Reacting to challenges” “

In response to the “vulnerability of energy resources”, a “common energy policy” is needed in Europe. Such a policy could “generate a new sense of community to the European project and constitute a concrete example of the EU’s unique ability to institute a cross-border initiative for the benefit of all”. An editorial on the theme of energy and the “sense of community” opens the last number (December 2005) of “Europe infos”, the monthly bulletin of the Community of the episcopates of the European Community (COMECE) and of the Catholic Office of Information and Initiative for Europe (OCIPE). Apart from this reflection, signed by the director of the monthly and general secretary of COMECE, NOËL TREANOR , various other questions are tackled in the last number of the review. EU PROGRAMME 2006. “With its programme of work for 2006, the European Commission wishes to react to the challenge of globalization and release all the potential of Europe”: “after the stalled process of ratification of the Constitutional Treaty, the European Union wishes to conduct to the best of its ability the policies of which the Europeans have a need”, observes HENRIK LESAAR. The programme for 2006 is a programme inspired “by the strategic objectives of the Barroso Commission: prosperity, solidarity and security. It wishes to turn the Union into a world partner”, continues the columnist, specifying that “the protection of human dignity, justice and solidarity are of particular interest to the Churches”. At the forefront is the Lisbon Strategy: “the Commission is counting on knowledge and innovation as motors of growth and employment”: hence the proposal to “found a European Institute for Technology (EIT) and prepare for the implementation of the framework programme for research 2007”. At the centre of the policies for 2006 are also the management of immigration and challenges of climate change, as well as the “concerted action of member states against terrorism and organized crime”. As for the relation with citizens, Lesaar emphasises that “the current means of consultation will be used more often” and “new ones encouraged to involve citizens in a more direct way in European decision-making processes”. The role of the Churches is part of this: “as essential spokesmen of European society – that is the journalist’s conclusion – they must equally be given a say as part of these consultations”. CIVIL PROTECTION. “Recent natural disasters (in particular floods and fires) and the new threats of epidemics demand measures of reinforced cooperation between States in the field of civil protection”, argues STEFAN LUNTE who recalls, in this regard, the Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC) headed by the European Commission in Brussels. Representing 30 countries, the Centre is active 24 hours a day. It is the interlocutor “of the countries struck by disasters, and is able to furnish emergency aid and mobilize in the space of a few hours small teams to be sent into the field”. However, “this is itself is not enough”, points out Lunte. So, last autumn, “the European Parliament adopted almost unanimously a draft Resolution that makes provision, among other things, for the establishment of a European monitoring centre on drought, desertification and floods”. In the view of MEPs, moreover, “a reform of the criteria for the allocation of the solidarity funds of the EU is indispensable”. For its part, continues Lunte, “the Commission has been drafting since 2002 an integrated strategy against natural risks”, but “it is proceeding very slowly”, especially since Brussels has been involved in concrete measures “in favour of the victims of tropical storms and against bird flu”. “A new impulse in this field” is therefore needed. NO TO THE ARMS TRADE. “The security of a country does not depend just on its capacity for defence. Self-defence is legitimate, but this need must not be to the detriment of fundamental rights, nor compromise economic and social progress”. According to AITZIBER BARRUETA a fundamental role in the development of the developing countries is also played by the control of the arms trade, an activity “that fuels conflicts with often devastating consequences”. The paradox consists in the fact that “various states export arms to the very countries to which they send aid for development”. These countries include the European Union, the world’s major donor that contributes 55% of total aid, but, at the same time, is responsible for 39% of the world arms trade. “The Council of the European Union has reinforced measures of control” in this field, continues Barrueta, and the European Parliament is proceeding in the same direction. Emphasizing “the link between EU arms exports and strategies for cooperation in development”, the Parliament has asked for “a more coherent external policy”. “Conscious of the importance of this link – concludes Barrueta – the social and ecclesial organizations must not hesitate to appeal to our governments in this regard”.