About Us

The European Movement

Encouraging local communities in Britain to play a leading role in a strong, democratic and reformed Europe. The International European Movement was inspired by Winston Churchill’s Zurich speech in 1948, when he urged the recreation of the European family following the end of the Second World War. The movement has no political party affiliation. November 2007 saw a refreshed movement re-launched in the Houses of Parliament.
The Sussex branch is one of ten in the south-east, and covers both East and West Sussex – there is also a separate branch set up in Eastbourne.

The European Movement in Sussex Russian Society was joined by Lewes Links, an organisation which was set up in 1992 to forge links and to promote better understanding of central and eastern Europe. As countries in those areas opened to contacts with western Europen movment, Lewes Links aimed to involve Sussex Russian Society in creating and sustaining links with people and organisations in the eastern half of Europe.

In May some of the countries where these contacts had been built were welcomed into the European Union, and another two in January. Other countries still aspire to join, and the concept of a European movment goes well beyond the borders of the EU.