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Each of us has a part to play!
| 3rd ESCU “East” Regional Conference in Vilnius, June 2008 |
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| Photo 1: Delegates and guests from 7 countries met in June in "Domus Maria" of Lithuanian capital VILNIUS for the Regional Conference “East” (Photo: ESU) |
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Contribution to society is the lifeblood of the ESCU /
President Dr. Worms: New momentum from the 3rd “East” Regional Conference in Vilnius /
Declaration on the crimes of Communism issued
Text and photos by Ulrich Winz
Vilnius (17th June 2008). The 3rd ESCU “East” Regional Conference released new momentum, declared President Dr. Bernhard Worms (D) at the close of the meeting in the Lithuanian capital. This was related to the older generation’s contribution to society and its interaction with young people. He called on all of Europe’s politically motivated senior citizens to “bring light into the greyness of daily life” by their continuing civic involvement. This would benefit them, their contemporaries and the whole nation.
It was important to use responsibly the political freedom won in the peaceful revolutions in eastern central Europe during 1989/90. This meant giving priority to the shaping and stabilisation of democratic structures. The Christian and cultural heritage that still lived on today were worth the commitment of every individual who felt up to the task. Our senior citizens’ organisations in every country should see themselves as intermediaries for honorary political offices.
For two days representatives from ESCU senior citizens’ associations from Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Ukraine and Germany had shared information on the “Experience of Eastern European Senior Citizens in Gaining Freedom and Political Responsibility” (the general theme). The conference was jointly organised by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the Lithuanian liaison office and the two Lithuanian senior citizens’ associations belonging to the ESCU. One of the highlights was the merger of organisations led by Romualda Hofertiene (Vaterlands Union) and Jonas Volungevicius (Christian Democrats), which took place to applause from delegates and guests, including some from Belarus for the first time. ESCU Vice Presidents Dr. Roubal (CZ) and Hallberg (SE) also took part in the ceremony.
Founding fathers
In his opening address Prof. Dr. Vytautas Landsbergis provided lots of material for subsequent contributors with an analysis of the current situation in Europe, marked amongst other things by the Irish “No” to the constitutional treaty. A member of the European Parliament, Landsbergis addressed the meeting as the founding father of the Republic of Lithuania; he was also Head of State from 1990 to 1992. It is thanks to his perseverance and diplomatic skills that the country broke free forever of the chains of the USSR, with Lithuania still playing a leading role today. He inspired senior citizens in all countries to determined action. For Lithuanians he identified “many remaining traces of an unfortunate heritage” and said that “mental liberation” was still taking place.
| 3rd ESCU “East” Regional Conference in Vilnius, June 2008 |
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| Photo 2: In the cathedral Vilnius: The chapel for the memory of Lithuanian displaced persons and exiles. (Photo 3) |
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All the conference participants were moved by the reception given by Andrius Kubilius, the Chairman of the united “Vaterlands Union /Lithuanian Christian Democrats” party, in the very room of the Seimas where, in 1992, the Lithuanian constitution was signed by the parliament’s then president, Landsbergis, and brought into force. During a break in proceedings there was also a meeting with Andros Azubalis, the party’s Deputy Chairman and leader of the External Affairs Committee.
Conference participants were deeply stirred during the laying of a wreath at the burial site in the Antakalnis cemetery for the victims of the Lithuanian liberation struggle in January 1991, and offered a Lithuanian prayer for the dead. On the suggestion of Dr. Röpke (D), the plenary held a silent remembrance for all those who lost their lives in the East German uprising on 17th June 1953.
For a just judgment of dictatorships
In a unanimously carried “resolution” – prepared by Landsbergis aide Ceslovas Stankevicius – the conference demanded that European institutions strongly condemn not only the crimes of the Nazi regime, but also those crimes committed by communist dictatorships in Eastern Europe. (For wording of the “resolution” see here  .)
