Press release
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Brussels, June 20, 2017 – More than 250
non-government organisations from across Europe - EPA among them - have today released an
alternative vision for a more democratic, just and sustainable Europe. [1]
Intended to influence the debate on the future
direction of Europe, this alternative vision is endorsed by organisations
representing a multitude of public interest issues, including labour rights, culture,
development, environment, health, women’s rights, youth, and
anti-discrimination groups.
It comes ahead of a summit of EU leaders
this week with the key issues for Europe’s future on the agenda, including
migration, security, jobs and Brexit. This week also marks the one year
anniversary of the UK’s vote to leave the European Union (June 23) which
propelled questions about the future of Europe up the political agenda.
The vision describes a future for Europe in
which “sustainability sits firmly at the heart of the European project,” and
the EU focuses on “democracy and participation, social and environmental justice, solidarity and
sustainability, respect for the rule of law, and human rights both within
Europe and around the globe”.
The organisations are putting this scenario
for the future forward as an alternative to proposals from European Commission
President Jean-Claude Juncker, including five ‘Future of Europe’ scenarios
which are currently being consulted on with member states with first
conclusions due at the end of the year. [2]
For
SDG Watch Europe and Friends of the Earth Europe, Leida Rijnhout, said: “The five scenarios for the future of Europe
put forward by President Juncker are all deeply disappointing and have little connection
to the challenges that the European Union faces. Instead we need a bold vision
– an alternative sixth scenario – that puts social and environmental wellbeing
at the core. The implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development should
be absolutely key for a future that serves people and the planet, not vested
interests.”
General
Secretary of EPSU (European Public Service Union), Jan Willem Goudriaan, said: “Public services and
decent work are key ingredients for a fairer, more cohesive and sustainable
Europe. Everyone benefits from
investment in, for example, high quality public healthcare, social services,
education, and environmental services. Rather than liberalising public services
for the benefit of the few, Europe should develop a proactive strategy to
strengthen public investment and democratic accountability in the provision of quality
public services for all.”
Director
of CEE Bankwatch Network, Petr Hlobil, added:
“There is a crisis of imagination in Brussels. Reforming the EU Budget holds
part of the key to unlocking a progressive and inspiring new vision for Europe.
Innovating in how we involve citizens and civil society in EU
spending to build flourishing, sustainable futures, and designing EU finance to
create more equal societies through this great transition to sustainable
well-being, hold
the highest potential to reconnect people with the European project.”
Secretary
General of the European Public Health Alliance , Nina Renshaw, said: “We are all
living healthier lives today thanks to the EU, but it is only through their
continued action that we can tackle cross-border health challenges like
antimicrobial resistance and make sure we have a healthy population to unlock
the full potential of social and economic policies. 70% of Europeans want the
EU to do more on health – yet their voices go unheard. The debate on the future
of Europe is an unmissable opportunity to put better health at the heart of all
policies, ensure stronger protection for patients and consumers and better
access to healthcare, which will make a huge difference to all of us.”
Notes:
[1] 257 organisations are supporting
‘Scenario 6: Sustainable Europe for its Citizens’, see: http://www.foeeurope.org/sites/default/files/other/2017/sustainable-europe-for-citizens-6th-scenario.pdf
[2] The European
Commission's White Paper on the Future of Europe is available at: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/sites/beta-political/files/white_paper_on_the_future_of_europe_en.pdf
***
For more information please contact:
Friends of the Earth Europe/SDG Watch
Europe: Leida Rijnhout, Leida.Rijnhout@foeeurope.org,
+32 494 89 30 52
EPSU: Jan Willem Goudriaan, jwgoudriaan@epsu.org, +32 475 25 69 12
EPHA: Giulia Vettorem giulia@epha.org, +32 2 233 38
84
CEE BankWatch Network: David Holyoake, david.holyoake@bankwatch.org, +32
470 36 98 17
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