettinguptheEuropeanYouthFoundation(EYF)andshortlyafterwardtheEuropeanYouthCentreinStrasbourg.Therewereveryfewinter-nationalyouthorganisations,soitwastherightmomenttofoundone-JEF-Europe.ThisdoesnotmeanthatJEF-EuropewouldnothavebeenfoundedwithouttheexistenceoftheEuropeanYouthFoundationbutthepossibilitytogetsupportdefinitelyhelpedthedifferentJEFgroupscometogether.“Justtoshowhowfastwewere:intheEuropeanYouthFoundationallorganisationsget anumberwhen theyapply thefirst time. JEFhasnumbereight.Todaymorethan600organisationsareregistered”(FlorianFlessenkemper)

JEFactivitiesonaEuropeanlevelstartedwithmocknegotiationsonthenorth-ernenlargement.TheyearwhenJEF-Europewasfounded,1972,wasacrucialyearsforEurope.Denmark,Ireland,NorwayandtheUnitedKingdomappliedformembershipoftheEuropeanCommunity.EventhoughJEFwasstillinterestedintheEuropeanCommunity,newtop-icsbecameincreasinglyimportant:East-Westreunificationandenlargement;disarmament;women;theenvironmentandinternationaldevelopmentissues.NottomentionthefightforadirectlyelectedEuropeanParliament.

1010

Testimony by Peter Osten, President of JEF-Europe

1972-1974JEFhadalreadyexistedinEuropebefore1974.IfI’mnotmistaken,theywerecreatedunderthename“YoungEuropeanFederalists”in1950andwere“sleep-ing”withtheschismoftheUEF.

“AmAnfangwardieTat”GoethesFaust(Teil1,3.Szene)

There-birthofJEF-inmyeyes-beganMarch11,1969,inStrasbourg,whenthirtyFrench,GermanandItalianfederaliststudentshaddisruptedtheinau-guralsessionofthe

EuropeanParliamentunderthechairmanshipoftheoldestFerruccioParri,de-mandingEuropeandemocracyandthedirectelectionoftheEP.Amongotherstherewasoneofthe“protesters”BolisLucia(daughterofLucianoBolisandgoddaughter of Ferruccio Parri) and Jean-Philippe Allenbach (Franco-Swisspresidentialcandidatein2007fortheFederalistparty).Andtherewasme.Be-ingtheonlyonewhoworethetieIhadtogiveinterviewstothemediawhichthengotmesomenotorietyinfederalistcircles.

TherewasthenaschismbetweenthefederalistsinEurope.TheUnionofEuro-peanFederalistshadsplitintotwoin1956;the“functionalists”hadestablishedtheCentreforfederalistEuropeanaction“AEF”,the“constitutionalists”hadgatheredintheMFEandJEF,astheYouthorganisationofUEFactuallyhad“fallenasleep”...

Oneoftheideasofyoungfederalistswasthentoovercomethissplitoffederal-istsandraiseJEFatEuropeanlevel.

In1969therewasstilltheEuropeofsixmember-statesblockedbythe“Gaullist”policy.ButonApril28,1969DeGaulleresignedafterlosingareferendumon

11

11

11

regionalisation.Beginning inDecember1969 therewas thefirst summitofHeadsofStateandGovernmentatTheHague,andthefederalistsfromtwotrends-especiallyyoungFederalists,withtheirsuccessinStrasbourg-organ-isedthefirstcounter-summit.TheEuropeofsixdecidedtoexpand-especiallydeGaullehadblockedtheentrancetoGreatBritain-andyoungFederalistsmeetinginTheHaguedecidedtoredotheJEFatEuropeanlevel.

Butanyway it tooksometime.For JEF-GermanyIorganisedapreparatorymeetinginFreiburgimBreisgau(December1970).The(re-)founderCongresswasscheduledagainin1971,butweneededtoorganisesubsidies...andwiththesupportof thesecretariatof theEuropeanParliamentandthankstothegoodrelationsofKarenFogg(thenDeputySecretaryGeneraloftheEuropeanMovement)thiscongresstookplaceinMarch1972inaroomoftheEuropeanParliamentonthePlateaudeKirchberginLuxembourg,withdelegatesfromninecountries(Austria,Belgium,France,GreatBritain,Ireland,Italy,Luxem-bourgandtheNetherlands).

The elected board then consisted of two vice-presidents, Erwan Fouéré(Ireland, now Ambassador / Ombudsman of the OSCE responsi-ble for settling the conflict between Moldova and Transnistria) andRob van den Toorn (Netherlands), as well as myself as President.Thefirsttaskoftheofficewastoestablishasecretariat.AttempttorentandsetupasecretariatinLeuven/Leuwenwasafailure.ButinAugust1972,IbecameaninternattheCommission,andwesatatthecommonofficeofEuropeanMove-mentInternationalandMFE,14RueDuquesnoyinBrussels.Infactitwasfreeforus,andwiththebenevolenceofCaterinaChizzola(SecretaryGeneralofMFE)andRobertVanSchendel(SecretaryGeneralofEMI),AnneOttoy(co-optedExecutiveSecretaryofJEF)andBénédictedeMeeûsalsoworkedforJEF.In1973wehadalreadythreenewsections,Denmark,SwedenandNorway,weorganisedatrainingcourseinVerona,twoseminar-conferencesonEuro-peanmigrationinEsslingen(Baden-Württemberg,31May-3June1973)andCagliari(Italy/Sardinia)inAugust1973andaprogrammaticseminarinSep-tember1973 inLyon.Theboardhad co-optedWilmsCarlWright (then amemberoftheCabinetofCommissionerGeorgeThomson),HeliosRadresa(nowapoet,itwasourpressofficer)andKarelvanHulle(Treasurer).Andwehadabulletin:“JEF-info”.

1212

1979 The first

European elections The campaign for a direct elected European Parliament was one of the first major campaigns of the Young European Federalists.

“FromwhatIrecall,themostimportantEuropean-widecampaignsoftheorganisationwereabouttwothings:theelectionstotheEuropeanParliamentbutalsothepoliticalparties.In1973,wehadalaunchmeetinginCambridge,whereweinvitedyouthrepresentativesofpoliticalpartiesaswellasJEFactiv-ists.WestartedageneralexplanationofhowtheEuropeanParliamentoperatesandthenwesplituppeopleintopoliticalfamiliesandgotthemtodrawupaprogrammeandsecondlytodebatethatinaEuropeanParliamentstyleformat,intermsofpoliticalparties,notnationaldelegations.ThatledtocampaigningonthewholethemeofhavingEuropeanpoliticalparties,whichweconsideredtobeessential formakingEuropeanelectionsasuccess.And40yearson, itisstilltheviewofsomeofusthatwewon’treallymakeEuropeanelectionsasuccessuntilwehaveproperEuropeanpoliticalparties.TohaveademocraticdimensionoftheUnion,politicalpartiesareinacentralpartofthat,otherwiseitismeaninglesstohaveademocraticexpression.”JulianPriestley,PresidentofJEF-Europe1974-1976

“Wehadofcourse longcampaigned in favourofanelectedEuropeanParliament:petitions,demonstrations,meetings,articles,includingamassivedemonstrationinRomeoutsidetheDecember1975EuropeanCouncilthatfinallyagreedondirectelections.(Therewas,ofcourse,nointernetcampaign-inginthosedays!)Onceitwasachieved,wepressedandencouragedtheEPtobeboldandtoinitiatemovestowardsEuropeanUnionthatgovernmentsseemedreluctanttotake.Irememberinparticularahugefederalistdemon-stration(withUEF)attheentrancetotheEPwhenthenewlyelectedMEPs

13

13

13

arrived on the first day of the first session to take their seats. I was asked,withoutanyadvancenotice, tospeaktotheseveral thousanddemonstrators--quiteadauntingexperienceforatwenty-fouryearoldwithoutanyprepara-tionorevenanynotes!Acoupleofyearslater,IhadtheprivilegetoworkforoneofthoseMEPs--AltieroSpinelliwhenhewasParliament’srapporteurtoprepareaDraftTreatyestablishingaEuropeanUnion--theproposalthattrig-geredtheeventsthatledtotheSingleEuropeanActandtheTreatyofMaas-tricht.” RichardCorbett,PresidentofJEF-Europe,1979-1981

Richard Corbett

1414

1980s action towards aUnited EuropE

“East-West youth exchanges and contacts were a novelty. Here, JEFjoinedotherEuropeanyouthorganisationsinseekingtoestablishapan-Euro-peanFrameworkforyouthcooperation.Wewereundernoillusionsaboutwhoweweredealingwith:inmanycasestheyouthsectionofthestatebureaucracyoftotalitarianstates.Yet,thesecontactscouldopensomedoors--andnotallyouthorganisationsinEasternEurope(aswecalleditthen)werecompletelycontrolledbytheCommunists.AgoodexamplewastheYouthfortheUnitedNations(SPPONZ)inPoland:thegovernmentcouldhardlybananorganisa-tionthatsupportedtheUN,ofwhichPolandwasamember,soitwasallowedtoexistandbecameamagnetforyoungPoleswhowereinterestedininterna-tionalaffairsandcontacts.ManyofthemwereveryinterestedinJEFandwewereabletoarrangejointseminars,conferencesandvisits.SPPONZbecamealmostadefactoJEFsectionbehindtheIronCurtain!”RichardCorbett,PresidentofJEF-Europe,1979-1981

“In 1978 the context was of course the ColdWar. The JEF logo in-cludedamapofWesternEurope,which I changed to thewholeofEuropewithoutaskinganyone’sagreement!JEFalwaysbelievedthatthewholeofEu-ropeshouldbeunited,notjustthewest.Aspresident,justbeforeSolidarnoscappearedonthescene,IdevelopedrelationswithSSPONZ,Polishstudentswhose official role was supporting the United Nations. One of their activ-ists, JaroslavPietras, later ledPolishnegotiations forEUaccession. Wealsovisited theLeagueofSocialistYouthofYugoslavia inBelgradeandPristina,fromwhichlateremergedatleastoneJEFsection.In1981Europehadbeen

15

15

15

dividedintoEastandWestallourlivesandwecouldnotimaginethatthedivi-sionwouldonlylasteightmoreyears.”DavidGrace,SecretaryGeneralofJEF-Europe1978-1980,President

ofJEF-Europe1981-1983

“In1989IwaselectedPresidentoftheorganisation,inthemidstoftheYugoslav wars, the break-up of the Soviet bloc and the Maastricht negotia-tions.ThesechangeshadtheirimpactinJEF:therewerethosethatsupporteddeepeningandthosethatsupportedenlargement.Theseweredifficulttimes;debateswerehardandoftenendedinacrimony.IntheeventJEFfollowedthepredominant trendofenlarging,notnecessarily for thebenefitof JEForofEurope,butperhapsthatwastheonlyoptionavailableatthetime.”GiannisPapageorgiou,SecretaryGeneralofJEF-Europe1985-1987,

PresidentofJEF-Europe1989-1991.

JEF Congress – September 1981

1616

In the 90s three basic developments influenced the work and the discussions of JEF. Firstly, the return of nationalist wars in Europe. Secondly, the crisis of legitimacy of the European integration process for many reasons, highlighted by the Danish referendum in 1992, the lost Norwegian referendum in 1994 and the negative attitude of a majority of EU citizens towards the Euro. And thirdly, the open questions on the enlargement of the European Union.

