European Solidarity Corps: an excellent programme with room for improvement

On Monday 17 July 2023, MEP Irena Joveva took part in the exchange of views between the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education and the European Commission on the implementation of the European Solidarity Corps programme, for which she is rapporteur on behalf of her political group Renew Europe. The MEP made it clear in her statement that volunteering is the backbone of our society and will become even more vital in the future. At the same time, she highlighted certain shortcomings of the programme that need to be addressed and remedied. It is an excellent programme, she declared, but there is still a lot of room for improvement.

According to Joveva, this is an opportune time to tackle the deficiencies of the programme, as we are halfway through and there has been enough time to figure out what to do and how.

She then pointed out the need to raise the profile of the programme, and broached the financial difficulties, as contributions have not kept pace with inflation, leaving organisations and volunteers often struggling for survival.

At the same time, many of the issues are digital and technological. As Joveva noted, existing digital tools, specifically the search and match criteria, are not user-friendly. The same applies to the online language support system. She called on European Commission representatives to address the issue properly.

She also touched on the process of obtaining a quality label, which is lengthy and complex, while the labels are not available in all EU languages:

“It would be welcome and, above all, fair to all citizens of the Union that this is examined and rectified.”

Joveva also drew attention to the general funding of the programme:

“While budget resources are still low, we are seeing – contrary to the original plan – that more and more people are signing up for long-term activities. I really hope that the funding will be increased accordingly, so that we can provide all interested young people with a high-quality opportunity within the Solidarity Corps. Of course, I am aware that there are constraints on the MFF, but I nevertheless want to make sure that our programmes do not lose what they have already got.”

The MEP concluded her speech on an optimistic note, saying that she is looking forward to continuing work on the programme, as she is confident that she and her colleagues will be able to respond to the challenges and propose workable improvements.

You can watch the full speech here.

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“Gluttony … will eat us up.”

The process by which something that is worn out, damaged, becomes as good as new.

The definition of restoration.

There are many things on our planet that are worn out, damaged. Many of them so much so that, unfortunately, the process described above is impossible. And, sadly, the vast majority of it is down to humans. But there are still things that can be fixed. Restored. At least partially.

And one would expect – at least those of us who are aware of our responsibility to the planet – that politicians would be ‘fighting each other’ to go down in history as the greatest advocates of the environment. Fighting to show more ambition, to protect nature more.

But the opposite is happening. Self-serving politicasters and opportunists prefer to conspire against the legislative text that is the least suitable to be the subject of political infighting and, above all, of false information.

I am speaking about the Nature Restoration Law, which we voted on today. The manipulators have failed, the bill was not defeated, negotiations will continue. This is a victory, but with a bitter aftertaste.

Those of us MEPs who are genuinely concerned have shown that we care. For the environment, for climate neutrality, for the future. On the other hand, the other MEPs, too, are genuinely concerned and have shown that they care. About themselves.

I have a message for them. And a few questions.

… When speaking about the restoration of ecosystems. Land, coastal, freshwater, marine, urban ecosystems. The forest ecosystem. The agricultural ones! When speaking about restoring pollinator populations. About natural environments that have already been destroyed, damaged, exploited.

How can there still be people who claim that this legislation is “dangerous” or “unnecessary”? This is yet another classic case of politicising the matter to scare the masses. They spread fear by claiming, for example, that Article 9 of this law which aims to increase land conservation and biodiversity will drastically reduce food production, which is completely misleading.

Should we really do something for our bees and other pollinators, or should we just talk of them with pride when enjoying honey or talking to someone from abroad?

What about all other animals, plants and their diversity? Are we really not tearing up the ground beneath them – sometimes literally?

Where we have drained peatlands, have we really not caused the collapse of the ecosystem? What if we cut down a forest and don’t replace it?

Do we want more trees alongside new motorways, new high-rise buildings and shopping centres? I would dare to say that the planet is already “boiling” enough.

The renewal rates that we are talking about hover around some ten per cent, and in my opinion they are already too low, while some would prefer to halve the ambition. In fact, certain amendments adopted today have significantly weakened the text.

I repeat: it’s about RESTORATION – and only as a proportion of the total damage. Damage that humankind – we, as society, our economies, our desire for more – has inflicted on animals, plants, the environment.

