CEC/KEK: Church and Society Commission: Europe Day – European Churches welcomed Plan D for Democracy, Dialogue and Debate (9 may 2006)

9 May 2006: Europe Day

EUROPEAN CHURCHES SUPPORT “PLAN D”. A BROAD DISCUSSION ON THE FUTURE OF EUROPE NEEDED

Fresh thinking, a new and positive vision as well as the involvement of civil society are needed in order to maintain the dynamics of the European project and to “bring Europe closer to its citizens”. This is one of the conclusions of the discussion on the future of Europe in the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), which met in Sigtuna, Sweden, last week.

The Church and Society Commission welcomed “Plan D” for Democracy, Dialogue and Debate, launched by the European Commission after the “No” to the Draft Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe in the referenda in France and in the Netherlands, as well as initiatives of the European Parliament and other European institutions contributing to the “period of reflection”.

The Church and Society Commission is a part of the discussion on the future of Europe and is working on its own contribution to Plan D and to other initiatives responding to this call. At the same time the Commission encouraged all member churches of CEC to get involved in national discussion processes.

A survey among the participants from 18 European countries represented at the meeting in Sigtuna revealed, however, that rather few national discussion and reflection processes have started. Present proposals and initiatives from the European Commission and its Member States do not seem to be sufficient to revive the debate. In many countries churches belong to those organisations which demand, encourage and initiate a debate involving civil society.

On several occasions, not least in the debate on the Draft Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe, the churches have already named elements of their vision of Europe and urged the European Institutions to take the concerns of the people seriously (cf press release 05-30, 10 June 2005). The meeting of the Church and Society Commission reminded people of the origins of the European Union as a peace and reconciliation project. The Union needs a clear vision, meaning and commitment, which would go beyond the aim of economic prosperity and be able to inspire all its citizens. Spirituality and moral values need to be a part of this effort.

The Church and Society Commission plenary meeting reiterated that Europe must be based on values such as human dignity, freedom, justice and solidarity. It is crucial that the economic development of Europe be accompanied by social cohesion and environmental protection as integral elements of policies introduced by all European institutions, as well as by the EU Member States.

Finally, the Commission urged that the role of the European institutions for a global context and for countries which, for the foreseeable future, will not belong to the European Union should be taken into account. Transparency in the European decision-making process needs to be strengthened and emphasised.

The Church and Society Commission re-committed itself to contribute to a positive vision of Europe in a global context. It will actively participate in the ongoing debate and introduce its vision in its dialogue with all European Institutions, as e.g. with the European Commission, the European Parliament, in its meetings with the present and forthcoming EU Presidencies and others. The process leading to the organising of the 3rd European Ecumenical Assembly in 2007 in Sibiu places the theme of the future of Europe, its link to spirituality as well as to other dimensions of life on the continent, at the centre of its attention. Churches in Europe offer in this way their contribution to the needed discussion.

(Conference of European Churches – Press Release 8 May 2006)

The Conference of European Churches (CEC) is a fellowship of some 125 Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican and Old Catholic Churches from all countries of Europe, plus 40 associated organisations. CEC was founded in 1959. It has offices in Geneva, Brussels and Strasbourg.

For information:
Church and Society Commission of CEC
Donatella Rostagno
+32 2 23 46 836
e-mail dro@cec-kek.be
CEC Office of Communications
Luca Negro
Phone +41 22 791 64 85 or 791 63 25
Fax +41 22 791 62 27
e-mail Luca.Negro@cec-kek.org