Young people from Together for Europe are livening up Brussels with their enthusiasm
The European Quarter in Brussels is a maze of offices, headquarters and agencies operating within the European Union, whose acronyms sometimes sound like tongue-twisters. Serious-looking, professional officials and executives wander along its streets. As you walk through them, you hear different languages being spoken and encounter unusual customs. Yet, this variety does not give the impression of confusion, because the whole scene is underpinned by a great sense of composure. This sleepy routine was briefly disrupted between 11 and 13 May, when a group of around 100 enthusiastic young people made their way through the institutions of the European Union, bringing with them commitment and passion. They weren’t on a school trip, far from it! They were the young people of Together for Europe, well-prepared and inspired, who see Europe not as a goal to be achieved, but as their secure starting point from which to look out onto the whole world.
Dialogue in times of crisis
Joining them were a number of MEPs and other public figures: Andrea Wechsler, Antonella Sberna, Leoluca Orlando, Eduard Heger, Jeff Fountain, Giuseppe Lupo, Miriam Lexmann, Gerhard Pross, Nicole Grochowina… These are illustrious names: should we mention the countries they came from? Perhaps there is no need: they were Europeans. Adding that they were Italians, Slovaks, Germans, Dutch, Austrians… does little to help us understand the reasons that led all these people to meet with the young people. These reasons stem from the current crisis, in which there seems to be no room for unity among peoples and nations. No one can even guarantee peace anymore.
Unity rather than divisions and conflicts
Against this backdrop, Together for Europe has sought to demonstrate that unity is not merely an option, but rather the very fabric of the historical evolution of the European peoples. And if today this fabric seems buried beneath the rubble of ongoing conflicts, Together for Europe has set itself the task of bringing it back to light, offering its own experience of collaboration among Christians as a way to rebuild the European edifice on the foundations of unity. All together: members of different Churches, citizens of different countries and, above all, people of different generations. Young people, adults and the elderly inhabit this heart-wrenching present, and only by coming together can they resolve its contradictions.
Intergenerational Pact for a Global and United Europe
The challenge, therefore, is also intergenerational. This is why the young people from Together for Europe wanted to present the MEPs and other dignitaries present with an Intergenerational Pact >>, setting out a mutual commitment to work towards a Europe that is a beacon of peace and solidarity. Where did the 100 young participants come from? In addition to Europeans (and here too, it matters little whether they were Austrian, Belgian, Finnish, Italian, Dutch, Romanian, Scottish, Slovak, Swedish, German or Hungarian…), there were Brazilians, Canadians, Chinese, Colombians, South Africans, Mexicans and Americans… For Europe does not exist in isolation, since its vocation is to extend its reach globally, offering its set of values forged in Christianity, lived out in ecumenical dialogue, and amplified by the inspiring projects of the young people of Together for Europe.
In the Protomoteca Hall: Memory – Today – Prophecy
A Europe that remembers, that questions, that looks to the future and that prays: this is the vision that emerged at the event ‘Europe between memory and prophecy – 75 years after the Schuman Declaration’ promoted by Together for Europe that took place in the solemn setting of the Protomoteca Hall in the Capitol. The initiative, supported by the European Commission Representation in Italy and the Municipality of Rome, brought together scholars, young people, institutional representatives, representatives of the Orthodox, Anglican, Methodist, Waldensian and Catholic Church for an in-depth dialogue on the present and future of the continent.
The conference was opened by researcher Federico Castiglioni, who moderated the intense programme. After the Hymn of Europe, journalist Carla Cotignoli introduced the path of Together for Europe, born from the desire to combine European identity with shared spiritual values.
The programme was then divided into three moments: Memory, Today, Prophecy. During the first part, dedicated to Memory, young Carmine Maraio and historian Maria Pia Di Nonno offered a lucid look at the construction of a European identity. Particularly touching was the video remembrance dedicated to David Maria Sassoli, an emblematic figure of an open and solidarity-oriented Europe.
In the Today segment, Vaticanist Riccardo Cristiano and Megalizzi Foundation ambassador Giulia Covalea presented new European initiatives with a focus on youth participation and intergenerational communication.
A musical interlude provided by flutist Giulia Valenti gave the participants a moment of artistic reflection.
The third and final moment, Prophecy, aimed to cast our gaze into the future. The speeches by Angèle Mulibinge Kaj and Prof. Alberto Lo Presti evoked the need to rediscover Europe as a space of spirituality, welcome and responsibility.
