Study Days
15 Nov 2019 09h00Venice
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General information
The recent European Parliament elections which took place in May of this year showed that voters are concerned about the direction in which the EU is developing. In many countries, citizens protested against the EU overstepping its competences in areas such as migration, fiscal matters and judicial reforms. As a result, the European Parliament elections put an end to the grand old coalition between the EPP and the Socialists.
The ECR Group believes that localism and national sovereignty are the foundation of every democracy. Forcing unwanted rules and threatening EU countries and regions with sanctions is not the right direction. Our members stand for an EU that is flexible, bottom-up and active in areas, which bring added value to citizens, such as deepening the single market and reducing disparities between European regions. They reject both the old ideology of unlimited supranationalism, and the extreme position that the European Union should be abolished.
The ECR study days will focus on two topics, which are close to the heart of each conservative: subsidiarity and protection of cultural heritage.
- The subsidiarity principle says that decisions should always be made as close to citizens as possible. It means taking decisions at the most appropriate level, by individuals where possible and by local and national authorities in preference to supranational bodies. It also means formulating policies that impact local communities by taking into account their views and interests, and devolving powers upon local and regional authorities.
- Cultural heritage is what helps to bring our cities, regions and countries together, both socially and economically. Shared Judeo-Christian heritage and enlightenment ideals helped to unify our local communities and build the entire European civilisation. Protecting this legacy and helping to ensure that EU and other institutions respect the right of Europeans to historical continuity and to enjoy their traditions is an obligation for each conservative local politician.
Why now? Agreeing on a set of conservative messages is crucial with a view to the new mandate of the European Commission (December) and of the CoR (January). The Study Days will help not only to formulate these messages, but also to communicate them to representatives of national governments, the European Commission and the European Parliament. Moreover, the Study Days will prepare food for thought for ECR politicians ahead of their participation in the biannual Subsidiarity Conference in the Italian Senate on 22 November. This conference will be organised jointly by the CoR and the Italian Association of Regional Councils, with the active participation of our member, Roberto Ciambetti.
Why Venice? Italy is one of the founding members of the EU and has seen its citizens opt for a change in the status quo. In the October 2017 referendum in Veneto, citizens voted by a majority of more than 90% for greater autonomy from the national government. The European Parliament elections of May 2019 also saw citizens opt for parties presenting a new and alternative vision for a reformed EU. But Veneto is not only about devolution of powers. Its capital Venice is called "the pearl of the Adriatic". Its architecture, paintings, sculptures and operas have an important position and influence in the world. At the same time, the city faces tourism pressure and is in demographic decline, which has a strong influence on its ability to protect its charm and historical values.
Programme
| 15 November: | ECR CoR Study Days 2019 |
| 9 a.m. – 9.30 a.m. | Registration and coffee |
| 9.30 a.m. – 10 a.m. | Opening speeches and introduction to the Veneto region
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| 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. | Panel I – Implementing genuine subsidiarity The principle of subsidiarity is defined by Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. It aims to ensure that decisions are taken as closely as possible to citizens and that constant checks are made to verify that action at EU level is justified in light of the possibilities available at national, regional or local level. Specifically, it is the principle whereby the EU does not take action (except in the areas that fall within its exclusive competence), unless it is more effective than action taken at national, regional or local level. The only areas where the EU does have exclusive competence are customs union, competition rules necessary for the functioning of the internal market, monetary policy for the eurozone, conservation of marine resources, common trade policy and conclusion of international agreements. In theory, in all other areas national, regional and local authorities have precedence over the EU. In practice however, the EU sometimes oversteps the prerogatives granted to it by the Treaties. We have seen that with regard to unequal treatment of countries in areas such as migration, the rule of law and budget deficit rules. This can obviously have a negative effect on local government. For instance, if the EU decides to cut cohesion policy funds for alleged violations of the rule of law, this would first and foremost affect Europe's regions and cities, despite the fact that their influence over the policies of central government is limited. In this panel, politicians and experts will discuss how the balance of competences enshrined in the EU treaties can be better preserved and how to attribute greater significance to the subsidiarity check procedures performed by the CoR and national parliaments. Moderator: Antonio Franzina, Head of Press office, Veneto Regional Council Speakers:
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| 11 a.m. – 12 noon | Panel II – Protecting Europe's cultural heritage While the ideas of the enlightenment have been important in shaping the ideals of democracy, there is another important part of the continent's history: Europe's roots. Europe is rooted in Roman law, Greek philosophy and Christian ethics. Roman law has been essential in creating the legal code that EU Member States practise, providing us with the important notions of giving freedom to individuals, such as due process and the need for evidence before making a judgement. Greek philosophy has been important in creating the ideas of democracy – the rule of the common man by the common man and freedom of speech, which is essential in a democratic system. Christianity has been vital in inspiring Europeans to distinguish themselves from the rest of the world through art, language, customs and architecture. Furthermore, Christianity has been a source of inspiration for freedom, both in Western and Central-Eastern Europe. It also adds a number of values to Roman law: preaching forgiveness and compassion, and peaceful settlement of ideas rather than escalation to violence. In order to heal the divisions in the polarised political climate facing the EU today, it is important to understand the role played by our common heritage and roots that managed to bring people together in times of repression and uncertainty on the European continent, with particular emphasis on the customs of different communities. In this panel, politicians and experts will be discussing how our cultural heritage has helped shape Europe, how it can be preserved, and why it should be protected. Moderator: Antonio Franzina, Head of Press office, Veneto Regional Council Speakers:
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| 12.15 p.m. – 12.30 p.m. | Roberto Ciambetti, President of Veneto Regional Council |
| 12.30 p.m. | Picture of all the participants |
| 12.45 p.m. | Official lunch |
Location
Venice Regional Council, Aula Consiliare, Palazzo Ferro Fini, San Marco 2322 - 30124