Dear Europeans,

After agreeing on the procedures for the meetings of the Convention, the Convention members have begun to focus on their political task: proposing far-reaching reforms for the future of Europe. The Presidium has therefore decided to establish up to nine Convention working groups.
After discussing the broad missions of Europe, the Convention will focus in their next meeting on the question of a future division of competences for the European Union. Several Convention members have already begun to propose solutions to this question. Nevertheless, many of these ideas are very vague. In this edition we take the opportunity to present some clearer ideas on the question of the competences.

We believe that these issues need to be discussed in more depth. We have established a discussion forum which, after a test-phase, will now be launched on Europe Day, 9 May, at www.constitutional-convention.net. There you can comment on articles of the Bulletin or on any questions linked to the work of the Convention. On 9 May there will be more details on this in a short special edition of the Convention Bulletin.

„This treaty should define the final goal of the EU, without limiting our different competences. Listing competences is meaningless, we have to organise them better and define better the instruments for implementation. Our aim is not to monopolise or centralise: the EU has to maintain its diversity. There is no contradiction between the strengthening of competences and the decentralisation which is under way in some countries. This is the principle of subsidiarity at all levels. What we can do together better at the European level should be done at the European level.“

Vice President of the Convention Jean-Luc Dehaene, speaking at the Youth Forum Council of Members, 27 April 2002.

Youth Forum Council of Members, 27 April 2002

On why we need the Convention:

Enlargement represents a historical chance to reunite Europe, for the first time by political agreement. By 2004-5 we will welcome our first accession countries. What became clear in this process is that enlargement and the launch of monetary union were going to modify Europe considerably, and grant it a different dimension and size. We were therefore faced with a new institutional challenge: to maintain a level of efficiency in the decision-making process, and to prevent enlargement coming to a standstill. This enlargement also has a political dimension that the other enlargements did not have – this has a much stronger political dimension in the sense of reunifying Europe. It will also have to operate in a different global context than in the past, post-Cold War world. The globalisation process has imposed new challenges on us and on the EU. An integrated Europe taking a single stand would be a power at world level. The EU has a social and economic model different from those implemented in the US and therefore we need to play our specific part in the world. Citizens are more aware of this than politicians. Citizens expect politicians to provide internal security, and to play a role in the Balkan states and the Middle East – these are areas where we are not sufficiently able to act. As Tony Blair said, the aim of Europe is not only to make sure that peace is maintained, our main goal is for us to be at world level a power which has to be taken on board in any kind of policy. This is only possible if we act together.

The traditional method of the intergovernmental conference is not able to define this leap forward that we need. We need to build a new Europe that can build a role in the 21st Century at world level and with citizens. The classical IGCs were unable to find the relevant answers. This is the reason for the establishment of the Convention, with the Charter on Fundamental Rights as the inspiration.

The Convention on the Future of Europe is a historic event and opportunity for advancing the project on the integration of Europe. The only Green's full member in the Convention is Johannes Voggenhuber MEP, from the Austrian Green Party.

In that context a website has been created to serve as an information and
communication platform for the Greens throughout Europe, the Civil Society and the broad public. The objective is to provide unique openness and up-to-date information on the issues within and around the European Convention as well as a platform for broad discussion.

Zusammenfassung des Hearings vom 4. April mit den Gewerkschaften und NROs zum Konvent

Von der Fraktion der Grünen/Europäische Freie Allianz wurde am 4. April in Brüssel ein Treffen mit Vertretern von Gewerkschaften und Nichtregierungsorganisationen im Rahmen der Arbeit des Konvents und der diesbezüglichen Mobilisierung des Dialogs mit der gesamten Gesellschaft durchgeführt. Anbei finden sie eine kurze Synthese der Ergebnisse dieses Treffens.