And the worst thing? That it is not “only” climate change (which is reflected in long dry spells, devastating floods, hail and other unpredictable crop-destroying climatic events), biodiversity and ecosystem loss, including that of pollinators, and (excessive) pest control that pose the biggest threats to food security, fisheries, agriculture and forestry. Rather, such threats also originate from political manipulators, opportunists and hypocrites.

… Who score political points on the backs of farmers. The latter have long been the victims of insufficient legislation that would protect and preserve nature and the environment, and guarantee them greater crop stability and thus a better livelihood. I therefore also have a message for everyone in the agricultural industry. You must be aware, I am sorry to say, that the representatives of the European People’s Party and all those who opposed the proposed legislation under the pretext of ensuring sufficient agricultural land and food security, have achieved its exact opposite.

As a society, we put a value on everything. In terms of a price, profit, capital. We place a much lower value on human beings. And none whatsoever on nature.

It’s high time we ALL started to realise what is really important for life on this planet.

Gluttony … will eat us up.

– Irena

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“Political games are one thing, but to unjustly slander a country is truly unacceptable.”

Political games are one thing, but to unjustly slander a country with baseless claims just to please an illiberal populist is truly unacceptable. I think it would be fair to the Slovenian people if you explained to us in what way and where you are “witnessing the collapse of the rule of law and the political takeover of the media in Slovenia”? That is the least you can do. Until such time, I ask you to refrain from slandering my country without a legitimate basis.

You have now read a paragraph of an email I sent to the leader of the largest political group in the European Parliament and to all its MEPs. Do you know who that is?

Someone who is blatantly ignoring the facts. Someone who is evidently, without any remorse, consolidating the populist right and serves as a mouthpiece for their absurd and manipulated theses. Someone to whom I also wrote: “I know you know very well who their ideological allies and mentors are.”

Let the political family that blindly takes on the distorted claims of the populist agitators at least present the arguments underpinning their assertions. And who is really behind them. This is the least we are owed, if they are ready to indiscriminately bad-mouth our country. It should by now be obvious to them who it is that they are backing in Slovenia. It would be preferable that they help elevate the political culture of the right wing in our country, given its current lamentable state. I know that it is not as dismal (yet) at the European level. But it is high time to reflect on whether everyone wishes to go down this road.

It doesn’t matter whether we are liberal, conservative, left, right, top, bottom or what have you, we can disagree on many things, but we should all, without exception, stand together when it comes to the most important thing: defending the rule of law, our liberal democracies, and – as far as I’m concerned, most vital of all – truthfulness. And, if truth be told, it is sad to see how the historic values of decency, respect and human dignity, which are supposed to be the fundamental values of this largest political family, are being trampled on by radical factions. Critical reflection is always in order. Double-checking the information you get from the aforementioned radical factions is even more in order.

I do not hesitate to express criticism when it is appropriate. I do not care for instructions, partisan interests, loyalty at any price. The only loyalty I care about is loyalty to the people. But, ladies and gentlemen, the European Commission’s 2023 Rule of Law Report for Slovenia simply cannot be criticised. Unless, of course, one is instructed to do so. Or is pursuing certain interests. Or there is a price attached.

Or because one is living in a parallel reality and, above all, in the past.

But… facts simply don’t lie. And this report is based purely on facts. It is the result of thorough analysis and verifiable information, which finally and rightly places Slovenia back in the company of stable democracies in Europe.

Let there be no doubt: the previous reports were also based solely on facts. The previous two, for example, expressed great concern about the accelerated attempts to dismantle the country’s fundamental institutions. Guess under whose government.

The most recent report, however, clearly highlights progress. Including in the field of media freedom, for the first time in two years. It explicitly mentions action taken to remedy the situation of the Slovenian Press Agency, and the importance of the amendments to the RTV Slovenija Act for ensuring the political independence of the public broadcasting service. It also notes progress in the areas of civil society and justice.

Of course, certain criticisms remain. Of course, unresolved issues remain. But they, too, are being resolved. And – what is more – they date further back than a year.

That’s the difference.

The difference when it comes to instructions. Interests. Loyalty. Between conservatives, radicals, liberals. Between the previous and the current government.

That. Is. The. Difference.

– Irena

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“We must not tolerate discrimination against Slovenian”

On Tuesday, 4 July 2023, MEP Irena Joveva responded to a request from POPTV’s 24UR programme for a comment on the new amendments to the Act on the public use of the Slovenian language and on the upcoming new European legislation, which could resolve at least part of the problem with discrimination against Slovenian in the digital environment. As she explained, the European Media Freedom Act, which she is helping to shape as one of the European Parliament’s negotiators, will to a certain extent also regulate streaming content providers on the European market. “We simply must not tolerate discrimination against the Slovenian language,” she said resolutely.

