Statement of Principles
Agora in Utrecht, May 2000
We, the members of AEGEE,
Realising that the European youth is building the future of our continent,
Aspiring to a peaceful Europe free of obstacles and enmities, of false divisions and forced differences,
Resolved to remove barriers between the peoples of Europe,
Determined to contribute to a Europe of co-operation and understanding,
Creating a network of young Europeans desiring to spread our ideals and ideas concerning Europe,
Hereby declare
Our belief that, while cherishing our
diversity and respecting the character of our regions, we can find on the basis
of our cultural and historical heritage the principles that unite us and guide
us in our effort to strengthen the European conscience,
Our faith in a Europe symbolising
liberty, democracy, and respect for human rights and the rule of law, and our
will to co-operate with institutions that promote these concepts,
Our resolve to establish an open
Europe which recognises the importance of all cultures in the shaping of its
past, present, and future and which plays an active role in fostering peace,
stability and prosperity throughout the world,
Our intention to promote unlimited
access to education as being of fundamental importance to increase mutual
understanding,
Our desire to encourage student
mobility in order to fight prejudice and xenophobia by increasing people's
awareness of different cultures, and
Our strong belief that our
association is a unique platform enabling us to contribute to these visions of
Europe.