Avanti Europe

Open Letter to the Troika and the Greek Government

Peter Matjašič — Mon, 13 May 2013 16:16:10 GMT

European Union, 13^th May 2013

For the attention of the Government of the Hellenic Republic, the European Central Bank, the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund.

Dear decision-makers,

Avanti Europe ! was created in 2011 by a group of concerned Europeans willing to mobilise European citizens across the continent on key European issues, using innovative communication campaigns and participative tools. We focus on common concerns and frustrations that go well beyond national borders and that require European answers. Avanti Europe ! wants an ambitious Union, one that will promote a more democratic and progressive vision of European society, based on its fundamental values of solidarity, freedom, justice and respect for human rights.

We initiated Avanti Europe ! to inject creativity and dynamism in the search for common answers to our common crises; to fight for a united Europe that is democratic, just and prosperous, both close to and cherished by its citizens; to make European citizens’ voices heard in Brussels and in European capitals and to fight against the emerging anti-European discourse.

Avanti Europe ! launched its first campaign on 25 March 2013 entitled “Solidarity with the people in Greece! For a revision of austerity policies”. This campaign was mainly run in Germany, France, Netherlands, Spain, Italy and Greece, moving on to other European countries. It consisted of a short video and a petition text, a powerful Avanti Europe ! website and active social networking, all developed in 7 different languages.

We expressed our frustration towards an unprecedented level of austerity whose weight is falling unequally upon the Greek people who bear least responsibility for the debt and who stand to suffer the most. We denounced the skyrocketed unemployment (particularly for the youth), the increasing poverty and homelessness rate, the cuts in the healthcare system and its consequences, among other effects of the austerity-only approach.

Moreover, the strategy chosen by the Troika has fuelled neo-Nazi movements like Golden Dawn, making it the third party in the Greek Parliament. Many people are getting so angry and desperate that they would even risk sacrificing democracy to make their voice heard.

This is not just a Greek problem; it is also a European one. Greece has made mistakes but the on-going austerity-only policies are not a solution to the crisis. Sustainable economic recovery is not about just balance sheets and fiscal targets. The focus of the consolidation measures should be on fixing the public sector, supporting environmentally sustainable economic growth and social cohesion based on the principle of solidarity whereby stronger shoulders carry more of the heavy load. Europe must prevent the situation in Greece from becoming an out-and-out humanitarian catastrophe and make sure that the same remedy is not applied to other weak economies.

We ask you, members of the Troika and the Greek government, to revise the austerity plan and put humans and their needs at the centre of your decisions.

With European regards,

The Avanti Europe ! Team

Terms of Use

Spyros Michailidis — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 17:15:18 GMT

This website, avantieurope.eu was operated by Avanti Europe. Avanti Europe was the operating name of “Avanti Europe ! e.V.,” a non-profit organisation legally registered in Germany which has been dissolved. This website is no longer updated.

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Avanti Popolo, Avanti Europe!

Peter Matjašič — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:30:18 GMT

Citizens, move: the initiative "Avanti Europe" promotes a Europe of solidarity and aims to strengthen the voice of citizens towards EU policies. An ambitious project: so far, attempts to establish a permanent European public, failed.

Read the full article in German here.

A European initiative against austerity in Greece

Peter Matjašič — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:23:19 GMT

""We want Europe, but want a different Europe. The crisis will be dealt with more Europe, but more Europe of solidarity, social cohesion. We want more democracy, with a strong parliament, an enhanced role for national parliaments and yet meaningful citizen participation in the formulation and decision making," explained Nikos Chrysogelos, Greek Member of the European Parliament.

"The National Youth Council supports actions to ensure better future for new generations and employment prospects for young people and their families," said Armodios Drikos, President of the Greek National Youth Council (ESYN).

"Such initiatives as Avanti Europe's campaign shed light on the forgotten social and human consequences hidden behind crunched numbers and distant policy-making. They inform the public and offer them a voice, while putting the ball back into the court of decision-makers to take action," concluded Peter Matjašič, President of the European Youth Forum.

Read the full article in Greek here.

Pour une Europe plus juste

Peter Matjašič — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 20:23:32 GMT

Europe is in trouble. The last episode of the settlement of the Cyprus crisis in one of the secret night sessions in Brussels behind closed doors only strengthened the feeling of allienation and lack of understanding from the side of the citizens.