“WhenIwasactiveatthelocallevelinLeuven,alotofthingswerehap-pening,wehadthefalloftheBerlinwallandtheIronCurtainin1989,whichchangedourwholeworld.AttheEuropeanlevelwewerealsointhemidstoftheEurope1992EuphoriaaftertheMaastrichttreaty.Wewouldwakeupin1993inanewEuropeanUnionandeverythingwouldbedifferent.IstudiedayearintheUnitedStatesandwhenIcamebackin1993Ibecametreasurerof JEFat theMunichCongress.Thingswerealreadyabitdifferent...Therewere a lot ofdiscussions in JEF aboutdeepening (reforms, constitution)orwidening(enlargement).Thecompromisewasasalwaysthatweneedbothatthesametime.Theenlargementto15withthereferenda,(andthenovoteinNorway)markedmygenerationofJEFers,butalsothewarinwhatusedtobeYugoslavia.OneofthemainactionsnexttopleadingforaconstitutionwasthatJEF-presidentTorEigilHodneandsomeEBmemberswenttoSarajevoundersiegetopleadforEuropeanunification.IthinktheactionwasCaféEu-ropa.AnothercampaignweranwastheProVotecampaigntotrytogetyoungpeopleinvolvedinthe1994EuropeanElections.ThatwasabigcoalitionofallkindsofyouthpoliticalpartiesundertheleadershipofJEF.Ialsorememberthe

1990s Evolutionwithin a very

European Union

17

17

17

workwedidwiththeICC(theintercitizensconferences,whereasmallgroupof formerJEFerssetupapan-EuropeannetworkoforganisationstodiscussEuropeanreforms.”OlivierHinnenkens,TreasurerandExecutiveBoard’smemberofJEF-

Europebetween1993and1999

“WhenIwasavice-presidentofJEFbetween1995and1997,wewereactinginfavourofdemocraticreformsintheEuropeanTreaties,gavesupporttothenewJEFsectionsinCentralandEasternEuropeandtriedtoactinfa-vourofpeaceontheBalkans.”JuttaHergenham,Vice-PresidentofJEF-Europe1995-1997

“Whenbeganmy term in JEF, in1995, thewar in formerYugoslaviawasstillgoingonintheareaofBosniaHerzegovina.Theyearbefore,JEFhadstartedahugecampaignacrossEuropetohelptherebuildingoftheSarajevolibrary.”NathalieLasnier,PresidentofJEF-France1997-1998andExecutive

Board’smemberofJEF-Europe1995-1997

JEF action in favour of democracy

1�18

1996: FEDERALIST CROWD IN FIRENZE

“JEFersfromalloverEuropejoinedtheinternationalmanifestationor-ganisedinFlorencefortheEuropeansummit.Manyyoungfederalistsdidnothesitatetospendmorethan24hoursinacoachtotakepart.Eventually,theyallgatheredinFlorence.FirsttookplacetheEuropeanYouthConventioninPalazzodegliAffari, less thantwohundredmetres fromtheancient fortresswheretheheadsofstateandgovernmentshad lockedthemselvesaway.JEFhadinvitedmembersoftheEuropeanparliamentandrepresentativesofinter-nationalpartypoliticalyouthorganisationstotakethefloor.

MarcelinoOreja,memberoftheCommissionjoinedtheevent,betweenwork-ingsessionsofthesummit,andansweredthequestionsoftheaudience.OnbehalfofJEF-EuropespokeJuttaHergenhan,vicepresident,whileUgoFer-ruta,president,concludedbyintroducingtheappealtotheCouncilandtheIGCthattheYouthConventionadopted.

OnFridayevening,theparticipantswalkedaroundthemagnificentcathedraland stood in Piazza della Repubblica, holding torchlights and waving flagsdespiteashortrain.Sometouristsevenjoineduswithenthusiasm.

ThehighlightoftheweekendwasthedemonstrationthefollowingmorningwhenthousandswalkedfromPiazzadellaIndependenciatoPiazzadellaSigno-ria.TheparticipantsofFriday’seventshadbeenjoinedbynumerousItalianEuro-enthusiasts,notonlyfromthefederalistmovementsbutalsofrommanydifferentorganisations includingthemaintradeunionsof thecountry.Thecolourfulandjoyfulprocessionattractedtheattentionofeverybodywhowaspassingbythecitycentrethisday.Ademonstrationinfavourofamoreunited,democratic andefficientEurope,gatheredonSaturday22 June inFlorence12000(accordingtothepolice)federalistmilitantsandEuropeancitizens.

AdelegationmetwithMrProdi,theItalianPrimeminister,inordertogivehimthetextofadeclarationthathadbeenadoptedinaconventionthedaybe-fore.ItdemandedmoretransparencyintheprocesstoreformtheUnionandabetterparticipationofitscitizensandoftheEuropeanParliament.”JEFPressRelease25June1996

1�

19

19

“IwasPresidentfrom1999to2001.In1999theEuropeanUnionhadstillonly15MemberStatesandwasnegotiatingtheaccessionofthenewmem-berstatesfromCentralandEasternEurope,whichwouldjoinafewyearslater.Thepoliticaldebate,inJEFandinEUpoliticsingeneral,focusedonthedi-lemmabetweenenlargementanddeepeningofpoliticalunification.WhilethisdilemmahasalwaysexistedinEuropeanpolitics,inthoseyearsitwasperceivedasareallyexistentialchallengegiventhescaleoftheexpectedenlargement.JEFwassupportingbothenlargementandpoliticalunificationatthesametime,butdifferentsectionshaddifferentprioritiesanditwasalwaysdifficulttofindabalanceatEuropeanlevel.JEF-Europelaunchedbotha“EuropeanConstitu-tionCampaign”toadvocateafederalconstitutionfortheUnionandan“En-largementCampaign”foraswiftaccessionofthenewmemberstates.AtthattimeveryimportantwasalsothespeechofGermanForeignMinisterJochkaFischeratHumboldtUniversityin2000ontheideaofafederalavant-gardebyacoregroupofcountries,toreconcileenlargementanddeepening-ahotlydebatedtopicinJEFsincethen.”Paolo Vacca, President of JEF-Europe 1999-2001

2020

JEF street action

21

21

21

2000s Towards a

Constitution

The 2000 Nice campaign

“ThemajoreventwasthepublicdemonstrationthatJEFandUEFor-ganised in Nice in December 2000 on the occasion of the European sum-mitdiscussingtheTreatyofNice.Incooperationwithallpro-Europeanandotherorganisations,wegatheredca10,000peoplefromalloverEurope,manyofwhichtravelledvery longdistancesbybusorganisedbyJEF, foramarchthroughthecityofNiceandafinalrallywithspeechesinthecentreoftowntoclaima“EuropeanConstitutionNow”.Aroundthedemonstrationweorgan-isedalsoaconventionwithyouthpoliticalparties,ameetingwithEuropeanpoliticiansandsomesocialactivities.Itwasamassivepoliticalandorganisationproject for JEFandUEF. In fact that is the last largepublicdemonstrationorganisedbythefederalistmovement.Wealsohadanimportantfollow-uptheyearafter,inOctober2001,whenwegatheredseveralhundredactivistsfromJEFandotheryouthorganisationinaYouthConventioninBrusselstolauncha“ManifestoforaEuropeanFederation”signedbyallEuropeanyouthpoliticalorganisations.” PaoloVacca,PresidentofJEF-Europe1999-2001

“The2000NiceTreatycampaignforaConstitutionhasbeenthemostimportant campaign I participated in : it generated the roots for a deeperand dynamic involvement in JEF all the following years, years where Eurowas adopted, where we dreamt of a Constitution (listening to Mr Giscard

2222

d’Estaing’sspeechat theParliament),whereESDPwascreated,wherewehadfinally theLisbonTreaty, yearsof enlargement, yearswhereEuropean citizenshavebeenwishingformoreEuropeandaskingforless.”Cécile-LivMüller,InternationalofficerofJEF-France2001-2002

UEF-JEF public demonstration in Nice in December 2000

23

23

23

The Convention on the future of Europe

“IwasveryfortunatetobePresidentofJEFduringaperiodwhenEuro-peanintegrationwasverymucha“hottopic”.MyperiodofofficecoincidedalmostexactlywiththatoftheConventionontheFutureofEurope,whichwasarealfocalpointfortheactivitiesoftheEuropeanfederalistsandarealoppor-tunitytogetmanymorepeopletalkingaboutfederalismandEuropeandemoc-racy.Weranacampaigncalled“Europe!AGenerationAhead!”whichfocusedononeofthegoalsoftheEuropeanConvention-tobringEuropeclosertothepeople.JEForganisedover100debatesonthefutureofEuropeatthenationalandlocallevelandeventsalloverEuropewhichfocusedontheworkoftheConvention.InBrussels,welobbiedmembersoftheConvention,participatedintheCivilSocietyForumandestablishedtheYouthContactGroup,togetherwiththeYouthPoliticalPartiesandopentoallyouthorganisations,topressfortheviewsofEurope’syoungercitizenstobeincluded.JEFalsoranaConven-tionwebpageandatwice-monthlyBulletintoprovideinformationandcom-mentabouttheworkoftheConventionandtolinktogetherthedifferentpartsof our campaign.You can still see it all at http://constitutional-convention.net/index.shtml.ItwasaveryexcitingtimetobeinJEF.”AlisonWESTON,PresidentofJEF-Europe2001-2003

The birth of the Euro

“Youknow,alreadythentherewereEuro-sceptics–theydidn’tsuddenlyarise becauseof the currentdebt crisis youknow.This iswhy at that time,asanorganisation,weinsistedoncelebratingthebirthoftheEuro:Iwasn’tyetSGbuthad initiatedthe«euro-seminar» inFrankfurtamMain,whichincludeda«finalcountdown»showoneuro-eve.Thiswasprettyfunandwewerefeaturedonthefrontpageofthelocalnewspaper:theswitchtotheEurowaspositivechange,itsaid–targetreachedwereplied!Internally,itwasalsoagoodmomenttolookback,rememberwherewewerecomingfromandrealiseallwehad achievedover the years: it’s veryhealthy for anorganisation like

2424

JEFtotakesomedistancesometimeandtounderlineitsachievements.Ifyouconsideryourselfasahistorychanger,youalsohavetoacceptthatincrementalchangetakestime!”MarianneBonnard,SecretaryGeneralofJEF-Europe2002-2004

JEF won the 2004 Theodor Heuss MedalIn 2004, the Theodor Heuss Medal was awarded to the Young Euro-pean Federalists for their commitment in a selfless and concrete way to the involvement of young Europeans with Europe, to inter-cultural exchange, and to the right of any person, no matter what their legal status is, to humane treatment.

Theo

dor H

euss

Med

al -

2004

25

25

25

2005, the European Citizens’ convention

“TheEuropeanCitizens’Convention,held inGenoaonDecember3-4th,wasoneofthemostimportantfederalisteventsofthelastyears.

Theideaofacitizens’conventionwaslaunchedbyfederalistsbeforetheFrenchandtheDutchreferenda,whenitwasstilltakenforgrantedthattheEuropeanConstitutionwouldenterintoforce.

TheConventionwouldhaveservedtoproposetheamendmentsrequiredtomaketheConstitutionaFederalConstitution,mainlytheabolitionofthevetorightonallthecompetencesoftheEuropeanUnionandontheprocedureofconstitutionalrevisionandthetransformationoftheCommissionintoaEuro-peanFederalGovernment.

FollowingthetwofailedreferendatheEUhasgonethroughaperiodofseriouscrisisandtheconstitutionalprocessitselfrantheriskofcomingtoanabruptstop.Forsomemonths,itwasonlythefederalistsandveryfewotherswhoheldtheirpositionandwerefinallyabletoindicatethewaytore-launchtheideaofEuropehavingaConstitutionasafundamentalsteptowardstheEuropeanFederation.

Inaclimateofgeneraleuro-scepticism,worsenedbytheharshcontrastsinthedebateon thefinancialperspectives for the years2007-2013, the federalistshadtheluciditytoturntheCitizens’ConventionofGenoaintothefirstmajoreventaimedatsavingtheConstitutionbygatheringpeople,politicians,repre-sentativesofseveralorganisationsofcivilsocietytogethertocallforafederalanddemocraticEurope.

Furthermore, important topicsof thepoliticalagendawereaddressed intheworkinggroups:theroleofEuropeintheworld,theeconomicandsocialEu-ropeanmodel,theEuropeancitizenship.ThedebateinthegroupsandintheplenaryledtotheelaborationofaEuropeanManifesto(downloadableatwww.citizensconvention.net<URL:http://www.citizensconvention.net>),which isasynthesisoftherequestsofcivilsocietyandoftheproposalsoffederaliststo

2626

re-launchtheconstitutionalprocess.Itisaremarkableachievementthatshowshowfederalistideasarealsoreachingassociationsandcivilsociety.

CreatingafrontofpeopleandoforganisationspushingforademocraticandfederalEuropeisourtask.

Many JEFerswerepresentat theConventionandgave their support to theeventbytakingpart inthedebateandstaginga livelydemonstrationinthestreets to demand the re-launch of the constitutional process. The presenceattheConventionofsomeMEPsisanothernoteworthypoint:theEuropeanParliamentisafederalinstitutionwhich,historically,hasalwaysbeenpushingforfurtherintegrationintheEuropeanUnion.