The MEP expects that Article 14 of the European Media Freedom Act will include a provision on coordination among regulators, which would simply force foreign companies (specifically streaming content providers such as Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime) to respect national laws and all official languages of the European Union, even if a company officially does not have an office or headquarters in a certain Member State, say Slovenia.

In her contribution, Joveva explained the idea using the example of a Slovenian inspection service establishing an irregularity or violation constituting discrimination against Slovenian as one of the official languages of the European Union. In such a case the said inspection service will be able to apply a certain mechanism and request inspection services of another Member State – e.g. in the Netherlands in the case of Netflix –, to see to the matter.

You can view the interview here.

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“Yes, I’m going to bring up the Media Freedom Act again.”

Yes, I’m going to bring up the European Media Freedom Act again. But when you find out why (just read on), you’ll understand.

You all know by now that I am continually confronting multinationals operating on the Slovenian market, who are discriminating against the Slovenian language as they go. My team and I have been giving a lot of thought to what we can do. Send a letter, urge, convene meetings, explain… all well and good, but unfortunately not enough.

It is through legislation that companies are compelled to introduce the necessary changes, especially those who confidently declare “we don’t have to”. Well, sooner or later you will have to.

First, there’s the national level. The Ministry of Culture has finally submitted the envisaged legislative changes for public consultation. I intend to take part in the process within the framework of my competences. I hope for an ambitious, sharp, unambiguous amendment of the law.

And then there’s the European level. With its European Media Freedom Act. And Article 14 on the coordination among regulators. I am determined to include a provision in this legislation – which will have the form of a regulation, meaning that Member States will have to transpose it exactly as it is agreed in the negotiations – that will simply force foreign companies to comply with our law, even if they are not officially established in, say, Slovenia.

How? On the basis of this provision, a Slovenian inspector, for example, establishing that Netflix is discriminating against Slovenian, an official EU language on the EU market, will be able to make use of official mechanisms to request the inspector in the country where the company has its offices or a head office (in the specific case of Netflix in the Netherlands) to put the matter right.

I really believe that this provision will be adopted, as at this point none of the other negotiators are voicing any issues with it. Of course, the process then continues with negotiations with the Member States and the European Commission, but I am confident that we will succeed – I am confident that I will succeed, because I understand how important this is! – and that, in parallel to the Slovenian legislative amendments, we will FINALLY make progress in this respect. Give Slovenian the place it deserves.

It is our language, our right and our choice.

And that’s what I spoke about in my contribution for POP TV’s 24ur programme today.

Greetings from Brussels

– Irena

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“The challenges are deepening and we seem to have learned nothing”

On Wednesday, 14 June 2023, MEP Irena Joveva discussed the implementation and delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the plenary session in Strasbourg. She stressed that the time for action is now, as 2030 is just around the corner. The challenges are deepening and we seem to have learned nothing, she added.

“Ever since the signing of the Sustainable Development Agenda, the EU has been committed to leading the way in achieving the goals. We want to achieve them by 2030, don’t we?”

As Joveva continued, the Green Deal adopted during this term of the European Parliament, marked the first steps in the right direction, but then we were hit by a pandemic. After stepping together to resolve the health situation, a war broke out on our continent, which was followed by the energy and financial crises. She expressed her concern that we are not prepared for all the problems that continue to arise.

“Meanwhile, inequalities are growing and environmental, health, financial, food and social challenges are deepening. We should have learnt that such all-encompassing challenges cannot be solved with minor, fragmented sectoral solutions. It seems that we have not.”

Joveva also highlighted the fact that 2030 is just around the corner and still no strategy and financial plan for the Agenda’s implementation have been presented, despite the European Parliament having called on the European Commission to prepare one already last year.

“Let’s make sure that the current appeal proves more successful because it’s time for action. For the good of the people, the planet, prosperity and, last but not least, peace and freedom.”

