THIS CONTENT HAS BEEN ARCHIVED

Europe Day 2017: A colourful celebration of unity in diversity

26.05.2017
Main Image
Text

On 12 May 2017, the EU Delegation to Zimbabwe joined millions of Europeans around the world in celebrating Europe Day, a commemoration of peace in Europe, and unity in diversity.

The about 500 guests at the EU Ambassador's Residence were treated to a colourful display of European history over the past 60 years, and the EU's work in Zimbabwe, which was presented in a project's expo together with the Member States. As in previous years, the official proceedings were followed by a popular culinary expo with specialities contributed by our Member States, rounded off by some Zimbabwean Afro-jazz.

Ambassador Philippe Van Damme highlighted in his speech the need for Europe and Africa to work together to enable a better future for young people - also the key area of the upcoming EU-Africa summit in November this year.

Europe Day is traditionally celebrated on 9 May every year to commemorate the Schuman Declaration of the then French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman on 9 May 1950. With the nations of Europe still struggling to overcome the devastation wrought by World War II, which had ended 5 years earlier, Schuman proposed the creation of a European Coal and Steel Community. Determined to prevent another such terrible war, European governments concluded that pooling coal and steel production would – in the words of the Declaration – make war between historic rivals France and Germany "not merely unthinkable, but materially impossible". It was thought – correctly – that merging of economic interests would help raise standards of living and be the first step towards a more united Europe: The ECSC with six members became one of the forerunners of what is today the European Union.

 

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Editorial sections
Zimbabwe