OurroleisthatofcreatingalinkbetweenourEuropeanrepresentativesandtheEuropeanpeople,whoareinmanycasesvaguelypro-EuropeanbutneedtobeledbypeoplewhoareawarethatthenewlineofdivisionbetweenprogressandreactionistheonestatedintheVentoteneManifesto.CreatingafrontofpeopleandoforganisationspushingforademocraticandfederalEuropeisourtask.TheEuropeanParliamentisnotinsensitivetotherequestsofcitizensandwemusturgeittotakebraveinitiatives.

Iwelcomesomestepsontherightway,suchastherejection,althoughnotde-finitive,oftheEuropeanbudgetapprovedbytheGovernmentsfor2007-2013,on thegrounds that it givesmuch less funds to theEU than theEuropeanParliamentrequired,andtheadoptionoftheDuff-Voggenhuberreport,eventhoughtwokeypointsoriginallyincludedintheinitialtext,i.e.theproposalofanewConventionandofaEuropean-widereferendumin2009,havebeenexcludedfromthefinalversion.IftheEuropeanParliamentseeksthesupportofcitizensitwillbecomeanallyoffederalists,asitwasinthepast.”FedericoBrunelli,TreasurerofJEF-Italy2005-2011,co-funderof

www.eurobull.it,oneurobull.it,21stApril2006

27

27

27

The campaign for the constitution

“ItwasthetimesofthewateringdownoftheConstitutionalTreaty,thecraftingoftheLisbonTreatyandthefailedratification.ItwasthetimeknownasproactiveneofunctionalisminwhichsomeintheEUbubbletriedtobuildapoliticalunionintimesofeconomicwellbeingtopreparetheunionforthebadtimes.Timehasprovenusrightbutthisdoesn’tmakeitbetter.Reactiveneo-functionalismiswhathasalwaysworkedfortheEU.InthistimeJEFcameupwiththeYES!CampaignwhichmobilisedtheEMIandtheUEFtocampaigninfavourofthereferendums[...]Majoreventswerethecampaigningactionsoftheratificationcampaign,espe-ciallyinFrance.ThenwehadabigeventinBrusselstoclosethecampaignGiveEuropeaFace.”JoanMarcSimon,SecretaryGeneralofJEF-Europe2004-2006

The reaction to the rejection of the Constitutional Treaty

“OurEBtookoverinNovember2005.ThiswasjustafewmonthsaftertheConstitutionalTreatyhadbeendefeatedintworeferendumsintheNether-landsandFranceduringthesummerof2005.Alotofsoul-searchingwasgoingonacrossEuropeastohowtomoveonfromthissituation.

Naturally, with the 2005 Congress in Strasbourg determining the broaderpolicylinesfortheorganisation,wegotactivelyinvolvedindemandingfromEuropeandecision-makersnottogiveupontheideaofanEUconstitution.OurfirsttargetwastheEuropeanParliamentwhereMEPsJohannesVoggen-huberandAndrewDuffdraftedareportonthewayforward.Wecontractedthe“EuropeanCourierService”togototheEPandpickupthedebateaboutthefutureofEuropeandbringitbacktotherightaddressee–thecitizensofEurope. -Loadedwithmovingboxescarryinglabelssuchas“Content:ThedebateaboutthefutureofEurope,Direction:Thecitizens”manyJEFersand

2�28

severalMEPs,includingDuffandVoggenhueber,beganthemovingjobrightoutsidetheParliamentafterthevoting.ThedaybeforeallMEPsreceivedaninvoicefromtheEuropeanCourierService,demandingpoliticalleadershipinordertobringforwardtheconstitutionalproject.Italsodemandedthesupportforapan-Europeanreferendumontheconstitution,asuggestionthathadbeenremovedfromtheoriginalreport.Thelatterideawasoneofthemorecontro-versialideasinsidetheorganisationandindebateswithUEF.

Thepoliticalpositionoftheorganisationcanbesummedupalongthelinesofthe“three-stepplantowardstheEuropeanConstitution”,adoptedattheFCinAthens,October2006:buildingcommitmentacrosstheEUtomoveonwiththeconstitutionalprocessin2007,revisetheConstitutionalTreatyin2008,voteon the constitution alongside theEP elections2009 and adoptwith adoublemajorityofcitizensandstates.”JanSeifert,PresidentofJEF-Europe2005-2007

The 2009 European elections

“AnotherEuropeanpoliticalmilestoneduringmySGtermweretheEu-ropeanParliamentelectionsinJuly2009.Wefocusedouractionsonpromot-ingtheactiveparticipationofyoungpeopleindecision-makingprocessesbystressingthe importanceofvoting inelectionsandusingthemomentumtostresstheneedforEuropetochangecoursetowardsmoreaccountability,moredemocracy,more efficiency andmore transparency towards its citizenswiththepolitical campaign“It’sTime forChange...It’sTime forEurope!” In theframeworkofthiscampaignweorganisednumerousdebates,panelsbutalsopan-EuropeanactionseachtimewithadifferentfocusbasedontheJEFMani-festoforEPelectionsinwhichwedemanded:a)aEuropeanEconomicPolicyforensuringgrowth,employmentandsustainabledevelopment,inparticulartobenefityoungpeople;b)aEuropeanEnergyandEnvironmentalAgencyforensuringgloballeadershipinthebattleagainstclimatechangeandmanagingaEuropeanEnergyReservetoguaranteeastrategicindependenceoftheEU;c)aCitizens’RightofInitiativeinordertolistentothevoiceofEuropeancitizens;d)aEuropeanCivilianServicetopromoteEUcitizenshipamongyoungpeo-

2�

29

29

ple;e)areformoftheEuropeanelectoralsystemtoavoidnationaldebatesinthefutureEUelections.”PeterMatjašič,SecretaryGeneralofJEF-Europe2008-2011,First

Editor-in-chiefofthenewfederalist.eu2006—2007,Vice-PresidentofJEF-Europe2006-2007,BureaumemberofJEF-Europe2005-2006

The Lisbon treaty

“IwaselectedasSecretary-GeneralatthespringFCmeetinginBiel,CHandmyofficialtermwasfromSeptember2008untilAugust2010.TherewasalotofuncertaintyintheEuropeanpoliticalcontextastheEUleadersfailedtoexplainthebenefitsofandtheimportanceofthemuchneededdeepeningaswellaswideningoftheEuropeanintegrationprocesstotheircitizens.TheyoptedforbehindcloseddoorsbargainingonwhattokeepfromthefailedCon-stitutionalTreatyandhowtoavoidreferendainsteadofusingthemomentumandcreatea trulyparticipatorycitizens-ledconstitutionalprocess.AsYoungEuropeanFederalistswewerefacingthedilemmaofhowmuchpro-EuropeanorfederalistwewanttobeasnotallmemberorganisationswithinJEF-Europeunderstandor share the samemeaningof federalismnoragreeonwhichofthewaystoachieveaunited,federalEuropetoembarkon.TherealityoftwoIrishreferendaontheLisbonTreatyforcedustotakeaclearstandinfavouror against aTreaty thathadmanypositive content elements (e.g.EuropeanCitizens’Initiative,ayoutharticle,morepowerstotheEuropeanParliament,enlargeduseofQMVvotingetc)butthatcomeintobeingwiththetypicalold-styleintergovernmentalapproachandhorse-tradingwewitnessedwiththeNiceTreaty,whileweaskedfortheconventionmethodtobeappliedforanyfuturetreatychanges.

Thepolitical linesetbytheCongressandpursuedbytheBoardwasoneofpragmatism.AMonnet-stylestep-by-stepapproachbydefendingtheLisbonTreaty,focusingonthepositivesandensuringthatpro-Europeanforceslearnthelessonfromthe2005referendumsinFranceandTheNetherlands,namelythatweneedtoclearlydefendintegration,usetheLisbonTreatyasastepintherightdirection,andoncewegotitfocusonthemoreSpinelli-stylegrass-root

3030

bottom-upcreationofafederalEurope.Thisstancewasverymuchreflectedin our campaigns and actions of the time. When asked, we delivered withourYES2Lisbon campaign (http://yes2lisbon.wordpress.com/):wewereoneofthefewyouthorganisationspresentthereinIrelandonthespottocanvassinfavourofallowingtheEUtomovefurtherinitsintegrationonbothocca-sions.Weorganisedaso-calledpenactiontargetingEUleadersofthe26EUcountries thatdidn’thavea referendumbutParliamentapproval to sign theLisbonTreaty.”PeterMatjašič,SecretaryGeneralofJEF-Europe2008-2011,First

EditorinChiefofthenewfederalist.eu2006—2007,Vice-PresidentofJEF-Europe2006-2007,BureaumemberofJEF-Europe2005-2006

“Furthermore,theadoptionoftheLisbonTreatycreatedtheconceptofEuropeancitizen’sinitiativeandJEFstartedworkingalotontheconcept,thecontentandthemethodstoputinpracticethisinitiativewhichfinallycameintoforcein2012.”JessicaChamba,Vice-PresidentofJEF-Europe,2007-2009

“One month after my election in November 2009, the LisbonTreatyenteredintoforce.Iamnotimplyingastrictcausalitybetweenbothevents.However,sincemorethantwoyearsbeforeitsentryintoforce,IspokeopenlyandferventlyinfavouroftheReformTreaty.Atthattime,myargumentsranagainstthefederalistmainstreamoftheday,whichwasmorescepticalabouttheTreaty’snegotiationprocessand shortcomings thanoptimisticabout thesubstantialprogresstowardsan‘evercloserunion’.OncetheLisbonTreatywasfinallyoveranddonewith,notonlypoliticiansbutalsocitizensweretiredoftheseeminglynever-endinginstitutionalreformsafteradecadeofprotractedbattles.Againstthebackdropofgrowingeuroscepticism,intergovernmental-ismandnationalism,federalistswereincreasinglyswimmingagainstacurrentwhichrenderedthecallforourultimategoal,aEuropeanConstitution,inop-portune and even counterproductive from the perspective of several of ourmembers.

31

31

31

Inthespiritofthe‘politiquedespetitspas’,wethussettledforamoreprag-maticcourse focusingonconcrete legislativeproposals thatwouldbringtheEUastepclosertoademocraticEuropeanFederation.OurfirstbigcampaignvisiblysucceededinturningtheEuropeanCitizens’InitiativeRegulationintoamoredemocraticanduser-friendlytoolthantheoriginalproposalsfromtheCommissionandtheCouncil.OursecondcampaignstaunchlysupportedtheDuffReportonelectoralreformandthecreationofanEU-wideConstituency–anissuewhichtheEuropeanParliamenteventuallydecidedtoputinthere-frigeratoruntilthepoliticalmomentumforinstitutionalreformswoulddawnagain.WealsocontributedtoanumberofGreenPapers,lobbiedforaEuro-peanStatuteoftheEuropeanAssociationandcarriedonwiththesuccessfulBelarus,9Mayandvisastreetactionswhileswiftlyreactingtoburningissueswithanti-borderandclimatechangeactions.

The European political context being marked by a standstill in integration,weadvancedthefederalistidealsontheadvocacyfrontbycallinginourPressReleasesfortheproperimplementationoftheLisbonTreatyandbyclampingdownontheineffectiveintergovernmentaldeliberationswithintheEuropeanCouncilwhichseriouslydelayedsupporttoGreeceandfailedtotimelyhaltthe worsening debt crisis.We demanded a more engaged EEAS during theArabSpringanddenouncedthesurgesofnationalistandanti-EUsentimentsthatbecameapparentwhenleadersintendedtoreinstallinternalbordercon-trols.”

PhilippeAdriaenssens,PresidentofJEFEurope2009-2011

Towards a new convention

“Followingtheagreementonthefiscaltreatybytheheadsofgovernmentof25memberstates,theheadsofthethreeleadingpro-Europeanorganisations(UEF, JEF andEMI)havepetitioned theEuropeanParliament inFebruary2012.

Thepetitionby thePresidentsof theUnionofEuropeanFederalists (UEF),theYoungEuropeanFederalists (JEF-Europe) and theEuropeanMovementInternational(EMI)askstheEuropeanParliamenttouseitsnewLisbontreatypowerstoinitiateafurtherrevisionoftheEuropeanUniontreatieswiththeobjectiveofcreatingafullfiscalunionwithareformedfinancialsystem.

32

AndrewDuffMEP,PresidentofUEF,said:“TheintergovernmentaltreatyisanecessaryexpedienttobypasstheBritishveto,butitdoesnotinstallthefis-calsolidarityneededtosavetheeurointhelongrun.NordoesithelpresolveproblemssurroundingtheUnion’spoliticallegitimacy.

“WecallontheParliamenttoacttouseitsfullpowerstoinitiatethenextstepsinEuropeanconstruction”.