Lehren aus der Arbeit zur Charta der Grundrechte:
Die meisten der anwesenden Vertreter der Zivilgesellschaft, die auch schon die Arbeit im Grundrechtskonvent verfolgt haben, haben ein negatives Urteil über die Art ihrer Beteiligung abgegeben. Wenn auch festgestellt wurde, dass die Methode des Konvents eine substantielle Neuerung gegenüber der Regierungskonferenz bedeut, und es eine Methode ist die es ihnen zum ersten Mal erlaubt sich aktiver einzubringen und die ihnen eine Rolle zugesteht gab es doch massive Kritik an der Arbeitsmethode im Grundrechtskonvent als auch an der Art der Annahme der Charta. Zugang zu Information wurde laut einigen Vertretern mit demokratischer Debatte verwechselt.

http://www.euractiv.com/cgi-bin/cgint.exe?14&OIDN=1503345

Mr. President,
Dear Colleagues,

1. Context

When speaking about the future missions of Europe and the competences of the European institutions we must realize that our own task and our great opportunity is to lay down a draft treaty comprising a brave vision on Europe. We do not have the right to miss this opportunity. Our activity should be not limited to a mere reform of what is today the European Union, but it must result in a project of a new Europe, the united Europe of tomorrow. That Europe should integrate all the valid achievements of the actual Union, while responding adequately to the present and future challenges.

The Convention cannot limit itself to an institutional improvement only to solve Nice’s leftovers. The stake is much higher. We have gathered here to debate and to agree on a “Constitutional Treaty for Europe”. That is not only to yield a corrective act but also to engage in a creative work.

Président de l'association Confrontations
15 avril 2002

PROPOSITIONS POUR LA CONVENTION

I. L’Acte Constitutif d’une communaute plurinationale

1. L’objectif de la Convention

Après l’échec de la Conférence intergouvernementale de Nice, une Convention principalement composée d’élus, transparente, ouverte aux avis des sociétés civiles, relève les défi des réformes de l'Union européenne et suscite l'espérance.
Elle doit définir elle-même l’objectif politique de ses travaux.
S’agit-il d’élaborer une Constitution? L’idée est belle, mais elle implique que des peuples, animés par des mouvements sociaux et politiques porteurs de l'unité de l'Europe, dialoguant dans un espace public pan-européen, délibèrent cette Constitution. Aujourd'hui cette dynamique, cet espace n'existent pas. Sachant l'ampleur des difficultés politiques et des inquiétudes dans nombre de pays d'Europe, nous ne pensons pas que la Convention soit en mesure de pallier à ce manque, d'engendrer un affectio societatis, de produire une Constitution viable, animant l'esprit de citoyenneté européenne. Par contre elle doit contribuer, avec d'autres initiatives civiques et sociales, à enclencher cette dynamique.

C'est pourquoi nous proposons qu'elle travaille à un acte constitutif voué à clarifier d'abord à quoi sert l'Union, ce que nous voulons faire ensemble. Dans la période de transition où nous sommes, élaborer les objectifs, prouver la capacité de réaliser des politiques communes concrètes et mobilisatrices, rendre démocratique le fonctionnement de l'Union autour d'un agenda visible et de pouvoirs de contrôle et d'implication effectifs : voilà les priorités.. Nous mettons en garde contre le risque pour la Convention d’expédier rapidement la phase de travail sur les objectifs et de s’abîmer dans l’âpre controverse des compétences et des procédures, bien sûr nécessaire mais dont le sens serait perdu de vue.

http://european-convention.eu.int/doc_register.asp?lang=EN&Content=CONTR

http://european-convention.eu.int/discours.asp?lang=EN&Content=Discours

At a meeting in Brussels on Thursday 25 April 2002, the youth political organisations of the Youth Contact Group for the Convention agreed to adopt the Youth Manifesto for the Future of Europe as the basis for their future political cooperation. The Youth Contact Group was established on 24 February 2002 to ensure that the voices of young people are included in the Convention process. It includes JEF, LYMEC, YEPP, ECOSY, FYEG, DEMYC, EDS, ETUC Youth, IUSY, and ATD Quatre Monde, and is open to all youth organisations which wish to join.

