JEF Events...all over Europe!

JEF is about ideals, it is about learning, but it is also about fun!  Here you find out about what we have ben up to 2006.

Thousands of JEFfers travel all around Europe, to discuss, debate and make their voice heard. Trough JEF they learn to share and respect the different cultures, beliefs and traditions that make up this family called Europe!

In these pages you will find all the events that that JEF has organised in the past years, and we hope that it will  give you the right incentive to be part of these events in the future! 

To see what JEF sections around Europe have been organising in the past years you can also visit the following pages:

International Events 2005

International Events 2004

International Events 2003

JEF Belarus action 2007

In the middle of the night between 18-19 March, the anniversary of Lukashenka’s flawed elections, youth in over 30 countries and 60 cities joined JEF in a public action for democracy and civil liberties in Belarus – Europe’s last dictatorship. JEFers, various NGOs, Belarussian refugees and youth gagged the statues of Europe from Kosovo to Stockholm, but also in US and Canada, along with the message “Give  voice to the Citizens of Belarus”.

More about the action here >>
Pictures from all the muzzled statues here >>

Press Release from the action * English * Russian * French * German *

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International Seminar Berlin, 18-23 March 2007

Letting civilizations clash Bringing together 40 participants from over 30 European countries in Berlin, this spring's JEF Europe seminar co-organised with JEF Germany and JEB Berlin-Brandenburg was a full success on all accounts. The seminar programme dealt with a variety of questions regarding living in a multicultural society shaped by the effects of globalisation.

Not to stay in an ordinary conference room but to go out to the places, which are relevant to the issues we talk about, that was the aim of the spring 2007 JEF Europe seminar under the title of Clash of Civilizations – the Search for a Common Ground. (more)

JEF Pan-European action against visa, 9 November 2006

On the day of the fall of the Berlin wall, 9 November, JEF took to the streets in over 20 cities all across Europe to manifest against the current visa regimes dividing Europe in half. From Kosovo to Vilnius, manifestations against the costly, time consuming and often humiliating visa procedures took place in front of visa/Berlin walls that symbolized how visa creates new borders throughout Europe.

Europe is coming closer and closer to our dream of an united continent but still visa restrictions continues to prevent young people form moving freely across Europe, often imposing costly, time consuming and even humiliating procedures. This year the visa fees have even been increased by almost the double, a step in the completely wrong direction! JEF demand a immediate revision of the current Schengen visa procedures and the abolition of visa fees inside of Europe for all Europeans. We demand for Europeans to be able to meet!

This message was strongly put forward by the JEF actions that took place in Prischtina, Brussels, Bucharest, Skoje, Kumanovo (Macedonia), Berlin, Chemnitz, Ljubljana, Vilnius, Geneva, Riga, Sofia, Zagreb, Turin, Bern, Padova, Sarajevo, Paris, Luzern, Nis (Serbia), Helsinki etc. The action was extensively covered in news paper, TV, radio and blogs across Europe.

In Brussels a big manifestation took place in front of the Council and Commission and in Vilnius dussins of youth NGOs joined the demands in front of the visa wall. A 10 meter long visa wall paited by handicapped youth with their visions of a borderless Europe and the text VISA=BORDERS made the message clear. All across Europe, on both sides of the visa wall, on the streets and trough official demand letters, JEF demanded from Europe's leaders - let Europeans meet!

(picture gallery)

(report from all manifestations)

(JEF demand letter)

(press release)

JEF Federal Committee, Greece, 27-29 October 2006

During the weekend 27-29 of October JEF Europe Federal Committee took place in Athens, Greece and more than 60 representatives of national sections and individually elected members drew the political line of the organisation. They were 3 days filled with political discussions, resolutions, political commissions, working groups... and lots of fun!

To see more photos, visit our picture gallery.

JEF International Seminar , Athens, Greece, 22-29 October 2006

JEF International Seminar took place in Athens, Greece from 22nd to 29th of October 2006. The seminar, that was organised in the the framework of the All Different All Equal campaign, focused on Youth Participation. It gathered around 50 young participants from all over Europe.

To see more photos, visit our picture gallery.

JEF Pan-European public action on Peace Day for a Single European Foreign Policy

On Peace Day, 21st of September JEFers all across Europe took to the streets to state their demand for a Single European Foreign Policy that would allow Europe to act for peace, justice and international law in the world. Going jointly to the streets in more than 10 cities across all of Europe from Skopje to Brussels, JEF stated its demand loud and clear – just as Europe could if speaking with a single voice.

JEF´s pan-European public action took place simultaneous in Bern, Torino, Skopje, Geneva, Verona, Prague, Paris, Vilnius, Strassbourg, Brussels and other places across Europe. With their hands tied and thus symbolically prevented from acting, young federalists marked with European symbols made their protest in front of the foreign ministries and public places across all of Europe. Banners stating “Let Europe act for Peace – Single European Policy now!” send a clear message to the European leaders how the first step towards a better global order could be made by them, already tomorrow. In Switzerland JEF campaigned against the neutrality principle that hinders Switzerland take part in shaping the world of tomorrow. JEF also send its message to every member of the European Parliament and all member states governments to make its demand for a Europe that can act for peace and moves away from short sighted nationalism.

