Category Archives: Press

Policy Areas, Press, Social & Economic Affairs

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Future of Europe: COMECE and citizens promoting the common good

With (Re)thinking Europe approaching, COMECE exchanged ideas on the future of Europe and its underlying principles with an international seminar group discussing the role of religious and faith-based institutions in EU politics. Organised by the Catholic Social Academy in Austria (KSÖ), the exchange took place on the 15 September and highlighted the connection between the future of Europe and the activity of people working on … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press, Social & Economic Affairs

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EU funds: Churches are eligible actors

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is expected to adopt an opinion that might answer to some of the concerns raised up by Churches and civil society organisations on the topic of access to EU Funding. Complex administrative procedures, language barriers, short time-frames, cash-flow problems, as well as the difficulty for funding small-medium projects, are some of the issues that the non-binding EESC document … Continue reading »

Policy Areas, Press, Social & Economic Affairs

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COMECE debated on shrinking civic space

COMECE hosted a meeting with NGOs representatives and faith-based actors to discuss the issue of shrinking space for civil society. The participants reflected on how European policy-makers could contribute to fostering civic space. Civil society actors involved in providing basic services in various areas – such as healthcare, education, development, democracy promotion, good governance and the rule of law – shared experiences concerning shrinking space. … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

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Estonian EU Presidency: COMECE meets with Prime Minister Jüri Ratas

A delegation from COMECE met in Tallinn on August 18 with the Estonian Prime Minister, Jüri Ratas, and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Andres Anvelt, in order to discuss common concerns as well as the most urgent priorities of the Estonian presidency of the Council of the European Union. COMECE was represented by Mgr. Philippe Jourdan, Apostolic Administrator of Estonia and first Catholic Bishop to … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

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Cardinal Marx’s statement on terror attacks in Catalonia

President of COMECE, Cardinal Marx, conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the Archbishop of Barcelona, Cardinal Juan José Omella, and to the relatives of the victims of the shocking terror attacks that took place yesterday in the region of Catalonia, Spain, injuring more than 100 people and killing 14 people. In his message, Cardinal Marx shared his deepest sympathy with the families of the victims, “people … Continue reading »

Policy Areas, Press, Social & Economic Affairs

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Future of work after Laudato si’: debate on the changing labour market

In a time of digitalisation, robotisation and climate change, the world of work is facing incredible changes. Inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato si’ and its call to protect employment and nature, COMECE took part in a seminar with the ILO, researchers and Church-based actors in Geneva. The conference was a first stepping-stone towards a COMECE reflection on the future of work. Together with Catholic … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

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Religious actors discuss with policy-makers how to implement resilience

COMECE hosted a roundtable debate on the concept of resilience and the respective roles of policy-makers and faith-based actors in this process. The meeting gathered 30 stakeholders from European External Action Service, European Commission, European Parliament as well as UN and faith-based actors from the field. In view of the current geopolitical challenges and of EU’s strategic priority to foster resilience of countries and their … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

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Churches to the EU: “Our future depends on common values”

On 27 June, the European Parliament, under the patronage of President Antonio Tajani, convened a dialogue with representatives of Jewish, Muslim, and Christian communities on the future of Europe. The high-level dialogue was inspired in part by recent European Parliament resolutions on improving its various treaties and on the 2017 European Commission White Paper on the future of Europe. Churches are equally invested in these … Continue reading »

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

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COMECE contributes to the theme of the Fundamental Rights Forum 2018

COMECE Secretariat expressed its position concerning the chosen topic of “belonging” in the context of the consultation launched by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights in view of the Fundamental Rights Forum 2018. The consultation of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights was questioning the meaning of “belonging” for each participating organization. COMECE highlighted the link between belonging to a community and being able to … Continue reading »

Policy Areas, Press, Youth policies

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COMECE in dialogue with young people on Europe’s future

One of the main arguments against the EU is the gap between the European institutions and its citizens, particularly the youth. COMECE met and discussed with young people in order to understand how European politics can better involve young people and listen to their concerns and proposals. The Youth Day, an event organised by the Bavarian youth organisation Bayerischer Jugendring (BJR), gathered young people, EU … Continue reading »