Leader Article: Learning to run

By Aki Paasovaara, the president of Europe United. Europe United is an unique organisation. We make an organisation that reaches people from Ireland to Georgia, from Finland to Malta. Our organisation is unique because we share a common goal: United Europe; and because we share common values such as secularism, strong belief in democracy and social justice, just to mention few basic pillars of our European values.

Our party is unique because we know that we can offer a better European future. A future which is not based on the unilateral exercise of power but global co-operation. A future where sustainable development is more important than unlimited material growth. And most importantly: a future of a United Europe in all its diversity.

As one of our newest members writes: "My belief is in a Europe that is strong democratically, economically, and united after centuries of division. One vision, that allows the citizen to feel that they are part of a federal state that listens." I couldn't say it better myself.

Europe United was initiated about a year ago by me. The French and Dutch no votes triggered in me an idea of a political party consisting of people from every corner of Europe and working for a common goal and vision: United Europe. It all sounded quite challenging (mildly put), and there was many who thought it would never work. Nevertheless I decided to go ahead and wrote the federalist manifesto (now the foreword of the Federalist Constitution):

Change is the law of life. Those who look only to the past, or present, are certain to miss the future. We need to ask from ourselves what do we want from the future. Specifically, we need to ask what kind of world do we want for our children.

We shall not make little plans. They have no magic to stir blood and power to change the world. We shall make great plans. We aim high, remembering that we grow great by doing things that make a life-changing difference.

Making a life-changing difference is what this party is about, and it starts with you. Our ideas are worthless, our intentions are powerless, our plans are nothing, unless they are followed with your action. It is about you taking responsible action.

This was the beginning of Europe United.

Some four months ago I came to conclusion that Europe United had grown big enough for shared power. I appointed the first senate chairperson and the senators with exceptionally good luck. George Masterton guided the senate to draft, debate and vote our full political platform. We have now unique policies from Agriculture to Transport. 19 Agendas all in all. After that was the time to have our first convention in Copenhagen. The convention was a success in many ways. We did not only decided the direction for the party and made clear plans how to reach our goals, but we remembered also to have good time while doing it. That resulted a solid network of fellow federalists.

Now, after some time of uncertainty and turbulence, as always when there are elections held, I can proudly say that we have democratically elected senate and senate chairperson, representing Europe United members, hard working board taking care of the organisational side of the party and what is even more important: we have members representing 46 European countries. I repeat, - members from 46 countries debating, working, planning and making our dream of United Europe true. This happens at our Forum.

Now, many of the most active members have been showing signs of frustration recently as we have focused on making our party more democratic and more organised. I would like to share a simple story that can help to understand what we are going through. The baby is born, baby takes his first steps, baby struggles to run, baby runs, baby falls, baby stands up, baby runs again... I like to think our party as a living organism, - a bit like a human being. In short, I see Europe United as a young, inexperienced organisation taking its first baby steps.

We are the mothers and fathers of this party and we need give the baby all the support and training it needs. Our party will commit many mistakes and our baby will most certainly fall while running. This is only natural for any young organisation. We need to give the time needed and be patient for we will first learn to walk, then to run and then run faster than anybody else.

As our organisation is young, it needs to focus on few things and excel while doing them. The four very basic things we are to focus during the coming months: Recruiting, Finance, PR and Organisation. A lot of work is allocated to the board, which is currently quite naturally feeling stressed. I have advised the board members to delegate some of their powers and hopefully many of you will get an invitation to take part of building Europe United from the board members. Moreover, I am looking forward to expand the board soon with 2-3 new members to help our growing party.

The senate is also again open now with a new chairperson in lead: Ivan Gomez. Ivan will be focusing on getting the senate work organised in a proper manner and getting the debate back on normal track of proposing, debating, drafting and voting. Personally I cannot wait the results of this, as I know that many our senators are hungry to get their teeth in to something juicy, something that leads into strong statements and someday, into history books telling about founders of Europe United.

Yours,

Aki Paasovaara
The Initiator of Europe United