Every year, on 9 May, we celebrate Europe Day to commemorate peace and unity on our continent. This date represents an important milestone in European history and gives us the opportunity to reflect on the fundamental values we share, and the achievements made through cooperation between European countries.
Europe Day has its origins in the historic Schuman Declaration of 1950, presented by the then French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman. His bold and progressive vision laid the foundations for what we know today as the European Union. Schuman’s central idea was to create a European community in which countries would work together to overcome the divisions of the past and build a common future based on peace and prosperity.
Since then, the European Union has made significant progress, expanding, and strengthening its ties in key areas such as trade, economic cooperation, security, and human rights. Today, the EU is a global benchmark in terms of regional integration and international cooperation.
Europe Day is an opportunity to highlight the achievements of the European Union and to reflect on the challenges we still face. It is a reminder that unity and solidarity are key to tackling global problems and building a sustainable future for all.
At the Jesuit European Social Centre, we are committed to the European values of social justice, solidarity, and respect for human dignity. Through our activities, we seek to promote an open and constructive dialogue on social and economic challenges in Europe and to advocate for policies that promote inclusion and equality.
In the framework of Europe Day, we want to take this opportunity to highlight the importance of a united and caring Europe in building a better future. It is a call to action for all of us, European citizens, to actively participate in the democratic life of our continent, to defend our common values and to work together to tackle today’s challenges, such as climate change, inequality, and social exclusion.
This Europe Day, let us join in celebration and reflection. Let us recognise Europe’s achievements, but also reaffirm our commitment to build a more inclusive and fairer Europe for all. Together, we can make a difference and forge a bright future for generations to come.
Article by Cesar Fernandez
JESC European Affairs
