The ACLI international seminar on “Democracy and mobility in Europe: the role of workers' organisations”, was held in Munich (Germany) on 18-20 November 2023, funded with the support of EZA and the EU. The event was attended by approx. 100 representatives from workers' organisations from France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic and other non-European countries (as guests).
This event gave all the participants the opportunity to raise topics of high social relevance and to invite the European organisations whose remit is to promote social dialogue, work culture and civic participation to engage in a joint conversation.
The broad spectrum of participants consisted of people from different backgrounds, languages, generations and affiliations with associations, and we wanted to discuss the topic of Europe with them. The first day of the seminar started at Dachau where we visited the concentration camp as a place of remembrance of the darkest moment in the history of our continent, as there is a close connection with the tragic events of that time and the commitment to continuing and strengthening cooperation between countries.
“The European Union emerged from a place where oppression once ruled. These places of remembrance remind us every day that this is our Europe in which the ACLI operates: a Europe that has its origins in the concentration camps, but which emerged from the ruins to become a beacon of hope.” These words were spoken by Emiliano Manfredonia, national president of the ACLI. “Even today we have to see Europe through the eyes of those who believed in Europe many years ago. We must waste no time, even if the EU as a common and shared association has not yet submitted independent peace proposals because it lacks a common foreign policy. We must call for policies that bring people together and not to reassure them with empty words, but to provide some practical protection.”
Europe is a necessity, but not a natural outcome. Europe must therefore again be the focus, and only if countries work together can we tackle the issues and guarantee peace and sustainable development. However, Europe has lost its appeal and its ability to inspire hope.
Our task is to develop a concept of Europe that relates to people's lives and can be summarised in three simple words which are the heritage of all those who care about a new humanism: peace, work and equality. If we wish to build on this, we must return to the heart of the European dream, which goes beyond the communitisation of economic values and encompasses an economic system with a human face.
The second part of the seminar explored the path we are pursuing, and the speakers analysed the strategies that should be pursued by the European Union to ensure its role in the world, to combat inequalities and to guarantee social rights.
On the subject of peace, Daniela Dibenedetto, President of Com.It.Es Munich, said: “Internationalism is not the sum of many different nationalisms, but rather its opposite: the overcoming of nationalism. International trade, our working life driven by mobility and cooperation with other citizens in Europe are a guarantee for peace.”
“Why must a large portion of European funds be spent on armaments and military research? Why do other budget items in Europe and in the Member States fail to receive the same attention?” These questions were raised by Reiner Braun, Co-President of the International Peace Bureau. “We must have a new debate about how we want to create a social and democratic structure in Europe after the collapse of the old structure. We as citizens, churches, trade unionists and associations will have to do this, because the elites will not.”
Cinzia Del Rio, President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), explained the measures implemented or explored by the Union in the area of social rights. These measures cover various areas, from the Youth Guarantee, to labour mobility enshrined in the Posting of Workers Directive, the Child Guarantee for the younger citizens and to women-friendly policies through the implementation of the Pay Transparency Directive in May 2023.
Sabine Slawik from the Initiative for Europe explained the vital importance of women’s independence and what role associations play in the emancipation of women: “The independence of women and the role of associations in women's emancipation are critically important today. We must therefore continue to exchange best practices at an international level and be open to innovative social policies.”
“Associations and organisations must work together to make a real difference in the world of work,” added Stefan Riediger from the workers’ pastoral of the diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart. “What is important is working for and with employees, solidarity and a shared commitment.”
Norbert Kreuzkamp, a member of the board of directors of the ACLI in Germany, also had a crucial message for the seminar and urged us to “rediscover community participation in European processes. We often think things have never been as complicated as they are now, but Europe has witnessed so much tumult and has endured enormous suffering. However, Europe has always found the strength to rise up and tackle global geopolitical challenges in an active and participatory way. And, just as before, Europe can overcome these complexities today.”
A great example of democratic participation was demonstrated by young people under 30 who described their civic engagement in their respective youth organisations (ACLI Youth, A. Megliazzi Foundation, Young European Federalists, Youth Forum, National Youth Council of Italy and StudiCentro (European Student Organisation)) and in their mutual networking.
“Young people want to do something; they want to get involved and bring with them skills they want to use to serve their fellow human beings. They devote their time and effort to building a better future on the foundations of a better present,” said Simone Romagnoli, ACLI Youth National Coordinator. “Everything that is spent today, including under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), will burden the coming generations of tomorrow: we have the right to speak out and express our opinion on the modalities and guidelines that govern how these funds are used. It is therefore essential that young people are involved in decisions that affect this allocation and strategy process.”
And on the subject of young people: “How are youth associations in Europe supported? It is imperative that we consider how to make new investments in these associations: in Italy we lack these support options in the form of calls for tenders and projects at national level,” said Maria Cristina Pisani, President of the National Youth Council of Italy. “The work of these associations is not only hampered by a lack of resources and funding, they are also denied recognition of their social and structural role in the areas of employment and education. Our country must rediscover the impact of informal education.”
Various working groups were included in the seminar and were all asked to contribute. Everyone had to make the effort to move out of their comfort zone and be proactive. Participants formed small groups and discussed and exchanged experiences and ideas for a Europe-wide mobilisation as an employee association similar to an assembly of clergy (synod). The task was to analyse Europe inside and outside its borders and to also consider the perspective of those who are looking in at Europe from the outside.
Proposals to be adopted by our associations for a Europe that focuses on the interdependence of decent working, inclusion and the environment:
-Support the development of a common fiscal policy for a more equal Europe, including taxation directly managed by Europe, starting with large assets, multinational companies and financial speculation.
-Promote a community policy on mobility and the inclusion and commitment to appoint a commissioner responsible for this, based on a revision of the Dublin Agreement which focuses on solidarity. This type of policy must be based on the transferability of rights, on flexibility that is not forced but carefully managed and on a process of integration to create a sense of belonging which takes into account the non-European perspective.
-Mobilise to achieve a joint peace policy established to prevent and mediate in the event of a conflict with the perspective of a civil and military peace corps to work alongside the United Nations.
Proposal for a mobilisation campaign and the strategies for such:
-Launch an awareness campaign on participation in elections abroad and promote information points, commit to reducing bureaucratic obstacles and transparency in elections and promote the essential registration in the Register of Italians Living Abroad (AIRE).
-Conduct an information campaign about European directives.
-Implement an information and awareness campaign to focus on the politics and value of European institutions (increasing confidence in the positive aspects of remaining in Europe) and to counteract political disinterest and mistrust of consulates.
Proposal for a mobilisation campaign targeting young people and the strategies for such:
-In-person events/campaigns on social media.
-Mobilisation in schools (informal education, mediation and bring the European institutions closer through diversified strategies such as escape rooms).
-Local European Youth Events (EYE): the local European Youth Events bring a unique experience to the different European cities and regions and offer young people from all over our continent the opportunity to meet their peers, inspire each other and engage with experts, activists and decision-makers to exchange ideas.