Brussels, 26th October 2022
On Friday, 28 October at 18:00 the Young European Federalists, Young European Society and One Hour for Europe invite all interested citizens to the unveiling of a European Bench in honour of late European Parliament’s President David Sassoli that will take place at Rue Wiertz 60 in Brussels, next to the sculpture “Autruches du Parc Léopold”.
More than 100 participants are expected to join the ceremony, including family members of late President Sassoli as well as Members of the European Parliament. The initiative will be linked with the event “LevelUP! Accelerating change” held between 28-29 October, gathering some 1,200 young people in Brussels for a series of capacity building workshops and networking activities.
The ceremony is also part of the campaign “European Benches in Every City” promoted by Gioventù Federalista Europea (JEF Italy) and supported by the offices of the European Parliament and the European Commission in Italy. It was launched in response to the vandalisation of a European bench with Nazi symbols in Lecco in July 2021. After a successful local fundraiser, the initiative was expanded to the national and now European level.
Until now, over 60 European benches have been built across Europe based on the belief that such a simple and accessible element of city infrastructure can strengthen the sense of European citizenship among people. The bench in Brussels will be dedicated to President of the European David Sassoli (1956-2022) who was a symbol of active European citizenship himself. Mr Sassoli passed away in January 2022 due to an illness.
About the organisers
The Young European Federalists (JEF Europe) is a political youth NGO advocating for the creation of a democratic European federation as a guarantee for peace, the rule of law and human rights. JEF Europe promotes true European citizenship, works for the widening and deepening of the European Union and strives for a more just and integrated society on the European continent. Established in 1972, the organisation has more than 10,000 activists organised in over 250 national, regional and local sections in 31 countries. The ideals and aims of JEF Europe are defined in the Manifesto of Ventotene, the Political Platform and resolutions adopted by its statutory bodies.
Young European Society (Yes) is a pro-European, non-partisan association with the prime goal of spreading the values of the European Union, raising awareness among young people and encouraging their civic engagement. YES are willing to reach a more cohesive Europe, involving young people, working for values such as brotherhood, equality, and innovation. The Italian association periodically meets online and in presence for the on-going formulation and implementation of new ideas and projects. Always eager and ready to promote the UE, its history and new basis for a better future and a better Union.
One Hour for Europe (OHFE) is a pan-European youth organisation which sets itself the objectives of maintaining a continuous dialogue between the population and the institutions, promoting and sponsoring activities in the interest of citizens while involving them in initiatives and actions promoted by the European Union. It was born in May 2019 and has grown to become a pan-European community today with more than 150 volunteers around the European Union and candidate countries.
Contact information:
Antonio Argenziano
President
Young European Federalists
Rue d’Arlon 53, 1040 Brussels
Matteo Brizzi
Co-founder
Young European Society
youngeuropeansocietyitaly@gmail.com
Pietro Adorni
Vice-President
One Hour for Europe Italia