Can we overcome this crisis with such a management approach? Not according to the opinion of MEP Franziska Brantner, who participated in the launch of the "Avanti Europe" initiative.

To listen to the interview in French and learn more click here.

2014, crucial year for Europe. Avanti Europe... of culture in particular!

Peter Matjašič — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 09:52:52 GMT

The first pan-European campaign launched this week is a call for solidarity with the people in Greece and for a revision of austerity policies in Europe.

So yes, Greece made mistakes and squandered public debt for years, but the endless austerity policies are not the solution to the crisis.

Read the full article here.

La plataforma 'Avanti Europe!' nace con un llamamiento frente a los recortes en Grecia

Peter Matjašič — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 11:16:37 GMT

The citizens' movement calls for solidarity with the people in Greece and asks the members of the Troika and the Greek government, to revise the current austerity policy.

The results of the campaign will be sent to the Troika and Greek government on the 9th of May (Europe Day).

The platform aims to mobilize European citizens via the internet on common European issues that require a European answer.

Read the full article in Spanish here.

Al via la campagna di solidarietà con la Grecia di Avanti Europe !

Peter Matjašič — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 08:35:00 GMT

It might come as a surprise to read about a campaign that sends a message of solidarity between citizens, at a time when the word itself is very fashionable and the talk is full of old prejudices and new contrast between Member States because of the ongoing economic crisis. Could, but should not be surprising, however, given the times we live in. Therefore, an online movement of European citizens called Avanti Europe was officially born.

Read the full article in Italian here.

Une plate-forme de pétitions en ligne pour une Europe meilleure

Peter Matjašič — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 08:28:13 GMT

Modelled on online petition platforms such as change.org and Avaaz.org, a group of committed and motivated European citizens living and working in different countries across Europe launched on Monday, 25th of March Avanti Europe !, an online platform open to all who want “a better Europe” as the main motto of the website states.

Read the full article in French here.

Greece's problem is Europe's problem

Peter Matjašič — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 16:31:14 GMT

Europe must prevent Greece from becoming an out-and-out humanitarian catastrophe

Since 2009 Greece has witnessed a 37% increase in suicide rates, demand for hospital care has grown by 24% while funds for public hospitals have been cut by 40%. Unemployment rate has skyrocketed from 8% to 27% (57% for youth) leaving 1.3 million people jobless. Today 3.4 million people live below the European poverty line, a striking 31% of the population.

This is not just a Greek problem; it is also a European one.

Read the full article in English or French here.

Avanti Europe ! Europa deve essere anche solidarietà

Peter Matjašič — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 17:40:30 GMT

An article by German Green MEP Franziska Brantner on Eunews.it talks about a new pan-European online movement that strives to make citizens’ voices to be heard by decision-makers.

While everybody is focused on Cyprus, Greece remains at the forefront of the European economic crisis.

Drastic budget cuts along with negligent management by Greek leaders themselves have pushed too many of the country’s people, whether native born or migrant, into an abyss of poverty and hardship that will leave long-lasting scars. The hard truth is that the weight of the austerity measures is falling unequally upon the people who bear the least responsibility for the creation of the debt debacle and who stand to suffer the most from the policies chosen to get Greece out of its hole. They are Greek citizens as well as thousands of migrants and asylum seekers.

Read the full article in English or Italian here.

Avanti Europe !: la voix des citoyens pour une autre Europe !

Peter Matjašič — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 17:37:30 GMT

It's a critical moment for the European Union. The ongoing economic and financial crisis and politicians’ failure to resolve it have led citizens to mistrust and question the very foundations of our system. That is why Avanti Europe ! wants to break this dangerous cycle and establish an online platform to mobilise millions of citizens across the continent on key European issues, using innovative communication campaigns and participative tools.

You can read the full article in French here.

Site Map

Spyros Michailidis — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:03:07 GMT

Avanti Europe ! is about to launch its first campaign

Peter Matjašič — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 16:12:51 GMT

Avanti Europe ! will launch its first campaign entitled

SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE IN GREECE!
For a revision of austerity policies

on Monday 25th March 2013 at 12.00 CET.

Visit the site then and SIGN THE PETITION!

You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Press

Peter Matjašič — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 11:16:00 GMT

In this section you will find press releases, news alerts and links to media coverage about the campaign as well as the press contacts for Avanti Europe ! at European level as well as in the specific campaign target countries.

Home

Spyros Michailidis — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:15:00 GMT