Events in 2006
Saturday 20 May 2006 Special General Meeting This meeting was called on the initiative of Sussex Branch with the support of 106 members of the Movement who signed a request to the Chairman that a general meeting be called. The main purpose of this Special General Meeting was to decide what the objectives, systems and structures of the European Movement should be in the future. In the month preceding the meeting an opportunity for debate had been offered on this website. You can read a report of the meeting. |
Presidency dinners Austria took over the EU Presidency from the UK on 1 January this year, |
The Summer Seminar Friday 7 July 2006Europe and the Citizen – is the European Union democratic enough ?The broad theme for the seminar will be the so-called “democratic deficit”. The rejection of the Constitutional Treaty came as a shock to EU administrators, and the painful process of agreeing an EU budget for the period 2007-2013 has also undermined confidence. Some argue that it has been ‘enlargement fatigue’, and most agree that with a UK press that is often hostile it has been difficult to encourage voters to engage democratically with the real issues. But have they had the opportunity? Three thermes were introduced by experienced guests, leading to discussion on practical ways of improving the democratic nature of the EU and the European Parliament. |
Getting the message over
Oliver Hayward, Margaret Tuccori and Sarah Leigh at the Sussex Branch stand |
Presidency lunch – Finland 16 October 2006 at the Newick Park HotelFinland took over the EU Presidency from Austria on 1 July this year, and a lunchtime event to hear about current issues was held on Monday 16 October. The guest speaker was Alexander Stubb, one of Finland’s MEPs, talking about the issues that Finland has handled as current EU priorities, and answering questions afterwards. |
Home study day held on Saturday 4 November 2006“Unity in diversity” – current enlargement issuesAre there limits to Europe? can frontiers can be drawn on historic grounds, ethnicity, values? how are the aspirations of smaller countries in south-east Europe being handled? what general principles could enable further expansion of the EU? Study Days are usually 3 hour afternoon events, held in a private house. |
European events in neighbouring areas Bulgaria and the EU The Bulgarian ambassador spoke at an evening meal and talk organised by the West Kent branch on 10 November 2006. Some notes here on what was said. The Future of the European Constitution Points made by three guest speakers at a conference on 18 November 2006 organised by the Federal Union. |
General Meeting Saturday 25 November 2006This meeting was a follow-up to the SGM held in May this year, which set up an urgent ‘Strategic Task Force’ to review the structure of the European Movement and recommend within a 6 month timescale how its vitality could be sustained in the future.
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Annual General Meeting was held on Monday 4 December 2006 at Adastra Hall, Keymer Road, Hassocks BN6 8QHReports of this year’s activities. Plans for 2007. Approval of Accounts. Election of Officers.Rory Curran, East Sussex Officer for Europe, talked about the development of Regional Links between Southern England and Northern France. The evening ended with mulled wine and seasonal refreshments. |
Celebratory dinner Friday 15 December 2006 at the Steyning Centre, Steyning, West SussexThis dinner celebrated the 60th year of Wilton Park, the international conference centre at Wiston House, Steyning, which was originally part of the effort to re-introduce democracy to post-war Europe. The evening was organised by the Steyning Society and Steyning Museum. Contact Peter Harris on 01903 813983. |