Not just remembering

The signing of the Treaty of Rome on 25 March 1957 marked the birth of the “European family” based on such common values as freedom, democracy, rule of law, respect for human rights and equality. Since the Treaty was signed, Europe has enjoyed fifty years of peace and stability, without wars between the countries that currently form part of the EU. The integration and enlargement of the EU, from 6 to 27 states, have played an important role in this regard. Today the citizens of the EU can move about freely within the borders of Europe; they can benefit everywhere from health and social services; and the administrative procedures necessary to study, work or live in another country of the EU have been reduced to a minimum. Citizens of the EU benefit from living standards and levels of social protection that are among the highest in the world. The EU’s achievements include the creation of a single market, the largest free-trade area in the world, a single currency shared by most citizens of the EU, and common regulations on environmental protection and product safety. These results, as European leaders keep on saying, deserve to be celebrated. The 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome is an opportunity to look back at the past, better understand the present, and look more confidently to the future. It is in this spirit that the European institutions have prepared a packed programme of political, cultural, social and artistic events that are described on the website of the EU: http://europa.eu/50. The European Churches, in collaboration with various associations and movements, have also organized a wide-ranging series of projects to celebrate the anniversary. We detail the most important events below. The European Churches, in collaboration with various associations and movements, have also organized a wide-ranging series of projects to celebrate the anniversary. We detail the most important events below.EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS. Football too is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the EU. On 13 March in fact a friendly match will be played in Manchester’s Old Trafford stadium between Manchester United and a “Europe 11” team that brings together the best European players of our time and is being led by Marcello Lippi, former trainer of the Italian national team that won the World Cup in 2006. Many famous names will take to the field, including David Beckham (Real Madrid), Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher (Liverpool). “This event – said José Manuel Barroso, President of the Commission – is an excellent way to draw attention to the fiftieth anniversary of the EU. Football is a wonderful sport that excites Europeans in a way no other does and leads them to share a common passion and language”. Far more institutional, on the other hand, will be the various events involving European organizations. On 22 March the delegates of the 27 national parliaments of EU countries will meet in Florence, while the plenary session of the EU Committee of the Regions will be held in Rome on 23 March. On the same day (and until 25 March), the Youth Summit will take place on the Campidoglio, again in Rome (www.youthsummit.it). The heads of state and of government will meet in Berlin on 24-25 March; they will publish a Declaration on the Future of Europe that is now being drafted a group of diplomats and ‘wise men’.EUROPEAN CHURCHES . The European Churches too are involved in events to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome. COMECE , the Commission of the episcopates of the European Community (www.comece.org) has organized an international conference in Rome on 23-25 March with the title “Values and Perspectives for the Europe of Tomorrow”, during which a message will be sent to the summit of heads of state and of government being held in tandem in Berlin. The agenda of the meeting is packed. Participants will include the President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pottering, Italian President Giorgio Napolitano and the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese. The sessions will focus on such issues as European integration and the founding values of the EU such as the dignity of the person, peace, reconciliation and subsidiarity. Workgroups and moments of prayer are also on the programme. On Sunday 25 March, the final day, the participants will be in St. Peter’s for Mass celebrated by the Holy See’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, and for Benedict XVI’s Angelus address. The Robert Schuman INSTITUTE for Europe will also be meeting in Rome, from 21 to 23 March, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome and the 25th anniversary of its foundation. To this end it has promoted an international conference with a historical perspective to study the value of the messages of the founding fathers and to try to answer the question whether the EU has the political will today to promote the common good of humanity. Representatives of the European cultural, religious and political worlds have been invited to make their contributions. They include the Institute’s general secretary, Father Maurice Rieutord, Cardinal Paul Poupard, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture, and Catherine Lalumière, former Vice-President of the European Parliament. For further information see: ceps@ceps-oing.org