The Youth Manifesto was launched last October at a Youth Convention which brought together 700 young people from all over Europe. The Manifesto sets out a vision of a united and democratic European Federation, and asks the Convention to produce a genuine Federal Constitution for the whole of Europe.

The Youth Contact Group will present more detailed contributions to the Convention, building on the principles of the Youth Manifesto, in the coming weeks and months.

Alison Weston

European Federation Now!

Over 50 years have passed since the Schuman Declaration launched the first European Community as “the first assize of a European Federation”. But today Europe is still weak and divided. It continues to be ruled by people elected to run their national governments according to their national interests and not by people elected to run Europe according to the European interest. European democracy and European citizenship remain only slogans as the European citizens still don’t have the right to directly decide, with their vote, the government and the policies of Europe. Europe's independence and sovereignty on the global stage are still only distant aspirations. The global challenges of the new millennium are far from being met. Where is Europe heading? What do we, as Europeans, want Europe to become? Together and strong in the European Federation or divided and weak in the era of globalisation? These are the choices Europe is facing today, the stakes in the debate on the future of Europe launched in Nice.

The Enlargement of the European Union to new countries should become the joint venture of West and East in a solid and democratic political community, not only the extension of a market with a single currency. Globalisation should become a source of prosperity and not of impoverishment for all Europeans. The European model should be preserved and enriched. Europe should become a united and independent actor in global politics, able to promote a secure world order based on the values of freedom and democracy, solidarity and common prosperity, rule of law and human rights, and protection of the environment. To make all this possible, Europe needs ambition and courage. Europe needs an act of will. It's time for the European Federation.

YOUTH CONVENTION: YOUNG EUROPEAN FEDERALISTS CALL FOR AN ONGOING DEBATE WITH EUROPEAN YOUTH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday 2 May 2002
For the attention of Newsdesks
Contact: Marianne Bonnard, tel: 32 2 512 00 53

The Young European Federalists (JEF) believe that the proposed Youth Convention, to be held 11-12 July 2002, offers a good opportunity to raise the public profile of the work of the Convention and to encourage debate among young people about the future of Europe.

The meeting was organised by the Economic and Social Committee, in particular by Ms Anne Marie Sigmund (President of Group III) in cooperation with the ESC Secretariat. Mr Dehaene was invited to the meeting with various representatives from NGOs, to present which are the main priorities for the Convention in the next months, and how to develop some concrete ideas for a direct cooperation between civil society and the Convention. JEF was present at this meeting, together with other youth NGOs and the representatives from the youth political parties.

Mr Dehaene explained how he sees this cooperation, in order to be realistic but at the same time effective. Then representatives from a lot of different NGOs took the floor presenting their expectations regarding the outcomes and the cooperation with the Convention. He presented as well the Youth Convention that will take place in Brussels in July 2002.

“Thus the important thing is to clarify, simplify and adjust the division of competence between the Union and the Member States in the light of the new challenges facing the Union.” With these words the declaration of the European Council of Laeken points out one of the most crucial issues of the Convention. Nevertheless the question arises why there is a need to change the current system of competences.

One of the most frequent criticisms about the EU is definitely its lack of transparency. The normal citizen has no real overview of which task is fulfilled at which level. The current system of competence is a product of negotiations and package-deals between the governments. Thus there is no clear and coherent system behind it.

JEF’s demand to the Convention, Brussels, 15 April 2002

The European Union is too complex and bureaucratic. Citizens find it difficult to understand, and accountability and transparency in decision-making – fundamental principles of democracy – are often lacking. This leads to fears of a Brussels super-state. These fears have to be tackled. It is only with the support of the citizens that the European project can be a success.

