1. The AEPL’s mission

The European Association for Free Thought (EAFT) was founded in 2007 with the aim of supporting the European project and promoting and defending the principles of the Enlightenment, in particular freedom of thought, conscience and opinion. In doing so, EAFT is in line with the European Charter of Fundamental Rights, which every Member State must respect.

The AEPL, which already has a presence in 23 EU countries, brings together citizens of all genders, nationalities, backgrounds, and beliefs—or lack thereof—who wish to offer practical support for the building of Europe and «living together » within the Union. In short, to foster a sense of belonging and citizenship that enables its citizens to share a peaceful future.

In this sense, the AEPL, as a non-denominational organisation, advocates secularism, that is to say, the non-interference of religion in politics. Secularism does not in any way imply the rejection of religions, but rather the rejection of their exploitation for political ends. With this in mind, the AEPL, mindful of the realities of the 21st century, also stands against the rise of all forms of fundamentalism

EAFT members share and exchange views on societal, economic, cultural and political issues, not only to become involved in European civil society, but also to participate in the dialogue between the European institutions and both religious communities and philosophical associations and non-confessional organisations.

In forming their views on European realities and policies, AEPL members draw not only on the Enlightenment tradition (subjecting every idea, value and behaviour to critical, reasoned analysis) but also make use of the analytical framework set out below (point 3). The aim of this approach is to examine, through the lens of reason, the alignment between social thought and social reality in order to distil the best standards for the benefit of the majority.

Everyone within the AEPL can develop tools to help promote the modern values of the Enlightenment across Europe.

2. An overview of some of the AEPL’s activities

➢ Conferences

• At the European Parliament: – »Women in today’s Europe» (March 2010)
  - At the European Commission :
  – «The fight against poverty and social exclusion» (November 2011)
  – «A partnership for democracy and shared prosperity for the benefit of the southern Mediterranean countries» (April 2012)
  – «Re-enchanting Europe for its citizens» (April 2013)
  – «The Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and the United States of America: an Atlantic Partnership that benefits citizens?» (March 2015)
  - "A different take on Europe". On the need to rebuild Europe and reports on the perception of the EU by the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (April 2018)
  - European Union: digital transition, work, employment and new solidarities. (April 2018)

➢ Panel discussions on Europe for AEPL members

➢ Other activities and achievements Depending on current political events and the humanitarian issues close to its heart, the AEPL practises direct democracy and occasionally invites its members to send emails to European political leaders.

Three examples:

(a) On several occasions, the AEPL has condemned anti-democratic abuses in Hungary and Turkey, addressing the presidents of the European institutions and the political groups in the European Parliament at the time;

(b) In the Lautsi case (the display of religious symbols in public spaces), she overturned a resolution by the Christian Democrat and Socialist groups aimed at authorising the display of religious symbols in public spaces across all EU Member States; ;

c) It organised a vigorous campaign against the European Parliament’s «confirmation» of the appointment of the Maltese Commissioner Borg, given his unacceptable positions on the right to divorce, homosexuality, women’s dignity, etc. In a letter to the President of the European Parliament, the AEPL made its confirmation conditional upon the Commissioner-designate subscribing, both orally and in writing, to the provisions of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, which Mr Borg eventually agreed to
.

The AEPL has also lodged a complaint with the European Ombudsman against President Barroso for maladministration in the appointment of members of the European Group on Ethics (EEG), comprising, amongst others, six theologians and a member of the Pontifical Academy for Life, thereby creating de facto over-representation of the religious strand within the EEG. Following the AEPL’s complaint, the Ombudsman, Ms O’Reilly, issued an opinion which resulted in the Commission removing the theology criterion from the selection process for the renewal of the EEG’s mandate in spring 2017. As a result, the new members of the EEG are now, first and foremost, genuine scientists.

3. Reading grid - Summary.

It enables the AEPL to regard any European policy as legitimate and credible, provided that it:

• strengthens the rights and obligations of European citizens whilst reinforcing the principle of shared responsibility (interdependence) that applies to everyone; ;
• recognises a single Humanity ;
  allows every European citizen to express his or her convictions
• differentiates, this rivalry must be fruitful and must not jeopardise the fundamental rights of other European citizens;
• will incorporate the above principles as part of a "Europeanisation" of civil and political rights - some of which are already included in the Treaties and form part of the acquis - as well as economic, social, cultural and environmental rights (including all "living things");
• ensures that the fundamental rights and values enshrined in the European Treaties are fully recognised and respected in European elections;
• is accompanied by an overhaul of the concept and mechanisms of subsidiarity enshrined in the Lisbon Treaty;
• tends towards a model of integration that breaks with the postulate of the primacy of economic freedoms over other freedoms and adds criteria of solidarity and distributive justice that are the responsibility of the political community. "Social rights are required, independently of the objective of free competition, and are based on membership of the political community";
• is based on social justice and decent work;
  establishes reliable rules, methods and indicators on employment and social imbalances, making it possible to anticipate the social impact of asymmetric economic shocks and avoid social and fiscal dumping;
• ensures a balance between private and public goods and interests.