100th Anniversary of the Semaines Sociales de France: three days to discuss and invent European Society (Lille-September 23-26, 2004)

The economic and social stakes of European construction seem huge as the European Union extends its borders and adopts a Constitution. On the occasion of its hundredth anniversary, the Semaines Sociales de France (Social Weeks of France") association is inviting European citizens to Lille, from September 23 to 26, 2004, to invent the future of their society. Ranging from Family to Sustainable Development, six major debates will be animated by more than 85 European personalities, including: Martine Aubry, Jacques Barrot, Jean Boissonnat, José Bono, Michel Camdessus, Mgr Defois, Jacques Delors, Bronislaw Geremek, Jean-Claude Juncker, Pascal Lamy, Pierre Mauroy, Philippe Morillon, Romano Prodi, René Rémond, Andrea Riccardi, Javier Solana, and more. More than 5,000 participants from all over Europe are expected for this meeting marking the hundredth anniversary of the founding of the Semaines Sociales de France.

(PRWEB) July 11, 2004 -- LILLE 2004, A MEETING TO EMBODY EUROPE

As the European Union welcomes new members, there is a need to determine the role of its 435 million citizens, keeping in mind what has been the major concern of the Semaines Sociales de France for the past 100 years: people should be at the heart of society. This objective is supported by the broad range of European partners of the Semaines Sociales de France, such as the Robert Schuman Foundation, Europe 2020, the Commission of the Bishops Conferences of the European Community, Caritas Europe and others.

Nourished by the Christian commitment of the Semaines Sociales de France, the debates will emphasise a vision of Europe not seen as an institution" but as a living community of men and women. Throughout the three days, the conviviality of the discussions will be ensured by first-hand accounts of grassroots activities, the participants active participation and the planned social moments (meals, thematic coffee breaks, a party with music, exhibits, etc.)

The Semaines Sociales de France association invites all Europeans to Lille to change the endured Europe into the desired Europe.

SIX PROJECTS FOR ACTION
With various visions and expectations, personalities from all over Europe will contribute to six major debates, organised around presentations, testimonials, questions and exchanges of intercultural experiences.

·Families and society: taking into account the changes in families makeup and lifestyle and listening to their real needs and fundamental aspirations, so as to adapt family policies.
·Europe for peace: understanding the difficulties of establishing a joint foreign and security policy, of guaranteeing peace in the face of terrorism, in order to make progress in these areas in the light of social Christian thinking.
·Freedom and religions: finding practical answers to the confrontation of cultural and religious differences, so as to build a dialogue between religions at the heart of society.
·Democracy and participation: putting into practice a participative democracy and building a society of twenty-five European countries, taking into account the need of proximity and support for the daily concerns of 435 million Europeans.
·Economy and society, towards sustainable development: an antidote to the crisis of the social market economy, the reference model for the Union of 25, sustainable development can renew the links of solidarity and empower people and social partners.
·Poverty, openness and exchange: to fight poverty and the new forms of social exclusion, by setting up support and shelter systems in line with the values that Europes unity is based on.

LILLE 2004, THE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF A CHRISTIAN COMMITMENT TO SOCIETY

Since 1904, the Semaines Sociales de France association has brought together citizens concerned about the social issues of their times. The annual sessions provide a time for learning, collective intelligence and responsible thinking on current issues such as biology, medicine and society" (2001), violence" (2002) and money" (2003). They address an audience of non-specialists, believers or not, and aim to provide a new outlook on todays society.

To celebrate their 100 years of activity, the Semaines Sociales de France chose to meet in Lille, a European Capital of Culture" in 2004, and to turn the city into a geographical crossroad for the thoughts and expectations of all the European partners of Semaines Sociales de France.

TO SIGN UP BEFORE JULY 23, 2004
www.ssf2004.org
Telephone: +33 (0)1 44 35 62 41
Fax: +33 (0)1 42 56 55 45
email: info@ssf2004.org.

PRESS CONTACT: Laurence dAboville, +33(0)1 56 03 14 67 and ldaboville@i-et-e.fr