A contribution by the ECPM staff about the current developments in Europe and the possible role of the ECPM.

There has been a lot of talk in the past few years about a 'Europe of values' as a replacement of a 'Europe of markets'. One might wonder if there were any values at all at stake in this 'Europe of markets'. However, the biggest question is not which values have driven the EU these last few years, the question is: which values will drive the European Union in the coming decades.? There are two clear developments that matter concerning the answer to this question.

The first development aims in fact to continue the implicit values of the 'Europe of markets' into this 'Europe of values'. This means a Europe purely based on individualistic and secular values and in practical politics and policies. Of course there will be some mentioning of our 'judeo-christian heritage' in non-sensitive issues but in practice the individualistic and secular approach will determine the policies of the EU. The negative consequences of these philosophies can be seen nearly everywhere around us. We see the troubled youth in our inner-cities because of the lack of family values. We see the results of the 'me first' culture in our economic and ecological crisis. We see an ongoing utilisation of life in scientific developments even when there are alternatives available.

But this does not matter for those who pursue this individualistic secular agenda. They are not representing a majority of the people living in the EU but they manage to hold a great influence among media and policy-making bodies. There are clear signals that this agenda is pushed everywhere in Europe. For example, in several new EU member-states legislation is pushed that erodes the notion of marriage and thus family life. Family life is degraded from a bond of mutual relationships to a number of individuals who live together by mere coincidence. It may not sound surprising but, from a democratic viewpoint, it is extremely worrying that national governments are pressured to give in on these issues only because 'this is the way the EU wants it'. Apparently, there are groups at work who have already defined 'the values of Europe'.

An example of this is the latest piece of EU legislation that is being prepared right now. Under the banner of 'anti-discrimination' there is a very discriminatory proposal in preparation. This proposal would create a situation where any person (or organisation) in any public office who would wear a religious symbol could be sued as 'discriminatory' as soon someone feels discriminated by the visibility of these symbols. This is of course a very dangerous development that would create a situation in which religious people are subjugated to the preferences of any person that has hard feelings towards religion. This is also a clear example of excessive secular individualism, a clear example that the values of the market can become the values of the EU.

And all these developments are going on in a time that clearly needs different values than individualism and secularism. We need values that bring people to reflect on their behaviour, build our families and bring social cohesion in our societies. Christian values have been the driving force behind all human development in Europe. The Christian notions of repentance and reconciliation made it possible to lay the foundations for the EU after the horrors of WW II. Christian values can help Europe in our economical and ecological crisis. This is indeed the 'Europe of values' that the founding fathers intended the Union to be. It is by no means a coincidence that these were nearly all Christian-democrats.

Therefore, it is encouraging to clearly see a different development as well. Politicians who value those Christian values are starting new co-operations and try to gather on issues all over Europe. Together they represent a different set of values for the EU. In Bulgaria politicians and family organisations came together to successfully prevent legislation that would erode family life and family policies. In Romania politicians and family NGO's are now working together to encourage Christian values in the policies of their nation. In the European parliament MEP's have created a new working-group on human dignity based on the notion that the human being and every person is made in the image and likeness of God. This working group will be launched at 25^th of March 2009 in Strasbourg. In Madrid a European and global summit on family values will take place at 27^th of March. In the Netherlands the world congress of families will take place from 10 till 12 August 2009. This is only a short, incomplete summary that leaves out many other initiatives.

So, there is a growing movement among those involved in politics who advocate Christian values for our continent. It is clear that these separate issues like human dignity, family and freedom of religion can be better understood from a common vision at life and society, a vision in which these separate issues are embedded. It is also important that these separate initiatives find a common platform of exchange and encouragement in order to work together much more effectively.

The ECPM offers itself as the meeting place for all those who want to build a 'Europe of values' from a different perspective than 'me and my money'. The ECPM is already involved in these initiatives by taking the initiative or participating in them. There is a growing number of requests for assistance from new initiatives by people who see the basic values of the ECPM as the vision in which their issues are embedded. They recognise in our vision the vision they have for the future of Europe.

We, as ECPM are convinced that the values of Europe are not defined yet. If we are able to work together we can stay alert on new developments and promote a positive agenda for tomorrow's Europe. There is a clear need among the ordinary people of Europe to replace the 'Europe of markets' by the 'Europe of values'. Together we can help our continent to find its roots that will help to grow and prosper Europe in the time to come. 

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