EM Germany's newsletter 1/2013

Dear Sir or Madam,

Happy new year! We know we’re a bit late, but EM Germany celebrated its New Year’s only two weeks ago: on 30 January, 140 guests from member and partner organizations joined the inauguration party of our expanded office in Berlin. At the beginning of the year, our to-do list is already long: at its most recent meeting, the board of EM Germany decided to boost a “debate on the future of the EU” and to strengthen civil society in Greece. The European Competition, Germany’s oldest school competition, is celebrating its 60^th anniversary this year. Moreover, EM Germany’s member organisations are invited to nominate candidates for the “Woman of Europe 2013” award.

This newsletter compiles last weeks’ most important news and looks out on EM Germany’s events to come. Enjoy reading!

Karoline Münz
Dep. Secretary General

A debate on the future of the EU and a civil society forum for Greece – results of EM Germany’s Board meeting

During the first meeting of 2013, EM Germany’s board launches the “debate on the future of the EU” – an initiative aiming at deepening discussions on strengthening a political union and including civil society to participate in putting this into practice. A task force is now working on a resolution proposal which will be brought forward during EM Germany’s General Assembly in July. | Full text in German

Further, the EM Germany’s board decides to help EM Greece with the organisation of a democratic forum to strengthen civil society. EM Germany will bring forward a corresponding motion at the Federal Assembly of European Movement International at the end of May in Dublin. | Full text in German

More room in the “European courtyard“: EM Germany celebrates the inauguration of its expanded office

“For me, I can put a face to EM Germany tonight”, one of 140 party guests wrote in the guest book, summing up the atmosphere of the inauguration party. EM Germany celebrated its relocation to larger office space together with member organisations, partners and official representatives. In the presence of EM Germany’s President Dr Rainer Wend and the Federal Foreign Office’s Minister of State Michael Georg Link, Member of the Bundestag, the occasion offered the chance to present areas of work, projects and the minds of the largest civil society network for Europe in Germany. | Full text in German

Presidents of EM Germany and EM France issue joint declaration on the 50^th anniversary of the Elysée Treaty

The respective presidents of European Movement Germany and France, Dr Rainer Wend and Jean-Marie Cavada, MEP, call on their own countries to get Franco-German cooperation running at full speed, in order to lead a lasting public debate on the future of the EU as it “depends significantly on civil society whether European integration can be successful in the future”. | Full text in German

Will the European Parliament queer the European Council’s MFF pitch? De-Briefing on Council Conclusions

It has become a tradition to meet twice before deciding on Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) – such is the impression left after the first (of four) meetings of the Heads of States or Government. With the Federal Government and the Representation of the European Commission, EM Germany gave a resume of the Council Conclusions on the MFF and looked ahead on what to expect in negotiating them with the European Parliament. | Full text in German

EM Germany is contact point for European Year of Citizens 2013 in Germany

From 1 February 2013, European Movement Germany, charged by its institutional partner the Federal Foreign Office, is contact point for questions regarding the European Year of Citizens 2013. EM Germany will mainly inform civil society and specialist circles about news and events. | Full text in German

Briefing on Irish EU Council Presidency priorities: emphasis on stability, employment and growth

Ireland’s ambassador to Germany introduced the Irish Presidency’s working programme at EM Germany’s Briefing in front of 180 stakeholders. “Stability, employment and growth“ are Ireland’s top priorities for their rotation in the first half of 2013. | Full text in German

EU combats youth unemployment: EM Germany Board member Hepperle on the chambers’ of commerce joint “Luxemburg Statement”

“Europe cannot afford a lost generation“, EBD Board Member Gabriele Bischoff (DGB) explained during a talk with experts in the Bundestag. She discussed whether the European Commission’s “Youth Guarantee“ scheme can help the currently 14 million young unemployed people with national and international interest groups. | Full text in German

The Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Trade in Germany, Luxemburg and Austria met with a view to improve European cooperation in education. Together they want to contribute to overcoming youth unemployment, said Dr Sabine Hepperle representing DIHK at EM Germany’s EBD Board. | Full text in German

Who will be ‘Woman of Europe 2013’? EM Germany launches call for proposals

As the search for candidates who are distinguished by their voluntary commitment to uniting and strengthening Europe begins, EM Germany’s member organisations can have their say. Nominations can be submitted until 9 May. The ‘Woman of Europe 2013’ award will be presented in Würzburg on 9 October. | Full text in German

German Head of State Joachim Gauck invites winners of the European competition

Federal President Gauck has invited four winners of the European Competition to attend his speech on European integration on 22 February. Like his predecessors, the President is the patron of the oldest pupil’s competition in Germany. | Full text in German

For a neutral view of the term “lobbying“

“Europeanisation and lobbying in multi-level governance – theory and practice in Brussels and Berlin“ is the name of the introductory seminar given by EM Germany’s Secretary General, Bernd Hüttemann, as lecturer at the University of Passau. In a workshop with ten students from Passau, Mr. Hüttemann gave an insight into the work carried out by European Movement Germany and discussed the importance of lobbying at German and European level. | Full text in German

“Cleverly anti-European“: EMI president Jo Leinen comments on Open Europe in Berlin

In a letter to the editor, President of European Movement International (EMI) Jo Leinen MEP reacts to Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung coverage on the British Think Tank Open Europe which had opened a Berlin dependency last autumn. Leinen pointed out that “by seemingly advertising an ‘Open Europe‘, they clandestinely render a nationalist and egoistic British perspective towards European integration socially acceptable.” | Full text in German

China wants to brush up its image in Europe – new EU-in-BRIEF publication by Lukas Kudlimay

In 2013’s first issue of EU-in-BRIEF Lukas Kudlimay, graduate of the College of Europe, explains why Beijing has so far been incapable of creating more understanding for its interests among Europeans and which public diplomacy efforts China has made until now to strengthen its profile abroad. | Full text in German

Events to come

15.2.: Challenges to EU gender equality policy | 18.2.: EP-Berichterstatter im Dialog: Herbert Reul | 18.2.: Meeting for College of Europe Alumni | 25.2.: EP-Berichterstatter im Dialog: Jens Geier | 26.-27.2.: Fachforum Europa| 19.3.: Federal Foreign Office’s Minister of State for Europe: key priorities of European policy for Germany | and many more

Member organisations' news

WWF: Merkel should not allow herself to be used by the farmers’ lobby | BDI: Exports in non-EU countries on the rise| JEF: Give the European Parliament a voice! | Genshagen Foundation: Many European soldiers, but no European army |  FES: Policy discussions on EU energy and climate policy | ECFR: Cameron's backward looking speech | VKU: The Federal Government must campaign in Brussels for a municipal water supply! | and many more

EU actors on the move

New Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Berlin: Jerzy Marganski | New Federal Minister for Education and Research: Johanna Wanka | New head of department “German Public Commissioner“ at GIZ: Petra Warnecke | New head of Brussels office of Deutsche Bank: Hans-Dieter Holtzmann | New faces at DHL’s Brussels office: Alexander Kirschall und Mitra Qurban | New Director of Amnesty International Germany: Selmin Caliskan | New Eurogroup President: Jeroen Dijsselbloem | and many more

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karoline.muenz@netzwerk-ebd.de

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