During a city tour on the eve of the first conference day some guests had paused at the residence of the State President, where the flags were flying at half-mast. The reason: every year on 14 June Lithuanians remember the thousands of their fellow-countrymen exiled to Siberia by the Soviet occupying forces when the country was annexed in 1940. A chapel has since been built in the cathedral in their honour. This made the news that some of those former exiles were integrated into society and were among the conference delegates all the more welcome.
The plenary followed the reports from the ESCU member organisations with great interest. Speaking from his own experience as a member of parliament, Dr. Rainer Jork (CDU Senior Citizens’ Union; D) described the successes and failures of the political “shift” in the GDR and the first years after German reunification. He was resolute in his opposition to the trend for “GDR nostalgia” in East Germany.
| 3rd ESCU “East” Regional Conference in Vilnius, June 2008 |
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Photo 4: St. Anna - a main sight of "European Capital of Culture 2009"
Photo 5: History of Lithuanian literature on the portal of the University (founded in 1579) |
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Belarus und Ukraine
A particularly sympathetic hearing was reserved for reports from the Ukraine (Volodymyr Dzjobak) and from the Chairwoman of the quasi-legal Belarussian senior citizens’ organisation “Our Generation”, Tatyana Zelko, to whom the ESCU President granted observer status in the Executive Committee at the close of the conference. Both reports reflected the difficult political environment. Dzjobak already has over 30,000 members in his organisation, which helps to improve the life of many elderly and sick citizens. Of the country’s 140 parties, it was said that not one works for the welfare of the population.
Stefan Malerius gave a talk about the (limited) opportunities for political activity under the authoritarian regime in Belarus. The legalisation of an office for the Adenauer Foundation in Minsk had been put off repeatedly, so it was based in Vilnius at present. The Friedrich Ebert Foundation was under pressure to close down. Most of the basic rights in the country were suspended de facto.
National reports
Former Social Minister Irena Degutiene described how the host country of Lithuania is also faced with difficult problems. It was said that life expectancy is lower than the rest of Europe, with high mortality rates between the ages of 35 and 45. The causes: accidents, alcohol, suicides, acts of violence. Retired people are hugely disappointed at the low pensions. A law passed in 2001 reducing the pensions of those who continue to work has been abolished. Many academics, teachers and doctors work on after retirement, plugging some considerable gaps in the process.
| 3rd ESCU “East” Regional Conference in Vilnius, June 2008 |
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| Photo 6: Seat of the Lithuanian president |
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Teofil Stanislawski announced a congress for his “Polish Peasants’ Party” (PSL), which would also advise on the opening of the “Parliamentary Association” (ESCU member) for all those interested in politics.
Dr. Vaclav Roubal (CZ) referred to a conference for his “Christian Senior Citizens of the Czech Republic” to mark the 40th anniversary of the “Prague Spring” and other key historical events of the 20th century in his country: 1918, 1938, 1948 and the “Velvet Revolution” of 1989/90, which opened the door to meet and share experiences among friends here in Vilnius. The Czech Republic was currently debating public and material recognition for elderly women who, out of Christian duty, care for even older, sick ladies. The first steps had been taken.
Silvia Vlachova (CZ) talked about the ten-year existence of her “senior citizens’ platform” the Freedom Union, which opposes all populist remarks by politicians and confronts anti-Semitic activities. “At the beginning of June we had the opportunity to take part in a conference in Budweis on reconciliation with Israel.” In 2002, her organisation had made a conscious decision to join the ESCU, whose aims coincided with its own.
Generations like and need each other
No sooner had Prof. Landsbergis started off by saying of the supposed generation gap: “We don’t need any moralising, just good role models for getting on together,” than this was promptly delivered in a highly regarded speech by Radvile Morkunaite from the League of Young Conservatives. Conversations with grandparents were a real joy for both sides, she declared, and joint activities with senior citizens’ associations were now part of everyday life.
