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• In Memoriam: Altiero Spinelli
• Partners and other events
• Jobs and internships

 

Dear JEFers, dear friends,

We proudly deliver you our JEF-INFO newsletter Issue 2011-08! In this JEF-INFO you can read about all issues at stake in our organisation and beyond, like 'Europe without Borders', our reaction against the reintroduction of border controls in Europe; a report on Europe Day in Brussels and the seminar in Berlin; the call for the yearly Ventotene federalist Seminar and other news from the sections.

Enjoy your read!

Your European Secretariat

 

Europe without borders - JEF against the reintroduction of border control in Europe

In the last days, many of our members and our sympathizers expressed, in different ways, their opposition to a potential reform of Schengen and the attempt to reintroduce border checks between Member-States.

JEF-Europe strongly supports such initiatives and invites all JEFers to use their creativity to launch initiatives all over the continent!

What can YOU do?

• In order to assist everyone in this reaction, we designed a profile picture for Facebook which is available on the JEF-Europe Facebook Fanpage.
• A Facebook fanpage “Europe without Borders” was created, in partnership with our friends from European Alternatives. We invite you to like it and to use it as an amplifier for your actions and your mobilization against border control in Schengen.
• All the pictures of your events will be proudly published on our Flickr account, please forward them to schengen@jef.eu
• We also invite you to personally contribute with articles for thenewfederalist.eu in one of the four languages of our webzine. You can send your articles to tnf@jef.eu
• So far, some actions are being planned by some of our sections, in Brussels, Paris, Prague and Germany.

Thank you all for your reaction towards the attacks directed against one of the most fundamental pillars of European integration!

On 17 May JEF-Europe issued a Press Release that you can find here. For detailed information download the message "Act now against the Schengen attacks!".

 

Welcome to Evangelia, the new intern in the JEF-Europe Secretariat 

Our new intern Evangelia comes from Greece and studied law in Athens. This year she started her Master studies in human rights in Grenoble, France. The promotion of democracy and human rights as universal and European values is a crucial issue for her. She just joined the JEF-EU Secreteriat this week and will assist in the communication and administration management, while also having organisational responsibilities. Having previous experience in non-profit organisations Evangelia is interested in strengthening the role of civil society by participating in the European reality.

Contact her at eva.tsomaka@jef.eu!

 

 

 

 

 

'Jour fixe’ of JEFers in Brussels
Brussels, 1 June 2011

The ‘jour fixe’ of JEF in Brussels is a nice tradition! On the first Wednesday of every month we meet in the restaurant Ultime Atome (14, rue Saint Boniface, 1050 Bruxelles). In order to book a table, please confirm your participation either with a short email to info@jef.eu or via the facebook event that you will find at the JEF fan page.

Not only active members of JEF are welcome, but also Alumni or people who are just interested in what we do and who we are. If you happen to be in Brussels for the next ‘jour fixe’ on Wednesday 1th June around 7 pm feel free to join us for a drink (or a meal) and a nice evening in the Ultime Atome.

This Wednesday we will have a special guest. MEP Andrew Duff, chair of the AFCO Committee for Constitutional Affairs in the European Parliament and president of UEF (Union of European Federalists) will join in the Jour Fixe for an informal exchange on his Duff Report and proposal for an EU-wide constituency for the European Elections.

EU-wide Constituency

Based on the long standing federalist aspiration to create transnational lists for the European Parliament elections, JEF-Europe is leading a campaign on the creation of an EU-wide Constituency. MEP Andrew Duff introduced a Report that will be voted upon in the plenary of the European Parliament in June, JEF-Europe is mobilising its entire network to promote this historical reform that will boost the democratic legitimacy of the EU's legislature.

Read Andrew Duff's full statement on the issue.

JEF-Europe is calling on its network and partners to:

1. Spread the message of the JEF-Europe Press Release which was issued on 20 April.
2. Organise activities and conferences or write articles on www.thenewfederalist.eu to promote the reform among the general public.
3. Get in touch with MEPs to foster political support for the proposal in view of the vote in plenary. JEF-Europe is currently working on a template lobby letter to be issued on Monday, so keep an eye on JEFtalk and the JEF-Europe facebook fanpage!

