Category Archives: Press

Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

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

NEWS

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 »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

World Refugee Day: working together with refugees

In a world where violence forces thousands of families to flee for their lives each day, it is time to show that the global public stands with refugees. This is the reason that, less than two decades ago, brought the UN General Assembly to designite 20 June as World Refugee Day. While supporting the UN intentions, COMECE and the various European Episcopal Conferences, together with … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

COMECE contribution on the future of European defence

In the current geopolitical and strategic environment, security is a major concern for people and a priority for the EU. Ahead of the European Council, COMECE has published its assessment and proposals for a future European Security and Defence Policy. The EU Heads of State and Government will discuss on 22-23 June 2017 the strengthening of EU cooperation on security and defence. In the current … Continue reading »

EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

EU strategy on resilience: a shift towards pre-emptive peace-building?

The EU presented a Joint Communication on how it aims to support states, societies, communities and individuals in adapting to growing and increasingly long-term pressures. COMECE welcomes the EU’s Joint Communication on resilience and encourages the EU to prioritise a people-centered approach in the implementation process. COMECE has actively contributed to the drafting process of the EU’s Joint Communication. We particularly welcome the EU’s intention … Continue reading »

Policy Areas, Press, Social & Economic Affairs

NEWS

Social Affairs Commission statement on the future of work

Under the chairmanship of Mgr. Ambrosio, the COMECE Social Affairs Commission met on Friday in Brussels. Together with EU representatives, the committee of experts exchanged views on the EU reflection paper on the deepening of the Eurozone, the European Solidarity Corps and the European Pillar of Social Rights on Friday. Among the guest speakers were Kai Wynands, Head of Cabinet of the EU Commission Vice-President … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

Cardinal Marx on US President’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate agreement

“Although this decision comes as no surprise, it is a major challenge for climate protection at international level. It erodes the global trust achieved with the agreement of the Paris climate conference. Until the end, we had hoped that the discussions at the G7 and the meeting with Pope Francis would have positively influenced his decision. The Encyclical Laudato Si, offered by Pope Francis to … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Migration: root causes and how to address them

Archbishop François-Xavier Maroy Rusengo from Bukavu (DR Congo) debated with representatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament the root causes of migration in Central and Eastern Africa, and the possible ways to address them. The luncheon debate – organised by COMECE together with Kolping-Netzwerk für Geflüchtete, missio Aachen, and Bertelsmann Stiftung – intended to raise awareness on the root causes of migration, identifying … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

Invitation

Addressing Migration at its roots causes: How can the EU help to improve the prospects of Africa’s youth?

Event organized by COMECE, Kolping-Netzwerk für Geflüchtete, missio Aachen, and Bertelsmann Stiftung with a keynote address of Archbishop François-Xavier Maroy Rusengo (DR Congo) followed by a discussion with MEP Michael Gahler (EPP) and Jean-Louis Ville (EU Commission). A sandwich lunch will be provided at 12:30 hrs. The missio exhibition on the causes of migration and the Kolping Roadshow on integration of refugees will stimulate our … Continue reading »

Migration & Asylum, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

COMECE debates on the challenge of integration

In cooperation with the Centre for Catholic Social Science (KSZ), COMECE held on 18 and 19 May its social-ethical talks in Mönchengladbach/Germany. At the two-day meeting, about 80 scholars, politicians and representatives of the Church and its organisations exchanged their views on the topic of “Integration as a challenge – Living together in Europe”. Participants stressed the need for political actions and civic engagement in … Continue reading »