PaulineGessant,JEF-EuropePresidentsaid:“Theresponsegoes intherightdirectionbut is insufficienttoaddress thepresentchallengesdecisively.Fur-thermorewestronglyregrettheold-style“behind-closed-doors”negotiationsandtheintergovernmentalsupremacyoftheEuropeanCouncil.TheEuropeanunificationprocessmustinvolvecitizensandtheirrepresentativesandbedis-cussedinatransparentanddemocraticway”.

JoLeinenMEP,Presidentof theEMI, added: “Thenext stepsofEuropeanIntegration must be done with the participation of the Citizens Chambers–theEuropeanParliamentandtheNationalParliaments–andnotthroughintergovernmentalnegotiations.ThemethodforchangingandimprovingtheEuropeanTreatiesmustbeanewConventionandnota seriesofEUSum-mits.”” UEF-JEF-EMIPressrelease,07February2012

Jef’slandmarks

3434

One word :Federalism

The goal of European Federalists is the creation of a democratic EuropeanFederation.

EuropeanFederalismcanbegenerallydescribedasanewapproachtogovern-ancethattriestoguaranteethehigheststandardsofdemocracyandtranspar-encyandtakeseffectivedecisionsatthelowestappropriatelevelinlinewiththeprincipleofsubsidiarity.Thecreatedunitydoesnotseektoreplacedistinctidentitiesbutcultivateavividexchangeofdiversemindsetsandcultures.

EuropeanFederalismimpliesoppositiontonationalismasapoliticalideologyandtheavoidanceofintergovernmentalism.However,bynomeansdoesthiscorrespondtoanorthodoxideologythatwishesforthecreationofacentral-isedEuropeansuper-state.

Beingalwaysindependentfromanypoliticalcolourorpartyideologybutsup-portingtheprogressionofthefederalistideawithinthemaximumofpoliticalparties,EuropeanFederalistsdohaveincommontheirdesirefora‘strongerEurope’ as opposed to a ‘weakerEurope’.They seeFederalismas a strategytowardsincreasingpoliticalintegrationinvarioussectorsofsociety,asacom-montoolforeffectiveanddemocraticdecision-making,asevermoretransna-tionalsolidarity,coordinationandharmonisationandinvolvingshiftingcom-petences towardsasupranational levelwhennecessary,as longas it respectstheprincipleofsubsidiarity.Theyareconvincedthatcooperationatahigherlevelisintheenlightenedself-interestofanyfederatedunitbecauseitavoidsduplicationofresources.

35

35

35

Thefederalprocess shouldbe inclusive, transparentandaccountable tociti-zens.EuropeanFederalismcanbe communicatedas amessageofEuropeanbrotherhoodthatrestsonthefollowingfivepillars:

Democracyandparticipation;

Subsidiarity;

Autonomyanddivisionofcompetences;

Peace,RuleofLawandHumanRights;

Unitedindiversity.

“It was also the period where we launched the first “JEF Manifesto”whichservedusformanyyears(whichIwasaskedtodraft,andwhichwasap-provedbythe1979BerlinCongress).Itwasthefirstdocumenttousetheterm“democraticdeficit”,whichsubsequentlybecameasignificantpartofpoliticaldiscourse, driving thearguments forincreasing the powers of the EuropeanParliament.”RichardCorbett,PresidentofJEF-Europe,1979-1981

One place:Ventotene

The story

“InJuly1939AltieroSpinelliwasonVentoteneislandwherehestayeduntilAugust 1943 (from the age of 32 to36).Thosewere important yearsforhim.AnditwasonVentoteneIslandthatSpinelliwrotehisManifestoforafreeandunitedEuropetogetherwithErnestoRossiandEugenioColorni,whichwastobecomeknownastheVentoteneManifesto,accordingtowhichaEuropean federationwas theactionpriority in thepost-warperiod for all

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

3636

democraticforces.AfederalandunitedEuropewasthenewpoliticalproposaltosafeguardpeaceamongEuropeanpeoplesandtodefeatanyexpressionofna-tionalism.Spinelliwasfaithfultothisintuitionthroughouthislifeandasafreemanheworkedhardtoaccomplishit.Anewideaneededanewinstrument:that iswhySpinelli foundedtheMovimientoFederalistaEuropeo(MFE)in1943togetherwithotherantifascists. Itwasanorganisationnot leaningto-wardsanyotherpoliticalpartywhichwillsupporthiminhisvanguardbattlesandisstilltodayaworkshopofnewideasandapoliticalarenaformanyyoungpeople.”SamuelePii,PresidentofJEF-Europe,2007-2009,ineurobull.it,31st

August2007

JEF street action

37

37

37

The Ventotene seminar since 1983

“Inspired by the intuition of Spinelli, the seminar is divid-ed into one part in the Italian language for more than a hundredyoung Italians, and another in English for fifty European children.Young people are involved in a debate on issues such as the Eu-ropean constitutional process, the EU’s role in the world, in-ternational institutions and proposals for their reform, peace.Relations carried out by members of the European Federalist Move-ment and the Union of European Federalists alongside panel discussionsand interventions, policy-makers and civil society organisations who wantto share with the federalists’ process of building a federal unity of the Eu-ropean continent. Children have the opportunity to interact with theirpeers and with the speakers on issues that relate closely to their future.TheislandofVentoteneoffersabeautifulsetting,bothforitsbeauty,and,moreimportantly, because we all consider it our “second home”, being the placewhereitisripeforsomepeople(Spinelli,ErnestoRossi,EugenioColorni)con-finedtherebythefascistregimefortheoreticalreflectionwhichthenledtotheadoptionofanewpoliticalbehaviour,nolongeraimedattheconquestoftheexistingpower(thenational),butthecreationofasupranationalordercapableof ensuringfinallya futureofpeaceandprosperity toEurope.Weare theirheirsandeveryyearwegobacktoVentotenetoregainenergyforourefforts.Itisbynoaccidentthateveryyearsomeoftheparticipants,onceinthesemi-nar, decide to join theYoungEuropeanFederalists and JEF-Europe to givetheircontributiontothegeneralobjectiveoftheEuropeanFederation.”FedericoBrunelli,TreasurerofJEF-Italy2005-2011,co-funderof

www.eurobull.it,ineurobull.it,1stSeptember2006

3�38

Ventotene, The federalist home

“Napolitanowantedtobepresentatthecommemorationofthe20than-niversaryofAltieroSpinelli’sdeath:onMay21sthewenttoVentotene(whereSpinelliisburied),togetherwiththreeministersofthenewgovernment.GFE(JEF-Italy)waspresent,andan8-metrebannerstating“EuropeanConstitu-tionNow!”washangingjustinfrontofthestage.GFEandtheyoungfederal-istswerequotedbythePresidentas ‘theavant-gardeoftheEuropeanyoungpeople’.”FedericoBrunelli,TreasurerofJEF-Italy2005-2011,co-founderof

www.eurobull.it,,ineurobull.it,26thJune2006

The federalist rock in Ventotene

3�

39

39

One action :the pan-European actions

From the Belarus action…

“Whenwestartedourmandatein2006wesetabouttogetJEFandourmessageoutoftheconferenceroomsandasomewhatalienatingacademiclan-guageandintothestreets,involvingalloftheorganisationindoingthis.WebelievedthattocreateafederalEuropeweneededtoexemplifyfederalismbybreakingitdowntotopicsthatpeoplecanrelatetoandtousecommunicationtoolsthatreachedamuchbroadertargetaudience.

Today“pan-Europeanaction”hasbecomesynonymouswithJEFactivism,butbackin2006itwasafairlynewconcepttodoasynchronisedactionacrossthestreetsofEurope.TheveryfirstonewastheFreeBelarusactionontheeveoftheBelarus“elections”.BothweandtheBelarusmediawerestunnedtoseethatyouthin25citiesstoodunitedintheirbeliefinafreeanddemocraticEurope,buttheactionhassincegrowntoyearlyincludeupto125citiesaroundtheworld,includingBelarus.JEFandtheactionhasbecomewidelyknownwithmoreandmorepartnerNGOsjoiningin,largepresscoverage,patronagesofpoliticians, awards being won and the action has even been presented in aschoolbook!

Thatwehaveinspiredmanyotherorganisationstousepan-EuropeanactionshavealsocontributedtobuildaEuropeancivilsocietyandpublicspace,anim-portantstepinconstructingafederalEurope.WehaveshownthatactiveEu-ropeancitizenshipcanusecreativitytoreplacefinancialandhumanresourcesandthatitcanbeimplementedonyourowndoorstepwhilereachingacrossthebordersofEurope.

Ourpan-EuropeanactionsonthemessuchasVisas,Europeanforeignpolicy,Europeanconstitutionandmanymorehavenotonlytransformedtheorgani-sationintoagrassrootsactivistorganisation,ithasalsocontributedtoavery

4040

strongcommonidentitybetweenoursectionsandactivists.EveryyearwhenIgagastatue,demandinga“voicetotheBelaruscitizens”IgetGoosebumpsbyknowingthatyoungpeoplefromIstanbultoMinskareatthatverymomentdoingexactlythesametoexpressourjointvisionforaunited,freeanddemo-craticEuropeofsolidarity.Thatisfederalismthatmakessense.”ÅsaGunvénVice-PresidentofJEF-Europe2005-2007

Belarus action in Turku

41

41

41

… to the development oftransnational actions

“Afteraverymotivatingandexcitingperiodin2004-2005withEPelec-tionsandbeforeallthereferendumcampaignsforaconstitution(whileIwasPresidentofJEFFranceandmemberoftheJEFEuropeFC),theperiodafterwasmarkedbymanyquestionsandturmoil.HowtomakeEuropeprogressfurtherevenwithouttheconstitution?Shouldthefederalistschangetheirusualcampaignslookingprimarilyatinstitutionsinordertospeakmoretotheciti-zensabout the substanceof theEuropeanproject?Howtofightagainst theeuroscepticswithnewtools?

JEFstartedworkingonthosenewitemsin2005–2007whileIwasFCmem-berandwhenIbecameVicePresidentwewereabletodevelopfurtherthesenewtoolsbasedontransnationalactionsonthesameday.Actionswereorgan-izedinDecember2007aroundtheratificationoftheLisbonTreaty,furtherin2008followingthesuccessfulVisaandBelarusactionsandthecampaigncametoaclimaxin2009withanewcampaignfortheEuropeanelections:“it’stimeforchange,it’stimeforEurope!”andalsothecooperationwithUEFintheframeofthecampaign“Who’syourcandidate?”.”JessicaChamba,Vice-PresidentofJEF-Europe,2007-2009

The action in favour of a citizen-friendly European Citizens’

Initiative

JEF has been active on the issue of the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) since early 2010 in an effort to make this instrument as flexible and user-friendly as possible for future use, inject more democracy in the EU and thus bring the Citizens and European decision-makers closer to each other.

4242

The final Regulation that was published in the Official Journal in February 2011 was clearly bent towards JEF’s original key demands that were formu-lated as early as April 2010.

“JEF-EuropesubmittedananswertotheGreenPaperoftheCommissionontheECI,publishingitsdemandsonwww.citizensinitiative.eu,intervenedatHearingsintheEuropeanParliament,lobbiedofficialsworkingontheECIinthethreeEuropeaninstitutionsandgalvanisedthesupportofnationalsectionswhoreachedintotalmorethanhalfoftheMEPsintheirownmothertongue.OureffortshavenotbeeninvainandmanagedtobendtheoriginalproposalsbytheCommissionandtheMemberStatestowardsamoredemocraticfinalre-sult.Amongthepositiveachievements,wecountthereductionofthenationalthresholds, the possibility to gather signatures online, an early admissibilitycheckandaguaranteedfollow-upbytheCommission.”PhilippeAdriaenssens,PresidentofJEF-Europe2009-2011,inthenew-

federalist.eu,23/03/2011“Proudofitslongcommitmentandlobbyingactionsinfavourofaciti-zen-friendlyECI,JEF-EuropewelcomestheEuropeancitizens’initiativeasafundamentaltooltomakeEuropeclosertothepeopleandtoachievefederalistreformsoftheUnion.It’snowimportanttoassurenationalimplementationoftheECIregulation,inordertogiveallcitizensthesamechancetoparticipate,andtoworkonconcreteprojectstocollecttheonemillionsignatures”PaulineGessant,PresidentofJEF-Europe2011-2013,1stApril2012

For a visa-free EuropeJEF has forseveral years organised an annual visa-free action to raise aware-ness about the obstacles that visas bring about and call for the unification of the European continent through the abolishment of national borders for all Europeans.

