The Union of European Federalists (UEF) has elected Christian Wenning (35) as its new Secretary General. He replaces Joan Marc Simon. Wenning joined the German section of the Young European Federalists (JEF) first in 1998 and he held several positions since, such as President of JEF Germany, Board Member of UEF Germany and the European Movement Germany. As Secretary General (honorary position) he oversees the UEF Office and its staff in Brussels and is responsible for the overall coordination of UEF. In his professional life Christian Wenning is Manager for EU Affairs in Brussels. Andrew Duff, President of the UEF, said: "I am delighted to welcome Christian Wenning as the new Secretary-General of UEF. He has a tough act to follow to Joan Marc Simon, who has served the federalist cause exceptionally well over the last, fairly difficult years. Christian brings a lot of experience and commitment, and I look forward to working closely with him as we go forward to address the federal issues in further building the European Union and finding the way to economic recovery and financial stability." Christian Wenning: "I campaigned for the Euro, for the historic chance of Enlargement and fought for a more democratic EU. Still the hardest is ahead: The fight against hostility towards the European Idea. It is a great honour to serve the Federalist cause in this important position."

The old and the new board of the German MEP Group of the non-partisan UEF held their first meeting on Wednesday, 10 March 2010, in the European Parliament in Strasburg. Matthias Groote (S&D) was elected as the president. He took over the Socialists and Democrats’ representation from Norbert Glante. The EPP is represented by the Berlin MEP Joachim Zeller, who succeeds Rainer Wieland. In contrast, the spokesmen for the Greens and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats remain the same: Michael Cramer still represents the Greens and Alexander Alvaro remains the spokesperson for the German ALDE members.

On the night of 18th March 2010 the Young European Federalists (JEF) and numerous global partners protested against Europe's last standing dictatorship on the fourth anniversary of the disputed presidential elections in Belarus. The fifth consecutive "Free Belarus Action" took place in 125 cities on four continents, including cities in almost all European countries, even Belarus!
The Young European Federalists' signature street action saw young people gagging statues and each other and posing with signs reading "Give the people of Belarus a voice" in protest against Lukaschenko's dictatorship, which has left the 10 million Belarusian citizens deprived of fundamental human rights, including the right to free speech. Read the full article...

Only a fusion of the spirit of the Union (old sound) and new initiatives and ideas permits effective and functioning European politics. According to Dr. Werner Hoyer, Minister of State in the Department of Foreign Affairs, the German Government manages to use a good blend of both. Hoyer took part in the panel discussion, organized by UEF Berlin and the UEF working-group “Europa-Professionell” in Berlin on the 24 March 2010, and commented on the European politics of the Federal Government. Read the full article...

Last weekend from Friday evening till Sunday afternoon the Young European Federalists (JEF-Europe) held their spring Federal Committee meeting in the Slovak capital.
The event was opened with an interesting panel debate about the EU2020 strategy and gender equality with representatives of the European Commission, the Spanish EU Presidency, the Slovak Foreign Ministry and presidents of JEF-Europe and JEF-Slovakia in the majestic building of the old Slovak parliament. New Secretary General was elected Ruben Loodts and will officially start his term on 1st September 2010. Read the full article...

National Training Seminar on Federalism
17th – 18th April 2010, Verona (Italy)
The seminar in Verona - the first in series of national seminars to be held annually - will be the key moment for the training of federalist activists, that MFE and GFE are committed to organize in a systematic and continuous way. This activity would involve primarily young people, but people of all ages are invited to participate. Besides the need for the formation of new federalist leaders, there is also a need for a lifelong training. All federalist activists should indeed systematically update their knowledge, which can not be limited to the academic-style transmission of a politico-cultural heritage. This seminar shall be the occasion to clarify and update the federalist thinking, too. The annual national training seminar will be integrated by the development of a Handbook of the activist, as well as by local seminars. More info...