The 60th anniversary of the Congress of Europe was celebrated in The Hague last weekend with a series of debates and discussions organised by the European Movement International.

Over 400 participants were in attendance at the Nieuwe Kerk, and many more had to be turned away as the venue was filled to capacity. On Friday, May 23rd, the European Civil Society Forum got underway with a debate and question and answer session featuring the Young Europeans of the Year as selected by the Schwarzkopf Foundation, Michael Zeeman and Robert Manchin, as well as a participant of the original Congress of 1948, Mr Jean-Pierre Gouzy. The need for a dialogue between old and new generations was highlighted by this encounter, and the speakers themselves drew attention to the need for dialogue between European citizens of different nationalities and cultures. It was noted that Erasmus for everybody should be encouraged, and the young should take every opportunity to travel and develop a European sense of self.

This exchange was followed by workshops on the subjects of Political Europe, Economic and Social Europe and Education and Cultural Europe (the same subjects as those addressed in 1948). Reports from all these workshops will be available on the EM website shortly.

On Saturday, the EMI welcomed the Presidents of the European Institutions who responded to the outcome of Friday’s workshops. President Barroso returned to the question of culture, focusing on the need to create a commonality of European culture, and combating racism and populism in order to address the difficulties of immigration. On Saturday afternoon, participants had the opportunity to question the Presidents, as well as the leaders of the European political parties, in a debate moderated by Quentin Peel, which is available for the general public on www.thehague2008.com

Pictures of the event will be available on the European Movement website shortly, and a dossier of press coverage can be obtained by contacting our Secretariat.