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European Economic and Social Committee
OPEN FORUM – CONFEDERATION OF GREEK INDUSTRY
50 YEARS OF EUROPE
Brussels, 29 March 2007
SPEECH
by
Mr Dimitriadis
President of the European Economic and Social Committee
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Vice-President of the European Commission,
Commissioner,
President,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is an honour and a pleasure for me to be here with you at this open dialogue on 50 years of the European Union.
First of all, I would like to congratulate the President of the Confederation of Greek Industry, MrDaskalopoulos, for the impeccable organisation of this event, and in particular for holding an open forum, which sets an example of communication and information to be followed by all Europeans and national bodies and partners.
Ladies and gentlemen,
In the 1950s one of the most persuasive arguments for creating a European Community was the tragic experience of the war and by extension the added value of peace.
Fifty years ago, a new start was made after a horrific experience.
Now the horror has been replaced by a vision, which will become a reality when Europe's citizens give it life and form.
It is absolutely essential that our people should dream of a better life, and we have a moral obligation to do our duty on a daily basis, so that their aspirations are well-founded.
Today we celebrate Europe as an entity,not as a country.
We celebrate Europe as a family, being together not because of any common linguistic, religious or cultural heritage but because all of us who are part of Europe share something in common.
We share the same thirst and need for progress, prosperity, security and happiness for ourselves and for the generations to follow.
We celebrate the word "European" as an idea, and a way of living and thinking every day.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Time is precious and we must use it as productively as possible.
While Europe is still licking its wounds after the French and Dutch "no" votes, and surveys showed that 30% of Europeans knew nothing about the European constitution in 2005, a few thousand miles away the emerging economies, which for decades were dormant, are surging ahead en masse, adapting to the international environment, acquiring skills, and thus challenging the achievements of the West.
I am referring to the so-called BRIC economies - Brazil, Russia, India and China – which will be the new superpowers in the year 2050.
By way of example, 45% of the world's industrial products are now made in developing countries, compared with less than 10% in 1970.
71% of executives of international companies surveyed plan to set up business in one of these countries.
We are all very aware of this.
We are all very aware that practice without theory is unwise and that theory without practice is pointless.
Perhaps the time has come to abandon scenario-planning and move on to effective solutions.
Perhaps the time has come to break with our uncompromising economic conservatism and copy – yes, I am not afraid to use the word – copy the good examples and good practices that have been established throughout the rapidly developing world but not in the European Union or in our country.
Directly sharing experience, information, and examples of successful social and economic models that reflect the social and economic particularities of each country is the only way to lead civil society towards a single path of progress and development, and to establish a general framework for stability.
Some talk about globalisation, while we are gripped by the inertia of our national or European identity.
Some look to society, while we look to the state.
Some promote the private sphere, while we promote the public sphere.
Some focus on the economic aspects of society, while we focus on policy.
We must transform words, meetings, decisions, policies and national debates into progress, which is essential for promoting Europe's strengths.
A Euroscience study brought together scientists from European industry in order to determine the two main factors influencing the motivation and employment practice of researchers working in the EU.
The first factor identified was reducing red tape.
The second factor was the creation of attractive employment opportunities.
Are we able to create new jobs and how can we do this?
Are we able to create the right environment for competitiveness and entrepreneurship?
The two-year programme for my presidency of the European Economic and Social Committee is called "Entrepreneurship with a human face".
I am talking about entrepreneurship with a human face, not just a facade.
I am talking about small companies, about a people-centred business approach, and not about economic wealth. I firmly believe in the saying of the Greek philosopher Protagoras: "Man is the measure of all things".
I am talking about society, not about the economy.
I am talking about businesses looking to innovate and not just make profits.
I am talking about people who feel the wind and invent a windmill.
I am talking about people who see a wheel and design a car.
I am talking about people who look at the sun and think of renewable sources of energy.
I am talking about people who touch the earth and devise biofuels.
The CEO of the largest internet search engine in the US once said that people want to believe they will make a difference. Psychological satisfaction is more important than economic satisfaction. They have to believe that they will create something important in order to devote themselves wholeheartedly to it.
This is what today's Europeans are seeking.