Background:

This year’s report is a follow-up to last year’s report, which aimed to strengthen the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in the areas of governance, finance and international diplomacy. It contains strong calls for a long-awaited high-level strategy for the implementation of SDGs, a strengthened civil society, improved monitoring and mobilisation of resources. The report should be seen as an effort by the European Union ahead of its participation in the annual High-Level Political Forum organised by the European Commission this July, which will focus on accelerating the implementation of the goals, post-COVID-19 recovery and the overall implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

You can watch the speech in Slovenian in full here.

Foto: Genevieve ENGEL

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Committee with recommendations for better EU preparedness in the field of health

The Parliament’s Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic, of which MEP Irena Joveva is a member, has adopted recommendations to improve the European Union’s crisis management and preparedness for possible future health emergencies. MEPs analysed the impact of the pandemic, assessed the effectiveness of EU and national measures, and made specific recommendations to address gaps and weaknesses in the response.

Key health proposals put forward by the Special Committee include increased investment in healthcare, the introduction of surveillance plans on emerging health threats, the implementation of stress tests on national healthcare systems, greater transparency of joint procurement, increasing the EU’s strategic autonomy with regard to key pharmaceutical ingredients and medicines, and the development of an EU strategy to deal with possible similar pandemics in the future.

To safeguard democracy and fundamental rights, MEPs are calling for better protection of the right to information and freedom of expression, enhanced crisis communication and transparent decision-making procedures, parliamentary oversight at both EU and national level when adopting emergency legislation, and concrete measures to support marginalised communities, minorities and disadvantaged people during crises.

To tackle the social and economic impact of the crisis, the Special Committee’s report calls, among other things, for meeting the needs of the growing elderly population and for setting standards for teleworking conditions throughout the European Union.

On recommendations for action at the global level, MEPs call for increased international investment and strengthened international health regulations.

The report of the Special Committee, which has now concluded its work, is expected to be adopted by the European Parliament at its July plenary session in Strasbourg.

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“I want young people to influence the decisions we take.”

On Thursday, 1 June 2023, MEP Irena Joveva welcomed to the European Parliament in Brussels representatives and students of the Celje School Centre, who are implementing a Jean-Monnet Action run under the Erasmus+ programme that aims to support teaching, learning, research and debates on various aspects of the European Union. On the occasion, she was also interviewed for their podcast, in which she underscored that she is trying to make young people aware that they can influence decisions affecting them directly or indirectly.

The first topic of conversation was young people and their attitude towards the European Union. The MEP pointed out that in the upcoming European elections, the first generation of Slovenes born inside the European Union will have a chance to cast their votes. She remarked that many people take the benefits and advantages of the European Union for granted, but that they should not, and that the alienation has also been caused by a part of politics.

‘‘I don’t want to sound patronising, but I want young people to know that they can influence the decisions we take. After all, these decisions are important for them, they are the ones that will shape the future’’

That is why Joveva believes it is particularly important that politics is practised by people who care and that people of all ages are genuinely involved, because different generations bring different perspectives, different energy and enthusiasm for change. She added that it is up to politicians to make this a reality. She is committed to leading by example, demonstrating again and again how the European Union can be brought closer to young people and to everyone else, namely by listening and by hearing them.

Joveva explained what her working schedule looks like, as she travels abroad and back to Slovenia at least twice a week, while having a two-year-old daughter at home. She admitted that this is not easy, but it is a challenge she has learned to accept. Responding to a question about her recent activities concerning the Slovenian language and Apple, she said that although the story is unfolding slowly, in the absence of pressure, it would move even slower. On the subject of standing again in next year’s European elections, she said:

‘‘I want people to assess my performance during this term. It is up to the people to do that. And above all, I hope that they will evaluate my work on the basis of all five years, not only the final month or the final year. I do my work in exactly the same manner as I did at the beginning, and I will continue to do so until the end of the campaign.’’

She concluded the conversation with a message to secondary school students, urging them to be persistent in their goals, curious, active, but at the same time respectful, curteous and considerate to everything and everyone – fellow human beings, animals and the world.

You can listen to the full conversation here under number 8 (Irena Joveva – conversation in Slovenian language)

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“Attempts to rewrite history are unacceptable”

“European history must be defended against all attempts at denial and revisionism, which run counter to fundamental European values. Monuments should reflect the values we strive for and on which a peaceful and prosperous Europe is based,” MEP Irena Joveva declared during the Between Memory and Oblivion debate on 24 May 2023. She warned that attempts to rewrite history are unacceptable and that political leaders have a responsibility to promote reconciliation and not to fuel nationalist narratives.