More information to be found on the JEF-Europe webpage.

JEF Italy: Call for applications - 28th Ventotene International Seminar
Ventotene, 29 august - 3 september 2011

The call for the historical federalist seminar is open! Around 50 young participants from JEF and WFM will gather on the 70th anniversary of the Ventotene Manifesto to discuss European and global politics while enojoying the beautiful island off the italian coast, the most meaningful place for all federalists.

The draft programme and the online application form can be found on the Altiero Spinelli Institute website.

Deadline for applications is 5 June 2011. For any further question please contact: istitutospinelli@gmail.com.

 

JEF Germany: Report on the XII International Berlin Seminar

More than 60 young Europeans from over 20 countries gathered last weekend in Berlin, to share European spirit and ideas on future Europe. The seminar title "Europe, the day after tomorrow" was not about blockbuster disaster, but about visions of Europe in 2050. So young Europeans could discuss on their ideas and demands for the European future in a creative and discursive atmosphere. To achieve that, we tried a new approach to the seminars structure without workshops and tried to open it up through various new methods.
The seminar kicked off with an input on future analysis as a scientific tool by a researcher from the Division for Future Analysis of the German Bundeswehr who provided the framework for our thinking into the European future. In a world cafe the participants discussed with experts their own thoughts and demands for the European future in different policy fields such as education, finances and border regions. We even created a Europe’s leading Newspaper for 2050! Evening highlights were the prediction of the European future through melted lead, the collective cheering for the Eurovision songcontest that we watched together and of course the Absolute European Party! Needless to say, that through an elaborate voting the seminar choose the entry from Moldova as their winner for the ESC.

For more info and upcoming pictures and videos check out the webpage or meet us on facebook.

 

JEF Italy: Election of the new national board

JEF Trento has the pleasure to invite you to the JEF Summer School in Trento.Nowadays we witness an abundant if not redundant use of the word “democracy” by Medias, politicians and scholars, nevertheless we must acknowledge that no due attention is paid in analyzing this concept in depth. The summer school has the ambitious aim not only to provide the participants with strong theoretical basis in order to enhance the quality of the debate, but also to be a material occasion for exercising democracy by debating JEF vision and ideas with the local civil society.

Read the official invitation which includes more information and apply now! (please note that participation conditions are outdated: The costs for food and accomodation in Trento are fully covered thus as a contribution we ask participants to pay for their travel expenses). You can also have a look at the provisional programme.

 

JEF at the Festival of Europe in Brussels

On 7 May 2011, two days before the actual Europe Day, JEF-Europe was present at the open days of the European Institutions, promoting our federalist regard on Europe right in front of the European Parliament. Even the sun was celebrating Europe, giving us an amazing hot and sunny Europe Day 2011.

Midst the Village of Volunteers JEF-Europe had an information stand together with the Union of European Federalists (UEF) and right next to JEF-Belgium and the European Movement Belgium.

At our stand, we also collected many answers to the following three questions: What is Europe's best achievement? What is the best adjective to describe Europe? What should be Europe's priority? Have a look at the word clouds we created out of the collected answers.

You can find the pictures of the event on Flickr and read the full report on our homepage.

 

WGs, PCs, EB, FC, SG.... so many abbreviations and you are not totally sure what they stand for? Under this headline you can always find a lot of useful information and short explanations about different parts of the structure of JEF-Europe. What is it all about, why is it necessary and - in particular - how can you contribute?!

Working Groups

The Working Groups (WGs) are responsible for the organisational aspects of JEF and work on concrete project proposals. Their physical meetings take place at every Federal Committee (FC) meeting of JEF-Europe and they work together with the Executive Bureau (EB) as well as with the FC to realise their projects. Work within the WG between the meetings is organized on an ad-hoc project basis. Also resolutions can be shared with the WGs’ members for further discussion and elaboration.

If you would like to contribute to specific organisational activities in JEF, you are warmly invited to join any of the Working Groups of the Federal Committee: Communication & Media (WG1), Growth (WG2), Project Development (WG3), Finances (WG4) and Federalist Online Activism (WG5).

To present you a concrete example of the work of the WGs, we introduce you today to:

Working Group 1- Growth

Who are we?

