Aktuelles > EM Germany Newsletter October 2023 | 75 Years of the European Movement International
EM Germany Newsletter October 2023 | 75 Years of the European Movement International
Exactly 75 years ago, on 25 October 1948, the international umbrella organisation of the European Movement Germany, the European Movement International (EMI), was founded. Its aim was to strengthen the vision of a Europe based on common values, democracy, human rights, solidarity and cooperation and to put it into practice. It involved over 700 delegates from all over Europe, including Winston Churchill, Konrad Adenauer, Harold Macmillan, François Mitterrand, Paul-Henri Spaak, Albert Coppé and Altiero Spinelli.
The founding of the EMI in 1948 was a direct response to the horrors of the Second World War. Our movement was and still is a motor for democracy, human rights and the European integration process, bringing together citizens and political and economic actors in 39 countries. Then as now, we must act as bridge builders and mediators between actors and countries and emphasise the importance of European cooperation for peace, freedom and security in our societies. The European idea must be defended particularly vehemently in these times of attacks from within and without. I am fully committed to this as part of the EMI Board.
On today’s 75th anniversary of the EMI, let us be aware of what we pro-European forces have achieved in the last decades and draw strength from it to continue to stand up for our convictions day after day.
Yours,
Tobias Köck
Vice President of European Movement International
EM Germany News
United into COP28 – EBD De-Briefing Environment | At the EBD De-Briefing Environment Dr. Wolfgang Seidel, Head of Unit EU coordination and Europe Commissioner at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), and Elisa Oezbek, Policy Advisor at the Unit Foreign Climate Policy, International Climate Protection, UNFCCC at the Federal Foreign Office, discussed the results of the Council meeting on 16 October. The focus was on the treatment of municipal waste water, CO₂ emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles, the EU’s contribution to the UNFCCC and the EU’s goals for the upcoming climate conference (COP28) from 30 November to 12 December in Dubai. | More (in German)
Landmark elections in Poland – EM Germany President on SWR Aktuell | In an interview on SWR Aktuell EM Germany President Dr. Linn Selle analysed the election results in neighbouring Poland and gave her assessment of a possible Polish turnaround in European policy and its effects. EM Germany’s President considered the victory of the opposition as a paradigm shift in European politics, with which national populism could be voted out. The election results from Poland are thus a good sign for Europe. | More (in German)
Secretary General Bernd Hüttemann in Istanbul | In Istanbul, Secretary General Bernd Hüttemann met with the board of the European Movement Turkey and participated in the Istanbul Conference 2023 of the Berlin Bosphorus Initiative (BBI). EM Germany focuses on the networking of societal actors and interest groups who want to promote democracy and the rule of law in all countries of the Council of Europe. Therefore, European Public Diplomacy with the members and partner organisations of EM Germany and within the European Movement International (EMI) is of high importance. | More (in German)
Dr. Linn Selle in panel talk at the 22nd Annual Conference of the German Council for Sustainable Development | Under the topic „Overcoming blockades: new paths in sustainability policy!“ Reiner Hoffmann, President of the German Council for Sustainable Development, and Dr. Linn Selle talked about the current challenges of the European Union and the agenda of the upcoming European election campaign. In the talk, EM Germany’s President emphasised the need for more effective instruments to uphold European values and strengthen its position on the political world stage. EM Germany is committed to reforms to secure the capacity to act and parliamentarism as well as to strengthen the voice of EU citizens. | More (in German)
EM Germany’s President attends the Autumn University of the European Movement France | This year, the European Movement France welcomed many participants and guests to its Autumn University in Strasbourg from 5 to 8 October 2023. EM Germany’s President Dr. Linn Selle took part in the panel discussion on the topic of „Election campaigns everywhere in Europe: what is at stake?“. Here, Selle emphasised the importance of upholding and promoting European values and fundamental rights in the member states, candidate countries and partner countries. In particular, the role of the Council of Europe must be sustainably strengthened and better communicated to the public. | More (in German)
College of Europe – Meeting of representatives of national selection committees in Natolin | The application phase at the College of Europe, the oldest institute for postgraduate European Studies in Bruges and Natolin, is in full swing. And while interested students can still apply for the academic year 2024/25 until 16 January 2024, our respective Project Manager Martin Hölscher as well as our European Policy Officer Fabian Häring had the opportunity to network with the other selection committees, current students and staff of the College of Europe in Natolin and exchange experiences with the selection process. In addition, in the spirit of European Public Diplomacy, the visit was used for networking and exchange with members and partner organisations of EM Germany in Warsaw. | More (in German)