43

43

43

“WewanttoseeourfriendsfromalloverEuropeatdifferentinternationaleventswithoutthemneedingtoworryaboutvisaletters,spendingtimeinfrontofembassiesandfacingdelaysofvisadelivery.EuropeneedstobeequalforallEuropeansandtorespectthefreedomofmovementofallofthem.”

PhilippeAdriaenssens,PresidentofJEF-Europe2009-2011

“Today’sEuropeismorethanageographicalterritory–itisanidentityformillionsofpeoplewhosharevaluessuchasdemocracy,freedomofexpres-sionandmovement,humanrights,multiculturalismandmultilingualism.Eu-ropeisallpeoplewhohavefamilieslivingindifferentcornersofthecontinentandwhotraveltofindoutmoreaboutculture,history,sport,music,dance,sci-ence,voluntarywork,healthandbusiness.Today,avisaisanunnecessarypaperwhichrestrictsyouthmovements,personalandsocialdevelopment,friendshipandface-to-facecommunicationformillionsofpeople.”DanielaVidaicu,ExecutiveBureauMemberofJEF-Europe2009-

2011,coordinatoroftheVisa-freeEuropeAction2011.

The defence of Schengen agreementIn 2011, an important pillar of European Integration was under threat as the idea of free movement within a borderless Europe was at stake after the arbitrary reintroduction of checks on the Franco-Italian border as well as Denmark’s decision to reinstate random customs controls at its borders.Many JEFers expressed, in different ways, their opposition to a potential reform of Schengen. On Friday, 17th June 2011, the Young European Federalists (JEF) held a protest action against the reintroduction of border controls in Denmark and against the questioning of the Schengen agreements. The slogan for the events in the border towns of Krusau (Denmark / Germany), Schengen (Lux-embourg / Germany) and Kehl (France / Germany is): “A future without boundaries!”.

4444

The defence of democracy andfundamental rightS

Europe and HungaryUnited In DemocracyFebruary 2012

In February 2012, JEF-Europe elaborated an activist answer to the un-settling developments in Hungary: under the motto “Europe and Hungary – united in democracy”, JEF sections across Europe spoke up for the defence of democracy and fundamental rights. The action focused on the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU which was sent or brought to Hungarian em-bassies and consulates, in order to remind the Orbán government of its Eu-ropean commitment to these rights and our common responsibility to protect democratic principles, rule of law and human rights. A general press release (PR) was published on Friday, the 17th of February. This is exactly the date on which Viktor Orbán had to position himself towards the Commission.

JEF action in front of the European Parliament in Brussels

45

45

45

“JEF-EuropecallsontheEuropeaninstitutionsandthememberstatestoreaffirmtheaspirationsofEuropeanintegrationanditsprinciplesoffree-dom,democracyandtoleranceandtotakeallthenecessarymeasurestoprotectHumanRights anddemocracy inEurope.Beyond theHungarianquestion,it is the responsibility of each European to refuse populism and extremismthroughoutEurope.”PaulineGessant,PresidentofJEF-Europe2011-2013

JEF action in Berlin

4646

The promotion ofsolidarity

Greece ActionUnited in Solidarity11-17 June 2012

Due to the failed attempt in May to form a new government in Greece, the people were asked to go back to the polls on 17th June 2012. Depending on the results of the parliamentary elections, Greece might have had to leave the Eurozone.In order to support the Greek people in these times of crisis and sacrifice, JEF-Europe and JEF-Greece invited the sections to participate in a Europe-wide “Greece Action”. “United in Solidarity,” and to dance Sirtaki. With this street action, JEF Europe wanted to convey the spirit of European unity and draw people’s attention to the situation in Greece, where youth unemploy-ment reached 50%.

“YoungEuropeanFederalistscalltheEUtotakedirectmeasurestogetEuropebacktogrowthandsecurethedreamsofitsyouth.TheEuropeanyouthisunitedinitswishforasolidandoptimisticfuture.It’shightimefortheEu-ropeandecision-makerstodothesame”PaulineGESSANT,PresidentofJEF-Europe2011-2013

47

47

47

One motto:“Simply A generation ahead”

“In1985,JacquesDelorsbecamePresidentoftheEuropeanCommissionandlaunchedtheideaoftheSingleMarketin1992.Theproject‘Europe1992’wasfascinatingformostpeopleandadeeperEuropeanintegrationwasseenaspositive.JEFalsochanged.ThebigleapforwardinEuropeanintegrationseemedtobemoreandmorepossible.Institutionalquestionsbecameimportantinthedis-cussionsinceitseemedthatarealEuropeanDemocracycanbeestablishedinashorttime.SoJEFsaidofitself:YoungEuropeans,simplyagenerationahead,whichisstillthemottoofJEF-Europenowadays.”TobiasFlessenkemper

SecretaryGeneralJEF-Europe1996-1998

Monica Frassoni

4�48

One song:Europe United

“Andweshout:EuropeUnited!AsusualitwasafantasticweekontheislandofVentotene.YoungfederalistsfromalloverEuropegatheredandmadefriendsforlife,orevenmettheirfu-turepartner.Thepoliticalconflictsbetweenthosewhowantedanallinclusiveunion,andthosewhowantedastrongercorewerefierce.Astheweekcametoanend,theweatherturnedbadandweweresuddenlystuckontheislandbecause the ferrieswere cancelled.Therehadbeendiscussions allweek thattheVentoteneManifestowasoutdatedandneededarevision.Andnowwhenwewere stuckon the islandweactuallyhad time todo it.Luckily itnever

4�

49

49

wentthatfar.InsteadIsatinsidetherestaurantinthevillaandplayedonmyguitar,whileJonWorthandMalenaBritzsatnexttomeandsometimessangalong.ThenJonsuddenlysaidthatthesongBreakfastatTiffany’sbyDeepBlueSomethingcouldbeagoodsongtouseifyouwanttomakeyourownlyrics.Andthereitwas!JonstartedwritingandaswesattheretogetherwecameupwiththecatchylyricstoEuropeUnited.Thewordscantodayseemtobeabitoutdated,butkeepinmindthatitwasthesummerof2000.Itwaspre-enlarge-menttotheeast,anditwasbeforetheconventionandtheworktocreateaconstitutionthatlaterbecametheLisbontreaty.Iamstillamazedthough,howlargetheimpactofthesonghasbeeneversince.IthasbecomeourlegacytotheYoungEuropeanFederalistsoftoday.” AndersManell(Ekberg)

PresidentJEF-Sweden1998-2000SubstitutememberoftheEuropeanparliament

5050

One date:9th May

9 May, a pan-European mobilisationEvery year, on the occasion of Europe Day, JEF fully celebrates Europe through many activities all over Europe. Europe Day is the occasion for JEF to carry out actions that bring Europe closer to its citizens and people closer together. This is a perfect way to come out on the streets and interact with a lot of people, getting the message across: “United in Diversity!”

51

51

51

“Inthesehard times, it is necessary to keep inmind the spirit of theFoundingFathersof theEuropeanUnion remindingnational governments,policymakers andcitizens that theeconomiccrisis canbeonly solvedwithmoreandnotlessintegration,startingfromfurtherfiscalintegrationamongtheEurozonecountriesandalltheotherswillingtodoso”Carlo-MariaPalermo,ExecutiveBoardMemberofJEF-Europe2011-

2013

“TodaywearemobilisedacrossEurope inordertorecall thatthe ideabehindcelebratingthisdayultimatelyliesinthequestformoreEuropeaninte-grationandtheEuropeanvisionofpeace,solidarityanddemocracy”PaulineGessant,PresidentofJEF-Europe2011-2013

5252

JEFmajor Europeanprojects

“In2006JEFjoined“SpeakUpEurope”aCommission-fundedprojectoftheInternationalEuropeanMovement(EMI)thatwaspartofthe“PlanD”toreconnectwithcitizens.AspartofJEF’scontributionnumerouslocalde-bateswereorganisedinnationalsectionsandajointproject“EuropeanVibes”wasorganisedtocollectartisticexpressionsaboutEurope.JEFalsoran“GalaxyEurope” in spring2006, a successfulwebproject,which groupedunder-35MEPsintodifferentplanets(akapoliticalgroup),organisedonlinedebatesandvotedtheBestYoungMEP.”JanSeifert,PresidentofJEF-Europe2005-2007

“Ayouthorganisationisalwaysinafluxandperpetualstateofchangegiventhelimitedresourcesandhighturnoverofthevolunteersthatmakeupitsstrength.ThechallengeforeachSecretary-Generalistoensuresufficientad-ministrativeandprojectfundingtokeeptheorganisationrunning.DespitethenegativetrendoflessfundingopportunitiesavailableforthemoretraditionalandcoretopicsofJEFactivities(e.g.futureoftheEUdebates,EUenlarge-ment,ConventionandConstitutionaldebates)wemanagedtotapintonewwaysofgettingfundsthroughtheLeonardoDaVinciprogrammeandEras-musplacementstogetherwithanenlargedEVSprojectandthebiggesteversoloprojectrunbyJEF-Europeworth120,000EURandrunningfor1.5yearsEurope@myDesk.ThismeantarecordhighnumberofSecretariatmembersofuptosevenwithafully-paidSecretary-GeneralandProjectManager,twoEVSvolunteers,twoErasmusplacementinternsandonepart-timeintern.Thiscapacityallowedustoreachnewlevelsofqualityandquantityinreachingoutwithourworkandideas.Aproofofthisistherecordnumberofcitiespartici-patingintheannualFreeBelarusactionin2009and2010whenwereached

53

53

53

over125cities across theglobewithextensivemediacoverageatEuropean,nationalandindependentBelarusmediaoutlets.Wealsocompletelyrevampedouronlinepresence,especiallybystartingtouseFacebookfeaturesandTwitterfororganisationalpurposesandlinkitbetterwiththenewfederalist.euonlinemagazineintermsofpromotionandownership.Averyimportanthistoricalmomenthappenedduringmy timeaswell,namely the60thanniversaryofJEF-GermanyandagrowingnumberofJEFsectionsacrossEurope,especiallyin the South-East and East (thanks to the initiative of our EVS volunteerswho had developed a youth exchange project with Eastern Europe and theCaucasus).InternallytherewasalsoashiftofgenerationswithinJEFandtheorganisationhaschangedfromamoreacademicandhigh-levelpoliticsdiscus-sionwhenIjoinedin2002toamoreactivistyouthorganisationwithaspecificvisionofaunited,federalEurope.”PeterMatjašič,SecretaryGeneralofJEF-Europe2008-2011,First


Europe@myDesk event

5454

JEFCommunication

Press impactFor many years JEF-Europe has prepared and distributed 1-2 press releases per month to ensure primarily sustainable dissemination of activities as well as promote the views of the Young Federalists throughout Europe; addition-ally we treat our media relations policy as a means to put forward our com-mentary on the European political agenda.Some recent press releases even attracted high media attention. For instance, on the occasion of the referendum of Croatia’s accession to the EU in January 2012, JEF-Europe and JEF-Croatia published a joint press release which was quoted on Euractiv.com.Another successful media action was the EU Olympic team counting the European Medals gathered during the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008.

“Wealsoinvestedalotoftimeandenergytogetmediaattention,whichwedidreceiveforcampaignslike“FreeBelarus”andtheactionsupportinganEUOlympicTeamfortheOlympicGamesinChina.”SamuelePii,PresidentofJEF-Europe,2007-2009

“In2008,wealsolaunchedawebsitecalledEUOlympicTeamcountingtheEuropeanMedalsgatheredinBeijingwhichwasquiteapopularandpresssuccess,inparticularinBritain,whereantiEuropeansattackedthiscampaignandthereforegaveusquiteavisibility.”JessicaChamba,Vice-PresidentofJEF-Europe,2007-2009

55

55

55

The New Federalist,from a paper to an electronic magazine

The New Federalist (TNF) has been the paper magazine of the Young Eu-ropean Federalists (JEF-Europe) for many years before a switch was made in 2005-2006 to an electronic version (www.thenewfederalist.eu) in light of going green. Occasionally, JEF still publishes special editions of the TNF in paper version. The online English version is known as the TNF and is published with three other language versions (French: www.taurillon.org , German: www.treffpunkteuropa.de and Italian: www.eurobull.it ), in co-operation with Le Taurillon, Eurocitizen’s magazine.

