On the occasion of its 60th anniversary, the House of Europe, Paris, France, in cooperation with the Paris City Hall is organizing a debate on the theme « A Europe of Values » (“Une Europe des Valeurs) presented by two European political experts: Enrico LETTA, president of the Jacques Delors Institute, Dean of the School of International Affairs and Political Sciences, Paris (PSIA) and former president of the Italian Council of ministers and Frans TIMMERMANS, first vice-president of the European Commission.
What are the objectives of the exchanges? An in depth debate on the values and the links that unite Europeans!
The president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, has reported one of his priorities: « Our European Union is much more than a vast common market. It is also a Union of shared values, enshrined in the treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights. The citizens expect their governments to insure justice, protection and equality, as well as full respect of their fundamental rights and the rights of the State. This also requires joint action on the European level, on the basis of our common values… ».
In their exchanges, the two recall the incredible work of integration accomplished on the European scale over the last decades. In the domain of education, the Erasmus program is an example of success that has had a deep impact on younger generations. They also highlight the necessity of staying lucid in the face of questioning and legitimate worries by European citizens confronted with tumultuous and complex current events. Lastly, they conclude with an essential idea, placed at the heart of the FEDE project: « if younger generations awaken, the European dream will awaken as well ».
The FEDE shares the objectives and missions of the Paris House of Europe because by opening up to an active and inclusive European citizen, the Paris House of Europe explores the sense and future of the European project with a pluralistic and open perspective. Its program concentrates on Europe, its institutions, its borders and its place in the world with a particular importance given to citizenship and political participation, diversity, intercultural practices as well as economic, social and environmental issues.
