The European Union is home to initiatives that endanger the right to life. Mr. Macron’s demand in his introductory speech for the French presidency of the EU (January 19, 2022) to include abortion in the
Charter of Fundamental Rights touches the essence of ONE OF US . With its partners and member associations, ONE OF US intends to defend human dignity.
With its 1.7 million signatory citizens, One of Us has been mobilizing for several months to bring the voice of life within the framework of the Conference on the Future of Europe (COFEU) proposed by the European Commission.
On May 7, on the eve of the closing of the COFEU, ONE OF US is organizing an event in Brussels to conclude and celebrate this mobilisation.
This first part is dedicated to the news, to young
people, to the ONE OF US citizens mobilization in the COFEU to face the new
threats against life in the EU. It will also be an opportunity to send a
message in support and thanks to Poland, contrary to the way some EU
politicians treats it as a « pariah state », because of its restrictive
legislation on abortion.
This part will focus on the urgency of a “moral
rearmament” in Europe, by exposing the cultural foundations of the EU today
undermined by destructive lobbies and ideologies. The culture of life, the
relationship to truth, the demographic issue, the roots of Europe will be the
main issues presented.
With the participation of :
Jaime Mayor Oreja, President of One of Us (Spain)
Rémi Brague, French philosopher and academician (France)
Alojz Peterle, former Prime Minister of Slovenia
Jeanne Bisch Spokesperson One of Us (Poland)
Camilia (Italy “Heart to Heart” manifesto)
Aliette (March for Life France)
Clothilde (March for Life Belgium)
Marie-Lys (Pro-Life Generation)
Part 1
11:00 – 11:05 Welcome and brief presentation of the first part of the event.
Thierry de la Villejégu (Director of the Jerome LeJeune Foundation and Vice President of ONE OF US )
11:05 – 11:10 France after 50 years of promoting abortion. Marie-Lys (Génération Pro Vie) (France)
11:10 – 11:20 The voice of life in Europe:
* One of us in COFEU
*The example of Poland
Jeanne Bisch (Spokesperson for One of us)
Bawer Aondo-Akaa (young Polish doctor of theology)
11:20 – 11:40 Round table: “For life, let’s keep mobilized”
Moderator, Hans Van der Breevart (Guido de Bres Foundation, NL)
Participants:
Camilia (Movimento Italiano Per la Vita, IT),
Clothilde (CLARA Life, BE),
Aliette (Marche Pour La Vie france),
Maria (Pro-life NETWORK, MT).
11 :40 Conclusion and announcement second part of the event, Thierry de la Villéjegu
PART 2
11h45- 11h50: Cultural alternative for a future of Europe faithful to its Christian fundamentals
Moderator: Elisabetta Pittino, member of the Executive Committee One of Us
Jaime Mayor Oreja, President One of Us Federation, Spain
11h50 – 12:00: The Culture of Life in the future of Europe: Human dignity and Family
Anna Záborská, former member of the European Parliament, Slovakia
Paolo Floris, Director of the Public Administration and member of the Family and Life Committee, Italy
12:00 – 12:10: The defense of the Freedom for the future of Europe: conscience, religion, expression
Michel Gihns, philosopher, Belgium
Rocco Buttiglione, former member of the European Parliament, Italy
12:10 – 12:20: The defense of truth for the future of Europe
Christian Frei, theologian and ethicist., Germany
Arthur Alderliesten, Philosopher, ethicist, author and writer, The Netherlands
Ferenc Hörcher, Director of the Academic Institute of Sciencies, Hungary
Alojz Peterle, Former Prime Minister Slovenia
Rémi Brague, French philosopher member of the Cultural Platform One of Us