Dear all, 

In the past three and a half years, I had the chance to become instantly involved in the work of JEF as a part of the activities of my section: firstly at local level, and then gradually on national level. I have been a coordinator of a local section, then became PR representative at national level and member of the national board, and currently I am Secretary General of JEF-Macedonia. Being an active member of JEF for over three years evolved in a motivation to commit at European level and contribute with my specific background, potential, skills and experience. Therefore I’ve decided to run for a Federal Committee member and become a part of its work in the next two years.  

JEF gave me opportunity to gain useful knowledge in the past couple of years. It is basically focused on training, organizational skills, team working skills, creativeness and promoting the political ideas and visions of the young people in Europe and in Macedonia. I’ve organized several seminars, many workshops, a lot of street actions and other activities in my country. I was one of the main organizers of the very successful street action “Visa-forget about it”. At the same time I became active at European level by participating in several international seminars and attending the FCs in the past two years. I have also cooperated and made friendships with a lot of JEFfers from other sections in Europe. The experience I achieved is a starting point that leads to a new level of my involvement in JEF. It is really important to ensure the upgrading of all the member parts of which JEF is consisted. The diversity and different backgrounds of the members are unique base which ensures the wide range of activities, discussion and cooperation we can put into practice. I would stress out that the small sections can be successful in the promoting of our common ideas and goals and be active in JEF as the big sections, and this is a great advantage of ours. I will also like to support the idea of enlargement of EU as one of the most important political goals of the citizens of the Balkan countries-Europe without borders.  

I’m very glad to contribute with my personal skills and energy for ensuring the prosperity of JEF on European level and focus on the cause of united and federal Europe. As a part of the WG Branding, I’m eager to contribute to the development of the ways to promote the federalism and our political goals. I am ready to help to achieve stronger and more efficient JEF at all levels.  JEF has always been an organization to which I am personally very much attached. Moreover, I can see myself involved in its work and activities in the next two years and I’m willing to dedicate my personal motivation and potential to the development of our political ideas, its implementation and promotion. 

Yours,

Maja

Dear delegates, dear JEF friends

here the General Political Resolution supported by all EB and VP candidates. We hope it is a useful basis for our political debate in the Congress.

Federalist Greetings

Samuele Pii 

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Introduction – General Political Analysis Since the end of the Cold War, symbolised by the fall of the Berlin Wall and the peaceful revolution in the countries of Eastern Europe, the world has become a more multipolar place. Terrorist threats however have done everything else than making it a safer place.As the world’s oldest democracy, the United States of America is finding itself in a state of political crisis. Basic human and citizen rights guaranteed by the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights have become diluted, civil liberties have suffered and the country is torn apart by a war in Iraq that has cost the lives of hundreds of thousands of innocent human beings.Outside of Europe, many people expect the European Union to take over a more important role to face the challenges of security, the environment, and the gap between rich and poor countries.That is why there is the need of a strong Europe that promotes peace and acts together with the United Nations for stability, democracy, and a sustainable development.The principle of federalism and the model of European integration are clear and present examples that show how sustainable peace and cooperation among nations could be realised for all people around the world.The economies of China and India have gradually opened to the rest of the world, their hard-working people are steadily catching up with the wealth and prosperity that the US and large parts of Europe have gained and experienced since the end of World War II.Europe therefore has to live up to the expectations of its citizens and of the rest of the world in making a significant step to curbing the pollution of the atmosphere. It must convince other nations to join the global endeavour to lower emissions of greenhouse gases in order to stop global warming and prevent a fatal climate change.  Short run – From the Reform Treaty to the 2009 European Elections Since 2000, the European Union has almost reached the adoption of a constitution for the third time in history. In this process, national governments have been both an instrument and an obstacle. A season of hope started between 2000 and 2005. After the disappointing result of the European Council in Nice, the Laeken declaration called a Convention on the Future of Europe, where representatives of governments worked out reform proposals together with representatives of European institutions as well as members of national parliaments and the European parliament. Despite a consensus-based working method and the arrival of foreign ministers, the Convention presented a single project of clearly constitutional nature. After having been amended by an intergovernmental conference, the “Project Establishing a Constitution for Europe” was signed in Rome on October 29^th, 2004 by all the member-states of the European Union. However, after the rejection of the proposal in the referenda held in France and the Netherlands, some countries decided to take a break for reflection. JEF Europe denounces the suspension of the ratification process of the constitution project as a decision against the fundamental principle of international law: pacta sunt servanda! Furthermore, we denounce the choice of eighteen countries that did not defend the constitution project despite they had already ratified it in representation of the majority of population and member-states of the E.U. The European Union cannot continue to be a hostage of one or two countries. In order to surpass the unanimity rule, it will be necessary to let citizens speak in the future.JEF Europe is concerned by the current mistrust of governments towards the European project. It is sufficient to compare the Schuman declaration with the conclusions of the European Council of last June to understand how governments are now an obstacle to European integration.The new Reform Treaty proposal is the outcome of this political context. Denouncing the non-democratic method adopted to prepare the mandate of the IGC, we consider that if the RT was adopted, it would not solve the structural problems of the Union. A proof of this is the proposal made by the French president Nicolas Sarkozy to convoke a “wise people’s committee” to reflect on the future of the E.U. in 2020. Although we recognize some institutional innovations of the Reform Treaty, we consider that it is not the task of JEF Europe to promote its ratification. The European elections of 2009 represent a great occasion for a meeting between citizens and political forces that JEF Europe cannot miss. The relaunch of the constitutional perspective has to start from citizens. We invite European parties to create trans-national lists and to appoint their candidates to the presidency of the Commission. Moreover, we propose to compile a “Federal Agenda for a European Government” that presents proposals to implement as governmental acts. To reach this goal, we propose to open a phase of discussion internal and external to JEF. We believe that the 2009 European elections are the right moment to relaunch the image and the political message of our organization. We aspire to be spokespeople of a “new generation of young Europeans.”  Medium Run – Relaunch of the Constitution After the Reform Treaty it will be necessary to reopen the constitutional process. The reasons for having a European constitution are still valid and the fears of governments towards European symbols are not justified. In the medium run we are confident that the new elected Parliament will take a new constitutional initiative. The EP will have to formulate reform proposals while asking to call a Constituent Assembly and indicating what to do in case of the absence of unanimity in the ratification process. The future of Europe cannot be entrusted to a “wise people’s committee.” Only an elected Constituent Assembly with voting power could have the legitimacy to decide on our Europe. In this perspective, it could be very useful to relaunch the message of the European referendum campaign: “Let the European people decide!” We consider it crucial to prepare at once a network between political forces and the civil society without which a future campaign for a true federal constitution approved by citizens through a European referendum could not be successful. We believe that a large majority of Europeans is in favour of a more united and stronger Europe.  A New Generation for a United Europe The next political challenges also demand some internal changes in our organization. In order to relaunch JEF, it is necessary to explore new paths, to invent new solutions. In order to ensure a future to JEF, we have to share our work and promote tools to cooperate at each level. At the same time, we think about an open-minded JEF that is able to speak to other young people around the planet. There is no “Europe of results” without a vision. We offer our vision. Let’s continue to work in this perspective to honour the memory of Altiero Spinelli in the occasion of the 100^th anniversary of his birth and to prepare ourselves together to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the treaties of Rome. We are the new generation for a United Europe.