Memorandum for the European elections 2014
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Memorandum for the European elections 2014 Living together harmoniously in Europe 9 steps towards a sustainably peaceful and media literate Europe of true citizens. The Evens Foundation is a public benefit foundation based in Antwerp, Belgium, with offices in Paris and Warsaw. It initiates, develops and supports sustainable projects, and awards biennial prizes, which contribute to the progress and strengthening of Europe based on cultural and social diversity, in the fields of media, peace education and European citizenship. Throughout all its activities, the foundation primarily focuses on the importance of lifelong education in maintaining an informed and healthy society. The Evens Foundation calls on the European Parliament to continue or initiate working …
Memorandum
for the European
elections 2014
Living together harmoniously in Europe
... towards a peaceful Europe
Promote conflict management education in teacher training in the EU
For harmonious living together in a diverse Europe, the ability to manage conflicts is essential. Managing
conflict in a positive way requires being aware of other people’s feelings and needs. The chances of a good
outcome are much higher if people talk about their needs, rather than pointing out what is wrong with the other
person(s) involved. The Evens Foundation proposes that these skills become part of the lifelong education of
European citizens as an instrument to build stronger common European values. Click here.
Advocate the significance of history for educated citizens
The European Union should support both curricular and extra-curricular history projects all over Europe on
European history as a whole, because knowledge of history is the precondition of political intelligence. Without
history, a society shares no common memory of where it has been, what its core values are, or what decisions
of the past account for present circumstances. A society without shared core values is a society at drift, as
we can learn from Europe’s recent history. The Evens Foundation proposes that the European Commission
establishes a ‘History of Europe’ programme for children aged six to 18 years in all schools in Europe. Click here.
Increase the research budget for the neuroscience of empathy
The neuroscience of empathy is premised on the idea that studying empathy at multiple levels (biological,
cognitive, social) will lead to more comprehensive understanding of how our thoughts and feelings can affect
each other’s thoughts, feelings and behaviour. Empathy is a human capacity that is essential for dealing
with conflicts in a constructive way, and ensuring harmonious living-together in a diverse Europe. The Evens
Foundation therefore proposes that the European Commission sets up an EU programme that funds research
into the neuroscience of empathy. Click here.
2
Memorandum
for the European
elections 2014
Living together harmoniously in Europe
... towards a media literate Europe
Promote media literacy education to improve citizenship skills and knowledge
More and more citizens are alienated from the political process. However, media literacy can inform citizens
about how the media function in our democracies, why it matters that citizens gain information and exposure
to diverse opinions, and why people need to participate in policy decision-making at the community, state and
federal levels. The Evens Foundation proposes that the EU increases its efforts in the field of media literacy
training. Click here.
Advocate for an independent and transparent rating system for all media
Children spend more time engaged in media and digital activities than with their families or in school, which
affects their social, emotional and physical development. It is, therefore, essential that they be taught to
become savvy, respectful media interpreters, creators and communicators. Parents should have a choice and
a voice about the media our children consume and create. The Evens Foundation proposes that the European
Commission supports an independent rating system that defines age-appropriate media. Click here.
Defend and support media diversity in Europe
The media determine to a huge extent how people perceive current issues and events. The way the media
cover these issues and events is greatly determined by who owns those media. And who owns the media is
directly related to policies that determine who gets a licence to operate. The more diverse the media are, the
more diverse are the points of view in society – and the stronger and richer EU democracy will be. The Evens
Foundation proposes that EU policy makers advocate for broadcasting licencing systems that will facilitate the
creation of more diverse and not-for-profit media outlets. Click here.
3Memorandum
for the European
elections 2014
Living together harmoniously in Europe
… towards a Europe of citizens
Reform and increase opportunities for interaction between citizens and MEPs
Even in 2013, the European Year of Citizens, it has been difficult, if not impossible, for many NGOs all over
Europe to facilitate meetings between citizens and European policymakers. The growing frustration that results
from this could be avoided if policymakers enabled regular interaction opportunities between themselves and
voters – for example, by supporting and participating in town hall meetings in European capitals at regular
intervals. The Evens Foundation proposes that the newly elected MEPs will increase the number of direct
interactions they schedule with EU citizens. Click here.
Support the development of innovative tools to renew participatory democracy
According to the Eurobarometer poll, the proportion of Europeans who tend not to trust the European Union
has doubled over the past years, to a record high of 60%. One of the main reasons seems to be citizens’
alienation from mainstream politics. The Evens Foundation proposes that the EU actively supports thinkers,
projects and organisations that seek for new ways to define democracy in contemporary and progressive
society. Click here.
Improve communication on European policy intentions
Eurobarometer data confirm that a majority of EU citizens would be more motivated to vote in European
Parliament (EP) elections if three conditions were fulfilled: (1) better information about the impact of EP elections
and about parties’ programmes (84%); (2) clear information on the European ambitions of national political
parties (73%); (3) clear communication on national nominees for the Presidency of the Commission (62%). The
Evens Foundation proposes that European policymakers engage themselves to make this information available
in a clear, unbiased way.
4Stoopstraat 1, 5th floor 7, rue Charles V Ul. Wilcza 8 m10 B-2000 Antwerpen F-75004 Paris PL-00-532 Warszawa T +32 3 231 39 70 T +33 1 44 54 83 90 T +48 22 621 6683 F +32 3 233 94 32 F +33 1 44 54 83 80 F +48 22 629 4022 antwerp@evensfoundation.be paris@evensfoundation.be warsaw@evensfoundation.be www.evensfoundation.be/en Fondation Evens France is under aegis of Fondation Hippocrène.
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