To adapt the Council of Europe to troubling societal changes, Alain Berset, its new Secretary General, has spent the past six months injecting new energy into this institution, which brings together 46 countries on the continent and 675 million citizens—not to be confused with the European Union. It addresses all major issues facing European society, with the exception of defense matters.
The Council of Europe is both a school and a pillar of democracy. Grounded in the rule of law, its status is based on human rights, which guarantee fundamental freedoms to everyone under its jurisdiction. Yet we are seeing a decline in the ways in which these freedoms can be exercised. In this context, Alain Berset highlights three principles that must be guaranteed: freedom of expression and opinion, diversity of political views, and the freedom for citizens to cast their votes freely.
The FEDRE Foundation for the Sustainable Development of European Regions, established within the Council of Europe, was supported by a resolution adopted by the Council in 1996 calling for its creation. This shows just how deeply we embrace its values!
As a participating observer member, and as a former president of its Congress of Local and Regional Authorities and an honorary member, along with François Saint-Ouen, Secretary General of FEDRE, I regularly follow its work, particularly in Strasbourg during the two annual sessions.
These meetings are always very rewarding and help us better focus our efforts, particularly in the area of sustainable development—an essential component of democracy (economic, environmental, and social).
The valuable network of local elected officials within the Congress of the Council of Europe is also an exceptional source of information, helping to identify specific issues and facilitate concrete actions.
The meeting I had the honor of attending this week with the Secretary General has led the FEDRE Foundation to strengthen its commitment to promoting the Council of Europe’s key initiatives in support of democratic values based on respect for the individual.
In addition, our Foundation will continue its initiatives and programs, particularly in key sectors such as the forestry and timber industry and water management, by taking a cross-border approach to these issues.
Our comprehensive and pragmatic study on the “border effect” between Switzerland and its neighboring countries, which began a year and a half ago, is ongoing. It also includes our report on “fair tax distribution in cross-border regions,” which was discussed at the Congress.
We are becoming increasingly aware that, even in the West, democracy—which includes respect for the individual—is far more fragile than we had imagined.
May the Council of Europe, together with its member states, become a “fire brigade” that takes preventive action or helps put out the fires that threaten democracy!
Claude Haegi
President of the European FEDRE Foundation