Euro-Med Movement

FREEDOM, EQUALITY and SOLIDARITY

The Euro-Med Movement has a vision of a just world without poverty, in peace
and ecological balance, where the people are free and equal and have influence on the conditions affecting their lives.

The policies of the Euro-Med Movement are based on the values of freedom, equality and solidarity.

All people seek Freedom: Freedom from repression. Freedom to make their own choices and shape their own lives. Freedom to express their opinions and influence the conditions affecting their lives.

All people are of equal worth. As individuals, each of us is unique with our own set of thoughts, beliefs, interests, opinions and experiences. Everyone should have the same opportunities and the same freedom to achieve their goals and shape their lives. This must be done in a way that is responsible to the individual, the society, future generations and the natural environment, of which we are all a part. People’s opportunities should not be limited by their social class, gender, ethnic background or sexual orientation.

All people need to feel interdependent with others. We are dependent on others, on each others efforts, support and recognition. We all have a right to be accepted and respected as the person we are, and we all need to care for others and be cared for ourselves. People are social beings. Therefore, the interests of the individual are not contrary to those of the society, but the two evolve by interacting with each other.

Freedom for everyone requires a fair distribution of benefits and burdens. Large economic and social disparities, discrimination and exclusion create insecurity and a lack of freedom. Solidarity is the willingness to divide resources in a way that allows freedom and equality for everyone. Solidarity is also the ability and willingness to take responsibility for each other and contribute to the common good. We achieve more when we are united than when each of us only pursues his or her own special interests. Therefore, the society must be based on principles of solidarity so that everyone will have equal opportunity.

Freedom and equal opportunity prevent conformity and stagnation. Solidarity and a fair distribution of resources give rise to diversity and a strong sense of fellowship, whereby people can have influence on their own lives. A fair distribution of resources and equal opportunity entail that everyone be given an opportunity to participate and that we make use of everyone’s efforts.

A secure society is based on the equal worth of everyone and on a fair distribution of benefits and burdens. A strong society gives people power over their own lives.

The natural environment is our common property and resource. A policy of solidarity must be sustainable; i.e. today’s extraction of resources must be not at the expense of future generations’ opportunities to meet their needs.

Politics is people’s opportunity to gain control over the development of their society. Democratic politics arise out of the desire that people, by themselves and in consultation with others, should have influence on the conditions that shape them. The right to vote, freedom of thought, freedom of religion, freedom of expression and freedom to organise are completely necessary in order to ensure everyone the right to participate. Dialogue, discussion, reflection and criticism are necessary conditions for democracy. Through consultation with others, it is possible to create a real democracy and devise a policy that gives people control over the development of their society.

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