“DuringthecampaigninBritainforthe1975referendum,wealsocreat-edasatiricalmagazinecalled‘TheNewFederalist’,whichwasamodestattempttobeabitlike‘LeCanardEnchaîné’,withcartoonsandanecdotesaboutsomeofthepolitical leadersandquiteheavycriticismstothereasonsputforwardthattheaccessiontotheEuropeanCommunitywasonlybecauseofeconomicreasons,andnottalkingatallaboutthepoliticalproject.”JulianPriestley,PresidentofJEF-Europe1974-1976

“Icannotforgetthetwopublications(theNewFederalistandJEFInfo).Itwasnoteasybeinganeditorinthe1980s–articlescamebypost,hadtobetypedandthentherewastheback-and-forthwiththeprinters.Imusthavelikedit,though,IremainedaneditoroftheTNFlongafterIstoppedworkingforJEF(orbeingyoung).”GiannisPapageorgiou,SecretaryGeneralofJEF-Europe1985-1987,

PresidentofJEF-Europe1989-1991

5656

The Birth of the electronic version

“2005,followingthecampaignforaEuropeanConstitution,theYoungEuropeanFederalists-France launchedtheTogether for theYes,Together forEuropewebsitewhichpublishedarticlesthatwereinfavourofayesvoteintheupcomingtreatyreferendum.

Despite the defeat of the European treaty, the Young European FederalistsFrancedecidedtopursuetheadventureandcreatedawebzine.TheTaurillonwasbornandbeforelongitwaspublishinganarticleperday.

TheWebzinehasbeenawardedthe2012EuropeanCitizen’sPrizebytheEu-ropeanParliament.

In view of its success, the other members of JEF-Europe decided to createWebzines in theirown language.ThiswashowJEF-ItalyandJEF-GermanycreatedEurobull andTreffpunktEuropa. JEF-Europe tookcareof theEng-lishversion,TheNewFederalist,withtheaimofencouragingallmembersoftheYoungEuropeansFederaliststoparticipate,especiallythosewholackedaWebzineintheirnativelanguage.

Wehavepublishedmorethan4,000articlesacrossourfoureditions.WehaveinterviewedEuropeanandnationalleaders,includingHermanVanRompuy,Neelie Kroes andValery Giscard d’Estaing. More than 1,000 contributorshavewrittenatleastonearticleforourwebzine.

WehavebeenmentionedinnationalnewspaperssuchasLeMonde,LePointandLiberation.Thisisfurtherevidenceofoursuccess.

Abigthankstoallthecontributors.

WewouldliketothankthenumerousvoluntarywriterswhocontributedtothesuccessoftheJEFwebzine.Everydayweworktowardstheconstructionofaclose,democraticandfederalEurope.ItisbyprojectssuchasthisonethatEuropelives.

Thisprizeisforthe1,000writerswhohavecontributedtotheJEFwebzine.Itisforthosewhowroteacontributionjustonceandforthosewhowritemoreregularly.Itisalsoforthosewhoactivelyparticipateinitssuccesstodayandfor

57

57

57

thosewhogavetheirenergymanyyearsago.

TheEuropeanCitizen’sPrizeisforyou,Europeancitizenswhobuiltthisbeau-tifulidealthatisEurope.”Thursday5July2012,byTheeditorialboardofEurobull,Theedito-rialboardofthenewfederalist,TheeditorialboardofLeTaurillon,The

editorialboardofTreffpunktEuropa

Internet and Social networks

“IsawthefirstfederalistE-MaileverDuringthe early‘90s, not only had the Wallfallen,but a technical revolu-tionhadalsotakenplace.In1994,inBrussels,Ireceivedmyfirstevere-mail,whichatthesametimewastheveryfirste-mailtoJEFEurope!Thesender,Rob-ertBeckfromJEFUK,couldonlysendthisbygatewayaccesstoafaxprint-er.Themessage lookedsougly that Ididnotkeep it-whatapity!TheveryfirstJEFinternetsitewasestablishedsomewhereinFinland.”BerndHüttemann,SecretaryGeneralofJEF-Europe1992-1994

“Oneofthemajoreventsisforme,thedevelopmentoftheusingoftheInternetintheexchangebetweenJEFmembers(whenIenteredJEFin1995,InternetlanguagewaslikeChineseforme…)”NathalieLasnier,PresidentofJEF-France1997-1998,ExecutiveBoard’smemberofJEF-Europe1995-1997

5�58

Once a JEFer,always a JEFer!

Former JEFers everywhere: how JEF has influenced the lives of its members

“JEFhadalreadyidentifiedtheenvironmentascrucialforEurope.Ior-ganisedaEuropeanYouthParliamentonitwithdelegatesfrommember-states’politicalparties. ThisforeshadowedtheEuropeanYouthForumwhichJEFhelpedtoestablish.FifteenyearslaterIbecameanenvironmentallobbyistinBrussels.JEFlaidthefoundationformuchofmycareerbutIwouldbericherifI’dstayedalawyer!”DavidGrace,SecretaryGeneralofJEF-Europe1978-1980,President

ofJEF-Europe1981-1983

“JEFopenedmyeyesinmanywaystotherealityofunitingEurope.Itisoftenmorecomplicatedthanitseemsandthereareculturaldifferencesyouhavetotakeintoaccountifyouwanttolearntoworktogether.Butmostlyitopensyourhorizons.ProfessionallyitmotivatedmetobecomeatraineeattheEuropeanCommissionandIhavebeenactiveatdifferentstagesofthelastyearsinUEF,EuropeanMovementBelgiumandtheEuropeanMovementIn-ternational.Soinawayitisstillshapingmenow,asIworkasexpertEuropeanandForeignAffairsintheFlemishParliament.InsidemypartyIamalsooneofthoseresponsibleforthecontactsatEuropeanlevel.”OlivierHinnenkens,TreasurerandExecutiveBoard’smemberofJEF-

Europebetween1993and1999

5�

59

59

“MyengagementinJEFwascrucialformyprofessionalcareerasIhadthepossibilitytoworkforleadingFrenchEuropeanpoliticianssuchasElisa-bethGuigouandJacquesDelors.ViaJEFIgotadeepinsightintotheproblemsofEuropeanintegration,andmycivicengagementandEuropeanconvictionslaterbecameanentirepartofmyprofessionallife.”JuttaHergenham,Vice-PresidentofJEF-Europe1995-1997

“Today,followingthemotto“onceaJEFferalwaysaJEFfer”,IconsidermyselfafederalistwhohasdecidedtoofferacontributioninthepublicserviceattheregionallevelwhereIdailybringmy“Europeantoolkit”,muchneededsometimes,whenyouseenewlocalismsandnationalismsapproaching.”SamuelePii,PresidentofJEF-Europe,2007-2009

“IamnotinvolvedinpoliticsorEUaffairsprofessionally.ButthemanyyearsinJEF(Ijoinedin1990andleftin2011)havegivenmepersonalandor-ganisationalskills,theabilitytoworkinaninternationalenvironment,theskillstoseebusinesschallengesinapoliticalandstrategiccontext,thathaveprovenofenormoushelpinmyprofessionalcareerintheprivatesector.”PaoloVacca,PresidentofJEF-Europe1999-2001

“Immensely.ItwasthankstotheterminJEFthatIlearnthowtheBrus-sels machinery work which has been very useful in my after-JEF life, be itasa federalistcampaigneror inmyprofessionalcareer intheenvironmentalfield.”JoanMarcSimon,SecretaryGeneralofJEF-Europe2004-2006

“Iwork in theEuropeanExternalActionService and I often tell col-leaguesthatthebesttrainingI’vehadwasfrommytimeinJEF.AfterchairingJEFFederalCommitteesandCongressesandgettingresolutionsagreed, the

6060

EU’sworking groups and committees are reallynot that intimidating! Seri-ously,beinginJEFwasexcellentpreparationforworkinginamulti-nationalenvironment,forlearninggooddraftingskillsandhowtomanageameeting,andforpublicspeakingtraining.Andofcourse,itwasanenormousamountoffunandImetpeoplewhoarestillmyclosestfriendsnow,morethantenyearslater.” AlisonWeston,PresidentofJEF-Europe2001-2003

“Atatimewhereeconomiccrisiswasalreadywithus,itwasquitehardtofindajobwithadegreeinEuropeanLaw;thankstotheknowledgeacquiredand thenetworkswithin theEuropeanandnational institutions, I took thedecisiontocreatemyowncompanyofconsultingandtrainingonEuropeanissues; In themeanwhile, Ibecameamemberof theTeamEuropenetworkinFrance.Thankstothisexperience,threeyearslater,Ienteredaconsultingcompanyspecialisedinmobilisingpeopleinsensitivechangingcontexts,inter-estingbymyexperienceinassociationsandpracticeofforeignlanguagesforinternationaldevelopment…”NathalieLasnier,PresidentofJEF-France1997-1998andExecutive

Board’smemberofJEF-Europe1995-1997

“Itwasaboost!WhenIleftat26Ihadaccumulatedasmuchworkexpe-rienceassomeoneof30+.AsSG,youhavetobepolyvalentandacquiremanydifferentskillsyoucanlaterrelyon.MyexperienceinJEFisstillabigpluseightyearsaftertheendofmyterm!Andobviously,JEFdirectlyleadmetogetinterestedinCanadianfederalismandtheQuebecquestion,whichwerethemainfocusofmyprofessionallifesinceIleftBrussels.”MarianneBonnard,SecretaryGeneralofJEF-Europe2002-2004

“JEFhadaprofoundinfluenceanditstillhas.ThankstomyJEFexperi-encewhichenabledmetoplaymanydifferentroles,fromayouthparticipant,youthorganiser,youthfacilitator,youthtrainertoyouthleaderandyouthrep-resentative, I have perfected all my soft skills (e.g. team-work, interculturalcompetences,confidence,…),mylanguageskillsandcreatedahugenetwork

61

61

61

ofpersonal andprofessional contacts all acrossEurope and even theworld.Moreover,JEFnominatedandsupportedmetotakemyyouthinvolvementtothehighestlevelofyouthrepresentationinEuropebyhelpingmegetelectedPresidentoftheEuropeanYouthForum,theplatformofyouthorganisationsrepresentingtensofmillionsofyoungEuropeansandstrivingtobethevoiceofyoungpeopleinEurope.”PeterMatjašič,SecretaryGeneralofJEF-Europe2008-2011,First


“MyterminJEF-Europeinfluencedmyprofessionalcareermostsurpris-inglyinthesensethatIonceturneddownanoffertobecomeanMEPassistantandalsodeclineda contract agentpositionat theEuropeanCommission. IrealisedduringmyJEFmandatethatIactuallylikedtheresponsibility,man-agement,initiativeandresultsinadynamicorganisationmorethanajobinthehierarchyofthepublicsector.Atthetimeofmymandate,IwasworkingintheBelgianMinistryofForeignAffairswhichwasdefinitelyaninterestingpositionduringtheEUPresidencybutnotnearlyasrewarding,creativeandpersonallyengagingasmyroleinJEF.

WhenmycontractfortheBelgiangovernmentranout,IwenttoworkintheprivatesectorforIBF,aprojectmanagementconsultancydealingwithtechni-cal cooperation projects of the European Commission in developing coun-tries.Recently,IswitchedtoEurochambres,aEuropeanumbrellaassociationofChambersofCommerceandIndustry,whereIamassistingEuropeanSMEsto tap intomarketsofemergingeconomies, inparticularviaanEU-fundedproject promoting European clean technologies in India to combat climatechange.Here,myJEFexperiencecomesathandforthestructureandfunc-tioning of both organisations is remarkably similar as are the challenges inreachingouttomembersandinvolvingtheminprojects.”PhilippeAdriaenssens,PresidentofJEF–Europe2009-2011

6262

The JEF spirit

What were your personal reasons to fight for a federal Europe and to be involved in JEF?

“Leplusbeaumétierdeshommesc’estd’unirleshommes.“Thebestjobformenistounitepeople”

(AntoinedeSaint-Exupéry)

”PeterOsten,PresidentofJEF-Europe1972-1974

“MorethananythinggettinginvolvedinJEFmeantformetobecomean actor, to carry on the work made by Schuman or Spinelli at my simplelevel,tobepartoftheprocessofintegration,tomeetotheryoungpeoplefromalloverEuropeandactcollectively,toreceiveadvicefrommoreexperiencedpeoplehavingalreadyEUresponsibilities.Inatimewherethingsgofast,get-tinginvolvedinJEFwasformebuildingmyownfuture,rightnow,everyday,togetherwithandalsofor,thefutureofthenextgeneration.

