Convention expectations EN
From Noeuconstitution
QUESTION 1 : WHICH EXPECTATIONS FROM THE CONVENTION PROCESS ?
What should be the objectives of the convention process ? Some of us wish to have a debate on the institutions (putting forward that it would be impossible to be more ambitious, in view of the diversity of standpoints on the other questions). Other maintain that it is unthinkable to define institutions without taking a stand on the economic and social context.
Some want to write a new treaty, while other only want to discuss guidelines. Some want to start from the existing texts, while other want to strive for a brand new European construction.
Finally, as far as strategy is concerned, some want to come to a position that we could negotiate with the existing political forces, while other do not want to start making compromises.
During the Attac convention meeting in Brussels (17-18 December 2005), 7 propositions came out of the working sessions and plenary.
| Title of the proposition | Comments and discussions | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ABC plan is not thought to develop a constitution or a treaty.
Some people think that writing a new Constitution or treaty might be a second step. This could be reconsidered in the future. | For the moment, it is not a priority : high convergence. |
| 2 | The ABC plan is an opportunity to start a participative and on-going process of debate: first between the European Attacs, strongly involving national and local groups, then reaching out to the wider public and partner organisations.
It aims to include all European countries (not only EU member countries). Participation of the citizens in the building of a new Europe, against the vision of the European elites. | High priority. High convergence.
The discussion should be kept as simple / reachable as possible. Complex or technical matters could be first debated by « specialists ». But the main process should be open to anybody. |
| 3 | The ABC plan is a deep reflexion about the « other » Europe that we want. But it also has to make proposals to change the EU as it is today. | High priority. High convergence.
This implies the liberty of each individual ATTAC to put a different stress on its participation to the common process. |
| 4 | The ABC plan is a tool to develop common shared principles for Europe. | High priority. High convergence. |
| 5 | The ABC process aims to develop concrete and coherent alternatives, for example on :
European institutions public services, social justice and solidarity environmental policies integration of the new members states fiscal and monetary policies EU trade and development policy CAP reform (agriculture) ... | High priority. High convergence.
This proposition shows the need to concretely analyse all key aspects of Europe. The importance here is less on the list of items : those are developed in the questions 2 and 3. |
| 6 | The ABC plan needs to be translated into concrete common European campaigns for political actions. | High priority. High convergence.
Those will be resistance campaigns (against Bolkestein, the Lisabon strategy, or GATS...) and offensive campaigns or proposals (see questions 2 and 3) |
| 7 | Prepare a set of proposals for the ESF of Athens and for the European council of June 2006. | High priority. Convergence.
They could be opposed to parts one and two of the present treaty proposal. The charter of fundamental rights, the 2 Council of Europe documents (Convention for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the European social charter) should be studied in that sense. |
| 8 | Integrate wider discussion processes currently going on within the European social movement. | Priority. Convergence.
In particular, the process for a charter of principles (« Florence process ») at the Athens ESF. |
| 9 | Take into account EU as a global actor. | High priority. High convergence.
In trade or peace issues, e.g. |
| 10 | Next meeting of the convention: December 2006 | Not in Brussels ! :-) |
| 11 | What should be the role of Attac in building an alternative for Europe? What is the political strategy etc. | Divergence and Point of discussion.
Should Attac be the « fire » or the « fuel » for the debate ? |
| 12 | Articulating clear alternatives to win the battle of public opinion. | Assessing the problem of ideology dominance of neoliberalism through medias, leisures, advertisment... |
| 13 | How to put coherence between our ideas and the way we live on a daily basis ? | Topic raised by Attac Spain during the last plenary session. Not discussed. |
