In Rome, at the event organised for Europe Day, I meet Aldo Bernabei, who has long been committed in the political world to create opportunities for young Europeans to meet, engage socially and work together. On this occasion, he tells me about a recent European Union Project: the European Solidarity Corps.
The European Solidarity Corps: what is it all about?
It is an EU-funded project, approved in 2018, for young men and women between the ages of 18 and 30, with the aim of developing young people’s sense of European citizenship through a period of voluntary work. It must be offered in at least three different European countries and include a prior training course.
How is it organised in concrete terms?
It is intended to offer young people the opportunity to engage in programmes aimed at the common good. Within their own countries, national associations or agencies propose the funding of projects aimed at social initiatives, helping people in poverty, also in non-European countries, or undertaking cultural activities, e.g. on the identity of their own country. These work assignments give European-level credits that can be used for entry into the labour market.
What is the long-term outlook?
It is hoped that ‘national civil services’ will be established throughout Europe, so that in the future there will be a civil service at European level and that volunteer status will be mutually recognised by all countries. To this end, an appeal was formulated>>, addressed in particular to MEPs, for their support of the Programme ‘European Solidarity Corps’ in view of a Europe of solidarity, active citizenship and peace.
In Munich a whole month of celebrations were held to mark Europe Day
In 2024, the city of Munich once again sent out a common message for Europe: there were celebrations around Europe Day for a whole month. This year, the focus was on the European elections scheduled for 9 June. Activities and events were held every day. Munich residents were invited to actively participate, ask questions and be creative.
In this context, on 9 May, Together for Europe – represented by the Focolare Movement and the YMCA on site – took part in the big party in the city centre with a stand in front of the main stage, where singers, various speakers, and musicians alternated throughout the afternoon.
A lot of people came to inquire about our ecumenical network and its activities in Europe. There was time and space to get to know each other, exchange ideas, dreams and even difficulties.
Capturing the attention was a puzzle about the European continent that fascinated mainly children and young people, the generations that will carry Europe into the future.
In the central square of Würzburg (Germany) people prayed together for peace on 8 May, on the eve of Europe Day 2024. The event was organised by the ecumenical network Together for Europe. In the city, the Movements and Communities involved in this network are, among others, the Community of Sant’Egidio, Vineyard, the Focolare Movement and the YMCA.
The aim of the ecumenical prayer in public was to make known how some of those present were committed to peace in different ways and to encourage those present to do the same: e.g. in the family, at work, in prison, but also on trips.
Dr. Heiner Arzet (Vineyard) told of his trip to Ukraine, where his encounter with psychologically traumatised soldiers in the Butscha military hospital was particularly touching. During the liturgy together with the soldiers, Arzet realised how he too can be an instrument of peace through his presence in prayer.
Each of us, wherever we are, can make small and big choices in favour of peace every day.
A Europe Day for young and older people was held in Klagenfurt (Austria)
On 8 May, Together for Europe celebrated Europe Day 2024 together with the Carinthia Region and Europahaus. Schools from the region, EU project promoters and representatives of various Movements that form part of the Network participated.
The varied programme included prayers and personal reflections on Europe by the participants.
At the end of the ceremony, a choir of forty pupils sang the well-known melody of the European anthem (9th symphony by Ludwig von Beethoven) in a new version of the text developed by the Lutheran theologian Herwig Sturm. The singing conveyed gratitude, hope and joy to all those who were there.
A day of celebration and encouragement for all generations!
Manfred and Fini Wieser on behalf of the Team TfE in Carinthia
On Europe Day, 9 May at 9.30 p.m., an ecumenical moment of prayer for peace took place in Porto/Portogal, in the Cedofeita church.
Around 60 people were present, among them the Catholic auxiliary Bishop D. Roberto Mariz, Bishop D. Jorge Pina Cabral of the Lusitanian Church and Bishop Sifredo Teixeira of the Methodist Church. Jorge Pina Cabral and Bishop Sifredo Teixeira of the Methodist Church.
Poet Sophia de Mello Breyner’s verses ‘Give us Lord the peace we ask for, peace without victor and without vanquished’ marked the start of the celebration.
In a profound moment of interiority, stillness and silence, the word Peace was pronounced in different languages and with the sensitivity of the various confessions, stating: ‘God is love, the whole world needs peace. The world thirsts for Peace!’
We recited the ‘Our Father’ holding hands, followed by the blessing given together by the representatives of the various churches. We left off by drawing a card at random with a key word to build peace and singing the Gen Rosso song ‘Sow Peace’.
The moderator, Rev. Sérgio of the Lusitanian Church, concluded: ‘Today we have rekindled the flame’.
Now it is up to us to find ways and creativity to keep it going, perhaps without waiting a year…
Lurdes Teixeira on behalf of the TfE team in Porto
Photo L. Teixeira during the celebration; invitation flyer.
On the occasion of Europe Day 2024, the 10 May the event organised in Rome took place in the S. Maria in Campitelli complex. Among the 150 or so people present, members of various Movements and Communities of the Network in Rome, were people from the European Institutions, including Hon. Silvia Costa, and Filippo Sassoli, brother of David M. Sassoli.
The keynote speech by Claudio Sardo, a long-standing journalist who has been working for several years in the secretariat of Sergio Mattarella, the President of the Republic, was of great depth. His historical and sociological analysis offered much food for thought, and his assessments underlined the principles that motivate us.
This was followed by some good practices, including those of some young people: Giulia Covalea from the A. Megalizzi Foundation, Fabiola Marotti as ‘Ambassador of a United World’ and two 5th grade students who spoke about the Mediterranean Festival.
Young people also featured in the high-level musical interludes.
At the start, it seemed quite appropriate to play Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, first played exactly 200 years ago, and since 1985 the official anthem of the European Community.
In the adjoining, spacious church, an ecumenical prayer took place; 10 Churches and Ecclesial Communities took part. Accompanied by the choir, made up of people from various Movements and Communities, prayers and intentions were expressed to emphasise peace and love of neighbour. As a tangible sign, bread was distributed to each participant: this bread was then spontaneously exchanged with others. The service ended with the solemn joint blessing of the Church representatives.
Refreshments provided an opportunity to continue and deepen relations and knowledge among the participants.
