The work of the Hague Congress

The work of the Hague Congress


Meeting over three days, the participants at the Congress of Europe were divided into three Committees: the Political Committee, chaired by the former French Prime Minister, Paul Ramadier, the Economic and Social Committee, chaired by the former Belgian Prime Minister, Paul van Zeeland, and the Cultural Committee, chaired by the Spanish writer and former diplomat, Salvador de Madariaga. The various proposals put forward from all sides concerned issues such as the establishment of a European Assembly, the drafting of a European Charter of Human Rights, the convertibility of currencies, the abolition of quotas, customs tariffs and price and wage differences, the development and the pooling of agricultural resources, the implementation of a cooperative production and distribution programme, and the establishment of a European Centre for Culture and of a European Childhood and Youth Institute. Before going their separate ways, the delegates adopted three Resolutions that laid down the main objectives of European unity. They also adopted a Message to Europeans drawn up by the Swiss federalist, Denis de Rougemont, rapporteur for the Cultural Committee. By proclaiming this text, the participants at the Hague Congress solemnly declared their common aims to work towards European unity and ensure the implementation of the Resolutions adopted by the Congress.

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