Short Intro to JEF
"Simply a generation ahead!"
A noble mission...
JEF is a pan-European network of enthusiastic and dynamic young people who profoundly believe that Europe is our future and who commit themselves to make it an even better place to live in! According to the Statutes, the goal of JEF is the creation of a democratic European federation as a crucial ingredient for peace, a guarantee for a more free, just and democratic society and a first step towards a world federation. JEF promotes true European Citizenship, works for the widening and deepening of the EU and strives for a more just and integrated society on the European continent. The Statutes also stipulate that JEF is independent from all political parties and ideologies and pursues its objectives autonomously. Nevertheless, the organisation can of course participate in the exchange of opinions and experiences with political movements, public institutions, associations and the general public.
JEF aims at bringing Europe closer to the Citizens and the Citizens closer to Europe. To this end, the organisation aspires to develop a better understanding of European Federalism, advances the implementation of the federalist ideals and concentrates its action on the achievement of international democracy and efficient, democratic and transparent decision-making through respect for federal principles in Europe and beyond.
...of an active organisation...
JEF is a pan-European youth organisation consisting of about 30.000 members in 30 European countries. "JEF-Europe" is the name of the umbrella organisations that represents the individual members active on the local, regional or national level in their respective sections. The representatives of the national sections come together every two years at the European Congress where the delegates elect a number of Federal Committee (FC) members and an Executive Bureau (EB) with a mandate of two years. The Federal Committee, in which also national delegates are represented, meets twice a year and is responsible for outlining the organisational and political priorities on which the Executive Bureau should act. The Executive Bureau is responsible for the management of the organisation and is assisted in this by the European Secretariat.
... with concrete political and organisational objectives...
The biannual Congress defines the general political guidelines of the organisation in the Political Programme which includes the long-term goals relating to: 1) Federal Philosophy and Principles, 2) Federal Institutions and 3) Federal Policies. On the basis of the input from the Federal Committee, the Executive Bureau outlines its ambitions in the Work Plan for which it will be held accountable by the Federal Committee. This Work Plan contains the organisational priorities of JEF-Europe. The Executive Bureau receives political input from the Political Commissions (PCs) of the FC and organisational input from the Working Groups (WGs) of the FC. These PCs and WGs are chaired by members of the FC but they are open for any JEFer who is interested in contributing to their work!
...results in plenty of activities all across the continent!
JEF presents to its members the ideal combination of "Politics & Fun" designing a wide variety of activities, such as international exchanges, campaigns and pan-European actions, for a new and stronger European Union that is able to rise to the cross-border challenges of our interconnected societies. We dream of an increasingly united Europe, based on the principles of democracy, human rights, the rule of law, subsidiarity and civic participation and thus organise our events from this angle. Check out our Calendar regularly and subscribe to the JEF-INFO Newsletter!
JEF spreads its ideas by the following means:
- Campaigns to lobby over a longer period of time for a specific federalist cause.
- Street actions mobilising the entire network to raise awareness of burning European issues among the general public.
- International events such as seminars and trainings on a wide range of topics in different EU and non-EU countries.
- A multilingual, interactive webzine "The New Federalist" where youth can voice its opinion in articles on current European affairs.
- Projects that implement a specific goal and for which specific funding was received.
- Press releases for the advocacy of our objectives towards both public and private organisations.
Consequently, the organisation encourages debate on European affairs and EU policies while fostering youth mobility and exchanges throughout the continent. JEF thus advocates for a culture of active youth participation and volunteering in Europe and draws on methods of intercultural learning and understanding. Working towards bridging the democratic deficit in the EU, the organisation seeks to involve European Citizens, in particular young people, from all across the continent in the process of European integration.
So, are you interested in getting involved in this organisation that is simply a generation ahead? Well then, join JEF!
JEF-Europe