« Antidemocratic and xenophobic forces of Europe have always been attracted by the European unity dream, the mystic of the imperial Rome»
(FB - 1998)
" Being a citizen is a voluntary act "
(FB - 2009)
"Thinking about the future only makes sense if it is aimed at improving one’s thinking about the present and about the trends at work"
(FB - 1998)
"The European project is not a dream, but a hope. It is rooted in rationality, which is not the case with dreams. We Europeans have seen our dreams end in nightmares too often not to be suspicious."
(FB - 2005)
"The strength of a network is judged at the information level of the weakest link, or more precisely the link furthest from the centre of the network."
(FB - 2004)
"Europe's destiny is escaping the two "Greats" and it will come knocking on the door of the Europeans."
(FB - 1989)
"The history of Europe is a bit like a multifaceted diamond. Everyone sees the same diamond... but no one sees exactly the same facets."
(FB - E-storia project, 2004)
"Let us dare the future as the founding fathers of Europe did"
(FB - "From EU to Euroland", 2001)
"The European citizenship can not be decreed. The European citizen can only be born..."
(FB - 1992)
"Every state is a minority in the EU. In any case, let’s not forget that if all our states went into building the EU it is because they all felt too small to face alone both their future and the rest of the world."
(FB - 2003)
"From a single (EU) Currency to a single (EU) Citizenship. The euro is only an instrument."
(FB - 1997)
"An empire is always providing platforms where conflicts and wars prolife­rate... an empire needs enemies, whilst a Community requires partners."
(FB - 1992)
"Europe’s history has taught us that dreams and nightmares are the two faces of the same coin"
(FB - “Europe is Peace” 2006)
"Everybody wants to have a successful enlargement whereas it is a successful enlarged EU which is important."
(FB - 2002)
"It is clear that the existing national political parties can not serve two masters: national and European."
(FB - IDE, 1989)
"It takes teamwork to make Europe move forward."
(FB - 2005)
"There is nothing like one European. The European is a team of Europeans... the only way we can imagine a European, it is a team of people from different countries, not a single man or woman."
(FB - Enschede (NL) 2012)
"On the horizon with a heaven of freedom and a land of responsibility, this is perhaps the soul of Europe."
(FB - 1992)
"The future challenge for the European project is not about Europe anymore, it is about the Europeans."
(FB - 2005)
"The more Brussels speaks English, the less Brussels understands the Europeans"
(FB - 2004)
"Occupy the Future of Europe!"
("What do YOU want as a future for AEGEE?" Franck Biancheri at the 2012 Agora in Enschede)
"To combine new technologies and democratic principles to succeed in the entry of European integration in the 21st century or e-democracy at the service of Euro-democracy"
(FB - EUSV, 2001)
"In the years 00 of the 21st century, democratization can only take place in the perspective of the democratic election of a European executive that remains to be invented."
(FB - EUSV, 2001)
"We must build the European Community, otherwise Europe will soon be culturally Americanised, politically Finlandised and technologically Japanised"
EGEE I, 1984

Franck Biancheri Network and the ICAN network: one more attempt to enforce positive (and democratic) change in European governanceFranck Biancheri Network et le réseau ICAN: Tenter d’imposer un changement positif (et démocratique) au sein de la gouvernance Européenne

On Januray 8th in Berlin, Marie-Hélène Caillol our President, took part in a small meeting which resulted in the launching of a new initiative: ICAN, where CAN stands for Change Agent Network.

If you want to take part in our initiative you can already join us in Paris on March 11th (17h-21h30) for a brainstorming session and a cocktail at Becoworking, 60 Rue de la Jonquière, 75017 Paris. More information and registration here!

In the framework of the launching of our project : « Initiative for a citizens-based trans-european election », the brainstorming which will follow our general Assembly will be opened to anyone who would be interested in participating and will provide a fertile ground for us to think about the type of election we want to present in April-May in Louvain La Neuve.

“Most Citizens of Europe do not want the EU to carry on with “business as usual” as its leaders seem determined to offer. But nor do they want the national(ist) solutions being pedalled by many political forces.  Rather they want democratic change, where a new approach is taken to engage citizens, and give them the prospect of a better future. So now, more than ever, those experienced in and able to make the difference need to stand up and present their ideas.”

One week later, a launch meeting took place in Brussels which gathered 30 people from different networks and organisations. Next was Berlin again, Paris… In March, events are already planned in Bordeaux, Warsaw, Copenhagen, etc… A closed facebook group already gathers some 500 members (only 6 weeks after Berlin). The momentum is amazing.

The bet we made in March 2015 that the crisis provided a potential for converging interests among different types of agents (institutional, political, media, citizen, business,…) is taking shape.

However we believe that the window of opportunity will be short – six months – during which we will be able to join forces; after that, we anticipate that most of the political, economic and institutional establishment will start surrendering to what Franck Biancheri’s heirs call the “national-europeists”.

During this period of time, the Franck Biancheri Network will dedicate effort and money to contribute to the success of ICAN in triggering positive and highly visible change. In particular we articulate ICAN with our Open Letter-related project “Initiative for a citizen trans-European election”.

What is ICAN?

Create a Change Agents Network!

Rationale

Europe – not just the EU – is in crisis. In some countries, extremists challenge not just membership of the Euro/EU (which are legitimate questions for public debate), but also pillars of (national) democracy, notably a free press, independent judiciary and right of democratic opposition.  This up-rising builds on sentiments, that a much wider cross-section of the public agrees with to some extent.

Notably the institutions that have for so long structured our lives (EU, national governments, media, churches, trade unions…) often appear out of touch in a time of rapid technological change, and seem unable to adapt to a far more educated society with higher expectations. In the face of this challenge, mainstream politicians have frozen, seemingly determined to clutch at the status quo. Citizens from all walks of life feel lost and grow angry in the face of this.

Hence a need to harness the many talents and ideas that sit ready and available with individuals, initiatives, and institutes. Right now there is a short window of opportunity now for citizens to reclaim Europe, to place their voice to where it belongs: the centre of the European project.

Join us!

Hence, if you have been or want to become a change agent either working in civil society, or in an institution, company or other organisation, join us to:

  • Create a network across Europe of people who are working on own initiatives either at the level of civil society or within their organisations to make Europe a better and more democratic place;
  • Gather and spread what other change agents are already doing, so as to encourage yet more people to join in;
  • Give visibility to the vast number of initiatives that already exist, but which (unlike the populists) are not as visible;

Encourage use of new instruments that allow citizens to gain a more direct buy-in and influence over the direction Europe is taking.

 

Next meetings: iCAN Meeting Copenhagen – Brainstorming iCAN Paris

contact: info@franck-biancheri.eu