The event focused on the challenges facing the culture of remembrance of the Holocaust and other genocides, and on its close link with the promotion of European values.

The discussion revolved around how to provide better support for the protection of neglected World War II cultural heritage sites and ways to effectively address the distortion of historical facts about the Holocaust, other genocides and violations of humanitarian law during the Second World War.

In her video address, Joveva underscored that we must remember the key historical moments that shaped our communities in order to truly deliver on the promise of “never again”. According to her, the mass killings perpetrated during the Second World War attract more attention in the current public debate than in education and research, not least in the territory of the former Yugoslavia. She added that the most tragic event on European soil since the Second World War, the Srebrenica genocide, remains an open wound at the heart of Europe.

“It continues to haunt us and remind us of our shared responsibility to prevent genocide from ever happening again. This darkest moment in modern European history, along with other genocides, is often ignored or, worse still, associated with distortions of historical facts.“

Joveva is surprised by the fact that, despite all the documented evidence, people continue to dispute, deny and even distort the truth about the genocide.

“This may now be even more the case than before, as digital tools and social media make it easy for people to share disinformation while creating shocking and unfounded conspiracies, thus developing their own false reality. And it is surprising how many like-minded people they can find.”

She therefore went on to stress that European history must be defended against all attempts at denial and revisionism, which run counter to fundamental European values.

The MEP mentioned that civil society has a fundamental role to play in nurturing a democratic culture across Europe, so as to create an inclusive and tolerant environment for the younger generations by educating them about the atrocities that have taken place on European soil. She believes that this would make people less prone to discrimination and other harmful conduct in the future.

In conclusion, Joveva expressed her wish that future generations would focus on values that will create a better world, which is possible.

“Young people are the future. I am in constant contact with them and I see it every day in their enthusiasm and passion. Many of them just need opportunities and us to listen to them.”

The event was also attended by MEP Predrag Matić, Professor Amedeo Osti Guerrazzi from the University of Padua, Ivo Pejaković, Director of the Jasenovac Memorial Site, and Manuel Sarrazin, Special Representative of the German Federal Government for the Countries of the Western Balkans.

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“By exerting pressure, we shall bring about change.”

On Tuesday, 23 May 2023, MEP Irena Joveva joined the round table on The role and position of national languages in Europe hosted by the Faculty of Law in Ljubljana. The participants discussed both the legal and political aspects of the (non-)use of languages in the EU internal market and in the context of international minority protection law. In her contribution, the MEP focused on the importance of consistently applying political pressure on multinationals offering products on the EU market to respect the use of the Slovenian language, as this is the only way to bring about the necessary change.

Joveva pointed out what she considers to be the key obstacles causing language discrimination in the digital world:

”The main obstacle is the disregard on the part of multinationals. They claim that they don’t have to do it, because it does not “pay off”. Given that their profits are enormous, such a stance is undignified, it is not mere disregard, it is arrogance.”

The MEP also referred to deficient legislation, since it is not linked to explicit rules and measures, adding that multinationals thrive on publicity:

”They want to be seen in a positive light. If there is pressure, especially at the political level, both national and European, it can taint their image, so that is our opportunity. Only by exerting constant, public and consistent pressure and by stressing the obligation to respect the use of the Slovenian language can the necessary changes be achieved. And there is no fear that the companies in question will leave the country or a particular market once the legislation is revised.”

As regards EU legislation, Joveva remarked that it is key to update the existing Audiovisual Media Services Directive, which in other aspects strictly regulates the audiovisual media sector. Most Member States have already transposed this directive into their national legislative frameworks, but certain shortcomings have emerged here as well.

”We would need a very clear, unambiguous wording, prohibiting discrimination against linguistic diversity. That is the most optimal solution. But procedurally, the matter can certainly be regulated more quickly at a national level, which is why is the most urgent step at this point is the reform of the national legislation on the public use of the Slovenian language, which is being prepared.”

In conclusion, Joveva was clear that if legal updates and clear measures are adopted, this will really leave no room for excuses from multinationals.

Joining MEP Joveva in the round table were Lenart J. Kučić, Media Adviser to the Minister of Culture, Damjan Kukovec, Judge of the General Court of the EU, Kozma Ahačič, Head of the Fran Ramovš Institute of the Slovenian Language, Vasilka Sancin, Full Professor and Head of the Department of International Law, and Rudolf Vouk, lawyer.

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