WG Growth is a working group dedicated to JEF’s internal development and growth issues. The aims and objectives of the WG can be summarized in the following question: How can we together make JEF bigger, better and stronger? WG Growth works on developing and updating tools which are supposed to help new sections grow and to increase both their membership and level of activity. 

How to get involved?

If you want to get involved in one or more of our projects read more on our homepage or contact the chairs of the WG (2009-2011):

Chair: Bård Skaar Viken (JEF Norway)
Co-chair: Kathrin Lichtenberg (JEF Germany)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Monday we will recall with great respect the passing of one of the major figures of twentieth century Europe, Altiero Spinelli. The main features of his life are well known. Imprisoned by the fascist regime in Italy between 1927 and 1943, he was one of the main authors of the Ventotene Manifesto in 1941 which called for a united federal Europe.

With regards to the 25th Anniversary of the Death of Altiero Spinelli the Union of European Federalists (UEF) published a statement by Andrew Duff M.E.P. and President of UEF. Read the full Press Release here.

 

The World Federalist Movement Canada – Youth Network has been officially launched!

The WFMC – Youth Network is a movement of Canadian youth whose mission is to work towards the democratization of global governance through international institutions, universal human rights and freedoms, and the rule of law. More than at any time in our history, we are one world. Global problems transcend national boundaries and elude the jurisdiction of national governing authorities. We advocate for global citizenship in a globalizing world while acknowledging national and local sovereignty.

Most recently, the WFMC – Youth Network contributed to the United Nations’ High-Level Meeting on Youth. Moving forward, we are eager to engage with JEF and our peers across Europe.

Follow the WFMC-Youth Network at Twitter. Want to know more? Contact Ashley Pereira at Ashley.Pereira@me.com.

 

 

Spinelli Debate - Intellectual Debates on Europe in National Context
Brussels, 15 June

The Spinelli Group has the pleasure to host a conference in the European Parliament in Brussels: "European Stories: Intellectual Debates on Europe in National Context" on 15 June 2011 at 18:00 by Justine LACROIX - Professor, Université Libre de Bruxelles and Kalypso NICOLAÏDIS - Professor of International Relations, University of Oxford. With the participation of Isabelle DURANT, Daniel COHN-BENDIT and Guy VERHOSTADT. Interpretation will be provided in French and in English. 

Please confirm your registration before June 6th, if you need a badge to access the European Parliament provide your full name, date of birth and place of residence and ID card or passeport number. You can find more information on facebook.

 

 

Conference on the European Citizens' Initiative
Brussels, 29 June 2011

The European Citizens' Initiative is the first transnational instrument for citizens' participation worldwide. Citizen can make use of it from April 2012 on. The conference which is organised by the Greens/EFA, will take place in the European Parliament and will provide information, training, and network opportunities for those who intend to launch an initiative.

Interpretation in all official EU languages will be provided. The preliminary program and the registration form can be found here.

Youthcamp 2011 - learn it, share it, do it
12-14 August, Ballerup Sports Park, Denmark

Are you between 15 and 25 years of age? Do you want to make a difference? And do you want to participate in the democratic society around you?

Then join Youthcamp2011, where active young people from all over EU will meet to jointly develop ideas, debate democracy and establish networks across geographical borders. The Youthcamp is for young people, who have some experience with the democratic process through youth projects, youth councils or youth organizations. The activities described in the Youthcamp2011 programme are free for the participants and Youthcamp2011 provides accommodation, food and water during the camp. The participants pay their own travel costs to and from Youthcamp2011.

You can download the invitation here. If you are interested please read more or contact the Youthcamp secretariat at info@youthcamp2011.eu.

 

 

European Commission launched Public Consultation

The European Commission has launched a Public consultation on future funding activities in the area of Justice, Fundamental Rights and Equality for the period after 2013. The new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) will need to be accompanied by new sectoral programmes. The Commission proposals for these new programmes will be adopted before the end of this year. 

In this context, the Commission is consulting on future EU funding activities in the particular area, based on a series of questions. This will give the opportunity to express views on the effectiveness and efficiency of the current funding activities of DG Justice.

As JEFers we should contribute to this important process, being active in the preparatory phases of policy-making. If you have something to say, fill out the questionnaire and inform Pauline Gessant (JEF-Europe Vice-president) about it. Don´t hesitate to contact her for further questions. The deadline is 15 June.

