Original article on Edifacoop’s website: edifacoop.pt/dia-da-europa
Every year, on Europe Day, commemorated on 9 May, we celebrate peace and unity on the European continent. This date marks the anniversary of the historic “Schuman Declaration”.
In a speech in Paris in 1950, Robert Schuman, the then French Foreign Minister, set out his vision of a new form of political cooperation in Europe, which would make the outbreak of war between European countries unthinkable.
His vision was to create a European institution to jointly manage coal and steel production. Less than a year later, a treaty was signed creating an entity with these functions. The current European Union is considered to have begun with Schuman’s proposal.
This year Europe Day is celebrated in a different way, through a series of online activities organised by the European institutions, which pay special tribute to citizens helping the European Union overcome the coronavirus crisis. Social distancing strengthens the Union, celebrates cooperation, stirs up creativity and invites us to do more for everyone.