Romualda Hofertiene and Jonas Volungevicius were delighted to be told that they are expected in Baden-Württemberg at the start of October. Erika Reinhardt, Deputy Chairwoman of the CDU Senior Citizens’ Union (D), also handed over an invitation from Baron Prof. vom Stetten, Honorary Consul in Lithuania. The four-strong Lithuanian group will join the celebrations for the Day of German Unity and be guests at the Congress of the Senior Citizens’ Union in Wiesbaden.
The presentations and discussions were rounded off by a guided tour of the city accompanied by interpreter and courier Irena Tumaviciute, who presented the many sights of the “European Capital of Culture 2009” and also introduced Trakai (40 km from the capital) with its unique island fortress and a Karaim religious community.
| 3rd ESCU “East” Regional Conference in Vilnius, June 2008 |
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Photo 7: Old town lane
Photo 8: President Dr. Worms (D) with Jonas Volungevicius (2nd from left) (LT) and German delegates (L to R.: Horst Röpke, Dr. Rainer Jork, Dr. Joachim Kupfer) |
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Resumés
Romualda Hofertiene, who was one of the signatories of the Declaration of Independence 1990, remarked of the period prior to that: “We all had to speak one language in Eastern Europe before and often failed to understand one another; today we are speaking our native languages again, but we do understand one another. This is the political freedom that binds us together.” And President Dr. Worms added: “Adenauer believed in 1949 that Europe was the only answer to the disastrous events of the 20th century. Europe is proud that its Eastern part, separated by the Iron Curtain for decades, is now back where it belongs, enriching the whole continent with its history and culture, its Christian heritage and desire for structure.”
Positions
As a result of the presentations and discussions, the nearly 50 conference delegates agreed on the following positions to be taken up in public.
- Europe has an ageing population. The ESCU sees this as a blessing rather than a threat!
- As people live longer, so the responsibility of the individual and of the older generation towards society lasts longer.
- Many senior citizens perform important unpaid work after a career and retirement, and are encouraged to do so by the senior citizens’ organisations of the ESCU.
- Elderly and old people treat the young generation with respect, understanding and helpfulness, expecting the same in return.
- Their wisdom and political experience from two wars and two dictatorships make them ideal partners for joint projects with the young generation.
- To this end, priority in eastern central Europe is given to joint practical measures to safeguard political freedom won two decades ago, and to strengthen democracy in all European countries.
- The participation in democratic elections at all levels is a civic duty for young and old alike, and an expression of political maturity. Senior citizens connected with the ESCU see it as their particular duty to win as many citizens as possible to take part.
- By participating in the development of society in their countries, older people find meaning in the third phase of their lives whilst exercising a fundamental human right.
- Senior citizens make up an increasingly large proportion of the population and therefore demand to be accordingly represented in parliaments at all levels – local, national and European.
- From Vilnius, an expectation of equal opportunities for older candidates in the elections to the European Parliament on 7th June 2009 is directed by the ESCU at the political parties of Europe. This means finding a promising place for them on candidate lists!
- Political action only thrives in an atmosphere of trust. Backed up by its positions (document of 2003) and the actions of the UN, the ESCU therefore calls upon politics and business to resolutely oppose all forms of age discrimination, both direct and indirect.
- Senior citizens like to take responsibility within the family. For grandparents and grandchildren to live within “shouting distance” is a goal worth striving for. Society must provide more and more modern residential facilities in all towns.
- The ESCU supports all efforts to maintain the mobility of elderly and disabled citizens for as long as possible. This includes barrier-free housing and public amenities (shops, offices, transport, road crossings and so on).
- The further development of a United Europe is close to the ESCU’s heart. Not to be deterred by the disappointing Irish “No” vote on the constitution, its member associations are pressing hard for the process of ratification to continue in the remaining countries. The Lisbon Treaty must soon become reality!
- Impressed by the individuals from Ukraine und Belarus at the conference, the ESCU is strengthening its resolve here in Vilnius for the further integration of these countries. They are an integral part of Europe and need our solid backing. The ESCU presidency will deepen its cooperation with senior citizens’ associations in these countries.
Ulrich Winz
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