Impossible interview to Altiero Spinelli who founded the European Federalist Movement in 1943 and theorized the United States of Europe in the Ventotene Manifesto (1941). Spinelli, from Ventotene Island (1941) under arrest To the European Parliament
Impossible Interview: How would you deal with the countries that are facing an economic and political crisis such as Greece? Do you think that the other countries should support them and how? When I was in Ventotene with the other convicts, we imagined the future of Europe, but we didn't foresee it as a partnership between economic powers, we thought of it, instead, as a Europe based on political relationships and on the needs of citizens. To be honest, what I see now is an economical machine but economic achievements were never our main aims. These should have just been the consequence of a political and brotherly union. Actually, my thought is well expressed in the Chart of European Identity, written in Lubecca in 1995. Is it so hard to imagine the United States of Europe? We proposed a federal union, in order to have an upper institution that could control every country. But, as a federal union wasn't accepted, now countries like Greece are alone in fighting their crisis. So, when the other countries give help, the results are so small - as the problem derives from the lack of a common policy due to a lack of a supranational authoritythat they can t produce anything else than a short time solution. Anyway, awaiting a similar authority, I believe we must understand the difficulties of each country and promote welfare and social stimuli. If people are sad and oppressed because of debts, surely they cannot better themselves. It's necessary to encourage individual progress, through economical aids and social strategies. The high rate of immigration in Europe imposes attention on security. How would you face this problem? We mustn't fear a new Europe that enlarges, incorporates other States, and greets immigrants looking for a second chance. Obviously, there has to be a more severe control of people coming to Europe and at the same time they must be given the possibility to have the right help to avoid criminality. It's time for the European political class to act. We should elaborate on a "European Paper of Rights and Duties of Refugees and Immigrants", which faces the legality issues - such as the difference between economic immigrant and refugee - and implies a process for the obtainment of citizenship. Moreover, it would be convenient for Europe to improve life and security in their fatherlands to avoid migration and eradicate the problem from its root.
Recent events have led to restrictions on circulation. Which suggestions would you give to safeguard the principle of free circulation in European countries? Yes, it's true... after some recent events; terror has invaded the souls of people. For example, after the attacks in Paris, the Schengen Agreement, that proposed the gradual abolition of border checks at the signatories ' common borders, has been suspended in France. The same is happening with other countries as a consequence of the high rate of immigration, between Denmark and Sweden, for example. Obviously, when there is a state of emergency urgent measures must be adopted, but they have to be temporary. I think that Schengen is not dead. However, we have to consider that we need some revisions and changes. I agree with people who say that there should be a data storage even if might reduce our privacy. Not only should passports be checked, but all the information should be sent to a central database. But it's not sufficient: in fact this control should be followed by a more effective coordination of the information network for the protection of safety. It is necessary that European countries take common decisions and then carry them out. I have always wanted a united Europe and I feel very embittered when I hear politicians proposing only strategic precautions. I believe that better and more efficient controls should be imposed on the external borders of European countries, for example between Turkey and Greece, to avoid the arrival of illegal immigrants. Education is fundamental in the formation of aware citizens. Do you think that Italy is doing enough to ensure the right education? It is not easy to say: only the future can give us acceptable answers. What we can state now is that Italy is doing good work to ensure the right to education for its own citizens. First of all, Italy is making huge efforts to strengthen its school system in order to reach the achievements of the Lisbon strategy which, as it is known, aims at reforming the European economy, ensuring competitiveness and innovation. Moreover, in December 2012 an agreement was adopted between state and regions that implemented the European Qualifications Framework in our Country with the objective of comparing and connecting the certificates of competence in all the European countries.
Last but not least, there are the initiatives that Italy has taken for the mobility and intercultural exchanges such as Comenius, Erasmus, Grundig etc. I think that more financial resources have to be assigned to this kind of policy in order to increase the opportunities so that the sense of membership and European identity can flourish. Which human rights do you think that Italy should try to improve at present? With the other founding fathers we created the European Union with the intention of also promoting the protection of human rights in all the member countries; and in part I can say that we managed that well. Today the European Union aims at protecting the rights of women, children and anyone in need, fighting the death penalty, torture, discrimination and human trafficking. But what unfortunately is not protected and guaranteed, across Europe, and especially in Italy, is the right to work, and I am very sad for this. I personally think this is a fundamental right, and I think it's just this right that leads man to be able to accomplish himself. I hope that Italy will solve this very important problem, and I hope that young people, who are the future of our country, will be able to find a job. What are your hopes for the future of Europe? I like today s European Union and I obviously hope the best for it and for all its citizens but I can see now a lot of problems, some of which can threaten the hopes of a real united Europe. I hope that all European countries make an effort to cooperate and to overcome the national egoism and create an inclusive environment where everyone is integrated and has the same duties and rights. I still hope that my dream of a Federation of Europe States will come true and that Europe will be a safe place where to live. As I wrote in the Ventotene Manifesto: The road to pursue is neither easy nor certain. But it must be followed and it will be!
Written by: Cartaregia Enzo, Alampi Sara, Ceraolo Olga (IVA) Catalfamo Enrico, Moroso Chiara, Natoli Irene, Oristano Claudia, Scafidi Roberta (III A cl.) Amata Arianna, Granata Elena, cafarelli Mirea(IVB cl Greco Emanuele, Macula Alessandra(IVB ling., III A sc.) Lembo Marta (IV A e IV c sc.) Marco Davì (IVB sc.) Feel safe in Europe