The European Movement International is a lobbying association that coordinates the efforts of associations and national councils with the goal of promoting European integration, and disseminating information about it.
History Initially the European Movement in the 1940s brought together "federalists and European unionists". The federalists, organised mainly in the European Union of Federalists, sought "an abatement of national sovereignty" whilst the unionists aimed "at creating an association of states as close as is compatible with the retention of national sovereign independence."
In May 1949, the European Movement played a significant role in encouraging ten European states to create the Council of Europe, and to begin work on drafting a charter of rights, which eventually became the European Convention on Human Rights.
Presidents NameTermGuy Verhofstadt2023–presentEva Maydell2017–2023 Jo Leinen2011–2017Pat Cox2005–2011José María Gil-Robles1999–2005Mário Soares 1997–1999Valéry Giscard d'Estaing1989–1997Enrique Barón Crespo1987–1989Giuseppe Petrilli1981–1987Georges Berthoin1978–1981Jean Rey 1974–1978Walter Hallstein 1968–1974Maurice Faure 1961–1968Robert Schuman 1955–1961Paul-Henri Spaak 1950–1955Duncan Sandys 1948–1950
Secretaries General NameTermPetros Fassoulas2015–presentDiogo Pinto2009–2015Henrik Kröner2002–2009Pier Virgilio Dastoli 1995–2001Giampiero Orsello1993–1995Bob Molenaar1987–1993Luigi Vittorio Majocchi1985–1987Sjouke Jonker1984Thomas Jansen1981–1983Robert van Schendel1955–1980Georges Rebattet (London office) 1948–1955Józef Retinger (Paris office, from 11/1951 Brussels office) 1948–1950
Activities The Movement's various Councils and Associations, under the co-ordination of the European Movement International (EMI), work to influence European decision-makers - associations, governments, politicians, political parties, enterprises, trade unions and individual lobbyists - to promote European integration.
The EM also works as a study and information group operating through various projects and activities, and publishes information on European affairs and activities.
Organisation The Movement's central office, located at Place de Luxembourg in Brussels, is headed up by a President and six Vice-Presidents. Honorary Presidents, generally prominent European politicians, are also elected, but hold no executive powers.
The current President of the EMI is Guy Verhofstadt MEP. The management of the organisation is drawn from across Europe.
International associations The EMI has several International Member Associations. These include civil society organisations, business and trade unions, NGOs, political parties, local authorities and academia.
Supporting members College of Europe Foundation Euractiv The Kosovar Civil Society Foundation - KCSF
National Councils At national level there are National Councils in 39 countries, organized in a very diverse way. In principle national councils of all countries which are members of the Council of Europe can join the European Movement. Only on national level the EM has youth branches.
Board Policy is formulated by a Board, the chairmanship of which is held by the President. A 'Federal Assembly', made up of delegates from all member organisations foments policies for the EMI and is in charge of the organisation's Auditors. Several specialist committees, devoted to the discussion of individual policies exist as well. The current Political Committees are: More Democracy, Citizens' Rights and Freedom; Jobs, Competitiveness and Sustainable Growth; and Europe in the World. Day-to-day office-work is performed by the staff, which is led by a Secretary General, who since 2015 has been Petros Fassoulas.
Current members of the Board are:
President - Guy Verhofstadt; Secretary General - Petros Fassoulas; Vice-presidents - Brando Benifei, Yves Bertoncini, Tobias Köck, Noelle O'Connell, Valeria Ronzitti, Frédéric Vallier; Treasurer - Nataša Owens; Board members - Aku Aarva, Francisco Aldecoa Luzárranga, Antonio Argenziano, Veronika Chmelárová, Marco Cilento, Sina Frank, Monica Frassoni, Patrizia Heidegger, Olivier Hinnekens, Zvezdana Kovač, Roselyne Lefrançois, Richard Morris.
See also European Integration European Movement Belgium European Movement Germany European Movement Ireland European Movement UK European Movement in Scotland (EMiS) Politics of Europe Europeans Without Borders
Notes
References
External links
Official website Historical fonds of European Movement at the Historical Archives of the EU in Florence