Prayer time in the Basilica Santa Maria in Aracoeli
The atmosphere became more intimate and profound with the ecumenical prayer in the nearby Basilica Santa Maria in Aracoeli, led by representatives and ministers of different Christian denominations.
From the biblical texts read by Orthodox, Protestant and Catholic voices, to the interdenominational prayers, from the songs of the ecumenical choir composed for the occasion to the evocative ‘Sign of Light’ brought by the young people, this moment bore witness to a possible spiritual unity that transcends borders and differences. At a time marked by fractures, wars and uncertainties, the message launched by the event is clear: building a Europe of peace, solidarity and justice is not only necessary, but also urgent.
The event culminated with an interfaith blessing and a choral song: a symbol of communion between peoples, languages and faiths, in the knowledge that Europe can only find itself ‘together’.
Moderator: Federico Castiglioni, researcher at the Institute of International Affairs
First part: MEMORY
Speakers
Dr. Carmine Maraio, student of International Relations
Dr. Maria Pia Di Nonno, expert in European history
Second part: OUR CURRENT TIMES
Speakers
Riccardo Cristiano, journalist and Vatican observer for the Italian National TV station
Giulia Covalea, Ambassador for the Fondazione A. Megalizzi
Third part: PROPHECY
Speakers
Dr. Angèle Mulibinge Kaj, student of International Relations
Prof. Alberto Lo Presti, University lecturer at Lumsa University (Rome)
Immediately afterwards (scheduled time 18.45) an Ecumenical Prayer Vigil for Europe will take place in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli, with the participation of numerous representatives of the Christian Churches present in Rome.
At the conclusion, there will be a “convivial and friendship” moment in a hall adjacent to the Basilica.
We share here the testimony of Gerhard Pross, moderator of Together for Europe, who was invited to Thessaloniki (Greece) to sign a joint declaration by Christians of different Churches, in view of the upcoming European elections in June 2024.
On 15 May 2024, Declaration ‘Europe, Be Yourself!’>>was signed. I had the honour to sign it together with the President of the CEC [1], Archbishop Nikitas, the President of COMECE [2], Bishop Mariano Crociata and the Secretary General of the I.A.O. [3], Maximos Charakopoulos
It was quite unusual for us, as a network of Movements, to be represented at this level; but it was the Orthodox parliamentarians who attached great importance to our voice, because they knew that we were making an active contribution to the Christian roots of Europe.
The contribution of Christian Movements to our society
In my brief greeting at the signing ceremony, I was able to refer to the conversation between the then President of the EU Commission Romano Prodi and Chiara Lubich, the founder of the Focolare Movement. On that occasion, Prodi asked Chiara Lubich how he could do Christian politics if Christians themselves do not raise their voices. Chiara then motivated us to plan an event, which was then held in May 2004, with the theme ‘Together for Europe’ and which impressively showed how much the Christian Movements contribute to our society with their commitment.
The passion to ‘rekindle’ Christian values in Europe
The signing was the prelude to a two-day ‘International Political Conference’ in Thessaloniki, with the aim of expressing Christian values in Europe. Numerous representatives of the mentioned Churches, politicians from European countries, university professors from Thessaloniki and other experts spoke in numerous plenary sessions. Sometimes there were controversial positions, with heated debates on the difference between Christian and European values, why the EU Future Document does not mention Churches and faith at all, and how to deal with increasing secularisation. On the other hand, very clear and encouraging Christian positions have emerged, for example from the Albanian Minister of Culture.
Speaking with one voice
Our ‘7 YESes’ >>, which I was able to introduce in the first round of talks, resonated positively on several occasions. Many people eagerly asked what Together for Europe was all about, knowing nothing about it, and showed that they were interested. Numerous contacts were established. The conference raised awareness of the need to ensure that Christian values (and the Christian faith) are not removed from the EU consciousness. On the last day, one participant summed up the main problem as follows: ‘We Christians are not heard, because we are not united and therefore do not speak with one voice.’
We should raise our voices more courageously and defend our values more clearly, without imposing them on others – this is what I stated there, this is my deep conviction.
Thessaloniki, Pentecost 2024
Gerhard Pross
[1] CEC = Conference of European Churches. The CEC is a community of some 114 Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican and Vetero-Catholic Churches from all European countries.
[2] COMECE = Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences [cattoliche] of the European Union.