[...]One major event of my term that has impacted my life afterwards wasmaybetheseveralmeetingstheJEF-FranceboardhadwithJEFGermanyfed-eralboardandthenthetwoofuswithJEFItaly.There,Ilearnedconcretelytheimportanceofthedialogue,ofgivingtimetothedialogueevenwhenyoudon’thavetime,youneedquickresults,quickwins...butifyoutakethechancetounderstand thedifferenceof theother andhow, you and theothers, areconnected,thechancetoinventtheseconnections,tobecreative,tomakeithappen, then comes the speed in action, the effectiveness, the pragmatism.

63

63

63

Thisbeingsaid,whenatJEF,youlearnthatafteralongtalkcomesthetimeforaction.AttheEU,wetalkalot,sometimestoolongandweforgetthataftertalkingthereistheacting.”Cécile-LivMüller,InternationalofficerofJEF-France2001-2002

“Ireceivedpositivevibesandinputsininspiringseminars,tooktothestreetsindemonstrations,politicalactionsandflash-mobswithotherJEFfersfromallaroundEurope:goodmemoriesandteachingsthatstillrepresentmypersonal“politicaltoolkit”.So,aftermorethan14yearsIfoundmyselfatasecondstageofmyengagement,whichishardtodescribe.Isomehowneededtoreturn,atleastinpart,whatIreceivedfromJEF.TheJEFpresidencyman-dateofferedmethisopportunityinaparticularpoliticalcontext,fromOctober2007toOctober2009.”SamuelePii,PresidentofJEF-Europe,2007-2009

“JEFappealedbecauseofitsdynamismandenergy,theknowledgeandenthusiasm of its members and its openness to all Europeans, regardless ofcountryoforigin.”AlisonWeston,PresidentofJEF-Europe2001-2003

“There is an anecdotemyparents toldmewhile Iwas alreadyheavilyinvolvedinJEF,namelythatwhenIwasaroundfouryearsoldIapparentlymadeastatementsayingweneededtolearnGermanbecausethatwillserveaswell inEurope.Itwastheearly1980sandwewerelivingintheSocialistFederalistRepublicofYugoslavia.ThetriggerpointformetobecomeanactivecitizenwasmytriptoaworkingcampinPalestineinthesummerof1999andfacedwiththerealityofanongoingconflict,itscomplexityandthepotentialforresolvingsuchissuesonlybyworkingtogetherandovercominglonganddeepmistrustaswasdoneinpost-WWIIEuropemademeastaunchbelieverintheprocessofEuropeanintegration.However,IonlygotreallyengagedinEuropeanissuesandworkingtowardsafederalEuropein2002afterafriendconvincedmeofattendingaJEFseminar.Itwasn’tjustanykindofseminar.Giventheexcitingandratheroptimistic,evenidealistic,timesoftheConven-

6464

tiononthefutureoftheEU,JEFwasorganisingaconventionsimulationofitsownandmanagedtogather200peoplefromacrossthecontinenttodiscussandelaboratesuggestionsthatweremorefar-reachinganddaringthananyof-ficialConventiontexteverwas.ThatwasthemomentinwhichIknewIfoundmyplace,myorganisation,myhome.Itwasthecombinationofthethrilling,academicandpolemicqualitydiscussionsonabroadrangeofEuropeantopicswithafederalvisioncoupledwithanamazingfeelingofbelongingtothesameEuropeanfamilyandofcoursetheindispensableJEFfunfactorthatgavemethestrengthtogetmotivatedandstayintheorganisationforalmostadecade.AsmycolleaguesfromthecradleoftheEuropeanfederalistmovementinItalysay:“onceaJEFeralwaysaJEFer”.”PeterMatjašič,SecretaryGeneralofJEF-Europe2008-2011,First


“WithoutJEFIwouldstillliveinaGermanProvince,workwithouttheawarenessofhowitistoloveandbeloved,wouldnotexperiencehowitcanbetoworkandliveinanothercountry.SoJEFhaschangedmylife.”BertholdHeber,formertreasurerofJEF-Europe

But what did we achieve?

“Theanswertothathasbecomeclearerinmypost-JEFyears.Wehelpedbuildandarestillpartofthestrongestandmostmeritocraticnetworkofpeo-pleIhaveyetencounteredinpolitics.IendedupasPresidentbecauseIdidmoreandorganisedmorethings.Inmanyorganisationsthatwouldbereasontokeepmedown,whileinJEFitwastheopposite.FromwoodenhutsinrainyNorwaytothesunnybeachesofVentoteneweeducated,cajoledandmotivatedhundredsofpeoplewithintheorganisation,givingthemskillsandknowledgeand,aboveall,friendshipsandnetworksthatendure.FriendshipsforgedatmyveryfirstJEFseminarsandcongressthirteenyearsagoarestillstrongtoday.EuropeUnited,thesongIwrotewithAndersEkbergandMalenaBritz,evenstillgetsanoccasionalraucousrendition.That’swhat

65

65

65

JEFmeanstome–anorganisationmoreasanendinitselfthanameanstoapoliticalend.” JonWorth,PresidentofJEF-Europe2003-2005

“ThefirsttimeIreallygotpissedoffbyanti-EUpopulistswasin2005duringmyErasmusyearinParisatthetimeoftheFrenchreferendumontheConstitution.Icouldn’tbelievemyeyeswhencampaignpostersfromtheno-sidewereinbigletterscallingfora ‘NonàChirac’andonlyinsmall letterssaying‘NonàlaConstitution’.Simultaneously,anti-globalisationmovementssuchasAttacweredistributingleafletsdirectlycitingarticlesfromtheTreatythatweresupposedlypreaching‘lelibéralismeleplussauvage’.Thedisinforma-tionwassostaggeringthatIdesperatelywantedtogetinvolvedinpromotingtheEuropeancause,whichiswhyIimmediatelyjoinedtheEuropeanMove-mentandJEFandthenattendedmyfirstJEFseminarandCongressinStras-bourgintheautumnofthesameyear.Theintensedebates,thedriveandthepassionamongthepeopleaswellastheexplosivecocktailofpoliticsandfunmadesuchacoolimpressiononmethatIjustwantedtobecomepartofthisenthusiasticbunchofpro-Europeansandputmyshoulders to the federalistproject!”PhilippeAdriaenssens,PresidentofJEF–Europe2009-20011

6666

““MybestJEFmemoryever?”AtthelastcongressinHelsinkiIwasamazedbywhatJEF-Finlandhadorgan-isedforus.Irememberedbeingayoungboy,lookingatthemap.WhileHel-sinkibackthensoundedsogoddamnexotic,Isuddenlyfoundmyselfthere,arguingwithayoung leaderof theTrueFinns,walking throughthe streets,realisinghowcheeringthisexperienceis.”NiklasKramer,MemberofJEF-Europe’sFederalCommittee2011-

2013

“Andhow to forget the joy to represent JEF, for thefirst time, at theWorldFederalistMovementheadquartersinNewYorkortheemotiontostartsavingJEFpapersanddocumentsinthearchivesoftheEuropeanUniversityInstituteinFlorence?ThejointpressreleasewithJEFSerbiaandJEFKosovo,or the trip to Greece, set up in order to recreate the conditions for a new,strongerengagementofthatnationalsection?”SamuelePii,PresidentofJEF-Europe,2007-2009

“Over the years my international JEF contacts became my treasure.Myintercultural,politicalandorganisationalskillsaremainlybasedon“theJEFexperience”.Special thanksgooutto“my”PresidentsStephenWoodard(howdidhe survivemyEnglish?) andTorEigilHodne (howdidhe survivemy decision againstApple?). Without doubt it was asignificant timeinmylife.Evenformyson,ImethismotheratJEF–onVentotene.PleaseJEF!Staywhatyouare:thebestprogressiveinternationalintegrationschooloflifeandthedrivingcollectiveintelligenceofEurope!”BerndHüttemann,SecretaryGeneralofJEF-Europe1992-1994

67

67

67

What should be the priorities of JEF for the coming years?

“Ontheshortterm,JEFshouldfocusoneconomicandfinancialissues:giveargumentsexplainingwhyweneedtheEuro,whatareourstrengthswiththiscurrencyandwhatithasbroughttoEurope.

Ibelievethatperiodsofcrisisareperiodsinwhichfederalistideascanprogressbecausepeopletendtolookforsolutions.Thesolutionsoftheanti-EuropeansandNationalistsoftenappearmoreobviousoreasytounderstand,buttheydon’tworkonthelongrunandorganizationslikeJEFhavetobetheretorecallthis.Crisisareperiodsinwhichcontradictoryideascanemerge:JEFhastousethisopportunitytomakeourideasheard.

Onthemediumterm,JEFshouldrecallthesenseofthepoliticalunificationofEuropeandproposewaystoprogressinthisintegrationfurtherbasedonthe

6�68

analysisoftheeconomicsituation.

TherewillalsobetheissueofenlargementtotheBalkancountriesinparticular:JEFhastoplayaroleinexplainingtothecitizensthatthisprocessispositiveandthatthedevelopmentofthesecountriesandtheirintegrationintheEUisanextraassetfortheEuropeaneconomyandnotanewburden.”JessicaChamba,Vice-PresidentofJEF-Europe,2007-2009

“JEFobjectivesarestillthegoodones.Wedon’treallyneedtochangethefocusorthestrategytofindanotherimpetusortogivetheimpressionwegetrenewed.Whatisneededismaybetoconstantlyadaptandtocarryoninvolv-ingtheyoungEuropeansinthebuildingoftheirownfuture,whichisEurope,andthisisahugechallenge.Societychangesquick.

InPourl’Europe,RobertSchumanwrote:«Lesduresleçonsdel’histoireontappris à l’homme de la frontière que je suis à se méfier des improvisationshâtives, des projets trop ambitieux, mais elles m’ont appris également quelorsqu’unjugementobjectif,mûrementréfléchi,basésurlaréalitédesfaitsetl’intérêtsupérieurdeshommes,nousconduitàdesinitiativesnouvelles,voirerévolutionnaires,ilimporte-mêmesiellesheurtentlescoutumesétablies,lesantagonismesséculairesetlesroutinesanciennesdenousytenirfermementetdepersévérer.[Thetoughlessonsofhistoryhaveshownthefrontier-manIamtobewarehastyimprovisation,tooambitiousprojects,buttheyalsotaughtmethatanobjective,fullyconstructedjudgement,basedontherealityofthesupe-riorinterestofmankind,leadsustonew,sometimesrevolutionaryinitiatives.Itisimportant–evenwhentheyhurtestablishedpractices,secularantagonismsandoldroutines,toholduponthemandtopersevere”.]»

“Tenirfermementetpersévérer”thisiswhatwehaveconstantlytofocuson.Perseveranceandconstancyinactionarearevolutionintheir-selvesnowadays.Butitissurethatrightnowwewouldneedahugeamountofittogetamo-mentumtoenterinaction.”Cécile-LivMüller,InternationalofficerofJEF-France2001-2002

“DuringmytermsIstrovetoturnJEFintoamore“political”asopposedto amore “youth”youthpoliticalmovement. Ibelieve this is still themainchallengeforJEFtoday–membersleaveassoonastheyendtheirstudies.It

6�

69

69

isimportant,therefore,toincreasecontinuityandintroduceyoungmembersmore to thepolitical elementsof federalism.This isperhapsan issueofageratherthanpriorities.Anorganisationthathasmembersfromtheageof16totheageof35shouldbeabletoofferbothapoliticaleducation–thecultureoffederalism–andayouthentertainment–theattractionofyouthactivism.However,ourcontinenttodayneedsallthevoicesthatunderstandthatfeder-alismistheonlywayallowingforEuropetomoveforwardandoutofalongnationalistdecline.Thejobofyoungfederalistsismorecrucialtoday–inthefaceofhostilepressandpublicopinionandshort-sightedpoliticians–thaninpasttimes.JEFshouldfocusonpoliticalaction–basedonsoundfederalistculture–morethanonyouth-relatedactivities.”GiannisPapageorgiou,SecretaryGeneralofJEF-Europe1985-1987,

PresidentofJEF-Europe1989-1991

“Europeanunificationisatacrossroad.EitheritwillmanagetomakeaboldsteptoaUnitedStatesofEurope,evenifonlywiththecountriesoftheEuro-zone,orsoonerratherthanlateritwillcollapse.Givenhowcriticalthismomentis,IthinkJEFshouldstreamlineitsactivitiesandfocusondefendingopenlyandbravelytheperspectiveofaEuropeanfederationwithactivitiesthathelpcreatingconsensusamongyoungpeople,youthorganisationsandpoliti-calparties.” PaoloVacca,PresidentofJEF-Europe1999-2001

“MyeventualconclusionwasthatJEFcannoteverbeamajorcampaign-ingorganisationinitsownright.Togettothestagewhereanindividualhasagraspofwhatfederalismisandwhyitisimportantisnoteverlikelytobesomethingthathasmajorappeal.TheroleofJEFmustbetopointoutwhatiswrongwiththeEuropeanUnion(and,indeed,ourpoliticalsystemsmoregenerally)andfocusonsolutionsforthoseproblems.Itiswithenergy,determi-nation,creativity,intelligenceandsheerwillpowerthatJEFcouldpotentiallyplayarole.” JonWorth,PresidentofJEF-Europe2003-2005

“JEFshallneverforgettobefirstandforemostagrassrootsorganisation.AfederalEuropewillneverworkifthepeopledon’tbackitup.JEFhasastrongpubliceducationroletoplay,especiallyinthistimeofcrisis.”