 

 

Call for Applications- German-French-Turkish Summer School
September 5-14: Cologne
September 15-22: Paris
Second half of November: Istanbul (one week)

The Network Migration in Europe, in cooperation with partners from Germany, France and Turkey, is organizing a French-German-Turkish summer school on the interrelation of migration, cultural diversity and museums. The summer school is open to advanced students (including Ph.D. candidates) from the humanities and the social sciences.

Applicants need to be registered at a French, German or Turkish university. The program will be organized around seminars, lectures, site visits and visits of ca. 15 museums in the three cities involved.

If you are interested in more information click here. The deadline for application is 23 May 2011.

 

 

Scholarship programme for professionals active in Citizenship Education from Central and Southeastern Europe
Call for Applications 2011/12

The Federal Agency for Civic Education and the Robert Bosch Stiftung are awarding 16 scholarships to active professionals from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. We are looking for people at the beginning of their professional careers who wish to be active internationally. We expect applicants to already be actively promoting democracy and social responsibility in their own countries and to be engaged in civic education.

We offer you the opportunity to become an intern in a German educational institution and to participate in the network of European political education. The programme is intended for participants from Central and Southeastern Europe and aims to strengthen and develop early efforts at civic education in those countries. Find more information here and send your application before 25 May.

 

 

Enter Council of Europe Youth Media Award

European Youth Press (EYP) and the Council of Europe are calling on young journalists from across Europe to enter the recently launched second Council of Europe Youth Media Award. The theme of the competition is media freedom and the competition kicked off on 1 March with a deadline of 1 August.

Four categories are open to contestants between the ages of 18 and 30: photography, video, radio and print journalism. Winners will be invited to Strasbourg to receive their cash prize of €1000 at a ceremony during the plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly.

Those interested in applying should visit the Youthmedia.eu website for further information.

 

 

10 years of the Euro – Commemorative Coin Design Competition

In January 2012 it will be 10 years since euro banknotes and coins were introduced and the euro became a physical reality for citizens. To celebrate this, all 17 euro-area Member States have decided to issue a commemorative 2-euro coin intended for circulation with a common design on the national side and announced a design competition.

For the terms and conditions of the competition and how to submit a design online, please visit the dedicated website.

In a nutshell: Participants must be citizen of an EU Member State whose currency is the euro. Design proposals have to be submitted online before 20 May 2011. The winning design will be circulated on millions of euro coins in all euro-area Member States from next year on!

 

 

 

OBESSU: Call for Policy and Project Officer and Communication and Administrative Assistant

OBESSU, the Organising Bureau of European School Student Unions, is the European platform of school student unions active in general secondary and secondary vocational education. It brings together member and observer organisations from more than 20 European countries. The Secretariat of OBESSU is based in Brussels, Belgium.

At the moment OBESSU have two open calls for a Policy and Project Officer and Communication and a Administrative Assistant. For further information have a look at the call for a Communication and Administrative Assistant or the call for a Policy and Project Officer.

The deadline for applications for both calls is 24 May 2011, 12.00 CET.


Eur@dioNantes looking for radio interns
Nantes, France

Eur@dioNantes, a European Radio station based in Nantes and supported by the European Commission, has recently launched the selection process of its upcoming European team of interns.

Eur@dioNantes is currently looking for high-level bilingual (in french) students in political science, journalism or European studies who are interested in European issues and who would like to get a formative experience in the world of New European Media. The internship will start on the 23th of August 2011 in Nantes and run up until the 23th of February 2012. The students get a monthly allowance of about 417 €.

Read more info here and apply until 15 June.

 

 

 

MAY

27-1
New Media Summer School
Belgrade, SP

28
EMI Members Council
Belgrade, SP

JUNE

10-12
JEF Summer School
Trento, IT

17-19
EB meeting
Vienne, AT

30-3 July
Nordic Summer Camp
Skjeberg, NO

 

AUGUST

29 - 3 September
Ventotene International Seminar
Ventotene, IT

 

OCTOBER

22-28
International Seminar
Helsinki, FI

28-30
XXI. European Congress of JEF
Helsinki, FI