Building towards the Alter Summit: Athens, 7-8 June

Gathered in Brussels on 15 and 16 March, the members of the Alter Summit network unifying social movements, trade unions and NGOs have taken an important step forward in their attempt to create a European social movement. 

Eleven weeks from now, all those in favor of a democratic, social, ecological and feminist Europe will have their eyes on Athens, where numerous events are scheduled to take place on 7 and 8 June.

The choice to organize happenings calling for another Europe in Greece is of crucial importance. For three years, the country has been a laboratory of destructive austerity policies dictated by the Troika.

The time has come to make it the laboratory of a new European vision placing solidarity and the needs of the people in the forefront and to tackle the refoundation of the European Union on a new basis.

On 7 June, a huge assembly will be held in the Peace and Friendship Stadium of Athens. Thousands of activists and committed citizens from Greece and across Europe are expected to attend speeches presenting the “Manifesto of the People”.

This text is based on a long and fruitful discussion led by the components of the Alter Summit network and expresses their common views on what a much-needed reorientation of the European Union should look like.