7070

MarianneBonnard,SecretaryGeneralofJEF-Europe2002-2004

“Inthe short run, thereareplentyofnoble–andachievable–causestofightfor,especiallyintherun-uptotheEuropeanParliamentelectionsin2014,amongwhichthepoliticisationoftheelectionoftheCommissionPresi-dentisagreatpriority.JEFcandefinitelyremindoftheneedforaEuropeanConstitution whenever there is a window of opportunity, before launchingagainawidegrassrootscampaignassoonassufficientpoliticalmomentumhasbeengalvanised.

Inthelongrun,IwouldencourageJEFtocontinuetoreconciletheidealistandmorerealisttendenciesamongitsdiversemembershipsoastokeeptheentire organisation rallied behind the one solution we’ve got: federalism! Asecond balance needs to be maintained between asking for institutional re-formsandfocusingonconcretepoliciesforJEFtokeepitsrelevanceinfeed-ingcurrentlegislativeprocesses.Thirdly,JEFshouldalwaysstrivetocombinean engagement in political and advocacy activities on the one hand with afocusontheorganisationofeventsandprojectsontheotherhandinordertoattractnewmembersfromdifferentbackgrounds.JEFfareswellwhentheorganisationmanagestostrikeahappymediuminthesethreedelicatebalanc-ingacts.”PhilippeAdriaenssens,PresidentofJEF–Europe2009-20011

“TheworldneedstheequivalentofwhatJEFhasbeenforEurope.ThemainassetofJEFhasalwaysbeentohaveaplanonhowtobuildsupranationalinstitutions fromayouthperspective, theworldneeds ayouthorganisationthatcampaignsforconcretegoalsonreformofglobalinstitutions.Forthefirsttimeinhistorysocialmediaallowsthis.AndhappybirthdaytoJEF,thanksforkeepingitaliveandkicking!”JoanMarcSimon,SecretaryGeneralofJEF-Europe2004-2006

71

71

71

How do the former JEF mandate holders see JEF in 40 years?

“Stillthere!Hopefully,wewillhaveprogressedintheEuropeanpoliti-calandeconomicintegrationprocessandJEFcouldthenbeabletofocusonanalysing,criticisingandproposingalwaysnewandfreshideastotheEuro-peaninstitutionsandpoliticians.Ontheotherhand,JEFwillalsoalwayshavetocontinueexplainingEuropetothecitizens,inparticularitshistorytotheyoungerandnewgenerations,whereitcomesfromandwhatourancestorshadtofightforinordertogetthere.”JessicaChamba,Vice-PresidentofJEF-Europe,2007-2009

“In40yearsEuropewillprobablyhavenotyetemergedtoafederalun-ion.TheEurocrisismighthaveyieldedabetterEurozoneGovernment,butaEuropeanvoicewillstillbenecessary.ThefinalsolutionofEuropehoweverwillnotmeanafarewellofthenationalstatesandsomekindofendoftime,butliesratherinafederalconstitution,thatwillkeepuptherulesforaconstantstrugglebetweenthedifferentlayers.ThereforeJEFwillalwayshasitsrole,notto mentioning spreading the JEF-Spirit and having fun at European activi-ties.”NiklasKramer,MemberofJEF-Europe’sFederalCommittee2011-

2013

“Now,ifIthinkofJEFin40years,Iseeaglobalyouthnetwork,basedinEurope,abletoofferavisionfortheEuropeanFederationintheworld.Agenerationahead,foranewEuropeanRenaissance.”SamuelePii,PresidentofJEF-Europe,2007-2009

“Iwas lucky tobePresidentof JEFata timewhentherewasa lotofoptimismaboutthefutureofEurope.Thatisnotthecasetodayanditishard

7272

tomaintainenthusiasmandmotivationwhenmanyarequestioningthebasicprinciplesoftheEuropeanproject.SomehowJEFhastobepartofthefight-backagainstthosewhoseeprotectionismandnarrownationalismasthesolu-tionstothechallengesweface.Thefederalistmovementneedstofindaposi-tivenarrativeforEuropeanintegrationwhichworksinthenew21stCenturyworldandwhichcanhelprestoreconfidenceintheEuropeanproject.-HowdoyouseeJEFin40years?Stilldynamic,stillenthusiastic,stillmotivated-andstillfun!”AlisonWeston,PresidentofJEF-Europe2001-2003

“In40yearswewillhave2052.BythenIam72andIhopetocatchupwithgoodfriendsattheFriendsofJEFanniversaryinBrussels.Just likeforpreviousyears,wewillcheereachotherforhavingcontributedtoEuropeanunificationanddiscussthesuccess(ornot)ofthecurrentEuropeangovern-ment.Unlike in theearlierdays, there isnomoreneed for fundraisingandsupportingJEFitselfbecauseithasdissolveditselfin2020whenthefinalstepstowardscompletionoftheEuropeanfederationwereaccomplished.”JanSeifert,PresidentofJEF-Europe2005-2007

“In 2052 JEF won’t be the JEF as we know it today, or as we have known it in the past four decades. As we will have – hopefully – achieved our ultimate goal of a full-fledged European federation, JEF will need to make sure to stay that ‘generation ahead’. I still see a titanic responsibility for JEF to keep the finger on the pulse in the process of European integration, to be the watchdog for a democratic, free and just European society... and of course to continue bringing together crazy young Europeans from all corners of our continent. Be the change you want to see in Europe!”RubenLoodts,Secretary-GeneralofJEF-Europe2010-2012

73

73

73

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEF!

To conclude this special edition of Thenewfederalist, we would like to leave the floor to our partner organisations.

Happy Birthday by Peter Matjašič,President of the

European Youth Forum

What would you say is the role of JEF in youth activism in Europe?

JEFhasaveryimportantrolegivenitsspecificnatureofbeingapoliticalbutnon-partisanyouthorganisationwithaparticularvisionforthefutureofEu-rope. Our values and ideas match those of broader democracy and humanrights,respectandmutualunderstandingbutinitsbeliefinafederalEuropeitismuchneededintheyouthsector.JEFneedstoensurethetransferofsuchideas and explaining why European integration is important, why a federalEuropeisthewayforward,whyconstantandcriticaldiscussionsonallrelevantEuropean issues areneeded andwhy citizens shouldbedirectly involved indecision-makingonthethingsthatconcernedthem,especiallytheyouth.Thisisneverending,challengingbutalsorewardingmissionandIcountonJEFtodeliver.

7474

What do you think JEF should focus on for the coming years?In timesofeconomichardshipandcrisisasEurope is facingrightnowJEFneedstobeabletopresentitsideasofwhyafederalEuropeistheanswerandhow.Thisneeds tobedone inyouth-friendlyandcitizens-friendlywayandwithoutprejudicetosometimesalsochallengethenotionsoftheEUasitexistsatthemoment.JEFisandalwayswillbeapro-Europeanorganisationbutitshouldn’tshyawayfromboldthinkingandcomingupwiththeunthinkable,justlikeitdidinthepast.ItwasJEFthatfirstcoinedtheterm“Euro”.ItwasJEFthatfirstcoinedtheterm“democraticdeficit”.ItwasJEFthatwasalwaysagenerationahead.Itneedstoliveuptothislegacyandbeagenerationthatcan think ahead without losing ground with its bases and connection withotherlike-mindedcivilsocietyactorsinEurope.Concretelythismeansbring-ingbackthef-wordandtheconsttutionaldebateintothecentreofEuropeandebates.Revivingandembracingitsoldpolicies,includingtheEurobondssug-gestionsandcallsforeconomicgovernancethefederalistswerecallingforevenpriortothestartofthecurrentcrisis.

75

75

75

Happy Birthday by Jo Leinen,President of the

European Movement International(EMI)

DearfriendsofJEF-Europe,

Congratulationsforthe40thanniversaryoftheoutstandingyouthorganisa-tionJEF-Europe.MembersofJEFhavealwaysbeenavant-gardeandvisionar-iesforaunitedEurope.FromthebeginningyoungpeoplefrominsideaswellasfromcountriesoutsideoftheEuropeanUnioncametogethertodiscussandenjoy.Already40yearsagoJEFhadtofightadeepcrisisintheformerEC,theso-called“eurosclerosis”.Forsomeyearstherewasastandstillofpoliticaldeci-sionmakingontheEuropeanlevel.

ThepriorityprojectintheseventieshasbeenthedirectelectionoftheEuropeanParliament.IrememberaJEF-EuropeactionwithleafletsandbannersinthehemicycleoftheParliamentaryAssemblyinStrasbourgcallingfordirectelec-tions.GaullistMPshavebeenchasingusforsuch“crazy”Europeandreams.Al-readysevenyearslaterthefirstdirectelectionstotheEuropeanParliamenttookplacein1979.InthecurrentfinancialcrisisJEF-Europemustshowthesameavant-gardistambition.AFederalPoliticalUnionisthelogicalconsequenceofthelackofcoherenceandlackofcompetenceforthemanagementofthisbigchallenge.Let’sworkforaConventionandatransparentdebatetowardsthecitizensinEurope.

TheEuropeanUniongrewfrom6to28MemberStates.JEF-Europeshouldworkfortheassociationandtheaccessionoftheother18Statesthataremem-bersoftheCouncilofEurope,butnotyetmembersoftheEuropeanUnion.TheprocessofEuropeanintegrationisonlyhalffinished.JEF-Europeneedsalotofgoodideasandpoliticalengagementforthenext40years.

76

Happy Birthday by Andrew Duff,President of

Union of European Federalists(UEF)

ThecontributionofJEFtotheEuropeanfederalistmovement is invaluable.ThebattleforafederalEuropeisinevitablyprovingtobealongone:intermsoftheOlympics,verymuchmoreofamarathonthanasprint.Onlythefittestsurvive.JeanMonnettoldustheimportanceofperseverance.Whenhediedin1979hewasaspritely91year-old-anexampleofperseverancefuelledbyrejuvenation.

IguessthatcollaborationbetweentheUEFandJEFhasbeenabitpatchyovertheyears.Youthfulexuberancemayhaveseemedtotheoldiestobeimpatience;conversely,youngerfederalistsmayhavebeenfrustratedbythesomewhatsam-eynatureofannualresolutionschurnedoutbytheadultorganisation.SummerjauntstoVentotenehelpedtobreakdownbarriers,buttheneedtohavesome-thinguniqueforyoungerEuropeanistswas,andis,self-evident.

Today,however,asEuropeapproaches its federalmoment,collaborationbe-tweenJEFandUEFiscloseandvital.It’salsofun.Attherecentjointfederalcommittee meeting in Leuven, older members were astonished to be intro-ducedtotheconceptofatwitwallwhereirreverenttweetssplasheduponalargescreencausingawelcomediversionfromgloomydebateaboutEurope’sescalatingcrisis.

AndFUN,ofcourse,meansFederalUnionNow.Andat40,whenlifereallybegins,youneedtohavefun.

HappyBirthdayJEF!

The activities of JEF-Europe are supported by the Youth in Action programme of the Eu-ropean Commission and the European Youth

Foundation of the Council of Europe.This publication reflects the views only of

the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

JEF-Europe would like to sincerely thanks all the contributors as well as Claire Darmé and

Chris Powers for the proofreading.

JEF-Europe – October 2013

JEF-EuropeSquare de Meeûs 25

B-1000, BrusselsBelgium

[Thanks to]

Designed by:Aurora Patera

The New Federalist

Documents

Transcript of The New Federalist