Forum of the European Minorities
The idea of establishing a Forum of the European Minorities (FEM) emerged at a think-tank meeting that took place in Berlin in 2012 (funded by Denmark) and at this moment it is developed further.
The basic idea:
Since more than three years the discussion on the future of Europe is marked by the economic crisis. With the strategy “Europe 2020” the European Union set an agenda that proposes ways to overcome the crisis by growth. All actors in society have a role to play in solving the problems. This includes the often-mentioned European civil society.
The minorities in Europe – 100 million European citizens are part of a minority – want to make their contribution to solving the crisis, by establishing a “Forum of the European Minorities”. The minorities of Europe represent a potential, which is neither sufficiently known today, nor sufficiently made use of. The Forum of the European Minorities (FEM) has the aim of showing these resources and making them ready to be used.The added value of the minorities stretches over many areas and can make a significant contribution in many fields of politics and in society. The main subjects of the European Forum are related to the economy, social affairs, culture and territorial cooperation. Furthermore the Fundamental Rights Charter, which has become binding with the Lisbon Treaty, forms an important guideline. The basic parameters of the Forum are to reinforce the European civil society and to foster a pan-European public sphere in terms of a Europe of the regions.The initiative to establish a Forum of the European Minorities (FEM) came from FUEN.
Our partners are the youth organisation of the European minorities (YEN) and the Committee of the Regions. The Danish Parliament has provided funding for the first phase.With examining the possibilities for a European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC), or the launch of a Europe-wide citizens’ initiative, the proposed establishment of a “House of the European Minorities” and the opening of an office in Brussels, already first concrete steps were taken.
