06/04/2017
COMECE contribution to the public consultation on the European Solidarity Corps (EN)
Category Archives: Policy Areas
NEWS
The European Solidarity Corps needs a dedicated budget
COMECE supports the general idea of creating a European Solidarity Corps, but encourages the EU to quickly provide an own funding line and to develop a wider strategy on volunteering. In December 2016, the EU Commission launched the European Solidarity Corps, which enables young people between the ages of 18 and 30 to take part in solidarity activities. Although more than 24,000 participants have already … Continue reading
NEWS
Fostering resilience for sustainable peace
COMECE together with Justice&Peace Europe and Pax Christi International submitted a contribution to the forthcoming Joint Communication from the EU High Representative and the European Commission on resilience. The contribution entitled “Fostering resilience for sustainable peace” provides reflections and 10 concrete proposals for implementing resilience – one of EU’s strategic priorities. While welcoming the prioritisation of resilience in EU’s Global Strategy, the COMECE contribution puts … Continue reading
Press Release
Presidents of CEC-COMECE meet, discuss future of Europe and dialogue with President Juncker
Cardinal Marx, president of COMECE, and Rt Rev. Christopher Hill KCVO, DD, president of the Conference of European Churches met on 31 March to strengthen the ecumenical commitment of the Church to the European project, in whatever new ways are appropriate in light of current challenges. They were also received on this day by Mr Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, as part of … Continue reading
NEWS
COMECE contributes to the EU consultation on VAT rates
COMECE stresses that clear and fraud-proof Value Added Tax (VAT) rules are crucial for the functioning of the European single market, but that simplifying these rules should not take place to the detriment of the objective of a just and equitable tax system. The consultation is part of the VAT Action Plan of the European Commission. It aims to reduce complexity of VAT rules with … Continue reading
Press Release
Reactions of Cardinal Marx on Pope Francis’ speech to the Heads of State and Government of the EU
Pope Francis received the Heads of State and Government of 27 EU Member States on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. In his speech, he called on them to discern “the paths of hope, identifying specific ways forward to ensure that the significant steps taken thus far have not been wasted, but serve as the pledge of a long and … Continue reading
23/03/2017
Fostering resilience for sustainable peace (EN)
Invitation
Lunch debate: Migration and Integral Human Development: 50 years after Populorum Progressio
In 2017 we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the publication of Encyclical Populorum Progressio by Pope Paul VI whose enriching reflection shifted development to the center of the question of social justice. From then on the concept of integral human development (“the good of every man and of the whole man”) entered for good into Catholic Social Teaching. War and violence, or lack of social, … Continue reading
NEWS
How to implement a global concept of defence?
COMECE organised a roundtable debate on the possibilities to better articulate civilian and military aspects of a global concept of defence. 25 stakeholders from European External Action Sevice, EU Military Staff, European Commission, European Parliament as well as NATO, UN and from the humanitarian field discussed the opportunities to strengthen the coherence of civil-military relations at the European level. In the light of the current … Continue reading
20/03/2017
COMECE contribution to the EU consultation on the reform of VAT rates (EN)