EM Germany’s President Dr. Linn Selle in an interview with Deutschlandfunk on the EPC meeting | The European Political Community (EPC) met in Granada with the aim of promoting political dialogue and cooperation. EM Germany’s President Dr. Linn Selle explained in an interview with Deutschlandfunk Kultur that the informal meeting of the 47 leaders from all over Europe opened up channels of discussion. At the same time, Dr. Selle questioned the necessity of a new event format, as all of the EPC states are already members of the Council of Europe. | More (in German)
Design Regulation and Euro 7 in focus at EBD De-Briefing Competitiveness | The agenda of the Competitiveness Council on 25 September covered a wide range of topics such as the review of EU design protection legislation, general orientation on the Euro 7 Regulation and EU pharmaceutical legislation from a competitiveness perspective. Explanations and background information on these were provided at the EBD De-Briefing by Dr. Sonja Eisenberg, Head of Unit EB3 for EU Internal Market and the SOLVIT Unit at the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK). The event was moderated by Fabian Häring (EM Germany). | More (in German)
College of Europe: digital consultation hour on 2 November 2023 | The application phase at the College of Europe in Bruges and Natolin is in full swing. Anyone who is interested in a postgraduate Master in European Studies, has questions about the current application phase, teaching and life on campus in Bruges or Natolin, is cordially invited to join our digital consultation hour! Current students will be available to answer all questions about application, studies, everyday life on campus and academic expectations on 2 November 2023 from 4:30 PM. | More (in German)
From the (international) network
Poland has voted and after eight years of the PiS party in government the cards might be reshuffled. How the German-Polish relations will continue after 2023 and how EU legislation affects local issues will be discussed at the Citizen’s Dialogue organised by the Europa-Union Germany on 13 November 2023. In addition to Dietmar Nietan, Coordinator of German-Polish Cooperation of the German Federal Government, and Aleksandra Rybińska, Board Member of the Foundation German-Polish Cooperation, other experts will participate. | More (in German)
The eighth edition of the Women Europe Award is coming up. European Movement International (EMI) together with the European Women’s Lobby invite you to the BELvue Museum in Brussels on 9 November 2023 to honour the work of inspiring women in Europe. The award is recognises women who stand up for European values like democracy, integration and diversity. | More
#Nachgefragt bei… Eva Maydell MdEP
With the format „Nachgefragt bei“, voices from European politics regularly have their say in the form of a short interview. On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the European Movement International (EMI), Eva Maydell, Member of the European Parliament and President of the European Movement International (EMI), answers our questions.
Ms. Maydell, this year the European Movement International celebrates its 75th anniversary. Looking back at the past, what is the significance of European Movement International for the process of European integration?
„The history of the EU and the EMI are strongly intertwined. Since the end of the Second World War, the EMI has been one of the greatest champions and drivers of European Unity and has helped shape the EU as we know it. It played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Council of Europe, the European Convention on Human Rights, and the creation of the College of Europe in Bruges. To this day, the EMI continues to be a megaphone for the voices of citizens everywhere, something highlighted once again at the Conference on the Future of Europe and our ongoing work in support of Ukraine.
Being the President of the EMI has been one of the greatest privileges of my career. I am very aware and humbled by the fact that I occupy a position once held by great Europeans like Robert Schuman, Paul-Henri Spaak, and Pat Cox. As the EMI’s first female and Eastern European president, I believe we continue to show that not only are we proud of our legacy, but that we are an organisation that represents modern Europe.“
Upcoming Events
26.10.2023 | EBD De-Briefing AGRIFISH with Dr. Andreas Flach, Director in the Department for EU Coordination with a focus on agriculture and Council of Agricultural Ministers in the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL).
31.10.2023 | EBD De-Briefing European Council with Sibylle Katharina Sorg, Head of the European Department at the Federal Foreign Office (AA), and Dr. Kirsten Scholl, Head of the European Department at the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK)
More information
Our Presidency Calendar on the Spanish EU Council Presidency contains all dates of the semester.
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