Although a European federation has not been achieved, democratization and identity-building have been crucial components of the European integration. From the demonstrations of European federalists, to the first direct elections of the European Parliament in 1979, to the debate on the fundamental rights of the European Union, institutions and citizens have long discussed the meaning of being European.
Citizenship of the EU was given to the citizens of Member States by the Treaty of Maastricht, but this concept is still a much debated issue, as it questions individual and group identities in the current global environment.

Christine Verger (FR)

EU official 1984-2009. HAEU, INT 302​

Sound waves cd9c2def28eb0a57c9f7410a63c24624dd6fad60eb565aad627b60f0da22e690
Federalist demonstration in Milan, 29 June 1985. HAEU, UEF 415 – Photo: Unknown

Calling for a federal Europe

The Union of European Federalists (UEF) was established in 1946, to coordinate the activities of the many federalist movements across Europe. The first federalist movement, Movimento Federalista Europeo (MFE) was founded by Altiero Spinelli in Italy, in 1943.

Federalist demonstrations in Strasbourg, 18 July 1979. HAEU, UEF 229 – Photo: Unknown / UEF demonstration in Brussels, 28 June 1987. HAEU, CS 46 – Photos: Claude Schöndube

Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU

The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union was signed in 2000 and became legally binding in 2009. It sets out the fundamental rights of everyone living in the European Union.​
Human dignity, freedom, equality and solidarity are the fundamental values on which the Union is based, while democracy and rule of law are its operating principles.

Get?box id=236&exibition id=10&page id=19&relation id=352

Sound waves cd9c2def28eb0a57c9f7410a63c24624dd6fad60eb565aad627b60f0da22e690
European Commission memo on the European Union’s role in promoting Human rights and democratisation in third countries, May 2001. HAEU, AV 96​ / Poster on the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. HAEU, NDG 2

Democracy in the EU: the direct elections of the European Parliament

Posters on European elections produced by the European Parliament, 1979-2009. HAEU, NDG 131 / HAEU, NDG 132 / EP Archives
Chapters

70 Schuman Declaration

Europe and Europeans 1950>2020

Peace

“World peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative efforts”

Solidarity

“[Europe] will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity”

Market

“The organization will ensure the fusion of markets and the expansion of production”

Borders

“Open to all countries willing to take part”

Citizenship

“This proposal will lead to the realization of the first concrete foundation of a European federation”

Icon loader 2acdb8e0a67b493326602c36dfafc6d676b5f427ed73ffa83db703a5365dd0fa
This website requires Javascript to be Activated to work Correctly