| International Paneuropean Union | |
|---|---|
The stars from the EU flag have in recent years been added around the traditional sun cross in the Movement's flag. |
|
| Formation | 1923 |
| Type | European unification movement |
| Website | www.PanEuropa.org |
The International Paneuropean Union claims to be the oldest European unification movement and is also referred to as the Paneuropean Movement and the Pan-Europa Movement. It began with the publishing of Count Richard Nikolaus von Coudenhove-Kalergi's manifesto Paneuropa (1923), which presented the idea of a unified European State.
The stated goal of the organisation is the unity of a Christian Europe, free of "nihilism, atheism and immoral consumerism".[1] It is independent of all political parties, but has set principles by which it appraises politicians, parties and institutions. The International Paneuropean Union has four main basic principles: liberalism, Christianity, social responsibility and pro-Europeanism. At the same time, it openly welcomes and acknowledges the contributions of Judaism and Islam whose heritage they share. [2]
The organisation was prohibited by Nazi Germany in 1933, and was founded again after the Second World War.
Otto von Habsburg, the former head of the Habsburg dynasty, became the International Honorary President of the International Paneuropean Union after Coudenhove's death in 1973. The President of the Union since 2004 is Alain Terrenoire, Director of the French Paneuropa-Union.
The Union has branches in many European countries, with the General Secretariat located in Munich.