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Mid-term ckeck-up of the French Presidency of the European Union

From the beginning the French Prsidency was very attended because France is still a great power in the European Union, because she had deceived for a while its European partners and because the personnality of the French President intrigues, seduces or irritates, in short creates particular expectations. Reinforced by pro-european positions of Nicolas Sarkozy and by engagement and cooperation signals (appointment of JP Jouyet, vivid preparation of the Presidency with MEP in the European Parliament, Commission's personnel and with Czech and Swedish administrations, as these countries will succeed to the EU's Presidency...), the French Presidency was supposed to deliver.

 

Women and Europe

From the start Europe has worked in favour of women. It is all to the honour of our modern democracies that there is no discrimination based on gender. These vital rights and freedoms have unfortunately not yet been granted to all women across the world. With its initiatives the European Union has shown the path to follow and encourages its Member States to undertake audacious measures to define a model. Indeed women can find one of their most loyal supporters in the European Union. Women's role in Europe is growing constantly. Promoting women's rights is really one of the most effective means to take civilisation forwards and to improve democracy; because in the end the first of Human Rights is in fact that of women.

In spite of this European women are less enthusiastic than European men about the construction of Europe. It is up to the European Union to improve the communication with regard to its achievements and to increase its sensitivity with regard to women's priorities in order to gain their full and entire support.

The Clause the Most Favoured for the European Women

 Initiated by the lawyer Gisèle Halimi, founder of "To Choose the Cause of Women”, the book “The Clause the Most Favoured for the European Women”, identifies the laws the most advanced for women in the 27 countries of the European Union, to make “an example of the ideal law”.  The work has taken two years.  Lawyers, economists, sociologists and trade unionists from “To Choose the Cause of Women” have been brought together, to offer to women, according to the terms of Gisèle Halimi, “the best of Europe”. 

For Commitment and total Mobilisation on the part of European Women

 We, the women of Europe, must be driven by the same belief and that is that Europe is a opportunity for women and that women are also a source of strength for Europe. We also have to believe that the world needs Europe to maintain its balance. This is a forceful message as the French presidency of the European Union draws closer.

Celebrating Europe's Day - Celebrating Peace!

The European Union, an audacious political enterprise, was born on 9th May 1950 just five years after the end of the Second World War when Robert Schuman, the French Foreign Minister at the time presented a document to the press which became known later as "the Schuman Declaration". With the suggestion of pooling the production of coal and steel between France and Germany, the "Schuman Declaration" put an end to the conflict that had torn the European continent apart. Since 1985 9th May has been celebrated as "Europe Day" because this symbolic date heralds the birth of the European Union and the end of wars in Europe.

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Women at the European Commission

Friday 25 April 2008

Participation by women in politics only dates back to the start of the 20th century and their involvement in decision-making institutions is only just beginning become established. The European Commission, the executive organisation of the European Union, the promoter of most European legislation and guardian of the community "acquis" has always fostered parity. Androulla Vassiliou, the new Development Commissioner was sworn in at the European Parliament on 9th April. From new on nine on 27 Commissioners are women, that is almost 33%.

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A new project, a new site!

Tuesday 15 April 2008

Europe carries our values forward – it helps us to build our future

 

To foster greater awareness amongst Europeans, especially European women, of the European Union's added value the Robert Schuman Foundation, the Association Femmes, Débat et Société (Women, Debate and Society Association) together with the European Commission are piloting a major communication project until the end of September 2008.

 

Women have a major educational role to play in the European public debate.

 

This site is for them!

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