Brussels, 02/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - In parallel with the work of the European Convention, the debate on the future of Europe is continuing in Member States, as shown by the day of debates organised by the Avicenne Association, in Brussels on 23 April, and devoted to the "Challenges facing the Convention for a European Constitution". Fuelled by philosophical reflections as well as more concrete, provocative even, interventions, the debate demonstrated the many challenges facing the Convention. It also responded to the Association's approach which is to strengthen the dialogue between faiths (it brings together people of different faiths as well as secular society) over European construction. Here is a brief overview of some interventions.
"In Europe, what interests me, is the post-national side", said the writer Michel Gheude, in passing welcoming "the do-it-yourself" and "pragmatic search" that participate in European construction. Very critical of the "State that legitimises the strong", that holds the monopoly over violence and mainly expresses itself through its grand roles in the field of the military, the police, justice and tax, Mr. Gheude considered that the "State needs civilising". Among the accusations he levelled, he especially placed emphasis on the "total indifference to people" which it treats as tax-payers, accountable and people to be administered to rather than citizens. The latter "expect of the State that it treats them as citizens and not subjects, people and not things", he added. The trade unionist, Gerard Fonteneau (European Trade Union Confederation) referred to the advance of neo-liberal ideology in Europe, with as consequence: increased poverty, the lack of protection against redundancies, the insidious placing back into question of systems of social protection that will worsen with enlargement to countries whose systems are two-thirds privatised, the gradual destruction of public services, etc. "All that pollutes solidarity, social cohesion, and generates frustration and feelings of intolerance", he considered, regretting that the new generations of officials in the European Commission seem to be "working at leaving policy to the private sector". For him, the Convention should give priority to social policies, employment, public services, involved democracy (he remarked that this was lacking in Member States too), the extension of European citizenship to all people living on the EU territory, without discrimination, as well a the creation of a work tribunal within the Court of Justice. Professor Ricardo Petrella (Catholic University of Leuven) spoke of the "loss of autonomy" in European construction which today is under the influence of globalisation and the dogma of competitiveness, with as result "acceptance that everything can be traded". He deplored that capital should have become the main source of richness, whereas only fifteen years ago work was recognised a the main virtue. Today, "work is no more than cost for capital", observed Mr. Petrella, before stressing that the apparition of autonomous monetary power had now been added to the three classical powers (legislative, executive and judicial), with the recognition of the independence of the European Central Bank, whereas the German and American Constitutions only recognised the autonomy of central banks. "Will the Convention change all that? I don't believe it for a second!", he concluded