Sain marraskuun puolivälissä tilaisuuden osallistua Euroopan tulevaisuutta koskevaan konferensiin Berliinissä. Siihen osallistui 80 eri alojen edustajaa. Ohessa raporttini:
Report on
Berlin Meeting from 15th to 18th of November 2012
My arrival to
Berlin, the capital of numerous impulses, was unforgettable. In
arrival hall stood Mr. Bernd Flieger, from the
main UPF office of the city with poster of my name. He took me to the
hotel, even carried my luggage to my room. The Conference Hotel Allegra was
located near the Bahnhof Friedrichstrasse, familiar to me from the time when my daughter stayed in the city for 11
years and every now and then needed my wife and me as babysitter.
Next morning our conference on “What kind of Europe do we envision for
the future?” started at the European Center for Information. As a Finn I was
proud to see around pictures of Olli Rehn at EU-News leaflets. About 80 people
were gathered, some of them familiar
from previous meetings, like UPF president, Dr. Song. The programme was initiated by the Unification Movement president in Germany, Dr. Dieter Schmidt. The plurality of
political movements and different kind of religious groups is a permanent
challenge to all established institutions and
churches. The following lectures highlighted the role of families as a core
societies.
The next session was dedicated to the problem of political crisis under
a motto: “A more united Europe, but
how?” The speakers were again very well prepared. The presentations reflected the political crisis and
the role of local or regional authorities in the future when aiming at democratic
models. Also topics like national identity and federal integration was
considered. One of the key issue is how to guarantee dignity of life for more
and diverse groups of immigrated people, very many living in an new country without citizenship and the rights connected to it.
The rest of the day was devoted
to the future of youth and women issues. Mr. Juan Ignacio Fernandez Torres told about the World Youth Alliance.
This is a global coalition of young people, promoting of the human values in
policy and culture. The organization is committed to building open and just
societies, to defend right to good life, cherish and foster solidarity as well
as mutual respect. According to the
speaker young people are looking forward to finding “purpose and meaning” for
their future, they need a promise of
security.
Also A Women`s Panel was rewarding, especially when the Finnish born
Seija Kuenzig highlighted the dignity of life as a cornerstone for the European
community. Her speech was clearly structured
and advocated for the equality of both sexes. Gender values are an essential
element of the teaching in the Bible as
well as in Quran.
The last day was focused on the
financial crisis of Europe, especially Greece. One of the lecturers was Prof.
Antonio Galloni, board members of Italy`s National Pension Fund. Unfortunately
h e used most of the time given to him to arguing that his presentation of 45
minutes was limited to 25! The speakers analyzed the connection of economic
freedom and economic development, the level of education, health care and level
of poverty. Europe needs a new vision and innovative approaches to peace.
