The vision of a Social Europe for all and will to act together for its fulfilment is what brought us, 1326 young European Socialists and Social Democrats to Figueira da Foz in framework of ECOSY biggest annual activity – Summer Camp. United in a struggle, inspired by the Summer Camp political debates and motivated to carry on our common project "Building together a Social Europe", we rise our voice to express following:

International solidarity

60 years ago Germany signed the unconditional surrender, ending the Second World War. 60 years later we need to take this commemoration as an occasion to discuss PEACE. PEACE for all humanity on earth. Conflicts in the world need to be prevented by active engagement of the EU. Therefore the CFSP needs to be reformed and strengthened.

 

ECOSY condemns the bomb attack on the 7th of July in London and shares her deepest sympathies with the victims, their families and others affected. But the black and white approach of the War against terrorism misses the causes of fundamentalism. Under the umbrella of the UN, the EU needs to define as soon as possible a strategy that effectively fights these route causes.

Enlargement and Integration

International solidarity has many dimensions. International solidarity in terms of Europe means also advancing the project of the European integration and European enlargement. We, as Young Socialists and Social Democrats, we stand strongly for advancing this process. We do believe that the crisis which European Union faces today can not jeopardise process of bridging and unifying states from all over the continent.

End poverty Now

As Socialist and Social Democrats we believe that another world is possible, a world that is based on sustainable development. We the generation of the future need to ensure for the coming generations that we have social progress, environmental protection, economic growth and full employment.

 

Till today, poverty, hidden poverty and working poor exist in Europe. This needs to be ended right now. Europe needs to establish a strategy to fight this phenomenon and a social treaty needs to be signed. We can no longer accept that 10 percent of all Europeans have to live in poverty. This in an insult for the modern society. Better social models and more and better jobs are part of our answer. Sustainable development is the other part. Europe needs to establish a sustainable development policy that end poverty for our generation as well as the generations after us.

 

Public services

A state is not a company and needs to provide public services for the well being of its people. In the recent years several services have been privatised and we see right now for some the negative effects. Socialists and social democrats have to realise that services from which people can not be excluded are a public good. Healthcare, education and water need to be accessible and ECOSY strongly opposes privatisation. Public goods contribute to the development of the society and undermining this will undermine the European society as a whole.

 

Better jobs for all

Young people all over Europe are faced with hidden unemployment and hidden poverty. The next generation needs to have more and better jobs. Part time work needs to be organised in a social framework that overcomes deplorable social situations. Women are equal and need to be treated likewise. Income differentiation on the basis of sex is no longer in a modern society acceptable. The Lisbon objectives need to be realised. Not only economical growth should be the driving force of Europe, but social and sustainable growth. Therefore we call on Socialist and Social democratic governments in Europe to strengthen the Social Policy Agenda of the Lisbon strategy as well as the creation of a pact for growth and full employment.

 

Gender Equality

Equality is the prior value of the socialist movement. We believe that peace and democracy are possible only when all the people, no matter gender, sexual orientation, nationality, origin, belief, all the people are equal. Fighting for equality, which sadly is still not the reality also in Europe, is a goal that we point ourselves clearly in our struggle.

 

Women in Europe still do not have the same rights as men. There are more women than men among those who remain unemployed and once women get a job, their work is underestimated and often lower paid. That has to be changed. That has to be a a priority in agenda of us, socialist and social democrats, movement originating from trade unions and workers tradition. Justice on the labour market, which should be equally accessible and guarantee equal opportunities for all is what we, Young European Socialists stand for.

 

What for some is home, for many women is a prison. We can not allow anybody to remain fear, unsecured and assaulted. We have to ensure for everyone that our voice for the right of respect that goes together with a condemn of any kind of violence is to be heard.

 

Women are not trusted with their choice in terms of their health and reproductive rights. In many countries abortion remains illegal, and those who reach for the abortion underground suffer from bad conditions and even die. We need to change the law – so that abortion is legal and free all over our continent.

Education for all

Europe wants to become the strongest knowledge based economy by 2010. For that we need to have free and equal access to education. The bologna process can no longer be misused to reform education. The creation of the higher education dimension alone is not enough. We need more investment in education and combat tuition fees. Next to that, liberalisation under the GATS can not be accepted. On the 10th of December 2005 we need to stand together when governments meet in the WTO meeting in Hong Kong. A knowledge based economy demands free and equal access to high quality education.

Same sex marriage

We are shocked by the recent execution of two boys in Iran and strongly condemn any discrimination imposed on the basis of sexual orientation. These young men, only 16 and 18 years old, were hanged because of their homosexual relationship. Also in Europe we still face discrimination of sexuality. LGBT need to have the right to marry in Europe and the right to become a blood donor. For this we united during this summer camp. By combating homophobia we want to establish a tolerant Europe. A tolerant EU that puts more emphasises in education to raise equality for LGBT in Europe.

Better health care system, Demographical challenges

Demographic challenges are not overcome by cutting down healthcare systems. Seniors, middle aged and juniors jointly demand a strong European answer. ECOSY believes that very human being has to have unlimited access to good, high quality, public solidarity based health care systems. Being here in Portugal we need to emphasise that ECOSY stands for the right to abortion and call for all Portuguese to vote in favour in the upcoming referendum!

 

 

ECOSY Young European Socialists have a vision. A vision that can overcome the current problems in Europe. For this we united during the 8th ecosy summer camp in Fugeuira da Foz. The previsions 8 elements provide the building blocks that enable us to build together a social Europe.

 

Today we celebrate the ending of the summer camp but our political work starts only today. From now on ECOSY will put all its affords in bringing forward the ideas and visions of YOU all, collected during the camp. From 14 till 21 of August ECOSY wil organise the seminar: building together a social Europe for all. And from then on will advocate in the PES, PES group for a Social Europe for everyone.

 

In 2005 ECOSY will also combat global poverty. As said Europe has to act on the basis of International Solidarity. Therefore ECOSY will participate in the global progressive forum in Milan upcoming September. Together we will march to end global poverty while wearing the White Band.

 

Today the work starts, from today we fight for a Social Europe for Everyone!