They wish to create and play an important role, especially in today's Europe, so that they can devote themselves to itand take part in it wholeheartedly.
My question is this:
Where is Europe going?
Is it taking its people with it or not?
In the mind of every European, the EU is a system that defends their economic and political interests.
Europeans see current EU institutions and procedures as inaccessible, abstruse and fettered by red tape, obscure jargon and hundreds of acronyms.
We may unfortunately have realised this too late. But the main thing is that we have finally been forced to acknowledge the problem, to legislate accordingly and deliver control of this entity to the people themselves, giving them the tools with which to express their wishes, needs and hopes.
This is the human face of Europe, where each of us can shape and create the life of our dreams, for ourselves and future generations, our children.
For better or for worse, there was no "Plan B" following the French and Dutch "no" votes on the European constitution. What we do have, thanks to Vice-President Wallström, is a "Plan D" that aims to involve citizens in a broad discussion on the future of the EU. It relates to the three basic values of our society (Democracy, Dialogue and Debate), with which we can bridge the gap between Europe and its people.
First we must prepare the ground, and then sow the seeds; I think that there is an awareness that the ground was not ready for the seeds, i.e. European society did not have enough information to assimilate the European constitution.
We have never been and are not now in a crisis, in the sense of having reached an impasse.
In Chinese, the word "crisis" has two ideograms: the first signifies "danger" and the other "opportunity".
I am all for opportunity.
Now more than ever, we are morally obliged to persuade our fellow European citizens, using actions not words, that all these things are done by them and for them.
Now more than ever we must persuade citizens to be involved in European decisions and activities.
Now more than ever European civil society is particularly welcome and necessary for the continuing construction of what we call Europe.
Citizens are the vital component, the raw material of Europe, and are the inspiration and purpose of European action.
Citizens need to know what they are striving for if they are to do things in the right way.
Europe can be thought of as a treasure that exists in every country and every household, but which nobody has discovered yet.
If we do not know our rights, we cannot fight for them.
Now more than ever we must bring Europe into the homes of every European citizen so that they can assess, understand, discover and transform it, giving Europe's institutions and political bodies their particular character.
European citizens also need to learn how to recognise what we achieve by being together.
The philosopher Spinoza said: "Do not weep. Do not wax indignant. Try to understand".
I have an unshakeable belief that information based on a proper communication policy is the only way to open all the doors to a participatory European democracy for this generation and the next.
I am not talking about policy, but about society.
I am not talking about power, but about will.
I am not talking about revolution, but about progress and prosperity.
I am talking about action, not stagnation.
Greece, and all the other Member States, must put into practice a number of specific social and economic policies, not just because Brussels asks them to, but because our country really needs these social and economic reforms in order to progress and to prosper.
If all Europeans understand this, then they will see Europe as the means of achieving prosperity and security, rather than an end in itself.
It is never too late, prevention is better than a cure, and Europe is currently licking its wounds.
Europe's future depends on its young people - Nikos Kazantzakis said that "every child is a small god", a "clean slate" which has yet to be marked by history, religion or experience.
I strongly believe that the younger generation is the catalyst for change.
A European Commission report refers to this generation as "human security".
This security is not guaranteed by weapons, or money, but by the potential of each individual.
We must raise awareness among the younger generation about the European values of progress, personal fulfilment, peace, welfare and mutual respect.
We often refer to communication with citizens, since our goal is to inform them properly of what really goes on in Brussels.
However, I feel that this task would be much easier if the information process began at an early age, so that our young people grow up surrounded by the concept of Europe.
Europe must offer its young people the means, opportunities and reasons to be interested in it.
"Europe" faces a further challenge, possibly one of the greatest it has had to deal with yet.
It must demonstrate to its citizens, both within Europe and on the international scene, that what it represents is worthy of trust.
Policies such as those on climate change, energy and social affairs cannot be implemented while ignoring citizens.
Ifthe European Union didn't exist …
.. we would have to invent it.
The economic parameters have shifted.
Today's raw materials are no longer coal and steel but knowledge, the only renewable source of energy.
And in our society, this raw material is processed by means of lifelong learning, beginning at an early age.
Inequalities in education and training result in enormous hidden costs that do not show up in official statistics.