Europe is the world biggest peace project but still the European leaders fail to take on a leading role for peace and justice around the world. JEF showed trough its federal spirited pan-Euroepan action that young people expect more and are prepared to fight for a Europe that is able to act!

[picture gallery]

Vienna Citizens Convention, 29-30 June 2006

In the last days of June 2006 the Second European Citizens Convention organised by the Union of European Federalists (UEF) took place in the Austrian capital Vienna.

The two days in which according to the objectives of the organisers the European Citizens would have a chance to meet in the framework of a European Citizens Convention and discuss key issues of the European project, as well as the proclaimed number of having 300 participants from all over Europe were mildly speaking far from reality.

The conference approach in discussing European affairs and a direct link between the distant elitist politicians with equally distant pro-European organisations could continue and the bubble of the convinced stayed unharmed, while the link with the citizens is still missing.

However, if we evaluate the event as a conference then it was definitely a huge success. Good, some even very prominent speakers, very good organisations, a nice reception with buffet at the marvellous Vienna City Hall and typical conference like panel discussions. A treat for every convinced European used to doing the same all over Europe.

In the end it seems as if the pro-European organisations still haven’t learned their lesson from their last year’s failure in communicating the positive aspects of the EU to the broader public and ordinary citizens. Taking part in this event made me realise that we have a lot of work to do and that it is high time for us to stop preaching to the convinced but rather reach out to those who don’t necessarily agree with us, but do nonetheless share a common vision of a democratic, well-regulated, citizens’ friendly and transparent federal Europe. Let us not talk about the citizens but with them!

Peter Matjasic

(peter.matjasic(at)gmail.com)

*abstract of the article which full version can be found at: http://www.taurillon.org/article.php3?id_article=874

9th of May 2006

For Europe, the 9th of May is a day of celebration, and the Young European Federalists (JEF-Europe) make an active contribution to these celebrations through the organisation of various events by their national and local sections found in more than 30 European countries.And this year was no exception.

The celebration took the whole week around 9th of May. In collaboration with the European Movement International JEFfers across Europe have conducted street actions, debates, information stands, EURO-quizzes, EURO-tram and constructed Europe via a European puzzle or by organizing European cinema and theatre plays.

To see what happened in each country click here and don't forget about our picture gallery!

European Institutions' Open Door

On the Saturday, 6th of May all European Institutions opened its door to the citizens. You could visit them, but also meet people working there on everyday basis, see all European countries representatives, get information on European issues, mobility programs and meet representatives of NGOs.

JEF Europe had its stand in the Leopold Parc next to the European Parliament. We talked to youth, children and grand mothers passing by, they could vote for the best young European Parliamentarian taking part in the final round of the Galaxy Europe. We had also the petition for the European Civilian Service to be signed, everyone could pick up the newest edition of the New Federalist, our leaflets and postcards. However the biggest attention was caugth by our European puzzle, where the real champion turned out to be a small Uzbek girl.

Visit our picture gallery!!!

JEF Federal Committee, Helsinki, 24-26 March 2006

During the weekend 24-26 of March JEF Europe Federal Committee took part in Helsinki, Finland and more than 60 representatives of national sections and individually elected members drew the political line of the organisation. They were 3 days filled with political discussins, resolutions, political commissions, working groups... and lots of fun!

One of the main points of the meeting was the election of the new Secretary General of JEF-Europe: Vassilis Stamogiannis. Vassilis has a diploma in Russian economy and culture and he is currently doing a master in European Studies in Louven, in Belgium. He gained thorough work experience at the Info Point Europe and Youth Centre in Komotini, Greece. Since February 2004 he has held the position of JEF Greece President.

The FC in Helsinki endorsed also resolutions shaping JEF Europe policy for the next 2,5 years, regarding external policy: on European Communication Policy and Plan D, True Freedom of Movement for All European Citizens, Transparency in the Council of Ministers, Petition for a European Civilian Service, Period of Reflection and Citizens Conventions, EU Budget, Situation in Belarus and Financing the European Added Value. The resolutions can be found on-line in our web page: http://www.jef-europe.net/index.php?id=4145.

During the final party a launch of the JEF Europe newest project: Galaxy Europe took place. You can find photos from the event and all updates on the project at: www.galaxy-europe.net.

The party was also a farewell party for the until now JEF Europe's Secretary General Joan Marc Simon, however he will stay in the office for the next months when the hand-over to Vassilis will take place.

To see more photos, visit our picture gallery.

JEF International Seminar, Kiljava, Finland, 19-26 March 2006

JEF International Seminar took place in Kiljave, a conference centre in Finland from 19th to 26th of March 2006. Seminar focused on the European citizenship gathered about 40 participants from the whole Europe.

