AEGEE still says YES! for the
Constitution
AEGEE as one of the largest
pro-European Youth organizations expresses its great disappointment over the
results of the French referendum on
the European Constitution, which we
helped to draft and have been promoting it since it was
agreed.
Over the years we have made substantial contribution to
the Constitution. AEGEE presented a position paper at the European
Convention
from the university world based on the Universities to Debate Europe Project,
organised in 2002 together with ESIB, ESN and
JADE, discussing the future of
Europe as well as the new Constitution at the European Student Convention. We
are now playing an active role
in the Yes Campaign together with JEF Europe
and the European Movement.
"It's sad for Europe and the future we
want to build. What I fear is that the opinion was more a dismissal against the
French politics and
a fear about an unknown future than the willingness of a
strong and unified Europe." – Olivier Leguy, AEGEE-Paris
We are
convinced that the Constitution is a very important step forward for European
Integration. We urge all European governments and
communities to continue to
push the constitutional process forward, and not allow this setback to become an
excuse for defeatism.
AEGEE works for European integration and
intercultural understanding, and as such we encourage all young people of the EU
member states
where referenda will still take place to participate in the
vote as active citizens, and to vote in favour of the Constitution. We are
the
citizens of tomorrow and should take a stronger leadership role
indecision-making today.
Should you have any further questions,
please do not hesitate to contact us at:
Virag Szabo
Director for Public Relations
European Students' Forum - AEGEE
Rue Nestor de Tiere
15
1030 Bruxelles
Phone: +32 2 245 23 00
Fax: +32 2 245 62 60
Web:
www.aegee.org
Email: [log in to unmask]
AEGEE is one of Europe's largest interdisciplinary and voluntary
student associations, operating without being linked to any political party,
promoting a unified Europe, cross-border co-operation, communication and
integration in academic environment, and at the same time striving to create an
open and tolerant society by involving students and young graduates in valuable
projects and discussions over the topics of importance for the communities they
live in. It is represented in 260 university cities, in 42 countries all around
Europe and has about 17000 members
.