Ventontene Manifesto lives on in the EP

Published: 6 March 2009 y., Friday

Rašymas
It's 1941 and the height of WWII. Amid all the suffering, a couple of Italians imprisoned for anti-fascism sketched out a vision of how post-war Europe could look on cigarette papers. Their vision was of a continent where nations would be politically and economically bound together so that war would be impossible. On Thursday this “Manifesto Ventotene” was symbolically presented at the European Parliament to mark 100 years since the birth of one of its authors - Altiero Spinelli.

In 1941 Spinelli was imprisoned on Venotene Island along with Ernesto Rossi for his opposition to the war and to Mussolini's rule. The President of the Lazio region presented the Manifesto to the Parliament in the 23 official languages of the EU.
 
After the war Spinelli (1907-1986) would play a leading intellectual role in the emergence of European integration coining the term European Union and pushing strongly for a economic single market.
 
He was a Member of the European Commission for 6 years and a Member of the European Parliament for 10 years until his death. One of Parliament's main buildings in Brussels is named after him.
 
Speaking at the ceremony EP President Hans-Gert Pöttering paid tribute to him. “For Altiero Spinelli, European integration was the greatest answer to European problems. Many of his ideas are still alive.”
 

Šaltinis: europarl.europa.eu
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.

Facebook Comments

New comment


Captcha

Associated articles

The most popular articles

Bulgaria festival picks on recession

Bulgaria's annual Festival of Humour took place today, poking fun at the global recession. more »

Eat green, save planet

The Belgian city of Ghent is going green by urging its residents to eat more greens. Ethical Vegetarian Alternative campaigners want them to go veggie every Thursday They say that if the whole city did that for a year it could save the equivalent carbon emissions of 20,000 cars. more »

The rise of baking

Baking is something David Muniz and David Lesniak know a thing or two about. Originally from the States, the pair moved to Britain two years ago and have been supplying London with their American-style cakes ever since. more »

Torture tools to be auctioned

A collection of 16th and 17th century torture devices is up for auction in New York. Judging by some of the items for sale, we've come a long way. more »

Fair chances for both men and women

Despite vigorous efforts, men and women do not always get the same start or benefit from the same opportunities. more »

Mums and dads at home with newborns: how long should they have off?

Across Europe the amount of time new mums can have off after the birth of their child varies from 14 weeks to 2 years. more »

Japan car workers lose jobs, homes

As the world No.1 carmaker announced billions in losses, an increasing number of auto industry workers near its Toyota City are hungry and sleeping in tents after losing their jobs and homes. more »

Miss California USA keeps her crown

With a media turnout worthy of a superpower summit in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York City - Donald Trump - the Miss USA pageant owner - decided the fate of Miss California USA Carrie Prejean. more »

Choice boxes - a conversation across Europe

A conversation is taking place across Europe as people use choice boxes to record their questions and comments on what the European Union should be doing ahead of the European elections from 4-7 June. more »

Getting out the vote

MTV teams up with EU on campaign to encourage young people to vote. more »