Cooperation: The only way to overcome crises │ Editorial of CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger

In an era of geopolitical upheavals around the world, the importance of a robust Europe that stays united cannot be overstated.

As the international community tries to find solutions against the armed conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, the Sahel Zone, in Nagorno-Karabakh, in Kosovo/Serbia and many other places, the narrative of a strong Europe as a beacon of stability must emerge.

With its commitment to dialogue and cooperation, the European Union (EU) can and must play a pivotal role in mediating conflicts, promoting peace, and upholding the principles of international law.

Despite certain institutional weaknesses, the EU has a 70 year-long tradition of choosing dialogue over confrontation. It might sound self-evident, but it cannot be taken for granted in today’s world.

Compared to other regions of the world, the EU has managed to maintain economic strength in the face of repeated crises, showcasing relative resilience and robustness. So far, and despite the negative impacts of the inflation on workers and citizens, the EU has demonstrated a capacity to weather economic storms and sustained stability better than other regions.

And its emphasis on human rights and democracy stands for our global liberal order – under threat in unforeseen manners.

Yet the legitimate questions of citizens and workers will always remain: “What is the EU good for? What is in for me?”

Through a series of national events, CESI – with the support of its national members – has been organising a multitude of conferences in a different Member States, from Romania to Spain, from Germany over Luxemburg to France, from Italy to Hungary. And more countries are yet to be covered.

The focus of the events ranges from the necessity of well-performing public services in times of crises to the reception and integration of refugees; from the needs of workers in green-digital transitions to the promotion of young trade unionists within CESI´s network; from the importance of the EU in times of multi- and permacrises to the importance of a participation in the 2024 EU elections.

Some may ask why. “What is in for us? Why is this the role of trade unions?”

My answer to this is simple. The overarching objectives of these events of CESI are similar to the ones of the EU in the current world (dis)order. In times of crises nothing matters more than solidarity and cooperation.

We wish you a peaceful and serene Advent season.