The current allocation of competences, the result of repeated negotiations and political compromises, lacks consistency. The system by which competences are allocated in order to fulfil the aims and goals of the EU causes conflicts on competence between the different levels and is not transparent to the public. The principle of subsidiarity as it is laid down in the treaty has failed in preventing this process.

Bonjour à tous !

The new contribution of the Young Europeans-France to the Convention is available online.

http://www.jeunes-europeens.org/agir/debat.php
http://www.jeunes-europeens.org/agir/appel_convention.pdf

Alix Masson
Secrétaire nationale à la communication
mailto:lixou@club-internet.fr

Monday 29 April 2002

DEHAENE ENCOURAGES YOUTH ORGANISATIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FORTHCOMING YOUTH CONVENTION

At the European Youth Forum's Council of Members meeting held on 26-27 April 2002 in Brussels, Convention Vice-President Jean-Luc Dehaene encouraged youth organisations to participate in the forthcoming Youth Convention to be held on 11-12 July 2002.

Adopted by the Council of Members
Brussels, April 25-27 April 2002

INTRODUCTION

The Declaration of Laeken has defined the mandate of the European Convention which will consider the key questions for the European Union's future development and try to identify possible responses. The Convention will be an important step in the history of the European Union. The European Youth Forum welcomes the fact that the issues at stake are addressed in this form as it will allow for a public debate on questions that concern all citizens in Europe. The Convention has set up a Civil Society Forum and youth organisations have declared their commitment to making a contribution to the work of the Convention.

Thursday 25 April 2002, Youth Forum Council of Members

45 persons representing more than 35 organisations constituting the Interest Group on the “Future of Europe”, convened for about two hours to discuss the EU Convention and the future of Europe in general.

In the light of the European White Paper on Youth Policy and the Laeken Declaration where the framework was set up for the participation of youth on the local, national and European level, the following issues were brought up in the discussion:

Hufvudstadsbladet (13) publishes a column by Simon-Erik Ollus, Chairman of the international committee of the Finnish Youth Co-operation Allianssi. Mr Ollus hopes that the EU would listen to its young citizens. Ollus writes about the Convention, which is dubbed to be a "club of old hats". He adds that it is no wonder the EU suffers from a legitimacy crisis among the young people, as it is the young people who do not vote in the European elections or know the complicate policy-making procedures of the EU. Ollus criticises the idea of the Youth Convention of the EU, as there is a possibility that it will only remain a conference amongst many others. Ollus suggests more openness in the EU and national discussions about the EU's future.

Simon-Erik Ollus, Allianssi

ECOSY Bureau Meeting
Valencia, 19th – 21st April 2002

1. European Young Socialists welcome the establishment of the Convention working on the Future of Europe. We think that the involvement of representatives of the EU, its member states and the applicant countries and particularly the strong participation of parliamentarians allow starting deep and forward-looking discussions. The Convention provides the chance to raise public interest and to win people’s support for the European project by stimulating public and transparent debates about the Europe of tomorrow. After the obvious problems of Intergovernmental Conferences to face the existing challenges and following the positive example of the Convention elaborating the Charter of Fundamental Rights, this Convention on the Future of Europe can be the place to discuss about the interests of people, not about so-called “interests of nations”.

2. ECOSY regrets the almost non-existing nomination of young people and is disappointed by the fact that only a few women were nominated as members of the Convention. We emphasise the necessity to allow an open discussion and welcome the steps taken by the Convention members to limit the competence of the Convention Praesidium. We support the strengthened role that was finally given to representatives of applicant countries.

JEF Appeal to the Constitutional Convention for a European Federation

9 May: Europe Day for Europe’s Future

The Convention on the Future of Europe has the opportunity to lay the foundations for a genuine European democracy, and to make the Union fit for the challenges of today and the opportunities of tomorrow. It has the possibility to establish a united and enlarged Europe which is a solid and democratic political community, close to its citizens, not only a market with a single currency.