Research in the UK has shown that if 1% more ofthe working population had secondary school leaving qualifications rather than none, the country would benefit to the tune of £665 million.
In a few years, there will be no place for unskilled workers in the developed economies.
By 2020, only 600000 unskilled jobs will remain in Britain, compared with 3.4million now.
Lack of investment, for example, in the early learning years means more spending on remedial measures later.
And there is more: not only must we invest, we must invest wisely in specialised education or rather knowledge, geared to the new socio-economic situation.
Education too must be opened up to competition, in the same way as other economic sectors of public interest, in order to stimulate schools and teachers and improve education provided in Europe and in each of its individual countries.
This can be achieved by focusing on the European university sector, respecting creative freedom and the way private universities are run, their legal independence and freedom of competition.
Education is one of the best communication policies that the EU could employ to come closer to its citizens.
It should develop the new Europe smoothly from school onwards, fostering education in the humanist values that were born of its history: creativity, competitiveness, a sense of responsibility, freedom, democracy and, lastly, the effort and the satisfaction it produces.
And speaking of the younger generation, I would like to mention one of the most serious issues facing Europe – the demographic challenge, which ties in with the question of competitiveness and social cohesion.
Migration, with all its positive and negative effects, is a frequent topic of conversation.
So too are increasing life expectancy and low birth rates throughout Europe.
However -
What are the possible solutions, and what approach should be followed to tackle the roots of this problem?
Before discussing migration from outside Europe, I believe we should firstly facilitate and promote "migration" within Europe, especially migration of "brains", in order to foster the introduction of best practices and examples.
Regarding migration from beyond Europe:
Do we really, I wonder, believe that the shrinking population of young workers in Europe can be offset by migrants from third countries, described by sociologists as "instant citizens" or "second-generation migrants"?
Do we think we can call upon migrants purely and simply for them to do the jobs thatwe Europeans don't want? If the reply is "yes", the outcome will be negative.
Do we expect to be supported by the extra labour resulting from the desire on the part of migrants for a better life?
Because we believe the "baby boomer" generation has aged, while the "millennium generation" is not sufficient?
You would think that all the young Europeans of the "millennium generation" were fully employed and that we had vacancies to fill.
We talk about low birth rates, and we consider that this will be the main cause of future economic decline.
This is not the cause, but rather the result.
Unemployment in Europe is already high, even though the birth rate is low.
Have you ever imagined what would happen if the birthrate were higher?
Would our societies be able to create enough jobs to absorb the "demand"?
So, before blaming our low birth rate, we must see how we can handle this "untapped European potential" – today's young population, which is ready to enter working life but is unemployed, and tomorrow's working population.
My belief is that a large part of the solution is to be found in lifelong learning.
In the end, it is up to each individual, young or otherwise, to cultivate and invest in a spirit of learning, and to acquire learning skills throughout their lives.
Only through lifelong learning can the "baby boomers" also become people of the new millennium, well-equipped with a lifetime's professional experience.
2007 is the year of equal opportunities – as much for the "grey-haired" as for the millennium generation.
I once heard the expression "greying means paying", and I would like to ask you the following question:
WOULD WE PREFER TO HAVE RETIRED ORUNEMPLOYED CITIZENS?
We prefer to see immigration as an immediate solution for unfilled jobs, rather than providing our citizens of the new millennium with the conditions and tools to find work, and enabling our "baby boomers" to adjust and benefit from the changes.
I believe we must take all the steps needed to create the best and most appropriate conditions for our citizens.
We must understand that this is not a purely economic, but above all a social matter.
But -
I do wonder about the following.
As we mark Europe's half-century, young Europeans once again need to understand what their parents are celebrating.
Five years after the euro came into circulation, young Europeans need to understand why it would bebetter for their parents for one euro coins to be changed into notes.
Once again, the average citizen would complain that the cost of living has gone up since the introduction of the euro, and that the fact that the one euro is not in note form necessarily means it is spent more easily.
While salaries remained unchanged, simply being converted into euros, prices have risen unhindered. This is because of the lack of necessary controls, proper preparation, information, and robust monitoring mechanisms.
Once again, we note the lack of up-to-date information and communication for the public about European achievements.