The form of the seminar was much more interactive then ever before. Apart from lectures there were a lot of workshops, simulation game, World Cafe and discussions in working groups. In aftrnoons participants were relaxing in sauna and swimming pool. There was also a one-day trip to Helsinki.

Also evenings were very special: we had international evening, movie night, clubbing in Helsinki, Karaoke, but the most exciting was a Galaxy Europe launch party on the last night.

To see more photos, visit our picture gallery.

Give a voice to the citizens of Belarus! JEF pan-European Public action before the Belarusian elections

JEF’ers in 23 cities all over Europe, Barcelona, Bordeaux, Brussels, Chemnitz, Dusseldorf, Edinburgh, Gothenburg, Lille, Ljubljana, Maribor, Lindköping, Mainz, Padova, Paris, Stockholm, Uppsala, Växjö, Riga, Freiburg, Wuppertal, Copenhagen, Skopje, Helsinki, took to the streets during the night from March 15th to March 16th in a well coordinated action to show their support to the suppressed civil society and opposition movement in Belarus. Statues in small and big cities throughout the continent were successfully gagged, thus symbolically prevented from speaking freely, much like the current situation of the people in Belarus, and signs stating “Give a voice to the citizens of Belarus” were hanged around their necks.

Across Europe the media made extensive coverage of the JEF action that with its massive backup from Edinburg to Skopje, with JEFers Belarusian resitance movements, other NGOs and youth across Europe was able to give a strong message in support of democracy in Belarus. This support of youth from all over Europe was shown to the people inside Belarus trough coverage in Belarusian internet-based opposition-friendly media and a Russian translated interview with JEF Vice President Åsa Gunvén broadcasted on low frequency radio inside of Belarus on the day of the elections. Inside of Belarus also a JEFer organizing election monitoring was arrested and forced to leave the country, further highlighting the severe situation inside Belarus.

JEF’s message to the European political leaders was crystal clear: we will not tolerate what is going on in Belarus and we urge you to put pressure on the Belarussian and Russian authorities to change the situation!

(Pwp-Presentation from Belarus action 2006)

(Press release about the action)

(Press release about arrested JEF'ers)

Duffenhuber action: Moving the debate about Europe back to the citizens

Dressed as the EUROPE UNITED Carrier service JEF Europe, JEF Strasbourg and several MEPs started an important job – moving the debate about the future of Europe out to the European citizens!

In the days before the vote all MEPs have received a senders invoice from the EUROPE UNITED Carriers Service. In that “invoice” JEF sent out a strong message in favour of the Duff-Voggenhuber report. Our key demands included the pan-European referendum and a new Convention.

On Wednesday, 18th January 2006, JEF activists together with around 10 MEPs, including Duff and Voggenhuber gathered right in front of the EP, loaded with big boxes containing the debate about the future of Europe, the support of a European Constitution, a Pan-European referenda and so forth, to make a strong statement in favour of the continuation of the ratification process. The action took place right before the plenary debate on the Duff-Voggenhuber report. JEF’s courier service, together with the MEPs carried the boxes with a broad European debate out to the national parliament and to the European Citizens in front of the media. Others were not as interested in contracting this job, like the chair of the Independence group in the EP, Nigel Farage MEP, that with a cigar in his month could only groan at our message to make the future of Europe a task of the citizens.

Although 125 MEPs members voted against the Duff-Voggenhuber report on January 19th, the overwhelming majority showed their determination to get Europe out of this lethargic situation following the French and Dutch ‘no’ votes on the Constitution, and to bring the debate about the future of Europe back to the national parliaments and European citizens.

JEF-Malta and JEF-Catalunya Bilateral Exchange, St Julians, Malta 5-12 January 2006

(by Daniela Grech, JEF-Malta President)

JEF-Malta hosted, from the 5 to the 12 of January, a group of new, enthusiastic and motivated JEF-Catalunya members in the bilateral exchange “Sharing the Mediterranean, comparing the past, exploring the future”. This event focused on the historical, cultural and political bond that exists between the Maltese islands and the region of Catalunya based on their geographical proximity, and the unique Mediterranean spirit that distinguishes the Southern region of Europe!

The programme of the exchange including workshops, sessions, visits to the Malta-EU information centre and the University of Malta, and the topics dealt with during the exchange ranged from racism and xenophobia, and irregular immigration, to the European Union and enlargement, youth activism and the Euro-med process and the Barcelona Declaration. However, there was also time to visit prehistoric temples, to conduct a treasure hunt in a medieval city, to go for a walk along the cliffs, to visit an underground war shelter and for the celebration of the Three Kings with a live Nativity play with the special participation of the “Caganer” and the present bearing “Caga tio”!

All in all it was a great experience for both the Maltese and the Spanish/Catalan group, and it was a very useful opportunity to motivate new members to discover the world of JEF and to become more active in the organisation!